Use the Rut - December 31, 2006
A lot of riders hate ruts, but a rut is a traction tool, and it can allow you to rail a corner faster than if it were flat. Get your inside leg up and out of the way, dragging you foot is the worst thing you can do.  Use the rut to accelerate hard out of the corner, because it will keep your rear wheel from sliding out.

One Finger Clutch Control - December 17, 2006
Using just one finger on the clutch is better than two because it allows you to disengage and engage the clutch more smoothly. When you use more than one finger, the action tends to be more jerky and less fluid.

Be Aggressive - December 9, 2006
In a race, the first few laps are critical if you want to do well. In the beginning stages of a race, especially if you have gotten a bad start, the majority of your passes can be made. Don't follow those ahead of you or wait for an opening, make things happen.

Flow Through the Corners - December 3, 2006
If you can, try to flow through the corners. This is better than racing in hard, slamming on the brakes, and then having to build your momentum back up.  Sometimes, if you charge into the corner a little slower, you can flow through it and actually carry more momentum out of it.

Use the Engine Braking - November 26, 2006
If you ride a 4-stroke, take advantage of the engine braking when slowing down for a corner. Engine braking, combined with the front brake, can virtually eliminate the need for the rear brake on hard-packed tracks.

Brake Late - November 19, 2006
Practice braking later and later as you dive into a corner. Use some sort of marker on the track for example-a rock, a bump, whatever. Out-braking your competition can help you make a pass, and it can also help cut your laptimes.

Have Fun - November 12, 2006
The most important thing is to enjoy yourself. If you are getting burnt out, take a break. Motocross takes dedication, but you have to keep it fun and enjoyable!

Keep the Mud Out - November 5, 2006
At muddy races, there is nothing worse than having water and mud squishing around in your boots, you can use duct tape to seal off the top of your boots to keep out the water and mud.

Practice Your Starts - October 30, 2006
You need to practice starts each time you ride. At practice before each race, you need to do three or four practice starts there, too, because every start is different.

Ride With Your Legs - October 23, 2006
Squeezing the bike all the time with your legs is important, and pressing down hard on the footpegs on straightways will help the bike stay on the ground and get good traction. Make your legs stronger by running, biking or going to the gym, and it will help you save your arms when you ride.

Stay Loose in the Mud - October 16, 2006
The key to going fast in the mud is staying smooth and fluid.  Making quick directional changes is not good.  You have to flow around the track.  Look further ahead than usual to see if there are big puddles or other riders crashed. Ride slower and pace yourself.

Learn During Practice - October 9, 2006
Never try anything new at a race, whether it is a riding technique or a piece of equipment. Do all of your testing and learning on practice days. Everything should come naturally and feel comfortable on race day.

Relax Your Grip - October 2, 2006
If you are a rider who struggles with arm pump, relax your grip on the handlebars and hold on with your legs and knees every time your bike leaves the ground. This will help you loosen your overall grip and help fight arm pump.

Don't Give Up - September 24, 2006
Even if you don't win, you can be satisfied with yourself as long as you give everything you have and never give up. If you are racing, there is no letting up or settling. Race hard to the checkered flag, even if there is no one around you.

Resist the Brake Tap - September 17, 2006
Tapping the rear brake in the air to bring the front of your bike down used to be the hot setup, but you should learn to drop the front end of your bike using body English. Tapping the rear brake costs you a millisecond each time you do it, because you have to regain forward momentum with the stopped wheel once you touch down.

Don't Fear the Ruts - September 10, 2006
If a straightaway is rutted up, lots of riders will go around them thinking it is faster. Wrong! Attack the rut! Get your front end light by gassing it hard and leaning back. Look past the rut and don't get caught staring at it-this will cause you to choke and get cross rutted.

Outside Elbow Up - September 5, 2006
When you are making a turn, be sure to keep your outside elbow up. Doing this will help get weight on your front tire, which will then get better traction and keep you from washing out.

One-Motion Corners - August 28, 2006
Making a smooth corner is best accomplished when you can do several things all at once: let off the brake; sit down and lean the bike over. When you sit down, the suspension will compress whick will in turn make the bike easier to lean over.

Go Out Fast - August 14, 2006
Finish your raceday practice session hard and fast at full race day speed. That way you will leave the track on the same note you want to re-enter it at. Never cruise your last few laps of practice.

Stay Loose - August 6, 2006
The looser and more relaxed you can keep your body, the better you will be able to react with body positiong to different things your bike might do.  Whether it is shifting your weight to gain better traction or to correct its flight path mid-air, it all comes easier if you are loose.

Prep Your Gate - July 30, 2006
Once you pick your gate, take the time to prepare it. If it is concrete, sweep absolutely all of the dirt and dust off of it.  Make sure that there is not dry mud underneath your fenders that will fall on it when you rev your bike. If it is dirt, pack the dirt hard so you are not starting in loose pebbles that will make you spin.

Pre-Race Checklist - July 21, 2006
The day before the race, make sure that all of your equipment is in order. If you pack your gearbag the morning of the race, you are bound to forget something. If you can, it also helps to load up your vehicle the night before. And don't forget your gas can or bike stand.