2024 San Diego Supercross | Kickstart Recap

How involved is Johnny O’Mara in the Lawrence Brothers’ program? Very. The 80s icon does a lot, including training and technique advice, race day schedules, nutrition, and, by the look of things, lens selection. The O’Show has had a similar role with some of the sport’s recent greats, including RC and Dungey, during their formative years.

Data acquisition is necessary for factory teams, especially when a new rider joins the squad. Red Bull KTM has had the reel and wire sensor hooked up to Chase Sexton’s 450 SX-F Factory Edition through the opening rounds, and the information pulled has most certainly played a part in tuning the front-end feel for the defending champion.

Max Sanford started his fill-in ride with Host/Grindstone/Kawasaki at San Diego. The East Coast rider will be on the Kawasaki while Dylan Walsh recovers from internal organ injuries sufferer at A1 and kept personal sponsors like Thor/Alpinestars/100% in his move from the family van to the independent team.

The Heartbeat Hot Sauce/Team Solitare/Yamaha setup was one of the best in the small-bore division, as the mid-90s YZ graphics looked great with the yellow lettering of the jersey. As mentioned in the Kickstart Podcast, this look was originally from Leatt’s MTB line, and the company reproduced the design on its MX gear.

The Alpinestars setup made to match Team Honda HRC’s Elsinore homage was the top look of the 450 Class. It featured an of-the-era gold wing, the florescent orange from the tank, and, as a perfect final touch, black boots. The silver-painted plastics (done by Troy Lee Designs and covered with Throttle Jockey decals) help the factory parts pop in the SoCal sun.

Editor’s Note: I’ve known Theodore Pauli for years, as we grew up at the same IL-MO tracks but in different classes. I never understood why everyone on the old district18.info message board called him Bubba, but on Friday, he told me how 2002-era James Stewart was his all-time hero and that he’d rip a KX110 around his backyard thinking he was the 259, at the same time and a few miles away from where I was pretending to be Mike LaRocco on my XR80. Hearing that story was one of the highlights of the weekend, and seeing three MADD Parts Kawasakis on the track shows how much progress Pauli has made with his independent team.

Jorge Prado’s time in the US went by in a muddy blur, but luckily for the reigning MXGP champion, Pit Beier and Robert Jonas let him earn another gate drop. Was it through his progress on the SX tracks and an uptick in results? No, it was actually a game of “rock paper scissors” that went down at the end of the night in SD. High-level decisions require intense negotiations. Press play on Prado’s SML Show on the homepage when you finish Kickstart.

Rookie stats from the AMA results: Hunter is 13th overall with 27 points, Justin is 15th with 22. Hunter’s average qualifying rank is 12.5, Justin’s is 13. Hunter’s average position at the holeshot stripe is 10.5, Justin’s is 10. Hunter’s average finish is 8.5, Justin’s is 11.

We can tell that Eli Tomac is getting into “the zone.” The Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider was the subject of many interviews on press day and answered inquiries with direct statements that he’s better than he was at this time last year, that his Achilles is no issue, and that it’s time to get a win. Though he is down a few points in the standings after three rounds, the two-time champ knows how long a season is and could easily be back near the top by the first off-weekend.

Dirt Wurx busted out some of the wildest skid steer accessories to groom the San Diego hard pack. Knowing that rain was coming on Saturday, the builders made sure the circuit had a firm base underneath and scratched traction loose with this comb.

Broc Glover brought a few souvenirs from his illustrious career to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of SX, including his last works Yamaha OW motorcycle, some trophies and hats earned around the world, and an LA Times newspaper article given to him by Mike Goodwin’s production company after his 1983 win at the Rose Bowl. Zoom in if you can to the report by Mike DiGiovanna; it’s quite the read.

Vintage iron. Honda brought an original CR250M raced by Gary Jones to the track to show where the inspiration for the weekend’s bikes came from. For many, the silver tank and orange stripe of the Honda is what sparked their passion for MX, as this bike was the first two-stroke engine produced by the Japanese OEM, and Racer X’s Jason Weigandt found out how the bike got its iconic look: the reflection from the tank was blinding the rider, so it was refinished with some leftover paint from his mother.

The AMA’s celebration of 100 years will continue through 2024. Tim McAdams and Mike Pelletier are two of the sanctioning body’s key people at the races, with Toolie overseeing technical operations for SX and MX and Mike P serving as Director of all racing.

1-800-Call Vince. Honestly, a hotline could be a very lucrative business for the MCR rider, as there are a lot of online lunatics that would dial the number with intentions of stating frustrations with the controversial competitor but would rack up charges by going even deeper with the personal problems they often vent in the comment sections of social media. The first thirty seconds is 99 cents, 10 bucks a minute after.

The Bradshaw-era skull and crossbones lids were a perfect touch to the Solitaire setup. Missouri painter Josh Gray at Shades of Gray laid the lines and shot the color on the Leatt lids.

Shoutout to Hunter Yoder for an excellent start to the 250 West Region with the PRMX Kawasaki crew. A Californian at heart but now training on the East Coast at South of the Border, Yoder has re-established himself as one of the quick up-and-comers.

Jo Shimoda’s Fox Racing setup was another good look on the silver Hondas, especially because the company’s new-old logo has a timeless look. Lotta spiderwebs on the jerseys lately…

Another quick shoutout to TJ Albright and his mechanic Cody Champagne. The Rock River Yamaha boys got it in the 250 Main Event, a weekend highlight after the wrench spinner had his truck busted into and the ignition destroyed at the team’s hotel the night before.

Canvas MX owned anniversary weekend. Michael Leib’s gear brand put out a slew of retro looks for MCR, AEO, HBI, and some assorted privateers, customizable kits that will certainly be big sellers.

If a picture is worth a thousand words…

Here are shots of two stars at very different career points.

Heads up, Geran Stapleton has taken a fill-in ride with AEO Powersports KTM while Lux Turner recovers from his A1 injuries. The Australian’s first race with the team was San Diego, but he was still listed on a Kawasaki in the results sheets.

We had a great chat with Broc Glover on Friday, which you can watch at the end of the Pre-Race News Break video. One of the many details the former champ and Dunlop tire rep told us was that the dirt for the race was different than what was used last year and that it was sourced from a spot in North San Diego County that wasn’t far from where Carlsbad Raceway once was (RIP).

Working Man’s Racer.

How much does the leaderboard change during the heated moments of Free Practice and Timed Qualifying? Spot the ranking behind Shane McElrath with just over five minutes to go…

And the difference just twenty seconds later behind Christian Craig, who had the top time for a moment.

Is it the bike’s body lines or Benny’s size that make the Beta look like a SuperMini? Keep scrolling to see different images of Big Ben in action on the RX.

Jorge Prado really is a good starter. If you’re looking to improve your technique, take a few cues from the Spanish rider’s body positioning and reaction time when the gate drops.

Jett Lawrence was the only rider we saw who wore a raincoat for the wet Timed Qualifying session. The clear Alpinestars wrap looks racy, as it’s form-fitted to the rider and shows the gear underneath, but the rider shed the top layer after a few laps.

Snapdragon Stadium or Del Mar Mile? The icy, slick lefthand turn by the mechanic area was something everyone was trying to flat-track through without a steel shoe.

A much different kind of mud than San Francisco. The SoCal adobe was very, very sticky and packed in between the tire’s knobbies and under fenders.

It’s been cool to see Jordan Burns at the races with his Moto XXX setup. The punk rocker drummer is all-in on dirt bikes and has a pop-up next to the Rockwell/SKVI rig.

Follow that bird.

Year two at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego’s 40-year history with SX has spanned three different venues (Jack Murphy-Qualcomm/Petco Park/Snapdragon), and the new place has become known for its food offerings, big pits, and intimate seating that offers no bad place to watch from. The race was another sell-out.

You’re a great son, Jose.

Progressive/ECSTAR/Suzuki put cut-to-fit foam under the RM-Z’s fenders to prevent mud from building up and weighing down the motorcycle. This is one of the many preemptive measures that mechanics will take during the downtime at rain races, but many times, they swap back to bare plastics sprayed with non-stick chemicals like silicone or cooking spray.

A tire groover is now a must-have tool for elite teams. Slicing slits into the center knobs gives the rubber more flex and some added bite, which would have been important on the mud-covered hardpack.

Reference numbers “3PW23000290X” and “3PW23000270X” in the Powerwear Catalog.

Longtime rider services rep Jesse James asked us to stop by his spot in the pits to see the latest goods from Just1, which includes a new helmet, premium boots, and a set of goggles. The J22 helmet has a 3K carbon shell with DOT-ECE certification and the J.1.E.R. emergency removal cheek pads, the JBX-R boots are a bootie-less design with double-pivot motion control around the ankle, and the Nerve Korten goggle has a 2mm injection molded lens in an outrigger-equipped frame.

If you want to add Just1 to your dealership, this is the man to call. Also, thanks to JJ for the Molecule sprays and detergents that got our equipment, including clay-packed shoes, clean from the SD mud.

Old Reliable: clear lens and duct tape on the visor.

Red flags and restarts are already stressful, but 250 Heat One’s reset was especially messy. Riders had blasted the first layer of muck off the track and onto their bikes, and there was little mechanics could do to clean up the mess (unless you’re talking Star Racing, who swapped rear tires for the start). Also, Doc Smith’s family rodeos are one of the coolest sponsors we’ve seen in a while.

2025 sponsorship proposal to a laundry detergent company: A team has mechanics wear white tops, pants, and overalls at every round, and each week’s wash can show the stain-removing powers of the cleaner. SML Consulting is always open.

How messy was the restart? Yikes.

Jo Footer.

No number plate, no goggles, still smiling. Joshua Varize is another 250 rider holding his own in 2024, as he won the LCQ, finished 13th in the Main Event, and is now ranked 11th in the point standings.

TWMX alumni Casey Davis and Mike Emery are in the trenches. AirD is Octopi’s video man for clients like Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Bell Helmets, while Emery’s Align group snaps shots for the SX series, Honda, KTM group, and many more.

Swag rags.

The area behind the gate was a terrycloth graveyard.

Example two of “Is the bike small or is Benny big?”

As heavy as the rain was on Saturday, it was nothing compared to the front that blasted SoCal on Monday. Forecasts for A2 show clear skies and warm weather, and after that, it’s on to enclosed stadiums for the next three rounds.

Idea for the next Red Bull Straight Rhythm: a holeshot drag race with a long run before the first obstacle.

Every pass matters. Cooper Webb caught up to Dylan Ferrandis in the final laps of their Heat Race and used a tight inside line to steal the position two turns from the checkered flag.

That’s quite the LCQ. Twenty-seven different riders have made a 450 Main Event so far in 2024, but we know the long year of racing and injuries will add more to that list, including many of the guys rocketing out of the gate.

Shallow, slick ruts with lots of chop.

As great as the grates are for traction in dry conditions, they become a challenge when they get wet, as you can see from the half-dozen riders sliding sideways as they dump the clutch.

A key moment in two frames…

This simple mistake by RJ Hampshire was the moment Garrett Marchbanks had been waiting for, and he leapt by and took the lead at the halfway point in the race.

We had a great chat with Alex Nagy just before the nightshow. The Illinois privateer told us he knows how difficult it is to reach the next level with results, that making Main Events is always the goal, and how having a relative to stay with in Orange County gives him a much-needed base on the West Coast. We were stoked to see the 509 fight through the slop, advance directly out of his Heat Race to the Main Event, and finish 21st in the feature.

Nate Thrasher’s start to the season has been up and down, but a hard charge at San Diego added another W to the Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha rider’s stat line. Thrasher was sixth on lap one, fourth on lap four, third on lap six, second on lap 11, and got into the lead on lap 13.

We thought these were going to be the podium finishers when we snapped them over the double on the final lap, but the big jump blocked us from seeing the pass attempt and crash that cost RJ Hampshire a spot on the stage. For as close as they were here, Thrasher still crossed the line 1.2 seconds ahead of Marchbanks.

Tacked up.

Garrett Marchbanks came very, very close to giving the Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX/Yamaha team their first Main Event win. The rider and team have made massive gains together in the last few seasons, something Marchbanks credited to the time he spent racing the YZ450F outdoors and the information they’ve carried over to the YZ250F. Garrett is one of the few riders we know to use the Risk Racing’s Palm Protectors under his gloves.

Starting line sponsor plug.

Condition or position?

Justin Cooper pondered the age-old question as he waited for the start of the 450 Main Event.

It’s been very cool to see so many helmet brands add mud accessories like pre-cut foam and clear extensions to their catalogs. Fredrik Noren had both pieces attached to his 6D ATR.

This shot, with the gate all the way down and the bikes just launching forward, is one of our favorites to capture every weekend. It’s the moment all the action kicks off, and for riders, can make or break their race.

Two snaps, two seconds apart. Here’s Justin Barcia jumping into the corner…

Followed closely by Cooper Webb, who came through the frame soon after.

Pay attention to the Cianciarulo-Prado battles if you’re coming to A2. The riders have found each other more than a few times on the track this year, and per AC, a run-in at A1 left him with a cracked bone in his finger.

Example three of “Is the bike small or is Benny big?”

Caught a tow. Eli Tomac’s pace noticeably improved when he got lapped by Aaron Plessinger, and the time he spent behind the leader helped him make up ground and finish in ninth.

Tomac’s moves frustrated teammate and title rival Cooper Webb. How many more times will we see championship favorites get put a lap down by the leaders this year? It’s certainly added some unexpected suspense to the 450 Class.

Aaron Plessinger’s win was very popular. Cheers followed the Red Bull KTM rider around the track in the closing laps…

And prompted this superfan to jump the barricade and rush the rider during the celebration.

Three rounds down, fifteen to go, and 20 points between the top nine in the championship. Things are about to get very exciting, see you at A2.