Vital MX Pit Bits: 2023 Washougal National

Star Racing Yamaha stole the show on track and off in Washougal. The 50th anniversary of the YZ line was celebrated with this well done throwback to their 1993 design and has ultimately had a version announced as the alternate colorway for the 2024 YZ450F, YZ250F, YZ250, and YZ125. Michael Lindsay

The team not only went all white on plastics, throwback graphics, and a purple seat. They also went silver with their clamps, brought on purple valve covers. Michael Lindsay

A good look at seat cover and rear half of the bike. Michael Lindsay

The team even went as far as getting their Excel rims anodized purple, which sadly aren't on the version you can buy for 2024. Michael Lindsay

Levi Kitchen's bike still featured Neken clamps, albeit a bit hard to tell after they were dipped and had their anodizing removed for the weekend's theme. Michael Lindsay

Everything matched. Michael Lindsay

EVERYTHING! Michael Lindsay

The full ensemble at the gate. Michael Lindsay

And on the track, as Thor even made custom gear for the occasion. Michael Lindsay

Even the staff had custom pit shirts and glasses from 100%. Michael Lindsay

Damon Bradshaw was one of a few legendary Yamaha racer's brought out to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. Michael Lindsay

Dylan Ferrandis' 450 joined the theme and still featured a stock lower triple clamp and a Neken top clamp. Michael Lindsay

What's in the pocket? The KYB staff carry around a charged cylinder to modify the air pressure aboard the hybrid LSF air/spring fork that Ferrandis and Tomac use. What's in the cylinder? It's either nitrogen or helium. Michael Lindsay

Star Racing even had spare wheels laced up in purple rims. Michael Lindsay

Little morning health check from Brad Hoffman. Michael Lindsay

This has escaped our eyes for a while but Deegan has a cool little modification to his footpegs. Adding a slightly dropped down row of teeth off the back of the peg. Michael Lindsay

Carson Brown had a few of his projects on display. Michael Lindsay

It was our first time seeing the all-around shredder since he signed with Red Bull. He took home the top two stroke award but landed himself in the hospital with heat stroke! Get well soon Carson. Ohh, and the gear? RDRco is an in-house gear brand that MotoSport.com is launching soon. Michael Lindsay

Even two stroke's need a little extra petrol. Michael Lindsay

Carson's YZ250 featured a Pro Circuit spec engine, pipe and carb. Michael Lindsay

Notice anything different? Alpinestars quietly debuted an updated SM-10 helmet with a new mouthpiece/chin bar shape. Michael Lindsay

The FTA roll out continues with another new kit on the happiest man in motocross. Michael Lindsay

Notice anything off? Michael Lindsay

After always being a Twinwall team, only Mumford's bike still had them equipped as the rest of the team has switched to Fatbars. Michael Lindsay

With Pro Motocross going to grate starts, mechanics have dropped the mini boots to pack their gates and have some more comfortable footwear these days. Michael Lindsay

Austin Forkner was in rough shape after his start lane incident. Michael Lindsay

After being fed through the meat grinder, he got up and kept going. Michael Lindsay

Ricki Rock is the R&D Supervisor for the HRC Honda team. He originally came over from the non-defunct Factory Connection Racing team and is a jack-of-all-trades for the squad. Michael Lindsay

The 104 was a surprise to see at Washougal. We had spotted Jed Beaton mid-week in the USA testing with KYB techs to improve his setup for Australia. An early morning call on Thursday changed his plans as the HRC squad took a production Works Edition, slapped a few goodies on and threw it in a van for the calm Aussie. Michael Lindsay

KYB spring forks on stock clamps and forward bar mounts. An oversized HRC titanium tank was equipped. Michael Lindsay

Jed Beaton's mechanic for the weekend was a familiar face, Ben Griffith, who wrenched for him back in Australia years ago. These days, Ben is the test mechanic over at HRC. Michael Lindsay

Fly debuted their new S model Formula helmet, with built-in emergency services features and more. You can check out our First Look here. Michael Lindsay

Fly also debuted their 2024 lineup of gear at Washougal. Michael Lindsay

Did you know that Pierer Mobility (parent company of KTM, Husky, and GasGas) also owns Felt Bicycles? Michael Lindsay

The Star crew had a little outdoor shower setup behind their rig. Michael Lindsay

Colt Nichols and the privateer life. Michael Lindsay

Taylor Muto made the drive up with Colt Nichols to Washougal. Muto is Nichols' mechanics for RWR at WSX. Michael Lindsay

The crew from SwapMoto Live helped out Nichols with a KX450SR to race. Michael Lindsay

However, the bike had Nichols' RWR practice engine equipped. Michael Lindsay

The HEP crew must've seen a few too many mountain bike parks on their way to Washougal as they almost looked ready to go downhill mountain bike racing. Michael Lindsay

Who's that guy in the Yamaha shirt helping set up the Factory Kawasaki tent? It's Ryan Villopoto. Michael Lindsay

Michael Lindsay

The many, many jobs of a Team Manager. Michael Lindsay

Pierce Brown is one of a select club, the full waffle club. Famous members include Justin Barcia and Eli Tomac. Michael Lindsay

The TLD team is still experimenting with the StegPegz aboard Brown's bike. So for now, they're just threaded into the side panels. Michael Lindsay

Yes, there's an Alpinestars Tech 10 in TLD colors. Yes, you can buy it. Online or directly from Troy Lee Designs. They're about $750. Michael Lindsay

As a factory mechanic, you have to be ready for anything. Michael Lindsay

Troy Lee Designs has been working on their own video series with their race team, the man behind the series is Kyle Cowling. Michael Lindsay

Anthony Rodriguez built up a KTM 250 SX for the event and was the second-best two-stroke at Washougal. He might even make the last couple nationals on a 450. Michael Lindsay

The BarX team had a few returning riders the last two rounds as Chase Yentzer and Robbie Wageman both returned from injury. Michael Lindsay

Long-time WP suspension technician for Rockstar Husky, Todd Brown, is now at BarX Suzuki. Michael Lindsay

Washougal National trophies. Michael Lindsay

Ty Masterpool's bike is a little less stock than prior round but still surprisingly mellow. Michael Lindsay

They used a generic Tusk radiator fan to keep their bike cool on some aftermarket radiators. The engine is still stock but the Ty has tested a built engine. With limited time prior to Washougal he said he didn't feel comfortable enough on it to race it yet. Michael Lindsay