THE WEEKLY FEED: JEREMY MCGRATH, 2005 SX- BACK ON A HONDA

A HISTORY LESSON: Jeremy McGrath 2005 SX-Limited schedule but back on Honda.

The 2005 Supercross season had Ricky Carmichael on his first season with Suzuki, Chad Reed was piloting the new aluminum framed YZ250 and James Stewart was making his debut in the big boy class. All rode 2-strokes. Jeremy McGrath came out of retirement to race a limited schedule, rejoining Honda after a disappointing stint with KTM. At the age of 34, he was competitive on the CR250, but switched to the CRF450R at round 3. He had good finishes and ran as high as fourth in the standings. Carmichael would win the Supercross title for Suzuki, after battling with Chad Reed all the way home. After his SX commitment, Jeremy competed in the Summer X games, in the Step-up competition and Super Moto. Photo Garth Milan, Red Bull Content

NEWS, VIEWS, RANTS

HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES TOPS 36,000 UNITS SOLD GLOBALLY DURING BUSINESS YEAR 2017

Enjoying further positive trading results, Husqvarna Motorcycles has ended the 2017 business year with yet more record-breaking sales and turnover figures. With 20% more motorcycles sold during the 12 months to December 31, 2017, the European manufacturer of premium motorcycles saw their annual turnover increase by a notable 25% compared to the previous year. When you think about the fact that they’re leading the SX championship, have been a dominant force in all aspects of off-road racing and five years ago they were a ship struggling to stay afloat, it is an amazing comeback.

SUZUKI LETS HILL RACE IN 450 CLASS

The Autotrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing Team is excited to announce that defending 250 Western Regional Supercross Champion Justin Hill will contest select 450 Supercross races to gain development time and provide 450 class experience starting this Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. Coming off a victory at the San Diego Supercross on his Suzuki RM-Z250, Hill looks to build off the momentum as the 250 West series takes a break from action.

SHOT ANNOUNCES 2018 PLANS WITH TRADERS RACING TEAM FOR EAST COAST SUPERCROSS

FEBRUARY 19, 2018 – Corona, CA – Shot Race Gear announces partnership with Traders Racing team for 2018 East Coast Supercross series.

Shot Race Gear has once again teamed up with Traders Racing for 2018 East Coast Supercross series with a 3 man team of Luke Renzlan (#38), Nick Gaines (#49) and Jayce Pennington (#231).

“We are very pleased to continue our relationship with Shot Racewear for the 2018 season. The riders are very happy with the performace of the gear as the fit and comfort has been above par from day one. We look forward to helping grow the Shot brand in the future and help develop the product to fit everyones needs and wants” Says Kenny Day, the Team Manager for the Traders Racing Team.

MTA Distributing National Marketing Manager Jeff Laird said “Following the success of Traders Racing team in 2017 with East Coast Supercross and National Motocross season, we felt this would be a successful partnership for 2018”.

For more information about Shot Race Gear visit www.shotracegear.com

SOCIAL AIR TIME

GEAR BAG

KLIME F5 WITH KOROYD AND MIPS

Klim’s new F5 is now fit with two new features that help this incredibly light helmet become better equipped to handle G-force transmission and at redirecting rotational energy. Koroyd technology is installed in the inner liner, replacing EPS foam at the key impact areas. This Koroyd core excels at reducing peak G-force transmission while remaining ultra-light and porous. MIPS technology is all about rotation and the technology absorbs and redirects rotational energies and transferrable forces from angled impacts, effectively reducing rotational forces’ effects in the event of an angled impact. The Klime F5 features a full KLIM® KARBON Fiber shell and comes in S-XXXL fitments and includes a helmet bag, spare visor/peak and a breath box and WINDSTOPPER® liner for effective extreme cold temperature use. MSRP is $499.99.

POLISPORT PLASTICS FOR THE ’18 RM-Z 450

Polisport is bringing new style to Suzuki’s with their Complete Plastic Kits for the 2018 RMZ450. This kit features exclusive Durable Gloss Polypropylene technology which combines the highest levels of resistance and flex while maintaining a superior gloss finish and color brightness. The injection-molded plastics offer an exact OEM fit and remain more scratch resistant in tough conditions. The 2018 RMZ450 Kit includes front and rear fenders, front number plate, side panels, and radiator shrouds. It is available at online or at dealerships nationwide in OEM Yellow, Flo Yellow, White, or Black colors.

$157.99

www.polisport.com

BULLET PROOF DESIGNS RADIATOR GUARDS

Bullet Proof Designs protects KTM riders pride and joy with new radiator guards for the 2018 models. Machined from solid 6061-T6 billet aluminum in the USA, the lightweight guards mount to the frame for superior strength in frontal and side protection of the radiators to prevent unbearable damages when riding through the gnarliest terrain imaginable. New for 2018, is a ribbed design paired with a lower bowl protector to provide the ultimate protection from the inevitable rock flying through the air as you race across the desert or the lone branch poking through the brush waiting to penetrate the radiators. Offered with a lifetime warranty, the radiator guards are available in Silver, Black, Blue, and Orange to enhance the looks of any KTM while improving durability at a fraction of the cost of a new radiator. An additional strap kit to secure the radiator shrouds is also available. $219.00

www.bulletproofdesigns.com

VIDS

OUT-TAKES

Brother Mike on a big-bore IT 490 Yamaha back in 1984. It detonated big time, but there was tractability and good suspension mated to a rather plump carcass. The off-road based IT lineup started in 1976 and was history by 1987. This shot was taken at Indian Dunes.

The Dirt Bike shop back in the 80s had us offering jerseys, stickers and wallets for public consumption. The models at the bottom are… Jim Holley, Jon Miller, Tip Webb and Mike Webb. All about three decades younger.

WOLF: BACK IN THE DAY

The Wolfster, Mammoth Mountain 1996. This would be an epic weekend of racing for me as brother Mike and I battled for the entire moto. I passed him on the last lap, in the final turn before the finish line jump and unfortunately…that’s the last time I beat him in moto!