Husqvarna’s own Aftersales Coordinator Jamie Lanza will be racing this weekend, and all season, on a 2013 CR125 (in 144cc trim). Photo: Scott Cox/Resmarket, Inc.
The following is a press release from Husqvarna…
Corona, CA – April 3, 2013 – The Husqvarna 1-2-5 Challenge is just around the corner, and we can already smell the two-stroke exhaust! As a feature in Glen Helen’s MTA 2-Stroke MX World Championship, Husqvarna is proud to sponsor the 125 Pro class. Eight different motocross publications will be competing in the race aboard Husky CR125s, along with teams from FMF and Pro Circuit. The victor in the battle for lightweight supremacy will not only be taking home the $1000 purse, but also a brand new 2013 Husqvarna CR125 of their very own!
Racer X, Motorcycle-USA, Motorcyclist, Dirt Rider, Dirt Bike, VitalMX, Cycle World and Motocross Action magazines are taking part in the Husqvarna 1-2-5 Challenge, each with their own tuning and modification plans, and a pro rider of their choosing. As you already know, every 2012 and 2013 Husqvarna 125 comes with a free 144cc top-end kit, which likely means we’ll be seeing no less than 10 different fire-breathing 144cc Husky two-strokes on the starting line at Glen Helen!
“It was important for us to make this a pro race because we really want to show that the 125 two-stroke is still relevant at all ability levels,” commented Husqvarna’s Corey Eastman. “The fun, affordability and flat out performance of the 125cc two-stroke are tough to beat. Husky is proud to still carry the CR125 – the longest-running motorcycle in the Husqvarna lineup.”
Publications and tuners received their units in early February, and have been prepping their bantamweight prizefighters ever since. Here’s what we know so far…
The Racer X bike is at Pro Circuit being outfitted with pipe, silencer, suspension and motor work. Their rider will be Blake Savage (the motocross racer – not the porn star… we think).
Motorcycle-USA is taking the FMF route, and will have rider Chris See in the saddle. At the risk of sounding a bit presumptuous, we hear that See is ordering a new set of tie-downs to bring with him on Sunday. “You can’t bring home a brand new bike with old tie-downs,” he said matter-of-factly.
Contacts at Motorcyclist magazine are keeping their build – and their rider – top secret. Brian Catterson’s only comment to us was, “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” In totally unrelated news, this weekend’s weather forecast calls for a lot of “Sun.”
The Dirt Rider crew is breaking in their CR in its stock 125 form, but will boost it the extra 19cc before race day. Racer and staffer Kris Keefer might be riding on Pro Circuit suspension, but they weren’t ready to commit to any one tuner at the time of our last update.
Dirt Bike magazine is leaving their dirty work to the pros. They’ve enlisted the help of WORCS and EnduroCross racer Gary Sutherlin in their project build. The ex-Zip-Ty racer is calling on Ty Davis’ expertise with 2011 Husqvarna suspension, and will be running Marzocchi forks.
After VitalMX’s Bayo Olukotun wouldn’t get off the CR125 at the Husqvarna Red Head Ride Day, inviting him to participate in the challenge was a no-brainer. Bayo is calling on Race Tech suspension and FMF exhaust to outfit the Vital steed, which will be piloted by amateur racer Andrew Silverstein. We smell a sleeper Cycle World’s entry remains a bit of a wildcard. Off-road editor Ryan Dudek hasn’t said who will be piloting the FMF-tuned CR144, but we have heard numerous reports of an infomercial celebrity racing for them. The stallion of healthy hair care himself, Chaz Dean, has been spotted test riding the Husqvarna two-stroke at local Southern California tracks. While these reports have yet to be confirmed, we expect to see Fall-Ginger-Pumpkin-scented tresses flowing behind the Cycle World entry in the 125 Pro race.
Motocross Action is another publication with their CR currently in the capable hands of Pro Circuit. We don’t have details on the build, but heard John Basher asking Mitch Payton something about outfitting the rear fender with a baby seat. As for the rider, Dennis Stapleton is sharpening his clutch-fanning skills in the hopes of taking home a brand new CR125.
Come to Glen Helen this Sunday, April 7, to catch the 1-2-5 Challenge in all its glory, including the sweet sound of the gate-drop when the fleet of Husky CRs jump off the line!
Visit www.GlenHelen.com/raceinfo/mta-2-stroke-world-championships for more info.
For more information on the entire 2013 Husqvarna line-up, please go to www.husqvarna-motorcyclesna.com. Head to your nearest dealership to pick up a copy of the 2013 RiDE MORE Catalog, available now!
Be sure to follow Team Husqvarna on Facebook or via Twitter @HusqvarnaNA….
