Rider Files

(NEWS RELEASE)

Phillip Island (Australia), Sunday 27 February 2011 - Ever since his first sessions in the official IMS tests at Phillip Island earlier this week Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) made himself a force to be reckoned with in front of 63,200 spectators at Phillip Island. On the opening day of the new season the Superpole winner made himself a convincing double race winner. Checa hit the front early in each 22-lap race, and enjoyed clear air almost throughout in the dry track conditions. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia), Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) and new SBK force Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) all joined Checa on the podium at some stage, but it was a day to remember for all in Althea. Carlos now leaves Australia with 50 points in the bag, Biaggi has 40 for his two second place finishes, and Melandri and Haslam share 27 points, as they swapped third and fifth place places.

Carlos Checa (leading) pulled off the double win in the World Superbike opener in Australia.

Race 1

Checa’s winning margin over Biaggi in Phillip Island race 1 was clear evidence of the Althea man’s domination. Checa took the lead from Laverty on lap 3 and steadily pulled out to an unchallenged 4-second gap at the flag. Biaggi soon realized it was not possible to keep the pace of Checa and settled for second. The podium was completed by Haslam who held off both Yamaha riders, Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri, who exchanged places right at the flag in a sprint finish. Sixth was Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare), who made a great recovery that saw him finish ahead of Jakub Smrz (Ducati Effenbert – Liberty Racing) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing). Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) was running in the top 6 but slipped down to 12th after an off-track excursion, while front row man Sylvain Guintoli (Ducati Effenbert – Liberty Racing) crashed out and did not take part in race 2, after picking up a series of injuries to his right hand, knee and shoulder-blade.

Carlos Checa: “Here we have something extra, maybe the bike works really well at this track and I like it as well. We did a great job in testing, practice and qualifying but you never know, conditions can change. I started well and made a gap, controlled the race, went fast lap by lap, but it’s a fantastic winning start for me and the team.”

Max Biaggi: “A very good result because the last two years at Phillip Island we were struggling and far behind. The twins are always a bit better on this track but I don’t want to take anything away from Checa, he did a fantastic race. We did our best, I came close at some stage but my wheel was spinning so I couldn’t go faster.”

Leon Haslam: “A third place is like a win for me at this stage, we’ve come on a lot this last week and the boys have worked fantastic. I’m looking forward to having a look at the data because we had a few issues and still managed to get on the podium. Hopefully the team can work its magic in race 2.”

Race 1: 1. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 34′16.503; 2. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 4.365; 3. Haslam L. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 10.719; 4. Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 11.266; 5. Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 11.293; 6. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 12.039; 7. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 20.294 8. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 20.742; 9. Haga N. (JPN )Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22.421; 10. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 25.822; 11. Rolfo R. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 29.270; 12. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 31.059; 13 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 31.721; 14. Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 36.389; 15. Staring B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36.470; 16. Xaus R. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 41.928; etc.

Race 2

Again no one was able to run with Checa and he finished a clear distance ahead of Biaggi again, 1.118 seconds at the flag. The reigning world champion battled it out for the runner-up slot in the final stages with an impressive Melandri just getting the edge at the line after some very impressive close-quarter racing from each rider. Rea emerged from a battering and bruising weekend with a fourth place that partially repaid him for his testing misfortunes when he crashed heavily more than once, and then again twice yesterday. Rea finished ahead of the two Leons, Haslam and Camier (Aprilia Alitalia), the latter making a great charge through in race two, despite suffering with illness during race weekend.

Carlos Checa: “It wasn’t easy at all. I went into first position as soon as I can, but Haslam was not easy to pass at all. From there I tried to make my place on the track, but I know they were fighting behind me and two seconds lead wasn’t perfect. This is the best start for me, 50 points here in Australia.”

Max Biaggi: “Two second places in Australia is a very good result. It’s good to come back here after we struggled the last two years. Thanks to my team and crew, we’ve been working  very well these days. It was good battling with Marco, the Yamaha has potential and I think they can do a good race, and Haslam as well. It makes it better for the competition.”

Marco Melandri: “It’s been an amazing day for me after not such a good race 1. I didn’t have a good feeling with the bike so we sat down with our team and they made a good job on the bike for race 2. I could ride so much stronger, I started more aggressive, and it felt very good to be back on the podium after such a long time, I’m just a bit disappointed not to beat Max for second place.”

Race 2: 1. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 34′15.041 (171,308 kph); 2. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1.188; 3. Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 1.406; 4. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 10.563; 5. Haslam L. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 10.885; 6. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 16.914; 7. Haga N. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 17.558; 8. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 17.679; 9. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 18.070; 10. Xaus R. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 19.053 11. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 19.060; 12; Rolfo R. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 23.771; 13. Waters J. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R1000 23.956; 14. Toseland J. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 28.713; 15. Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 32.673; 16. Aitchison M. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 33.226; etc.

Points (after 1 round of 13): 1. Checa 50; 2. Biaggi 40; 3. Melandri 27; 4. Haslam 27; 5. Fabrizio 18; 6. Rea 17; 7. Haga 16; 8. Sykes 15; 9. Laverty 14; 10. Smrz 14; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 50; 2. Aprilia 40; 3. Yamaha 29; 4. BMW 27; 5. Suzuki 18; 6. Honda 17; 7. Kawasaki 15.

World Supersport

On its return to World Supersport Yamaha scored a fantastic slipstreaming win as Luca Scassa took the chequered flag on the ParkinGO machine, by just 0.009 seconds from Broc Parkes (Kawasaki Motocard.com). Third over the stripe as the top 3 flashed across the line was Sam Lowes (Parkalgar Honda), who scored a great podium in the debut race of his first full championship season. He had led out of the final turn but was overhauled by the two lead riders, and Sam was only 0.033 seconds from the winner’s time. Fourth was pole man David Salom on the second Motocard.com Kawasaki, posting an impressive result in a race in which he was frequently the leader. Fifth went to top true privateer Robbin Harms, on his Harms Benjan Honda, while a rider who had an operation on his left knee only a few days ago, James Ellison (Bogdanka PTR Honda), was a fighting sixth. New boy Florian Marino (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) made a good recovery from a terrible start to record a top seven placing, while Vittorio Iannuzzo recovered from the disadvantage of a fifth row grid spot to take eighth. Alex Lundh and Danilo Dell’Omo rounded out the top ten. Chaz Davies and Fabien Foret failed to finish with deflated rear tyres, and Foret was riding with finger and back injuries suffered in a warm-up crash.

Results: 1. Scassa L. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 33′34.739 (166,792 kph); 2. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-6R 0.009; 3. Lowes S. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 0.033; 4. Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 0.272; 5. Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 16.969; 6. Ellison J. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 23.943; 7. Marino F. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 31.788; 8. Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 31.837; etc.

Points (after 1 round of 13): 1. Scassa 25; 2. Parkes 20; 3. Lowes 16; 4. Salom 13; 5. Harms 11; 6. Ellison 10; 7. Marino 9; 8. Iannuzzo 8; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Yamaha 25; 2. Kawasaki 20; 3. Honda 16; 4. Triumph 6.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Tiger Lacey Makes it Three Straight in Arenacross Lites

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (February 26, 2011) – Babbitt’s Monster Energy/TiLUBE Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., is looking to take complete control of the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series championship. The current Arenacross class points leader captured his fourth consecutive win from Sacramento’s ARCO Arena on Saturday night. In the Arenacross Lites class, Hillsboro Motorsport Kawasaki rider Tiger Lacey, of Spring Creek, Nev., made it three-in-a-row with yet another impressive win.

No one in the Arenacross class field had much for Bowers in the west coast finale. He effectively dominated the 25-lap main event, grabbing a good start and gradually distancing himself from his competitors. In the end, Bowers grabbed the checkers over nine seconds in front of his teammate Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis., and Team Faith Yamaha’s Kelly Smith, of Ludington, Mich., in third, resulting in a season-best effort for the veteran rider.

Bowers has won six races this season and now holds a 22-point lead over TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson, of Blacklick, Ohio, who posted a season-worst sixth-place finish in Sacramento.

The Arenacross Lites class kicked off its second half of the season with another strong performance from Lacey. He made his 2011 debut in Reno last weekend, and did so in impressive fashion by sweeping the weekend. He continued on Saturday night, taking over the lead from early front runner and Mob Syndicate Kawasaki rider Gared Steinke, of Woodland, Calif., and opening up a significant gap over the rest of the field en route to victory.

Arenacross Lites Western Regional Championship points leader Chad Cook, of Oklahoma City, Okla., finished second while Crater Racing Honda’s Jerry Lymburner, of Fairbanks, Alaska, finished third.

In her third career AMA Arenacross Series race, Resner Builders Hardware Honda’s Vicki Golden, of El Cajon, Calif., made history, becoming the first female in history to qualify for an Arenacross Lites class main event. After a strong heat race performance, Golden encountered some misfortune in the main event, stalling her bike and losing valuable ground. Despite that, Golden’s toughest obstacle has been overcome and she’ll look to build on her historic achievement.

The AMA Arenacross Series continues next weekend from its inaugural race from Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan., beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

Arenacross Class Results (Sacramento, Calif.)

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
2. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
3. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., Yamaha
4. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki
5. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Yamaha
6. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
7. Nathan Skaggs, Chilicothe, Ohio, Honda
8. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki
9. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, Honda
10. Greg Carter, Renton, Wash., Honda

AMA Arenacross Lites Class Results (Sacramento, Calif.)

1. Tiger Lacey, Spring Creek, Nev., Kawasaki
2. Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki
3. Jerry Lymburner, Fairbanks, Alaska, Honda
4. Patrick Massie, Washington Court, Ohio, Honda
5. Jake Locks, Dixon, Calif., Kawasaki
6. Robert Noftz, Red Bluff, Calif., Yamaha
7. Travis Smith, Lancaster, Calif., Yamaha
8. Ricky Yorks, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
9. Tanner Young, Marland, Okla., Yamaha

10.  Danny Pacini, Novato, Calif., Honda

Arenacross Class Points (After Race 11 of 19)

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 252
2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda – 230
3. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 220
4. Gray Davenport, Lehi, Utah, Kawasaki – 171
5. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Honda – 165         
6. Cole Siebler, Emmett, Idaho, Ho            nda – 153
7. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 146
8. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., Yamaha – 144
9. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, Yamaha – 127
10. Cory Green, Nowata, Okla., Suzuki – 118

Western Regional Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 6 of 10)

1. Chad Cook, Oklahoma City, Okla., Kawasaki – 127
2. Tanner Moore, Auburn, Kan., KTM – 83
3. Travis Smith, Lancaster, Calif., Yamaha – 80
4. Aviery Hickey, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki – 77
5. Tiger Lacey, Spring Creek, Nev., Kawasaki – 75
6. Tanner Young, Marland, Okla., Yamaha – 63
7. Jeremy Huddleston, Eustace, Texas, KTM – 50
8. Bobby Fitch, Littleton, Colo., Honda – 44
9. Ricky Yorks, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 42
10. Noa Quinabo, Riverside, Calif., Suzuki – 42

New for 2011! Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series. To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com.  For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short at brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.

For more information on the 2011 AMA Arenacross Series, log on to www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.

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

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.

USA Today’s Nate Ryan was in the Georgia Dome covering the Atlanta Supercross. A big thanks to USA Today for giving AMA Supercross the kind of coverage it deserves and kudos to the Feld Motorsports communications staff for working hard to promote the series to the media.

Click here for the excellent story written by Ryan and check out the photo credit too.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Dean Wilson Captures First Career Supercross Lites Victory

ATLANTA, Ga. (February 26, 2011) – A near-sellout crowd of 69,517 fans packed inside the Georgia Dome on Saturday night as  Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, began the eastern portion of its 2011 season. A wild final lap helped Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., grab his third win of the season and extend his points lead. In the second race of the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson, of Menifee, Calif., captured his first career Monster Energy Supercross win.

As the Supercross class riders came out of the gates for the 20-lap main event, San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., grabbed the holeshot with TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing’s Chad Reed, of Dade City, Fla., and Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGR’s Justin Brayton, of Cornelius, N.C., in tow.

On the second lap of the race, Stewart made a slight bobble, allowing Reed to get by and lead for the next 15 laps. On Lap 18, a lapped rider allowed Stewart to close in on his rival before reclaiming the lead as the pair came to take the white flag. As they entered the whoops, Reed dove to Stewart’s inside and the two collided, falling to the ground. That allowed Villopoto to assume the lead and take the victory after holding down the third position for nearly the entire race.

“Sometimes it’s not about being the fastest. You’ve got to be smart too,” said Villopoto. “I figured (Stewart and Reed) would do that, but not with a lap-and-a-half left. We still have a lot of racing though. I’ll just go back home and keep my program going and take it one race at a time.”

Behind him, Stewart and Reed remounted in second and third, respectively. However, their battle wasn’t done yet. As the duo came to the final turn before the finish, Stewart attempted to block Reed, forcing them to make contact again, which allowed Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., to pass both and grab his third consecutive runner-up finish. Reed moved past Stewart to take third.

“James put a hard pass on me earlier in the race, so I just put one right back on him,” said Reed. “I’m just happy to be up there racing for podiums and challenging for the lead.”

Villopoto now holds a 10-point lead over Stewart heading into next weekend’s race.

At the start of the Supercross Lites class main event, GEICO Honda’s Blake Wharton, of Aubrey, Texas, was the first to the line for the holeshot with his teammate Justin Barcia, of Ochlocknee, Ga., and Eleventen Mods Honda’s Alex Martin, of Millville, Minn., in tow. Wharton quickly opened up a gap over the field while a stellar battle for second ensued behind him. On Lap 11, Wharton appeared to be en route to his second career win, but fell, giving the lead to Wilson and eventually remounting in fourth. For the final four laps, Wilson held onto the top spot while Barcia and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett, of Grand Terrace, Calif., completed the podium.

“It (was) hard to pass out there,” said Wilson, who moved into a tie atop the standings. “I’ve been trying so hard and I’m so happy to get this win. It’s kind of like a monkey off my back. Last year I wasn’t able to get a win so I’m just so happy. Getting my first supercross win is a dream.”

Supercross Class Results: Atlanta

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda
4. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
5. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM
7. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C., Yamaha
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
9. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki

Supercross Class Season Standings

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 171
2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 161
3. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Honda – 150
4. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda – 146
5. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 145
6. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, KTM – 110
7. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 104
8. Justin Brayton, Cornelius, N.C, Yamaha – 90
9. Davi Millsaps, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha – 88

10.  Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki – 78

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Atlanta

1. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
2. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki
4. Blake Wharton, Aubrey, Texas, Honda
5. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha
6. Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki
7. P.J. Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki
9. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki

10.  Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings

1. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki – 47
2. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 47
3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 40
4. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha – 34
5. Blake Wharton, Aubrey, Texas, Honda – 33
6. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki – 26
7. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La., Honda – 23
8. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Kawasaki – 23
9. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki – 20

10.  Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda – 20

The 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season continues next weekend from Daytona International Speedway.

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com. 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.