Rider Files

(NEWS RELEASE)

After an early crash, Ryan Villopoto overcame 28 riders in the first 450 Class moto. (Courtesy Hoppen World)

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (July 6, 2011) – The halfway point of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship from RedBud featured an exciting day of action across all three classes of competition, as the world’s best riders celebrated Independence Day with an American Motocross tradition. Hoping to gain ground in the 450 Class standings, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto was forced to overcome adversity in the first moto of the day, and put forth an inspired ride to claim this week’s Ricky Carmichael Hard Charger Award.

After a solid start in Moto 1, Villopoto looked to put himself in position to move forward, and challenge at the front of the field. However, a slight mistake forced him to the ground in front of many of his competitors. After avoiding additional contact and collecting his breath, Villopoto remounted, sans helmet visor, and began his pursuit of the field. The Kawasaki rider crossed the line in 37th out of 38 riders, several seconds behind the next position on the track.

Despite the early disadvantage, Villopoto promptly surged through the field throughout the near 36-minute moto. He passed several of the class’ top riders like Ricky Dietrich, Nick Wey, Kevin Windham and Christian Craig, and even with the loss of his bike’s silencer, Villopoto kept pushing forward. In the end, he worked his way by an incredible 28 riders to finish ninth.

In Moto 2, Villopoto was determined to make up for his previous error, and subsequently grabbed the lead prior to the completion of the opening lap. From there, he fended off Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey to lead wire-to-wire and secure third place on the overall podium with his 9-1 moto scores.

Villopoto will be presented with the Ricky Carmichael Hard Charger Award at next Saturday’s pre-race riders’ meeting prior to the Spring Creek Motocross National, providing well-deserved recognition for his efforts in front of his peers.

Tickets for the upcoming Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship are on sale now at www.allisports.com. Special discounts and incentives are available for advance ticket purchasers.

For media information about the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please contact Media Manager Brandon Short via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com or by phone at 949-365-5750.

MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s most prestigious motocross series – the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The industry leader in off road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.

Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports
Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, is a global business that encompasses national and international action sports tours and events, multimedia production, and a consumer facing lifestyle brand. The Alliance includes: the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the Dew Tour, Winter Dew Tour, China Invitational, King of Wake series, and the Gatorade Free Flow Tour. Alli TV Productions creates original content, produces and presents content with partners, and distributes Alli content through a variety of channels. Alli is owned by NBC Sports and MTV Networks and represents a network of athletes, fans, brands and properties. Its mission is to facilitate the momentous growth of action sports, through competition and lifestyle, for a new generation of fans and athletes. The Alli properties are home to more than 550,000 spectators each year and broadcasts more than 150 hours of original content in 100 countries and 280 million homes worldwide. Visit www.allisports.com.

Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the “Official Motor Oil of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.” Visit www.LucasOil.com.

AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing sanctioning body in the United States, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization sanctions professional motorcycle racing competition, which includes, AMA Pro Motocross, AMA Pro Road Racing, and AMA Pro Flat Track. Visit www.amaproracing.com.

Jake Weimer (No. 32 Monster Energy Kawasaki) and Brett Metcalfe (No. 24 Rockstar Suzuki) battle side by side over a jump at the Budds Creek National last month. Not only is the battle on the track between riders and brands, but the advertising battles between energy drinks are also in full display at the Nationals. Many energy drinks, sunglasses makers and other products used by the 17-35 demographic have been launched in motocross marketing campaigns. Motocross fans have proven to be a very influential segment of the population and marketers have noticed that trend for years.

Jake Weimer (No. 32 Monster Energy Kawasaki) and Brett Metcalfe (No. 24 Rockstar Suzuki) battle side by side over a jump at the Budds Creek National last month. (Larry Lawrence photo)

(NEWS RELEASE)

High-End Protection at a Mid-Level Price

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RS Taichi GP-EVO Gloves

DALLAS (July 6, 2011) — The craftsmen at RS Taichi combined the best elements of their previous GP Max and EVO gloves to create the GP-EVO.

Based on a supple, pre-curved kangaroo palm and cowhide shell, the GP-EVO features Knox’s Scaphoid Protection System. Its hard-plastic palm sliders eliminate the pavement-grabbing effect standard gloves have by allowing the EVO to slide, instead of catching on the tarmac and risking injury to the wrist’s scaphoid bone (also known as the navicular).

In addition to the palm’s Knox armor, road-contact points on top of the fingers and wrist are fronted by easy-slide plastic for abrasion protection. To keep the gloves firmly in place, the super-secure, Velcro-sheathed wrist strap is locked down when engaging the main wrist-cuff closure. Double layers of leather also cover the pinky; the upper palm is fronted by a layer of synthetic leather.

For the ultimate in comfort and protection, the GP-EVO’s exterior has free-floating, padded finger, knuckle and wrist sections for double the impact protection. The wrist armor has small intakes to flow air through perforated, flexible leather below. Its fingers are also dotted with flow-through venting between them. For added reinforcement, an Aramid knit is built into the top of the glove.

The GP-EVO is a high-end, feature-packed tour de force at the mid-level price of $219.95. It comes in black, blue, red and white, in small through triple XL sizes (3XL in black only).

Founded in 1976, in Osaka, Japan, RS Taichi is a leader in motorcycle-specific apparel that is engineered with innovation, using state-of-the-art materials and construction techniques that ensure the ultimate in protection, comfort and style.

For more information about the full line of RS Taichi riding gear and other Moto Liberty products, log on to MotoLiberty.com for a streamlined web-based experience.

AT A GLANCE:

RS TAICHI RS TAICHI GP EVO GLOVES

· Supple, pre-curved kangaroo-leather palm
· Tough cowhide leather shell
· Second layer of padded, floating wrist, knuckle and finger protection
· Knox Scaphoid Protection System at base of palm
· Easy-slide armor on fingers, knuckles and wrist
· Perforated wrist, knuckle and finger leather for flow-through ventilation
· Aramid knit top for added reinforcement
· Colors: black, white, blue and red
· Sizing: S-XXXL (3XL only in black)
· Retail Price: $219.95
· Contact: MotoLiberty.com; 800-214-RACE

(NEWS RELEASE)

AURORA, Ill. (July 6, 2011) – Feld Motor Sports® announced today that Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi, of Victorville, Calif., will compete at the inaugural Monster Energy Cup race October 15 at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium.

Alessi recently capped off his third year competing in the Supercross class aboard the new KTM 350SX-F. Throughout the 2011 season, Alessi locked in seven top-10 finishes, with a season-best sixth place in Seattle. To date, Alessi has one podium finish and eight top-10 finishes. The KTM rider is known for his good starts, so if he can mix in a few holeshots and maintain control the lead in all three motos, he will be in good shape to bring home the highly sought after Monster Million.

“With such an enormous amount of purse money on the line, the competition will for sure tighten,” said Alessi. “I think it is great for the sport that this race can offer such a huge prize,” added Alessi. “If they are saying the track is a combination of motocross and supercross track elements, it is going to be exciting.”

The unique Monster Energy Cup hybrid track will consist of supercross/motocross terrain and will have a tremendous motocross-style influence, making it unlike any other stadium race in the world. This track will be the perfect blend of supercross and motocross combined and created into the ultimate battleground. The Monster Energy Cup posts a $250,000 purse with the winner walking away with a $100,000 check, and for the “first time ever” $1 Million will be paid to a rider that wins all three main events.

Tickets for the 2011 Monster Energy Cup can be purchased at the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office, the Galleria at Sunset, all Stations and Fiesta Casinos, online at www.UNLVtickets.com, www.supercrossonline.com or by phone at (866) 8-FINALS. Tickets will be available at the Sam Boyd Stadium Box Office on the day of the event only.

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.

Southwest Motorsports teammates Chris D’Aluisio and Robbie Petersen raced wheel to wheel for 40 miles in the WERA Air Tech Formula II at Indianapolis Raceway Park in August of 1992, and it was West Redding, Connecticut’s D’Aluisio who won by inches at the checkered flag. Kurt Hall passed Red Line Racing’s Rich Oliver on the final lap to nail down third. Hall, riding for Scott Hall Imports, is now the Air Tech F-II points leader.

With Colin Edwards off racing in Japan, Petersen was given the chance to take his seat on one of the Southwest Motorsports Yamahas.Petersen felt right at home on the bike. The 29-year-old native of Zimbabwe passed Hall early in Saturday’s heat race to take the lead. Petersen held the point most of the race before D’Aluisio took over with a classic pass under braking for the Carousel.

D’Aluisio earned the pole position for Sunday’s final. Petersen took the early lead in the final. On the first lap the field looked like a 25-bike freight train. All of the bikes from first to last were racing single file just inches apart from each other. By the third lap a seven-bike break away developed with in order, D’Aluisio, Petersen, Danny Walker, Rich Oliver, Chuck Sorensen, Bruce Baldus and Hall.

At mid-race D’aluisio and Petersen were trading the lead about four seconds ahead of Oliver, Baldus, Walker and Hall. Sorensen had fallen of the pace a bit and was riding by himself in seventh.

On the final lap D’Aluisio dug in turning a 1:35.9 and got in front of Petersen to win by a scant half second.

“I had a feeling the race would come down between Robbie (Petersen) and I,” said D’Aluisio. “I just went as hard as I could on the final laps. I didn’t really pay attention to where Robbie was because I don’t look back much.”

While D’Aluisio and Petersen were taking the checkered flag, Hall moved past a sliding Oliver to pull out third place. “My tires were gone,” Oliver said. “I was sliding out of every corner on the last lap. Then Kurt made a good move on me and there wasn’t anything I could do.”

Walker finished ahead of Atlanta winner Baldus to take fifth. Oliver’s traveling partner Sorensen finished seventh followed by William Himmelsbach, Marcello Del Giudice and Donnie Greene rounding out the top ten.

Robbie Petersen (16) was filling in for Colin Edwards int he WERA Air Tech Formula II race at Indianapolis Raceway Park in August of 1992. Petersen battled Chris D'Aluisio (2) for the entire race. D'Aluisio took the victory. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Clermont, Indiana — Finish of the Air Tech Formula II National Championship motorcycle race during the Indy Nationals on the 2.52-mile Indianapolis Raceway Park circuit with rider, hometown, make of bike and winner’s average speed:
     1. Chris D’Aluisio, W. Redding, Conn., Yamaha (92.546 mph).
     2. Robbie Petersen, Modesto, Calif., Yamaha.
     3. Kurt Hall, Hilton Head Island, Beach.
     4. Rich Oliver, Fresno, Calif., Yamaha.
     5. Danny Walker, Denton, Texas, Yamaha.
     6. Bruce Baldus, Telford, Texas, Yamaha.
     7. Chuck Sorenson, Livermore, Calif., Yamaha.
     8. Bill Himmelsbach, Quakertown, Pa., Yamaha.
     9. Marcello del Giudice, Deerfield, Fla., Yamaha.
     10. Don Greene, Los Angeles, Yamaha.
     11. Jim Sabin, Carrollton, Texas, Yamaha.
     12. Marty Miller, Alpha, Ohio, Yamaha.
     13. Rick Bullock, Des Moines, Iowa, Yamaha.
     14. Al Salaverria, San Francisco, Yamaha.
     15. Doug Carmichael, Dallas, Texas, Yamaha.
     16. Brad Sawyer, Ft. Worth, Texas, Yamaha.
     17. Joe Pittman, Oak Harbor, Wash., Yamaha.
     18. Jim Bonner, Coopersburg, Pa., Yamaha.
     19. Jason Paden, Vallejo, Calif., Yamaha.
     20. Andrew Perkins, St. Louis, Honda.
     21. Boonie Knott, Urbana, Ill., Yamaha.

I was saddened to learn that motocross racer Josh Lichtle collapesed of heatstroke at the Red Bud National on Saturday and died in a Mishawaka, Indiana hospital on Monday. Read the story here.