Rider Files

AURORA, Ill. (January 27, 2012) – As the AMA Arenacross Series prepares to descend on Cedar Park, Texas, for the first time this weekend, a captivating battle for the Western Regional Arenacross Lites Class Championship is taking shape.

The Cedar Park Center will host two nights of competition, beginning tonight. While Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers sits atop the premier Arenacross Class standings, the young rising stars of the Arenacross Class are waging war in their quest for a championship.

Currently, Letko KTM’s Tanner Moore and House of Kawasaki’s Chad Cook are in a deadlock atop the standings. With two rounds and three races completed, there is still a lot of racing to be had in the championship, including a three-week run to the finish. However, both riders will be looking to gain as much momentum as possible now in hopes of carrying it through to the finish.

Cook is the reigning Western Regional Arenacross Lites Class Champion, which puts experience on his side as the season moves forward. However, Moore has established himself as one of the sport’s rising stars and he’s shown tremendous speed in nearly two full seasons of professional competition.

Moore kicked off the season with a solid outing in Des Moines, Iowa, in October. He looked for even more success two weeks ago when he had the chance to compete in front of his hometown crowd in Topeka, Kan. While a win wasn’t in the cards that weekend, Moore still put forth solid fourth- and seventh-place efforts to stay in the points lead.

Now, with about a month of competition remaining, Moore is looking to gain an edge this weekend.

“This weekend will have a lot of importance as we get further into the season,” said Moore. “I have to be more consistent and hopefully make the main events every single night. Chad already has a title so I hope to be the new guy to come in and take it away. Hopefully, we’re just consistent and have goof nights from here on out.”

Cook’s inaugural professional title was highlighted by stellar consistency in addition to some victories. He closed out the season strong in order to secure the title, which no doubt gave him valuable experience for the future. At the championship’s previous round in Topeka, Cook vaulted himself into the title picture on the heels of third- and second-place efforts. Now, he and Moore enter this weekend knotted on top.

“It’d mean a lot to defend this title and show I deserved it last year,” said Cook. “I’m just going to ride the best I can and whatever happens, happens. If it’s meant to be it’ll come, but if it’s not, then it won’t. I’m just going to take it race-by-race, one at a time, and we’ll see what happens.”

Ultimately, the key for both riders will be wins. Last year, both riders captured multiple victories, but have yet to stand atop the podium this far in 2012, thanks in large part to the increased depth of competition throughout the AMA Arenacross Series. With a championship on the line, both riders can make considerable gains in the standings and in their confidence by taking the checkered flag. Both riders have two opportunities to achieve that this weekend, and will be sure to lay it all on the line.

Cedar Park is a major suburb of the Austin area of Texas, incorporated in 1973. The Cedar Park Center serves as a central location for various forms of entertainment and sports for residence of the greater Travis and Williamson counties. The arena opened in 2009, and serves as the current home of the AHL’s Texas Stars, and the NBA D-League’s Austin Toros. The venue is one of the premier arenas in the state, and has a capacity of 6,863.

The action commences for the inaugural Cedar Park Arenacross tonight at 7 p.m. CT, and continues Saturday at 7 p.m. CT. Amateur Day concludes an exciting weekend of action on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m. CT

Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series returns for the 2012 season! To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com.

Never miss out on the latest news and updates from every stop of the 2012 season! Follow the AMA Arenacross Series on Facebook and Twitter! Log on to http://www.facebook.com/AMAarenacross and http://twitter.com/arenacross today!

For more information on the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series, log on to www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short: brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.

About Feld Motor Sports®

Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

AURORA, Ill. (January 27, 2012) – With three different winners in each of the three Supercross Class main events this season, the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, has started off better than anyone could have imagined. Thanks to his third podium effort of the season, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey leads the world’s best riders into action on Saturday night from Oakland, Calif., and O.co Coliseum in sole possession of the red number plate.

“We’re making good inroads testing and developing the new 450, and that progress is translating into podium finishes on the racetrack,” said Dungey, who is the only rider in the Supercross Class to finish on the podium through the first three races. “Our 3-1-2 podium results so far this season have earned us the red plate, which is a great way to start the season.

“After getting KTMs first win in Phoenix, I was happy to back it up with second overall last weekend in Los Angeles. Everything is definitely heading in the right direction and our goal is to keep putting the new KTM 450 SX-F on the podium throughout the season.”

Coming off his impressive win inside Dodger Stadium last weekend, TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Honda’s Chad Reed has moved into a tie for second in the championship, sitting just four points behind Dungey along with reigning champion, and Monster Energy Kawasaki rider, Ryan Villopoto.

“It feels awesome to get a win, especially at the third race,” said Reed. “We are early in the season, so I am trying to stay consistent to hopefully get more wins.”

For the second consecutive week, Villopoto was forced to overcome an incident on the opening lap, crossing the line at the tail end of the field in Los Angeles. However, just like in Phoenix one week prior, Villopoto found a way to battle through the pack and contend for the podium, just missing out on a third-place finish following a race-long battle with Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s James Stewart.

“After coming from the back of the pack the past two rounds, this week I really concentrated on my starting technique.” said Villopoto. “Saturday night, I’d just like to get out front right away and minimize any chance of mistakes. The track will be dry this year so it should have a better result.”

Fellow Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jake Weimer led the Supercross Class Main Event in its early stages at Los Angeles, but the second-year Supercross Class rider fell in an incident with Stewart. After an 11th-place finish, Weimer sits in a tie for fourth in the championship and will look to bounce back in Oakland.

“I really felt comfortable running the pace up front last Saturday and had I not gone down, I feel I would have been on the podium,” said Weimer. “I’ve never raced in Oakland before, but I always liked San Francisco, so I hope to be right back up front.”

Stewart’s third-place finish inside Dodger Stadium was his best of the young season and signified a step in the right direction for the entire JGRMX team. The two-time champion remains undefeated in heat races and with a strong start, he could very well be in the mix for the win, potentially giving Monster Energy Supercross four winners in four races after Oakland.

“You know, the podium last week was definitely a positive, especially after what happened in practice,” said Stewart. “I’m really happy we got up there, I think we all were. But we want more, we want to win. And that’s what we’re working towards. There’s a lot of work that goes into this and we haven’t stopped working yet. But it feels like we’re starting to build some good momentum. That’s exciting, now we need to stay focused and push forward.”

GEICO Honda’s Kevin Windham didn’t have the night he was hoping for inside Dodger Stadium, finishing ninth. However, the veteran rider still sits fifth in the standings and will look to build some momentum heading into the second quarter of the season.

Supercross.com/Honda Racing’s Andrew Short had a decent start in Los Angeles, but unfortunately went down in the first corner. He had to work his way up from that back of the pack, finishing 14th.

Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe continued his upward progression in the championship, posting a season best fifth-place effort at Dodger Stadium. As a result of his effort, Metcalfe is now seventh in the Supercross Class standings and is looking to keep the momentum going in Oakland.

“The whole day was the best we’ve had so far,” said Metcalfe. “The Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 was working awesome. I think I had one of the best bikes on the track all day. The heat race went well, and I ended up fifth. But I rode really well and I think it’s the best ride I’ve had all year.

“Going into the main, the RM-Z450 was working great out on the track. I got a better start on the re-start, and I was up there early. After being sick, I knew I was going to be short of breath, so I just wanted to hit 20 laps consistently, and ride hard – but not to the point where I’d push myself to the limit and start going downhill. So I just maintained myself the whole race and came home fifth, which was by far the best result of the year.”

After failing to make the main event one week earlier, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Broc Tickle achieved his career best finish in the Supercross Class, with an eighth place finish.

“Each weekend we’re making steps towards the front and I’m excited to keep progressing,” said Tickle. “I won in Oakland last year in the Supercross Lites Class and the dirt up there is awesome. I’d like to have a certain stadium that I look forward to every year and since I already have a win in Oakland, I’m feeling good going into this weekend.”

Much like the Supercross Class, parity is driving the Western Regional Supercross Lites Class with three different winners through the first three races. The division’s latest winner, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac, moved into possession of first place in the championship standings following his victorious effort, and will carry the red number plate into Oakland.

“I was finally able to get out there, ride like myself and ride how I should,” said Tomac. “I’m excited for the win tonight and I’m happy to be leading the points going into round four. “If I can get consistently good starts, I believe I can win like I did tonight. I am comfortable out front and plan to stay there.”

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson backed up his Phoenix win with a runner-up effort in Los Angeles and now, with just one point separating he and Tomac in the championship, he’ll be looking to become the first two-time winner of the 2012 season on Saturday.

“This is my first time riding the Western Regional Supercross Lites Class, so it’s a little bit different going to a new stadium every weekend. This weekend, I’d like to just get a good start and if I can get that, I feel my chances of getting a win in Oakland are much better.”

Fellow Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Tyla Rattray finished just off the podium at Dodger Stadium. Coming into the race, Rattray was the points leader, but just missing out on a third-place finish has dropped him to third. Despite the fall, Rattray still sits just three points out of the lead and hopes to grab that elusive first Monster Energy Supercross win on Saturday night.

“I made too many mistakes last weekend,” said Rattray. “So this week, I concentrated on keeping focused and hitting my lines every lap. I’m looking forward to going to Oakland. The dirt is always good there and it will be dry so it should make for a good track.”

Marvin Musquin had a tough outing in Los Angeles aboard his Red Bull KTM. The Frenchman was running at the front of the field throughout the main event, but a late crash ended his night early, dropping Musquin to seventh in the championship.

“Crashing out of the main last weekend in the final stages of the race while in third spot was definitely not the way I wanted to finish the race,” said Musquin. “I had good speed and was setting up a pass for second when I landed in a soft wet spot which just sent me flying. The Asterisk guys did a good job taking care of me at mobile medical center and tests clarified I didn’t break anything. I just winded myself and suffered bruising to my chest.

“The Lites championship is only eight races long so a DNF kind of squashed my chances at winning the title. However, it does mean I have nothing to lose going forward so I will just turn my focus toward trying to get my first win in the USA. That’s purely my goal now.”

Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’ Jason Anderson had a stellar night in Los Angeles. Anderson rode well the entire night, first winning the LCQ and then going on to capture his best result so far the year in fifth.

“Although I had to go to the LCQ, I won that,” said Anderson. “In the main, I just tried to put my laps in and I got into fifth. The Rockstar Energy Racing bike is working great and I’m feeling good, and that’s an awesome combination that we’ve got going. I’m just trying to keep improving and I feel like I’m doing that every weekend. Oakland should be fun and I’m just excited to get out there and race again.”

His Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki teammate Martin Davalos also had plenty to smile about at the end of the night. Davalos went out and won his heat race and then ran in second place for the first third of the main event. Although he made a small mistake that saw him finish ninth, Davalos still brought home a solid top-10 finish.

“We got great starts all night,” said Davalos. “We got the heat race win and in the main event, I was running second. But then I made a stupid mistake and lost my front end. After that, I tried to get into a rhythm but I couldn’t get going because my front end was twisted. But overall, I feel really positive about the night. Now I’m just looking forward to Oakland and hoping for good weather there.”

Star Valli Yamaha’s Nico Izzi and Ryan Sipes both put in valiant efforts at Dodger Stadium. Izzi finished fourth in his heat race and 11th in the main event, while Sipes won his heat race and finished 12th in the main.

“Oakland this weekend should be a good,” said Izzi “I’ll be trying to stay off the ground, during the first turn in the main. I just need to keep working on my starts, putting in some good heat races and trying to get one of those good starts in the main and put in some good laps. The track looks pretty good for this weekend, so just looking forward to that!”

“LA didn’t go great for me,” said Sipes. “I felt like I rode well and just had a small mishap in the main when I got together with a guy in the first lap and went down. I felt like I rode good and found my old speed, so looking forward to Oakland and taking that heat race win success into the main.”

Tune into the enhanced exclusive weekly video content from Supercross LIVE! during the entire 2012 season on SupercrossOnline.com, the Official Website of Monster Energy Supercross.

Weekly Supercross LIVE! Video Content Schedule

The Official Supercross LIVE! Pre-Show Race Days at 11 AM Local Race Time
Behind the Scenes with Supercross LIVE! All Day on Race Days
2 Minutes on the Track Race Days at 3:30 & 5:30 PM Local Race Time
And on the Podium Tonight Following Each Round’s Main Events
The Official Supercross LIVE! Post-Show Saturday Nights at Each Round
Toyota Tailgate Talk Wednesdays at 5 PM ET
After The Checkered Flag Thursdays at 5PM ET

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook and Twitter, log on to http://www.facebook.com/supercrosslive and http://twitter.com/supercrosslive.

About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

In June of 1988 Yoshimura Suzuki’s Doug Polen was coming off his first AMA Superbike victory at Loudon. Just a week later Polen proved his win in New Hampshire was no fluke by scoring a second straight victory at Road America. Polen’s ride was flawless, leading the 60-mile race flag to flag, shattering the race record in the process. Finishing 6.6 seconds behind Polen was Bubba Shobert on the factory Honda VFR750. Third was Vance & Hines Suzuki’s Randy Renfrow, scoring his finest Superbike finish to that point in his career. Shobert went on to win two out of the next three rounds to nip Polen for the championship.

The winner’s rostrum at the 1988 Road America AMA Superbike round with Doug Polen celebrating his second series win. Sharing the podium with Polen was second-place Bubba Shobert (left) and Randy Renfrow, who was third. (Larry Lawrence photo)

James Ellison is set to make a return to MotoGP™ for the 2012 season, aboard a CRT bike on the Paul Bird Motorsport team. motogp.com caught up with the British rider to talk about his reappearance in the premier class this time around. Read more.

Still not at 100 percent fitness, Nicky Hayden is preparing for his debut on the GP12 in Malaysia on January 31. Read more.

This is one of the best crash photos I’ve come across. The dramatic shot was captured by Greg Sickmeier at the 1985 WERA Grand National Finals. It shows Bob Englert crashing the Team Gibsonia Yamaha FJ1100 during the national endurance race. I believe this is the turn four area of the track. There are so many amazing elements in this photograph. Sickmeier caught the bike flipped completely upside-down, you have the dust and dirt kicked up dramatically from the red Georgia clay with sunlight filtering through and then there’s Englert digging in trying to slow down and the corner working already running into action. It’s simply a great action shot that captures the moment perfectly. The icing on the cake was a year or two later Sickmeier was at a race and sitting down to dinner with friends at a restaurant. In walks a guy with a Team Gibsonia t-shirt. Sickmeier asked if he happened to be the guy who crashed at the GNF in ’85, it was Englert. “Well I’ve got a photo you might like to see,” Sickmeier said. I first saw the shot hanging up framed at Sickmeier’s house. I’m happy he allowed us to share it.

Bob Englert crashing the Team Gibsonia Yamaha FJ1100 during the national endurance race at the 1985 WERA Grand National Finals. (Greg Sickmeier photo)

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) welcomes the AMA Mid America XC Championship as an AMA Featured Series for 2012. The 10-round hare scrambles series includes events in Indiana and Illinois from March through October.

The AMA Mid America XC Championship includes both open cross-country style course sections as well as tighter hare scrambles trail. It is promoted by Mike Gibbs and Mid America XC in Monrovia, Ind. The full schedule is below.

“We’re very happy to have Mike on board with this AMA Featured Series,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “The AMA Mid America XC Championship has a reputation for premier Midwest woods racing, with competitive classes at every level of age, skill and displacement. It provides excellent opportunities for AMA members to compete, and we’re pleased to elevate the series for 2012.”

Gibbs said he has seen steady expansion of the series since it was launched in 2010. He said much of that is due to Mid America XC’s philosophy of putting riders first.

“My sons have raced hare scrambles, and I have a long sprint-car racing background, so we definitely bring a racer’s perspective to promotion,” Gibbs said. “Improving organization, registration, track quality and definitely payouts and recognition, have played a role in our growing rider counts. For example, our pro purse is a set amount each round — it isn’t dependent on rider counts — and every other class down to beginner receives product awards in addition to trophies.”

Gibbs said that AMA sanctioning, including stepping up as an AMA Featured Series for 2012, has been a critical component to his series’ success.

“AMA affiliation has always been important to us,” Gibbs said. “While we’re out here competing, the AMA is in Washington, D.C., protecting our rights to ride and to race. The recent success of fixing the lead law to exempt youth-model motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles from the ban was a perfect example of that. Without the youth classes, our sport can’t survive.”

For more on the AMA Mid America XC Championship, see TheMAXC.com. For more on AMA-sanctioned events, see AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

AMA Mid America XC Championship Schedule
Series contact: Mike Gibbs, (317) 418-6084, gibbs11x@yahoo.com, TheMAXC.com

March 3: Greenfield, Ind.
April 21: TBA
June 9-10: Casey, Ill.
June 17: Springville, Ind. (Riley Hospital Miracle Trail Race)
July 21: Martinsville, Ind.
Aug. 11: Merango, Ind.
Sept. 8: Canaan, Ind.
Sept. 22: Spencer, Ind.
Oct. 13: Veedersburg, Ind.
Oct. 27-28: Casey, Ill.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

(NEWS RELEASE)

For immediate release: January 26, 2012

Hendersonville, North Carolina: Öhlins USA is increasing its paddock presence at AMA Pro Road Racing events in 2012, to meet the needs of contracted teams and privateers. There will be four, count ’em, four Öhlins suspension technicians at every AMA national, and a larger mobile workshop for servicing racer’s needs.

Every rider using Öhlins suspension components, including privateers, needs to know that all Öhlins technicians are available at the races to answer questions, address set-up issues, and solve problems. An open invitation stands for all Öhlins equipped racers to discuss suspension recommendations with any technician in the paddock wearing an Öhlins shirt: without appointment, without issue, without delay. In short, if you use Öhlins suspension components, you’re a member of Team Öhlins USA.

Öhlins USA Technician regulars Eric Knight, Brad Stokes and Matthew Hickson are joined in 2012 by contracted Technician Lenny Albin and overseen by Öhlins USA Road Racing Technical Manager John Cornwell. In total, these technicians have over 463 years of experience in motorcycle road racing, or something like that. The reality is, they know the art and science of fine tuning a chassis for rider control and confidence.

Öhlins is the 2011 championship-winning suspension in AMA Superbike, Daytona Sportbike and the overall SuperSport class, and is making every effort to defend its championships. The new and improved TTX MK II shock will soon be announced, as well as the new road race mobile workshop, rounding out Öhlins’ winning trifecta of personnel, product and service.

Öhlins USA distributes and services the world’s leading performance suspension components for automobiles, motorcycles, and ATVs. Öhlins develops its trend-setting suspension components, steering dampers and oils, at the highest levels of racing from open-wheel car racing, to Moto GP, to off-road competition on two and four wheels. Öhlins USA also provides training for service centers and dealers. Öhlins USA can be contacted at: 828-692-4525; www.Ohlinsusa.com

Colin Edwards is busy preparing for the 2012 MotoGP™ season which will see him aboard the new NGM Mobile Forward Racing team CRT bike. The Texan spoke with motogp.com ahead of the first test of the season at Sepang (January 31 through February 2) regarding his new ride. Read more.

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that Ken Ford, a 27-year AMA member from Bartow, Fla., has been elected the member representative on the AMA Board of Directors from the Southeast region. Ford fills the seat previously held by Charles Goman.

“The AMA Board of Directors thanks Charles Goman for his years of service to the AMA,” said AMA Board of Directors Chairman Stan Simpson. “We are looking forward to Ken’s contributions in the years to come. The members of the Southeast Region will be well represented by Ken’s range of experience and years of passion.”

Ford, a senior executive at a Fortune 50 company for 17 years, is an active off-road, dual-sport, adventure and sport-touring rider. He is a 32-year member of the Florida Trail Riders and former president of the AMA-chartered club. He is also a member of Sunrunners M/C, Dixie Dual Sport and the Concours Owners Group, where he is the current executive director. An environmental engineer by education, Ford has been riding for more than 50 years.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to help the AMA move forward,” Ford said. “As a longtime motorcyclist and a member of several motorcycling organizations, I hope I have something to give to the organization.”

Ford, whose riding background is rooted in trail riding, dual-sport riding and off-road racing, said that he is particularly concerned with the loss of access to public land.

“Responsible off-road riders have a right to access public land,” Ford said. “The lobbying effort of the AMA is key to protecting our future as motorcyclists, and one that I can help with. My professional experience includes working with governmental bodies with regard to environmental regulations, and I hope to bring some of that experience to the AMA Board.”

Ford currently rides a Kawasaki KLR650, a Suzuki DRZ400 a Triumph Tiger 800XC and a Kawasaki Concours. Ken’s wife, Marcia, rides a Kawasaki Versys.

Ford’s term on the AMA Board of Directors expires in February 2015.

The next AMA Board of Directors meeting is Feb. 18 in Indianapolis.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.