Our March 2017 newsletter includes instruction on an important, yet often overlooked, aspect of reducing your bike's speed, namely, engine braking.
MTF's Monster Energy Supercross riders are preparing for their 3rd East Coast event in Toronto and results so far are good.
And there's also an update on the new motorcycle coaching organization, the United States Motocross Coaching Association (USMCA).
A few places remain in our two upcoming camp weeks March 19-24 and March 26-31. These two camps will also include 65's so check us out.
You never know which pro riders might turn up for an autograph session!
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MTF NEWS
This year's Military Appreciation camp April 5-7, 2017 is now officially full. If you've never been just send us an email to get an early notification for next year!
Contact@mtfmx.com
In the Supermini Dominator class on Friday Jack Rogers of Brookeville, MD took the win while MTF riders Jarrett Frye, Matt LeBlanc and Nate Thrasher came in 2nd, 4th and 8th respectively.
Wilson Fleming, Locky Kennedy, Reilly O'Grodnick, Gage Linville and Dakota Aldredge raced. Gage (below) won both his events, 125 B/C and Schoolboy 1, and Locky won the Open B and Amateur
All Star Classes.
Watch Video
UPCOMING EVENTS
2017 MTF CAMPS
March 19-24*
March 26-31
April 23-28 May 28-June 2* June 25-30
Camps with an asterisk are also for 65cc riders.
We have an extended stay camp Jan 9-Feb 10 with 2 places left. Contact us ASAP if you're interested (big bikes only).
There is a 3 week extended stay camp June 4-30 which follows the One Week camp May 28-June 2. Again, please contact us soon because this will be a small group only.
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Instruction:Engine Braking
with Colleen Millsaps
Many riders don't even think about engine braking but it's such a valuable technique for any level of rider. Riders who don't use engine braking are generally those who are completely dependent on the rear brake and are uncomfortable with aggressive front braking.
Watch Video
Using the engine brake aids you in braking straighter into the turns, and along with the front brake, allows more weight to stay on the front end, which is important in the rutted turns. Locking the rear wheel takes weight off the front end, making it harder to steer/turn.
You have to practice braking to be good at it, just like anything else. If you don't know how to use the back brake without locking the wheel, then you can't brake without the clutch pulled in. If you want to use engine braking, you cannot pull the clutch in when you downshift into turns. It is not hard, it just takes practice.
Engine braking is definitely something that should be a staple in every rider's foundation.
Good luck!
Colleen
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IS MY MOTOCROSS COACH CERTIFIED BY USMCA?
This is the question industry heads and current MX trainers hope will be asked by parents and riders seeking motocross instruction.
This effort to "professionalize" motocross coaching through certification will hopefully lead to the removal of at least one barrier to entry into the sport, namely confidence that your trainer knows what he or she is doing and can provide a safe training environment.
The USMCA hope that the first 100 trainers will be certified by October 2017 and are actively seeking input from current trainers on just how it should be set up. Several events will be offered in conjunction with pro races where feedback can be provided.
At the inaugural USMCA summit in Arlington, Texas Feb
9-10 MTF was represented by Colleen, Head Trainer Bryan Johnson Jr and Program Coordinator Paul Bevan-Thomas.
For more information click the logo
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MTF RIDERS IN EAST COAST SUPERCROSS
After two rounds of East Coast Supercross Jordon Smith (#44 below) lies in 3rd position with main event finishes of 2nd and 5th. The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM rider has taken the holeshot in both main events and led for 9 and then 5 laps in each race. Jordon is currently 7 points behind leader Zach Osborne and will be looking to gain ground this Saturday in Toronto.
Anthony Rodriguez is 12th overall after a solid opening event in Minneapolis (7th) although the Yamaha rider failed to make the night show in Atlanta. Lorenzo Locurcio, riding for Cycle Trader Rock River Yamaha, has done well in his rookie season with finishes of 14th and 15th to sit in 16th overall.
Vermont native Dakota Alix (#70 above) seemed to have the Atlanta main holeshot sown up before being tagged from behind and he was running in the top three in Minneapolis before doing the now famous "helicopter". Dakota's propensity for fantastic starts is carrying over from last year where he holeshot multiple heats and mains. Surely it can't be long before he gets on the podium in 2017?
Keith Tucker made the night show in Minneapolis but not in Atlanta. And lastly we're waiting on Steven Clarke's 2017 debut which looks like it might be at Daytona now. The English rider suffered a broken collarbone in pre-season.
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