Rider Files

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced lower negotiated insurance cost savings of up to 18 percent for AMA event organizers. The new lower rates are geared to make riding and racing more affordable for AMA members everywhere.

Offered by Lockton Affinity, the preferred insurance provider of the AMA, the new program takes effect on March 1, 2012. The current reduction is the second insurance rate drop in six months. On Sept. 29, Lockton Affinity offered rates that were 10 percent lower than previous rates.

“AMA racing and recreational events are the gold standard for amateur motorcycle competition and riding in America,” said Joe Bromley, the director of AMA racing and organizer services. “Our riders, clubs and promoters expect quality customer service and competitive prices, especially in today’s environment.

“That’s why we’re pleased to be in a position to lower costs to the clubs and promoters who sanction their events with the AMA,” he said. “We’re very pleased with the significantly improved class and rate structure, and believe that organizers of AMA events will take advantage of these new savings.”

Some of the benefits of the all-new AMA-endorsed insurance program include:

• A change in motocross rates and structure to better meet organizers’ needs, including a new rate class for motocross for smaller events with premiums starting at $650. The remaining motocross classes will receive a rate decrease of up to 16 percent.
• Up to an 18 percent rate reduction for non-motocross events. The class structure has also been modified to better serve the needs of smaller events.
• Rates now starting at $50 for AMA club recreational events. All rates will change from a two-day rate to a single-day rate. New classes have also been added to better suit the needs of smaller events.
• By using the AMA preferred provider, event organizers continue to enjoy a streamlined process to get insurance for an event, as well as get the best coverage available to meet needs.

Honda takes early control of Sepang Test
Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa topped the timesheet at the halfway point of day one in Malaysia, as stormy weather conditions plagued the second half of the day at the Sepang International Circuit on Tuesday. Read more.

Repsol Honda returns to Malaysia on top
The Repsol Honda Team had a positive start to the second Official MotoGP™ test of the 2012 season in Malaysia. Read more.

Final shakedown begins for Yamaha
Yamaha Factory riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies were back in action today for the second official IRTA test of 2012 at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. Read more.

Ducati Team plans abbreviated on day one at Sepang
The second Official Test of 2012 began in Malaysia today, but the Ducati Team riders and technicians had abbreviated work schedules due to a dirty track surface in the morning and rain in the afternoon. Read more.

A day adjustments for Alvaro Bautista
The San Carlo Honda Gresini rider avoided a crash and finished with the fifth fastest time on the first day of the second Official Test at Sepang. Read more.

Stoner on top by midday at Sepang
The second Official MotoGP™ Test of 2012 commenced today in Malaysia under hot temperatures (30C), with riders hitting the track early and getting in a full morning of testing before rain halted the track action at midday. Read more.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Show Attendees Spend $1.28 Million at Onsite Vehicle Auction in Just Two Hours

INDIANAPOLIS (February 28, 2012) – Dealer Expo, the premier global powersports trade show reported a six percent increase in retail/buyer attendance compared to the prior year’s event. The growth in attendees was greatest from franchised dealerships, specialty retailers, online retailers and big box stores, including Costco and Amazon.com. The diverse expansion in attendees points to increased consumer interest in the powersports aftermarket and motorcycling in general. Displaying the complete range of parts, accessories, tools, business services, vehicles and apparel, more than 700 exhibitors showcased the most exciting products available in the powersports market at the Indiana Convention Center earlier this month (February 17-19, 2012).

The inaugural American V-Twin Dealer Show, launched as a co-located event with Dealer Expo, attracted 2,018 onsite buyers including Harley-Davidson dealers, franchised dealers with cruiser lines, independent V-Twin dealers and custom builders – all communities with specific business needs.

“Nearly every segment showed attendance growth across the board at Dealer Expo and the American V-Twin Dealer Show this year,” said Advanstar Executive Vice President Daniel Phillips. “Mass merchandisers, franchised dealers and online retailers were all up more than five percent, with specialty service retailers up 166 percent and outdoor retailers up more than 500 percent. Our exhibitors were the real winners – a large number of them reported increased onsite orders this year as they took advantage of the expanded range of high-spending buyers we delivered at the show.”

Demonstrating the continuing value of the pre-owned sector and the increased spending of Dealer Expo and American V-Twin Dealer Show attendees, National Powersport Auctions (NPA) hosted a live pre-owned vehicle auction, securing more than $1.28 million in two hours, from the sale of 152 Harley-Davidson and metric motorcycles to attendees.

The 2012 Dealer Expo and the American V-Twin Dealer Show offered both exhibitors and attendees greater value than ever before with more features including: product demonstrations; a live build on the Builder’s Stage; fashion shows; the Ultimate Dealer Custom Bike Show; educational seminars by Dealership University valued at $15,000 per attendee; a Saturday night industry party at Lucas Oil Stadium; and more. In addition, 193 registered members of the media – the largest media turnout in Dealer Expo history – attended Friday’s dedicated media preview and stayed to cover the powersports weekend extravaganza, generating more news than ever about the impressive lineup of innovative new products making world debuts.

The 2012 Dealer Expo and the first-ever American V-Twin Dealer Show destination event took place February 17-19, 2012, at the Indiana Convention Center, 1000 South Capitol Ave, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dealer Expo and the American V-Twin Dealer Show are open to qualified members of the powersports retail trade. For more information please visit www.dealerexpo.com, or www.vtwinshow.com.

Getting passed in a race is bad enough, but getting blown off the track by a rider doing a wheelie as he goes by is sort of motorcycle racing’s equivalent to trash talking. In this case it’s Hyper-Cycle Racing’s Jeff Farmer, or perhaps Tommy Lynch (No. 6) blowing past No. 26 (I think that’s Bob Delie on what is probably a Yamaha FZR400, but I’m not sure what team) in the WERA National Endurance Final at Road Atlanta during the 1989 Grand National Final. If that’s not humbling enough, the FZR rider is just about to get zapped on the other side by Dutchman Racing’s Mike Harth (No. 7). Just one of the hazards of racing the lightweight class in WERA Endurance racing in those days.

Hyper-Cycle Racing’s Jeff Farmer or perhaps Tommy Lynch (No. 6) blowing past No. 26 (I think that’s Bob Delie on what is probably a Yamaha FZR400, but I’m not sure what team) in the WERA National Endurance Final at Road Atlanta during the 1989 Grand National Final. If that’s not humbling enough, the FZR rider is about to get zapped on the other side by Dutchman Racing’s Mike Harth (No. 7). (Larry Lawrence photo)

The Russians one again demonstrated their superiority by cruising to another team title in Togliatti where they finished the competition with a total of 59 points, only one short of the maximum possible. Read more.

After a five-week break the 2012 FIM X-Trial World Championship resumes in Madrid this Saturday. The mid season interlude could not have come at a better time for Britain’s only permanent rider in the competition Michael Brown – Gas Gas. Brown, who suffered the worst result of his 2012 campaign at the last round in Marseille, is hoping to bounce back strongly this weekend. Read more.

The MotoGP™ class returns to Sepang
The second Official MotoGP™ Test of 2012 commences this week in Malaysia, where the majority of the factory and CRT teams will be in present to continue their preparations for the start of the new season. Read more.

Pedrosa ready for the second Sepang appointment
The Repsol rider reviews the first Official MotoGP™ Test at the Malaysian circuit and prepares for his second test of 2012 on the RC213V. Read more.

Grotzkyj signs with Ambrogio Next Racing
Simone Grotzkyj will compete in the Moto3™ class alongside Giulian Pedone on the Ambrogio Next Racing team for the 2012 World Championship. Read more.

Lorenzo and Spies star guests at International MotoXpo
The Yamaha Factory Racing riders were present as VIP attendees last Sunday at the first ever International MotoXpo Show in Kuala Lumpur. Read more.

Bike-building legend Erik Buell has partnered with Hero Motorcorp in India to help the company develop motorcycle technology, according to CNBC’s Indian website, moneycontrol.com. Read more.

(NEWS RELEASE)

AURORA, Ill. (February 27, 2012) – As Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, returns to St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome this Saturday night, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., hopes to build off of the momentum he gained last Saturday night with his win in Atlanta.

Dungey, who won in St. Louis in 2010, captured his second victory of the 2012 season and cut into Ryan Villopoto’s Supercross Class point lead. Prior to Saturday night’s race in Atlanta, Dungey earned podium finishes in five races and currently sits second overall.

“To get that first win right off the bat (for KTM) in Phoenix was nice, but it took a while after that,” said Dungey. “But, to back it up here in Atlanta, it was a great night. We’ve been looking for that one for a while. The whole team has been working hard and things haven’t gone our way with testing and stuff, but we’re coming around to it and I think things are progressively getting better.”

Villopoto used a sixth-place start to charge to the front of the pack but was unable to make his way past Dungey. Western Regional Supercross Lites Class rider Cole Seeley made his American Honda Muscle Milk debut aboard the 450cc motorcycle and grabbed the early lead after capturing the Nuclear Cowboyz^® Holeshot. Seely’s lead lasted seven laps before Dungey made the pass for the lead and rode off to victory.

“I just made a little mistake, and early on in the race I fell over and that cost me, huge,” said Villopoto. “The track was tough tonight, you could really see (that) and I just slipped up and washed the front end out. Overall, we had a good night. It just wasn’t the best of weeks coming into this (race), so to come out with second is good.”

JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha’s James Stewart, who is one of four riders to win a Supercross Class Main Event this season, put together a great ride after a less-than-favorable start. The two-time defending Supercross Class champion finished third, marking his fourth podium of the season.

Once again, GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia, the defending class champion, found his way to the front of the pack en route to his second consecutive Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Main Event win. Barcia led all 15 laps of the Main Event, besting second place finisher Blake Baggett, of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team, and third place finisher Justin Bogel, of the GEICO Honda team.

“Two for two (is) not a bad way to start,” said Barcia. “I wanted a good start, I got the holeshot, and just rode hard from there. The track was super tough tonight. It was very slick and there were a lot of places where the bike was sliding around. I was trying not to make any mistakes. Fortunately, everything went really smooth and we got the win.”

Barcia extended his points lead in the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class to 12 over Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Durham.

During the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross stop in St. Louis, Stewart took home his fourth Supercross Class win of the season. In the Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class, Justin Barcia captured his third victory.

The first Supercross Class race at the Edward Jones Dome was on April 27, 1996, and Kawasaki’s Jeff Emig, a Missouri native, won the Main Event, snapping Jeremy McGrath’s 13-race win streak. In front of his hometown crowd, Emig notched his first Supercross Class win for Team Kawasaki. Chad Reed and Ricky Carmichael are tired on the all-time win list in St. Louis with four. Kevin Windham, Stewart, Carmichael and Reed have all won in both classes in St. Louis.

SPEED will broadcast the Supercross class race LIVE at 9:30pm EST on March 3, 2012.

Tickets are available at participating Yamaha Deals, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, www.supercrossonline.com, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available at the Edward Jones Dome Box Office beginning the week of the show. Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m. and the main event starts at 7:00 p.m. Club Level & VIP tickets are $50 Adult/Child; Gold Circle $37 Adult/Child; Lower Terrace $26 Adult / $20 Child; Endzone $20 Adult / $10 Child and Treadhead tickets are $10 Adult/Child. Fans can also get in to the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket).

Supercross Class Results: Atlanta 

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
5. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
6. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
7. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Idaho, Kawasaki
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
9. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki
10. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki

Supercross Class Season Standings 

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki – 180
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM – 170
3. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha – 136
4. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda – 128
5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki – 106
6. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda – 105
7. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki – 100
8. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda – 96
9. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha – 94
10. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki – 90

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results: Atlanta 

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki
3. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
4. Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Suzuki
5. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki
6. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
7. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
8. Hunter Hewitt, Corona, Texas, Suzuki
9. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Suzuki
10. Shane Sewell, Westville, In, KTM

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Season Standings 

1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda – 50
2. Darryn Durham, Butler, Pa., Kawasaki – 38
3. Blake Wharton, Beaumont, Texas, Suzuki – 36
4. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 35
5. Blake Baggett, Butler, Pa, Kawasaki – 28
6. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda – 27
7. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Honda – 26
8. Hunter Hewitt, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki – 22
9. PJ Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM – 21
10. Lance Vincent, Youngsville, La, KTM – 16

Past Winners in St. Louis 

Supercross Class
April 9, 2011: James Stewart
April 17, 2010: Ryan Dungey
March 21, 2009: Chad Reed
April 19, 2008: Kevin Windham
March 3, 2007: Ricky Carmichael
February 18, 2006: Chad Reed
March 5, 2005: Ricky Carmichael
March 13, 2004: Chad Reed
March 22, 2003: Chad Reed
April 6, 2002: Ricky Carmichael
March 31, 2001: Ricky Carmichael
March 18, 2000: Jeremy McGrath
March 27, 1999: Jeremy McGrath
March 28, 1998: Kevin Windham
April 5, 1997: Jeremy McGrath
April 27, 1996: Jeff Emig

Supercross Lites Class
April 9, 2011: Justin Barcia
April 17, 2010: Justin Barcia
March 21, 2009: Blake Wharton
April 19, 2008: Trey Canard
March 3, 2007: Ben Townley
February 18, 2006: David Millsaps
March 5, 2005: Grant Langston
March 13, 2004: James Stewart
March 22, 2003: Branden Jesseman
April 6, 2002: Chad Reed
March 21, 2001: Travis Pastrana
March 18, 2000: Travis Pastrana
March 27, 1999: Ernesto Fonseca
March 28, 1998: Ricky Carmichael
April 5, 1997: Stephane Roncada
April 27, 1996: Kevin Windham

Tune into the enhanced exclusive weekly video content from Supercross LIVE! during the entire 2012 season on SupercrossOnline.com, the Official Website of Monster Energy Supercross.

This week in the Toyota Tailgate Talk, James Stewart’s Mechanic, Patrick Barker, discusses the differences in bike setup for James Stewart and Davi Millsaps on the JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha team.

Weekly Supercross LIVE! Video Content Schedule

The Official Supercross LIVE! Pre-Show Race Days at 11 AM Local Race Time
Behind the Scenes with Supercross LIVE! All Day on Race Days
2 Minutes on the Track Race Days at 3:30 & 5:30 PM Local Race Time
And on the Podium Tonight Following Each Round’s Main Events
The Official Supercross LIVE! Post-Show Saturday Nights at Each Race
Toyota Tailgate Talk Wednesdays at 5 PM ET
After The Checkered Flag Thursdays at 5PM ET

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