Archive for August 30th, 2011

(NEWS RELEASE)

Labor Day Weekend Tradition Signifies 11th of 12 Rounds This Summer

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 30, 2011) – Only two rounds remain in the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, and on the heels of a captivating round of competition last weekend, the 450 Class championship remains tight heading into this Saturday’s second to last event of the summer from Steel City Raceway. Current points leader, and Monster Energy Kawasaki rider, Ryan Villopoto, along with Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, lead the world’s best riders into the Steel City Motocross National on September 3, from Delmont, Pa.

Currently, just eight points separate two of the sport’s rising stars and budding rivals. While Dungey boasts three wins opposed to his counterpart’s pair of victories, it is Villopoto’s impressive consistency and overall podium results at all 10 rounds of the championship this season that have given him the edge heading into the final two weekend’s of action.

At last weekend’s Rockstar Energy Southwick National, Dungey appeared ready to close the gap on Villopoto, dominating en route to the first moto win and putting the pressure on the points leader. However, following an unforeseen problem, Dungey’s bike did not arrive trackside until the gate had already dropped on the second 450 Class moto. As a result, the defending series champion was forced to fight from nearly a full lap behind to salvage as many points as possible. With his challenger’s misfortune, Villopoto rode a smart race, posting 2-4 moto scores to secure second overall. Even with the win out of reach, Dungey put forth arguably the most impressive ride of the entire season to finish seventh in the final moto and claim third overall, ultimately losing just one point to Villopoto in the end.

While the title fight experienced a slight shift, it was Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe who stole the spotlight. The eight-year veteran put together a consistent pair of motos in rainy conditions to break through for his first career victory, ending the season-long dominance by Villopoto, Dungey and TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Racing’s Chad Reed.

In the 250 Class, the incredible 18-moto winning streak by Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki came to an end, when DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha’s Gareth Swanepoel started the day by capturing his first moto win on U.S. soil. Despite that, the Kawasaki-mounted duo of Tyla Rattray and Dean Wilson took charge in Moto 2, with Rattray taking the checkered flag to secure his fourth overall victory of the season. Wilson, the current championship points leader, followed in the runner-up spot, and ultimately watched his points lead increase from 25 points to 38 heading into Steel City.

After a two-round break from action, the return of Motorcycle-Superstore.com Women’s Motocross Championship signified a major step towards a possible third-career title for American Honda’s Ashley Fiolek. While her championship rival Jessica Patterson experienced trouble in the opening moto aboard her DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha, Fiolek took advantage, compiling 1-2 moto results to take her third win of the season and extend her advantage in the standings to 30 points with just two rounds remaining.

Steel City Raceway has hosted the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship since the 1989 season. It was the site of the very first Saturday event in the history of the sport in 2008, igniting a new tradition of single-day events that has taken the sport to new heights. As a Labor Day Weekend staple in the sport of motocross, Steel City has become known as the American Motocross Festival, celebrating the end of the summer with a national-holiday competition that showcases the fastest riders on the planet in three featured classes.

The on-track action for the Steel City Motocross National begins this Saturday at 8:30 a.m. EST with practice and qualifying. Opening ceremonies begin at 12:30 p.m. EST with motos kicking off at 1 p.m. EST.

Previous Round Results and Current Standings

Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Rockstar Energy Southwick National
Moto-X 338 – Southwick, Mass.
August 27, 2011
Round 10 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)

  1. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (3-2)
  2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki (2-4)
  3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki (1-7)
  4. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha (7-3)
  5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM (4-6)
  6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (6-5)
  7. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (36-1)
  8. John Dowd, Holyoke, Mass., Kawasaki (9-8)
  9. Les Smith, York, S.C., Yamaha (8-9)
  10. Kyle Chisholm, Clearwater, Fla., Yamaha (11-10)

450 Class Championship Standings

  1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 431
  2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki – 423
  3. Chad Reed, Kurri Kurri, Australia, Honda – 366
  4. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki – 304
  5. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM – 243
  6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 221
  7. Andrew Short, Colorado Springs, Colo., KTM – 196
  8. Kevin Windham, Baton Rouge, La., Honda – 193
  9. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 173
  10. Justin Brayton, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Yamaha – 163

250 Class (Moto Finish)

  1. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (2-1)
  2. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki (3-2)
  3. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha (1-5)
  4. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (10-3)
  5. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (9-6)
  6. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (7-8)
  7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki (5-12)
  8. Gannon Audette, Minneapolis, Minn., Yamaha (4-16)
  9. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda (18-4)
  10. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Honda (8-13)

250 Class Championship Standings

  1. Dean Wilson, Glasgow, Scotland, Kawasaki – 438
  2. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki – 400
  3. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki – 398
  4. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha – 264
  5. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda – 246
  6. Gareth Swanepoel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Yamaha – 241
  7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki – 220
  8. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda – 181
  9. Martin Davalos, Quito, Ecuador, Suzuki – 175
  10. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda – 170

WMX Class (Moto Finish)

  1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda (1-2)
  2. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda (2-5)
  3. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM (7-3)
  4. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., Yamaha (5-4)
  5. Julie Parizek, Manchester, Conn., Kawasaki (8-7)
  6. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (27-1)
  7. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda (11-6)
  8. Lindsey Palmer, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda (9-8)
  9. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM (4-15)
  10. Sade Allender, Sanford, Maine, Kawasaki (10-9)

WMX Class Standings

  1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda – 279
  2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha – 249
  3. Tarah Gieger, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico., Honda – 226
  4. Jacqueline Strong, Cottonwood, Ariz., KTM – 162
  5. Kasie Creson, Vallejo, Calif., Honda – 153
  6. Marissa Markelon, Bridgeport, Conn., Yamaha – 148
  7. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Kawasaki – 140
  8. Alexah Pearson, Sacramento, Calif., KTM – 137
  9. Lindsey Palmer, Albuquerque, N.M., Honda – 132
  10. Sayaka Kaneshiro, Osaka, Japan, Suzuki – 113

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 more information on the 2011 tour, please log on to www.allisports.com/motocross.

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.

Posted by admin on August 30, 2011 at 2:01 pm under Motocross-Supercross.
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(NEWS RELEASE)

AURORA, Ill. (August 30, 2011) – Feld Motor Sports® announced today that defending AMA Arenacross Series champion Tyler Bowers will compete in the inaugural Monster Energy Cup on October 15 at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium.

Bowers, of Danville, Ken., capped off a dominant 2011 AMA Arenacross Series with 12 main event wins, clinching the championship one race before the season finale at Des Moines, Iowa’s Well Fargo Arena. Last year Bowers was leading the AMA Arenacross points race with two rounds remaining, but a crash while practicing resulted in a broken leg, putting an end to Bowers’ championship hopes.

“I think it’s awesome to be riding for a shot at $1 Million,” said Bowers. “The huge purse is great, but the racing element is just as good, because bragging rights hold a higher standard in my books. This is a no holds bar race. We want to be the first to win the Monster Energy Cup, regardless of the bonus. “

The hybrid supercross/motocross track that Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael are designing will level the playing field for riders that specialize in the technical aspect of supercross and the high-speed aspect of motocross.

“Both Ricky [Carmichael] and Jeremy [McGrath] are very knowledgeable when it comes to designing a challenging track for the riders,” explained Bowers. “Both legends bring a lot to the table as far as awareness of what works and what doesn’t, so it’s going to be exciting to see the final product. The hybrid mix is really going to test a rider’s racing abilities.”

“When it comes to a race like this where you have the world’s best riders on one track, understanding the competition is key,” added Bowers. “You have to know their moves and their general riding style in order to contend. I feel my experience riding in several supercross races is really going to pay off because it gives me an idea as to how the competition operates and what they’re capable of.”

The unique 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, UNLVtickets outlets, online at www.UNLVtickets.com, www.MonsterEnergyCup.com, or by phone at (702) 739-FANS. 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.

Posted by admin on August 30, 2011 at 1:56 pm under Motocross-Supercross.
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