Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1526211
Shimoda To Compete in All Japan MX Championship T eam Honda HRC rider Jo Shimoda will take part in the seventh round of the D.I.D All Japan Motocross Championship, to be held at Off Road Village in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture. The event takes place on Septem - ber 28-29, one week after the completion of the SuperMotocross series. Shimoda, who finished fourth in the 2024 AMA Supercross 250SX West series and turned in three overall-po - dium results in the AMA Pro Motocross 250 series before his collarbone injury, will compete in Japan aboard the new 2025 CRF450R. The Japanese native has previous experience in the JMX Championship, having campaigned the Meihan round with another manufacturer in 2022, when he posted 1-1 moto finishes in the 450 class. "I'm stoked on the opportunity to race in my home country," Shimoda said. "The fans there show me so much support, and I want to thank them by going back to race as often as I can." CN WIND IN THE P36 Jo Shimoda will compete in a round of the All Japan Motocross Championship on a 450 at the end of September. Boyko To Be Remembered T he powersports industry recently lost a legend: Ken Boyko, famed for co-founding Cobra Engineering and widely known throughout the motor- cycling community, in Southern California, across the country, and beyond. He was a giant of the aftermarket, an innova- tor, and a pioneer in creating a whole new category of "metric customs" based on Japanese cruiser models. He was also a genuine enthu- siast with his own wide-ranging collection of bikes, and he great- ly cared about motorcycling, providing keen insights and wise counsel to help boost the indus- try and make it stronger. "Ken invested his talents and time to the serious work of the MIC [Motorcycle Industry Council], and he did it in his own quiet style," said Tim Buche, former MIC President and CEO. "He did not seek headlines or recognition, but Ken answered the MIC's call when it launched the MIC Aftermarket Committee. He helped refine our approach and worked with his peers to increase participation. A phone call or lunch with Ken was a true master class in membership recruitment and satisfaction, with a focus on key and critical priorities. He always added a strong dose of encouragement, and a com - mitment to engage his many connections and channels in support of our efforts." The Boyko family is planning to hold a service at Our Lady of Mount Carmel at 1441 West Balboa Boulevard in Newport Beach, California, on October 19 at 11 a.m. A celebration of life will follow the service, at a loca - tion to be announced. CN Powersports industry legend Ken Boyko will be remembered at an event in October.