Impound MX Magazine

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Team Suzuki’s Chad Ree

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1st things 1st: news & info from the moto scene MegaPixels: eyecandy The Setup: bikes, bikes and more bikes Race Coverage: anaheim 1 lites racing Race Coverage: anaheim 1 supercross racing Race Coverage: baltimore ama arenacross

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T A B L E

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C O N T E N T S

Halftime: heelkickers and flips Privateer Profile: ben lamay is living the dream My First Race: blake wharton takes us through his first sx Race Coverage: houston ama supercross Rookie Watch: how the newbies are doing Fresh: products from motoland

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1st things 1st

HULTNER PULICATIONS 2816 OVERLAND WAY EDMOND, OK 73012 Office (405) 330-3584 Cell (405) 315-6405 E-MAIL chris@amateurmx.com sherri@amateurmx.com WEBSITE www.impoundmx.com STAFF PUBLISHERS Chris & Sherri Hultner EDITOR / DESIGNER / PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Hultner MANAGING EDITOR Breck Bonnell CONTRIBUTORS Trevor Hultner Jeff Hultner Christina Stickel Glenn Commans Kristin Cheatwood Jeff @ mxpreview.com TEST RIDERS Brett Cue Derek Ledbetter Zac Commans Hayden Commans ADVERTISING Sherri Hultner (405) 330-3584

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1st things 1st 2009 National Numbers 1 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 47 48 50 52 53 54 55 57 58 59 60 61 63

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Chad Reed Jason Lawrence Ryan Villopoto Mike Brown Ricky Carmichael James Stewart Grant Langston Ivan Tedesco Ryan Dungey Travis Preston David Vuillemin Heath Voss Kevin Windham Timmy Ferry John Dowd Robbie Reynard David Millsaps Jake Weimer Nico Izzi Cody Cooper Chad Reed Kyle Lewis Brett Metcalfe Nathan Ramsey Michael Byrne Nicholas Wey Charles Summey Andrew Short Ryan Sipes Joshua Grant Matthew Goerke Paul Carpenter Kyle Cunningham Antonio Balbi Kyle Chisholm Trey Canard Matthew Lemoine Jake Moss Broc Tickle Andrew Mcfarlane Jason Thomas Jimmy Albertson Thomas Hahn Wil Hahn Robert Kiniry Jason Lawrence Matt Boni Ryan Clark Jacob Marsack Phillip Nicoletti Troy Adams Broc Hepler Blake Wharton Chris Blose

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64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 105 111 114 116 121 122 125 126 128 129 130 131 138 141 143

Jeff Gibson Shaun Skinner Steve Boniface Josh Hansen Michael Blose Tucker Hibbert Michael Willard Justin Sipes Bryan Johnson Gavin Gracyk Branden Jesseman Joshua Hill Kevin Rookstool Steven Clarke Billy Laninovich Cole Siebler Tyler Bright Kyle Summers Jack Carpenter Dusty Klatt Jarred Browne Sean Borkenhagen Travis Sewell PJ Larsen Bobby Bonds Marc De Reuver Kelly Smith Chad Charbonneau Ryan Morais Kevin Johnson Jacob Morrison Ben Lamay Tyler Wharton Juss Laansoo Kyle Tobin Jase Lewis Joshua Hansen Ben Townley Chris Gosselaar Sean Hamblin Michael Sleeter Justin Brayton Ryan Morais Jeff Dement Dan Reardon Daniel Blair Hunter Hewitt Ross Johnson Vernon McKiddie Kyle Keylon Ryan Beat Michael Lapaglia Steve Boniface Michael Horban

144 147 150 152 153 159 164 173 177 186 198 201 207 212 213 220 221 222 225 229 231 247 252 253 255 257 272 296 308 309 318 321 323 337 350 354 357 359 377 385 386 387 395 401 402 404 407 410 411 412 413 417 421 425

Alex Martin Clayton Miller Scott Metz Scott Champion Gregory Crater Darryn Durham Michael Hall Nathan Tiearney Mitchell Rask Derek Costella Jacob Saylor Cameron Rodriguez Sean Collier Chris Hay Kramer Patterson Cole Seely Tiger Lacey Chris Howell Tyler McEwen Jeff Loop Jake Lowry Teddy Parks Justin Keeney Aaron Smith Daniel Hendrix John Dehn Taylor Painter Bryan E White Nicholas Jackson Spencer Dally Benny Breck Chad Ward James Povolny Jeremey Odriscoll Ben Evans Christopher Johnson Jacob Locks Samir Gonzalez Christophe Pourcel Adam Gulley Aaron Gulley Austin Miller Benjamin Ritter Mickael Musquin Cedric Soubeyras Tyler D Medaglia Adam Chatfield Eric McCrummen Hugo Dagod Levi Kilbarger Shaun Hillion Travis Smith Richie Leech Jarred Jet Browne

426 439 447 466 501 521 523 534 536 546 552 555 575 577 610 611 629 643 644 651 677 703 706 713 719 725 727 737 741 758 779 791 800 801 812 816 817 851 862 888 905 911 917 918 921 930 931 933 935 979 981 986

Chris Barrett Adam Metzler Deven Raper Kerry Moore Scotty Wennerstrom Kyle Gills Dustin Gills Travis Freistat Erik Meusling Kevin M Urquhart Fred Karrle Jerry Lymburner Chappy Fiene Martin Davalos Christopher Tracy Brady Sheren Tony Boughten Jake Oswald Kyle Partridge Daniel McCoy Jason Hussey Ricky Yorks Carlos Gonzalez Chad Cook Vince Friese Logan Darien Rhett Urseth Tanner Reidman Nate Adams Jason Potter Augie Lieber Ramon Guzman Mike Alessi Jeff Alessi Luke Vonlinger Rustin Meyer Todd J Carlson Scott A Davis Ozzy Barbaree Hunter Meyer Troy Carroll Tyler Bowers Eric Sorby Michael Akaydin Manuel Rivas Tom Parsons Danny Bajza Cyrille Coulon Freddy Sanchez Ben Coisy Austin Stroupe Topher Ingalls

The Podium Club 2

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2009 450 SUPERCROSS

Andrew Short Chad Reed Chad Reed Chad Reed

LAMSON’S NEW GIG

It doesn’t happen very often that a team manager gets the axe just as the season gets underway, but that is exactly what happened to Steve Lamson at MDK KTM. Luckily, Steve was able to find a new home at MotoConcepts Honda without skipping a beat. We tracked him down in the pits at Houston to get low down on the switch.

IMX: All right, Steve, tell us about your new gig, and all your new responsibilities.

Steve: I have the same responsibilities, just a new team. It’s been good. I’m fortunate that they hired me. I’ve got a good group of riders here, so I’m just going to build the team up from here on out. The team riders are Ben Coisy, Cole Siebler, Daniel McCoy from Australia, and Jeff Alessi.

IMX: How is it working out for you, so far?

Steve: It’s going great.

IMX: What are your expectations for the year?

Steve: I don’t know. Right now it’s just, get Daniel McCoy and Siebler in the mains, because they’ve been kind of up and down. Ben’s obviously doing really well, so get him top-10 in points, and build his speed up, and hopefully be top-five before long.

IMX: So what exactly happened with your last gig?

Steve: I was over at MDK for two years, and they did some budget cuts, and they let me go.

IMX: Did you cost them too much money?

Steve: No. I don’t know what the whole deal was with that.

They just told me, “budget cuts,” and let me go. Right after that, I just put my head down and tried to get something, and this worked out well.

IMX: Did they have higher expectations than were delivered.

Steve: Out of me?

IMX: No, not for you necessarily, but the whole team?

Steve: I don’t think so. Could be wrong, though.

IMX: Are you excited?

Steve: I am, really. The owner of this team, Mike Genova, has been really good to me so far and let me do what I need to do to get things up to where they need to be on the team.

Chad Reed

ANAHEIM Josh Grant PHOENIX James Stewart ANAHEIM James Stewart HOUSTON James Stewart San Francisco James Stewart

Chad Reed Josh Grant Kevin Windham Ryan Villopoto Ryan Villopoto

2009 W 250 SUPERCROSS Ryan Morais Justin Brayton Ryan Morais Ryan Dungey

ANAHEIM Jake Weimer PHOENIX Ryan Dungey ANAHEIM Ryan Dungey San Francisco Jake Weimer

Ryan Dungey Ryan Morais Jake Weimer Trey Canard

2009 E 250 SUPERCROSS Brett Metcalfe

HOUSTON Christophe Pourcel

Nico Izzi

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htp:/sore.nfarcom/Departmns/MOTCROS-GEAR/lektron-SE Ninets-Vrigo.aspx

1st things 1st Motocrossers are a simple bunch. The seem to grab on to trends and run with them and it always seems to involve fast cars. Back in the day it was the Ferrari Testarosa, like Magnum P.I. used to chase bad guys with.

Then it was the Acura NSX. Now everybody’s got to have a Lambo.

Saw a few of these bad boys in the lot at Anaheim. Definitely a sweet ride.

FMX star, Nate Adams, decided he wanted to give Supercross a shot.

During the FMX offseason he hit the SoCal supercross tracks with friends like Josh Hansen and Ryan Morais, put a deal together with Yamaha and got ready for the Anaheim season opener. On race day, things were going great until he washed out on a jump face, crashed and broke his wrist. Had he not crashed, Nate would have qualified for the night show.

Ricky Charmichael just can’t stay away from Supercross, even though he has bigger things on his plate right now.

Ricky just signed a deal with Kevin Harvic to race NASCAR’s truck series, starting at Daytona. Not only that, but RC will start the season racing the ARCA series kickoff at Daytona in an effort to get more seat time at the superspeedway. Ricky’s first attempt at racing at a superspeedway was last season at Talledaga where he ran in the top five before blowing a tire and ending his day.

Separated at Birth

Denny Stephenson and George Michael of Wham!

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The bigshots at Feld Entertainment stirred the internet to a frenzy when they announced the death of the live webcast just before the start of the series. In fact, such an uproar occurred that they finally decided to bring it back as a payper-listen feature--which didn’t sit too well with the netizens.

But at an annual cost of nearly 200 grand to run the show, giving it away for free just didn’t make sense anymore. The show lives on and Jim Holley and Weedge get to keep their jobs. Hopefully they got a pay raise out of the deal.

With this ring: During the A1 press conference Chad Reed was presented with his second career Supercross Championship ring. Now with Factory Suzuki, Reed is looking to add a third ring to his collection. The only thing standing in his way will be James Stewart.

Rupert X hit Dave & Busters like a sailer on leave. By the time we got there, he wanted to know everything we knew about the J-Law, One and Dungey deal...twice. Rupert’s a cool cat, for sure. He was making the west coast moto rounds with his son. Just enjoying the motolife.

One on One: Danny Doby and Marc Blanchard are the driving force behind One Industries.

Belt it out: We spent the night before the Anaheim opener at Dave & Busters enjoying the talent in the karaoke theater where a handful of motocross people took to the stage.

While most of them couldn’t sing a single note, one guy hit the stage that kind of surprised us. Jay Perkins, aka 500 Guy on the interweb machine, hit the stage and belted out some country song, and he actually sounded good.

500 Guy definitely has some singing chops.

Hepler out: Team Yamaha’s Broc Hepler had high hopes for the 2009 season, but those hopes were dashed before practice at Anaheim one had ended. Broc broke his collar bone during practice and has been on the DL ever since. Sean Hamblin was called up to fill in. impoundmx.com

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It’s Just B

The story behind Ryan Dungey and Jaso

Certainly one of the enticements for Fox picking up Jason had to do with the lucrative Monster licensing deal that comes with him. Jason is sponsored by Monster and his agent, Scott Sepkovic has been very instrumental in bringing Monster into all aspects of the motocross world.

Jason is definitely a high-profile rider, both on the track and off. Couple that with the ability to make some money off a licensing deal with Monster and it’s sort of a win-win for Fox-provided that Jason behaves himself.

As the season drew closer Jason’s people and Fox went back and forth over logo placement on the gear, size of the logos--

W

henever a rider suddenly gets cut from a high-profile sponsor, without any real explanation, it often leaves more questions than answers. That’s pretty much what happened when Fox Racing cut Jason Lawrence, just before the start of the Supercross season. Maybe that didn’t come as too much of a surprise, because a lot of people were left scratching their heads when Fox announced they had signed Jason in the first place. Fox Racing and Jason Lawrence didn’t seem like a good match from the very beginning. It seemed to be such an odd coupling that the rumor mill started churning out stories that the deal was contingent upon Jason living with Jeannie Carmichael, for training, or just that he gets a trainer a sticks with a program.

both Monster and Fox--and what gear Jason would be wearing.

According to a representative at Fox, the deal fell apart after Jason’s people kept coming back with new logo requirements and said it got to the point where there wouldn’t be any Fox logos on the gear at all. At that point the deal was terminated, according to our source at Fox. What it ultimately boils down to is that Fox is in business to sell Fox. Now without a gear sponsor and the season opener just days away, Scott Sepkovic had to scramble to find some clothes for Jason to wear. Since Monster already had a licensing deal with One Industries and since One was introducing their new gear line, it seemed like a perfect fit to Scott. The only problem was that One already had a marquee rider in Ryan Dungey. It’s no secret that Jason and Ryan don’t like each other.

We saw the One Industries guys on friday morning, before Anaheim 1, while they were waiting to park their rig in the pits,

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Business

on Lawrence switching gear companies

and asked them about picking up Jason. They wouldn’t comment about it and they didn’t even want to talk about it. All we could conclude from that is that they were definitely not happy about it.

The next morning, the day of the race, we saw an old friend in the parking lot, while we were gearing up. The first thing he said was, “Did you hear that Dungey was going to Fox?” Then it all made sense. By taking on Jason Lawrence, One was losing Ryan Dungey.

Why would One Industries sacrifice one rider for another?

I’m sure that was never their intention. And I’m sure it had

winning races. In the case of Ryan Dungey it’s simple--he and Jason Lawrence don’t get along--and that is probably a huge understatement. When One Industries hired J-Law it created a distraction for Ryan. He obviously didn’t need any connection with Jason and that meant switching gear companies. The irony in all this is that he just switched places with Jason and went to Fox Racing.

This whole thing boils down to something very simple--it’s just business. Fox did what they felt they had to do. One did what they felt they needed to do and Ryan Dungey did what he felt he needed to do. And J-Law just went on being J-Law.

everything to do with the licensing agreement they already had with Monster. To keep the deal with Monster they had to take Jason. But that is pure speculation as no one at One Industries would go on record, or even discuss the issue.

Then there was the issue Dungey had at A1 with his One pants. By some accounts Ryan through a fit in the pits because his pants were the wrong size. As the rumor goes, Ryan was pissed and threw the pants out of the Suzuki rig. The reality is that out of the 5 or 6 pairs he got that morning, one pair was the wrong size, so he tossed them from the upper level of the rig to his agent, Tony Gardea. No fit was thrown...no pun intended.

The most important thing to a rider is his program and the people he surrounds himself with. If something goes wrong with the program, or someone close to him becomes a distraction, the program is changed or the distraction is removed. It’s just that simple. Everything in that riders life has to be focused on

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1st things 1st 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS & MONEY Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

Pnts 108 102 95 88 87 73 68 58 56 55 51 40 39 31 26 23 14 13 11 11 10 10 9 7 6 5 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Rider

Chad Reed James Stewart Joshua Grant Ryan Villopoto Andrew Short Ivan Tedesco Kevin Windham Mike Alessi Timmy Ferry David Millsaps Joshua Hill Heath Voss Paul Carpenter Ben Coisy Nicholas Wey Cole Siebler Matt Boni Charles Summey Kyle Chisholm Troy Adams Robert Kiniry Steve Boniface Joshua Hansen Travis Preston Daniel McCoy Tyler Bowers Daniel Blair Sean Hamblin Manuel Rivas Ben Lamay Jacob Marsack Antonio Balbi Gregory Crater Vince Friese Kyle Partridge Tiger Lacey Jarred Browne Chris Johnson Cody Cooper Eric Sorby Kyle Keylon Troy Carroll Vernon McKiddie Adam Metzler Chad Ward Jason R. Hussey Michael R. Blose Ryan Sipes Jase A. Lewis Dustin E. Gills Benjamin Ritter Clayton Miller Cyrille Coulon James Povolny Nathan Tiearney Ryan Beat Tony Boughten

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Bike (Suz) (Yam) (Yam) (Kaw) (Hon) (Hon) (Hon) (Suz) (Kaw) (Hon) (Yam) (Hon) (Kaw) (Hon) (Yam) (Hon) (Hon) (KTM) (Yam) (Hon) (Kaw) (Hon) (Hon) (KTM) (Hon) (Hon) (Hon) (Yam) (Kaw) (Yam) (Hon) (Hon) (Hon) (Hon) (Hon) (Hon) (Kaw) (Suz) (Yam) (Yam) (Hon) (Kaw) (Hon) (Hon) (Kaw) (Kaw) (Hon) (KTM) (Suz) (Suz) (Suz) (Hon) (Suz) (Kaw) (Kaw) (Yam) (Yam)

Purse $28250 $49825 $25000 $17000 $17250 $12550 $13350 $10490 $10200 $10300 $10770 $8220 $9845 $8575 $7950 $7750 $8475 $7400 $5875 $6850 $5575 $6475 $7250 $3050 $5225 $3550 $3800 $3600 $4325 $3800 $3800 $3600 $2100 $2000 $1950 $1850 $1750 $1650 $1650 $1650 $1650 $1300 $1200 $1150 $1100 $1100 $1100 $1000 $650 $600 $550 $550 $550 $550 $550 $550 $550

250cc EAST SUPERCROSS: POINTS & MONEY Pos Pnts Rider

Bike

Purse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

25 22 20 18 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Christophe Pourcel Brett Metcalfe Nico A. Izzi Austin Stroupe Blake Wharton Wil A. Hahn Martin Davalos Darryn L. Durham Daniel M. Blair Matthew C. Goerke Jacob Saylor Branden Jesseman Steven J. Clarke Hunter Hewitt Teddy P. Parks Tyler A. Wharton Kyle M. Gills Matthew Lemoine Chad E. Ward

(Kaw) (Hon) (Suz) (Kaw) (Hon) (KTM) (KTM) (Yam) (Hon) (Suz) (Yam) (Kaw) (Suz) (Kaw) (Suz) (Hon) (Kaw) (Yam) (Kaw)

$2500 $1500 $1000 $800 $700 $600 $550 $500 $450 $420 $410 $400 $390 $380 $370 $360 $350 $340 $330

$$$$$$$$

250 WEST SUPERCROSS POINTS & MONEY

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Vince A. Friese Fred D. Karrle Phillip Nicoletti Augie L. Lieber Luke Vonlinger Kyle D. Keylon Michael Akaydin Nicholas Jackson Chad G. Cook John G. Dehn Aaron B. Smith Kerry N. Moore Ozzy S. Barbaree Tyler A. McEwen Taylor M. Painter Logan B. Martin Spencer R. Dally Adam D. Gulley Levi W. Kilbarger Jack Carpenter Aaron D. Gulley

(Hon) (Suz) (Hon) (Kaw) (Kaw) (Hon) (Kaw) (Hon) (Kaw) (Kaw) (Kaw) (Hon) (Suz) (Hon) (Suz) (Hon) (Hon) (Yam) (Hon) (Kaw) (Yam)

$320 $310 $300 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230 $230

Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Pnts 92 88 80 68 56 54 42 38 34 31 27 27 27 24 23 20 19 18 17 17 16 12 11 9 9 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Rider

Ryan Dungey Jake Weimer Ryan Morais Justin Brayton Chris Blose Ryan Sipes Dan Reardon PJ Larsen Jason Lawrence Ben Evans Trey Canard Kyle Cunningham Eric McCrummen Adam Chatfield Jeff Alessi Cole Seely Michael Sleeter Cedric Soubeyras Ryan Clark Sean Borkenhagen Shaun Skinner Michael Hall Chris Gosselaar Justin Keeney Topher Ingalls Alex Martin Scott Champion Brady Sheren Michael Blose Michael Horban Sean Collier Brady Sheren Michael Lapaglia Daniel Hendrix Derek Costella Carlos Gonzalez Rhett Urseth Jerry Lymburner Mickael Musquin Ross Johnson Danny Bajza Benny Breck Vernon McKiddie Hunter Meyer Deven Raper Jason Potter Jeremey Odriscoll Tanner Reidman Hugo Dagod

Bike (Suz) (Kaw) (Kaw) (KTM) (Hon) (KTM) (Hon) (Kaw) (Yam) (Hon) (Hon) (Kaw) (Hon) (Hon) (Hon) (Suz) (KTM) (Yam) (Hon) (Hon) (Hon) (Yam) (Kaw) (KTM) (Yam) (Hon) (Hon) (Suz) (Hon) (Yam) (Yam) (Suz) (Suz) (Hon) (Hon) (KTM) (Kaw) (Yam) (Yam) (Hon) (Hon) (Yam) (Hon) (Hon) (Kaw) (Hon) (Hon) (Suz) (KTM)

Purse $7500 $6800 $4700 $3400 $2570 $2160 $1900 $1700 $1730 $1580 $1610 $1550 $1330 $1400 $1450 $1360 $1430 $860 $1330 $1320 $1320 $1220 $1110 $1090 $1170 $1130 $1040 $800 $570 $1100 $1110 $570 $860 $1020 $1000 $920 $920 $690 $690 $690 $690 $690 $460 $460 $230 $230 230 230 230

$$$$$$$$ impoundmx.com

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The Go To Guy

Sean Hamblin

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ean Hamblin has always been one of the good guys in the sport. He’s well-liked in the pits, a talented rider on the track and he’s very popular with the fans. But sometimes he asked to perform in not the best of circumstances.

He’s been the go to guy to fill in for injured riders for the past few years. Now he’s been called up by the Factory Yamaha team to fill in for the injured Broc Hepler.

How does it feel to always be the “replacement guy?”

I don’t know. I guess it’s better to be the replacement than to be nothing at all, so, I don’t know. Kind of good news for me, I guess.

How many times have you been called in as a pinch-hitter?

This is the third time. Suzuki once, and then obviously outdoors last year, and then now. This is the third one.

It’s not always in the best of circumstances when you get called up. When you get the call to fill in for a guy like Hepler, how does that make you feel?

You have to feel bad for the kid, I mean, I know I do. Unfortunately things just haven’t been going his way the last couple of years. He’s just as upset as anybody else that’s been part of it, so, best of luck to him, getting back and getting ready.

So what were you doing before you got called up?

I would be lying if I said that I was training and riding a dirt bike. The last time I rode until I got the call was before

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Christmas with Langston. We just went out in the hills and kind of had fun. That was it.

The last time I rode supercross was over a year ago. The last time I raced supercross was 2006, so it’s been a while.

I know you were looking for a supercross ride, but were you expecting anything to happen for this year?

No, not really. I was just trying to get some stuff lined up for me to just do outdoors again and that was it. I was just kind of winging a prayer on that, and getting things going and then this came up. I was supposed to go to Germany before I got the call. Obviously I stayed for Phoenix.

Your personal feeling on how it’s been

going so far.

It’s been good. Every weekend has been a steady improvement and things have gone up, up, and up. I couldn’t put too much pressure or emphasis on anything when I got the call Monday. Like I said it’d been over a year since I had ridden, and I’ve never raced a 450cc in supercross, so it was all new to me, you know? Going out to the supercross track and doing everything right away. So, every week is getting better and better. More laps equal me being a lot better on the bike.

What are you foreseeing your results to be?

Hopefully, just steadily improving.

First weekend, we just missed it by one

and then last weekend we made it in, and ended up 18th. During that race I looked up at the board and it said only 12 laps in, and it just ruined me right there. I think definitely I don’t need to look at the board anymore and just ride. Just let the race unfold as it will, and just keep moving forward.

What’s your training regimen like now. I mean, this is all last-minute and you had to throw a program together, what’s it like?

Yeah, and that’s the thing too, you know? You can’t do too much too soon, otherwise you’re either goin to get sick or hurt. I had a day this week, where I went out to the Yamaha track and things were just not clicking at all, so I had to pack it

up. It was smart of me to pack it up at the time that I did. Otherwise I think that’s when things start to go bad. Some days you can fight through it, and others you gotta see it how it is, and call it a day and move on. So that’s what I did. I changed it up. I went to a new track this week, and hopefully that helps. Just mixing things up a bit more. Right now it’s just riding.

By the time I get done I’m beat.

What tracks do you have to choose from?

I’ve been riding the Yamaha track and at my buddy A.J.’s track in Palm Springs.

I know Competitive Edge has one, but I’m not there yet. I think I might do that this week with Hill.

So what do you think about this track here today in Houston compared to last week’s track at Anaheim? What did you think about last week’s track?

I thought last week’s track was quite strange. We’ll just say that. I don’t know, it was definitely awkward and unorthodox to what we’ve ever ridden on.

Is that good or bad?

We’ll just go with bad. And I think a lot of guys were the same way. It was just weird. The whole left side of the track was really timing/ rhythmic, and the whole right side was just outdoor-style. Which was good. I think the fans really enjoyed it, it made for some good racing, but as far as a rider’s perspective, we had nowhere else really to go but to do the same stuff every lap..

Now what do you think about this track in contrast?

It looks good; I mean, it definitely looks busy, so it’s a lot like our test track, so hopefully it works into my favor.

So more like a modern supercross track?

Oh, definitely. It kind of reminds me of the tracks we had in ‘03. Real busy, there’s not really any sections to breathe.

You don’t have any lazy sections. We’ll see how it goes.

[Editors note: Sean crashed during the night show at Houston and injured his knee. During the week after the race he had surgery and will be out of action for 4 to 6 weeks.]

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1st things 1st

TECH INSPECTOR:

DAVE DYE

Over the years Dave Dye has done a lot in the industry. Most prominently he was Chad Reed’s mechanic during his stint at Yamaha of Troy. Dave was recently hired as the Technical Director for the AMA. He’s now the guy responsible for making sure all the bikes on the track are within the rules. Definitely not an easy cross to bear.

We sat down with Dave to talk about his new position.

IMX: Okay, Dave. Explain what your position is, how you got it and what you’re supposed to do here.

Dave: Well, I oversee tech inspection, teardowns. I guess Technical Director would be my official title for the AMA, Supercross, and from what I hear, for outdoors as well. Basically, I just oversee tech, I oversee the sound inspection and just try to keep everybody in between the lines.

IMX: Make sure everybody’s legal?

Dave: Yeah. And if that means tearing them down every week, or checking them after every practice for sound, that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re just trying to keep it consistent, and even-keeled for everybody, just within the guidelines.

IMX: Now with the new sound guidelines, has it been an issue in tech inspection?

Dave: It has and it hasn’t. A couple of people have struggled, obviously. Like this weekend, here at Houston, we’re now with the East Coast Lites, so we haven’t seen some of these riders yet. So there have been some instances where we’ve had to send some people back, or we get them to change something or whatever.

The 450cc guys, Supercross guys, they’re fine. You know, they were a struggle at the beginning, just like everybody else, but we’re four races into it now and they’re doing great. And everybody seems to be staying within the guidelines. We’ve had to dock a couple people their fastest times at Anaheim last weekend.

IMX: Who did you have to dock?

Dave: Number 417, Travis Smith.

He took his insert out. Basically, when you go through tech the muffler has to be as it is at sound inspection at all times. We mark the muffler accordingly.

Well, he specifically took his insert out.

Anyway, we dock them their fastest lap.

That could mean either making the night show or not making the night show. It’s

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that important.

IMX: Is that really all the penalty is for breaking the rules?

Dave: If you don’t pass sound initially, you don’t even go on the track.

IMX: But if you take your insert out, your only penalty is losing your fastest lap?

Dave: Yes. Again, that could mean a lot. Now if you get caught after the race, you lose a lap. So in the main events, post-race, it’s losing a lap. So it could be, obviously...

IMX: ...Losing all of your points.

Dave: Yes. Basically everything you worked for, you know what I mean? We haven’t gotten into too many of the other things that we’re going to do. Since this is just my third race as Technical Director, we’re going to build up to just trying to keep everybody in the rulebook, basically.

IMX: What other things are you guys going to try to accomplish?

Dave: There are a lot of things we can look for. There’s fuel, frames have to be homologated, cases have to be homologated, cylinder heads can be modified, bore and stroke obviously have to be the same, swingarms, on the Lites bikes, there’s suspension, they have to be within the guidelines of homologation for the suspension. There’s a lot of stuff.

But there’s a lot of stuff they can change as well, so mainly, if they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing by the rulebook--that’s all we’re looking for.

IMX: Have you guys started testing fuel yet?

Dave: Nope. I don’t want to say when I’m going to be doing everything, but yes, it’s on my list.

IMX: Are you looking forward to it?

Dave: Oh, yeah.

IMX: Let’s say you get into another situation where fuel doesn’t pass. What’s going to happen?

Dave: Part of my job is not to hand out

the penalties, so I can’t say honestly what would be done. I’m imagining someone would be disqualified. You know, postmain event, an infraction such as that you’d probably get disqualified. Or lose a certain amount of points, or whatever.

But, thank God, I don’t have to make that decision. All I have to do is report to the stewards and the race director as to what I found and then let them do their job. I have to prove my point to them just like the teams have to prove their point to me.

And then they decide what goes on behind closed doors.

IMX: So you’re not the one that people are going to be looking for?

Dave: No. They’ll be mad at me, I’m sure, but like I said, I have to plead my case to them just like the teams would to me. I have to show them, prove to them what I found, and it’s justified. Then they move on and make a decision.

IMX: Explain a little bit of your past history and how you got this job, how you got to where you are right now.

Dave: Basically, let’s see, recently, I worked for Suzuki Off-Road. I did that from late ‘06 to December ‘08, and then the economy took a nosedive and they changed direction on how they’re doing it.

I was a contracted person with Suzuki. So that went away. So I was kind of looking for something. I talked to Davey Coombs, Jeff Canfield, some of the AMA guys, and they said, “Hey, we might have a position, a technical director position.” I said, “Oh.” “Well, would you be interested?” and I said, “Sure.” I met with them at Anaheim and everything seemed to go alright. I went to Phoenix and it was a done deal. Before that, I worked at FMF, and before that I worked with Chad Reed at Yamaha of Troy and at Yamaha. Before that there was a laundry list of people I worked for like Tim Ferry, Steve Lamson and a few others.

Are you “Ready to Race”?

» www.ktm.com

THE ULTIMATE IN RACING www.kiskadesign.com

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SX 2009

The KTM 450 SX-F is again setting the standard in motocross. Even more power, more punch and more dominance, it is the SX weapon for serial winners.

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Moment of contact: The 450 main event at Anaheim 1 came down to this moment. James missed a shift entering the whoops, with Chad Reed right on his tail, causing them both to crash.

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Pissed: Call it anger, frustration or whatever, James Stewart wasn’t happy with what transpired in the 450 Main at Anaheim 1.

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MegaPixels

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The

SetUp

n r o p bike

1 A from

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The

SetUp

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2009 SUPERCROSS ROUND 1: ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA

LITES OUT Story By Breck Bonnell - Photos By Chris Hultner

A lot of hype always surrounds the first Supercross of the year, with all of the changes going on during the off season it’s the time when we see which switches sink and which ones swim. Typically the most drastic changes occur in the Lites/250 class with incoming rookies making their Supercross debuts. This year some of the stand outs of the incoming rookies on the west coast were Michael Hall, Sean Borkenhagen, Alex Martin, Ben Evans, PJ Larsen and Ben LaMay. All of whom made the evening program.

Changes also occurred among existing Lites riders during the off season. Some of the most drastic changes came under the powerhouse Monster Energy / Pro Circuit / Kawasaki team tent. Gone are the likes of Ryan Villopoto, to the Factory Kawasaki squad, and Bret Metcalf who went to Geico / Factory Connection / Honda. Those two riders were replaced by Jake Weimer from the Geico Powersports team and Ryan Morais from the deceased Yamaha of Troy.

Without Factory Yamaha backing at Yamaha of Troy, defending Lites West champion Jason ‘JLaw’ Lawrence was left without a ride, sort of. He worked out a deal with his personal sponsors including Monster Energy, Boost Mobile and help from YoT leading into Anaheim 1, to provide a ride for himself as well as the life-time privateer Nick Wey in the 450 Supercross class--with Nick keeping his MSR gear sponsorship.

Other notable transitions for the Lites West class included 2008’s Lites East region Champion Trey ‘Dr. Tre’ Canard switching to the West region and not defending his number one plate on the Atlantic seaboard. Another change came in that former 450 Supercross riders Ryan Clark and Jeff Alessi have demoted themselves to the Lites class for this season.

Another rider in attendance for the Lites class was professional freestyler Nate Adams, unfortunately he never made it out of the practice sessions after breaking

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‘09 W LITES SX

LITES OUT his arm. Even with that he was quite a bit off pace and surprisingly seemed to be struggling hitting the jumps, apparently they don’t put a lot of rhythm sections before the big hits on FMX courses. Not to cut Nate down as we’ve heard he is a great rider, this weekend he was obviously not at his Supercross prime.

Staying put for the 2009 season on the Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki was last years second place Lites West rider, Minnesota’s Ryan Dungey. Dungey has all but relocated to the blossoming Tallahassee, Florida motocross community, and is rumored to be in the process of looking for land to set up shop. Ryan was heavily favored coming into Anaheim over his competition, especially the defending champion.

The rivalry between JLaw and Dungey had indirectly resumed during the seeded practice sessions with Jason and Ryan taking turns setting the fastest laps of the session. JLaw would come out on top with a 1:01.589, well over one second faster than Ryan’s 1:02.185. Jason was on about a 3:1 ration of scouting laps to blisteringly fast laps, at times watching the timing tower in the infield while circling the track. When Lawrence finally saw a big red number one atop the tower he promptly threw his fist up in the air to celebrate.

Splitting the difference between the JLaungey battle was the Iowan, Justin Brayton, crossing the line in 1:02.039.

As he has for the past few seasons Justin returns to the Lites class aboard his MDK/ Muscle Milk backed KTM, and after great showings at the one off races in Bercy, France and the infamous U.S. Open in Las Vegas, he will once again be a top contender in the series. Justin’s West Coast teammate this year, Ryan Sipes, threw down the fifth fastest lap in the timed qualifiers at 1:02.715.

The number 39 machine of Trey Canard filled out the top five in fourth with a 1:02.220 on the Geico Powersports Honda. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki riders of Ryan Morais and Jake

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‘09 W LITES SX

LITES OUT Weimer concluded the qualifiers putting down the sixth and seventh quickest laps.

After the Lites class practices had concluded all eyes were focused on the battle up front, and the storm brewing on the horizon. The storm of course being the dispute between Ryan Dungey and his gear sponsor, One Industries who was now providing Jason Lawrence with gear as well. Jason losing his Fox sponsorship and switching to the Monster Energy/ One Industries gear was apparently not kosher with the temperamental Suzuki rider. For the time being though, at least for Anaheim 1, Dungey stayed in his One Industries wardrobe.

When the lights fell dark over Angel stadium the stands filled with over 40,000 screaming Supercross fans were on their feet ready for the beginning of the season. When the card went sideways and the gate fell on the first Lites Heat it was Ryan Morais and Justin Brayton jumping out to the early lead with the Suzuki of Dungey in third. Before the end of the first lap, in the rhythm section leading up to the finish line, Dungey would loose all of his momentum on a small double and yard dart over the front end of the bike and be unable to restart the heat.

Meanwhile upfront a dogfight had begun between the two Pro Circuit riders, Jake Weimer had moved up into second after running Brayton high in a corner and then stepped up his pace to catch his team mate. One lap later Weimer had worked his way up to the rear wheel of the Kawasaki. Doing almost the same move he did to Brayton, leaving a little more room this time though, he successfully made the pass for the lead and the eventual win.

Lites heat two brought Jason Lawrence to the line for the first time in 2009.

Grabbing the holeshot in the heat were the duo of Geico Powersports Hondas belonging to Dan Reardon and Trey Canard. Canard would take the lead on the first lap while Lawrence went to work

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‘09 W LITES SX

LITES OUT passing his way through the few riders that were ahead of him. Making his pass on Reardon last years West region champion started reeling in last years East region champion. The duel between the riders was not only productive but fast both riders on the gas, but Lawrence pressuring canard into some small but costly mistakes. With only a few laps remaining Canard folded his front end in the corner leading into the beginning of the dual sand sections, handing the lead to JLaw on the silver platter. With a whip Jason took the win and proved to the skeptics he came to do business, and even talked some trash about the unfriendly rivaly while on the podium with Ashley Phillips.

An unusually stacked LCQ was on the line, which included the likes of Ryan Dungey, Ryan Sipes and PJ Larsen.

Walking away from the time the gate hit the ground Ryan Dungey easily took the win to transfer into the main event. Ryan Sipes would take the last available gate in the main event. Taking a main event win now appeared to be a long shot for Dungey, but always the optimist he never ruled it out even with the lackluster gate pick that he had earned.

By the time the main event had started the Lites class had already seen plenty of action on the night, and once the gate fell the action continued. Grabbing the holeshot was the Geico Honda of Dan Reardon, who was followed closely by Jake Weimer and Justin Brayton. JLaw was left on the ground after making a mistake and starting a chain reaction that also caught the likes of Trey Canard in the mess. Canard would be slow getting up and going again and would eventually end up 14th on the night.

On the second lap Weimer worked his way past Reardon and would never loose the lead. While Reardon and Brayton were battling for second place Reardon lost his front end in a corner and left the KTM behind him with no where to go but into his bike. The contact half way put Brayton over the bars in a endo-stoppie-fallover

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‘09 W LITES SX

LITES OUT type of crash. While they picked their dead bikes up they were loosing positions left and right, allowing Ryan Morais to make his move into second place. While picking his bike up Justin’s rear wheel left his teammate Sipes nowhere to go but off the track into the tuf blocks. Luckily Sipes would quickly rejoin the track and end up sixth.

At one point while making his way back through the pack after his first lap dirt nap, Lawrence blew through a berm and over onto the next section of the track.

In this process he cut about 50’ off the track, and maybe a few seconds. Instantly people were calling for a disqualification, although it was unintentional following a bobble and he did follow the rules the best he could at that point. The rule is to re-enter the safest location near the spot you left the track without gaining a position. There was essentially no other option for him at that time that would be safe other than to continue on his way, which is exactly what he did. Yet he was still issued a loss of one position on his final finishing spot ending him officially in fifth.

Out front the Pro Circuit teammates were running away with this one, once again proving that Pro Circuit is the dominant team in the Lites class. The two riders would go 1-2 in their maiden race for the team, no doubt putting a smile on team owner Mitch Payton’s face. Ryan Dungey would end up third in the Main while Team Troy Lee Designs Chris Blose would take fourth with the docking or Jason Lawrence’s position.

For the record, no one outside the Pro Circuit team saw the 1-2 finish on the horizion, no one. If someone says they did they’re lying to you, but none the less it was a great race. Hopefully the rest of the eight race season will continue to provide us with more surprises and even more winners.

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FULL-NELSON SUBMISSION As the 2008 amateur national motocross season unwinds, one fact remains: Team Dunlop National riders are dominating the podium.

For example, young Jessy Nelson recently put a stranglehold on an army of challengers by winning four National titles and grabbing one more runner-up spot—all in one weekend of racing. Of course, it helps that Jessy’s tire of choice was Dunlop’s D756, the same tire that so many amateur champions and top-level pros rely on for quick starts and fast lap times.

Go to teamdunlop.com to keep up with the latest news on the 2008 Team Dunlop National riders.

For more Dunlop tire information go to www.dunlopmotorcycle.com or call (800) 845-8378. ©2008 Dunlop Tires.

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2009 SUPERCROSS ROUND 1: ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA

BRING IT ON Story By Breck Bonnell - Photos By Chris Hultner

A

nticipation, frustration and chaos are usually the norm at the first round of the supercross series, and this year was no different. In a sport

as predictable as Supercross has been in the past, Anaheim One has always been the least predictable race of the series.

With James Stewart switching teams, from Factory Kawasaki to L&M Yamaha, and Chad Reed moving from L&M over to Factory Suzuki it was a big mystery if either rider had made a wise choice. Plus, you just never know which of the other 38 riders on the gate have stepped up their program and turned into contenders.

In the past dozen years there have been some surprise winners at the season opener. For instance, Greg Albertyn’s win at the Coliseum in 1997. And a year later Sebastien Tortelli won the opener there too, followed by Ezra Lusk taking the win when the opener returned to Anaheim. Then in 2002 David Vuillemin took the first Supercross win of the season. And finally it was Kevin Windham who scored the surprise opener win in 2005. While I wouldn’t call any of those victories a fluke, they were unexpected and none of them resulted in taking the series championship. The point is, the Supercross season opener has traditionally been known

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‘09 450 SX

to throw a curve ball or two.

Villopoto was putting this one in the books. The veteran Tim

The moment everyone had been waiting for had arrived, the

Ferry on his Monster Energy Kawasaki had a firm grasp on the

450’s were on the line and it was time to bring the A games

second spot, while Andrew Short was alone in third. Passing

to the table. Stealing his first big bike holeshot of his career

riders like they were standing still Chad Reed had quietly moved

Ryan Villopoto began running away. Chad Reed had a good start

passed the majority of the field and up to fourth place from his

getting pinched off on the inside and then was unable to jump

dismal first lap. When the black and white checkered flag came

the triple after the first whoop section. To make matters worse

out Villopoto took the win like he was trying to prove something,

Reed went off the track and rode around the outside of the Tuf

which it he did.

blocks losing positions in bulk. While Reed was getting squirrely

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Heat two had a result that was atypical of the majority of

the races we’ve seen James Stewart race. Stewart took the lead

Red Bull Honda of Davi Millsaps.

heading into the whoops following the first turn and never looked

The LCQ had a massive pile up in the first turn leaving

back. Stewart had a near miss in the last turn of the first lap

notable riders Cody Cooper and Travis Preston sprawled out like

jumping onto a Tuf block, but keeping the bike rubber side down.

a yardsale in a retirement community. Holding onto the lead

With the number seven putting on a clinic out front the 19 rider

through the warzone was Brawndo Honda’s Jacob Marsack who

field was left to battle for second place. The JGR Yamaha of Josh

appeared to have it on lock down until he faded to third position.

Grant took a second place finish in his first heat as a full time

The new leaders were Paul Carpenter on his Cernic’s Kawasaki in

bike rider. Josh’s heat performance was a sign of good things to

the second position with Matt Boni up front taking the win and

come as we all know. The third place finisher was the number 18

the ‘go to the main event’ cards.

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‘09 450 SX

With the start of the main even it was the race we’ve all

On the seventh lap of the 20 lap feature, Stewart overtook the

wanted to see, Stewart vs. Reed. Stewart got the holeshot,

lead after the first whoop section, half a lap later coming into the

followed by Josh Grant and Chad Reed, Reed would quickly work

second whoop section all hell broke loose. Hitting the first whoop

his way past the Yamaha of Grant. With the crowd on their feet

Stewarts Yamaha 450 lost its drive for a split second, leaving

Reed would overtake the lead on the second lap just before the

Reed no where to go except into the side of the rear wheel of

finish line setting up a battle no one will soon forget. Reed

James. This took the two riders two the ground just inside the

would quickly pull away on his Rockstar Suzuki, while James

beginning of the section. Reed was quickly up and hunting down

was regrouping to make a charge. Josh Grant had settled into

his bike while Stewart was obviously dazed and confused after

third place.

taking a body slam to the ground. Reed rejoined the race after

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losing only one position, while James flopped on the ground after

and pulling away with over a 10 plus second lead over the new

a direct blow to his new Bell helmet. James finally had gotten

second place rider of Andrew Short. Reed had fallen to third and

back to his feet and grabbed his bike to push it off the track, the

would be there for the remainder of the race. The race for fourth

only problem was that he had not looked where he was going and

was a good one between Ivan Tedesco and Tim Ferry swapping

pushed his bike directly into the path of Kevin Windham—eerily

positions numerous times.

reminiscent of James pulling out in front of Travis Preston in 2006. Kevin was sent over the bars and into the tuf blocks

With two laps to go Josh Grant nearly had a heart attack when over the small double into the whoops his bike nose dived. Josh

After the smoke had cleared the world as we knew it had

has picked up a Parts Unlimited tuf block cover in his rear wheel

changed, Josh Grant was now out front and laying down fast laps

and it had caused the rear wheel to lock up and stop spinning

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‘09 450 SX

ultimately dropping the front end in the air. The mishap had

motocross world could feel all across the globe, Josh Grant took

caused his brake to soon over heat and take a vacation leaving

the checkered flag. Andrew Short held onto second with Reed

him without the stopping power he desired going into the next

salvaging a third and the Monster Energy / Kawasaki duo of

turn and almost over shooting it.

Tim Ferry and Rookie Ryan Villopoto rounding out the top five

Limping his way around the last lap and a half with an

riders.

impressive smoke trail in tow, Josh Grant was on his way to

At the post race interviews and in the Joe Gibbs Racing

his first Supercross class main event win. With fist pumps the

Yamaha pits everyone was happy to see Josh Grant win, even

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Lites rider Jason Lawrence came over to the JGR pits with plenty of expletives to show his excitement.

If Anaheim 1 was any indication of what we’re set to see for the remaining 16 races of the series, it’s going to be great. The battle between 1 and 7 will be epic if both riders stay healthy also there are a gaggle of riders who will be able to take wins from James and Chad should the chance arise.

The GOAT!

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By Christina Stickel

I

recently attended my first ever AMA Arenacross

Maryland

series at

the

in

Baltimore,

First

Mariner

Stadium. Arenacross is like Supercross just a lil bit smaller and tighter. However, they promote and perform them both in the same way. Like I have said before when I shot the Vegas SX being down on the floor for the opening ceremonies and so up close n personal with all the racing action is a feeling like no other. It was a great weekend with tons of bar banging racing.

Night one, Friday night, of the AMA Aenacross series opened up with Tuf Honda’s Jeff Gibson taking his first win of the season and putting an even bigger gap on the points lead over Nathan Skaggs.

Gibson grabbed the early lead and never looked back. At the same time battling behind him Chad Johnson and Demuth battled for the runner up position. When it was all said and done Babbits Monster Engergy

Kawasaki’s

Chad

Johnson

prevailed in taking the second spot behind Gibson.

Speaking of Josh Demuth, he took full advantage of being able to run both the impoundmx.com

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AX class and the lites class. He’s had a disappointing start to the season and wanted to get more track time and race experience to help him out. He took the win in the Lites class Friday night and that definitely gave him some confidence going into the rest of the season.

Team

Green

Kawasaki’s

Michael

Willard from Ohio, and Spinechillers Willy Browning fought it out for the second place position. But it was Willard who held off Browning for second place.

The second night of the AMA Arenacross Series in Baltimore, Maryland was just as exciting. I think they had way more fans and riders on the second night in the first Mariner Arena and they all got a great show as Bainbridge, Ohio’s Nathan Skaggs won his second race win of the season in the Arenacross class. Skaggs took advantage of a great holeshot and just rode his own race to the win. Skaggs looked very smooth and never let any of the pressure of coming through lapped riders bother him. Skaggs said, “Im feeling good and Spinechillers has supported me a lot”.

“The first five laps were the same. I kept an eye on who was running behind me and ran my own pace.”.

Triple Effect’s Kawasaki’s Brock Sellards

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had a rough Friday night with him running third and getting massive arm pump that made him slip outside the top 10.

However, he came back swinging Saturday and him and Tuf Honda’s Jeff Gibson kept Skaggs honest the entire race. They kept the pressure on but Skaggs didn’t let it phase him. Sellard’s went on to take home the runner up position followed by Gibson taking third. Gibson holds an 18 point lead over Skaggs in the Arenacross class.

Utah’s Gray Davenport put in a strong race in the Arenacross lites class. He had a huge lead over second place Willy Browning when the checkered flag flew.

Browning and Oreint Express Suzuki’s Dave Ginolfi of New Jersey took second and third respectively. Browning leads the lites East Division by seven points of Ginolfi.

Both nights were filled with tons of good racing. It was definitely a good experience.

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AMA ARENACROSS RESULTS & POINTS FRIDAY NIGHT AMA ARENACROSS LITES EAST MAIN EVENT 1. Josh Demuth HON 2. Michael Willard KAW 3. Willy Browning SUZ 4. Matt Cottrill YAM 5. Chad Wages SUZ 6. Dave Ginolfi SUZ AMA ARENACROSS MAIN EVENT 1. Jeff Gibson HON 2. Chad Johnson KAW 3. Josh Demuth HON 4. Tyler Bright SUZ 5. Michael Willard KAW SATURDAY NIGHT AMA ARENACROSS LITES EAST MAIN EVENT 1. Gray Davenport KAW 2. Willy Browning SUZ 3. Dave Ginolfi SUZ 4. Brock Sellards KAW 5. Cody Gilmore HON AMA ARENACROSS MAIN EVENT 1. Nathan Skaggs HON 2. Brock Sellards KAW 3. Jeff Gibson HON 4. Gray Davenport KAW 5. Michael Willard KAW

Ama Arenacross Lites East Points Standings 1. Willy Browning 42 2. Matt Cottrill

33 3. Chad Wages

26 4. Gray Davenport (1) 25 5. Ben Ritter

24 Ama Arenacross Lites Central Points Standings 1. Kurtis Mccabe 36 2. Alex Martin

35 3. Bruce Dehn

33 4. Codi Adams

28 5. Justin Berry

23 Ama Arenacross Lites Midwest Points Standings 1. Willy Browning (1) 45 2. Dave Ginolfi

44 3. Joshua Lichtle 34 4. Cody Gilmore

31 5. Daniel Aulsaybrook 26 Ama Arenacross Points Standings 1. Jeff Gibson (1) 87 2. Nathan Skaggs (2) 79 3. Chad Johnson 57 4. Keith Johnson (1) 54 4. Brock Sellards 54 4. Michael Willard 54

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Sorted out: Once the L&M Yamaha team finally got things sorted out with James’ bike, he’s been much happier and has been putting in the dominating performances we’ve all become accustomed to.

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There’s

Photo­—Kristin Cheatwood

YourSign

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Photo­—K

ristin Che

atwood

www.kendausa.com

NacNac: Seeing The King of Supercross, Jeremy McGrath, bust out a NacNac never gets old. It was only fitting that Feld Entertainment invited MC out to christen the new Supercross season with a parade lap air show at Anaheim One.

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THE NEW HALFTIME SHOW

By Chris Hultner

F

rom the beginning of time most Supercross halftime

shows have been the subject of ridicule and scorn. For the most part they have been a hodge-podge of tire rolling

races, daredevil acts, monster truck exhibitions and the all-

time best, letting local radio DJ’s race atv’s or Odyssey’s around a supercross track. Yes, simply put, the supercross halftime show was a joke, with a few exceptions.

The Wheelie King, Doug Domokus being one of them. It was always pretty cool to see Doug attempt to wheelie all the way around the track. The crowd always got behind him and he seldom let them down.

The other example of a good halftime show was the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge (KJSC). The KJSC accomplished a few things that had a positive impact on the sport. For starters, it show the people in the stand that their kids could be out there racing motocross. Another positive was that it gave young riders and their families something to shoot for by trying to make it into the KJSC program. And the biggest thing of all was that the crowds really got into the race. Some of the loudest cheers of the night at any given supercross race was for the little kids rolling around the track on their KTM SX50’s. But sadly, after ten years of being a part of the show, the KJSC is now a thing of the past. Thanks to budget cuts in this sagging global economy, KTM could no longer afford to foot the bill for the KJSC. But even when they lose, KTM wins. The Jagermeister FMX Team, headed up by Kenny Bartram, is KTM-mounted. The new halftime show is entertaining and it gives the crowd their fill of Superman-Seat grabs, Barhop’s and Backflip variations. But the long setup time leaves them sitting there with nothing to do.

While I do have nothing but respect for what those guys can do on a bike I still have the feeling that once you’ve seen a all the various backflip tricks, you’ve seen it all. But during halftime at A2 they did something that made my jaw drop.

They pulled a death-train backflip--all four team members were in the air at the same time doing a backflip...sick! That was definitely worth the price of admission.

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Backstage pass: No one is allowed on the track during the opening ceremonies because of the pyrotechnics, so everyone huddles in the tunnel rearing to go. Once the lights come back on, it’s a mad dash for everyone to take their places.

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Privateer Spotlight>>>

Ben LaMay

is making a go of it

T

hroughout his entire amateur career, Ben LaMay has always been considered a top rider. He’s won two Loretta Lynn titles among countless other amateur national championships. By all accounts, he should have been fasttracked to a big rig ride with a factory or major satelite program. But sometimes, things just don’t work out that way.

Ben is spending his first year in the Pro ranks as a full-on, nofrills, do-it-all-by-yourself privateer. Armed with nothing but a motorhome, a trailer, a bike and a dream, Ben and his father / mechanic have hit the road chasing a dream.

How has your season been going so far.

It’s been going okay. The first two Anaheims and Phoenix were decent. I could have done a lot better. I’ve just been struggling with my starts, and I’ve just been getting into my own groove and blanking everybody else out. I’ve been struggling a little with that. You know? Riding the 450cc, it’s a really tough class, there are a lot of good guys in it. I’ve just got to keep stepping forward and try to get in the main event. I’m hoping to get in here at Houston; I’ve been doing pretty well in practice, so I’ve just got to get a good start, really.

Why did you pick the 450cc class?

Well, basically, it’s my size--plain and simple. I’m like 180 pounds, so for me to ride the little bike I would already be out there with a disadvantage from everybody else. So I’ve just got to do the 450cc class, and try to do the best I can. It’s hard for me because it’s my first year, and I would have liked to do the Lites classes because it’s easier, and I could have done a lot better, and been up front. But that’s just the way things go.

I’m tall and I’m big, but eventually everybody has to go to the 450cc class so I’m already a step ahead of them.

Tell us about your program.

Well, Mike at Rock River’s helping me out with everything.

Who’s wrenching for you?

My dad.

How’s that working out?

It’s pretty good. It’s the same ol’ thing. He’s done it for me my whole year, and my whole life. So it’s not a change for me.

I’d rather be on a team with my own mechanic, but it is what it is.

Are you guys able to make it financially from race to race?

Um…not really.

What are you doing to save money?

We’re Just kind of watching everything and how we spend

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Privateer Spotlight>>>

Ben LaMay

it. But it’s all up to me and how I do each weekend to make the money to get to the next weekend. I’ve just got to do well.

You’ve made the night program at all the races so far this year.

Yeah, I make all the night programs, no problem. It’s just making it into that main event, top nine for the heat races and then top two in the LCQ, it’s a tough one. But I got 12th at Anaheim 2, so I was close there. And then we had some suspension problems in my LCQ, so I couldn’t finish that one out, but I’m close.

What are your realistic goals for the season as a whole?

For sure, it’s to make the mains.

I want to make the mains for the rest of the year. Because it seems like, if you’re not in the main event, you’re not really considered as one of the guys, I’d say. So basically just make the mains and eventually start trying to run up there in the races. Like, I can go out and practice and run as fast as anybody, and then when it comes to race time, that’s where I struggle a little bit. So I just have to work on that. You only get better with that when you race. Basically I just gotta get out there to race and work on that and get better from there.

Is it a mental issue when you get into a racing situation?

Yeah. I think it’s all mental. I think my physical condition is there, I’m in good shape, I work hard, a lot harder than I know a lot of the other guys. I mean, there are guys who are in a lot better shape than I am, but, I’m in good shape. It’s just all mental.

If you have good equipment, you’ve been riding well and everything’s been going well and you have high confidence, then you’ll do well. You

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www.nmamx.com

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Privateer Spotlight>>>

Ben LaMay

know? It’s just psyching yourself out and getting yourself ready. When you ride it’s good to not think about a lot of things,.

That’s another thing for me--I think about too many things.

Do you identify the riders in front of you, and just kind of freeze up?

Yeah, I guess. A little bit. I’ve been working on that a lot.

How do you zone them out?

Um, just try to focus on the track. I’ll usually forget about whoever’s around me.

What was it was like walking out of the tunnel at Anaheim I for the first time for you?

It was a little weird, walking out into the stadium for the first time. I was like, “Wow, I’m here.” But when I got out on the track I really don’t notice anybody in the stands or anything around me. So it didn’t really bother me. Even today, I’m not really bothered by anything.

Today’s actually a good day. There are only 38 guys in the 450cc class here in Houston. You could ride in the night show without... ...Without even doing anything, I’m already in it, but I’ve got to get to the main event.

Who are all your sponsors helping you out?

Rock River, Fly, Scott, RG3, Dunlop, HotCams, CP Pistons, Dr. D, Yamalube, Uni Filters, Stomp Grips, Tag Handlebars, Hammerhead Shift Levers, and Etnies for my shoes, and I think that’s about it.

All right, well good luck tonight.

Thank you.

[Editors note: Ben missed making the Houston main by 1 place--he got the gas card for finishing third in the 450 LCQ. At least that will help him and his dad get to the next race.]

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By Blake Wharton

Each season a new batch of hopefuls walk through the tunnels at stadiums across the country to embark on their supercross journey. It’s a step in their racing career they have dreamed of for many years prior. For some it brings glory and for others it brings heartache. This is the story of one such rider. This is Blake Wharton’s story of his first supercross.

Blake, you just walked into Reliant Stadium’s parking lot for your first supercross. How do you feel?

I feel good. I’ve been here before, watching, and I was actually born in Houston, so it’s going to go well.

Are you nervous at all?

Yeah, well, I’ll be more nervous towards the end, towards race time, but that’s just part of it, you know? I always get nervous when I race, a little bit. I’ve got that race day feeling, so, it’s good.

How many of the supercrosses so far this season have you gone to to watch? Have you gone to all of them?

I’ve gone to all of them so far, yep.

Has that prepared you at all for what the day is going to hold in store for you?

I think that’s one good thing about

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with team personel, signing autographs, walking the track, attending the riders meeting, doing interviews and preparing for his first run at the track.

East Coast supercross. You get to watch the West Coast races and see the good things and the bad things, and then figure it all out. You can kind of get a feel of what it’s going to be like. I think it’s definitely helped out.

Did you get any sleep at all last night?

I did. I slept pretty well. I slept until eight o’clock. I slept like a baby!

What did you have for breakfast?

Breakfast was oatmeal, milk, orange juice and apple juice. I did the combination today. I figured I needed both.

Did you mix them?

No, no. They were separate, yeah.

Didn’t want to do that. Too risky.

Blake spent the morning meeting

How did practice go?

Second practice went well.

I just rode kind of loose, and I got the track down a little better, so I can’t complain about that. I stayed off the ground.

Did you fall down in your first practice?

No I didn’t.

How did your first practice go?

I was a little tight. You know, first practice in supercross, so I learned from that and settled down a little bit. So hopefully I’m good for the heat race.

How do you like the track?

Well, it’s my first supercross, so I’m not like an expert on tracks and rating them, but I like it because the dirt’s good, it’s loose, and it’s actually a technical track.

There are some sections that are really technical, so I can’t complain, I guess.

It looks like it’s getting kind of slick in some spots. Like that sweeper.

The sweeper is getting slick but compared to other supercrosses, you’ve gotta say this is good soil pretty much

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everywhere. Every sweeper gets slick like that. They’ll probably water it and it will still be good. I don’t see the track getting dry at all. I see it staying like this. It’s good, though.

So personally, are you where you think you should be, or are you maybe behind where you think you should be?

I think I’m where I should be. My times, I felt, are good enough to go out there and get a holeshot and put myself up in front. I’m not worried about practice too much, because once the gate drops it’s a different thing.

Where did you practice at prior to this? Did you go to the Honda track in California?

I was at the Honda track pretty much every day.

Yeah.

I am currently eating a jalapeno. It’s delicious.

Do you like jalapenos?

Right now I do. Gives me some spice before the moto.

I don’t even need to warm up, just give me one of those.

Okay, what are you expecting to happen when you walk into the stadium and the stands are full and...

I think the crowd’s gonna go wild. I think it’ll be good. They won’t probably even see me, I mean if I win they’ll see me.

So you’re not going to feel like you walk in there and all eyes are on you.

Not really. Probably half the people don’t even know who I am. They’ve never

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put myself in a good spot then I can finish well.

What were your lap times in your second practice? Were they better than the first one?

Yes, they were better. I don’t know exactly what they were.

Do you know what place you came in, in practice?

I think ninth in practice.

Ninth overall?

Yeah. Ninth. That’s good.

Have you been keeping an eye on your brother Tyler at all, seeing what he’s doing or have you even talked to him today?

I talked to him earlier. He’s doing pretty good. He crashed in practice, but he’s alright. I think if he gets a good start he can do good too. I hope he does well. Probably if we don’t crash into each other. Out of everyone out there we crash into each other, that would be something.

even been to a supercross before. So I’m not worried too much. I know if I do well they’ll know who I am and that would be pretty good.

Now racing the last few nationals that you did last year, do you think that helped prepare you for tonight?

Definitely. I raced those guys out there, and I’ll be racing them here. I ran with them then and I know I can run with them now. It just gives me confidence. If I

After practice there are more meetings about bike setup, more autographs to sign and more fans to talk to. Even though Blake is a newcomer to supercross, he’s a well known rider in Texas, so there were plenty distractions for him throughout the day. Good thing for the riders that the pits are closed before the show begins and the riders have time to focus on the race at hand.

Tell me about your heat race? That was kind of crazy. I saw you bash into Davalos

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in mid air. I thought for sure you were going down.

Yeah, I got a pretty good start, tried to sweep around and that didn’t work. I was in third, fourth, fifth, and I rolled a section, and we both just jumped and we were angled towards each other and we hit in midair. It was one of those things that could have gone either way. We could have gotten together and crashed hard right off the bat, but luckily we both saved it. It was squirrelly. I mean, I was all over the place. But it is what is, and I recovered from that and got going a little bit. I was doing pretty good. I came up short on the big triple. It was tough. Just to get it was a challenge, just because the turn was so slick before. Came up short and I almost lost it there. It was squirrelly.

You bounced when you landed and then you pinned the throttle and almost crashed into the face of the next jump.

Yeah, I bounced and I pinned it, and I got going, but I didn’t crash. I ended up fifth in that, and my brother, actually, he got the holeshot in his heat. He led for a little bit and and ended up in fourth

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place. So both of us started out pretty good. Then the main rolled around, and I don’t even know what place I started out in. What was it, fifth or sixth?

Yeah, you were fifth.

And then I got sixth You got by Vince Freise for fourth, and then Stroupe passed you and bumped you back to fifth.

Yeah. Stroupe got around me and I actually stuck with him for a while, for a couple of laps, maybe.

You stuck with him the whole race. You were running close to the same pace as him.

We were close the whole time, and then, what happened--I don’t know. I had pressure from the rear for the whole moto, it seemed like, and then I had guys in front of me. You know, if I get a better start next time, put myself in second or first...

How about when you and Vince Friese are running together, and then Stroupe came through both of you?

I know! We were having a good little battle and Stroupe just ran right up on the inside, and he didn’t hit me because I was

on the outside. I got luckily on that one, but Vince didn’t. It was just a good battle.

My first supercross, I didn’t really know what to expect. You know, hopefully from here, just keep going forward.

When you first walked out of the tunnel for the first heat race, were you nervous at all?

Yeah, I had to pee the whole time.

There’s no Port-A-Johns down there. I was a little nervous. But it was nothing new. Just racing nerves,that’s all it is.

And you get those any time you line up on a gate. I felt good, I have some stuff to work on. We’ve got three weeks, that’s plenty of time to work on some stuff, and tune some stuff, and get back out there for Atlanta.

What do you think you need to work on the most?

Obviously, I could’ve gotten a holeshot, but I think that will come in time. I don’t really feel like I’ve got one thing to work on, more than anything else. Just keep working on the whole thing, and tune up and sharpen up, and pick up a second here, and half a second there. And then

I’ll be up there.

Was tonight beyond your expectations? Or below your expectations? Or did it meet your expectations?

I came in saying I wanted to be top-five consistently. And that was pretty close. I got fifth place.

I want to be top-five consistently, so next race I want to be top-five.

I’d like to get top-three. And I know I can put myself in a good position, and work on some stuff, and I’ll be there.

Are you proud of your brother?

I am. He got the holeshot, pretty much. You know, I haven’t got a holeshot yet, so he has something to be proud of, for sure. He obviously needs to work on some stuff, because I think he fell. If we can both finish out the series strong, we’ll go into outdoors swinging.

Congratulations on your ride and top five finish.

Thank you very much.

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HOUSTON SUPERCROSS 86

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L&M Yamaha’s James Stewart edged a little closer to taking over the 450 Supercross points lead as he cruised to his third straight victory of the young season. After struggling through a disastrous first round, and bike setup trouble, he and his team seem to have figured things out by Houston. In the 450 Main James had to battle with Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto for the first three laps before taking the lead. From there it was smooth sailing to the checkers.

Speaking of Villopoto, he put in one of his best rides since moving up in class. He nabbed his first 450 podium finish with a third behind Chad Reed. Ryan is definitely progressing as a rider and it shouldn’t be long now before he’s battling for the win.

Chad Reed had to work for his second place finish as he got a

bad start and came around on the first lap in eighth. Even though it took him most of the moto to get up there, he still managed to get the job done, as always.

It seems odd that we’d already be talking about the first round of the East 250 Supercross series as we are just four rounds into the season. But regardless, the new crop of rookies that showed up at Houston were certainly ready to race. In fact, just about all the new kids made it into the main on their first attempt. Guys like Blake and Tyler Wharton, Darryn Durham, Stephen Clarke, Vince Friese and Hunter Hewitt each made it in. But it was that French kid, Christophe Pourcel who stole all the glory by making a supercross win look easy. Christophe shut everyone down by grabbing the holeshot and leading every lap.

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HOUSTON

Rookie night: The most impressive riders of the night at Houston were the rookies. Just about all the new riders made the 250 Main and put in good rides. Darryn Durham (159) finished eighth in the Main. That was the second best performance by a rookie that night. He was only topped by fellow rookie, Blake Wharton, who finished fifth.

Wow: We already knew Christophe Pourcel was talented, but dang, he holeshot the 250 Main and ran away. They oughta just mail him the number one plate now.

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Go time: Nico Izzi definitely came to Houston prepared to play. He ran most of the 250 Main in second until he got zapped by Metcalfe.

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Two for one: While Vince Friese (719) and Blake Wharton battled it out for control of fourth place in the 250 Main, Pro Circuit’s Austin Stroupe snuck up from behind.

He dove underneath the two Honda riders, stuffed and dropped Friese and passed Wharton for fourth. Wharton was able to hang with Stroupe for most of the rest of the main to finish fifth. The 250 main went downhill for Friese from that point. He remounted after losing a couple spots, but crashed out on lap ten.

Taking it easy: If there’s one rider in the 450 class who’s already thinking ahead to the outdoor nationals, it’s Mike Alessi. Mike is just trying to get through the supercross series unscathed. While he has been getting great starts, he’s not quite at the point in his recovery from a preseason injury to hang it out just yet.

However, look for him to be a serious threat outdoors, once again.

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HOUSTON

Making progress: James Stewart has his work cut out for him. After scoring no points at the first round, he’s climbing the points ladder by winning each race since.

First timer: Rookie Steven Clarke squeaked into the 250 Main by winning the LCQ in his first ever supercross. In the main he finished a respectable 13th.

Avoid the radar: Tony Alessi is doing everything in his power to stay out of trouble. We’ll let you know how that works out for him.

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HOUSTON

Reining Champ: Chad Reed has the points lead, but he has yet to win a 450 Main event. He’s going to have wick it up a notch as James is gaining on him, quick.

Rollover: Josh Grant was nursing a sore ankle at Houston. During his tustle with Reed at A2 Josh rolled it and was unable to ride the whole week between.

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Solid: Brett Metcalfe had a solid night in Houston. He won his 250 Heat over Pourcel, got a good start in the Main and finshed second.

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ROOKIE WATCH

Keeping track of the newbies of Supercross

#350

BEN EVANS

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 22 01:06.034 Heat Race: 6 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 9 Points Scored: 12 PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 17 00:57.480 Heat Race: 9 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 9 Points Scored: 12 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 14 01:04.561 Heat Race: 7 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 14 Points Scored: 7 TOTAL POINTS 31

#87

P. J. LARSEN

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 11 01:04.334 Heat Race: 17 LCQ:

18 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 11 00:56.501 Heat Race: 6 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 6 Points Scored: 15 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 12 01:04.253 Heat Race: 6 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 10 Points Scored: 11 TOTAL POINTS 26

#164

MICHAEL HALL

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 10 01:04.241 Heat Race: 16 LCQ:

21 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 14 00:57.110 Heat Race: 16 LCQ:

18 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 21 01:05.606 Heat Race: 5

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LCQ:

Main Event: Points Scored: TOTAL POINTS

#220

NA 9 12 12

COLE SEELY

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 26 01:06.250 Heat Race: 12 LCQ:

3 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 21 00:57.694 Heat Race: 4 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 11 Points Scored: 10 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 22 01:05.820 Heat Race: 10 LCQ:

7 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 10

#85

SEAN BORKENHAGEN

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 14 01:04.955 Heat Race: 9 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 12 Points Scored: 9 PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 25 00:58.114 Heat Race: 13 LCQ:

5 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 13 01:04.399 Heat Race: 18 LCQ:

4 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 9

#144

ALEX MARTIN

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 28 01:06.310 Heat Race: 14 LCQ:

9 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 19 00:57.549 Heat Race: 10 LCQ:

2 Main Event: 16

Points Scored: 5 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 15 01:04.869 Heat Race: 15 LCQ:

3 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 5

#986

TOPHER INGALLS

#152

SCOTT CHAMPION

#255

DANIEL HENDRIX

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 25 01:06.187 Heat Race: 18 LCQ:

7 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 12 00:56.998 Heat Race: 7 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 17 Points Scored: 4 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 24 01:06.248 Heat Race: 13 LCQ:

16 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 4 ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 36 01:07.288 Heat Race: 19 LCQ:

16 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 36 00:59.498 Heat Race: 20 LCQ:

9 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 33 01:07.431 Heat Race: 8 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 17 Points Scored: 4 TOTAL POINTS 4 ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 24 01:06.122 Heat Race: 10 LCQ:

19 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX

Timed Qualifying: 30 00:58.795 Heat Race: 7 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 19 Points Scored: 2 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 35 01:07.643 Heat Race: 20 LCQ:

11 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 2

LCQ:

Main Event: Points Scored: TOTAL POINTS

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 48 01:09.454 (did not qualify for the night program) PHOENIX ROUND 2 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 32 00:59.142 Heat Race: 18 LCQ:

15 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 WEST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 29 01:06.910 Heat Race: 17 LCQ:

15 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 0

HOUSTON ROUND 4 EAST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 20 00:54.827 Heat Race: 9 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 17 Points Scored: 4 TOTAL POINTS 4

#318

BENNY BRECK

#61

BLAKE WHARTON

#159

DARRYN DURHAM

HOUSTON ROUND 4 EAST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 9 00:52.839 Heat Race: 4 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 5 Points Scored: 16 TOTAL POINTS 16 HOUSTON ROUND 4 EAST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 10 00:53.086 Heat Race: 6 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 8 Points Scored: 13 TOTAL POINTS 13

#77

STEVEN CLARKE

HOUSTON ROUND 4 EAST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 8 00:52.517 Heat Race: 10 LCQ:

1 Main Event: 13 Points Scored: 8 TOTAL POINTS 8

#126

HUNTER HEWITT

HOUSTON ROUND 4 EAST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 13 00:53.267 Heat Race: 12 LCQ:

2 Main Event: 14 Points Scored: 7 TOTAL POINTS 7

#247

TEDDY PARKS

HOUSTON ROUND 4 EAST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 24 00:55.247 Heat Race: 7

#96

NA 15 6 6

TYLER WHARTON

HOUSTON ROUND 4 EAST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 23 00:55.043 Heat Race: 4 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 16 Points Scored: 5 TOTAL POINTS 5

#521

KYLE GILLS

#719

VINCE FRIESE

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 37 01:07.448 Heat Race: 19 LCQ:

19 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 35 00:57.647 Heat Race: 16 LCQ:

12 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 27 01:04.420 Heat Race: 13 LCQ:

5 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 HOUSTON ROUND 4 EAST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 16 00:53.784 Heat Race: 5 LCQ:

NA Main Event: 20 Points Scored: 1 TOTAL POINTS 1

#95

BEN LAMAY

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 36 01:07.140 Heat Race: 14 LCQ:

9 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 27 00:56.653 Heat Race: 13 LCQ:

13 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 32 01:04.796 Heat Race: 12 LCQ:

15 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0

HOUSTON ROUND 4 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 29 00:53.099 Heat Race: 10 LCQ:

3 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 0

#354

CHRIS JOHNSON

#153

GREGORY CRATER

#425

JARRED BROWNE

#309

SPENCER DAILY

ANAHEIM ROUND 1 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 38 01:07.639 Heat Race: 17 LCQ:

17 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 43 01:00.162 (did not qualify for the night program) ANAHEIM ROUND 3 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 39 01:07.136 Heat Race: 18 LCQ:

20 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 0 ANAHEIM ROUND 1 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 42 01:08.781 (did not qualify for the night program) PHOENIX ROUND 2 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 37 00:58.571 Heat Race: 18 LCQ:

8 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 ANAHEIM ROUND 3 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 38 01:07.045 Heat Race: 15 LCQ:

10 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 0 ANAHEIM ROUND 1 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 32 01:06.200 Heat Race: 20 LCQ:

10 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 PHOENIX ROUND 2 450 SX Timed Qualifying: 31 00:57.107 Heat Race: 20 LCQ:

22 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 0 HOUSTON ROUND 4 EAST 250 SX Timed Qualifying: 21 00:54.865 Heat Race: 20 LCQ:

18 Main Event: DNQ Points Scored: 0 TOTAL POINTS 0

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fresh

products from motoland

by jeff finup of mxpreview.com

ALPINESTARS STORM MX CHEST PROTECTOR

Designed for MX, Off-Road and racing, the advanced chest protection features exclusive features to provide excellent safety, support and flexibility.

NEW STORM MX CHEST PROTECTOR KEY FEATURES Alpinestars exclusive pivoting shoulder design and articulated rear panels allows unrestricted mobility. Biofoam padding at all contact areas for comfort.

Can be worn as an under or over protector, with removable upper arm protectors. Pivoting shoulder design ensures maximum safety and allows greater freedom of movement.

Adjustable arms and shoulders for a perfect fit. Adjustable waist with Kidney support straps. Semi-auto locking YKK zipper closure.

Colors: (Clear) Black, (Clear) Red, (Clear) Blue Sizes: S to XL Retail price: $129.95 For more information see www.alpinestars.com

EXCEL ADJUSTABLE SPOKE TORQUE WRENCH

MSRP: $124.95 Excel’s new lightweight aluminum bodied Spoke Torque Wrench takes the guessing and fatigue out of building wheels and maintaining the desired tension of your spokes.

Tightens all spokes identically to proper torque setting to maximize the highest strength capacity and reduce the likelihood of rim/hub/spoke breakage.

Unlike other spoke torque wrenches, Excel’s Torque Wrench is easily adjustable with a range of 15-60 inchlbs.

Excel’s Torque Wrench Kit comes with 5 heads in the most common sizes, including the Spline Drive head.

Additional and replacement heads are available in sizes ranging from 4.6mm to 6.9mm.

Comes in a handy black composite storage box and makes a great gift!

Website: www.rkexcelamerica.com

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ASV INVENTIONS F3 SERIES PRO MODEL CLUTCH

MSRP: $115-$135 Material: 6061 Aluminum Alloy Process: Forged Unbreakable Design Adjustable Reach Steel, Sealed Bearings on Pivot Chrome Silicon High Tension Spring Stainless Steel Fasteners Completely Rebuildable Available in Red, Blue or Black Anodized Colors Features: Pro Perch that includes: 1 ) CNC Adjust on the fly cable adjuster 2 ) Double bearings between the perch and lever 3 ) Nylon “Rotator” Sleeve between the perch and handlebar to allow vertical movement to further reduce the chances of breaking a lever 4 ) Built on dust covers Website: www.asvinventions.com

BRAKING OVERSIZED FRONT ROTOR KIT

DP DPK CLUTCH KITS

After extensive testing and use by top off-road and ATV riders DP Brakes introduces a full line of clutch kits for the off-road and ATV markets. The DP Clutch Kit has been designed to provide extended service life coupled with super smooth fade free power delivery. Each kit includes friction plates, steel drive plates and clutch springs. The friction plates are ready to race with no need to pre-soak in oil. They are more durable than original equipment and the high heat friction material provides fade free performance. Unlike aluminium plates, the DP Brakes steel drive plates will not expand, fade or produce clutch swell while lasting three times longer than stock plates. The increased weight, compared to stock plates, adds flywheel effect improving starting and traction. The chrome silicone wire spring sets are heat treated and shot peened for maximum life, and are individually designed to eliminate slippage without excessively strong spring rates. This enables them to operate with great lever feel.

Website: www.dp-brakes.com

MSRP: $335.00 The Batfly 270 is the natural evolution of the popular Braking design profile and is easily recognizable thanks to the black grooves that are cut across the outer braking track resembling bat wings, hence the name ‘Batfly’.

With the larger 270mm diameter, maximum braking power is obtained, but with the Batfly design, brake feeling is increased even further, achieving the perfect combination of stopping power and brake feel.

Braking’s Batfly profile maintains the lowest temperature possible in race conditions, resulting in a better progression in brake feeling than any other oversized rotor kit available.

Kit includes 270mm oversized Batfly design rotor, caliper relocation bracket, and a set of CM46 Sintered Race series pads – all components available separately.

Same exact rotor that has won numerous World Championships, including the 2007 championship with Steve Ramon. Chad Reed and Jason Lawrence also used the Batfly to help them win SX titles in 2008.

Website: www.brakingusa.com

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T-4 Semi-Custom Graphics Kits. Made with your logos & sponsors ($199.95) T-4 Backgrounds ($69.95) Rim DeCals ($59.95) Fork Tube DeCals ($29.95)

www.decalmx.com

www.renthal.com