The Rider Files

July 31, 2010

Rizla Suzuki Invites Elena Myers To Ride GSV-R MotoGP Racebike At Valencia

Filed under: Road Racing — admin @ 9:49 am

(News Release)

Elena Myers tries Loris Capirossi's MotoGP racebike on for size in a paddock garage at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Elena Myers tries Loris Capirossi's MotoGP racebike on for size in a paddock garage at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team has invited AMA Pro Racing SuperSport race winner Elena Myers to ride a factory GSV-R racebike in Valencia, Spain following the final MotoGP event of the 2010 season.

The offer was made after 16-year-old Myers was invited to tour the Rizla Suzuki pit garage during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca last weekend.

“We saw that she was doing quite well over here on her Suzuki,” said Tim Walpole, Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Press and PR Officer. “So we thought she might like to come by the box and get to meet the guys and have a look at how we do things.”

“It blows my mind that people like that are kind of looking at me and the AMA stuff,” said Myers, who rides for the Lucas Oil Roadracingworld.com RMR Suzuki team. “To get this opportunity is a once in a lifetime kind of thing.”

When Myers arrived in Rizla Suzuki’s bustling garage, she was introduced to MotoGP racer Loris Capirossi, who asked a lot of questions about her racing and then immediately invited her to sit on one of his GSV-R racebikes.

“It felt really small,” said Myers, “but everything, all the bars and levers and pegs were exactly where I wanted it. I was like, ‘I could ride this thing right out of here.’

“It was really cool, especially talking to Capirossi. I have a lot of respect for the guy but even more now that I’ve talked to him. I thought he was a really down-to-earth guy. Talking to him was just crazy, to say the least.”

Myers also met Rizla Suzuki’s MotoGP rookie Alvaro Bautista, who explained what all the switches and buttons on the GSV-R’s handlebars and dashboard did.

(From left) Loris Capirossi, Elena Myers, Alvaro Bautista.

(From left) Loris Capirossi, Elena Myers, Alvaro Bautista.

After Myers chatted with Bautista, it was time for the Rizla Suzuki crew to start the warm-up procedure on one of Capirossi’s machines, and they asked for Myers’ assistance in blipping the throttle of the 240-horsepower beast.

“It was like a 125 almost with the way the rpm went up so fast,” said Myers. “Any movement of the throttle made the revs jump so fast. I’m just speechless about the whole thing.”

While she was visiting the Rizla Suzuki garage, a couple of different team staffers asked Myers if she would like to ride one of the GSV-R racebikes some time, and she thought they were joking. But Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Paul Denning then made it clear that he would like to give her an opportunity to do some laps on one of the bikes, after the season-ending Grand Prix at Valencia, in Spain. Denning explained that it wouldn’t be a test, but just a chance for Myers to experience riding a MotoGP racebike.

“If I could ride it that would just be the most insane thing ever, even if it was for just a couple of laps. I’m just speechless about it, it’s so crazy,” said Myers.

“It was all pretty overwhelming, but that’s where I want to be some day,” said Myers. “And this just makes me want it even more now. I’m going to be motivated no matter what, but seeing what this is all like makes me want it even more.”

Team USA announced for 2010 International Six Days Enduro

Filed under: General — admin @ 12:35 am

(News Release)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce the riders who will contest the 85th International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) for AMA Team USA. The World Trophy Team will headline the U.S. effort. This year, taking on the best off-road racers in the world Nov. 1-6 in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, are: Destry Abbott, Mike Brown, Kurt Caselli, Jimmy Jarrett, Timmy Weigand and Nathan Woods.

“With the ISDE in Mexico this year, AMA Team USA is looking forward to competing so close to home, and this is the team that can put us on the box in 2010,” said AMA Off-Road Racing Manager Chuck Weir. “These riders are hungry for success at off-road racing’s crown jewel event, and each one of them is committed to doing what’s necessary to win at this storied international competition.

“Our team announcement was delayed this year due to some international concerns regarding the location,” Weir continued. “However, the Federation International de Motocyclisme, which sanctions this world championship event, recently finalized its report following a site visit. The report found the location suitable for this competition, and we are permitted to proceed. All systems are go for AMA Team USA at the 2010 ISDE.”

The World Trophy Team is one of three premier teams that represent the U.S. at the ISDE. The other premier teams are the Junior Trophy Team, which fields four riders younger than 23-years old, and the Women’s Trophy Team, which fields three riders. In addition, several club team members represent the United States at the event.

The AMA Team USA Junior Trophy Team will include Ian Blythe from Sedalia, Colo.; Cory Buttrick from Logan, Ohio; Nick Fahringer from Englewood, Ohio; and Taylor Robert from Scottsdale, Ariz. Blythe will ride a KTM 250 SXF in the E1 class. Buttrick will ride a KTM 450 XC-W in the E2 class. Fahringer will ride a Husaberg FE450 in the E2 class. Taylor will ride a Yamaha YZ450F in the E2 class.

The AMA Team USA Women’s Cup Team will include Nicole Bradford from Avon, Colo.; Amanda Mastin from Whitehouse, Ohio; and Kerrie Swartz from Moore, Okla. Bradford will compete on a KTM 250 EXC. Mastin will race a Yamaha YZ250F. Swartz will ride a KTM 200 XC. All of the Women’s Cup Team riders will compete in the E2 class.

Although it is not a recognized class by the FIM, AMA Team USA also designates a Senior Club Team of veterans from the club team members. This year, the club team will feature Billy Burns from Dorset, Vt.; Jeff Fredette from Beecher, Ill.; and Donald Williams from Minden, Nev.

Riders at the ISDE compete in one of three displacement classes: the E1 class, which features 100cc to 125cc two-stroke and 175cc to 250cc four-stroke motorcycles; the E2 class, which features 175cc to 250cc two-stroke and 290cc to 450cc four-stroke motorcycles; and the E3 class, which features 290cc to 500cc two-stroke and 475cc to 650cc four-stroke motorcycles.

Veterans anchor World Trophy effort

Abbott, from Peoria, Ariz., is an AMA Team USA veteran and World Trophy Team co-captain. In addition to the ISDE, Abbott contests the AMA Racing National Hare & Hound Championship Series for Monster Energy Kawasaki. The 37-year-old five-time AMA National Hare & Hound Champion is a four-time ISDE Gold Medalist and will represent the U.S. on the Trophy Team for the sixth time. Abbott is competing on a Kawasaki KX450 in the E2 class.

“The ISDE continues to be one of my all-time favorite events,” Abbott said. “I look forward to it every year, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish as a team. This year’s team is extremely strong, and consists of five riders who know what to expect and what it takes to conquer this event and bring home a gold. Our rookie ISDE guy this year is Mike Brown, whose reputation speaks for itself. I know he’s wanted to compete in the ISDE for a while, and I also know what he’s capable of, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he accomplishes.”

Abbott added that while the team expects to benefit from the event being held in the Americas this year, success will require a strong commitment from everyone involved.

“The fact that the ISDE is being held in Mexico this year has really helped with overall support,” Abbott said. “The manufacturers are 100 percent behind us and believe we can do something special, but it’s still going to be a lot of work and we all need to ride our best. For those who have never had the opportunity to attend, it’s by far one of the coolest events to watch. It’s the closest you’ll ever get to see the best off-road riders in the world, so I’m hoping a lot of Americans try and make it down to support us.”

Caselli, from Palmdale, Calif., is the other co-captain of the World Trophy Team and is returning to the team for the fourth time. The 26-year-old Caselli, who races off-road events for the KTM/FMF Racing factory team, has placed the ISDE near the top of his racing program the past few years. Caselli will race a KTM 250 EXC in the E1 class.

Caselli battled for the overall lead at the 2008 ISDE before crashing out on day three. In 2007, Caselli also led a significant portion of the event before ultimately winning the E3 class. In 2006, Caselli was a member of the championship Junior Trophy Team.

Brown, from Bluff City, Tenn., is a new rider this year. Brown, who currently competes in off-road events for the FMF/KTM factory team, is an accomplished national-caliber motocross racer. Brown won the AMA 125cc National Motocross Championship title in 2001. Brown will race a KTM 250 EXC in the E1 class.

Weigand, from Santa Clarita, Calif., replaced an injured Woods on AMA Team USA in 2009 and returns to the team for the second time. Weigand rides for Johnny Campbell Racing and is the 2009 AMA Racing Western Regional Hare Scrambles Champion. Weigand will race a Honda CRF450R in the E2 class.

Jarrett, from Salem, Ohio, also brings several years of experience to the team. Jarrett races the GNCC Series for GEICO Monster Kawasaki. This will be the Ohioan’s sixth year representing the U.S. on the Trophy Team. Jarrett will race a Kawasaki KX450 in the E2 class.

This will be second trip to the ISDE for the 30-year-old Woods, who races WORCS for Team FMF Suzuki and competes in the AMA Endurocross series. Woods, from Paso Robles, Calif., will race a Husaberg FE570 in the E3 class.

Club teams out in force

While the Trophy Team, the Women’s Trophy Team and the Junior Trophy Team are critical pieces of the U.S. effort, they are only a part of the AMA Team USA contingent that makes the trek to the annual event. Club team riders also will ride on the team.

The following riders were selected as club team members: Michael Berenbak from Reno, Nev.; Chase Bishop from Monterey, Tenn.; Jordan Brandt from Boulder Creek, Colo.; Sam Buffa from Brooklyn, N.Y.; Fred Hoess from Stanhope, N.J.; Nolan Irwin from Santa Rosa, Calif.; Jeremy Ketchum from Gallatin, Tenn.; Zachary Klamfoth from Canal Winchester, Ohio; Mike Monroe from Helena, Ala.; Duell Murphy from Huntington, Ind.; Wallace Palmer from Mullica Hill, N.J.; Cory Pincock from Pleasant View, Utah; Cody Schafer from Wheat Ridge, Colo.; Anthony Simontacchi from Rohnert Park, Calif.; Brian Sperle from Hayward, Calif.; Shawn Strong from Alpine, Utah; Jarkko Vainio from Park City, Utah; and Lars O. Valin from Eureka, Mo.

The AMA Team USA ISDE effort would be impossible without the support of various companies. These include Arai, Spectro, Motion Pro and KLIM.

America’s motorcyclists can help support Team USA, and look good while doing it, by buying an official Team USA ISDE T-Shirt. All proceeds support the massive effort to transport the riders, bikes and crew to and from Portugal. To buy a shirt, just visit the AMA’s online store at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Gear > Apparel > 2010 ISDE T-shirt.

For more information on the ISDE and Team USA, please see the AMA Racing section of this website.

July 30, 2010

Tysor Blur

Filed under: Flat Track, Road Racing — admin @ 12:39 am

Greg Tysor is a blur as he speeds down the front straightaway on his Yamaha FZ600 at Talladega Grand Prix Raceway in a WERA Sprint race in August of 1986. Tysor had a great, albeit relatively short, road racing career in both WERA and in AMA Pro events. Prior to that he was a strong regional flat track racer. He came back to flat track later in life and holds the distinction of being the oldest rider ever to make his debut in an AMA Grand National. He was 40 at the time.

Greg Tysor is a blur as he speeds down the front straightaway on his Yamaha FZR600 at Talladega Grand Prix Raceway in a WERA Sprint race in August of 1986. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Greg Tysor is a blur as he speeds down the front straightaway on his Yamaha FZ600 at Talladega Grand Prix Raceway in a WERA Sprint race in August of 1986. (Larry Lawrence photo)

July 29, 2010

Team Honda/Moriwaki Moto2 entry at Indy to use Schwantz’s famous number 34

Filed under: Road Racing — admin @ 3:49 pm

(News Release)

TEAM HONDA/MORIWAKI Moto2 ENTRY AT INDY TO USE FAMOUS NUMBER 34

Roger Lee's rider for the Moto2 race at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.

Roger Lee's rider for the Moto2 race at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. (Courtesy American Honda)

INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, July 29, 2010 – Every type of racing features vehicle numbers that forever will be associated with a certain competitor, such as 43 and Richard Petty in NASCAR or 14 and A.J. Foyt in Indy cars.

In Grand Prix motorcycle racing, 34 forever will be linked to American legend Kevin Schwantz, who used that number during his career while thrilling fans worldwide with his all-out style that led to 25 Grand Prix victories and the 1993 500cc World Championship. The FIM, the world governing body of motorcycle racing, made the rare move of retiring Schwantz’s number, a testament to his popularity.

But that number is coming out of retirement for the first time since Schwantz stopped racing in 1995, as American Roger Lee Hayden will ride the No. 34 Team Honda/Moriwaki wild-card entry in the Moto2 class at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 27-29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Schwantz is the team manager.

American Honda unveiled the bike with Schwantz and Hayden during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix on July 23-25 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif. World-renowned artist Aldo Drudi, founder of Drudi Performance, designed the patriotic American graphic design scheme for the bike.

Officials also announced that Team Honda/Moriwaki’s Moto2 effort at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP will raise funds to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) Ride for Kids® (RFK) program and its efforts to fight childhood brain tumors. Since 1991, the Honda Riders Club of America® (HRCA®) has been the presenting sponsor of the Ride for Kids®.

For the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, the Ride for Kids logo will be placed on the bike, leathers and uniforms of the Team Honda/Moriwaki Moto2 team. But fans can visit www.rideforkids.org now to make a donation and receive collector apparel.

At IMS, staff will be on site to sell Drudi-designed replica team T-shirts and hats with proceeds designated for the PBTF. There will also be a photo opportunity for fans to have their portrait taken with the painted team bike, with the proceeds to benefit the PBTF.

Schwantz also will lead a Lap of Champions at Indy, a parade lap around the GP circuit limited to only 300 motorcycles. Proceeds from this event also will go to the PBTF. A set of autographed leathers from the Team Honda/Moriwaki Moto2 effort also will be auctioned after the race, with proceeds donated to the PBTF.

The Lowest Paid Factory Rider of All-Time?

Filed under: Flat Track, Road Racing — admin @ 3:10 pm
Keith Mashburn got paid just $20 per race by Yamaha, yet he loved it. He was a factory rider.

Keith Mashburn got paid just $20 per race by Yamaha, yet he loved it. He was a factory rider.

Yamaha recognized the talent of a young Keith Mashburn and hired him to race its new DT-1 in TT races at Ascot Park, where he may have earned the dubious distinction of becoming the lowest paid factory rider of all time.

“I was paid $20 per race and they would match the purse up to 20 dollars,” Mashburn says with a laugh. “So the maximum I could get from Yamaha was $40 per race. But I was 18 years old and I had factory leathers and all I had to do was show up at the track. They give me the best tuner in the world in Dennis Mahan.”

The Mahan and Mashburn relationship didn’t get off on the right foot.

“In retrospect, as good of a tuner as Dennis was, he was probably a little put off by the fact that he was building bikes for a novice,” Mashburn says. “I told him I wanted a pillion pad put on the rear fender and he said no. I told him that I was the rider, he was the mechanic and I wanted a pillion pad. He said the bike was designed for the rider to stay in one place. I told him I wanted a pillion pad and he said, ‘Well then you aren’t going to ride this bike.’ So I didn’t get a pillion pad.”

Riding Mahan-tuned bikes, Mashburn was nearly unbeatable as a novice. He even beat the experts at the short track program in Daytona.

Yamaha hired Mashburn as an R&D test rider where he worked with Don Dudek. He tested prototype Yamaha’s in the vast desert around Las Vegas to keep things top secret. “We’d get back to hotel in the evenings and the Japanese engineers would head off to the Casinos and leave the under-age guys like myself behind,” Mashburn recalls.

One of the bikes Mashburn tested was Yamaha’s first four-stroke, the XS-1, a 650cc vertical twin. In 1970 he rode the XS-1 to its debut victory in a Yamaha Gold Cup race at Ascot Park.

“That first race bike was actually built from top to bottom by Ray Hensley of Trackmaster,” Keith said. “I never rode the bike until it was delivered to the track by Ray the night of the event. Shell (Thuet) later built a road racing version of the 650, and being Mr. Loyal, I agreed to ride it at Daytona. The bike tore its self apart after just a few laps.”

Mashburn discovered early on that road racing was never going to be his forte.

“I used how quick I could get through the fast left-hand kink in the infield at Daytona as a guide to how well I was catching on to road racing,” he says. “One day in practice I went through there and thought I was really hauling ass. ‘Now I’m starting to get this,’ I thought to myself. Just then Dave Smith went around me on the outside and tapped me on the shoulder.”

Mashburn scored six top-10 AMA Grand National finishes his rookie season, including a podium on the Terre Haute (Ind.) Half-Mile.

At another race a chain broke on his bike in one practice session and he ran hard into the back of Bart Markel as he was free-wheeling into a turn.

Mashburn racing one of Yamaha's vertical twins.

Mashburn racing one of Yamaha's vertical twins.

“I’d heard all the stories about Black Bart and his boxing career and what he’d done to people,” Mashburn said. “I decided walking back to my pits to keep my helmet on in case he came over to punch me. I walked around with the helmet on for the longest time. I finally took it off and worked up the courage to go over to his pits to explain to him what happened. He was sitting there and looked up at me and said, ‘If I was going fast enough you wouldn’t have been able to run into me.”

Ultimately racing many of Yamaha’s prototype machines often hurt Mashburn’s results in the following two seasons. “Whenever Yamaha wanted to test something I was the first one to raise my hand,” he said. The result was a lot of DNFs as Yamaha tried to perfect its new four-stroke against the more established Harley-Davidsons.

After being dropped by Yamaha, Mashburn made a half-hearted attempt to stay in racing in 1973, but when someone offered him decent money for his Triumph race bike he jumped on it. It was tough for Keith to race as a privateer after four years as factory rider.

Mashburn went on to become a fire investigator and totally walked away from motorcycling for over a decade. It was Skip Van Leeuwen who encouraged him to come back and be a part of the sport that had been such a big part of his life.

Today Mashburn is the president of the famous Trailblazers Motorcycle Club and he loves attending vintage meets and gatherings of racers.

July 28, 2010

MC doing TV

Filed under: General, Motocross-Supercross — admin @ 11:17 pm

(News Release)

JEREMY McGRATH PULLING ESPN BROADCASTING DUTIES FOR SIX EVENTS AT X GAMES 16!!
July 29th through August 1st

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 28, 2010) – With six years of X Games competition under his belt, seven-time supercross Champ Jeremy McGrath, is taking time off from competition to do television duty for ESPN for the next four days for X Games 16! Starting Thursday, July 29th, McGrath will be serving as one of the on-air hosts for 6 of the televised moto events — Moto X Super X Adaptive; Moto X Super X – men’s and women’s races; Moto X Step Up; Moto X Best Whip and Moto X Speed & Style.

X Games 16 takes place in the greater downtown Los Angeles area at four separate venues simultaneously – LA Coliseum, LA Live, Nokia Theatre and Staples Center. Up first for McGrath – LIVE coverage of Moto X Super X racing, from the LA Coliseum, late in the day Thursday; two more events Friday at Staples Center and then coverage of Speed & Style, also from Staples Center on Sunday. Be sure to check your local ESPN television listings for the times of your favorite X Games events!

Joining an illustrious group of X athletes doing TV duty this year including Keir Dillon and Tony Hawk, McGrath had this to say about the 2010 X Games, “this will be the first time I go to the X Games and not compete – it is going to be something different for me but I am super excited to have been given this opportunity with the broadcast crew at ESPN. Looking forward to just being a spectator this year too!”

Visit www.expn.com for up to date X Games 16 information.

JEREMY McGRATH PERSONAL SPONSORS:
Monster Energy Drink; American Honda; Parts Unlimited; Thor; Spy Optics; DC Shoes; Troy Lee Designs; Kicker Audio; Dunlop Tires; Coyne Powersports Group; Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Specialized Bicycles.

WEBSITE www.jeremymcgrath2.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/jeremymcgrath2

Petersen and D’Aluisio Battle at IRP

Filed under: Road Racing — admin @ 4:18 pm

Robbie Petersen and Chris D’Aluisio had a great battle in the WERA Formula 2 race at Indianapolis Raceway Park (now called O’Reilly Raceway Park) back in a WERA National Series race in the early 1990s. D’Aluisio managed to slip past Petersen in the closing stages of the race to take the victory. Both riders raced for Southwest Motorsports. Today Petersen is crew chief for Ben Bostrom with Clark Motorsports Yamaha and D’Aluisio is still racing and winning bicycle races.

Southwest Motorsports teammates Robbie Petersen (16) and Chris D’Aluisio (2) had a great battle in the WERA Formula 2 race at Indianapolis Raceway Park (now called O’Reilly Raceway Park) back in a WERA National Series race in the early 1990s. D’Aluisio won with a late-race pass on Petersen. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Southwest Motorsports teammates Robbie Petersen (16) and Chris D’Aluisio (2) had a great battle in the WERA Formula 2 race at Indianapolis Raceway Park (now called O’Reilly Raceway Park) back in a WERA National Series race in the early 1990s. D’Aluisio won with a late-race pass on Petersen. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Grand Marshall’s Dinner on Friday

Filed under: Flat Track — admin @ 2:58 pm

(News Release)

AMA PRO GRAND NATIONAL RACING RETURNS TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE BRED

Saturday, July 31st
Calistoga, Californa

The last AMA Pro Grand National held in Northern California was at the Sacramenoto Mile in 1999. From 1954-1999 fans had the opportunity to witness exciting dirt track motorcycle racing all over Northern California; Albany, Fresno, Sacramento, Salinas, San Jose and San Mateo.

Northern California has also been the home to several AMA Pro Grand National Champions;
1954,56,57 Joe Leonard – San Jose, CA
1963-71 Dick Mann – Richmond, CA
1969 Mert Lawwill – Sausalito, CA
1972 Mark Brelsford – Woodside, CA
1973-74 Kenny Roberts – Modesto, CA
1979 Steve Eklund – San Jose, CA
1982, 84, 93 Ricky Graham – Seaside, CA
1992, 99, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 Chris Carr – Stockton, CA

In celebration to the return of AMA Pro Grand National Championship racing, Motion Pro is hosting the Grand Marshall’s Dinner on Friday at Brannan’s Grill in Calistoga, CA. Cocktail hour will begin at 5:30pm and the dinner will begin promptly at 6 p.m.

Special guest include; Joe Leonard, Carroll Resweber, Dick Mann and Everett Brashear.

Ticket orders: Motion Pro Grand Marshall’s Dinner Info

Motocross des Nations coming to Lakewood – Sept. 25-26

Filed under: General, Motocross-Supercross — admin @ 2:51 pm

(News Release) 

World’s Best Coming to the Motocross of Nations
from Lakewood September 25-26
Dungey, Cairoli, Pourcel and Musquin Slated To Lead Star-Studded Lineup

MXdNats 1LAKEWOOD, Colo. (July 28, 2010) – With the Midwest’s premier outdoor motocross national under its belt, Thunder Valley Motocross Park is setting its sights on the 2010 Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations, the world’s biggest professional motocross event, commencing on September 25-26. In just eight weeks, the entire motocross world will converge on the scenic mountainside landscape for what is sure to be an epic competition amongst the planet’s most talented motocross athletes.

As the world’s premier motocross series’ continue in both the United States and Europe, the fastest riders from all over the globe are primed and ready to lead their countries into the Mile High City for quite possibly the most challenging and deeply talented Motocross of Nations in history.

Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, of the United States, is leading the way in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, boasting seven consecutive victories in eight rounds of competition. Last year, the 20-year-old rider raced to the overall title in the MX1 class at the MXoN from Franciacorta, Italy, while leading Team USA to victory and so far in his first season on a 450cc bike has taken the sport by storm, becoming only the second rookie to win the Monster Energy Supercross title and sitting in position to become the first rookie in the history of the sport to win the AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross titles back-to-back. As the reigning MXoN champion, Dungey is expected to return as America’s team leader and if he does, the target will undoubtedly be on his back. However, if his current success is any indication, Dungey is more than ready.

Just one year after claiming the MX1 FIM World Championship, Red Bull KTM’s Antonio Cairoli, of Italy, is on his way to capturing a second consecutive world title. Through 10 rounds of competition in 2010, Cairoli has posted four overall wins including taking the victory at the USGP from Glen Helen in May. Last year in front of his home country, Cairoli held off American Motocross Champion Chad Reed to take the win in the opening moto of the MXoN. As a likely two-time champion, Team Italy will almost certainly tab Cairoli as its captain and with the new KTM 350cc machine proving to be a winner, he will look to make a little history of his own on the smaller bike.

After a stellar debut season in the U.S., Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Christophe Pourcel, of France, sits atop the 250 Class standings in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The 2007 MX2 World Champion has two overall victories through eight rounds and has won at least one moto at all but one event while already wrapping up his second consecutive Monster Energy Supercross Lites Eastern Regional title earlier in the season. After taking a year away from the MXoN to heal from lingering injuries, Pourcel is looking forward to a return to global competition in 2010 as the rumored team leader for France in MX1.

Slated to sit alongside Pourcel at Team France is reigning MX2 FIM World Champion Marvin Musquin. The 20-year-old Red Bull KTM rider has dominated in his title defense, leading the way with seven overall wins in 10 rounds, including a dominating performance at the USGP. Last year in Italy, he was the top MX2 rider at the MXoN, defeating several of the world’s premier MX1 riders along the way and with an impending move stateside, the world’s premier motocross event on U.S. soil would serve as an ideal site for a formal introduction to American fans.

Additionally, domestic and international stars like Ben Townley, Gautier Paulin, Brett Metcalfe, David Philippaerts, Dean Wilson, Ken Roczen, Tyla Rattray and many more are expected to be selected participants headlining teams from over 35 nations in a global invasion of the stars of motocross from Lakewood.

Tickets, VIP Packages and camping reservations are available now! General Admission prices start at just $45 while VIP Packages are available for as little as $200. Camping spaces are going fast and cost just $150. Log onto www.tvmx.net today to get a head start on the competition and reserve a spot for the world’s biggest professional motocross competition.

Bauman wins 2010 AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award

Filed under: Flat Track — admin @ 11:41 am

(News Release)

Brian Bauman - Horizon Award Winner (Courtesy AMA)

Brian Bauman - Horizon Award Winner (Courtesy AMA)

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Speed wins races. Consistency wins American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) championships. That was the message delivered at the 2010 AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, which ran July 17-23 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill.

Thanks to his solid performances in four dirt-track racing disciplines and three classes all week, Briar Bauman from Salinas, Calif., won the 2010 AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award. Bauman took home two AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships for the week: 450cc Modified and 451cc-Open Modified. He also scored third overall in the 251cc-500cc DTX class behind Ryan Wells and Hayden Gillim. In individual main events, Bauman had six wins, four seconds, a third and a fourth.

“This was one of our closest AMA Horizon Award competitions in recent memory,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “Briar, Ryan and Hayden are exceptional athletes and motorcycle racers, and they all will go on to have successful professional careers, whether on the dirt oval or the roadrace course. Each one is dedicated, passionate and professional. We’re proud of all of them, but this week it was Briar who displayed a slight edge in consistent performance when it mattered most on the track, a quality that all champions must have at every level.”

Bauman gave his support crew credit for the honor.

“There’s no way I could have done this without my family and sponsors,” he said. “I can’t thank my Grandma enough. She’s always been there. I knew there were two other riders battling it out, and we were all really close. I just felt like I could fly! To think they chose me and that my consistency paid off. It’s amazing!”

Although the AMA Horizon Award is the highest-profile special award at the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, other honors recognize various competitors for standout performances.

The AMA Fast Brain Award recognizes a rider whose speed on the track is matched by stellar grades in the classroom. The 2010 Fast Brain award was presented to Chalon Spore from Metropolis, Ill.

Bauman rides the blue groove. (Courtesy AMA)

Bauman rides the blue groove. (Courtesy AMA)

This year, the AMA Fast Brain Award included a $2,000 scholarship, funded by AMA members, including 2010 event special guest and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bill Werner, event honoree Byran Smith, AMA Board of Directors Chairman Stan Simpson, 2009 AMA Grand National Twins Champion Jared Mees, 2010 AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championship Honoree Bryan Smith, the Belleville Enduro Team, Don Schopieray, Mike Sponseller, dirt-track fan Shawn Ralls and AMA Racing.

Spore, who graduated from high school in May, is preparing to go to a local community college and was elated to be chosen as the winner.

“This will really help to pay my college expenses,” Spore said. “When I filled out my registration for riding, I saw the information on the Fast Brain and thought, ‘Well, I might as well submit my grades.’ I never thought I would win. I want to thank all of those who gave money to make this happen. I will certainly put it to good use.”

The AMA Youth Dirt Track Rider of the Year was Brandon Price from Sparks Glencoe, Md. Price won the grand championship in both 65cc classes while dabbling in the 85cc ranks, making every main event.

“I really didn’t expect that I was going to get it,” Price said. “Dalton [Gauthier] won three races on the 85, and I didn’t think I would get it.”

The Vet/Senior Rider of the year was awarded to Senior Vet 50+ Champion Dan Shaw from Decker, Mich. Shaw actually traveled home for work after the TT, but when local inclement weather canceled those plans, he was free to return to the races. He re-loaded his truck, and he and his nephew set out for the 600-plus mile trip back to Du Quoin, showing up in time to ride the half-mile.

“I didn’t realize this award would be given,” Shaw said. “I just wanted to come back because I was having fun.”

The AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships crown Grand National champions based on their accumulated points in all four dirt-track disciplines: short-track, TT, half-mile and mile racing. The top riders compete for the AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award, which honors the amateur racer poised for success on the pro level. Racers field traditional dirt-trackers, all-terrain vehicles and the latest DTX-machinery. DTX bikes are a fast-growing segment of dirt-track racing. They begin as showroom-fresh motocross bikes that are then fitted with dirt-track tires, suspension and other modifications.

For more information on all the disciplines sanctioned by the AMA, see AMARacing.com.

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