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/995477
IN THE WIND P48 TWO-STROKES ONLY AT RED BULL STRAIGHT RHYTHM A fter an overwhelmingly popular two-stroke feature at last year's event, the 2018 Red Bull Straight Rhythm has made the full switch to the camless variety. Two-strokes only—no four- strokes allowed—will be lining up to take on the half-mile Straight Rhythm track of jumps, whoops and rollers. The only exception to the new designation? Alta Motors will be allowed to run their electric-powered bike in the 250cc+ class. Everyone else will be mixing gas at the Fairplex in Pomona, October 20. The following is from Red Bull. Four piston strokes. Electronic Fuel Injection. Slim headers without an expansion chamber. Sleek, non-clunky, space-age plastics. This is a list of things you won't see at the 2018 Red Bull Straight Rhythm. And when the event returns to Fairplex in Pomona on October 20, you'll hear it coming. From, like, miles away. Because there will be only two-strokes racing. Ring-a-ding- ding. That's right, the event will step back in time to an era where gear sets were mostly pink, Fresno was smooth and a nac nac was totally rad (kind of still is). Riders will leave their fancy factory four-strokes at home and will run what they brung as they tackle the ½-mile-long straight rhythm track on nothing but two- smoke power. After the two-stroke class was introduced at the event last year, nostalgia took full effect, and everyone cared about little else. While most of the action took place on the track, it also got pretty heated online, as riders like Ryan Villopoto, Chad Reed and Ronnie Mac talked serious trash to each other long before lining up to race. This year all the fat has been cut, and there will be half as many piston strokes but twice as much fun. The race will consist of two classes - 250cc+, and 150cc & under. And, yes, it is all two strokes…well, with one exception. Those mad scientists at Alta Mo- tors will be allowed to run electric in the 250cc+ class. Think of it as a "return to the past, but keep an eye on the future" philosophy. But mostly two-strokes. Lots of two- strokes. Like, 96.2 percent two- strokes. Maybe check that math. Despite the bike changes, the concept remains the same. Line up side by side and race head- to-head down a ½ mile of rollers, whoops, doubles, tables and all other kinds of rhythmic insanity. Racing is a best-of-three format, so each rider gets at least two chances to grab victory. This also helps to cut down on all the crying about bad starts at the after party. In its fifth year, the event will con- tinue the format where practice, qualifying and racing will all take place on the same day, with the finals taking place at night under the lights. CN Victory for two- strokes! The 2018 Red Bull Straight Rhythm will exclusively feature two-stroke motorcycles. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARTH MILAN/RED BULL CONTENT POOL