Throwdown No.79 – Luke George returning to racing?

What’s this “Throwdown”? It’s a digital home for rumour, fact and innuendo, delivered on a weekly basis. Covering a broad spectrum of the off-road world’s news, the Throwdown will touch on everything from racing to trailriding; from industry tidbits to issues facing the sport. It’s about delivering you timely information all in one place so you don’t have to scour the internet looking for it.

In big news this week, former Pro Lites Motocross champion, Luke George, confirmed he’ll make a return to racing. “You’ll definitely see me back out racing; whether that’s in Australia or not is another story,” said George. When pressed about who he’ll race for, or whether his good friendship with Chad Reed would lead to an opportunity to race in the US, he was very tightlipped. “I’m not ready to give any details away yet. All I can say is you’ll see me back racing and faster than ever.” George also confirmed he’s signed with Shift. We’ll have a full interview up with George early next week so stay tuned.

—

Last week, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont took Parramatta Eels star, Nathan Hindmarsh, out to Kembla MX Track for some pre-season training. Take a look at the vid.

—

Rumour has it Tye Simmonds wasn’t looking that fast or fit while testing out at Coonabarabran’s Goanna Tracks on his new Honda over the weekend. Local observers said it seemed he avoided being on track at the same time as Kawasaki’s Luke George.

—

How many 13-year-olds do you know who actively help charity? GMR Motorex KTM’s Mitch Evans is participating in the World’s Greatest Shave to help raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. The teenager from Cairns personally knew the late Paul Broomfield, who suffered from Aplastic Anaemia, and has great respect for Broomy after he provided help to Evans while competing overseas in the 65cc class at the FIM World Championships in 2010. Evans hopes to raise over $2000 to help the cause. If you’d like to donate, head to the Leukamia Foundation website.

—

Wollongong Motorcycle Club has announced the South Pacific Open, scheduled for March 11, has been cancelled due to bad weather. Also, Panorama Motorcycle Club has cancelled their King of the Mount Open MX (March 17/18) due to insufficient numbers.

—

Know of an elite motocross training facility that has a MX track, gym, fitness obstacle course and is only 45 minutes for the CBD of a capital city? Epic Lifestyle’s Shaun Baxter has built the Epic Lifestyle Training Facility 45 minutes from Perth’s CBD to help riders get to the next level. For more details email shaun@epiclifestyle.com.au or call 0421 554 400.

—

Transmoto’s Greg Smith just pointed out that, along with Rudi Baker, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Billy Mackenzie makes an appearance in one of the iSelect ads. “He’s the one with the moustache holding the Fund C board!” said Smith. We contacted Baker for confirmation but he could neither ‘confirm nor deny’. Sounds like an admission to us!

CPW KTM’s Matt Fish is off to Dubai at the end of the month for Round 1 of the FIM World Rally Championship racing on his custom CPW KTM Rally machine. He’ll then turn his attention to Round 2 at Qatar before focusing on his 2013 Dakar campaign. To help him along the way, CPW have got their hands on a ‘factory only’ magnesium oil cooler that is 1/3 lighter and 30% more thermal efficient. Cool, eh? You’ll notice they’ve also come up with a more secure way to fasten the air filter.

—

The MX Nationals have announced Monster Energy as title sponsor for the 2012 series. Marking the 16th running of the championship, event organisers, Williams Event Management, has also confirmed a Mini Cup for 85cc two-strokes and 150cc four-strokes, as well as a Rookie Lites class for 13-U16 100-150cc two-strokes and 250cc four-strokes. They will run as standalone events, with junior classes contesting at Wonthaggi in Victoria on April 28-29 and the Rookie Lites competing at Wanneroo in WA on May 12-13.

—

Transmoto reader, Stuart Ball, sent us this photo of his KTM 990 Adventure bike while on an epic voyage riding across Australia. Heading from east to west, he had no GPS, no backup and was entirely self sufficient, riding free across the land. His aim was to raise $10,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation (successfully raised $5268) and after completing the 2011 trip he’s got plans to do it all again in 2012. To follow his efforts, head to his Facebook page.

—

There’s only three weeks left until the early bird special for the 2012 Australasian Safari closes. If you enter the event before March 31 you’ll receive $1000 discount on the standard entry fee. To enter, head to http://www.australasiansafari.com.au/website/competitors.html and fill out an Expression of Interest form.

—

Husqvarna’s Glenn Kearney has won the first round of the Husqvarna Sprint Series held at Kyogle, NSW, over the weekend. With several AORC riders in attendance, and overnight rain transforming the track into a sloppy mudfest, it was a welcome challenge for Kearney. “It was a great warm up for the first AORC round where we can expect similar conditions given the widespread rain across the east coast,” said Kearney.

—

PSC Husqvarna Offroad’s Jack Hanckel has broken his ACL and NCL during training for the opening AORC. Team Manager and Vet rider, Damian Smith, says, “Jack broke his ACL and NCL on his left leg and will be off the bike for four months. It’s disappointing because he was looking really fast on the track. At this stage, we’re looking for someone to fill in for him. I’ve already spoken to some of the other applicants who applied for the Master and Apprentice program earlier in the year so we’ll go from there.” Tough break, Jack.

—

Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing’s AJ Roberts has confirmed the team will be sporting Axo gear and MTX Helmets at the opening round of the AORC this weekend at Dungog. “It’s great to have MTX come aboard,” said Roberts. “The carbon fibre and kevlar shell means they have excellent protection, are very light, comfortable, and look good, too.”

—

Reigning Women’s Champion, Jemma Wilson, has committed herself to defending her AORC title in Australia and waging a full Enduro World Championship campaign with INA TV Racing in Europe. The 22-year-old Queenslander says racing both seasons will be a challenge, “I think that racing a full season of the AORC and EWC will impact both negatively and positively on my AORC campaign,” Wilson said. “On one hand, I’m going to have a lot more experience, but on the other it’s a pretty hectic schedule. There are four weekends in a row where I race NSW, Spain, Portugal, then Victoria. It is going to be tough but I am definitely looking forward to.” Along with those race commitments, she’ll also write a monthly online article for Transmoto.com.au beginning in May.

Rosco Holden, organiser of the Australian Injured Rider survey, has extended the draw until June 1 to win a signed Monster Energy Kawasaki Ryan Villopoto jersey, Blue Doohan Eyeball helmet and Agostini-cased helmet. Take a few minutes, fill out the injured rider survey and you’ll go in the running to win. Too easy!

—

Beta Motorcycles Australia have embraced social media and started their own Facebook page. Head over to their FB page and take a look.

—

Lifestyle brand, Volcom, has expanded into the European Motocross market by sponsoring 21-year-old French rider, Gautier Paulin. Previously, Volcom has only been involved in US MX/SX with Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and the Pro Circuit team, so it’s great to see them expand into other markets. Maybe we’ll see an Australian-sponsored Volcom rider in the near future…

—

One Industries distributor, C&R Imports, have announced an all-new neck brace compatible armour called the One Interceptor. RRP are yet to be confirmed but C&R Imports’ Joel Ryan tells us they expect stock to arrive in April.

—

Motorcycling Australia has announced Mark Willingham will be the Australian Team Manager for the 2012 Junior Motocross World Championship, taking place at Sevlievo, Bulgaria, on August 12. Having served as Team Manager in 2009 and 2011, as well as the 2010 Oceania Motocross Championship, Willingham has a wealth of knowledge and experience to help our budding young riders be competitive on the world stage.

—

Cody Mackie and his fiancé, Sheree Fanning, got engaged in December last year and have already set a date for their wedding: December 15 in Kiama, NSW. Not long now, Mackie…