Motocross Action on the 2013 Two-Stroke World Championship Series
February 20, 2013 by L.A.SLEEVE
MXA Mini-View: L.A.SLEEVE's Mark Kalpakoff
MXA: Why is L.A. Sleeve spending marketing budget on a pro purse for the Two-Stroke World Championship Series?
Mark: [Smiling] This industry is one of the richest, well doing industries in the world. My paycheck pays for my jet, the blow dryer for my poodles at home, and we thought that to make even more money we could get back into the two-stroke extravaganza [laughter].
Okay, in all seriousness, what's the reasoning?
With L.A. Sleeve's history through the 1980s and 1990s, especially in sponsoring Jeremy McGrath, was all about two-strokes. We talked about getting with a promoter to have a two-stroke series. Glen Helen had talked about doing a two-stroke race, and this was back in 2007. We had a nice discussion with Glen Helen, and we thought that we should support the idea. L.A. Sleeve's biggest business has been two-strokes, and I believe that the future will be two-strokes.
This year there will be a three-round series, which is something that's completely new. Please talk about that.
This year Glen Helen decided to make the series bigger, offering three rounds at different tracks, instead of just one race. Husqvarna has jumped in and will offer a few bikes to media and pro riders willing to race. They will send a bike to someone so that they can have it a month before the race. Then they can race the bike in the 125 Pro class. L.A. Sleeve decided to pump up the Pro purse. You can win good money at the first two rounds, but we'll give a big purse at the last round.
Are there any other incentives for people to come out and race the series?
This is a great opportunity for people to come to this race and also get L.A. Sleeve two-stroke top-end kits. We're also going to do podium prizes where people will get free top-ends from us. If you're going to go buy a two-stroke and get into the sport on a budget then we're going to support it. To me it just doesn't make sense to buy a $9,000 four-stroke and try to stay in the sport.
You bought a two-stroke off Craigslist. That's a very popular method for people to buy used bikes, and in particular two-strokes.
I went on Craigslist, eBay, the local paper and looked for 125 two-strokes. There was a plethora of bikes that were 125's for under $2000. I found that aluminum frame bikes are a bit more expensive, but if you really scour these different avenues then you can probably get a good bike for $1000. I think it's cool that people are reusing what was already built. It keeps them in the sport and doing what they love to do, which is to ride motocross.
MTA 2-Stroke MX Championship Series
Three Round Series!
L.A.SLEEVE Pro Purse!
Round 1: February 24th - The Ranch (ANZA)
Round 2: March 24th - Racetown 395
Round 3: April 7th - Glen Helen
"World 2-Stroke Championship Race is Round 3"
Bring Back the 2-Strokes!
Original interview by Motocross Action
