We already know Johnny Lewis is an awesome Supermoto and Grand National rider. Now check out the fun he’s having on a trials machine.
JL10 Trials Riding from Johnny Lewis on Vimeo.
Archive for April, 2011
Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) took his first pole position of the season for the bwin Grande Prémio de Portugal after Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team) had looked the likely pole sitter until a late crash. Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa took the last spot on the front row. Read more here.
(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce the U.S. riders for the World Trophy Team that will contest the 86th International Six Days Enduro (ISDE). For 2011, taking on the best off-road racers in the world, Aug. 8-13, in Kotka-Hamina, Finland, are: Destry Abbott, Russell Bobbitt, Kurt Caselli, Jimmy Jarrett, Nathan Kanney and Kyle Summers.
“It’s no secret that Europe is home to some of the best off-road racers in the world, and the U.S. ISDE team is looking forward to facing these riders on their home turf,” said AMA Off-Road Racing Manager Chuck Weir. “The Trophy Team is a mix of new talent and veteran experience. These riders know and respect each other, and will work together to put Americans on the podium at this storied international competition.”
The World Trophy Team is one of three premier teams that represent the United States at the ISDE. The other premier teams are the Junior Trophy Team, which fields four riders younger than 23, and the Women’s Trophy Team, which fields three riders. In addition, several club team members represent the United States at the event.
The AMA Team USA Junior Trophy Team will include Brad Bakken from Powhatan, Va.; Ian Blythe from Sedalia, Colo.; Cory Buttrick from Logan, Ohio; and Andrew DeLong from Morgantown, Pa. While individual classes are still being determined for the Junior Trophy Team riders, Bakken will ride a KTM 250, Blythe will compete on a Honda, Buttrick will field a KTM, and DeLong will race a KTM 250.
The AMA Team USA Women’s Cup Team will include Nicole Bradford from Avon, Colo.; Amanda Mastin from Whitehouse, Ohio; and Kerrie Swartz from Moore, Okla. Bradford will compete on a KTM 250 in the E2 class. Mastin will race a Husqvarna 250 in the E1 class, and Swartz will ride a KTM 250 in the E2 class.
The U.S. ISDE team has also designated a Senior Club Team of veterans from the club team members. This year, the club team will feature Dennis Decker from Pleasant Valley, N.Y.; Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Fredette from Beecher, Ill.; and Jake Vainio from Park City, Utah.
Riders at the ISDE compete in one of three displacement classes: the E1 class, which features 100cc to 125cc two-stroke and 175cc to 250cc four-stroke motorcycles; the E2 class, which features 175cc to 250cc two-stroke and 290cc to 450cc four-stroke motorcycles; and the E3 class, which features 290cc to 500cc two-stroke and 475cc to 650cc four-stroke motorcycles.
The U.S. Trophy Team is anchored by five ISDE veterans, along with the rookie Summers. It is led by team co-captains Abbott and Caselli.
Abbott, from Peoria, Ariz., contests the AMA Racing National Hare & Hound Championship Series for Monster Energy Kawasaki. The 38-year-old five-time AMA National Hare & Hound Champion is a five-time ISDE Gold Medalist and will represent the United States on the Trophy Team for the seventh time. Abbott is competing on a Kawasaki KX450 in the E2 class.
“Finland is going to be tough, but if we all go and ride our own race, we expect to get on the podium,” Abbott said. “We face Italy and France, two strong teams, and Finland is a team we always battle with, so with the ISDE being in Finland, it’s going to be a dogfight. I’m not real experienced with Finland, but I understand it’s gravelly, rocky, and there’s a lot of water. It sounds somewhat tight, but not like ‘gnarly tight’ Eastern U.S. trails, so our desert riders should adapt well.”
Abbott said that the ISDE is always a highlight of his season.
“I’ve always loved the ISDE,” Abbot said. “I started on a club team, got my experience and have worked my way up. It’s not easy. There are a lot of things that can happen on a bike for seven to eight hours a day, and you only have 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night, and it’s hard to understand how mentally tough it is. The transfer sections aren’t always easy, and if you lose your focus, you can find yourself off the trail. I love it, though. You have to be a great all-around rider. You have to be good at off-road, moto, working on the bike. It’s a real test.”
Although the details are still being worked out, Abbott says it appears that, with the exception of Summers in the E1 class and Kanney in the E3 class, the rest of the Trophy Team will ride 450cc bikes in the E2 class.
Caselli, from Palmdale, Calif., is returning to the team for the fifth time. The 27-year-old Caselli, who races off-road events for the KTM/FMF Racing factory team, has placed the ISDE near the top of his racing program the past few years.
Bobbitt, from Fayetteville, Ga., currently leads the point race in the AMA Racing Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing. He also competes in the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series. Bobbitt is a three-time AMA National Enduro Champion. In 2006, he was a member of the winning ISDE Junior Trophy Team. Bobbitt races for the KTM/FMF Racing factory team.
Jarrett, from Salem, Ohio, also brings several years of experience to the team. Jarrett races the GNCC Series for GEICO Powersports Honda. This will be the Ohioan’s seventh year representing the United States on the Trophy Team.
Kanney is another veteran on the team this year. He is currently contesting the GNCC Series for WMR/Planet Fitness/KTM. Kanney is an experienced ISDE and World Enduro Championship rider.
Summers, from Florissant, Colo., races off-road events on both the west and east coasts. Most recently, he competed in the GNCCs for Am-Pro Yamaha. Summers is also a top motocross racer, and has competed in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Racing Motocross Championship.
While the World Trophy Team, the Women’s Trophy Team and the Junior Trophy Team are critical pieces of the U.S. effort, they are but one component of the overall AMA contingent that makes the trek to the annual event. Club team riders also will ride on the team.
Club teams this year include GoFasters.com (Greg Gillian, Max Gerston and Brent Martell); Tony Agonis (Fred Hoess, Glenn Scherer, Cody Schafer), Missouri Mudders (J.D. Friebel, Caleb Wohletz, Morgan Moss), Carter Engineering (Chase Bishop, Bryan Petty, Michael Sanders). The Senior team of Decker, Fredette and Vainio also will compete with the club teams.
The AMA’s ISDE effort would be impossible without various companies that have stepped up to provide support. These include Arai, Spectro and Motion Pro.
America’s motorcyclists can help support the U.S. ISDE team, and look good doing it, by buying an official U.S. ISDE T-shirt. All proceeds support the massive effort to transport the riders, bikes and crew to and from Finland. To buy a shirt, just visit the AMA’s online store at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > ISDE Team Info > Buy An Official T-Shirt.
For more information on the U.S. ISDE team, please see AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
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 its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Scores of youngsters shared their passion for riding off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Kids Just Want to Ride! video contest, which ended April 24.
The videos feature young riders who point out the absurdity of a federal law that will effectively ban the sale of kid-sized bikes and ATVs at the end of 2011 due to the lead content of some parts. Each video features one or more kids promising not to “eat my motorcycle!”
“The AMA sponsored the Kids Just Want to Ride! video contest to show how real children, and real families, will suffer when the de facto ban on the sale of kids’ dirtbikes and ATVs goes into effect at the end of the year unless federal law is changed,” said Jessica Irving, AMA grassroots coordinator.
“Lawmakers need to see first-hand the faces of the children who will be hurt by the lead law — the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008,” Irving said. “That law must be changed with the passage of H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act.”
First prize in the AMA Kids Just Want to Ride! video contest was awarded to Erin, 11, Adi, 7, and Carter, 5, Malcolm of Littleton, Colo. They will accompany their parents as the honored guests at the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb in Washington, D.C. The May 26 event will gather children, families and other enthusiasts to urge members of Congress to support the Kids Just Want to Ride Act. The Malcolm’s video will be featured at the event.
The second prize, a $500 BikeBandit.com gift card, was won by Faith, 10, and Ellis, 7, Negron of Los Alamitos, Calif.
Third prize, a $100 BikeBandit.com gift card, was won by Cameron Reed, 12, of Denham Springs, La.
Winning videos can be viewed at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/KidsJustWantToRide.aspx.
The CPSIA was intended to ban small toys with high lead content, but because of broadly written language, it has been interpreted to apply to all products for kids 12 and under, including dirtbikes, ATVs, bicycles, clothing and books.
The AMA asks everyone concerned about this problem to urge their federal lawmakers to support H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, and plan to attend the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb at the nation’s Capitol on May 26.
Families attending the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb will be joined by U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), author of the Kids Just Want to Ride Act. At that time, AMA Government Relations Department staff will also help families lobby their members of Congress to support the bill.
For more information on the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb and to register to attend, go to www.americanmotorcyclist.com/KidsJustWantToRide.aspx.
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 its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
(NEWS RELEASE)
More than 4,000 motorcyclists are expected to ride into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 30 during the Fifth Annual Midwest Breakout Ride and Community Day.
Riders from at least seven states and more than 90 motorcycle clubs will come to IMS between 2-7 p.m. for charity events and games, with all proceeds benefiting the Christamore Community House in Indianapolis. The Christamore House conducts many useful programs, including early-childhood education, after-school and summer day camp, teen opportunity programs and youth employment services.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway also is playing host to the fourth annual Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP race Aug. 26-28.
WHAT: Fifth Annual Midwest Breakout Ride and Community Day
WHO: More than 4,000 motorcyclists representing 90 motorcycle clubs throughout the Midwest
WHEN: 2-7 p.m. (ET) Saturday, April 30
WHERE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Riders will enter the facility throughout the afternoon through the Main Gate (Gate 2) off 16th Street and park adjacent to the IMS Hall of Fame Museum.
(NEWS RELEASE)
WHAT:
Infineon Raceway will host the AMA Pro Road Racing Championship, stacked with the top motorcycle road-racers in the country, at the West Coast Moto Jam. The weekend will feature double-header racing in the series’ premier AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, and AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport classes.
New for 2011 will be the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series, whose big-twin Harley-Davidson XR1200s will run a one-race battle over the weekend. The weekend will also feature the return of the TTXGP North American Championship electric, zero carbon motorcycles.
WHEN:
May 11-15. This is Round 2 on the 2011 AMA Pro Road Racing calendar. Overall, there will be seven main events on Saturday and Sunday of race weekend (May 14-15).
CIRCUIT:
Infineon Raceway is a 12-turn, 2.32-mile road course for all AMA Pro-sanctioned events.
RACE LENGTH:
National Guard SuperBike and Daytona SportBike main events will span 22 laps. Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport main events are 18 laps. The Vance & Hines XR1200 and TTXGP events will be 11 laps.
2010 WINNERS:
National Guard SuperBike: Josh Hayes (Monster Energy Graves Yamaha). Hayes won both main events; Daytona SportBike: Race 1, Danny Eslick (GEICO/RMR Suzuki); Race 2, Martin Cardenas (Team M4 Suzuki); Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport: Race 1, Elena Myers (SuzukiScoopFans Racing); Race 2, Cameron Beaubier (Crozier Motorsports).
QUALIFYING RECORDS:
National Guard SuperBike: Ben Spies (Suzuki) 84.365 mph, 2008; Daytona SportBike: Tommy Aquino (Yamaha) 84.843 mph, 2010; Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport: Cameron Beaubier (Yamaha) 86.225 mph, 2010.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Josh Hayes dominated at Infineon Raceway in 2010, sweeping the SuperBike doubleheader en route to his first-ever SuperBike championship. … Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Blake Young swept the 2011 season-opening double-header at Daytona International Speedway in SuperBike. … Discovery Bay’s Elena Myers became the first female in history to win an AMA Pro Road Race when she took the checkers in Sonoma in the SuperSport class in 2010. … Martin Cardenas and Danny Eslick split SportBike wins in Sonoma last year. … Ben Bostrom (Petaluma High graduate) is racing SuperBike for Jordan Suzuki in 2011. … Steve Rapp (Acalanes High graduate) will ride in the new AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 series. Rapp will ride for Parts Unlimited. … Vacaville’s Joey Pascarella won the 2010 SuperSport West Division Championship and has moved up to the Daytona SportBike class for 2011. … In addition to AMA Pro Road Racing, fans will be treated to Supermoto USA, Flat Track, TTXGP electric motorcycles and AHRMA National Vintage Motocross over race weekend. … The race weekend kicks off on Wednesday, May 11, with a 3Js Motorcycle Track Day and Motorcycle Drag Racing at Infineon Raceway. On Thursday, May 12, LeoVince will host the 6th annual LeoVince Grape Crushers Run.
IN ADDITION:
- Supermoto USA: Supermoto USA returns for the sixth consecutive year to the Infineon Raceway Karting Center with racing slated for Friday-Sunday.
- AHRMA National Vintage Motocross: New for 2011 will be the AHRMA Legends of Motocross Nationals in the hills behind Turn 7. Legendary motocross racer and Bay Area resident Brad Lackey will host two rounds of vintage racing on Saturday and Sunday, plus a vintage swap meet and vintage bike show.
- TTXGP North American Championship: Zero-carbon motorcycle racing comes to Sonoma for a second year with two feature races, one for the newly created Formula 75 class, as well as the premier Formula GP.
- Flat Track: Flat Track will take place on a quarter-mile oval created behind the Turn 9 Terrace with Eddie Mulder’s West Coast Dirt Track Series.
- There will also be a motorcycle art show, Grape Crushers Run motorcycle ride, rider autograph sessions, Track Talk Q&A sessions and more. Please visit www.infineonraceway.com for a full list of weekend activities.
LEGENDS IN SONOMA:
Fans will be treated to a glimpse of racing history with the Legends in Sonoma program. The raceway will honor two-wheel legends Brad Lackey, Rich Oliver and Scott Russell. The legends will be featured during an autograph session on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., as well as a Track Talk Q&A session on Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Wine Country Winner’s Circle. These racers will also be honored during pre-race ceremonies on Sunday.
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS (all times Pacific):
Friday: Daytona SportBike Practice, Noon – 12:50 p.m.; National Guard SuperBike Practice, 1 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.; SuperSport Practice, 2 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.; Daytona SportBike Qualifying 1, 2:50 p.m. – 3:35 p.m.; National Guard SuperBike Qualifying 1, 3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.; SuperSport Qualifying 1, 4:40 p.m. – 5:20 p.m.; TTXGP Practice, 5:30p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: SuperSport Qualifying 2, 8:10 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.; Daytona SportBike Qualifying 2, 8:50 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.; National Guard SuperBike Qualifying 2, 9:45 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.; XR1200 Practice, 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.; TTXGP Practice, 11:50 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.; SuperSport Race 1 (18 Laps), 1 p.m.; Daytona SportBike Race 1 (22 Laps), 2 p.m.; National Guard SuperBike Race 1 (22 Laps), 3:15 p.m.; XR1200 Qualifying, 4:15 p.m. – 5 p.m.; TTXGP Qualifying, 5:05 p.m. – 5:35 p.m.
Sunday: XR1200 Warm-Up, 8:30 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.; SuperSport Warm-Up, 9 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.; Daytona SportBike Warm-Up, 9:30 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.; National Guard SuperBike Warm-Up, 10 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.; TTXGP Race 1 (11 Laps), 11:25 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.; XR1200 Race (11 Laps), 12:30 p.m.; SuperSport Race 2 (18 Laps), 1:15 p.m.; Daytona SportBike Race 2 (22 Laps), 2:15 p.m.; National Guard SuperBike Race 2 (22 Laps), 3:30 p.m.; TTXGP Race 2 (11 Laps), 4:30 p.m. For complete schedule, visit infineonraceway.com.
TELEVISION (all times Pacific):
Saturday, May 14: 7 p.m. (Daytona SportBike Race 1), 8 p.m. (American SuperBike Race 1), SPEED.
Sunday, May 15: 9 p.m. (Daytona SportBike Race 2), 10 p.m. (American SuperBike Race 2), SPEED.
TICKETS:
Friday, May 13: $15; Saturday, May 14: $35; Sunday, May 15: $35. Five-day pass, $60. Children 12-and-under are FREE and parking is FREE. Military and group discounts available. Call 800-870-RACE (7723) or visit infineonraceway.com/ama.
PR CONTACTS:
Infineon Raceway: Diana Brennan (dbrennan@infineonraceway.com, 707-933-3918); Jennifer Imbimbo (jennifer@infineonraceway.com; 707-933-3981).
AMA Pro: John Szymanski (jszymanski@amaproracing.com, 847-764-0000), Laurel Allen (lallen@amaproracing.com, 415-663-6522).
Web-sites: media.infineonraceway.com (password: Sonoma); www.amaproracing.com
(NEWS RELEASE)
Chicken Hawk Racing's Cool Fuel Aluminized Fuel Can Cover keeps gas cool.
RED HOOK, N.Y. (April 29, 2010) — Gasoline is volatile. Heat is the enemy. Chicken Hawk Racing’s Cool Fuel Aluminized Fuel Can Cover keeps gas cool. When stored, gasoline decomposes as the compounds that help produce horsepower evaporate, decreasing octane ratings. Sitting in the sun or in hot climates, this process accelerates. Cool fuel is denser, produces more power and cooler-running engines; which is why most pro race teams chill fuel prior to pouring it into their bikes’ gas tanks.
Keeping your machine’s fuel cool is now easy with another innovative product from Chicken Hawk Racing, the Cool Fuel Aluminized Fuel Can Cover.
Constructed from a tough-yet-lightweight aluminized Kevlar exterior and lined with felted acrylic insulation, this high-tech Fuel Can Cover is built to fit readily available round- and square-style 5-gallon race jugs and comes with built-in pockets for gel packs that provide even more cooling. In addition to shielding fuel from excessive heat and gas-sizzling UV rays, the cover extends fuel-jug life by preventing sun damage.
Professionally proven by top-level AMA Pro roadracing teams for 16 years, Chicken Hawk Racing tire warmers and other products are currently used by most many top-level roadracers and race teams in America.
For more information on Chicken Hawk Racing Cool Fuel Aluminized Fuel Can Covers, tire warmers and other products, log on to ChickenHawkRacing.com.
Cool Fuel Aluminized Fuel Can Cover:
Retail Price: $125
Contact:
Chicken Hawk Racing
54 Elizabeth St., Unit 10
Red Hook, NY 12571
www.chickenhawkracing.com
866-HOT-TIRE (866-468-8473)
(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), joined by other lawmakers, has introduced a bill to free up almost 43 million acres of public land that now may be off-limits to off-highway riding, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.
Powerful lawmakers supporting the measure include Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, and Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.
“Millions of acres of land across the United States are being held under lock and key unnecessarily,” McCarthy said. “My bill acts on recommendations made by the government agencies managing these lands so they are opened up for increased public use. This is just common sense.
“By opening these lands up to residents of our local communities and across the country for their use and enjoyment, we can help create jobs, boost local economies and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires,” he said.
The bill — H.R. 1581, the Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011, which was introduced on April 15 and announced at a press event on April 29 — would remove the stringent use restrictions on 6.7 million acres managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and on 36.1 million acres of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land that was evaluated for a strict congressional Wilderness land-use designations.
The federal agencies have determined the 43 million acres aren’t suitable for Wilderness designation, yet because of various laws and rules they must continue to strictly manage the land until Congress “releases” it for other possible uses.
The Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act would release the land, freeing up land managers to determine new uses, if any, such as allowing responsible off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation where it currently isn’t allowed.
The bill also would prevent the BLM and the USFS from using other means to manage the land as if it had received a restrictive Wilderness designation that bars OHV use, such as the new, controversial U.S Interior Department’s Wild Lands policy.
The Wild Lands policy essentially allows BLM bureaucrats, rather than Congress, to determine what BLM land should be managed as if Congress had designated it as Wilderness.
AMA Washington Representative Rick Podliska noted the 43 million acres have been locked up for years, if not decades, even though the land managers themselves note the land doesn’t qualify for the very restrictive Wilderness designation.
“For years, groups hoping to keep responsible off-highway riders off public land have been able to get areas earmarked for possible inclusion in the nation’s Wilderness system, which immediately bars off-highway riding, bicycling and almost all other activities while the study is under way,” Podliska said.
“We commend Reps. McCarthy, Bishop and Pearce for introducing H.R. 1581, the Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act, and urge all riders who want to protect and promote responsible off-highway riding to contact their federal lawmakers and ask them to support the bill,” he said.
The easiest way to contact your lawmaker is through the AMA website: AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation.
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 its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
(NEWS RELEASE)
AURORA, Ill. (April 29, 2011) – Just two races remain in the 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, and the competition is tighter than its even been in the history of the sport. Coming in to tomorrow’s 16th stop of the season from Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, four riders sit within nine points of the championship lead and are well within striking distance to claim the coveted title.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto is the rider the rest of the field is looking up at in the standings. With five wins to his credit and an impressive finishing average of 2.9 that is top in the class, on paper Villopoto looks like the rider to beat and has been for the majority of the season. With a solid outing at his home race in Seattle two weeks ago, Villopoto will look to maintain his consistency while also aiming for the top of the box, putting additional pressure on his rivals.
“I’m looking forwards to going to Salt Lake City,” said Villopoto. “I missed last year and I remember the dirt being a lot like Seattle. I just hope the weather is better to us compared to what I watched on TV last year.”
This is the seventh time the gate will drop for a Supercross class race in Salt Lake City. The first race was held on April 28, 2001, and Ricky Carmichael won on a Kawasaki. (Photo Credit: Hoppenworld.com)
A mere six points behind Villopoto is TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing’s Chad Reed. The two-time champion’s foray into ownership has proven successful with a win and exceptional consistency this season. Now he sits in position to claim a third title, but is also engaged in a heated battle with reigning champion Ryan Dungey, who sits just one additional point back in third.
Seattle was the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider’s worst outing since his DNF in Anaheim 10 races ago. During that span, he has amassed eight podium finishes with one win, four runner-up finishes, and three thirds. The combination of Dungey’s results and his season turnaround has put him back into the championship picture despite being as much as 38 points out of the lead on two occasions this season. While his fifth-place effort at the previous round came with some on-track misfortune, Dungey still left Seattle with a chance to defend his crown and his focus coming into Salt Lake City remains clear.
“All in all, it was a pretty good night (in Seattle),” said Dungey. “I got off to a good start in my heat and ended up finishing third. My Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team did a good job all day adapting the bike to the conditions. We made a few changes to my Suzuki before the main; nothing too crazy – just a few suspension adjustments to adapt to the ruts. The track was really gnarly. It kind of wanted to just come up and bite you, especially by the end of the 20 laps.”
“I got off to a decent start, but I fell down in the first lap and I think I was near last. But at that point, I just put my head down and tried to pick off as many guys as I could and was able to move up and finish fifth. Everyone did a great job in Seattle. My RM-Z450 ran great and my team adapted it well to this track. Going forward, we’ll get into Salt Lake coming off a two-week break and will be ready to give it a hard push for the last two rounds.”
San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart is arguably the hottest rider in Monster Energy Supercross right now, and on the heels of his fifth win of the season in Seattle, it couldn’t come at a better time. For much of the season, Stewart has battled ups and downs, but more often than not, he’s shown the speed to run at the front of the field. Over the last two races Stewart has put together back-to-back dominant outings in which he led all 20 laps of both main events. Now, only nine points separate the former champion and the points lead and he’s looking to carry his wave of momentum into Salt Lake City.
“My weekend in Seattle was great,” said Stewart. “I really couldn’t ask for anything better. Everything really worked out, my San Manuel Yamaha was riding great, and the technical track kind of played to my advantage. It feels great to get another win! We had a week off, and I hope to make it happen again in Salt Lake.”
With just two races left, Chad Reed trails Supercross class points leader Ryan Villopoto by six points. (Photo Credit: Hoppenworld.com)
Red Bull KTM’s Andrew Short was looking to improve on his season-best effort of fourth this season in the tricky Seattle conditions. The KTM 350SXF’s shorter power band worked well in the soft, rutty soil and it pushed Andrew to a season-best fourth place qualifying effort. After another strong run in his heat race, Short’s night took an unfortunate turn when he got involved in a first-lap crash, relegating him to 10th.
“I fell in the first corner in Seattle and took a while to get going,” said Short.” My clutch lever broke in the fall and I had a big Charlie horse on my leg from where I was struck by the bike during the crash. I was able to climb back up to 10th but it was definitely not the showing I had hoped for. On the plus side, we made huge improvements to our program and I continue to place better in qualifying times each week and am hoping for a podium in the final two rounds.”
On the other end of the spectrum, Short’s Red Bull KTM teammate Mike Alessi experienced one of his best rides of the season in Seattle. A strong start put Alessi in the mix at the front of the field with the leaders. He battled with several of the championship contenders before a fall in the second half of the race dropped him to sixth. Despite his get off, Alessi still recorded his best finish of the season.
“I got off to a decent start and actually passed into third early in the race,” said Alessi. “I slipped back one spot and held onto fourth for the first half of the race before I had a pretty big crash. Luckily, I was fine from the crash and recovered to finish the race in sixth. I felt really comfortable on that track and am definitely feeling an improvement in my endurance as I have been training harder during the week to prepare for the outdoors.”
San Manuel Yamaha’s Kyle Regal finished in Seattle with a season best seventh-place result. After sitting out for four weeks due to a wrist injury, Regal has come back strong and has been training hard at Stewart’s compound to get back to where he needs to be.
“All my hard work is finally paying off,” said Regal. “It feels great to get that seventh. The track was pretty difficult and started to wear down, but I was able to hang in there. I’ve been back in Florida for the last two weeks to do a lot more training and I’m hoping to get top-10 finishes these last two races.”
After missing nearly his entire rookie season due to an injury suffered in preseason testing, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer will make his Supercross class debut in Salt Lake City. A native of nearby Idaho, the Salt Lake City stop also serves as Weimer’s home race, making it the ideal spot to kick off his 2011 season.
“I am really excited to get back out and race,” said Weimer. “It’s been a while since I’ve actually raced because I was injured at the end of last year and missed a few races. The team has been great helping me get back up to speed. I’ve been feeling good so I hope it goes well.”
While serving as a pivotal race in the championship, Seattle also signified the return of the Supercross Lites Western Regional Championship. After seven weeks on the sidelines, the intense battle for the title resumed at Qwest Field and when things were all said and done, the entire championship landscape had been altered.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders Broc Tickle and Josh Hansen entered Seattle just three points apart. Following the 15-lap main event, the deficit between the duo remained the same, but the pair swapped positions as Tickle’s third-place podium finish was enough to move him in front of Hansen, who recorded his second straight sixth-place effort.
Josh Hansen sits just three points behind teammate Broc Tickle heading into the penultimate race of the Western Regional Supercross Lites class championship. (Photo Credit: Hoppenworld.com)
To make things more challenging for the two most consistent riders in the West Region this season, both riders are battling their own respective injuries. Hansen’s broken hand suffered at the final Anaheim race appeared to cause him trouble in Seattle as he fell from a third-place start to finish sixth. Despite that, he’s still very much alive in his quest to claim his first-career AMA title and will do whatever it takes over the final two weekends to get it.
“I really want to win the championship and I hope I’ve shown that I want it,” said Hansen. “I’m not giving up and I’ve been working hard to make sure I can be ready for Salt Lake City.”
As for Tickle, he refused to let a broken collarbone suffered just two weeks prior to Seattle slow him down. A metal plate held his bones in place and Tickle endured the pain to bring home a third-place effort and take over the lead in the standings. Now he controls his own destiny to the title, something he’s never had the opportunity to do before.
“I am really looking for another win,” said Tickle. “I am definitely happy that I am in the points lead and that is the ultimate goal. I really liked Salt Lake City last year so I hope it’s a good chance for me to get another win and extend my points lead.”
In only his first season riding supercross, the third member of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team Tyla Rattray has put in impressive results, including two podium finishes. He is looking to add to the podium count in Salt Lake City with another good ride.
“Every time I come out, I’m shooting for the podium,” said Rattray. “I am happy with how the season has gone so far and I want to end the season with good finishes. I hope Salt Lake City can be where I can add another podium.”
For the Rockstar Energy Suzuki team, Seattle served as a fresh start for its two veteran riders in Ryan Morais and Martin Davalos. The duo has shown tremendous speed this season, but has also encountered misfortune, hurting their consistency. At the previous round, both riders had to overcome starts deep inside the top 10 on a track that was very difficult for passing. They each made the most of their opportunities and have now set their sights on Salt Lake City in an effort to close out the year on a high note.
“Seattle went okay for me,” said Morais. “I felt pretty good in practice – It was my best practice qualifying time of the year. The track was really technical and hard and my team did a good job setting up my bike. I felt good in the main event and got a good start on my RM-Z. I was battling with a couple riders and the pace was good, but it kind of turned into a little cat and mouse. I wasn’t able to get past sixth over the rest of the race. It was a little frustrating, but I’ve come out of there healthy and we have Salt Lake City coming up. I’ve worked hard and will try to put my Suzuki on the box in these last two races. I like Salt Lake City and I feel like I’m where I need to be, so we’ll see what we can do.”
“It was a tough weekend for me,” said Davalos. “I felt like I rode good but kind of got a bad start in the main and just really couldn’t get around anyone. The track was really challenging, really gnarly rutted, but my RM-Z worked great. I just couldn’t make anything happen. The positive thing is that I’m safe and healthy and I’ve gone back home to work on some starts. I need to get the start. I’ve never been to Salt Lake City, so I’m really looking forward to racing there. I need to put my Rockstar Energy Suzuki team on the box. We work so hard and they are so good to me.”
Tickets are available at the Rice Eccles Stadium Box Office, online at www.utahtickets.com, SupercrossOnline.com, or charge by phone at (801) 581-UTIX. Tickets will also be available at participating Yamaha dealers. Practice and qualifying begins at 12:30 p.m., and the main event begins at 7:00 p.m. Gold Circle tickets: $40; Price Level 2 tickets: $25; Treadhead tickets: $10. All tickets cost $% more the day of show. Fans can also get into the Pits for FREE from 12:30 – 6 PM Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket).
CBS will broadcast the Supercross class race at 12:00 p.m. EST/9:00 a.m. PST on May 1, 2011. SPEED will broadcast the Supercross Lites class race at 6:00 p.m. EST/3:00 p.m. PST on May 1, 2011 and will also broadcast the Supercross class race at 3:00 a.m. EST/12:00 a.m. PST on May 6, 2011.
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.
Unemployment line to two-time World Champion – is there any wonder why Fred Merkel became one of the favorite racers of his era? (Larry Lawrence photo)
Fred Merkel was dealt a bad hand. After winning three-straight AMA Superbike Championships and tallying the most AMA Superbike wins in series history, he was given a pink slip by American Honda.
Most riders would have been devastated by losing their plum factory ride and fade away into obscurity, but not Merkel.
In one of the greatest reinventions in road racing history he picked up, moved to Italy to race in the European championships, then after the World Superbike Championship was launched in 1988 he became two-time World Superbike Champion. Talk about making lemonade from lemons.
Unemployment line to two-time World Champion – is there any wonder why Fred Merkel became one of the favorite racers of his era? You can read more about Merkel’s career here.