Coming into its fourth year Red Bull Straight Rhythm isn’t resting on its laurels. Every year it’s brought something new to the event and the 2017 edition on October 21 will bring a new class and some epic new faces.
Red Bull Straight Rhythm event continues where it left off last year as far as the format goes.
That means practice, qualifying and racing will all take place on the same day, while the must-watch finals take place in the evening under the lights at Fairplex in Pomona.
If you’re not familiar with Red Bull Straight Rhythm, it’s a mash-up between supercross and motocross. It’s head-to-head racing with no turns across a half mile rhythm track.
German moto superstar Ken Roczen will host a Two-Stroke Shootout, an eight-man, two-stroke-only class. Which is cool enough on its own.
But it gets better with four-time supercross and three-time motocross champion Ryan Villopoto and two-time supercross and motocross champion Chad Reed confirmed for the class.
Chad Reed hasn’t raced two-stroke in 12 years while Villopoto retired from racing in 2015. This is the first time RV2 will race in the US since he hung up his racing boots.
Mike Brown and Ryan Sipes will also race the smokers as too will fan favourite Ronnie Mac. Yes. The Mac is back!
There will be eight riders in the Lites and Open class, including the Open champion Marvin Musquin, returning racer Josh Hansen, 2016 AMA EnduroCross National Champion Colton Haaker and Red Bull KTM’s Broc Tickle, who will all race in the Open class.
The Lites class includes 2016 Red Bull Straight Rhythm Lites Champion Shane McElrath, 2016 third-place rider Jordon Smith and Alex Martin.
See also: Red Bull Straight Rhythm Winners
In addition, Josh Hill will once again be at the helm of the Alta Motors Redshift MX electric bike.
Since its fourth-place finish last year the Redshift MX has received chassis development, weight reduction and suspension tuning so it will be interesting to see if Hill can take it up a notch.
The remaining riders for the Two-Stroke, Open and Lites classes will be announced shortly.
Tickets are still available at redbull.com/straightrhythm and the event will air live on Red Bull TV.
If you’re not lucky enough to make it to Red Bull Straight Rhythm, you can watch it live on Red Bull TV on October 21.
