Yamaha GNCC University Opens Registration

Prestigious Yamaha GNCC University Opens for 2022 Registration

Learn Professional Racing Skills and Techniques from Premier Off-Road Yamaha Racers for Free

MARIETTA, Ga. – May 4, 2022 – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, announces registration is now open for the 2022 Yamaha Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) University. All up-and-coming off-road racers and riders are invited to hone their skills with hands-on help and tutelage from some of the greatest ATV and off-road motorcycle racers of all time – both past and present. New for this year, Yamaha is providing bLU cRU scholarships to all attending students to cover the GNCC University’s cost of tuition.

At the Yamaha GNCC University, students undergo an exclusive master class of off-road racing fundamentals led by elite racers, GNCC veterans, and their top racing mechanics, highlighting best sportsmanship practices, training, proper nutrition, race preparation, and more, along with hands-on technical riding instruction.

“The Yamaha GNCC University is a fun and unique opportunity for both next-generation and current off-road racers to sharpen their riding and racing skills, while creating memories alongside reigning and previous champions,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports group marketing manager. “This year, we’re thrilled to offer free tuition to all students, courtesy of Yamaha’s bLU cRU support program, and look forward to welcoming racers to this one-of-a-kind experience put on with the aid of legends of the sport, our partners at GNCC, and the Snowshoe Resort to refine rider talents on and off the track.”

ATV classes will be led by:

  • Walker Fowler, seven-time GNCC XC1 Pro ATV champion and current undefeated series leader.

  • Johnny Gallagher, XC1 Pro ATV racer celebrating 27 years of racing at a pro-level.

  • Traci Pickens, 12-time WXC ATV champion.

  • Danny Fowler, Walker Fowler Racing team manager and owner.

  • Mark Notman, retired Pro ATV racer and elite Walker Fowler Racing mechanic.

  • Josh Merritt, XC1 Pro ATV racer.

  • Jeff Pickens, Vet A (30+) champion.

 

Motorcycle classes will be led by:

  • Randy Hawkins, seven-time AMA National Enduro champion and AmPro Yamaha Racing team manager and owner.

  • Stew Baylor, current AMA National Enduro champion and XC1 Open Pro motorcycle racer.

  • Jason Raines, six-time AMA National champion and Raines Riding University instructor and owner.

  • Layne Michael, XC1 Open Pro motorcycle racer.

  • Mike Witkowski, XC2 250 Pro motorcycle racer.

  • Rachel Archer, WXC motorcycle racer.

  • Prestin Raines, WXC motorcycle racer and Raines Riding University Team instructor.

Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia will host the Yamaha GNCC University June 22-24, followed by a weekend full of GNCC racing. This year, Yamaha stepped up to cover the cost of tuition for all GNCC University students via bLU cRU scholarships, therefore students and their accompanying guests will only need to take care of their room and board. To aid in these costs, Yamaha is offering a discounted option to purchase six meals (two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners) for only $50 per person, as well as by providing discounted lodging at Snowshoe Mountain by means of a promo code on the student’s Yamaha GNCC University confirmation email. Interested riders can find more information and register online at https://promotions.yamahamotorsports.com/off-road/pages/2022-gncc-university. Reservations for the Yamaha GNCC University and Snowshoe Mountain lodging are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are only 80 Yamaha GNCC University spots total, with 40 per ATV or motorcycle discipline. Students must be at least eight years of age and provide their own equipment and vehicle.

For more information on Yamaha’s bLU cRU support program, including all guidelines and requirements for ATV, Side-by-Side, and motorcycle racing contingency, visit YamahabLUcRU.com. To view Yamaha’s entire Podium-Proven lineup, visit YamahaMotorsports.com and connect with Yamaha on social media via @YamahaMotorUSA and @YamahaOutdoors, as well as by searching the following hashtags on all platforms: #Yamaha #REALizeYourPodium #REALizeYourAdventure #ProvenOffRoad #bLUcRU #YFZ450R #YZ125X #YZ250X #YZ250FX #YZ450FX

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA 

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company's ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States. 

YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).

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The Raptor 90 and Grizzly 90 is recommended for use by riders 10 years and older and always with adult supervision.

ATVs over 90cc are recommended for use only by riders 16 years and older.

Stewart Secures 3rd Overall

STEWART SECURES THIRD OVERALL IN 450SX CHAMPIONSHIP WITH STRONG FOURTH IN UTAH

HAMPSHIRE FINISHES FOURTH, BECOMING 250SX EAST RUNNER-UP IN 2022

Consistency was key this season for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart, who topped off a career-best season of third overall in the AMA 450 Supercross Championship with a fighting fourth in Salt Lake City, Utah. Teammate RJ Hampshire also put in a strong ride at the season finale, claiming fourth in the combined 250SX East/West Showdown Main Event and runner-up in the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship.

Stewart has been battling to maintain a coveted top-three position in the 450SX Championship standings for most of the season and the Florida native had no intentions of letting it go at the final round. With a strong and smooth performance in 450SX Heat 1, Stewart secured a third-place transfer into the Main Event.

He grabbed a top-five start in the Main Event, racing his way into fourth early on. Patiently positioning himself for a podium push, Stewart made his move into third just before the halfway point but he was taken out a few turns later, dropping him back to sixth. Despite losing his momentum, Stewart quickly re-mounted and began chipping away at a podium position late in the race, coming within less than a second of making it happen before a mistake – just a few turns before the finish – solidified him in fourth.

With three podiums and 10 top-five finishes in 2022, Stewart was able to clinch a career-best third overall in the 450SX Championship Standings.

“The night was great honestly, and I was riding really good all day,” Stewart said. “In the Main Event, I made a pass for third and got into it with Barcia and he shuffled me back a couple positions. I was able to make my way back up and run him down again, all the way to the last lap, but I had a lapped rider in front of me and made a little mistake. The big goal for us was to end on a high note with third in the series and we accomplished that, so I can’t thank the whole team enough for a great year! We’ve been solid and we’ve been smooth, so let’s take this thing outdoors!”

In the 250SX class, riders from both divisions started off with two separate paths of qualifying, which led to one combined East/West Showdown Main Event at the end of the night. In the Eastern region, RJ Hampshire had a tough start to the heat race but he was able to put his head down and salvage an eighth-place transfer into the E/W Showdown.

In the Main Event, Hampshire got out of the gate in fourth and he battled inside the top-five all race long. Swapping positions just outside the podium, St. Louis Triple Crown winner came away just shy of the podium to capture his third top-five finish of the season and second overall in the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship.

“We started out a little bit of a struggle but we salvaged that Main Event,” Hampshire said. “We got a good start from the outside and I felt like I rode pretty solid for the second half of the race and gave ourselves a shot at the podium. I’m stoked to end the season on a good note, a healthy note, and second in the championship. I can’t be too bummed, especially with how it started, so just to be here at the end is a huge improvement for myself and the team. Another series coming up, so I’m excited to get it going again.”

In the Western division, Jalek Swoll found himself buried off the start of his heat race but he went to work battling his way through the field to ultimately secure a ninth-place finish. In the Main Event, Swoll secured a great jump off the start and he battled up front to the first turn until he got hit and shuffled back right away on the opening lap. He fought into the top-10 just after the halfway point and putting in a strong charge at the end of the race, he came away with his sixth top-10 finish of the season.

“It was super muddy in the heat race and I didn’t have a great start, so that was kind of a struggle and it put me on the outside in the main,” Swoll said. “I actually had a really good start and was coming into the first turn as one of the first bikes and I got hit and went all the way backwards. That pretty much ruined the night when it comes to a track that’s really tight for passing. I think the speed was a lot better these last two rounds than all year, so we’ll take that and get some more comfort in the off-season so we can come out swinging.”

Round 17 Results: Salt Lake City SX

450SX Results

1. Jason Anderson (KAW)

2. Chase Sexton (HON)

3. Justin Barcia (GAS)

4. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

250SX East/West Showdown Results

1. Nate Thrasher (YAM)

2. Hunter Lawrence (HON)

3. Pierce Brown (GAS)

4. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

…

10. Jalek Swoll – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

450SX Rider Point Standings

1. Eli Tomac – 359 points

2. Jason Anderson – 350 points

3. Malcolm Stewart, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 314 points

…

10. Dean Wilson, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 152 points

250SX East Rider Point Standings

1. Jett Lawrence – 192 points

2. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 158 points

3. Pierce Brown – 149 points

…

13. Stilez Robertson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 67 points

250SX West Rider Point Standings

1. Christian Craig – 230 points

2. Hunter Lawrence – 220 points

3. Michael Mosiman – 197 points

…

10. Jalek Swoll, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 106 points

Dunlop Continues to Dominate SX

Dunlop Continues to Dominate Supercross in 2022

Rancho Cucamonga, CA: The 49th season of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship came to an end in Salt Lake City and marked yet another milestone in the history of Dunlop’s Supercross racing program: For the thirteenth consecutive season, Dunlop riders swept all three championships. This making a total of 171 SX and MX Championships, a number that no other tire manufacture has ever come close to.

In the 450SX class, the season started with 4 different race winners until Monster Energy Star Yamaha Eli Tomac won 2 races in a row. Then Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson matched the Team Dunlop Elite alumni with 2 consecutive wins. The Triple Crown in Arlington was a turning point in the season for Eli Tomac, who went on a mid-season tear winning 5 main events in a row and slowly built a massive 43-point lead over Anderson going into Denver. The slightly injured Tomac did what he needed to do at his hometown race in Colorado to win his 2nd 450SX championship at the penultimate race of the season.

Overall, in the premier 450SX class, Dunlop riders finished in the top 16 positions, once again proving their Dunlop Domination.

In the 250SX East championship, HRC Honda rider Jett Lawrence was the rider to beat and wrapped things up at Foxborough with one race to go. Going into the east/west coast shootout with the championship secured, meant the Aussie could just enjoy the race and take his first SX championship home safely.

The 250SX West title was the one to watch as it all came down to the final round. Long time Dunlop rider, and Monster Energy Star Yamaha rider, Christian Craig could have wrapped up the championship in Denver, but a small mistake pushed the championship decision onto Salt Lake City. The SX veteran went into the east/west coast shootout with an 18-point lead allowing him to just ride smart and take his first championship home.

With Tomac winning his second supercross title, there are now twenty-two championships won by Team Dunlop Elite alumni, including Chase Sexton, Aaron Plessinger, Justin Hill, Justin Bogle, Justin Barcia, Colt Nichols, Blake Baggett and Ashley Fiolek.

“Dunlop would not have a thirteen-year win streak without the leadership and hard work of our professional racing management directed by Broc Glover and Brian Fleck as well as all the dedicated fitters on our team,” said Mike Buckley, Dunlop Motorcycle’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “It is also very gratifying to see the Team Dunlop Elite program managed by Rob Fox continue to grow and include so many alumni who have gone on to win professional championships. Supercross riders have a choice in tires, and we want to thank all the riders who chose to race on Dunlop tires in 2022.”

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires:

Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit http://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/ .

To learn more about the Team Dunlop program, visit www.teamdunlop.com

Paasch becomes 
Triumph’s Avenue of Legends

Brandon Paasch officially becomes part of
Triumph’s Avenue of Legends

Brandon Paasch was honored with a commemorative plaque on Triumph’s Avenue of Legends at its global HQ and Factory Visitor Experience, Hinckley, UK, to celebrate his fantastic Daytona 200 win

On 12th March 2022 Brandon Paasch made Triumph history by taking an outstanding win at the Daytona 200 on board the Street Triple 765 RS for the TOBC Triumph racing team. The incredible race culminated in a thrilling victory as he drafted the competition out of the very last corner to win by just .007 seconds.

This victory represented the first Daytona 200 win for the Street Triple 765, and once again proved the performance and reliability credentials of Triumph’s class leading sports performance middleweight, which combined with Brandon’s outstanding skills, contributed to writing another chapter of Triumph’s iconic Daytona racing history.

This milestone is now immortalized on Triumph’s Avenue of Legends, which can be walked by every visitor to the Triumph Factory Visitor Experience.

Brandon Paasch – 2022 Daytona 200 Winner: “I am super pumped to have won the Daytona 200 for a second time, back-to-back. It's very special for me as it's a very short list of legendary riders who have accomplished that. Now I am aiming to become the only rider to do it three times in a row. I am very thankful to Triumph for accepting me into their Avenue of Legends. I can’t thank them enough for everything they have done for me these past two years, and I hope to have a long lasting relationship with the Triumph brand.”

Steve Sargent – Triumph Chief Product Officer: “The Avenue of Legends is a mark of respect to those inspirational people who have pushed the boundaries to help make Triumph the brand it is today, and we are delighted to welcome Brandon Paasch to that exclusive group. With his sensational win at the Daytona 200, the race after which the Triumph Daytona can trace its roots back to 1966, sealing a last corner victory by just 0.007 seconds truly earns him the Legend title”

State of the Art

THE REVIVAL HANDBUILT SHOW 2022

Words and photos by Joel Knutson

 

At the center of the Austin Statesmen convention center, Makoto Endo sits on the floor. He is motionless for several minutes as he stares intensely at a canvas on the floor. He dips a chopstick into a cup of paint in his hand, then lets a few drops fly. Makota gets up. I watch him as he leans against a wall for 30 minutes and again comes forward, dripping some more paint on his canvas. There’s no telling how long he’s been at this or how long he might continue. He’s creating a painting of the “Ducati Fuse”, the latest creation of Austin custom motorcycle builder Revival Cycles.

Revival has been building jaw dropping custom motorcycles in their workshop in Austin since 2008. For the first time in 2 years, the team is hosting the Handbuilt Show, an exhibition of the greatest custom motorcycles in the world. It’s one part warehouse party, one part art exhibition, and one part motorcycle rally. Everyone I talk to at the show is warm-hearted and friendly. One man, with his 2 children, explains that, “my whole family, we live and breathe this.” He shouts to his daughter, “Tell him the name of your dog.” She flashes a smile missing several baby teeth, then between giggles answers, “Bark Barquez.”

 
 

The people who make these bikes are simply called “builders.” They build works of art, and I would reason to call them artists. The art they build has a place for your ass to sit and can quickly accelerate your body to 100 mph. The ingredients to this artform are craftsmanship, time, and a little dash of madness. It’s a visual medium, but also very tactile and sonic. The end result culminates in a unique riding experience gifted only to the owner of such a one-off piece. What a wonderful thing to waste your money on.

On my trip to Austin, I’m searching for a little piece of Hunter, and I find him in a mostly ignored corner of The Statemen. It smells like palo santo and is reserved for the Vincent Black Shadow. Hunter S. Thompson is said to have made this bike famous, but in reality, the Black Shadow made itself famous as “the fastest production motorcycle” in 1948. I’ve never seen one in-person, and before I realize what I’m looking at, my mind wonders, “what the fuck is that?” The engine is a messy V-Twin and the bike somehow looks like it’s going fast even when it’s motionless. All the romance around the bike is deserved. This is the bike the devil would ride. My hands are sweating, and I’m dreaming of testing the claimed top speed of 125 mph.

 
 

Gravity draws me back over to the Ducati Fuse at the center of the room. Makoto is placing drops again and shooting his progress with an Olympus camera. The Ducati Fuse is beautiful, and it should be. It comes with it’s own build report listing stats like a quarter of a million dollar budget, 1000 fabrication hours and 7 year timeline. Each detail was meticulously designed in CAD before being brought to life. Is this what the art of building motorcycles is all about?

The question lingers in my head as I take a walk back to the place I’ve rented. It’s midnight, and I find a man working on a half disassembled motorcycle parked on the street in front of a busy East Austin bar. His name is Gil, and he’s ridden his rat bobber 200 miles from Dallas to attend the MotoGP race. He’s sitting in a puddle of oil and now has the transmission in pieces. He finds the source of his woes. “The clutch is toast.”

 
 

The day after the close of the show, I drop by uninvited to Revival’s workshop. This is where Alan Stulberg and his team build these motorcycles. I find Alan in the parking lot working to move his fleet of custom bikes off a trailer. It’s hot, and his face is covered in droplets of sweat. He rolls one of the Vincent Black Shadows off the trailer, and the chain explodes in a shower of links and pins. I hint that I’d love to ride the other pristine Black Shadow., but the stops me. “That bike won’t run. It’s missing a clutch. It’s actually really typical for these show bikes.”

Alan gives me free rein to walk around the workshop, even giving me the code to the front door “in case I get locked out.” This not a normal garage. There is no smell of gas or oil. No greasy rags laying about. Every inch of the workshop is filled with wild dreams, specialized jigs and of course binfuls of motorcycle parts. It’s obvious that Alan and his team are not hobbyists or playing around. This is the work space of a dialed in artist at the top of his field. “There’s no money in this.” Alan explains. He has just moved the BMW Birdcage bike into his garage. This bike made massive waves several years ago and is considered a priceless work of art to motorcycle collectors.

 
 

The trailer is unloaded, and the bikes are safely tucked back into every corner of the workshop. Makoto’s latest work is laying across a big drafting table in the main room. It’s surrounded by his other framed paintings of bikes from previous Handbuilt Shows. Revival and Alan are taking the rest of the day off. Come Tuesday, the welding sparks will again fly from the shop’s next masterpiece. The chopstick paint drips of their peculiar art.

Stewart Storms to Top Five

MALCOLM STEWART STORMS THE TOP-FIVE IN ATLANTA

RJ HAMPSHIRE CLIMBS INTO SECOND IN 250SX EAST CHAMPIONSHIP

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart battled through the elements at Saturday’s Atlanta SX, where he captured a solid top-five finish amidst a hectic day of racing in the 450SX class. Only four points outside of third overall in the point standings, Stewart continues to solidify his presence in the premier class as he fights for his first win in 2022. Teammate RJ Hampshire managed a tough day in Atlanta, securing a top-10 finish in the stacked 250SX East/West Showdown and climbing up a notch to second overall in the Eastern Regional standings.

Early morning rainfall created a muddled start to the day with one condensed practice and qualifying session for each class and super slick conditions as the gates dropped for the daytime schedule. In the 450SX division, Stewart put in a fast lap good enough for fifth overall and he settled into a top-five start in the heat. Climbing into third halfway through, he held a steady pace through the finish to secure third in the heat.

In the Main Event, Stewart got off to a sixth-place start and he positioned himself inside the top-five battle early on. The slick track conditions lent themselves to riders shuffling around all over the top spots but Stewart kept himself steady and in the mix all race long to secure his eighth top-five finish of the season at Round 14.

“The day was actually pretty good, even though it was a short day,” Stewart said. “I feel like I rode pretty good in the main. I had a decent start and I kind of just made some things happen and we ended up fifth. I do feel like there was a lot more left in the tank but honestly, I’m happy to re-bound myself after the crash last weekend. I know it’s just a top-five but it’s something to build off of and I’m stoked to just be back racing again and we’ll be ready for next weekend.”

In the 250SX class, the East/West Showdown brought together the top riders from each regional division, giving teammates RJ Hampshire and Jalek Swoll the opportunity to line up together in the combined Main Event. Hampshire, last weekend’s 250SX East winner, shot off the line in his heat but he lost footing coming into the first turn and rode off-track for a moment, returning in third. Racing in second for the majority of laps, Hampshire made a late-race charge to overtake the lead with one lap to go but he lost it on the final lap, ultimately finishing third after being docked one-position for a race infraction on lap one.

In the Main Event, Hampshire got off to a great start up front but he went down in the slick conditions on the opening lap. Re-mounting in fifth, he kept himself in the top-five battle for the first few laps before shuffling back a few spots midway through the race. From there, Hampshire made the decision to ride a comfortable pace for the remaining laps, ultimately securing a solid eighth in the combined E/W Showdown.

“This was my first time racing Atlanta and it was a tough day to try and get comfortable with only one practice,” Hampshire said. “My starts are still pretty solid but I just wasn’t comfortable in that Main Event. It got pretty hairy as the race went on and I just kind of went big-picture and backed it down, so I can live to fight another weekend. Hopefully we’ll be back on the podium in Boston, if not the top step.”

Swoll, the team’s 250SX West rider, managed his day to come away with an 11th place finish in the Main Event. Battling through the rough conditions, he secured an eighth-place finish in the heat race, giving him an immediate transfer onto the East/West Showdown starting line. In the main, Swoll got a 12th-place start and he raced just outside the top-10 all day.

“It wasn’t the best day for me but we got some better starts,” Swoll said. “I just need a little bit better riding and we’ll fix the issues. All good, just looking forward to the next round and we’ll try to end off supercross with some good results.”

Next Round: April 23 – Foxborough, Massachusetts

Round 14 Results: Atlanta SX

450SX Results

1. Jason Anderson (KAW)

2. Eli Tomac (YAM)

3. Chase Sexton (HON)

…

5. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

250SX East/West Showdown Results

1. Hunter Lawrence (HON)

2. Christian Craig (YAM)

3. Jett Lawrence (HON)

…

8. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

11. Jalek Swoll – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

450SX Rider Point Standings

1. Eli Tomac – 325 points

2. Jason Anderson – 272 points

3. Justin Barcia – 257 points

4. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 253 points

…

8. Dean Wilson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 152 points

250SX East Rider Point Standings

1. Jett Lawrence – 169 points

2. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 122 points

3. Cameron Mcadoo – 114 points

…

11. Stilez Robertson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 67 points

250SX West Rider Point Standings

1. Christian Craig – 194 points

2. Hunter Lawrence – 171 points

3. Michael Mosiman – 158 points

…

11. Jalek Swoll – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 80 points

RJ Hampshire Secures Career-First 250SX Win

RJ HAMPSHIRE SECURES CAREER-FIRST 250SX WIN AT ST. LOUIS SX TRIPLE CROWN

ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACER OVERTAKES THIRD IN 250SX CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire has secured his first-career 250SX win following a top-notch performance at Round 13 of the AMA Supercross Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. Putting together three solid Main Events with 2-2-1 finishes on the night, Hampshire left it all on the racetrack with an emotional culmination in the center of the Triple Crown’s overall podium.

Hampshire’s remarkable performance began with him earning fastest-qualifier for the first time in his career and he carried that momentum into the night show with a powerful holeshot in the first Main Event. Pulling a gap early on, Hampshire led until the seventh lap when he got crossed up in the take-off of a jump and landed on a tough block. He re-mounted quickly, losing two positions, and he charged hard late in the race to reclaim second on the final lap.

He shot off the line in Main Event 2 to secure a second-straight holeshot but a red flag came out on lap two, resulting in a complete restart. Hampshire didn’t let that faze him as he pulled yet another holeshot on the restart and led the first five laps of the race. Halfway through, he lost a position to the points leader but he held strong in second for the remainder of the race.

In an impressive feat, Hampshire aced his fourth holeshot of the night in the last Main Event and he assumed the lead position for the first three laps. Swapping it back-and-forth for the next couple laps, Hampshire eventually walked away from the battle and he cruised into the finish to secure a career-best overall win.

“This is unreal. This has haunted me for so long, I can’t even get words out,” Hampshire said. “I had good times in practice and felt a lot more comfortable on the bike. My starts tonight were unreal and you could tell we made a lot of progress because I holeshot every time I was on the track and led a lot of laps. I’m just so dang stoked for the team to finally get one of these. Big thanks to the guys that have been putting in the work behind the scenes. We put it together tonight, it was our night.”

In the 450SX division, Malcolm Stewart experienced a night of highs and lows, while teammate Dean Wilson had an especially tough night, with a race-ending early in the first Main Event.

Setting the fastest qualifying time for the fifth time this season, Stewart secured a great gate pick for Main Event 1. He blasted his FC 450 Rockstar Edition into the top five out of the gate, quickly moving into fourth. By the second lap, Stewart had moved into third and he held that spot all the way to the checkers.

In the second Main Event, Stewart got off to a sixth-place start and he was on the move early on until he clipped a tough block and crashed. While pinned under his bike, Stewart’s handlebar got caught in his knee brace and the track crew had to assist him in getting the bike free. Eventually re-mounting in last place, Stewart pulled into the mechanic’s area and made an attempt to salvage his race but ultimately made the decision to pull off and prepare for race three.

In Main Event 3, he grabbed a fourth-place start and worked his way into third early on. Still struggling through discomfort from his earlier crash, Stewart shuffled back to fifth and he rode steadily inside the top-five for most of the race before dropping back to sixth with a few laps to go.


Wilson had a strong start to the day after securing a top-10 position in qualifying. However, things took a turn for him in the first Main Event of the night. With a top-10 start, Wilson was racing mid-pack early on but he experienced a hard crash that sent him off-track on lap three. He received trackside medical attention for quite a while before being transported out of the stadium.

Next Round: April 16 – Atlanta, Georgia

Round 13 Results: St. Louis SX Triple Crown

450SX Results

1. Marvin Musquin (KTM), 2-1-2

2. Chase Sexton (HON), 1-3-3

3. Eli Tomac (YAM), 4-4-1

…

9. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 3-19-6

22. Dean Wilson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 22-22-22

250SX East Results

1. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 2-2-1

2. Jett Lawrence (HON), 1-1-5

3. Mitchell Oldenburg (HON), 3-3-4

450SX Rider Point Standings

1. Eli Tomac – 302 points

2. Jason Anderson – 246 points

3. Justin Barcia – 240 points

4. Malcolm Stewart – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 235 points

…

8. Dean Wilson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing – 152 points

250SX East Rider Point Standings

1. Jett Lawrence – 148 points

2. Cameron Mcadoo – 114 points

3. RJ Hampshire – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 107 points

…

10. Stilez Robertson – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 67 points

Volcon ePowersports Provides Support at Austin MotoGP

Volcon will provide a fleet of fully-electric Grunt motorcycles for MV Augusta and VR46 race teams at COTA

Round Rock, TX | March 31, 2022: Volcon Inc. (NASDAQ: VLCN), (“Volcon” or the “Company”), an all-electric, off-road powersports company, will have a fleet of 2022 Grunts available for use by several race teams at the MotoGP race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin (“COTA”), Texas over the weekend of April 9-10, 2022. With a stealthy-quiet drivetrain, the all-electric Grunt is the perfect paddock support bike. Volcon looks forward to the opportunity to support the crew and racers in getting around the facility as they focus on their racing efforts at the track. 

COTA is located just 45 minutes from Volcon’s headquarters in Round Rock, Texas where the Grunts are manufactured in a roughly 10,000 square foot facility. 

 

“We were excited to connect with these world-class race teams. With MotoGP visiting our backyard, it was a great opportunity to support them during their visit to the US. The Grunt is the ideal paddock support bike as the crews and racers will be able to get around quickly and quietly” explained Volcon Chief Executive Officer, Jordan Davis. 

Volcon looks forward to seeing its products in use at the race in Austin. 

 

For more information on Volcon or to learn more about its complete motorcycle and side-by-side line-up, visit: www.volcon.com

 

For additional information, or to be added to Volcon’s press distribution list, contact gina@volcon.com 

 

About Volcon

Volcon Inc. is an all-electric, powersports company producing high-quality off-road vehicles. Based in Round Rock, Texas, Volcon joins many major electric vehicle manufacturers near Austin, Texas, an area that is poised to become the electric vehicle capital of the world.

 

Volcon was founded with the mission to enhance the outdoor experience while reducing the industry’s environmental footprint so that adventurers and workers alike can enjoy the outdoors and preserve it for generations to come. Volcon produces all-electric, off-road vehicles that are designed to elevate the adventure experience and help people get things done at work and on the home front.

 

Volcon’s first product, the innovative Grunt, combines a fat-tire physique with high-torque electric power and a near-silent drive train which started shipping in September of 2021. Future models may include the Runt, which is a youth-sized version of the groundbreaking Grunt and an eBike, the Brat. The Stag and Project X are expected to be Volcon’s venture into the rapidly expanding world of UTVs and coming in future years as the Company continues to expand.

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