It started on a message board with a humble post by the web's funniest moto guy, Rupert X. He wanted someone to make a main on a 2-stroke so bad, he will give someone $5 to do it! He got his wish at Seattle, and Michael Willard on a one-off KTM125 got a lot more than $5 for the honor of making a main in the age of powerful 4-strokes.
Willard and KTM's race shop in California worked together to revive some parts (like an engine) from 2004, back when first turn photos were all Yamaha 250Fs and KTMs. Those bikes hauled.
The "2-Stroke Challenge," organized and funded entirely by fans, was up to $3,700, plus one Canadian showoff, our pal Hammertime with another grand, US money too! He was on hand to pay in cash.
Also going for the 2-Stroke Challenge was Cole Siebler, who rides for Wyvern. He took a chance on missing out a few series points with a slower bike, to have some fun and hopefully take the money! Unfortunately he didn't get a good enough start in his heat or LCQ to get in reach of the main.
But Willard made it!
His start in his heat was mid-pack, but he just needed 9th to make the main and take the money. As the heat was closing, he was about on the line, then back it seemed, but on the last lap, with his dad and KTM, and the 2-stroke fans on the edge of their seats, he came out of the last turn in 9th with LaPaglia on his rear wheel!
Willard was totally going for it on that 125, and was already counting bikes before he even landed on the finish double. He looked around for someone who would know and he got the news - ninth - he made it!
Scott Metz was the first to try the 2-Stroke Challenge, on a borrowed RM250. Stewart's pal Eric Sorby started riding a KX250 they "just happened to have" laying around before Orlando but he didn't feel ready. The next would have to wait for Seattle.
To make it even better, Willard's dad got the Motorcycle Mechanic Institute's award for the night, for another $500.
Even the series folks and AMA are into it. In the morning after sound, the AMA guys doing the test would wave at media walking by and say "We passed 2 two strokes!" They were really quiet too.
Why again did we quit racing those things in supercross?
Weekend Window salutes the fans that helped make the Seattle supercross 2007 a great one by inventing and funding the 2-Stroke Challenge, KTM North America for opening up the parts room to have some fun and take on a challenge, and Willard for going for it!
Hammertime paid up! I take back all the crap I said about Canada, really I do! I had them mixed up with Ohio.
It's all in the front fender sticker!
