MX Nationals promoters Williams Event Management (WEM) have announced some dramatic changes for the MX2 class next year in an effort to restore some sort of parity between the four-stroke factory teams and the two-stroke privateers. Next year all 250 two-stroke engines must remain stock with no aftermarket parts added except for an exhaust system and the airbox and air filter.
The news is no real surprise after the roaring debate between the two displacements hit fever pitch this year, so we talked to a few people in the pits to find out their opinions on the new rules.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Kayne Lamont – Husqvarna Red Bull WIL Sport NZ Racing MX2 racer:
I think the changes are a lot more fair for the factory teams who invest a lot of money into trying to get the upper hand, while still making racing achievable for the weekend racers who can still be competitive. Stock two-strokes can still win races and I think they’re probably easier to ride; the only real benefit of a modded bike is it makes it easier to get starts. This year we used a different carb head, powervalve and ignition and from memory we were getting at least an extra six horsepower out of it. Still, if I had a choice I’d race a four-stroke as they sit better to the ground and feel a lot safer and more comfortable. Two-strokes are a bit of a handful and can be quite dangerous if the rider doesn’t ride it to its full potential.

Michael Marty – Serco Yamaha head mechanic:
The changes Kevin announced are really good and I think it’s a sensible decision. Obviously it’s going to make everything a lot more even off the start, which I think was the main problem this year. Once everyone got going on the track there wasn’t much in it, but of the startline the two-strokes had a huge advantage. The new rules will make everything fairer for everyone. We’re still going to have to work very hard to stay in front of them, but I think next year the playing field will be a lot more level.

Ryan Marmont – Husqvarna Motocross Racing Team MX2 racer:
I still don’t’ think it’s the right thing that should be happening and these rules are going to be very hard to police. People will still do everything they can go get the advantage, and that’s just how racing is. I still think it’s going to be an unfair advantage for the two-strokes, and there’s nothing stopping the guys from lightening the bikes up more, using race fuel and things like that. I think we’re missing out on a great opportunity to have another class in racing. There’s no reason why we can’t fill the grids – the Amcross always has full grids of four-strokes– and mixing everyone up isn’t the answer. The MX2 class is meant to be 250 four-strokes. My whole life, if you rode a 250 two-stroke you raced in the Opens class. Even stock they’re far more powerful than a 250 four-stroke, and, if anything, it’s going to make it easier for the guys who have built rocketships this year, as their bikes will be so much easier to ride stock than what they’re used to. I don’t think these new rules are going to change anything.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Luke Arbon – SD3 Husqvarna Racing MX2 racer:
I haven’t read the rules in depth, but to tell the truth it doesn’t really affect me too much as my bike was pretty much standard all year. I’d rebuild it now, we added a pipe, muffler and ignition, and then and halfway through the season we bolted a new head on, which helped, but the bike was fast enough standard. A few of the boys were going hard with the modifications, but if I’d done that the bike would be unrideable. I didn’t touch the ports of anything, but my bike got that many holeshots once I worked out a good starting technique.
The changes are good for the sport and I’m glad they’re keeping the two-strokes in the class. If it wasn’t for the option to race two-strokes I wouldn’t be able to afford to race at all.

Steve Jones – TuneTech Racing manager:
At end of day I think the changes needed to happen. As much as the MX2 class needs the two-strokes, we also need the factory teams there and for them to be competitive. Pulling the two-strokes out of the class would wreck it and the class wouldn’t be able to support itself. Having stipulations of what riders can and can’t do to their machines is the way to go I think, but the new rules are pretty much what we ran anyway, so it doesn’t concern us too much. Some people went overboard and the guys got good starts and relied on the power to make them look good but then couldn’t run the pace, but the power made them look good anyway. I think these new rules will allow us see some great racing next year.

Jesse Dobson – KTM Motocross Racing Team MX1 racer:
I think the MX2 class should go back to being four-strokes only. I know the two-strokes bring people back into the class and it helps privateers go racing, but it’s getting to the point where they’re too easy to modify and make them fast. Even when they’re stock the factory four-strokes struggle to catch them and they’re definitely too quick for the Lites class. The changes will help, but the technician who walks around the pits is going to have to be onto it and not miss anyone.