Racer X Magazine.
hen our friends Logan and Jordan Martin decided to team up and race the Kenda Northeast 24 Hour Challenge by Arcadia Bark Busters, they decided to do it aboard an old Honda XR400, Scott Summers-style. It was an odd choice for a grueling race, as those mid-nineties XR thumpers were as heavy as they were hard to start. The Martins, as you will read in their feature “All Night Long” that begins on page 100, found themselves with a whole new appreciation for what Summers managed to accomplish in his AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame career.
@DAVIDPINGREE101
@DAVIDPINGREE101
here are two things motocross fans don’t like: change . . . and the way things are. That’s a phrase I use about firemen when we sit around the coffee table and complain about things, but it applies perfectly to motocross fans too. We are a fickle group when it comes to how we want the stars of the sport to act, aren’t we? If they’re too reserved and quiet, we call them boring and robotic. If they’re too outspoken and boisterous, we label them loudmouths and arrogant. These guys can’t win! So what are we looking for from these guys? We all have different opinions about how these riders should act, but here’s my two cents.
By JASON WEIGANDT 
@JASONWEIGANDT
By JASON WEIGANDT @JASONWEIGANDT
easons versus excuses. That becomes a pitched battle as soon as the FIM Monster Energy Motocross of Nations concludes. Monday-morning quarterbacking is normal for any sport, with fans spouting theories as to why their team lost. The losing coach and players have to give reasons after the game, and that’s understandable. It all looks different under the prism of nationalism, though.
If Team USA doesn’t win the Motocross of Nations, blaming anything for the loss—luck, conditions, scheduling—is just a jab at the winners and their fans. Lately, in the face of a mounting losing streak, the Team USA riders have taken the high road. Last year at RedBud, Team USA’s Justin Barcia, Eli Tomac, and Aaron Plessinger trudged out of their team trucks for our Best Post-Race Show Ever. Tomac spoke first and quickly went to the magic words: “We got beat.” Barcia, behind him, let out a sigh of relief. “We just got beat” became the mantra. Behind the scenes, all the riders were befuddled by RedBud’s different track prep and feel. Maybe five weeks off of racing hurt too. We wrote an entire magazine feature on the loss last year. And the year before that. Whatever—if you’re the rider, don’t make excuses.
Except the rest of us can’t help ourselves. We want reasons! The American fans and moto industry are still bewildered and confused over this losing streak, spoiled after winning 22 times in 31 years.
PHOTOS: JEFF KARDAS
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THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP MIKE TYSON was once asked about the question of strategy in his fights. Iron Mike just shrugged and said, “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face.” For Team USA at the 73rd Annual FIM Motocross of Nations, that punch in the face came early, and it was a devastating blow. After months of controversy and debate about who even wanted to be on the starting gate at the Assen TT circuit in the sandy North Atlantic region of the Netherlands, and then weeks abroad preparing—and even a hot minute of looking like real contenders for a first win in seven years—the jarring punch came in the second corner of the first moto for MX2/Open riders. That’s when teammates Jason Anderson and Justin Cooper somehow found each other in a pack of 40 riders, splashing around in a deluge of cold, steady rain and heavy sand and crashing together in a heap, tearing the clutch perch off Cooper’s bike, smashing his left hand, and leaving both riders in the back of the pack. Less than 15 seconds after the long-awaited race had finally started, even those back home watching the TV feed (which looked like it was being shot through the periscope of a surfacing submarine) knew Team USA was already knocked out. |
PHOTOS: JEFF KARDAS
|
THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP MIKE TYSON was once asked about the question of strategy in his fights. Iron Mike just shrugged and said, “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face.” For Team USA at the 73rd Annual FIM Motocross of Nations, that punch in the face came early, and it was a devastating blow. After months of controversy and debate about who even wanted to be on the starting gate at the Assen TT circuit in the sandy North Atlantic region of the Netherlands, and then weeks abroad preparing—and even a hot minute of looking like real contenders for a first win in seven years—the jarring punch came in the second corner of the first moto for MX2/Open riders. That’s when teammates Jason Anderson and Justin Cooper somehow found each other in a pack of 40 riders, splashing around in a deluge of cold, steady rain and heavy sand and crashing together in a heap, tearing the clutch perch off Cooper’s bike, smashing his left hand, and leaving both riders in the back of the pack. Less than 15 seconds after the long-awaited race had finally started, even those back home watching the TV feed (which looked like it was being shot through the periscope of a surfacing submarine) knew Team USA was already knocked out. |
PHOTOS: JEFF KARDAS
|
THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP MIKE TYSON was once asked about the question of strategy in his fights. Iron Mike just shrugged and said, “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face.” For Team USA at the 73rd Annual FIM Motocross of Nations, that punch in the face came early, and it was a devastating blow. After months of controversy and debate about who even wanted to be on the starting gate at the Assen TT circuit in the sandy North Atlantic region of the Netherlands, and then weeks abroad preparing—and even a hot minute of looking like real contenders for a first win in seven years—the jarring punch came in the second corner of the first moto for MX2/Open riders. That’s when teammates Jason Anderson and Justin Cooper somehow found each other in a pack of 40 riders, splashing around in a deluge of cold, steady rain and heavy sand and crashing together in a heap, tearing the clutch perch off Cooper’s bike, smashing his left hand, and leaving both riders in the back of the pack. Less than 15 seconds after the long-awaited race had finally started, even those back home watching the TV feed (which looked like it was being shot through the periscope of a surfacing submarine) knew Team USA was already knocked out. |
PHOTOS: JEFF KARDAS
|
THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP MIKE TYSON was once asked about the question of strategy in his fights. Iron Mike just shrugged and said, “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face.” For Team USA at the 73rd Annual FIM Motocross of Nations, that punch in the face came early, and it was a devastating blow. After months of controversy and debate about who even wanted to be on the starting gate at the Assen TT circuit in the sandy North Atlantic region of the Netherlands, and then weeks abroad preparing—and even a hot minute of looking like real contenders for a first win in seven years—the jarring punch came in the second corner of the first moto for MX2/Open riders. That’s when teammates Jason Anderson and Justin Cooper somehow found each other in a pack of 40 riders, splashing around in a deluge of cold, steady rain and heavy sand and crashing together in a heap, tearing the clutch perch off Cooper’s bike, smashing his left hand, and leaving both riders in the back of the pack. Less than 15 seconds after the long-awaited race had finally started, even those back home watching the TV feed (which looked like it was being shot through the periscope of a surfacing submarine) knew Team USA was already knocked out. |
The electric-versus-gasoline argument is still going, though. You just have to go and listen at the kids’ table.
The electric-versus-gasoline argument is still going, though. You just have to go and listen at the kids’ table.
PHOTOS: RAY ARCHER
PHOTOS: RAY ARCHER
PHOTOS: RAY ARCHER
PHOTOS: Tiffany Merritt, Michaela & Gina Martin
“We should race a 24-hour race,” Logan suggested. Just the idea should have raised alarms. Then he added, “Oh, and let’s go find an old Scott Summers-style Honda XR, fix it up, and ride that the whole 24 hours, full retro-style. I mean, how hard can it be?”
How could little brother Jordan say no?
PHOTOS: Tiffany Merritt, Michaela & Gina Martin
“We should race a 24-hour race,” Logan suggested. Just the idea should have raised alarms. Then he added, “Oh, and let’s go find an old Scott Summers-style Honda XR, fix it up, and ride that the whole 24 hours, full retro-style. I mean, how hard can it be?”
How could little brother Jordan say no?
BIKE BUILD BY DAVID PINGREE AND BOLT MOTORCYCLE HARDWARE PHOTOS: SIMON CUDBY
PRO CIRCUITExhaust Pipe and Silencer, Full Suspension Rebuild and Setup, Fork Protectors, Hard Anodize of Fork Legs
procircuit.com
MILLENNIUM TECHNOLOGIESStrip, Repair Damage, and Re-Plate to Stock Size, Painting of Head and Cylinder
www.mt-llc.com
BOLT MOTORCYCLE HARDWAREBolts and Hardware, Restored OEM Fuel Tank, the Original 1986 Honda CR250
boltmotorcyclehardware.com
ALL BALLSCarb Rebuild Kit, Throttle Cable, Clutch Cable, Fork Rebuild Kit, Shock Rebuild Kit, Linkage Rebuild Kit, Swingarm Rebuild Kit, Front and Rear Wheel Bearing Kits, Steering Stem Bearing Kit
allballsracing.com
SAN DIEGO POWDER COATINGSandblasting, Powder with Super-Durable Clear, Race Prep Masking of Subframe and Engine Covers
sandiegopowdercoating.com
WORKS CONNECTIONElite Clutch Perch Assembly, Master Cylinder Guard, Holeshot Device
worksconnection.com
PRO CIRCUITExhaust Pipe and Silencer, Full Suspension Rebuild and Setup, Fork Protectors, Hard Anodize of Fork Legs
procircuit.com
MILLENNIUM TECHNOLOGIESStrip, Repair Damage, and Re-Plate to Stock Size, Painting of Head and Cylinder
www.mt-llc.com
BOLT MOTORCYCLE HARDWAREBolts and Hardware, Restored OEM Fuel Tank, the Original 1986 Honda CR250
boltmotorcyclehardware.com
ALL BALLSCarb Rebuild Kit, Throttle Cable, Clutch Cable, Fork Rebuild Kit, Shock Rebuild Kit, Linkage Rebuild Kit, Swingarm Rebuild Kit, Front and Rear Wheel Bearing Kits, Steering Stem Bearing Kit
allballsracing.com
SAN DIEGO POWDER COATINGSandblasting, Powder with Super-Durable Clear, Race Prep Masking of Subframe and Engine Covers
sandiegopowdercoating.com
WORKS CONNECTIONElite Clutch Perch Assembly, Master Cylinder Guard, Holeshot Device
worksconnection.com
Hunter
Lawrence
Jett
Lawrence
Hunter
Lawrence
Jett
Lawrence
Who would play you in a movie?
HL: Probably Thor.
JL: Zac Efron.
Last person who made you nervous?
HL: Young Asian girls texting while driving on the 91 Freeway.
JL: No one makes me nervous.
Favorite person in the pits?
HL: Have to give it up to the privateers. I respect their hustle and grind to show up at the races every weekend. Without them, we wouldn’t have a full gate!
JL: Jo Shimoda.
Thing you’re looking forward to most about 2020?
HL: Definitely the racing and doing a supercross season. Living in my new house is also going to be wicked.
JL: Kicking Hunter’s ass.
Most common part you break?
HL: After my collarbone performances this past year, I’d say collarbone.
JL: Girls’ hearts.
Worst part of being brothers?
HL: Normal brother dramas and crap.
JL: Seeing his face when I wake up in the morning.
Angriest you’ve ever gotten with each other on the track?
HL: When Jett would blow all the ruts out and just destroy lines. It makes me want to punch him in the face.
JL: We’re pretty chill when we’re on the track, but it’ll change.
Funniest memory of working with Ken Roczen’s dad, Heiko Klepka?
HL: We were making a smoothie and the blender broke, spilling all over the table. We drank it through straws off the table.
JL: His colorful English.
Least favorite competitor?
HL: The knucklehead who tries their absolute hardest to not let you past, then when you pass them, they’re spent and drop four more positions. You’re better off sacrificing one than losing five!
JL: Hunter.
There’s so much opportunity to make something of your life here and to make good money.” —HL
