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The results of the 2006 Endurocross set in Las Vegas in November could not have been more surprising. Pitted against a stellar field that included champions in other disciplines such as Enduro god David Knight, Trials champ Geoff Aaron and a selection of Motocross and Supercross guys, it was John Dowd, a retired Supercross racer, who took home the $10,000 winner’s cheque when the ripples in the water hole had finally settled. Interesting, because the Endurocross is an upstart brand of indoor racing that seems to level the playing field between competitors—one rider, Nick Mantzoros even rode a Trials bike to ninth place.
Staged in large stadium-like venues, Endurocross is a highly intense form of competition that sends riders climbing over and through obstacles that are supposed to resemble “natural” challenges ... but they could be construed as much worse. Not able to bring the forest into the stadium, event designers use various objects such as giant tires placed at several angles and mix those with truckloads of soil and huge boulders. Add water and mud holes and dozens of log crossings, then let a gaggle of the world’s best motorcycle riders loose on the slimy mess, and you begin to get the idea.
APRILIA IS AT IT AGAIN WITH A FUEL-INJECTED V-TWIN 450CC motocrosser that boasts a unique trellis aluminum and bonded chromoly frame. Last year the company introduced a unique line of Motard and Enduro bikes in 450 and 550 configurations with astonishing technology and outrageous power. The new MX model will share most of the same traits. A trimmed weight will be the focus of the MXV 4.5 MX machine and it will be the first of its kind featuring a radial mounted front brake caliper. The shame for some racing clubs is that it has already been outlawed because of its power. The words high performance and dualsport are rarely used together, but all that has just changed with the presence of bikes such as the RXV 5.5 Aprilia, KTM Super Enduro or any big-bore dirtbike converted for the street. Having the opportunity to ride the Aprilia for the last 750 kilometres has produced some major changes in my riding lifestyle—some good, some not so good.
When you’re riding a lightweight, aggressive dirtbike on the street, things like moving violations become commonplace—you might even get pulled over several times in the same night. Prepare to become a Superhero though as cries of excitement ring from onlookers any time you crack the throttle. It’s never a dull moment with well-wishers always asking questions and expressing their enthusiasm that you are riding a stunt bike, and doing what they always wanted to do. Aggressive drivers in other vehicles often attempt to draw you into a race or force a show of your machine’s power, and of course there are always the cheering girls ... The bike’s impact continues after the ride as high wear items such as tires, chains, brakes and oil keep your wallet open. So, as ever, it comes down to money and whether you can convince yourself of the need for a new high-tech bike. Though I now know what high performance is like, I also realize it isn’t truly necessary. Really, it boils down to a matter of want, not need. But like every other motorcyclist, I’ll vote for horsepower every time.
RED BULL NOT ONLY MAKES AN ENERGY DRINK THAT CHANGED competition as we know it, the company is also the promoter of the most intense off-road event in the world. “The Last Man Standing” is the toughest, says the world’s top rider and this year’s winner David Knight. The 62-km Texas course is theoretically circulated twice, but this year only two riders in a field of 128 managed to complete the circuit. Picture climbs that would be impossible for most humans, boulders that would give Trials riders fits, add in a few inches of snow and then remember, part of the race is in the dark. If you were building your picture correctly, you would be stuck on a mud-covered hill with rocks and roots peeking through snow patches and giant spotlights blaring from above, offering some guidance through the darkness. Freezing temperatures made conditions more difficult yet. The ride was so gnarly this year that competitors actually started helping each other in hopes of someone, anyone, making the finish line before timing out. British Enduro Champion Wayne Braybrook and David Knight from Britain made the grade with Canadian Marty Halmazna in tenth place before the end.
FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING TORONTO AND VANCOUVER WERE blessed with rounds of the 2006 World Supercross series, but this could possibly be the last time as attendance was low at both venues. Nevertheless, for those in the crowd, there were action-packed nights in December. In Toronto, it was Yamaha’s Chad Reed who claimed the chequered flag after battling Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart on his KX450F Kawasaki. Reed, relaxed, fast and consistent, had the answer to a hard-charging Stewart who swapped the lead a few times and then collided with Travis Preston after being punted off the track by Reed, leaving Stewart with no chance for the win. Carmichael also crashed in the early part of the race making his second-place finish in Toronto a come-from-behind proposition.
However, one week later in Vancouver, Carmichael, the 15-time AMA champion would clinch a victory and take over the series lead in its early stages. The racing was intense and hopefully the Canadian rounds will remain for the 2007 campaign.
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