hen Junior Scarborough’s WW Motocross Ranch on the edge of Jacksonville, Florida, made its Lucas Oil Pro Motocross debut in June, it marked the first time in 22 years that the Sunshine State had been a part of the series. The last outdoor national held in Florida took place at Gatorback Cycle Park, and it marked the opening round of that year’s AMA 125/250 National Motocross Championship. Obviously, a great deal has changed in the nearly two dozen years in between Gatorback ’97 and WW Ranch ’19.
A few years later the Europeans traveled to the US to race against the Top TT American racers at the famed Corriganville Movie Ranch (Hopetown) near Jim’s home. As racing progressed Jim realized the need for better parts, apparel and accessories to withstand the demands of what would become American Motocross. Soon thereafter, an American Company was born.
It’s now 50 years later. The office is just a few miles from the old Hopetown track. Today you can still find the same passion in every single product O’NEAL produces. You can also find Jim racing and riding around Southern California every chance he gets. Jim still races Baja and his drive, grit, and determination has led him to the most class Baja wins in history. Jim’s obsession pioneered a brand that will forever be embedded in the history of American Motocross.
A few years later the Europeans traveled to the US to race against the Top TT American racers at the famed Corriganville Movie Ranch (Hopetown) near Jim’s home. As racing progressed Jim realized the need for better parts, apparel and accessories to withstand the demands of what would become American Motocross. Soon thereafter, an American Company was born.
It’s now 50 years later. The office is just a few miles from the old Hopetown track. Today you can still find the same passion in every single product O’NEAL produces. You can also find Jim racing and riding around Southern California every chance he gets. Jim still races Baja and his drive, grit, and determination has led him to the most class Baja wins in history. Jim’s obsession pioneered a brand that will forever be embedded in the history of American Motocross.
@DAVIDPINGREE101
@DAVIDPINGREE101
he two-stroke resurgence in our sport is noticeable any time you hit a local track or watch a pro national. I’ve been on my soapbox for years screaming to anybody who will listen that we need to reintroduce the 125 if we want to foster future generations of motocross riders. Simply put, that bike is affordable, easy to ride, and easy to work on. There is also a public demand for the 250 two-stroke, but it’s more from the off-road crowd. Weekend warriors don’t want a heavy four-stroke when they’re navigating local trees and trails.
By JASON WEIGANDT 
@JASONWEIGANDT
By JASON WEIGANDT @JASONWEIGANDT
arvin “Magic” Johnson once tried coaching in the NBA, and it went terribly. His stint with the Lakers in 1994 ended with a 5-11 record and Magic quitting early while muttering about young kids who didn’t have respect for the veterans of the game.
In 1997, Magic’s old rival Larry Bird was named coach of the Indiana Pacers, so the league braced for similar problems. How would Larry deal with these young, cocky, disrespectful players? Bird provided one of my favorite explanations in the history of sports, saying, essentially, that he wanted his young players to be disrespectful to the vets. The goal isn’t to respect other players, it’s to beat them.
On Friday night before the Florida National, my NBCSN broadcast partner Grant Langston and I attended a dinner party with members of the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC-KTM-WPS team. Team manager Michael Byrne started telling some stories, then Langston joined in. That’s when the good stuff started to come out—the hidden battles you’d never hear about in the press or on the podium. In NBA circles, it’s well-known that Larry Bird seemed like a nice guy off the court but was a trash-talking assassin on it. You only get the good stuff from athletes who have been between the lines.
PHOTOS: JEFF KARDAS & RICH SHEPHERD
The next week, the heat got the best of McAdoo in Florida, Craig was embroiled in anti-doping test drama, TLD moved an amateur up to the pros early while watching its top riders gaze longingly at other teams, and one of the few riders with a multi-year deal was racing through the Epstein-Barr virus to keep his job secure.
Welcome to the 250s.
PHOTOS: JEFF KARDAS & RICH SHEPHERD
The next week, the heat got the best of McAdoo in Florida, Craig was embroiled in anti-doping test drama, TLD moved an amateur up to the pros early while watching its top riders gaze longingly at other teams, and one of the few riders with a multi-year deal was racing through the Epstein-Barr virus to keep his job secure.
Welcome to the 250s.
songbirds
sing
PHOTOS: JEFF KARDAS, RICH SHEPHERD, & ANDREW FREDRICKSON
PHOTOS: JEFF KARDAS, RICH SHEPHERD, & ANDREW FREDRICKSON
Our art director takes his first voyage into the world of off-road riding
PHOTOS: CASEY CONTE
“YOU’RE JUST GOING to have to go for it, man,” Casey shouted through his helmet.
Sage words from our trail guide for the day, Casey Conte, about how to tackle the huge, almost vertical boulder about 10 feet ahead of me on the trail. My bike was already pointed up at what seemed like a 40-degree angle as I glanced over at Casey’s brother, Jesse, who was off to the side of the trail looking for another way around said boulder. He gave me a slow shake of the head. I knew the longer I hesitated, the worse it would be, so I eased out the clutch on my borrowed bike, put my trust in the bib tubes, and gassed it up the face of the big rock.
Our art director takes his first voyage into the world of off-road riding
WORDS: DAVID LANGRAN
PHOTOS: CASEY CONTE
“YOU’RE JUST GOING to have to go for it, man,” Casey shouted through his helmet.
Sage words from our trail guide for the day, Casey Conte, about how to tackle the huge, almost vertical boulder about 10 feet ahead of me on the trail. My bike was already pointed up at what seemed like a 40-degree angle as I glanced over at Casey’s brother, Jesse, who was off to the side of the trail looking for another way around said boulder. He gave me a slow shake of the head. I knew the longer I hesitated, the worse it would be, so I eased out the clutch on my borrowed bike, put my trust in the bib tubes, and gassed it up the face of the big rock.
