MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT
#WHIPITWEDNESDAY
Rider: Jeff Emig
Jeff was one of the most prominent figures in motocross and Supercross through the 1990s. Not too many know of Emig’s amateur past but he was also a Loretta Lynn’s champion on 85cc’s and went pro in 1988. In his pro career, he didn’t start to see results until around 1990 when he won the Houston Supercross on 125’s. He continued building through the years and when moving up to the premier 250 class his speed started to show. He won the 1996 motocross series as well as the 1997 Supercross and motocross series beating the likes of Jeremy McGrath. Interestingly in 2002, he returned to Loretta Lynn’s where he raced the 30 plus vet class but also the 250 open A pro sport class in the same year which he actually won. Jeff now works as a TV analyst and is still heavily involved with the sport. He even still races at the Ranch.
TY MASTERPOOL WINS AT HIGH POINT
Ty Masterpool wins at High Point!
Ty Masterpool came out swinging at High Point last weekend. Moving to the Pro Circuit team the day before the first motocross race of the season at Hangtown, it did not take much time for Masterpool to find himself on top. Ty was consistently near the front through multiple qualifying sessions this year and he was the first rider to break Haiden Deegan’s overall streak this season being the only other rider to win. Ty led the majority of the first moto only to be passed by Haiden Deegan on the last lap. In the second moto, we saw a very similar circumstance and Haiden Deegan pushed until the end, but Ty held strong and brought Pro Circuit their 300th win.
SEXTON GOES DOWN
Chase Sexton went 3-2 for second overall at High Point.
Chase Sexton has shown moments of glory so far this motocross season but has also found himself on the ground more than he’d like. With Jett Lawrence’s lingering injury from Hangtown, now is the time for riders to capitalize and take advantage as Jett has not been at his normal pace. But this is not easy. Jett Lawrence has remained extremely consistent and has ridden very maturely not pushing the issue and keeping pace. At High Point, Chase Sexton was able to make the pass stick on Jett Lawrence and it seemed he would ride off to take the win, but for the second weekend in a row, Sexton has gone down. Chase needs to regroup and find some of the settings he is searching for as he has the potential to be a motocross champion.
MXA PHOTO TRIVIA
Who is this rider? Answer at the bottom of the article.
2025 KTM 450SXF TESTED
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Dive into an unparalleled motocross Fantasy experience with MXA’s cutting-edge app, meticulously crafted to deliver all the action directly to your fingertips. Our sophisticated, seamless, and completely free platform allows you to engage in intense competitions, even if you join mid-season. With opportunities to win prizes every weekend based on the most points gained from each race, you’re never out of the running. The season is already in full swing, but you can still challenge your friends, create groups, and immerse yourself in the competition by joining private parties. Enter at any point in the 2024 Supercross series, and stay tuned for our 2024 AMA Motocross Fantasy game. If you’re using Apple click here and if you’re on Android click here
FIRST LOOK! NEW 2025 HONDA CRF450 & CRF250 MODELS
FASTWAY MINI FOOTPEGS
Check out the brand new Fastway MINI Footpegs, specially made for young shredders in the motocross world. These footpegs are here to give you insane grip, a big platform to stand on, and keep you from getting stuck in the ruts or mud. Say goodbye to using adult-sized pegs that slow you down – these are just the right size for you!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: DEEGAN EXPANDS HIS POINTS LEAD
“Today was super solid. I qualified first, and then in the first moto, I got a bad start – 30th place – and made my way to first with two laps to go, so that was sick. In the second moto, I had a decent start, and I got up to fourth on the first lap, and then I just washed the front and got stuck. I was 30th again, so pretty much it was, ‘Alright, I did it once, so let’s see if I can do it twice.’ Literally two turns to go, I caught my way back up, and me and Ty (Masterpool) pretty much went over the finish line together. He won, and I got second, so we tied on points. Second overall on the day, and we definitely have a good points gap now over second and third in the championship. So yeah, we’re digging, baby, we’re digging.”
ASK THE MXPERTS: SEEKING SLIP OR ENHANCING GRIP?
Rekluse automatic clutch.
Dear MXA,
What’s the difference between an auto-clutch and a slipper clutch? I’m interested in switching because I am ham-fisted with the clutch on my CRF450. I need mechanical help.
A slipper clutch, like the Hinson BTL, is basically a handling device and less of an actual engine aid. A slipper clutch disengages the clutch when the engine registers significant deceleration. This frees up the rear suspension by lessening chain torque. With a slipper clutch, the clutch does not disengage the clutch until the inertia of the engine slows beyond a certain point. If you chop the throttle in braking bumps, it pulls the clutch in for you to allow the rear shock to move freely; however, a slipper clutch does not stay pulled in. Once the deceleration and engine braking lessens, the clutch reengages. So, you still have to pull the clutch in to stop the bike from stalling. In short, a slipper clutch is designed to limit wheel hop on deceleration and when downshifting into corners, but it will still stall like a full manual clutch.
An auto-clutch, like the Rekluse, is a fully automatic clutch. It not only disengages the clutch when it registers deceleration, but the clutch stays disengaged until you accelerate again. With an auto-clutch, you do not have to pull the clutch in when you come to a full stop because it pulls itself in. When you turn the throttle on and the auto-clutch spins up to a pre-set rpm, the centrifugal weights inside the clutch pack move outward to engage the drive plates and keep them hooked up until you let the rpm drop to a level where the weights retract to disengage the clutch.
Hinson BLT Slipper Clutch.
Both a slipper clutch and an auto clutch will work on a motocross bike, but their best and intended uses are for Supermoto (slipper) and technical enduro riding (auto-clutch). In motocross, a slipper clutch is at its best in braking bumps at the end of a long straight, when locking the rear wheel up under hard braking or at the bottom of choppy downhills. Why? Because by disengaging the clutch when you chop the throttle, you free the rear suspension from wheel hop and chain torque; however, you still have to pull the clutch in to start, shift or stop.
Conversely, an auto-clutch frees the rider from ever having to touch the clutch lever. You can come to a complete stop, in gear, with an autoclutch and never have to worry about stalling the engine. You can start from a dead stop by just turning the throttle—no need to let the clutch out. Don’t think that an auto-clutch turns your five-speed gearbox into an automatic transmission; you still have to shift from gear to gear. Most riders who race with Rekluse automatic clutches—and there have been AMA Pro riders who have had top-five finishes in Nationals with them—find that not having to worry about stalling or manipulating the clutch lever constantly frees up more brain power to use on line selection and late braking. Best of all, you can still use the clutch lever on an auto-clutch if you want to.
A few years ago a lot of motocross racers used slipper clutches, while auto-clutches were considered offroad devices. But, as auto-clutches have gotten more sophisticated, the tide has turned. Now auto-clutches are more common and more useful in motocross than slipper clutches.
MXA FANTASY LEAGUE: THE WINNER OF HIGH POINT MOTOCROSS SCORED 316 POINTS
The High Point National was a wild race with many lead changes throughout the motos. Ty Masterpool was the winner of the 250 class but he was not the most predicted rider. Surprisingly neither was Haiden Deegan as it seemed many people believed his streak was going on longer than expected. Levi Kitchen was predicted by many to be the winner but he ended up falling short due to poor starts and a few crashes. In the 450 class however, Jett Lawrence was the most predicted rider as many believed he was working past his injury, and those who chose him turned out to be right as Jett went 1-1 on the day.
THE WINNER OF THE HIGH POINT FANTASY LEAGUE “DABEECH″
Username DABEECH broke the record for most points in the MXA Fantasy League so far this year which was 316 and made a significant jump in overall positioning.
250 CLASS PREDICTIONS
Ty Masterpool wins the overall at High Point.
For the 250 class, the predictions were nearly spot on, though there were a couple of riders who were not in the correct position. In first he chose Levi Kitchen, who finished outside the top six finishing in ninth overall and did not receive any Fantasy League points. However, in second he chose Haiden Deegan who did finish in second and received 33 points including the ten-point bonus. In third, he chose Chance Hymas who was another correct pick and received 31 Fantasy League points including the ten-point bonus. In fourth he chose Tom Vialle who finished in fifth giving 18 Fantasy League points. In fifth he chose Jo Shimoda who finished in fourth giving 19 Fantasy League points. And in sixth he chose Ty Masterpool who was the winner, and gave 26 Fantasy League points.
450 CLASS PREDICTIONS
Jason Anderson battled for sixth overall at High Point.
In the 450 class the predictions were great as well as he chose Jett Lawrence to win, which was the result, and gave 36 Fantasy League points including the ten-point bonus. In second he chose Chase Sexton who was another correct pick giving 33 Fantasy League points including the ten-point bonus. In third, he chose Hunter Lawrence which was a correct pick giving 31 Fantasy League points including the ten-point bonus. In fourth, he chose Aaron Plessinger which was another correct pick giving 29 Fantasy League points including the ten-point bonus. In fifth he chose Justin Cooper which was correct and gave 28 Fantasy League points including the ten-point bonus. And finally, in sixth, he chose Jason Anderson who was another correct pick giving 27 Fantasy League points including the ten-point bonus. Giving a perfect score for the 450 class which is the first time we’ve seen this so far this year.
MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK
The bikes of Ty Masterpool and Levi Kitchen sitting under the semi. Ty Masterpool would go on to win the High Point National on baord the number (29).
CLASSIC MXA PHOTO
Travis Pastrana on board his factory Suzuki in 2001.
MXA Photo Trivia Answer: The late Marty Smith who was the AMA 125cc champion – 1974, 1975 and the AMA 500cc champion – 1977.
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