While the rival World Supercross Championship (WSX) continues to struggle with financial and race cancellation issues, the Super Motor Cross World Championship in USA continues to go from strength to strength. Supercross and Pro Motocross have both seen attendance and international competition growth. The landmark inaugural season of the 31-event SuperMotocross World Championship Series (SMX) recently concluded (in October) with the culmination of the postseason (Playoffs and Final) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where two of the sport’s youngest and brightest stars cemented their place in the history books.
On the heels of an impressive Rookie of the Year campaign, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, 17, captured the 250 cc World Championship, while Australian Team Honda HRC athlete Jett Lawrence, 20, became the first-ever 450 cc World Champion, which capped off his historic rookie season in the premier division. As champions, Deegan and Lawrence were the two biggest financial benefactors of the SMX World Championship, which awarded the sport’s largest prize payout of $10m - $5.5m of which was available for the final three postseason races. Deegan collected $575,000 in postseason earnings, while Lawrence received $1.2 million, both of which included individual race purses and championship point funds.
The AMA has announced the passing of AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Sammy Tanner. A seven-time AMA Grand National Championship event winner and 1999 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, Sammy Tanner was born on May 23, 1939, in Houston, Tx. Tanner purchased his first motorcycle - a James Villiers - at 14 years old and fell in love with the sport right away. He started racing in local field meets throughout his home state, and soon earned a support ride on a 500 cc Triumph. Due to his 5-foot, 100-pound stature, Tanner was lovingly dubbed “The Flying Flea” by fans and fellow racers alike. He turned professional in 1958.
Custombike - having taken up the mantel of European Custombike Championship after it fell into disuse, the annual Custombike returns to Bad Salzuflen, near Hannover, Germany, on December 1-3, 2023; www.custombike-show.de
Grassroots authenticity at its best, the 16th annual Glemseck 101 in Germany attracted some 40,000 visitors over its three days (September 1-3) this year. The event has always been about more than just the motorcycles, but some 150 bikes duked it out on the 1/8 strip on the former 'Solitude' racetrack outside Stuttgart including, for the first time, Scooters.
The National Motorcycle Museum at Anamosa, Iowa, has closed permanently. Founded by John and Jill Parham (of J&P Cycles fame) the museum continued in business for some years after John's death, but Jill Parham took the tough decision earlier this year to close the museum after 22 years and auction most of the collection.
Motor Bike Expo - Billed as "more than an exhibition," the annual MBE 'Verona' Show will be staged again at the northern Italian city on January 19-21, 2024; www.Motorbikeexpo.it
Harley is recalling certain 2023 X350 RA motorcycles due to a possible fuel sensor leak - dealers will replace the fuel sensor gasket.
In the United States, Zero Motorcycles has announced permanently reduced MSRPs of up to $4,500 less for certain models on all 2022 and 2023 motorcycles.
Riding the Husqvarna FX 450, Dalton Shirey clinched the AMA's 2023 Hare & Hound Championship, successfully defending his Pro Class title, garnering a third-career Hare & Hound crown. In other news, Max Ruml is the 2023 AMA Speedway National Champion, for the second time in his career, after missing the 2022 title by a single point to Broc Nicol.
Sources: AMD, IDN, FT, Reuters, PSB, MPN, BDN, MCN, AP, Bloomberg, MSNW, Electrek, electricmotorcycles.news, RideApart.com, Motor1.com, Cycle World, motorbikewriter.com