Monster Energy Drink announced the
Monster Triple Crown of Motocross at
Mt. Morris. High Point was the first of three
races where the rider with the best finishes
at all three will win $25,000. The other two
races on the schedule are Red Bud and
Steel City.
There have been rumors floating around
about Kawasaki possibly unveiling the
Kawasaki 450cc four-stroke. Team
Kawaski's Michael Byrne, however, says it is
not happening anytime soon. "I mean, once
it would come, we would for sure ride it,
but they don't have it yet," Byrne said.
"There have always been a lot of rumors the bike isn't finished yet. James [Stewart)
and I aren't planning on riding it anytime
here soon." When asked if he thought the
2500c two-stroke was at a decided disadvantage to the 450s, Kawasaki Team Manager Bruce Stjernstrom said, "Not really.
Maybe at a couple tracks like Unadilla and
Washougal." And when he was asked when
Kawasaki will debut the new four-stroke?
Stjernstrom said with a smirk, "This summer."
Compared to Supercross, the higher temperatures and longer
races of the Nationals have tuners wor-
ried about bikes
overheating, especially the smallerbore 250cc fourstrokes. This year,
many teams are
using oil coolers to
relieve the problem.
Team Honda has designed such a device
that cools the oil by running it through a
portion of the radiator. While there is no
performance gain with the unit, Honda
technicians say that it helps to keep the oil
at a constant temperature, therefore
reducing the risk of power loss.
In the week between the Hangtown and
High Point Nationals, Team Yamaha's David
Vuillemin parted ways with his longtime
clothing sponsor Fly Racing. According to
Fly, the two parties split on good terms. At
High Point, Vuillemin wore No Fear gear.
Jim's Cycle Sales/Honda rider Mike Brown
acquired a new sponsor, Deluge Water, just
before High Point. The sponsor will provide
large backing for the team and will keep
Brown's cooler filled with the wet stuff
throughout the year.
Canadian National Champion JeanSebastien Roy has been haVing some
impressive finishes at the first two rounds
of the series. He won't, however, be
around for the rest of the series. "I have a
supergood deal with Honda Canada for
winning a championship up there," Roy
said. "I'm going to go back up there next
weekend and win some Canadian races. I'll
be back for Steel City and maybe Glen
Helen if I get somebody to take my bike."
Continued on poge 19
