Teams have endured too many strikeouts. Too much pay for too many busts. How do they fix it? A new three-pronged process of pro races, combines, and futures races might be the answer. Jason Weigandt reads his feature story from the September 2022 issue of Racer X magazine. For more from DC, Jason Weigandt, Steve Matthes, and the rest of the Racer X crew, subscribe to Racer X.

Racer X Read Out: "That Last Big Step"

A podcast from Jason Weigandt and the editorial staff of Racer X Illustrated and Racer X Online covering motocross, supercross, and dirt bike culture.

Sports

Yeah! The great outdoors are here with the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, and Jason Weigandt, Jason Thomas and Steve Matthes argue and debate the hot topics from both classes in our annual Pro Motocross preview shows. We've clipped the audio from our videos to present these shows in podcast form. So listen in your car, while you're mowing the lawn, or while you're working out. You know JT would need this during one of his three workouts each day.  The Racer X Exhaust podcast is brought to you by Yoshimura, On Track School, and Racer X Brand.

Exhaust #256: The Pro Motocross Preview

Nate Ramsey, one of the all-time winningest 125/250F supercross racers, has carved out a great post-racing career, now as team manager of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna. Jason Weigandt rang up Nate Dogg to get the inside story on RJ Hamsphire's 250SX West Region title, and how stressful the day felt at Salt Lake City, as well as Hampshire's race strategy. Did you know finishing second in the heat race was actually an advantage? They also talk about old bikes, and how the 2022 new-generation platform that Hampshire vocally criticized has now morphed into a great race bike. Could Zach Osborne's 2017-2018 250F Championship bikes compete? What about Nate's old (legendary) Honda CRF450R? Yeah, bikes have come a long way. Weigandt chats with Ramsey about it all. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura, OnTrack School and Racer X Brand.

Exhaust #255: Nathan Ramsey

Mike Webb tells more behind-the-scenes stories from working with Ryan Dungey and James Stewart with Team Suzuki. Plus, how it all shut down. Mike Webb lived the dream life, moving to the top of the racing food chain, as Suzuki team manager for the off-road squad and then transitioning into the top of the motocross and supercross team. From tons of GNCC championships to working with Ryan Dungey and James Stewart, Mike saw it all. However, it's not always as glorious as it seems, as Mike's time in the supercross paddock came after Roger De Coster and Ian Harrison left for KTM, and Suzuki's support budget was starting to wane. Mike inherited Ryan Dungey and the 450SX and 450MX titles, but Dungey wanted to leave with Roger, immediately. His Suzuki contract forced him to stay. Then Mike and company faced hard luck trying to defend the titles with Dungey, which left a mark. Mike eventually rebuilt with none other than James Stewart. Years later, Suzuki would shut Mike's factory program down, not once, but twice. There are some deep, deep stories from behind the scenes in this interview you won't want to miss. This is part 2 of our two-part podcast with Webb. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.

Exhaust #254: The Ex Team Manager, Part 2 (Suzuki's Mike Webb)

Mike Webb lived the dream life, moving to the top of the racing food chain, as Suzuki team manager for the off-road squad and then transitioning into the top of the motocross and supercross team. From tons of GNCC Championships to working with Ryan Dungey and James Stewart, Mike saw it all. However, it's not always as glorious as it seems, as Mike's time in the supercross paddock came after Roger De Coster and Ian Harrison left for KTM, and Suzuki's support budget was starting to wane. Mike inherited Ryan Dungey and the 450SX and 450MX titles, but Dungey wanted to leave with Roger, immediately. His Suzuki contract forced him to stay. Then Mike and company faced hard luck trying to defend the titles with Dungey, which left a mark. Mike eventually rebuilt with none other than James Stewart. Years later, Suzuki would shut Mike's factory program down, not once, but twice. There are some deep, deep stories from behind the scenes in this interview you won't want to miss. Enjoy part 1 of Jason Weigandt's interview with Mike Webb and be ready next week for part 2. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand.

Exhaust #253: The Ex Team Manager (Suzuki's Mike Webb)

Jason Weigandt and Jason Thomas got some time this week to talk to Cooper Webb and quiz him on how he approached the final stretch of the season and got the points lead back to a tie with four races to go. Also, he reveals what he's learned about Jett Lawrence's riding style, why things work so well for him with Monster Energy/Yamaha Star Racing, and why he always had such a tough time keeping the weight off -- he has Hashimoto's disease, which impacts the thyroid. With a lot of research and hard work, and his own special brand of grit, Webb has set up an amazing final four races in Monster Energy AMA Supercross. Here's how. The Racer X Exhaust podcast is presented by Yoshimura and Racer X Brand. Plus, subscribe to the magazine now for a chance to win an Intense Tazer MX All Pro E Mountain bike plus a set of Thor mountain bike gear!

Racer X Read Out: "That Last Big Step"

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