Rizla Suzuki’s John Hopkins raced his Suzuki GSV-R to a top 10 finish at Jerez for the Gran Premio bwin de España, in his first MotoGP race since 2008. Read about it here.
Archive for April 4th, 2011
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto reclaimed the points lead in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM championship at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Determined to get back on the podium and reclaim his position on top of the points standings, Villopoto came to Arlington with his game face on. He rode with consistent determination on the technical track, patiently working his way into the runner-up position by the end of the main event. In the supercross lites class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson scored his second-consecutive win after an exciting race that had the crowd roaring for the entire main event. Read more here in this Kawasaki recap.
(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Motocross racers in the Southern California region have another opportunity to earn Pro/Am points prior to the season opener of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross National Championship at Hangtown on May 21. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to welcome Pala Raceway’s AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships Area Qualifier on April 9-10 as a sanctioned Pro/Am event.
“Although we understand this is short notice, we wanted to alert our prospective pros in Southern California about this new sanction status for the April 9-10 event,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross National Championship opener at Hangtown will be here before you know it. Don’t miss this last chance to qualify to enter.”
Pala Raceway is roughly 25 miles east of Interstate 5 on Hwy 76. More information about the track can be found at PalaRaceway.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)
SAN JOSE INDOOR – 26 March 2011
Rod Lake has put on an indoor concrete race for the last four years at the San Jose Fairgrounds. It is where they used to race every weekend back in the day. I have been fortunate to be able to participate in all but one, missing the one because of my knee injury. I have always enjoyed the concrete, having grown up on it racing on the Timonium indoors in Maryland and the Middletown Indoors in New York.
I flew out on Wednesday to San Jose, staying with my sponsor, Craig Rogers, owner of Rogers Lake Racing. We practiced some out there, and on Friday night went to the Legends banquet, a huge affair recognizing the Legends in our sport as well as the up and coming riders. This year the banquet was even better than last year’s, which I didn’t think could have gotten any better. Rod Lake and the group there put on one Hell of a spread of food and a good show.
The next day, Saturday, was race time. I tried a couple of small things in practice and found exactly the set up I wanted right away. Next was time trials, which is one timed-lap. That time is what sets you up for your Heat race. It’s pretty nerve racking because you want to go out there and cut a lap that is fast, but if you push it too hard and you crash, you’re done… that is your time, and you line up accordingly. I was able to click off the fastest lap—6.75, a little better than Brad Baker’s next fastest, 6.82. I did not think it was that fast because I had made a couple of mistakes, but it put me on the pole.
In my first Heat race I had Sammy Halbert and Mike Rush. I set my works connection holeshot device and got the jump, with Sammy right there. After a few hard laps I was able to pull away. Next up was the Semi. The way it was structured was to have the top 5 of 4 Heat races go to two semis, making it 10 riders in each semi. The top 5 out of the semis went to the Main Event. So you cannot mess up.
I was in the second semi with, among others, Jimmy Wood, the Halbert brothers and Mike Rush. Wood got the jump with me on the inside, giving me the advantage to take over the lead and run my own race. The red flag came out with two riders down. We had to do a rolling restart and I was able to hold the lead and win the Semi. The red flag meant I had no “time” and put me second off the pole. Mickey Fay Jr. would be on the pole.
After the Semi we ran the Dash. Four riders, 5 laps. On the first start Stevie Bonsey got the jump, I moved him out of the way and then he came in and got into the back of me and went down. On the restart I got the jump and won the Dash. It was a different deal this year—NO cash, just trophies. That was a little on the bummer side.
Time for the Main Event. My plan was to have Mickey Fay Jr. get the holeshot since he was on the pole, but instead he fumbled and Jimmy Wood got the jump with me 2nd. I was able to pass Jimmy a couple of laps later. I tried to run a pretty smooth, consistent race. I have to thank the lapped riders for moving out of the way, making it much better and safer than past times. With three laps to go there was a wreck, bringing out the red flag. With so few laps remaining, the race was called.
It felt good to win the race. With how the day was going I was nervous that something was going to happen. Things were just clicking way too well all day long. So I was glad that we kept it all together, staying out of trouble. Jimmy Wood came in 2nd with Sammy Halbert in 3rd.
I want to thank Craig Rogers for all his help again and Rod and Marcy Lake for putting on this event and having us all come out there. I also want to give out a “BIG” Thank You to my Uncle Matt for getting me out West this year!! Have to love those “Air Miles”… It was another fun time in San Jose.
Not much racing going on until April 16—Du Quoin. Talk to you then.
Thank you fans and sponsors, Jammin’ Jared Mees – # 9.
Thanks to: facebook.com/flattracklive
Watch the Race on this link:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150164180445498
2011 Singles Sponsors:
Lucas Oil, Rogers Lake Racing, Montgomeryville Cycle Center, Twisted Beverage CompanyTM, Saddlemen, Digger 57, M.E.H. Corp, Rod Lake, Rockys Online. Com, Arai Helmets, Speed Strength Leathers, KK Motorcycle Supply, A&A Racing, Steve & Cindy Vizzo, Battley Cycles, MRT Racing, Kelly’s, MTA, JE Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, VP Racing Fuels,Tsubaki, Motion Pro, TCX Boots, Troy Lee Designs, K&N Filters, Millennium Technologies, Vortex, Craig Pickett, Goodridge, Works Connection, RekluseClutches, Gene & Gail Cummings, Eddie Mulder, NGK, Z Gallerie, Dick Winters, Oakley, WestCoast Hot Shoes, Jupiter Wheels, EBC, Mikuni, Web Cam, Ancra, J&M Racing Frames, Pro Plates, Kold Kutter, Turn 1 Distributing. Crank Works Crank Shafts, Ez-up, Suburban H-D, Twenty Six Suspension, Flash, G2, Penske Racing, Chicken Hawk, Ferrea Valves, J2 Motorsports, Royal Publishing Co., Applied Diamond Coatings, M&Z Anodizing, Brent Armbruster, CV4, Bristol Core, Universal Coatings, Hammer Head, Hot Rods, TSS Graphics, Dyno Jet, DVS Shoes, Xtremely Fit,Aerodyne, Boyesen, Werx. ca, Fluidyne, Helix, Gunk, Kicker.
(NEWS RELEASE)
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — It may not be spring in every corner of America, but that won’t stop tens of thousands of American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) members from enjoying the thrill of motorcycling during AMA Get Out and Ride Your Way! Week, April 4-10.
The first week of AMA Get Out and Ride! Month kicks off a month-long online celebration of all things motorcycling, including the giveaway of some great prizes. Taking center stage in AMA Get Out and Ride! Month are AMA members and other motorcyclists. Many have already begun putting their riding plans into action.
“I already got stuck in two snowstorms this month here [in northeastern Pennsylvania], but will suit up [April 1] just to support the opening day of Get Out and Ride!” wrote Ron Lieback on the AMA Get Out and Ride Facebook page. “I already have my first four-day trip planned down south in two weeks time, so I’m hoping Mother Nature directs her snow-making ways far north!”
“82 degs F in [Las] Vegas and ridin’ my BMW R1200GS Adventure,” said Robert Starling.
Texan Greg Todd wrote: “”Here in Texas, motorcycling is like BBQing: it’s not seasonal. So I try to ride at least once a day.”
Sandy Langford Reece echoes the sentiments of many: “I’ll be riding!!!!”
Motorcyclists looking to ride “their way” can take advantage of some cool opportunities in 2011 with AMA Grand Tours with KOA Along the Way, which allow riders to participate at their own pace and on their own schedule. A typical AMA Grand Tour program directs riders to visit a designated number of checkpoints and then document their visits. For 2011 there are four excellent AMA Grand Tours:
* AMA Right to Ride Grand Tour (Ride for your Rights!)
* SCMA Four Corners Grand Tour
* Midnight Riders Travel the USA with KOA Grand Tour
* Eddie’s Road & Team Strange Airheads Smoke Chasing 2011 Grand Tour
For details about AMA Grand Tours with KOA Along the Way, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > Street > Grand Tours.
Prefer solo riding on some of the best roads in America? Get started now! AMA members just named “America’s Top 15 Motorcycling Roads” in the April issue of American Motorcyclist magazine. It’s available for viewing online at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/asp/magazine/2011/April/index.asp, starting on page 46.
AMA members have even more resources at their fingertips. Off-road riders can access a comprehensive list of places to ride in the AMA Trails Atlas, and street riders can learn about AMA member’s favorite roads at AMA Great Roads. Just visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Members Area to find your piece of riding heaven this week.
AMA Get Out and Ride! Month showcases the riding activities of AMA members and other motorcyclists across the country, with weekly themes and daily details on a special web page at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > GetOutAndRide, a dedicated Facebook page and a Twitter feed, @ GetOutNRide.
AMA members are submitting stories, photos and videos throughout the month, with a weekly winner selected for the best submission. The best story for AMA Get Out and Ride Your Way! Week, April 4-10, will receive a $100 gift card from AMA benefit partner and corporate member BikeBandit.com.
For details and more, be sure to visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Riding > GetOutAndRide.
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.