This week in US powersports racing.
Ken Roczen Grabs the WSX World Championship
Suzuki Motor USA congratulates Ken Roczen and Pipes Motorsport Group (PMG) on winning the 2023 WSX World Championship. This is PMG’s first championship and Roczen’s second consecutive WSX title.
Ken Roczen (94) wrapped up an incredible year on his Suzuki RM-Z450 with a
WSX World Championship.
At the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, Roczen’s consistency earned him the title. With only 19 points separating the top four riders, the championship was up for grabs. Ken Roczen’s impressive starts, experienced racecraft, and ability to navigate through the pack proved to be the difference as he finished 1st, 1st, and 3rd in the three races, earning points in all of them. These top finishes assured his second consecutive WSX World Championship title.
This championship is in addition to Roczen carding a solid AMA Supercross season where he finished tied for third in that championship.
On January 6th, 2024, Ken Roczen and Suzuki will kick off the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship in Anaheim, CA.
For more team news please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross.
Estenson Racing Announces 2024 Progressive American Flat Track Team
Estenson Racing is pleased to announce the return of Dallas Daniels and Tom Drane for the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season. The two phenoms will spearhead the team’s title campaign in the series, with Daniels leading the way in the Mission SuperTwins Championship aboard the Yamaha MT-07 and Drane looking to take the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER crown aboard the Yamaha YZ450F.
On the heels of a stellar rookie season in the premier class, Daniels came out swinging in 2023. The fast rider from Illinois fired the first shot by sweeping the season opener at the Daytona Short Track doubleheader and led the points standings for most of the season aboard his Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07. It was a landmark year for Daniels, who completed a dirt track grand slam (a career win in all four Grand National Championship track disciplines – Short Track, Half-Mile, Mile, and TT) in just his second year in the premier class. It was an exciting season, with the title chase going down to the wire and the 20-year-old ultimately finishing the year runner-up with five wins and a total of 15 podiums in 18 rounds. Daniels heads into his sixth season with the team looking to add a Grand National Championship to his already impressive resume of back-to-back Parts Unlimited AFT Singles titles and multiple victories aboard the MT-07 and YZ450F.
Drane returns for his second season with the team and looks to build on his standout rookie season in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Championship. With a new team, new bike, and new tracks, the Australian hit his stride before the halfway mark of the season, quickly climbing his way up the points standings and finishing the year in the runner-up spot with a total of four wins and 10 podiums. The 17-year-old looks to build on that progress in 2024, battle for top honors, and return the number-one plate to the Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F.
Tommy Hayden – Estenson Racing Team Manager
“2024 will be a change for us with a two-rider team, but we feel that a more concentrated effort will allow us to make another step forward in performance next season. As a team, we had a lot to be proud of this past season, but to come so close to a SuperTwins Championship and not get it done definitely stung and has motivated us to come back even stronger next year. With the way Dallas performed this past season in just his second year as a SuperTwins rider and the way Tom improved over the course of his first full year in AFT, I believe we are in a good position to fight for the championship in both classes in 24′.
“As excited as we are about next year, it is also difficult not to be continuing with JD and Trevor. I have a tremendous amount of respect for both of these guys and nothing but good things to say about them. They are both true professionals on- and off- the track, and I will genuinely miss working with them. With JD in particular, he started with our program from the beginning. Although there were many bumps in the road along the way with the development, he always gave us his best effort, performed like a champion, and won some big races for us and Yamaha. I would like to thank both of them for everything they gave the team and wish them the best in their future endeavors.”
Dallas Daniels – Estenson Racing Mission SuperTwins
“I’m very excited to be back with the Estenson Racing team for 2024. I’ve been with them every year since I turned pro, and I’m looking forward to continuing to build on our relationship and to keep learning. I’m very happy with this team and super happy that they are having me back. We learned so much last year. So even though the year didn’t end exactly how we wanted, finishing second in the championship, we had a lot of success and are going to apply all of that to next year. I’m looking forward to fighting for more race wins and trying to get that championship.”
Tom Drane – Estenson Racing Parts Unlimited AFT Singles
I’m really excited to be returning with Estenson Racing after such a good first year. It was great to have my first full season traveling the championship, getting to know everyone, finding a lot of different setups, and learning from the team. We were able to improve all year, which was really good. At the end of the season, we started to really come on strong and were able to win races. I feel really comfortable on the bike, and we’re looking to continue that stretch through next year.”
UNITEDMOTORSPORTS.COM, MEDIA ALLSTARS AND MUSICK RACING TO JOIN FORCES IN 2024
LEXINGTON, KY – United Motorsports and Unitedmotorsports.com, a leading provider of ATVs, Side-by-Sides, Motorcycles, Parts, Accessories, Apparel, Gear and more, is thrilled to announce it’s partnership with the newly formed Media Allstars/Musick Racing Race Team. This partnership marks a significant step for United Motorsports in their quest to become the go to source online for powersports parts and accessories.
Team Media Allstars has been a staple of the ATV Racing community and the longest tenured amateur race team currently traveling the AMA ATVMX National circuit. With over 53 National Championships to their credit along with the 2011 and 2015 AMA ATVMX Race Team of the Year awards since their conception in 2004.
Musick Racing burst onto the ATV racing scene in 2021 by winning multiple championships at all levels of ATV Racing from the age classes to the Pro-Sport and Pro-Am classes. Headed up by former AMA Pro ATV racer Brett Musick this up-and-coming race team took home the 2022 AMA ATVMX Race Team of the Year Award. 2023 saw Musick Racing tackle ATV Racing at the highest level by sponsoring 5-time European Champion Kevin Sarr who went on to earn a 9th place overall in the AMA ATVMX Pro Class in 2023.
“We are very excited to partner up with the Media Allstars/Musick Racing venture for 2024. Motocross Racing is a passion of ours here at Unitedmotorsports.com and supporting a grass roots program like the Media Allstars and Musick Racing made perfect sense. We hope to use our support of their race team to further our presence within the ATV Racing community and earn those racers and families trust and business along the way,” said Ray Butts, VP of Unitedmotorsports.com. “We hope that this is just the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between us and all those involved in ATV MX”.
Team Media Allstars Team Manager Chase Cunningham had this to say, “Joining forces with Musick Racing and Unitedmotorsports.com is just what the doctor ordered. Team Media Allstars has always been viewed as the gold standard for amateur ATVMX racing and by combining our collective resources we can once again be the cream that rises to the top of this sport. Excited doesn’t begin to explain how pumped we are for the 2024 season.”
For more information about United Motorsports and their products, please visit their website at www.unitedmotorsports.com.
About United Motorsports: United Motorsports is a leading provider of motorcycles, side-by-sides, ATVs, parts, gear, apparel, and more. Established with a passion for off-road adventure, United Motorsports is committed to helping customers find the perfect vehicle and customization options to meet their specific needs. With fast, free shipping, United Motorsports ensures a seamless purchasing experience for off-road enthusiasts across the nation.
Dunlop Wins 81 Championships at Mini O’s 2023
The 52nd annual Mini O’s took place at Gatorback Cycle Park, an event that would see more record entries and tighter competition than ever before! In conjunction with the Thanksgiving Holiday each year, thousands of athletes along with their families travel to Northern Florida to compete at the legendary venue.
For over twenty years, Dunlop has continued to provide support for this renowned amateur event. This year, the all-new soft/intermediate terrain Geomax MX34 was the tire of choice to clinch eighty-one titles throughout the Supercross and Motocross portions of the event. This is a win record that no other company has or could ever come close to.
Starting the week on the Supercross track, forty-one championships would be captured by competitors racing on the Dunlop brand of tires. Notable performances from members of Team Dunlop Elite included Seth Dennis, who ended his supermini career winning the Supermini 1 (12-15) and Supermini 2 (13-16) classes; Beckham Smith showed dominance on his new KTM’s in the 51cc (4-8) limited, 51cc (7-8) limited and 65cc (7-9) limited classes, plus Eidan Steinbrecher took control in the 65cc (7-11) and 65cc (10-11) classes.
Once the Supercross portion of the event was completed, athletes transferred over to the motocross segment of the week’s festivities. While here, forty championships were accumulated by riders running Dunlop tires. Team Dunlop Elite riders would showcase award-winning performances once again, with Seth Dennis grabbing the Supermini 1 (12-15) championship, Beckham Smith taking home the 51cc (4-8) limited title, and Eidan Steinbrecher winning the 65cc (10-11) limited class but absent in his other moto two races due to a violent get off.
Team Dunlop Elite alumni Drew Adams was honored as the recipient of the coveted Dunlop Silver Tire Award, an accolade granted to the competitor with the most points, participating in both Pro Sport and “A” classes. Drew had a rough start in the Supercross portion of the event but stayed consistent and turned things around on the Motocross track. This was enough to outpoint Dunlop riders Avery Long and Krystian Janik, who were all in the running to win the historical award.
“It was another incredible week of racing at Mini O’s,” said Rob Fox, Dunlop Amateur Motocross Support Manager. “The all-new MX34 worked exceptionally well on both the SX and MX tracks! We are extremely honored that so many riders choose to race on Dunlop tires!”
For sponsorship opportunities and more information, visit the new TeamDunlop.com.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING FORMS IMPRESSIVE OFFROAD EFFORT FOR 2024
A class roster of seven riders will make up the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team in offroad competition heading into the 2024 season, spread throughout the sport’s leading series within the United States and with the common goal of challenging for race victories and championship glory.
The Husqvarna Motorcycles program has re-signed returning riders Craig DeLong, Trevor Bollinger, Austin Walton, Dalton Shirey, Colton Haaker, and Ryder LeBlond, in addition to welcoming Korie Steede within the factory organization.
Anthony DiBasilio, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager: “This past year was great for us and we had a lot of success, winning the GNCC XC1 Pro Championship with Craig DeLong, as well as the Hare and Hound Championship with Dalton Shirey picking up his third Pro Class title there. We’re really excited to continue the partnership with Craig after signing him to a new, long-term deal. Now, we’re looking for 2024 to be even better, and to hopefully add some more championships underneath the tent with our exciting list of returning riders. We have also added a new rider, Korie Steede, to the roster and we’re really excited about that, to see what we can do to help her continue the success that she has achieved in her career. Together, with the riders and crew within the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team, we look forward to the upcoming season.”
New Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Champion DeLong will defend his XC1 Open Pro crown, as well as enter the AMA U.S. Sprint Enduro Series next season as part of a multi-year contract extension, while alongside him in GNCC, Bollinger will be eager to make his mark onboard the 2024 Husqvarna Motorcycles FX 350, while also contesting the AMA National Enduro Series.
Both DeLong and Bollinger will be joined in GNCC by WXC front-runner Steede, who was runner-up in the 2023 standings with two round wins, and she will also enter the Sprint Enduro Series. Steede formed part of the U.S. team’s winning FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) Women’s World Trophy squad in Argentina last month, capping off a convincing season altogether.
Craig DeLong: “I am really looking forward to another few years together with Husqvarna and getting a chance to defend my championship in the GNCC series. The bike is working great and I’m already ready to get racing again!”
Trevor Bollinger: “I’m eager to kick off my sixth season with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna. There’s been a few changes to my program for this year coming, but that doesn’t change the goal to win races and fight for championships.”
Korie Steede: “I’m super-stoked to start my first year with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and I can’t thank the team enough for the amazing opportunity! I’m ready to get dialed on the new bike and to chase these championships – we have what it takes!”
Preparing for battle on the west coast with the 2024 Husqvarna Motorcycles FX 450, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing will field Walton and Shirey in the AMA National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) and National Hare and Hound (NHHA) Championship, where Shirey is set to challenge for his fourth-career Pro class title.
Austin Walton: “The 2024 season is coming up and I’m super-excited for it. Some updates to the bike have made me really happy, so I’m feeling at home, feeling comfortable, and am looking forward to kicking things off again. Last season didn’t play out exactly how I wanted it to, but we will keep working hard and I think we will be able to put in results, see if we can get ourselves on the top step of the podium. I’m excited to further my time with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team.”
Dalton Shirey: “It was really good to win another NHHA Championship this season and my goal is to carry my form over to defend that title again, while also aiming to make gains in the NGPC Series.”
A quality AMA U.S. Hard Enduro Championship and AMA EnduroCross Championship combination continues in the form of five-time EX Pro number one Haaker and LeBlond. The duo will be equipped with the 2024 Husqvarna Motorcycles TE 300 in Hard Enduro, before transferring across to the 2024 FX 350 in EnduroCross.
Colton Haaker: “I am excited for my ninth season with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team. It’s been amazing to have captured eight major titles in as many years with the team and I’d love to keep the score even at nine with another championship in 2024. As a team, we are focused on the goal and are ready for the challenge.”
Ryder LeBlond: “Looking forward to year two with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team! This year was the most fun I’ve had on my dirt bike and I’m ready to keep that rolling into 2024 to chase those wins and championships.”
Antti Kallonen, Director of Offroad Racing: “Husqvarna Motorcycles has strengthened its position in offroad racing and it shows in the 2024 rider lineup. The team has riders capable of winning championships in each series that they participate in, and with Anthony’s lead, we look forward to a championship-winning season. It was already proven last year when Craig DeLong brought the first GNCC overall championship to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, and continued Husqvarna’s winning ways in the series following Jordan Ashburn’s success in 2022. This shows that brand’s capabilities and commitment to winning, and being a front-runner in offroad racing.”
FMF KTM FACTORY RACING PROGRAM EXPANDS WITH TWO TEAMS ENTERING 2024 U.S. OFFROAD SEASON
MURRIETA, Calif. – With a seasoned lineup for 2024, the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team heads into the new season with five returning riders to once again contest the nation’s top offroad championships in the premier division. For the first time ever, KTM will extend its factory efforts to include the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers, which will focus on GNCC’s XC2 250 Pro and WXC classes to provide a steppingstone for young riders into the premier XC1 class.
Representing FMF KTM Factory Racing on the west coast is the dynamic duo of Dante Oliveira and Mateo Oliveira, both competing in the AMA National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) and AMA West Hare Scrambles Series (WHS), while Ben Kelley and Johnny Girroir will lead the charge in the Grand National Cross Country Championship (GNCC) on the east coast. Additionally, Kelley will enter the AMA National Enduro Series and Girroir in the AMA U.S. Sprint Enduro Series. In addition, Trystan Hart will wear his number one plates across the AMA U.S. Hard Enduro and AMA EnduroCross Championships in search of a two-peat in 2024.
Tim Weigand, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “We’re thrilled to announce the return of Trystan Hart, Ben Kelley, Johnny Girroir, Dante Oliveira, and Mateo Oliveira to the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team for 2024. These five exceptional riders epitomize the champion’s mindset, showcasing unwavering dedication and unparalleled work ethic. Their commitment to excellence, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of greatness, defines the essence of our team. As we continue this journey together, we eagerly anticipate achieving new milestones and clinching numerous championships in the upcoming season.”
Fresh from leading Team USA to the World Trophy victory and claiming an individual podium result at the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), Dante Oliveira is in the form of his career and will defend his NGPC and WHS titles, to be teamed on the west coast with ISDE Junior World Trophy individual winner Mateo Oliveira – both to be equipped with the 2024 KTM 450 XC-F.
Dante Oliveira: “For 2024 I am feeling strong and ready to go racing! I’m going to work on being the best I can be to finish on top.”
Mateo Oliveira: “It’s a new year coming up and we maintain the same goals, to win races after learning a lot in 2023. I’m excited to keep working and make 2024 a good one!”
After finishing third this season with two victories to his credit, Kelley will be aiming to reclaim the GNCC Championship that he won in 2021, while also contesting the NEPG Series. In GNCC he will partner with Girroir, who will also defend his U.S. Sprint Enduro Series title, and they will be on board the 2024 KTM 350 XC-F on the east coast once again.
Ben Kelley: “I’m excited for the 2024 season, sticking with KTM and I’m super-proud of that. It will be our second year with this current bike and that will be positive for us, so I think we will be in a much better spot coming into the new year. Hopefully I can come in healthy, we still have a few months to get prepared, and I really want to get the GNCC title back, as well as to get back competition in the Enduros. I’m focused and want to give it my all.”
Johnny Girroir: “I’m excited to get the 2024 season started! I am feeling healthy, am in a good position, and am ready to go!”
This past season was a remarkable one for Canadian international Hart, picking up a third-straight U.S. Hard Enduro title, as well as delivering a first career EnduroCross crown. As part of his recent multi-year extension with FMF KTM Factory Racing, he will ride a 2024 KTM 300 XC-W in Hard Enduro, before transitioning across to the razor-sharp 2024 KTM 350 XC-F when he heads into the tight confines of EnduroCross competition.
Trystan Hart: “2023 was a great year for us and it’s going to be hard to top those results that we achieved. The team and I are definitely going to give it our all and work hard together to hopefully hold onto our championships.”
Newly-introduced for 2024 is the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers squad under the management of Chris Landers, which will be based on the east coast and features an exciting three-rider roster that includes the youthful combination of Angus Riordan – who was runner-up in GNCC XC2 this past season – and Grant Davis, alongside reigning ISDE Women’s World Trophy Champion Brandy Richards.
All three riders will be on the 2024 KTM 250 XC-F throughout the season, with Riordan entering GNCC XC2 in addition to his U.S. Sprint Enduro Series Pro 2 title defense, while Davis will also contest GNCC alongside the NEPG Series in NE Pro2. Richards, meanwhile, is setting her sights on success in GNCC and the AMA U.S. Sprint Enduro Series within the WXC and Pro Women categories.
Angus Riordan: “I’m feeling good and am excited to get the show on the road with this new team at FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers. We have some new goals in place and are ready to get after it in 2024!”
Grant Davis: “I am pumped for the 2024 season to get started! I am feeling better than I’ve ever felt on the bike and am ready to go.”
Brandy Richards: “Super-excited for 2024, riding for FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers. To go back east will be quite the change from what I am used to, so I am excited to get out there and to get in the mix.”
Chris Landers, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers Manager: “We’re headed into 2024 with a new look, a new plan, and the new FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers. It’s going to be really good to have Gus, Grant, and Brandy on the team, as well as our elite amateur program with Chase Landers and Cooper Jones. We’re really looking forward to getting things going and are excited for the opportunity to work with KTM.”
Antti Kallonen, Director of Offroad Racing: “KTM is the leading manufacturer in offroad racing and it is our goal to keep it that way, and to keep progressing every year. With that, we are very pleased to see the current FMF KTM Factory Racing Team managed by Tim Weigand remain the same with the championship caliber riders, aiming to win the major offroad championships in the States and on the world stage. Something new for this year to progress within our programs, we are expanding our factory efforts in GNCC to include XC2 250 Pro riders and a WXC rider to represent FMF KTM Factory Racing. It will be managed and overseen by Chris Landers, who we are looking forward to working with on this new partnership. It is to make sure we have a pathway to success for young riders in their career, all the way from youth to amateurs, and the highest level of GNCC. Overall, with the entire FMF KTM Factory Racing Team consisting of west coast and east coast riders, we are looking forward to a strong and successful 2024 season.”
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