The Unthinkable

Hetrick and JB Racing are the second company to enter the high performance mini ranks with this incredible looking 50cc race machine. Now all they have to do is get past the EPA and the ATVA rule makers. The 50cc limited class is one of the most competitive and fun to watch classes on the GNC circuit. Simply put, the little guys and gals will put a smile on your face every time.

Rules for this class are designed to help keep the playing field level. With many brands out there eligible for the 50cc limited class, it would be too difficult to have all of the specifications for each and every machine, so the ATVA decided to limit the external parts that could be easily checked for modification. While you can do internal mods such as port your motor, head work and clutch mods — your exhaust pipe and spark arrestor must remain stock. Even more limiting is the chassis. Your suspension, A-arms, swing arm etc. must remain stock.

It might seem strange that they would limit handling on a motocross machine, while allowing for internal motor hop-ups. What’s worse is that most of the machines competing in this class have less then four inches of suspension travel and the suspension they have is usually setup too stiff even for adults. With the introduction of the Cobra ECX70 in the 70 production class last year, it was easy to see that it would only be a matter of time until a company stepped up with something comparable for the 50cc racers.

Hetrick to the rescue

From left to right: JB Racing’s Jody Bateman and Hetrick Racing’s Rich Hetrick have years of mini and big quad racing experience. Jody Bateman says, “if the OEMs are going to try and push us out of the way, why not just go into production for ourselves?”Hetrick Racing, a long standing force in the mini ranks, has teamed up with JB Racing to produce the first ever high performance 50cc race quad. Instead of starting with a mini from Taiwan and building from there, they have taken a ground up unthinkable approach to this project. Within the next few months they will be producing 150 units — the necessary amount to making their machine legal in the 50cc limited class.

Details Details
At the heart of the machine is a 50cc water cooled Moto Morini engine. To keep things simple for the little guys is a fully automatic CVT transmission. No need for shifting. This motor is very similar to the air cooled engine used in LEM motorcycles and ATVs and there are plenty of aftermarket parts already available. To maximize the parents investment in this machine, Hetrick is working on a cylinder kit that will increase displacement to 70cc and a stroker crank that will make the machine a full 90cc. This one machine could conceivably take a rider from his first 50cc race clear through the 90cc production ranks, Impressive!

The chassis department is where this machine really begins to shine. The entire chassis is based on a scaled down JB Racing 250R chassis and is constructed of chromoly. When we asked JB Racing’s Jody Bateman about the suspension he told us “It works. We’re not talking about two inches of stiff suspension that an adult can’t even push down. Instead it has 8 ½ inches of travel that will work with a kid that weighs as low as 40lbs!”

Even the smaller details on the machine look impressive. Full hydraulic brakes front and rear bring the machine to a quick stop. The ergonomics of the machine look spot on for small riders, — right down to the levers and perches. Overall the machine looks extremely refined and ready to roost all competition in its class.

Conclusion
If this machine comes to fruition, for the first time, even the smallest of racers will be on equipment comparable to that used by the pros! With what should prove to be awesome handling, good power and plenty of support from Hetrick and JB Racing, this will certainly be the biggest thing to ever happen to the 50cc class.

Drawbacks?
The first major obstacle is the EPA. With the rules for two strokes becoming more and more stringent, the Hetrick 50 will have to be sold as a “competition use only” machine. This may make getting the machine green stickers for use on public lands difficult. The other possible drawback is the ATVA’s reaction. With the current set of rules designed to make this class affordable, how will the ATVA feel about the introduction of a machine with a target price between $8000 and $8500? This machine could easily make every machine currently competing in this class obsolete.

 

Engine	Specs/Manufacturer
Piston	Moto morini std
CDI Box	Moto morini
Clutch	Moto morini
Exhaust	Custom
Cam	n/a
Starter	Kick
Carb	Delorto
Horsepower	11.3
Top Speed	11-47 ratio 41mph
Bore & Stroke	39 x 40 stock
Chassis	Specs/Manufacturer
A-arms	JB racing
Swingarm	JB racing
Steering Stem	JB racing
Axle	Chromemoly
Front Shocks	Elka shown
Rear Shock	Elka Shown
Dry Weight:	187lbs
Controlls	Specs/Manufacturer
Pegs	Rath
Bars	Fly
Clutch lever	n/a
Handguards	n/a
Grips	Oury
Throttle	Honda 400 EX
Tether Kill Switch	Pro Design
Shifter	n/a
Brake Pedal	Honda Cr
Steering Stabilizer	n/a
Other:	Specs/Manufacturer
Spindles	400 EX
Hubs Honda	400 EX
Gas Tank.	SMC
Gearing	11-47
Front Bumper	Rath
Rear Grab Bar	JB racing
Nerf Bars	Rath
Fuel	MR2
Oil	BEL RAY
Chain	RK 420
Fenders	KASEA /SMC
Brakes	Honda
Rear Wheels	Douglas
Front Wheels	Douglas
Rear Tires	Carlile
Front Tires	ITP Holeshot

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