He didnt get to show it at PC, where he got one fourth OA and that was about it. Nobody was allowed in the pits. I think were targeting another growth year in 2021, too. JAMES STEWART TO BE INDUCTED IN AMA HALL OF FAME ON OCTOBER, 2022 WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS: ITS ONE WEEK AWAY,, 250 OVERALL QUALIFYING RESULTS // 2023 TAMPA SUPERCROSS, 2022 DUBYA WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS (DAY ONE), THIS WEEK IN MXA: TOUR THE BRAND NEW STAR RACING GOAT FARM RACE SHOP, CATCH UP ON THE LATEST VIDEOS: 125 & 500 TWO-STROKES RAW, THIS WEEK IN MXA: SUPERCROSS SHENANIGANS & MXA ADVENTURES. I remember Carpenter riding for factory Kawasaki, I remember him riding for Honda, but I do not remember Paulie being at PC. Although he worked for Carson Mumford before, he and Jo were happy to be matched up together at their new home. If you have one, you might let Payton know! As then-Pro Circuits Jimmy Perry told me for that Gaddis story, Too bad they never had a supercross at Perris.. CHASE SEXTON GOES DOWN IN 450 QUALIFYING AT FOX RACEWAY! . Personally, I dont like all of these four- or five-day-long Amateur events. Behind the Scenes with Mitch Payton: The Pro Circuit Story, Racer X Exhaust - Motocross, supercross, and motorsports humor and culture. ", Suzuki GSX-8S + Rennie Scaysbrook, Isle of Man TT Racer, Pro Circuits Mitch Payton Secures Parnelli Kawasaki Jones Dyna-Mite, 2021 IMS Outdoors Schedule Latest Look: 8 Destinations for Motorcyclists, 2022 Honda CRF450 Lineup First Look: 6 Models (7 Fast Facts), 2023 Hangtown Motocross Classic Fantasy Tips [7 Fast Facts], 2024 BMW R 18 Roctane Test [100th Anniversary Alpine Ride], 2023 Honda SCL500 Scrambler First Look [16 Fast Facts], Craig Wilson team, but this time hes on a Superstock-class Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR-SP, The Big Book of Motorbikes + Coloring Book. Hope it wasnt me. WHATS THE SQUAWK? Team Pro Circuit is a Motorcross and Supercross team based in Corona, California. Payton was probably hoping to get the same kind of stuff out of Lytle that he got out of Tedesco a veteran who had been around on some good teams but hadnt broken through yet. For MXAs Pro Circuit-built KTM 150cc engine, Mitch Payton used the KTM 150SX Factory Kit straight from the KTM Power Parts catalog as the starting point. There are not enough people willing to work for us to have enough manpower. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. There has been an explosion of new people coming into the sport. "Jo Shimoda became available late last season," said Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit owner. One thing that the lockdown did was awaken an interest in rebuilding old bikes. Honestly, Im just happy. This new engine (and chassis) from Kawasaki in 2021 meant that Pro Circuit had some serious pre-season testing to do before it was ready to go racing. McGrath had won one SX before coming to Paytons team in its inaugural 1991 season. The Power Parts 150 kit comes with five different thicknesses of base gaskets to match your cylinder heads height with the piston, and, if you make a mistake on this measurement, youll be sorry. By 10, he was competing in family enduros and a few years later he was a rising star in the active desert racing community of AMA District 37. Here the factory teams semi is stored indoors at the Pro Circuit headquarters, right next to their workshop. Those were the bad times. People thought he was good, but in no way did anyone see him do what he did. Do you know a kid that might want to read Rennies books. Hard to believe Langston didnt get a national championship for Payton, as thats probably what he was mostly hired to do, right? WAS THE INITIAL COVID SHUTDOWN TOUGH FOR BUSINESS? When I called Kawasaki, they were interested in talking to the people, but when I called American Honda, they said, No. They agreed in the early 1960s that they would try to clean up emissions, and they wouldnt go back on their word, but California did not ban all two-strokes in 1999. Tonus only got into four races his first year with the team, but he showed speed. Was Jo Shimodas powerband weak? Theyve improved all the 450s so much that they dont really need more power. Everything is up, up, up. Motocross Action Magazine - The worlds leading publication about motocross and supercross. I get Loretta Lynns; it is the grand finale of finales. He did that by selling products and services, from exhaust pipes to bolt-on hard parts to suspension modifications to engine work. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Not only did Jo Shimoda rave about his new Kawasaki engine, the Lawrence brothers openly celebrated how much better HRC was able to make the same CRF250 engine run. In a normal year, developing a new bike for Supercross is a daunting task that requires many long days on the dyno, at the track and in the machine shop. Speaking for the regular dudes, if they had a two-stroke before, they can buy an older two-stroke, fix it up, and thats their baby. WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON HOW THE MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI TEAM PERFORMED THE PAST 300-PLUS DAYS? When Branden got on PC, his 2002 125SX title was a distant memory. MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 GASGAS MC350F, MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 KAWASAKI KX450SR SPECIAL RACER, MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023-1/2 HUSQVARNA FC450 ROCKSTAR EDITION, DARYL ECKLUNDS 2003 KAWASAKI KX125: FROM BASKET CASE TO BEAUTY QUEEN, TEN YEARS AGO TODAY: COMPLETE TEST OF THE 2013 KTM 350SXFTHE LITTLE BIKE THAT COULDNT, BUT NOW IT CAN, WISECOS BEAUTIFUL YAMAHA YZ250 TWO-STROKE PROJECT BUILD, MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2023 HUSQVARNA TC250 TWO-STROKE, 2023 MXA 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT: HUSQVARNA TC, GASGAS MC, YAMAHA YZ & KTM SX GO TO WAR, MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2023 HONDA CRF450 WORKS EDITION, MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE CHRIS GOSSELAARS 2005 MOTOWORLD RM-Z250. Still, that threat scared the Japanese manufacturers out of making them. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. One-time desert racing pro and motor tuning specialist Mitch Payton, founded Pro Circuit in 1978 at the age of 18. Hes made a pretty big difference for us in the suspension department. He was so good, Payton let him wear Fox when his team was sponsored by another gear company in that 99 season. Another piece of the puzzle most dont think about is that factory satellite teams such as Pro Circuit develop their own engines; they dont have all the internal parts handed to them by Kawasaki. Mitch Payton had a solid four-rider lineup scheduled for the 2021 season, but when the Geico Honda team shut its . These cookies do not store any personal information. Pro Circuit also uses many of its own parts on the bike that are available for you to buy. Then, they tell you that your shipment is here, but its not on the dock; its parked in the harbor. He did win a national at Millville in 99 beating RC, so theres that. Even better, the Pro Circuit 150cc engine soared passed the OEM spec from 9300 rpm to its 11,760 rpm peak, where it was 3 horsepower stronger. DO YOU SEE AN ELECTRIC FUTURE FOR OUR SPORT? He built and sold aftermarket parts that appealed to him. Forkner looked every bit like a future champion when he first hit the scene outdoors, and Im not saying hes not going to be, but some injuries and crashing have held him back so far. One-time desert racing pro and motor tuning specialist Mitch Payton, founded Pro Circuit in 1978 at the age of 18. Again, not a guy that people had picked as an all-timer in the sport, but he turned out to be one of the best ever. Then he got hurt. In stock trim, our 2021 KTM 125SX made 37.52 horsepower. A lot of machine shops had lost employees during the shutdown. WEAPON! One is Malcolm Smith. Townley came to Pro Circuit after winning the 2004 MX2 FIM Motocross World Championship title and finishing third in MX1 the next year. The stock Kawasaki KX250 comes with KYB suspension, but Pro Circuit uses Showa A-kit components. Where was the factory power? Motocross has benefited from the new riders who have joined in, and the economy is starting to open up again, but there are still lingering challenges that aftermarket company owners, like Mitch Payton, are facing each day. These cookies do not store any personal information. Gaddis hadnt done much before signing with PC and he didnt do much after. It has high- and low-speed rebound, whereas the stock Kayaba body only has rebound. ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT LORETTAS OR THE LOCAL RACES? The son of motorcyclists James and Norma Payton, Mitch, along with his brother James Jr., started riding at a young age. The stock 2021 CRF250 had a top-end-only engine, and it suffered big time on the bottom. Heres the list: factory hubs, ECU, front brake caliper, rear brake pedal with folding tip, brake snake and a brake stop that is built into the swing arm pivot to ensure the brake pedal doesnt bend up. He got on the box here and there, but mostly drove PC crazy with how little he would train while given this amazing ride. If you run out of key products, you try to have them air-shipped, but then the cost is higher. I was blown away. And, actually, I checked Cycle News: Yep, hes still racing. Casey Huntley from MX Dream Bikes managed the build for us. INSIDE RICKY CARMICHAELS ALL-DOMINANT HONDA CR250 TWO-STROKE VIDEO NARRATED BY ERIK KEHOE, MXA VIDEO: 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 VERSUS 2022 HUSKY TC125 TWO-STROKES, USE $50,000 TO CREATE A PRO MX TEAM FREE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A BETA 300RX 2-STROKE, MX FANTASY LEAGUE// CREATE YOUR TEAM BEFORE THE FOX RACEWAY NATIONAL TO WIN A, THIS WEEK IN MXA: ROGER DECOSTER ON TEAM USAS 250, 2022 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS // B FINAL RACE RESULTS, THIS WEEK AT GLEN HELEN: OPEN PRACTICE ON ALL THE TRACKS ON, 2022 RED BUD NATIONAL // 450 OVERALL RACE RESULTS, MXA VIDEO: MXAS FIRST RIDE ON THE 2023 GASGAS MC250F, THIS WEEK IN MXA: 2023 WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW, I WASNT MAD ABOUT THE PASS AT ALL JUSTIN BARCIA. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. HAVE YOU SEEN A BOOST IN SALES SINCE COVID HIT? This isnt our first time testing a factory Pro Circuit KX250, but this was our first time with Pro Circuits version of the new-generation KX250 engine and frame. But then came his big break: making pipes for Japanese aftermarket pipes. When compared to the stock 48mm Kayaba forks, the 49mm Showa A-kit components have larger outer tubes and cartridge rods, and they fit into custom-made billet fork lugs that Pro Circuit machined to increase strength and rigidity at the front end. Mitch Payton had a solid four-rider lineup scheduled for the 2021 season, but when the Geico Honda team shut its doors after the last AMA National of the 2020 motocross season, multiple top 250 riders were looking for a new home. Where Mitchs career went from there, however, has earned him accolades matched by few of his contemporaries. When you're doing a complete build like this, most of your time . We sold more of those than we sold all of our Husky pipes together," he said. Cameron McAdoos mechanic Kyle Defoe guards his bike while waiting for his rider. Meanwhile, Paytons skill and reputation as a tuner grew. "We feel that with his tremendous talent and the new 2021 Kawasaki KX250, it will be a recipe for success. I raced motorcycles. As a kid youre like, Well why are they slow? So I had to go to the library and start getting some books and reading and just had to do it on my own.. If you have a big backyard, three pit bikes, your buddies and some shovels, you can make a fun little track. MC winning right out of bat (along with Brian Swink) gave the little horsepower shop out of Corona instant credibility. The business side has been really good. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. So, to be in the same Hall of Fame, for that honor, Im really proud about that, Payton continues.
Now thats a whole different ballgame! Yeah, Ryno! For the 2021 season, however, it was an even greater challenge than normal. Guys like our own Eddie Cole - Matrix Concepts, Answer, Pro-taper & SixSixOne. We know titles never come easy, but CP377 was never really challenged for his two indoor titles; he was usually so much better than everyone else. You had to wear a mask while at the facility, you had to get tested before entering the stadium, and much more. Well, duh. A summarization of Chriss two years at PC: Crash, go fast, crash, go fast, and finally, at Las Vegas, crash really bad. Speaking of sportbikes, the Isle of Man TT is arguably the most fearsome, intenseas well as the longestmotorcycle race in the world. In our first segment, Editor Don Williams rides the new Suzuki GSX-8S. If youre not an experienced two-stroker whos already wringing out the KTM 125SX, save your money and buy a pipe and reeds for your 125 instead. They both worked at Rockwell International. It was a gamble, but it was an awesome challenge, he continues. Thats asking a lot of a parent. April 2, 2021. Kyle Bentley brought his kids, and we had electric Stacyc bikes for the kids to ride. Pichon came from France and was immediately one of the best 125 supercross riders in America. Mitch Paytons shop in Corona, California, started really gaining steam when factory Honda used some of its stuff in 1986, and five years later, Honda came to Payton with the offer to run the 125 factory effort. Some of them had four-strokes and they said, I cant afford it anymore. Swink and Hill share some similarities with their time at PC in that they won a title and jumped to Suzuki for a ton of cash (and big-bike opportunity). He holds the record for the challenging Pikes Peak Hill Climb, so as you might imagine, hes an especially talented rider too. Mitch also did a live video talking about the start of Pro Circuit. Our own David Pingree gets a ranking here for his three years of riding for PC, including a 250 supercross at Daytona one year when Pro Circuit did that type of stuff. Save Quote. Then, Arizona started to spike in its Covid cases. Following his life-altering crash, Payton owned a motorcycle dealershipAnaheim Husqvarnaand got into the part production side of the industry. We went from a 35 pilot jet to a 37.5 to make it richer in the middle. In short, Kawasaki traded low-to-mid power for mid-to-top power. Making a two-stroke pipe was a real black art back in the day. Hanny battled teammate Tickle for the title in 2011 and was a bit of a controversial hire for Payton, because there was zero chance he was doing any outdoors when he was hired and he had already struggled for a few years in the big class. We recommend having Pro Circuit install the modified KTM 150SX kit for you at their shop. The TT is always the first week in June, so its on right nowsee the links below. It is difficult to imagine a better choice, as Bigelow worked in the Kawasaki R&D Racing Department for 30 years, is a member of the Pro Circuit Race Team, and is the curator of the Kawasaki Heritage Hall Corporate Museum. We have 30 years of two-stroke experience, and Ive never really seen anybodys stuff that I couldnt beat. But for Mitch, success does not create complacency; his never-ending goal remains the same: Win. You have two choices: one, raise your prices, or two, dont sell through a distributor and go dealer direct. After I got hurt, I raced cars. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Weimer took less money than his old team was offering to sign up with Pro Circuit because in the early days of four-strokes, PC was where it was at. All Rights Reserved. I would build something that looked cool, and I assume that if I liked it, then other people would like it, he says. He buys all of his steel from the United States, nothing from China, but he passed his steel prices on to me, and I kind of sucked that one up. As a fellow journalist, he and I have tested motorcycles at tracks all over the world; hes a great guy, a good laugh. Casey was fast. The Pro Circuit-tuned 150cc reaches 19.77 pound-feet. If you ask vendors about expediting your orders, even offer them an extra rush fee, they laugh at you. The Dyna-Mite was a family-oriented mini. As far as engines go, weve stayed busy, and the uptick in two-stroke cylinders has been really good. We had distributors worldwide who canceled their back orders. Everybody and his brother started calling to get parts for a 1996 CR125 or 1981 RM125 or whatever they had in the garage. Four-strokes have come a long way since the AMA handicapped two-strokes by allowing twice the displacement for four-cycle engines. Mitch Payton, all alone and with a pair of safety glasses on, sat at his porting bench inside his sprawling race operation based off the 91 freeway in Corona, California going through all sorts of engine pieces. It didnt matter, though, because he was an amazing rider. Those are all stick-and-ball sports with a Friday night or Saturday game. In addition to the Pro Circuit parts, Jos bike uses lots of aftermarket parts you can buy.
1/6/2022. Since then, he has moved fearless forward, earning countless championships and helping groom numerous superstars. It is quickly becoming an elitist sport at the Amateur level. Mitch Payton, the Pro Circuit owner, was sent looking for a partner late into the off-season, and for a while, it looked like the team was finished just two years after it began. Team Pro Circuit competes in the AMA Motocross and Supercross championships on Kawasaki 250cc four-stroke motorcycles. The whole Ronnie Mac thing is insanely cringey. The power was far from bad. I might go out of business. Everyone was panicking.
We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Ask Don what his favorite bike is and he will tell you, "Whatever bike I'm on. Thats why they are where they are today. Rattray somehow even held the red plate in 250SX without ever winning a race. Back to Europe he went, and I dont think well even remember him being here in five years. During the first four-stroke boom, we saw a dip in two-stroke sales. Two-for-two in SX for Mickael, and the only blemish on his record was only getting a couple of podiums for PC outdoors and, of course, that huge Atlanta SX get-off that made every single highlight reel. He got a win, though! Hughes was an up-and-coming Team Green kid who apparently Payton loved because he just loved to ride every day, all day. In Fox Racing's latest video in its "Unplugged" series, Mitch Payton shares the story of his involvement in the moto industry. He missed all the outdoors his first year, all the SX his second year, and then all but two SX races in his third year. Brown rode for the team in its second year (92), but didnt do much. Super lame. I have no clue how Wey didnt get a 125SX win with Pro Circuit, because it seemed like he led 74 different main events on his PC Kawi. In his three years at PC, he admitted that he butted heads with Payton quite a bit, but in the end, the two grew to admire each other. And like the prodigal son, Davalos is back on the team, but injuries have held him back this time around. Still, there was that one summer in MX when Villopoto, Townley, and Metcalfe ruled the podium for PC. Those guys are just awesome. There was one podium, though! ON THE RECORD: COMPLETE TEST OF THE 2000 YAMAHA YZ250, AARON PLESSINGER SIGNS TO FACTORY KTM FOR 2022 SUPERCROSS SEASON, 2023 FOX RACEWAY NATIONAL // 250 OVERALL RACE RESULTS, 2023 FOX RACEWAY NATIONAL // 450 OVERALL RACE RESULTS. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Lange came out of Canada to be an AX champion, then filled in at PC for one SX series, where he almost won it. For example, he started researching how to make his bikes better. As Jones was quoted as saying in the ad, You want a machine that you can have confidence ina machine that gives you all-around action and total performance. Coming over after winning an FIM Motocross World Championship title, Rattray was a pros pro throughout his time with PC and pretty much everyone liked him. By Motorcycle.Com Staff, May. He enjoys sport bikes, cruisers, dirt bikes, touring bikes, adventure bikes, dual sport bikes, and rideable customs. They all knew how to ride BMX bikes, and to them a 110 was like a works bike. Pro Circuit owner, Mitch Payton, weighs in on the Risk Racing Holeshot Practice Starting Gate. We have to wait until the number gets big enough to attack it one product at a time. I looked at something and said, This would be cool. Not everything I thought up has been a hit. One of the most-telling endorsements of Paytons accomplishments comes from Tom White. With the out-of-the-box KTM 150SX kit, it made 40.70 horses. He was set to ride for Mitch again when, at the last moment, he went to GEICO Honda, which left Kawasaki and Payton not very happy. I couldnt believe he only had one win, so I went and looked, and yup, one win for Lone Wolf, but he collected 17 top-fives for Payton in two years, which is way legit. Marty was a snapped chain on a practice day away from winning the title for PC and finally broke through for SX wins when Payton, who had been after him for years, signed him up. Honda quickly made space under the HRC tent for Jett and Hunter Lawrence, while Jeremy Martin settled his grudge with Star Racing and returned to Yamaha. Our mechanics were at the Indianapolis Supercross with the truck. Pro Circuit is a race team, but its also an engine, suspension and aftermarket accessory company that makes many of the parts on Jos bike. Heres a list of things that stand out with the Pro Circuit-modified KTM 150SX big-bore kit. Mitch Paytons life in motorcycling began like many others. At that time, he was just ranked the same as a lot of dudes like Phil Lawrence, Chad Pederson, and such. Second place was factory Hondas Jeremy McGrath. We knew Covid was blowing up and that we might have a limited capacity at venues for fans, but then all of a sudden Feld Motorsports called and said, Its done. Still, Mitch Payton continues to sell lots of two-stroke pipes and products as they are growing in popularity again. My wife flat out told me, Im not going to Glen Helen for four days in a row so they can ride a couple of motos. Rennies descriptions of riding the sections around the famed TT course are absolutely electrifying. (4) Performance. Yeah, this guy. August 28, 2021 3 Mins Read As of 2022, Mitch Payton Net Worth is $7.3 Million (Approx). He always said he wanted to and Mitch wouldnt let him, while Mitch told everyone he was never signed for outdoors. I was trying to be positive. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Mitch Payton is absolutely what the Hall of Fame is about -- recognizing the people who have made the best and most lasting contributions to motorcycling. There is no question that Payton has left a lasting impression on many who work in the industry. Good things may come, but nothing good comes easy. Hard to believe that RV only got one SX title out of his three chances, but outdoors, he was amazing.
Pro Circuit customers were mainly composed of Husqvarna-mounted desert racers and motocrossers who wanted to be as fast as Mitch during its early days. Mike was hired because he was very fast at Perris Raceway, and the last guy who was that fast thereJeremy McGrathturned out pretty good. THE TRANSFORMATION With the Yamaha already having an all-new look, we decided to concentrate first and foremost on engine performance. Lammy was the only guy in the teams first year to NOT get a win. He rode one year, got fourth in the SX championship, and was gone for 2009. Only 18 years old, he bought and ran Anaheim Husqvarna. Too bad; Bucky was a great rider. With kids not being able to go to school, I think that parents nationwide wanted their kids to do something for fun. WHATS THE BENEFIT OF SELLING WITH A DISTRIBUTOR VERSUS DEALER DIRECT? In MXAs 2019 250 Shootout we said, The KX250 engine has the best bottom-end power in the class and hangs with the top dogs in the midrange; however, on top, the engine goes flat. We also have to mention that the 2019 KX250 had the lowest overall horsepower in the class that year. Because of the great history, and because people love lists, we decided to rank all the Pro Circuit team riders. MXA RATING:If you like big and bold power, youll love the Pro Circuit-tuned 150cc. Go back and watch On Any Sunday, and see blue-collar people having fun on motorcycles. When twisting the throttle, our test riders experienced the same sensations they get when riding a 350. Getting signed to the team and then never, ever riding a race for them due to injury would just about do it, right? This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Sneakily good career for Hot Sauce at Pro Circuit, right? The neutral detent on the shift drum is shaved down to prevent it from popping into a false neutral on the track. Pedro got a win! These cookies do not store any personal information. Ah, Stroupe. By the age of 17, he was the Districts 125cc class champion in desert racing. Maybe it started with the art of how to jet a bike properly, then working on some porting, then maybe building a pipe, Payton says, regarding his move into tuning. Im tired of spending big money. A brand-new KTM is big money after all the fees. Has to be the weirdest career at PC, right? The larger forks and shock increase strength and stiffness, while the friction-reducing coatings reduce stiction and allow the suspension to be plusher. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March of 2020, many people were skeptical of how our industry would fare. The big question of course, is who exactly is the target rider for the 8S? I was always a guy who had to work harder than guys who were gifted, but those of us who have to work hard, we get more out of it. Like, way fast. And, of course, the shock shaft is coated. Championship wining Motocross and Supercross team owner Mitch Payton is the first member named to the 2010 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame class. A minute and a half later, Daryl came back saying, I found it!. Then he was gone to 450s with Honda. It happened on my street. Those are both tough choices. It also has a data acquisition sensor that connects to the ECU to link with the gear position sensor to monitor which rpm and gear the bike is in on each section of the track.