MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: IN ONE DAY WE WILL FIND OUT HOW “STACKED” THE FIELD IS

• 2024 TV SCHEDULE: AMA SUPERCROSS

•  2024 TV SCHEDULE: AMA 250/450 NATIONALS AND SMX PLAYOFFS

NBC Sports, Peacock, NBC, USA & CNBC  have announced the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship, AMA Outdoor National Championship and the SuperMotocross Playoffs (SMX) broadcast and streaming schedule. All 31 rounds across the series, including exclusive live coverage of qualifiers, heats, Main Events and Motos will be presented on Peacock, NBC, USA Network, CNBC, and NBC Sports digital platforms.

Peacock will provide comprehensive live coverage of all qualifying, heats, Main Events and Motos across both AMA Supercross and the AMA Nationals, spanning 31 rounds from January to September 2024. Plus, 17 races will livestream exclusively on Peacock. The platform will also provide on-demand replays of every race. Qualifiers and heats will be available exclusively on Peacock for every race throughout the season.

“Race Day Live” will cover all 31 rounds of the Supercross, National and SMX Playoffs exclusively on Peacock. Dan Hubbard and Justin Brayton will serve as hosts of the pre-race program, along with Steven “Lurch” Scott, Haley Shanley, and Zach Osborne as reporters.

A BRIEF, VERY BRIEF, HISTORY OF DUCATI’S TWO BEST REMEMBERED OFF-ROAD BIKES

Now that Ducati has announced and previewed it’s all-new 250cc motocross bike, which will be raced in the Italian National Championship and select rounds of the 2024 FIM 250 World Motocross Championship, it’s time to look back at Ducati’s two best remembered foray’s into building dirt bikes—the 1966 Ducati 250 Desmo Scrambler and the 1972 Ducati 450RT.

1966 DUCATI 250 DESMO SCRAMBLER

The 1966 Ducati 250 Scrambler was the Italian brands attempt at building an off-road bike.The right-side shift, left-side kick start bike weigh 305 pounds. It had a 19-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear. With the 1966 model year, Ducati made the move to design machines with the off-road look that was popular with young Italians in the mid-1960’s. The didn’t really expect riders to take the headlight and tail light race the Ducati 250 Scrambler, but of course they did. The 249cc engine had a 74mm by 57.8 bore and stroke. The compression ratio was 9.7:1 and it produced a claimed 18 horsepower.

The Desmodromic head highlights the Ducati engine, but the little frills, rills and ridges give the engine that Italian look. The transmission is a five-speed. The 29mm Dell’Orto carb breathes through a canister air filter and into the engine via a seriously pinched-down intake tract.

The most significant feature on the 1966 250 Scrambler was the Desmodromic valve train. Designed by engineer Fabio Taglioni, the demo design controlled valve float by having the valves positively opened and closed without valve springs—using dual rocker arms on each valve. Desmodromic valve trains use two cam lobes to control the opening and closing of each valve; one cam lobe opens the valve, the second cam lobe forces the valve shut. Most engines use one cam lobe to open the valve, but a coil spring to close it.

1971 DUCATI 450 R/T

In 1969, desert ace Doug McClure won the Baja 500 on a 350cc Desmo Ducati. Following this success, U.S. importer Berliner Motors requested a 450cc off-road version of the 350 TSS being sold in Europe to compete against the popular BSA 441 Victor. The bright yellow 1971 450 R/T (road/trail) was built exclusively for the American market—And not sold in Europe. .Taglioni’s sole Desmodromic system prevented valve float. Valve float can cause both a collision between the piston and valve and valve seal. The Desmodromic system uses dual rocker arms on each valve (one for opening and one for closing the valve). The Ducati 450 R/T and Ducati 250 Scrambler were the only motocross bike ever fitted with Desmodromic valves.

Though the engine was powerful, the frame was poorly designed. The engine was too far rearward for the short wheelbase chassis. The Ducati was difficult to turn. With American riders enamored with lightweight two-strokes in 1970-71, the Ducati 450 R/T Desmo would only be imported into America in 1971.

Just a few hundred 450 R/T’s were ever sold in America. However, the 250cc and 350cc street versions were quite popular in Europe, but the 450 R/T was strictly a one-year U.S.-only model. That would normally make them collector’s items, but that said, collectors don’t seem to be be interested in them (and vintage motorcycle racers rarely compete on them because of their poor handling).

For collectors, the fiberglass front and rear fenders are very unique and easily damaged. Same with the front (convex) number plate, fuel tank and side panels. If you’re looking for a collector bike, you’ll want these items to be in decent or repairable condition. Most of the engine parts are still available from Ducati dealers, including parts for the complex Desmodromic valve train. Unfortunately, original equipment chassis parts for this unique machine are very hard to find. For more info on classic bikes go to www.earlyyearsofmx.com

• THE FUTURE WILL BE HERE IN 4 DAYS: SEE THE COMPLETE 2024 RACE SCHEDULES