WELCOME TO
AMSOIL ARENACROSS!
W
MATTYFRAN
elcome to an all-new chapter of AMSOIL Arenacross, featuring Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross. During the off-season, this sport underwent some dramatic changes, including the addition of our new title sponsor, AMSOIL—so a big welcome to them. Working with Feld Motor Sports over the last year, I’ve helped to create a totally new race format, with two twelve-lap Main Events, a restructured points system, bracket racing, two new amateur classes, and the fun new Mechanic’s Challenge. Another exciting addition is the Race to the Championship. Under this new system, all the riders’ Championship points are wiped clean after the sixth round of competition, making the Championship more unpredictable than ever! You can read more about the nuts and bolts starting on page 14. The most significant change to AMSOIL Arenacross is The Road to Supercross. This newly created advancement program will require every rider to hone their skills in AMSOIL Arenacross, earning required Road to Supercross points and a Supercross Pro License endorsement. This system will bring the next generation of the world’s fastest amateur riders through AMSOIL Arenacross before they make their debuts in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship. AMSOIL Arenacross enters its twenty-ninth year with one of the most talented fields ever assembled. There’s no doubt this will be an amazing season. These tracks’ intimate layouts will be a perfect showcase for the world’s most action-packed form of motorcycle racing. Reigning champion Tyler Bowers will be fending off an onslaught of new talent and veterans who are definitely ready to bring everything they’ve got throughout the winter. It’ll be wild! I’m proud to be a part of AMSOIL Arenacross, which will lay the foundation for the next generation as they develop their skills before making the transition to Monster Energy Supercross. Sit back, relax, and enjoy tonight’s racing—but if you’d rather stand and cheer, go for it! Be sure to hit the concession stands early, because you don’t want to miss a minute of tonight’s action. ENJOY THE SHOW! Sincerely,
#4 Ricky Carmichael Five-Time Monster Energy Supercross Champion
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Feld Motor Sports
4255 Meridian Parkway Aurora, IL 60504 (630) 566-6100 Feld Entertainment Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Feld Executive Vice President Alana Feld Executive Vice President Nicole Feld Executive Vice President Juliette Feld Feld Motor Sports, Inc. President Charlie Mancuso Chief Operating Officer Ken Hudgens Vice President, Two-Wheel Operations Todd Jendro Vice President, International Touring Eric Cole Vice President, Booking Bob Boggess Vice President, Tactical Marketing Michael Prince Vice President, Sales Tim Murray Vice President, Sales Ryan McSpadden Vice President and General Manager, Sponsorship and Strategic Alliances Jason Bitsoff Vice President, Merchandising T.D. Lovett Sr. Director, Finance Mark Thompson Sr. Director, Production/Television Mike McFarlin Sr. Director, Brand Marketing Mark Abernethy Sr. Director, Track Operations Dan Allen Sr. Director, Merchandise Operations Scott Decker Sr. Director, Merchandise Production Mark Crouse Sr. Director, Licensing Allison Lort Sr. Director, National Sales Scott Mendel Sr. Director, Safety and Compliance Rico Hawkes Sr. Director, Regional Sales Bill Renick Sr. Director, Strategic Alliances Dave Muye Director of Operations, Arenacross Mike Muye Director, Graphic Design Jay Laws Director, National Sales Suzanne Ludera Director, National Sales David Thompson Director, National Sales Tom Wyatt Director, Public Relations Denny Hartwig Director, New Media Linda Ardehali Director, National Sales Suzanna Ludera Assistant Director, Strategic Alliances Aaron Anderson Assistant Director, Strategic Alliances Rian Tipton Account Manager Lauren Spindler Sr. Manager of Digital Media Ryan Tychsen Arenacross Manager Bill Heras Arenacross Coordinator Lisa Kurowski
Racer X Illustrated
122 Vista Del Rio Drive Morgantown, WV 26508 TEL (304) 284-0080 FAX (304) 284-0081 www.racerxonline.com Editor/Founder Davey Coombs President Bryan Stealey Production Director Julie Kramer Publisher Scott Wallenberg Creative Director David Langran Managing Editor Andrew Fredrickson Senior Editor Jason Weigandt Copy Chief Jeff Kocan Program Designers Mike Fisher, Dave Brozik Senior Photographer Simon Cudby Photographer-at-Large Garth Milan Online Manager Chase Stallo Editors-at-Large David Pingree, Steve Matthes, Aaron Hansel Sales Director Pete Martini Sales Associate Tim Crytser
CONTENTS
CUDBY
CUDBY
PAGE
10
The Battleground
PAGE
14
Arenacross Remastered
PAGE
22
Guided by the GOAT
PAGE
24
Arenacross 101
PAGE
30
Life at the Top
PAGE
32
Teams and Riders
PAGE
46
Second Showdown
PAGE
52
Crowning Champions
PAGE
60
Tomorrow’s Stars Today
PAGE
62
One on One
PAGE
64
Miss AMSOIL Arenacross
PAGE
Axtras
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Jeff Gibson breaks down a typical AMSOIL Arenacross track
This year’s season is sure to be unlike any before
AMSOIL Arenacross has changed course—thanks, in part, to Ricky Carmichael
All your questions about the series are answered here
Two-time AMSOIL Arenacross champ Tyler Bowers is going for three
Introducing some of the fastest riders on earth (and the people behind them)
The 2012 season was one for the ages
Meet the AMSOIL Amateur National Arenacross Champions
Glimpse the future as 50cc and Super-Mini pilots strut their stuff
Team managers Brian O’Rourke and Denny Bartz go toe-to-toe
Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Lindsey Scheltema is back for more
Odds and ends from AMSOIL Arenacross
Ti-5 Titanium Exhaust System 2-TIME ARENACROSS CHAMPION
RC-4 Resonance Chamber
2-Stroke
4-Stroke
Available in a Carbon Fiber or Titanium End-Cap
Engine Services & Modifications
Pro Circuit offers complete engine rebuilds, carburetor services, porting and routine maintenance like oil changes for all different bike models ranging from mini to standard sizes.
Clutch Covers From $149.95
Ti-5 Titanium Exhaust System From $999.95
Increases horsepower while meeting the 2012/2013 2-Meter Max sound requirements set forth by the AMA. Comes equipped with RC-4 resonance chamber to reduce noise output.
Clutch Springs From $54.95
High-Compression Piston Kit From $267.95
Valve Springs From $164.95
Works Pipe $229.95
PC-01 & PC-02 Suspension Fluids $19.95
Suspension Services & Modifications
Pro Circuit offers high quality suspension tuning for ultimate performance. We now offer three different rebuild stages to choose from to fit your budget.
www.procircuit.com
R-304 Silencer $119.95 Water Pump Kits From $189.95
Standard Radiator Hose Kit From $78.95 Works Triple Clamp Kit $699.95
ONE FOCUS: THE 2013 SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP Thousands of hours in the workshop, of laps at the test track, of reps at the gym, of building up to break down, of starting over, again, again and again. All this hard work with one focus. The entire Red Bull KTM Factory Team, along with the US-based KTM Research and Development unit, have dedicated countless hours of testing and racing to continue to advance KTM’s most noteworthy motocross bike. As a result, the new KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition motorcycle is designed and built for both its premier class athlete @RyanDungey and you, the @OrangeBrigade racer. More than ever, we are committed and “Ready to Race”, are you?
READY www.ktmusa.com TO RACE
Photos: S. CUDBY H. Mitterbauer
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THE
BATTLEGROUND Jeff Gibson explains how to go fast on an AMSOIL Arenacross track | By Jeff Gibson
I
t’s amazing how many obstacles can be packed into an AMSOIL Arenacross track, and equally amazing how much strategy and technique riders must apply to go fast on one. But the masters of the game have a plan for each section. Here, 2009 Arenacross Champion Jeff Gibson explains the best way to size up an action-packed track.
THE START When we have a short start that goes across the floor, those starts are tough. It really comes down to getting the jump off the line. The turns aren’t wide at all in arenacross, and everyone is sliding and drifting in there and trying to get a wheel in. There can be some carnage. And the turn is on an angle (as shown), so the outside guys are angling in and the inside guys are angling out, and it just makes it all funnel together immediately. I like the longer starts that go down the full length of the floor, where you get to use the bike’s horsepower and traction. The short starts are all about the jump.
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BOWL TURN Especially on the first lap, this is the most critical turn of the race. If you have a bad start, you can turn it into a good start in this turn—or if you have a good start, you can turn it into a bad one! You’ve got to be smart in there, pick the right line, and look for holes. It’s almost like football! The whole first lap in AMSOIL Arenacross is crucial; it’s a chance to pass fifteen other riders. After the first lap, the bowl turns are still where the most passing gets done. You’ve got to find the line and not be afraid to get too aggressive. But you have to be careful too, because you can take yourself out and ruin your race if you run it in on someone too hard.
FINISH-LINE JUMP This is the most fun jump out there. It’s kind of easy for us. It gives you the chance to catch a breather in midair—the only place where you can do that. You just hit it in second gear, “braapp” right up the face of it, and get popped up really high. If you want to throw the bike sideways and do some whips, this is the place to do it. There’s usually a big, steep downside to it, and that actually makes for a nice, smooth landing. It’s one of the most spectacular parts of the track for the fans but one of the easiest for us.
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THE BATTLEGROUND RHYTHM LANE The rhythm lane is huge. A lot of guys mark it out when they walk the track, but when you get behind the handlebars it can be completely different. I like to get a feel for it in practice. The track crew does a really good job making two different options, and the speed in each is similar, so the racing stays tight. A lot of times the line changes throughout the night. In Texas last year, the dirt got really slick and you couldn’t even triple in, so you had to take the slow line. Maintaining traction and tripling in became very critical—you could gain a lot of time there. Other times it gets so rutted in there that you need to change it up during the race to land in a different spot just to stay out of the holes. Then sometimes you get into lapped traffic through here, which can totally change the race.
WHOOPS The whoops are actually more critical in AMSOIL Arenacross than in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, because that lane is basically one-fifth of the entire track. Our track is much shorter than Monster Energy Supercross, but the whoops are the same length. And these whoops are tough—they build ’em big and they get rutted and cupped out. They change lap to lap! You’ve got to be tough and smooth and fast in there. If you’re catching a breather over the finish line, you’re holding your breath through the whoops. This is where fitness comes in. Honestly, there are some tracks where you feel like you could do a million laps if they didn’t have whoops, but throw them in there and you’re feeling it after five. The whoops throw your rhythm out of whack, and if you mess up the whoops, it will throw your whole lap off. When we set up a bike, we focus on getting the bike through the whoops clean, and then just make it work everywhere else second.
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AX
REMASTERED AMSOIL Arenacross undergoes big changes for 2013
J
vamped program,” says Todd Jendro, Feld Motor Sports’ Vice President of Two Wheel Operations. With the advent of the new dual-main-event format came the need to create a system for assigning the order in which riders pick their spots on the starting gate for the second race (gate pick for the first race is determined by heat-race results). This is important because while all riders start from the same line, not all spots on that line are as desirable as others—there are a few “sweet spots” on the gate that increase a rider’s chances of getting a good start. Typically, the better the start a rider is able to get, the better he’ll finish, which makes getting an early gate pick especially important. So in keeping with the theme of shaking things up, this year will feature a never-before-seen system of determining the all-important gate pick for the second race. Following the conclusion of the first main event, a random drawing of three briefcases will be held, each containing a number plate bearing either 0, 8, or 16. If a 0 is picked, the gate is
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ust how big are the changes that have been made to AMSOIL Arenacross for 2013? Well, aside from a starting gate and a tight, exciting racetrack, you can pretty much take everything you know from previous seasons and throw it out the window. Just about every aspect of the show has been improved in order to produce a bigger, better, faster, and more unpredictable night of racing. One of the biggest changes to the program is the division of the twenty-five-lap Arenacross Class race into two separate twelve-lap main events. This new format will place a premium on a rider’s ability to sprint, which should translate into hard racing for the entirety of the race. It also doubles a rider’s points-earning potential throughout the season, which lessens the damage dealt to points totals in the event of an off night. “Changing from the traditional twenty-five-lap main-event format to the all-new twelve-lap main events will add strategy, increase parity, and add unprecedented excitement to the re-
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LUDOWESE
loaded based on the finishing order of the first main event. If an 8 is drawn, the top eight riders from the first race will pick first, with eighth place getting first pick. If a 16 is selected, the entire field is inverted, meaning the last-place rider from the first race gets first gate pick. “The random drawing after the first main event could have a dramatic effect on the second main event’s results,” Jendro offers. The next, and biggest, change pertains to how the championship itself is won. Instead of a traditional series where a racer’s points are tallied at the end of the season, a new system called The Race to the Championship has been introduced in which racers must earn the right to compete for the championship. “The Race to the Championship is similar to what the playoffs are to baseball,” Director of Arenacross Mike Muye explains. “After the conclusion of the sixth round, the championship points for the top ten riders will be reset, and those ten riders will be the only ones eligible to win the championship.” In other words, rounds one through six are regular-season races, and at the seventh round in Little Rock, Arkansas, on February 16, the playoffs begin. Riders who weren’t able to break into the top ten in points will still race in the Championship Rounds, but they will no longer be racing for the championship. For a breakdown of exactly how the points system in The Race to the Championship will work, check out the chart on page 19. Yet another addition to the program will be the head-tohead races, which are essentially bracket races. The top four qualifiers from each heat race will be matched up against one another in two-lap races based on lap times from the heats. The fastest rider will square off against the slowest of the group, second will race seventh, and so on. The racing will continue until there is a single man standing. That racer will be awarded one championship point, which has the potential to make a huge difference at the end of the season in the championship battle. Adding to the excitement of AMSOIL Arenacross is the Mechanic’s Challenge, in which four lucky fans from different sections of the stadium will be randomly chosen to participate in the battle to become “King of the Pits.” “Fans will assist mechanics in a foot race where a disassembled bike part will be carried from point A to point B,” Muye explains. “Each fan competing should have the full support of their seating section, rooting them on for the win.” An updated amateur racing program adds even more for fans this season. The program now includes action from the nation’s hottest up-and-coming 4- to 8-year-old 50cc riders and 9- to 15-year-old AMSOIL Dominator Super-Mini riders. “These kids are pretty talented, and having them come out is going to be huge,” Muye says. “The 50cc Class will highlight the talent of the kids learning the ropes of AMSOIL Arenacross and what it takes to be at the top level of the sport, while the SuperMini kids are competing for the true competition aspect of it.” With a host of exciting changes built on a solid foundation that’s nearly three decades old, the 2013 season of AMSOIL Arenacross has the potential to go down as one of the wildest and most entertaining in history. For more information, visit www .arenacross.com.
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SERIES
SCHEDULE Coming to a town near you in 2013
DCU Center
Worcester, MA
East
January 11-13
1st Mariner Arena
Baltimore, MD
East
January 18-20
Van Andel Arena
Grand Rapids, MI
East
January 26-27
BOK Center
Tulsa, OK
West
February 1-3
Cedar Park Center
Cedar Park, TX
West
February 8-10
Mohegan Sun Arena
Wilkes-Barre, PA
East
February 16-17
Verizon Arena
Little Rock, AR
West
February 23-24
INTRUST Bank Arena
Wichita, KS
West
March 2-3
SRC Arena
Kansas City, MO
West
March 15-17
Denver Coliseum
Denver, CO
West
LUDOWESE
January 4-6
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ARENACROSS.COM
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HOW IT WORKS 1. Insert the forked bead breaker between the rim and the tire; make sure that the end of the fork is against the inside of the rim and that the lettering is facing away from the tire and push down. 2. Insert the lever bead breaker into the fork, again making sure that the tip is all the way against the inside of the rim. 3. Squeeze the two levers together while holding them against the rim and push down.
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ENGINEERED
FOR YOU
EVENT SCHEDULE,
POINTS AND PAYOUTS Additional information about the 2013 AMSOIL Arencross
Event Schedule
Friday (If Applicable)/Saturday Rider/Mechanic Registration and Tech Inspection/ Contingency Verification: 10:00 am – 11:30 am Track Walk: 11:30 am – 11:45 am Pro Riders’ Meeting – Mandatory: 11:45 am – 12:00 pm Chapel Service: 12:00 pm – 12:15 pm Practice: 12:30 pm Track Party – Saturday Only: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Doors Open to General Public: 6:00 pm Opening Ceremonies: 7:15 pm Races: 7:30
Classes AMSOIL Arenacross is comprised of two explosive and electrifying professional classes and a pair of thrilling amateur divisions. The premier AX Class is the night’s main attraction and features top names such as Tyler Bowers, Jeff Gibson, Kelly Smith, Zach Ames, and more. The AX Lites Class is intended to be a stepping-stone into the premier class, and is often contested by local experts who are ready to test their skills on the challenging, professional-level Arenacross tracks. The amateur races consist of 4-to-8-year-old riders on 50cc machines and 9-to-15-year-old riders on Super-Minis. The addition of amateur racing to the Friday and Saturday program allows fans to get a unique and exciting glimpse of the future stars of the sport.
Points System y 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th
16 Points 15 Points 14 Points 13 Points 12 Points 11 Points 10 Points 9 Points 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points 5 Points 4 Points 3 Points 2 Points 1 Point
2013 Series Points Fund Total $100,000
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th
$25,000 $17,000 $12,000 $8,500 $7,500 $6,500 $5,500 $5,000 $4,500 $4,000 $3,000 $1,500
Race Numbers The top twenty riders from last year’s points standings run the numbers they earned, unless a rider has earned an AMA career number. All other numbers are reserved on a first-come, firstserve basis. AX Class competitors have white number plates with black numbers, and AX Lites racers have black number plates with white numbers. A red number plate signifies that that rider is the current points leader in his class.
Qualifying Qualifying for the night program is made up of two timed afternoon practice sessions, two heat races, and one last-chance qualifier (LCQ).
The AX Lites Class main event consists of a single eighteen-lap race. The AX Class features two separate points-paying twelvelap main-event races.
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Main Events
Friday and Saturday
The Race to the Championship Points Breakdown
Main Event Purse Breakdown $16,500
Arenacross Class
Arenacross Lites Class
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th
$2,000 $1,250 $750 $500 $450 $400 $350 $300 $250 $200 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
January 4-6 January 11-13 January 18-20 January 26-27 February 1-3 February 8-10
$200 $150 $100 $90 $80 $70 $60 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50
Worcester, Massachusetts Baltimore, Maryland Grand Rapids, Michigan Tulsa, Oklahoma Cedar Park, Texas Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Championship Rounds February 16-17 February 23-24 March 2-3 March 15-17
Little Rock, Arkansas Wichita, Kansas Kansas City, Missouri Denver, Colorado
Following the conclusion of the Chase Rounds, championship points will be reset, with only the top ten riders retaining eligibility to win the title. They won’t start at zero, though. The following chart shows how many points they’ll begin the Championship Rounds with.
Saturday Only
Main Event Purse Breakdown\ $11,000
Arenacross Class
Arenacross Lites Class
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th
$200 $150 $100 $90 $80 $70 $60 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50 $50
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
6 points 5 points 4 points 4 points 3 points
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
3 points 2 points 2 points 1 point 1 point
Each main event pays 16 points to the winner, 15 to second place, and so on down the order, with last place receiving one point.
LUDOWESE
$3,000 $2,000 $1,250 $550 $500 $450 $400 $350 $300 $250 $125 $125 $125 $125 $125 $125
Chase Rounds
Head-To-Head: AX Goes One-On-One One of the changes to this year’s program is the addition of head-to-head races, in which the four fastest racers from each heat compete against one another in two-lap sprints for the chance to win one championship point. Check out the graphic below to see how it all breaks down.
1 8
Winner Earns 1 Championship Point
2 7
3
4
6
5 19
THE GOAT Ricky Carmichael is retired from racing, but he’s still a big part of the sport
W
hen Ricky Carmichael retired from profes-
tion through AMSOIL Arenacross.
sional racing in 2007, he said he would
Chief among those contributions is the new Road to
always stay involved in the sport that
Supercross. This newly created advancement program will
made him a star. And Ricky—known as
require every rider to hone their skills in AMSOIL Aren-
the GOAT, for Greatest Of All-Time—has
across, earning required Road to Supercross points and a
over-delivered on that promise. From helping out with television
Supercross Pro License endorsement. This system will bring
commentary for Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World
the next generation of the world’s fastest amateur riders
Championship, to designing the Monster Energy Cup track to
through AMSOIL Arenacross before they make their debuts
operating a supercross race team, Carmichael’s involvement in
in Monster Energy Supercross.
the sport still runs deep. Now he’s turned his attention to AM-
With Carmichael helping provide guidance for the future of
SOIL Arenacross, helping to implement big changes that will
arenacross, the sport is poised to keep growing and improving.
impact the series for years to come.
While the GOAT could have rested on his laurels, his presence
As a racer, Carmichael’s records will probably never be broken. His 150 career wins in professional competition is nearly double anyone else’s, as are his fifteen AMA National Champi-
COURTESY FELD
onships. Now he’s helping to pave the way for the next genera-
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will instead make him an integral part of the sport’s future.
CUDBY
GIVES BACK
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101
The essentials of AMSOIL Arenacross
WHO ARE THE RIDERS?
The riders are made up of the world’s fastest indoor racers as
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well as future stars of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, looking to earn their 250SX endorsement through the Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross.
HOW DO AMATEURS GET INVOLVED? At all AMSOIL Arenacross rounds, which normally run on Fridays and Saturdays, amateur riders are invited every following Sunday to showcase their talent in the same arenas as their professional counterparts. Many of today’s top arenacross pros spent their winters racing in the amateur classes.
HOW DOES THE RACE START? The riders line up behind a backward-falling metal starting gate designed to trap any riders who attempt to start early. Before the CUDBY
gate drops, a woman stands in the middle of the start holding a 30-second board to signal that the race is about to begin. When she turns the card sideways, all focus shifts to the gate, which will drop momentarily. The 30-second girl sprints for cover and the
HOW DO YOU PREPARE A BIKE FOR ARENACROSS?
riders pull in their clutches, put their bikes in gear, and rev their
The motocross bikes on your local showroom floor are state-of-
engines. When the gate drops, they open the throttle and rocket
the-art machines with fuel injection, aluminum frames, and highly
down the start stretch.
advanced suspension and brake components. Few riders can fully utilize everything these bikes offer, but at the top level of
WHAT BIKES DO THEY RIDE?
AMSOIL Arenacross, some serious tuning is needed to build a
Full-sized motocross bikes come in three main engine sizes
championship-caliber machine. Suspension setup is the most
(measured in cubic centimeters): 125cc, 250cc, and 450cc.
critical aspect of a bike’s performance, and teams literally spend
There are also two engine types: two-stroke and four-stroke.
months testing parts and settings to find the right balance for
In the AMSOIL Arenacross and Arenacross Lites Classes, the
whoops, jumps, and turns. Engine modifications help, too—a lot
250 four-stroke and 125 two-stroke are the only motorcycles
of riders try to boost low-end power so the bike will launch out
eligible to compete. With the tight confines of arenacross rac-
of corners, clear big jumps, and explode out of one of the most
ing, most riders have chosen the more agile 250cc four-strokes
important track sections: the start.
as their weapons of choice.
WHY DO THE RIDERS TRAIN SO HARD? WHY IS ONE RIDER USING A RED NUMBER PLATE?
The bikes are so fast and the tracks are so demanding that rid-
In both classes (Arenacross and Arenacross Lites), the current
ers are constantly tugging with their arms and legs to keep the
points leader is required to run a red plate to signify his status at
machine underneath them. Constantly steering, maneuvering,
any given round.
and hanging on after landing big jumps is a lot of work. Factor in
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the nerves and adrenaline of racing, and even a super-fit athlete can reach maximum heart rate in just a few laps.
WHAT TYPES OF TRAINING DO THE RIDERS DO? Cardiovascular fitness is a critical element in a racer’s arsenal, so most of the riders train with rowing machines, bicycles, or by jogging. The key is to push hard enough to hit max heart rate and maintain that pace for the same amount of time required to complete an arenacross main event. Most riders use weight training to add strength and prevent injury as well, but the best training, of CUDBY
course, comes from accumulating seat time on a dirt bike.
HOW FAR DO THEY JUMP? Top AMSOIL Arenacross riders can handle 100’ jumps all day long while practicing. There’s not quite that much room inside an arena, but the finish-line jump launches a rider roughly 60’.
WHICH RACES WILL I SEE TONIGHT? A night of AMSOIL Arenacross consists of racing from two professional classes and two amateur classes. The amateur classes include 4- to 8-year-old riders on 50cc machines and 9- to 15-year-old riders on AMSOIL Dominator Super-Minis, while the professional races consist of the Arenacross and ArCUDBY
enacross Lites Classes. All classes have heat races and lastchance qualifiers (amateur qualifying takes place in the after-
25
ARENACROSS 101 noon) in order for riders to advance to the main events.
bonuses.) When the Race to the Championship resumes at the
The Arenacross Class—the night’s main attraction—features
seventh round, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the previous points
two twelve-lap main events. New for 2013 is the random draw
leader begins the rest of the series with six points, second with
method that determines the starting order for the second Aren-
five points, third and fourth with four, fifth and sixth with three,
across Class main event. Also new are the head-to-head races.
seventh and eighth with two, and ninth and tenth with one.
The top four finishers from the Arenacross Class heat races will
(All previous championship points are otherwise reset.) For the
be placed into an eight-rider bracket, using individual lap times
ten eligible racers, championship points are earned and tallied
to determine seeding. Riders will then be eliminated via two-lap
normally for the four remaining rounds. The rider with the most
head-to-head match-ups until only one man is left standing.
points at the conclusion of the final round is the 2013 AMSOIL Arenacross Champion!
HOW DOES A RIDER EARN POINTS? Championship points are awarded to each rider at the conclusion of each main event based on finishing position. If a rider wins a race, he earns 16 points. Second place earns 15 points, and so on down the line, with sixteenth place earning a single point. Points can also be earned in the head-tohead races. After riders are eliminated via two-lap head-tohead match-ups, the final surviving racer earns one championship point.
HOW DOES A RIDER WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP? vania, the top ten riders in championship points will be eligible to compete for the championship. (Riders in positions eleven
LUDOWESE
or higher will continue to race for the purse and season-ending
LUDOWESE
At the conclusion of the sixth round in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl-
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LIFE TOP AT THE
Tyler Bowers embraces his role as champ
T
yler Bowers is the two-time and defending champion of AMSOIL Arenacross, but deep down he’s still the same kid who grew up racing these events on a minicycle. He’s so proud of his sport, in fact, that he’s trying to develop
ways to promote it better, embracing his role as champion.
Tyler, big changes for AMSOIL Arenacross this year with an all-new format. What do you think? It’s definitely going to be interesting. It’s going to be exciting. The two main events I’m okay with—I’m into that. But there’s going to be a lot of new things to get used to. It’s going to keep us on our toes.
Arenacross racing in general is always pretty crazy, even with the old format of just racing one main event. So maybe you guys can adapt quickly. Yeah, exactly. That’s the thing—this racing is so random anyway. You’ll be leading a race, and next thing you know there’s five guys lying on the ground in front of you and there’s no way around! You’re stopped and the second-place guy goes around you. And we’ve had quite a few restarts at mid-race, where they have to throw the red flag and we start in a line along the start straight. That happened once last year in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, and everyone CUDBY
was going crazy. I’ve done two or three of those per year in arenacross. So it’s always exciting and unpredictable. I think the new format will be different, having a second you could have a bad main event on Friday night and you’ll go
Since you grew up racing a lot of these guys, being champion doesn’t change your relationships much?
back and study and figure out how to do better in the second
Yeah, but we butt heads every now and then. We are racers. Ev-
night. Now we can have up to four races in a weekend. More rac-
ery year it seems like me and Nathan Skaggs have an incident,
ing is great. More time on the track is always fun.
but then a few weeks later we’re friends again. But that’s like any
race to redeem yourself. I like approaching it as a game. Before,
family—you’re going to have arguments. When we come into the
What’s it like being on top of the game for the last two years? Does it seem any different?
pit area everyone usually gets along, but on the track it’s differ-
A little bit. I’m taking some different angles now in the things I’m
trying to improve. My first championship I won eleven rounds; the
doing. I’m starting to focus more on promoting the series. We’ve
second, last year, I won twelve.
ent. We want to win, and we want to beat each other. I’m always
gotten to the point now where it’s not just about winning races gram. I worked with my friend Zach Ames last year, and he did
There have been some high-profile incidents between you and Skaggs. But you’re still friends?
exceptionally well and won the last round. But that’s what makes
Yeah, I have a ton of respect for Nathan. I’m from Kentucky, but
it different. I might be the champ right now, but we’re all a family
I did most of my racing when I was a kid in Ohio. And Nathan
in this series. We’re all friends off the track. Unfortunately, we’re
is a little older than me, and in Ohio he was the fast B rider and
losing a few family members, guys like Josh Demuth who have
then the fast A rider. I remember watching him at these smaller-
retired. So we’re looking for some young talent to come in, and
venue arenacross races, where we couldn’t even have big jumps
hopefully we can work with them too.
because you would hit the roof. I’d watch him, and the way he
anymore; we’re trying to get everybody to elevate their own pro-
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ARENACROSS.COM
seeing racers everywhere. For example, I’m really good friends with [Monster Energy Supercross racers] Broc Tickle and Dean Wilson, and I see them around all the time.
For a guy who grew up in this sport, how strange is it to be “the guy” right now? Now you’re the one signing autographs, coming out late in opening ceremonies, and you saw that when you were a kid. It’s crazy. I grew up doing Arenacross. Since I was seven years old, that’s what I did every winter. I did a lot of the 65cc races CUDBY
during the main show, and I always did the amateur races the day after. I remember freezing my butt off in the frozen tundra of Ohio, running down to the line. It’s something that’s always
could corner and flat track a bike was amazing—and it still is. I
been a part of me. Even the Babbitt’s team, I knew [team man-
remember watching him and trying to learn from him. His starts
ager] Denny Bartz from when I was a kid—he was the referee
have always been incredible too. I have a ton of respect for him,
back then.
but sometimes riders get into it on the track because of the competition level we have.
It is weird to be “the guy.” I remember as a kid watching Buddy Antunez and Denny Stephenson, and then Jeff Gibson was just coming up and starting to win. Jeff was beating
You mentioned studying his style. You seem to be a guy who really works on style and technique.
Antunez and it was a huge deal, and everyone was freaking
It’s like studying film. I have a lot of weekends where I won’t
you can look at all of the guys. I’m racing Zach Ames, Nathan
feel good in practice and I’ve got to figure out what’s going on.
Skaggs, Michael Willard, Willy Browning … these are the same
I’ll be fastest for a few weeks, and then I’ll be struggling and be
guys I was racing as a kid. From that aspect, it’s weird because
fifth. You’ve got to analyze the track. Maybe there’s a guy notori-
now we’re riding under the bright spotlight if we’re leading on
ous for running soft suspension and he’s up front—so then you
the last lap, but inside, it doesn’t feel any different than if we’re
know you need to soften your suspension. Or a guy like Nathan,
just riding around on 65s.
out about it. Now I’m racing the guy, which is weird. But then
he’s so good in those flat turns, and if he’s going fast, you know you’re going to be watching Nathan all day and studying his lines through the turns. You’ve got to study.
Where are you in your career? Are you focused on the AMSOIL Arenacross record book, or are you looking at Monster Energy Supercross or other racing or something outside of racing altogether? What are your goals? I’m keeping all of my doors open. I like Monster Energy Supercross; I like motocross. I’m always open to options. I even started taking some college classes this year, and I think CUDBY
that can help me not only after racing, but even during my career with understanding media relations and things like that. I love racing, but after three years on the grind, I needed to take some time off after last season. I chilled out, I went fishing, I worked on my track, I had fun.
Where are you based these days? You’re from Kentucky, you spend a lot of time in California, and we hear you’re riding in South Carolina a lot. When AMSOIL Arenacross is going I’m in California. I’m “going back to Cali,” I like to say. I did spend some time at South of the Border in South Carolina. Their supercross track is amazing and I had some fun there. But like I said before, I’m always looking for ways to open doors and promote things, and in this sport CUDBY
the industry is in California, so it’s good to be out there and see people. When you’re out there, it’s like high school. You’re just
31
THE
COMPETITORS Get to know the teams and athletes of AMSOIL Arenacross
F
the
an-
nouncers
rom
to
the track crew, event organizers,
and
ev-
eryone in between, it takes a small army to keep AMSOIL Arenacross on the road and running smoothly. Of course, without the teams and riders, the sport would not exist in the first place. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the faces and names on the following pages—these people have opted to trade normal lives in order to train mercilessly, spin wrenches through the night, and endure endless, sleepless hours on the road, all in the name of CUDBY
racing. These are the stars of AMSOIL Arenacross.
2013 Rider Numbers
32
1
Tyler Bowers
14
Dave Ginolfi
2
Jeff Gibson
15
Chad Cook
4
Zach Ames
16
Michael McDade
5
Kelly Smith
17
Daniel Blair
6
Nathan Skaggs
18
Steven Mages
7
Willy Browning
19
Kyle White
9
Michael Willard
61
Tyler Villopoto
ARENACROSS.COM
Team Babbitt’s Monster Energy AMSOIL Kawasaki: Presented by Maxxis Tires
CUDBY
www.teambabbitts.com
THE TEAM
THE SPONSORS
With a multitude of championships to its credit, Babbitt’s Kawasaki
Moose
is one of the true powerhouses of AMSOIL Arenacross—and with the
Pro Circuit
re-signing of 2011 and 2012 champ Tyler Bowers, they aren’t showing
Enzo
any signs of letting up for 2013. Bowers will be joined in the AX Class by teammates Zach Ames and Tyler Villopoto, who also promise to log strong results this season.
C4MX Vortex DID
After putting together so many successful years of racing, it’s clear that the Muskegon, Michigan-based team focuses on one thing:
Galfer Brakes
winning. When asked about his goals for 2013, team manager Denny
Fusion
Bartz’s response is short and to the point: “Win a championship with
K&N
consistent finishes.”
MCCR Pro Wheels
THE RIDERS Tyler Bowers
Shoei SPY
Zach Ames
Tyler Villopoto
KG Clutch Works Connection Motion Pro VP Fuel MX Plastic SDG Seats
Lissimore
CUDBY
CUDBY
IMS CV4 Wiseco
33
THE COMPETITORS Team Faith/Fly Racing/Pilot Travel Centers/KTM
Ludowese
www.teamfaith.com
THE TEAM
THE RIDERS
Competing in its thirteenth season of AMSOIL Arenacross
Jeff Gibson
this year, Team Faith has some true veteran experience in its
Kelly Smith
ranks. Kelly Smith has more than sixteen years of professional racing under his belt, while Jeff Gibson won the championship in 2009 and was the runner-up both last year and in 2011. “We are going after the Championship!” manager Brian O’Rourke says of the Nashville, Tennessee-based team. “Both Smith and Gibson are motivated to finish out their careers on top, and with our current support from our sponsors and the dedication of our whole team, we don’t see any reason why we can’t be contenders every weekend.” In addition to their championship drive, Team Faith has an-
the races for everyone.”
THE SPONSORS Fly Racing Western Power Sports Pilot/Flying J’s Pirelli Tires KTM DZ Graphics
34
ARENACROSS.COM
Silkolene Lubricants Vertex Pistons ENZO Suspension Trinity Racing Sunstar Sprockets and Chains
Excel Rims K&N Air Filters Cycra Plastic FMF Racing Renegade Racing Fuels Jet Lift
Dragon Optics GUTS Racing Wiseco
CUDBY
a team is to bring the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to
CUDBY
other unique goal. Explains O’Rourke, “Our number-one goal as