JWR Honda MXGP Team Race RedBud
Alvin Östlund & JWR's second race weekend in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship
For the second weekend in a row our supported Swedish MXGP team - JWR Honda Racing with pro mx rider Alvin Östlund - were competing in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. This time they were at the iconic RedBud mx track in Michigan, after racing last weekend at Southwick. RedBud attracts the most American fans and even more so on the Independence Day weekend! JWR were set up next to the Team Honda HRC factory team, like last weekend, giving them a great insight into how a factory team operates.
Alvin Östlund with JWR Team Manager & Mechanic. Ph. Niklas Hampinen
AMA Pro Motocross Race Day, RedBud, 6th July 2024
As explained in last week's feature on JWR at Southwick, a Pro Motocross race weekend format is different to an MXGP race weekend. In AMA Pro Motocross, the whole racing day is spread over four sessions on a Saturday. There are two qualifying heats, where the best lap counts and 36 riders out of 90 qualify for the main event! The main event consists of two motos, each lasting 30 minutes plus 2 laps - this is the same as in MXGP.
AMA Pro Motocross Qualifying Heats, RedBud, 6th July 2024
On a soft and slippery track, Östlund posted a best lap time of 2 minutes 13 seconds over the two qualifying heats. Out of Group A and Group B, he was first in Group B and qualified 19th overall on his Honda CRF 450 R.
Östlund between qualifying heats. Ph. Niklas Hampinen
AMA Pro Motocross Moto 1, RedBud, 6th July 2024
Compared to the morning's qualifying heats, the track changed from soft and slippery to hard and fast, as a result of a high, baking sun. Some suspension adjustments had to be made before Moto 1 and even though Östlund got a much better start compared to Southwick, the high pace surprised him and the team a bit. The Honda man unfortunately had quite a hard crash whilst running around P16, demoting him a few positions. Even though Östlund was battered and bruised, he managed to claw back some positions, finishing Moto 1 in P18. Click here for video footage of Östlund on the first lap of the race.
AMA Pro Motocross Moto 2, RedBud, 6th July 2024
The bruises Östlund suffered in Moto 1 took their toll a bit in Moto 2. What with the track drying out and getting baked even more, some extreme braking bumps and ruts proved very challenging, especially for a Östlunds banged up body. After another solid start, passes were difficult and with a few silly mistakes which cost positions, Östlund brought his CRF 450 R home in P17 for P18 overall. Despite the result being a bit lower than the team expected, JWR Honda Racing have fulfilled their American dream! The whole experience was unique and will hopefully be the first of many future visits to the States for the team. Well done to everyone involved with the team from all of us at AS3 performance and we look forward to seeing JWR in Lommel for the MXGP of Belgium next. Click here to see race footage of Alvin Östlund at RedBud 2024.
The RedBud ruts were extreme in Moto 2. Ph. Niklas Hampinen
Who won the AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class Overall at RedBud 2024?
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's American rider Chase Sexton won the overall at RedBud with a dominant 1-1. This went down very well with the massive crowd at RedBud as it is Sexton's home track. With Jett Lawrence out injured for the season due to a crash during training the week before RedBud, it was up to his brother, Hunter, to fly the family flag. The Team Honda HRC rider grabbed P2 in Moto 1 after a crash and went P4 in Moto 2 for 3rd overall. Sexton's Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Aaron Plessinger took P2 overall with a 4-2, making it a perfect weekend for the team and their American riders over the Independence Day weekend.
How many 450 Class overall wins does Chase Sexton have?
Chase Sexton has won the AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class overall 8 times, with two different manufacturers; Honda and KTM. He switched from Honda to KTM for the 2024 season after turning Pro in 2017 and starting in the 250 Class on a Honda CRF 250 R.
Östlund keeping cool between races. In the background is #4 Chase Sexton sat on his KTM. Ph. Niklas Hampinen
Who is leading the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class Championship?
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Chase Sexton (with 260 points) now leads the 2024 Championship by 7 points from Team Honda HRC's Hunter Lawrence (with 253 points). Sexton went into RedBud 3 points behind Hunter and tied on points with Jett, but since his dominant 1-1 and with Jett's absence, the pendulum has swung.
Who was the highest placed European rider at RedBud?
KTM's Estonian Rider Harri Kullas was the highest placed rider from Europe, going 9-12 for P9 overall. Kullas has had 4 career AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class Top 10's and came 19th in the 2023 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class Championship. He currently lies 14th in the 2024 Championship.
Who won the AMA Pro Motocross 250 Class overall at RedBud 2024?
Team Honda HRC's Chance Hymas won the 250 Class overall for his first ever pro win. He went P4 in Moto 1 and P1 in Moto 2. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Ty Masterpool took the win in Moto 1 but struggled in Moto 2, coming P5, grabbing P2 overall. Hymas's Japanese teammate Jo Shimoda rounded off the overall podium with a P5 and a P2. Shimoda has now grabbed back-to-back overall podiums.
What's RedBud motocross track like?
RedBud in Michigan is among the most highly regarded mx tracks in the world and every 4th July weekend the fans descend on the area. RedBud has bragging rights to claim the largest attendance of any US motocross race, year in year out. With just the right soil mix, plenty of room for passing and the biggest jump on the circuit called "LaRocco's Leap", named after local legend Mike LaRocco, RedBud is the top motocross destination in a region that loves its motorsports. The Michigan fans' chants of "Red Buuuuud" are well-known throughout the motocross world.
How big is LaRocco's Leap?
Named after and created by legendary former motocross champion, Mike LaRocco, the jump at RedBud is over 130 feet! It is basically a huge triple and what makes it so tough is that the run-up preceding it is so short, due to a deeply rutted 180 degree corner. If that wasn't enough, the take-off is extremely steep and the jump is uphill, with the landing at a higher level than the jump face!
