Rider Files

(NEWS RELEASE)

Four-Rider Championship Battle in the 250 Class Tightens Up

Budds Creek MX Park will be the sight of the fifth round of the 2012 season. (Courtesy Simon Cudby)

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. (June 12, 2012) – With a win under his belt and possession of the red number plate to signify his position as the 450 Class points leader, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey extended his moto-winning streak to four last weekend, claiming his second straight victory and taking considerable momentum into this weekend’s fifth round of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. Southern Maryland’s Budds Creek MX Park, in Mechanicsville, will host the world’s best riders on Saturday for the Red Bull Budds Creek National, which also marks the season debut of live network television coverage on NBC.

Dungey’s 16th career premier-class victory, at High Point Raceway, puts him in a tie for sixth on the all-time wins list with Jeff Emig. It didn’t come easily. In both motos, the 2010 series champion was challenged by MotoConcepts Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, who led nearly half of each moto and forced Dungey to put forth a calculated attack.

In the end, Dungey posted a moto sweep to equal Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart in total moto wins and overall victories. He sits 42 points above Alessi, who moved into second by virtue of his runner-up effort. Additionally, Dungey is the only rider in the series to finish on the podium in every moto thus far, and will look for his second career win at Budds Creek.

As for Stewart, his return to action after recording no points at the third round of the championship resulted in an impressive come-from-behind effort for fifth in the first moto. However, he did not return for Moto 2 due to soreness in his right (throttle) hand. With a week of rest ahead, he and the Yoshimura Suzuki team will reevaluate heading into Budds Creek. Despite his time off the track, Stewart still sits fifth in the championship standings.

Last season at Budds Creek, Chad Reed raced to his third win in the first four rounds, with Ryan Villopoto and Dungey rounding out the podium.

450 Class points leader Ryan Dungey is looking for his third straight victory this season. (Courtesy Simon Cudby)

Through the first four rounds of 250 Class competition in 2012, four different riders stood atop the podium. Last weekend at High Point, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac became the division’s first repeat winner, outlasting his teammate Justin Barcia in a captivating battle for the overall victory that came down to the final lap of competition. Tomac’s last-lap pass for the lead on Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen in the second moto secured his second win in three races, thanks to a fourth-to-first charge through the field over the final seven laps.

Despite missing the overall podium for the first time this season, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett maintains possession of the red number plate, but his lead has diminished. He currently holds a seven-point advantage over Barcia, with Tomac and Roczen 11 and 17 points behind, respectively.

Last season at Budds Creek, Tyla Rattray took the overall victory, with Dean Wilson and Barcia joining him on the podium. With Rattray and Wilson currently not scheduled to compete this weekend, a first-time Budds Creek winner will emerge on Saturday. International riders have won the past two races at the facility, which could bode well for German-born Roczen and his French teammate Marvin Musquin.

Currently in the midst of its third decade of motocross competition, Budds Creek is one of the most renowned tracks on the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship schedule. Sitting in the shadow of the nation’s capital, it is a popular stop for riders and fans alike thanks to its stellar sight lines, thrilling elevation changes, and challenging terrain. The facility has produced some of the most memorable moments in American Motocross since hosting its first national in 1989.

The Red Bull Budds Creek National will be the first of three rounds of the championship broadcast exclusively on NBC. The national network television exposure will bring the action into millions of homes, allowing viewers to see the world’s best do battle.

Coverage from Budds Creek begins on Saturday, June 16, with live coverage of the first 250 Class moto on FUEL TV, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern, followed by live coverage of the opening 450 Class moto on NBC at 2 p.m. Eastern. Both motos will also be streamed live on AlliSports.com.

Live second-moto coverage of the 250 Class continues on FUEL TV at 3 p.m. Eastern, while NBC Sports Network wraps up the day with live final moto coverage of the 450 Class, beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Previous Round Results and Current Standings

Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
FMF High Point National
High Point Raceway – Mt. Morris, Pa.
June 9, 2012
Round 4 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (1-1)
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (2-2)
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki (3-3)
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (4-8)
5. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha (9-4)
6. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki (7-5)
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki (6-9)
8. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha (12-6)
9. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha (8-10)
10. Michael Byrne, Rockhampton, Australia, Suzuki (13-7)

450 Class Championship Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 186
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 144
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 141
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 128
5. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 116
6. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 114
7. Nico Izzi, Rochester, Mich., Yamaha, 95
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 90
9. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 84
10. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki, 66

250 Class (Moto Finish)
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (2-1)
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (1-3)
3. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (5-2)
4. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (3-5)
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (6-4)
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda (4-9)
7. Ivan Tedesco, Albuquerque, N.M., Kawasaki (7-10)
8. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M, Suzuki (13-6)
9. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha (14-7)
10. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda (10-11)

250 Class Championship Standings
1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 175
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 168
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 164
4. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 158
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 117
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 101
7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 87
8. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 86
9. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Texas, Yamaha, 86
10. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M, Suzuki, 77

Tickets for all 12 rounds of the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship can be found at www.allisports.com.
For additional information please visit AlliSports.com/motocross also, “like” the American Motocross Facebook page, “follow” @AmericanMX on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and information on the latest Lucas Oil Motocross news and developments.

For media information about the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, please contact MX Sports Pro Racing via email at media@mxsportsproracing.com.

MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s most prestigious motocross series – the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. 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 Sports
Alli Sports, is an action sports lifestyle brand whose mission is to connect fans with athletes and brands through best in class events, media, and authentic branded products. Alli Sports includes: the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and the Red Bull Signature Series; Alli Media, which creates, produces, and distributes original content; Alli RideShop, an online retailer carrying top skate and BMX consumer products; and Alli MotoShop an online retailer carrying top moto consumer products. Alli Sports is owned by NBC Sports. More information can be found at www.allisports.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.

NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January of 2011, the broad reach and storied history of NBC Sports united with Comcast’s 24/7 ability to super-serve fans to create the NBC Sports Group. The new sports media company consists of an array of broadcast television, cable television and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports & Olympics, Golf Channel, Versus, 11 SportNets (regional sports networks) and their respective websites. Together, the new combined assets of the NBC Sports Group possess an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the Olympics, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, IndyCar, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Wimbledon, French Open, Tour de France and Kentucky Derby.

FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including UFC, surfing, motocross, snowboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won’t see anywhere else. See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes and can be accessed by broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes®. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

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 Pro Motocross Championship.” Visit www.LucasOil.com.

Endurance road racing a Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200? It sounded like a good idea to Roy Nicholson and Tom Rose. The duo raced their Harley in the WERA Power-Mist/Performance Machine 4-Hour National Endurance race at Indianapolis Raceway Park in July of 1993. The team actually didn’t do too badly. They finished the race in 19^th overall and sixth in the Mediumweight Superbike class. I believe this is Rose riding the bike through IRP’s hairpin, leading Brian Lantz on the D&B Racing Honda CBR600F2.

American Harley-Davidson, racing their Sportster 1200, leads D&B Racing in the WERA Power-Mist/Performance Machine 4-Hour National Endurance race at Indianapolis Raceway Park in July of 1993. (Larry Lawrence photo)

The Portuguese Grand Prix started today with some rain, but the sun came up for the second races and the crowd present in Agueda could enjoy watching Clement Desalle and Jeffrey Herlings win the Portuguese Grand Prix. Earlier in the morning the UEM EMX125 riders disputed the second race and Tim Gajser was again on the top of the podium. Read more.

BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent victorious at Doha ahead of Bolliger Team Switzerland and Honda TT Legends. The 8 hours of Doha proved again to be a thrilling race full of surprises and finish with a novel podium. The victory of the BMW Motorrad France Team Thevent was yet announced by its performance during the practice sessions. Their riders, Erwan Nigon, Sébastien Gimbert and Damian Cudlin, took control from the moment the 23 teams started the race. So after 3 participations and 3 pole positions, the official BMW Team has now finally obtained a victory on the Qatari circuit. Read more.

Lorenzo in the lead as MotoGP™ descends on Silverstone
This weekend sees the MotoGP™ grid descend once again on the Silverstone circuit to fight it out for top honours at the Hertz British Grand Prix, where Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo will be looking to extend his 20 point lead over rival Casey Stoner. Read more.

Moto2™ contingent to scrap it out on British soil
At this weekend’s Hertz British Grand Prix the Moto2™ class returns once more to continue its ever-thrilling fight for top spot in the intermediate class. After a race in Catalunya that was steeped in action and controversy, the riders will be hoping that racing is the sole agenda at the Silverstone round. Read more.

Silverstone beckons for Moto3™ grid
The Moto3™ grid heads to Silverstone this weekend for the Hertz British Grand Prix, where once again the young riders will be looking to show who is best in the hotly contested class. Read more.

Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli” unveiled
Last weekend at the Misano World Circuit, the new logo linking the Romagna circuit to the late Marco Simoncelli was unveiled. The logo was introduced at a press conference, in which Paolo Simoncelli, Marco’s father, was also present. Read more.

Silverstone “Day of Champions” auction takes shape
Silverstone’s forthcoming Day of Champions has already received its first items for auction, in what should be an action-packed day with the stars of MotoGP™ to raise money for a good cause. Read more.

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the third member of the induction class of 2012. World championship tuner Derek “Nobby” Clark, whose bikes claimed 17 FIM world titles in multiple displacements from the 1960s through 1980, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 AMA Legends Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 16-17.

“I first saw Nobby Clark in 1967 at the Grand Prix of Canada,” said Don Rosene, chairman of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame selection committee and a member of the board of directors of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises funds for the Hall of Fame. “He was tuning for the Honda factory team and Mike Hailwood and Jim Redmond, a couple of the greatest roadracers of all time. The list of greats Nobby worked with is long, including Kenny Roberts. All great racers need great tuners. Nobby was, and is, the tuner of World Champions. We welcome him into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.”

For 25 years, Clark was one of the world’s leading motorcycle race mechanics. In addition to 17 FIM Grand Prix world titles, earned in classes ranging from 50cc to 500cc, he won three Daytona 200s, one Daytona 100, four Imola 200s and eight Italian championships working with some of the greatest motorcycle racers in history.

“This was a great surprise,” Clark said. “It’s a great honor to be inducted. With many of the guys I worked for already in the Hall of Fame, all I can say is I know I’m in good company.”

Clark not only excelled at the highest level, tuning for some of history’s greatest racers, but also worked with racing’s most memorable personalities, including Hall of Famers Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Roberts.

“Of course they all loved to race,” Clark said. “Mike, especially, loved to race and more than Kenny and more than Ago, the money didn’t come into it with Mike. He just loved to race. If he could have raced seven days a week, he would have done that. Mike also was the best at racing around problems with the bike. He would still try to win, and think he could win, no matter what.

“Kenny, I respect him for coming in from America and winning,” Clark continued. “It was different in every way, a different league, a different culture. Even the dogs, when you whistled at them, they would look at you and say, ‘I don’t understand that kind of whistle.’ But Kenny adapted and progressed and he represented the vanguard of American riders coming to Europe.”

Clark was born Sept. 29, 1936, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). He studied engineering at Bulawayo Technical High School and did his apprenticeship for Rhodesia Railways. As a vibrant motorcycling counter-culture developed in Zimbabwe, Clark’s high-school friend, Gary Hocking, built a reputation first on the streets of Bulawayo then on local racetracks. Hocking’s exploits ultimately took him to Europe, and he encouraged Clark to follow.

In 1960, Hocking got a ride with MV Agusta and hired Clark as his tuner. That year, Hocking was runner up in 125, 250 and 350cc FIM World Championships. In 1961, he won the 350 and 500cc titles on bikes tuned by Clark.

Clark went to work for the factory Honda team and Jim Redman following Hocking’s death in a Formula One car crash in 1962. He stayed with Honda, where he worked with Hailwood, and then joined a Yamaha satellite team in 1971. The following year, he moved to the Yamaha factory team.

Clark is the third member of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame class of 2012 to be announced. He joins the late Rod Bush, KTM North America president and industry visionary, and pioneering female motocrosser Sue Fish. The rest of the 2012 inductees will be announced in random order in the coming weeks.

The class of 2012 will officially be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Nov. 16 as part of the AMA Legends Weekend. The weekend also includes the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Concours d’Elegance on Saturday, Nov. 17, featuring many of the country’s most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles.

In addition to the current class, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony shines the spotlight on two previously inducted members of the Hall of Fame, reminding the motorcycling community of the amazing careers of these Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends. For 2012, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends will be 1998 inductees Malcolm Smith, a pioneer in off-road motorcycling and a star in the motorcycle documentary “On Any Sunday,” and Mert Lawwill, the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion whose title defense was the central theme of the timeless film.

Tickets for the AMA Legends Weekend are now available through this online registration form: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5r7zy8ea4316694&llr=vw9ldxbab or by calling (800) 342-5464.

The AMA Legends Weekend will be held at the Las Vegas Red Rock Resort, a world-class spa, hotel and casino, featuring a range of entertainment, dining and family-friendly attractions. The facility’s expansive ballrooms provide a stunning backdrop for the AMA Legends Weekend. Room reservations are available now at a special group rate by calling (866) 767-7773 and referencing group code RCIAME or AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST. Online room reservations are available at www.redrocklasvegas.com.

More information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame can be found at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

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 the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.