Rider Files

Lorenzo relishing renewed Rossi partnership
Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo has stated that Valentino Rossi’s return to the team for the 2013 will give him extra motivation and that he is relishing having the Italian as a teammate once more. Read more.

Indianapolis kicks off second part of Moto3™ season
The Moto3™ contingent heads to the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix after a five-week absence this weekend to once again light up the track with its intense on-track battles. Read more.

Moto2™ grid to resume battle at Indianapolis
After nearly five weeks off, the Moto2™ grid will once again be rearing to go as the intermediate-class descends on the famous Brickyard for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. Read more.

MotoGP™ focus on Indianapolis after Rossi confirms future
Following an eventful and well-deserved break, the MotoGP™ field will reunite at the famous Brickyard for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix this weekend to once again battle it out for on-track supremacy. Read more.

(NEWS RELEASE)

The Motorcyclepedia Museum will take you there with Kaizen, the first exhibit in America dedicated exclusively to classic Japanese motorcycles. “Kaizen” is a Japanese word that means “beneficial change.” It is also the business philosophy of constant incremental improvement that enabled the Japanese to revolutionize the world motorcycle market.

Where were you in ’72?

Or how about 1965, when those little Honda step-throughs were everywhere? Now you could get a motorcycle, because your mother was not afraid of it. Heck, your mother even wanted one herself.

Cool thing about those little Japanese bikes is that they grew up, right along with you. They got bigger and faster, and a lot sexier. By the time the Suzuki Hustler or the Kawasaki Triple arrived, those tough guys on Brit bikes were no longer pulling up beside you at red lights. Then came the Honda Four and next the Kawasaki Z1. Fergedaboudit!

You know where you were in ’72, and sometimes you wish you were still there.

Don’t worry, the Motorcyclepedia Museum will take you there with Kaizen, the first exhibit in America dedicated exclusively to classic Japanese motorcycles.

“Kaizen” is a Japanese word that means “beneficial change.” It is also the business philosophy of constant incremental improvement that enabled the Japanese to revolutionize the world motorcycle market.

So join us, as we travel back to ’72 and earlier to see the bikes you had and the ones you wish you had. Kaizen opens September 7, 2012. For times, directions, and more information, go to motorcyclepediamuseum.org/.

Kaizen is a creation of the Antique Motorcycle Foundation. For more information, click www.antiquemotorcyclefoundation.org.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Championship Battles Beginning to Hit the Home Stretch

Unadilla is a historic part of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. (Courtesy Steve Cox)

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 13, 2012) – As always, the sand track in Southwick produced a wild day of action last weekend as the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, returned to the East Coast. Following dramatic victories by the respective series points leaders, the schedule returns to Central New York on Saturday, August 18, for the highly-anticipated Red Bull Unadilla National, in New Berlin.

For over 40 years, Unadilla has hosted premier motocross races and with this season’s championships hitting the home stretch, the thousands of fans in attendance will be treated to an afternoon of high-intensity competition. Unadilla is considered hallowed ground in the sport of motocross, and thanks to the facility’s rough terrain, high speed, and incredibly big air, it will be a fitting way to showcase the world’s best riders with a full day of live television coverage, highlighted by a network broadcast on NBC that will reach millions of homes.

Last weekend at Moto-X 338, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey needed a rare pit stop for fuel to secure his seventh consecutive win of the 2012 season. After a dominant win in the opening moto, Dungey put himself in position for a similar result in Moto 2, only to go down while leading, which caused fuel to spill from his bike in the process. After remounting his KTM in second, Dungey surged back into the lead and built a double-digit advantage on the field. Just a couple laps later, he pulled into the mechanics area to get additional fuel and ultimately settled for second in the moto, which was enough for the overall victory.

Ryan Dungey is looking for his eighth straight win on Saturday. (Courtesy Carl Stone)

“The TV footage allowed our guys to see what happened, which helped them decide to bring me in,” explained Dungey at the end of the race. “(It) worked out because I wouldn’t have made another lap.”

With his win, Dungey extended his lead in the championship over MotoConcepts Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, who finished second at Southwick, to 85 points with three rounds remaining. If Dungey is able to gain 15 points on his rival at Unadilla on Saturday, he will claim his second 450 Class title in three seasons.

Last season at Unadilla, eventual champion Ryan Villopoto dominated aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki, sweeping the day’s motos for arguably the most convincing effort of the 2011 season and effectively putting himself in control of the championship. Dungey followed in second.

With just 11 points separating Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett and GEICO Honda’s Justin Barcia in the 250 Class standings coming into Moto-X 338, all eyes were on this duo to see how things would unfold. Based on his past success in Southwick, Barcia was considered a favorite, especially with the momentum of a win at the previous round. However, after finding himself on the ground in the first turn of the opening moto, Barcia’s day would be one filled with misfortune, while Baggett took advantage of the opportunity to take back control of the championship.

Blake Baggett has the most wins in the 250 Class this season with four. (Courtesy Carl Stone)

Baggett followed up his solid third-place finish in the opening moto with a captivating battle for the Moto 2 win with Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen. A late pass for the lead put Baggett into a tie with GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac for the overall victory, but thanks to the second-moto tiebreaker, he captured his fourth victory of the season and extended his points lead.

Despite starting at the tail end of the field in the first moto, Barcia battled back to finish seventh and grabbed a much better start in the final moto. However, after he hit a tree on the inside of a corner, Barcia fell and lost valuable ground on his rivals. He rebounded to finish fourth, for fifth overall, but lost 13 points to Baggett in the championship and faces a 24-point deficit coming into Unadilla.

Last year at Unadilla, eventual champion Dean Wilson won his first race of the 2011 season aboard his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, leading all but four laps of competition and solidifying himself as the rider to beat for the title.

Unadilla hosted a round of the inaugural Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in 1972, and has been a part of the Nationals landscape ever since. It remains one of the most unique venues in the sport, thanks to its rolling hills and incredible natural terrain. It boasts a high-speed layout, yet is the site of notorious and awe-inspiring obstacles like Gravity Cavity, The Wall, and the Skyshot.

The Red Bull Unadilla National will feature a full day of live broadcast coverage. Opening motos of both the 450 and 250 Classes will be featured live on FUEL TV, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern, while also streaming live online at AlliSports.com. Second moto coverage begins with a live broadcast of the 450 Class on NBC at 3 p.m. Eastern, with a live broadcast of the 250 Class following immediately after on NBC Sports Network at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Previous Round Results and Current Standings

Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship

Moto-X 338 National

Moto-X 338 – Southwick Mass.

August 11, 2012

Round 9 of 12

450 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM (1-2)
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki (2-3)
3. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki (6-4)
4. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha (7-6)
5. Tyla Rattray, Durban, South Africa, Kawasaki (20-1)
6. Mike Brown, Johnson City, Tenn., KTM (9-7)
7. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki (8-8)
8. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda (5-11)
9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki (11-9)
10. Tommy Hahn, Great Bend, Kan., Honda (3-35)

450 Class Championship Standings

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 430
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 345
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 290
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 273
5. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Kawasaki, 253
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 195
7. Justin Brayton, Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Honda, 185
8. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Kawasaki, 159
9. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Suzuki, 151
10. Brett Metcalfe, Mannum, Australia, Suzuki, 142

250 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki (3-1)
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda (1-3)
3. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM (4-2)
4. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM (2-5)
5. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda (7-4)
6. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM (6-7)
7. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda (8-6)
8. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda (5-11)
9. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda (10-10)
10. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha (12-12)

250 Class Championship Standings

1. Blake Baggett, Grand Terrace, Calif., Kawasaki, 400
2. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Honda, 376
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 368
4. Ken Roczen, Apolda, Germany, KTM, 345
5. Marvin Musquin, La Reole, France, KTM, 294
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 230
7. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 197
8. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M, Suzuki, 181
9. Jessy Nelson, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 170
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda, 156

Tickets for the remaining 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.

(NEWS RELEASE)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — As many as 10 national motocross champions were able to take home the prestigious AMA national No. 1 plate this month thanks to the defeat one year ago of the “lead law” that banned the sale of kid’s dirtbikes, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.

The 10 young riders under the age of 12 earned their awards at the 2012 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships held July 30 to Aug. 4 at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Cobra Motorcycles, which makes kids’ competition motocross machines, saw a lot of that success. Cobra President Sean Hilbert said that his riders’ titles wouldn’t have happened without the defeat of the lead law.

“It is very clear that we would not have been at Loretta Lynn’s without the lead law victory,” Hilbert said. “The success was made that much sweeter due to the categorical exemption of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles that made it possible, and obviously the AMA played a big role in that.”

For Cobra, 2012 was a bright spot for another reason: the company’s first AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship in the 65cc class.

Utah’s Pierce Brown won a 65cc AMA national title for Cobra, which has been a longtime 50cc-class powerhouse. Brown won all three motos to sweep the 65 (7-9) Stock class.

“We introduced that model in the early part of 2012, and within a few months, we had a national championship under our belts,” Hilbert said. “We’re extremely proud of that accomplishment.”

One year ago today — on Aug. 12, 2011 — President Obama signed into law H.R. 2715 to exempt kids’ off-highway vehicles from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, known as the lead law.

“There were three things that came together to defeat the lead law,” Hilbert said. “One was the fact that as a community, motorcyclists rallied together in a way that I’ve never seen on any single issue. Another was the AMA staff in Washington, D.C. They really knew how to navigate the waters of federal government, and who to see and how to see them. The third was the role of companies like Cobra and MX Sports — strong local businesses that were able to demonstrate very clearly how the law was going to impact local economies.”

The CPSIA, which went into effect on Feb. 10, 2009, banned the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under, including kids’ dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles, that contained more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part.

The details of the three-year battle to exempt kid-sized dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles from the CPSIA – including the efforts of tens of thousands of AMA members — can be viewed at http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/KeepKidMotorcyclesAndATVsLegal.aspx.

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.