This Saturday, February 8, the fifth round of AMA Supercross will take place in Tampa, and the 250SX East Coast Championship will be in action for the opening round.
During the first four rounds of AMA Supercross we have not only enjoyed a close battle in the premier class (not counting the retirements of Jorge Prado and Jett Lawrence) but also the 250SX West Coast Championship has also offered us an interesting duel with four winners in the first four rounds and a tight classification with Julien Beaumer leading by just 2 points over Jordon Smith and 3 from Haiden Deegan. But just when things were getting interesting, the championship will enter a brief two-week hiatus to make way for the first two rounds of the 250SX East Coast Championship, which will begin this Saturday in Tampa, Florida.
250SX East Coast calendar
| Round | Date | Venue | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Febrero 8 | Tampa | Main Event |
| 2 | Febrero 15 | Detroit | Main Event |
| 3 | Marzo 1 | Daytona | Main Event |
| 4 | Marzo 8 | Indianapolis | East vs West |
| 5 | Marzo 22 | Birmingham | Triple Crown |
| 6 | Abril 5 | Foxborough | Main Event |
| 7 | Abril 12 | Philadelphia | East vs West |
| 8 | Abril 19 | East Rutherford | Main Event |
| 9 | Abril 26 | Pittsburgh | Main Event |
| 10 | Mayo 10 | Salt Lake City | East vs West |
East Champ vs West Champ
Tom Vialle (2024 250 East champion), will race with the #1 plate in just his 3rd season in America. He’s
riding a KTM with a new fork and frame. He’s on the last year of his contract and looking to move up to
the 450s in 2026. Hampshire will line up this weekend in Florida after a wrist injury prevented him from engaging in the defense of his 250SX West Region championship earlier this season.
For only the third time in the 125/250 supercross history, defending champs will line up on the same coast.
Austin Forkner Triumph´s debut
2025 will be his 9th season but first NOT on Pro Circuit Kawasaki. Forkner went pro with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki in the summer of 2016 and won 13 250SX races with the team. He is the most winniengst active rider in the 250SX class. On the hand, has finished just one full season of 250SX (2020).
Star Racing boys
Star Racing Yamaha arrives with a fearsome four-rider lineup, highlighted by the experienced Max Anstie. The British rider returns to the team that saw him make his AMA Supercross debut in 2010. Anstie has two victories in SX with the private FirePower Honda team. Now armed with one of the fastest bikes in the paddock makes him a title favorite.
Teammates Pierce Brown, Nate Thrasher and Daxton Bennick are also two threats for the top spots, especially Brown, who is coming off a SuperMotocross final win in Las Vegas and has longed to be a part of Star Racing for many years. Thrasher is already a veteran at Star Racing and Bennick will face his second season after a podium finish in his debut last year at the inaugural event in Detroit.
Pro Circuit boys
Mitch Payton squad has the mission to revert the current situation, plagued of injuries in the West Coast. Cameron McAdoo finished a career best 3rd back in the 2021 250 West series. Due to injury, he’s only raced 22 times (out of 64 possible races) in the last 3 years.
Seth Hammaker is on a new two year deal with Pro Circuit Kawasaki. He’s now training in FL (with Lawrences, Drew Adams, Hymas) so he’s closer to family. This is his 5th season but his rookie season (2021) has been his best so far: 4th 250SX West.
Levi Kitchen, second in 2024 250SX West series, third in 2023; naturally the championship is the next step in his 4th season. He discovered food allergies last summer and has hired a nutritionist. Is also working with a mental coach.
Chance Hymas: The sole HRC 250SX rider
Chance Hymas enters his 3rd season and is still recovering from an off-season ACL surgery. It’s his second knee injury in as many years – he raced through the last one because he didn’t have a job lined up. He finished 8th in 2024 250SX East. 13 career SX starts. Career best 5th in Philly (2024).
Casey Cochran OUT
GasGas Rocksatr Energy Cochran was recently released to ride after sustaining a leg injury in November. He’s out for Tampa and there is currently no timetable for his return to racing.
Other notable names to Follow
- Max Vohland #54 (ClubMX Yamaha): Former KTM Red Bull and Pro Circuit Kawasaki
- Mark Fineis #62 (ClubMX Yamaha)
- Harri Kullas #42 (MRPSBR Husqvarna): Former MXGP rider
- Carson Mumford #41 (FirePower Honda)
- Cullin Park #59 (Phoenix Honda)
- Nick Romano #39 (Phoenix Honda): Former Star Racing Yamaha rider
- Preston Boespflug #73 (PRMX Kawasaki): This year won the Prince of Stuttgart title in Germany
- Lorenzo Locurcio #74 (Wildcat Race GasGas) The Venezuelan has a lot of potential
- Jack Chambers #192 (PRMX Kawasaki): He´s back in America after spent the last two season in MXGP
- Izaih Clark #682 (Storm Lake Honda): Has collected podiums and wins in Arenacross in the past
- Crockett Myers #142 (WMR KTM): Last year won a Main Event in AMA Arenacross
