San Manuel Yamaha Race Report: Jacksonville

Courtesy of L&M  Racing
LOS ANGELES, CA - Moving south, the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, ran the 12th stop of the series at Jacksonville, Florida's Municipal Stadium.  Before a Saturday evening crowd of 38,321, Team San Manuel's Josh Hill finished seventh still remaining third in the overall championship points race with 206 points. Teammate and current Supercross Champion, James Stewart, continues extensive rehabilitation on his right wrist and is hoping to make his return to racing at the Houston stop of the series on April 10th.

Hill ran Heat Race 2 finishing the eight-lap heat fifth for the direct transfer to the Main. In the Main event Hill was fast out of the gate running the first portion of the race with the top 5 riders.  At the halfway point, Hill was still running a steady race right up until the very last lap holding onto a seventh place spot and more importantly maintaining valuable points.  Hill's 7th place finish, in the 20-lap race, keeps him 3rd in the overall championship race.

Post race Hill had this to say, “It was a rough race for me tonight but I am going to take advantage of this week off and work hard with my team.  I can't thank the whole San Manuel Yamaha team enough for all of their hard work and continued awesome support - I am very grateful!”

Team Manuel Yamaha Highlights / Jacksonville, FL - Round 12 -
James Stewart - Did Not Race
Josh Hill Race Finish - 7th 
Josh Hill - Heat Race 2 - 5th  
James Stewart - Season to Date:  1 win; 1-3rd; 1-15th 
Josh Hill - Season to Date: 4-2nd; 1-3rd; 1-5th; 4-6th; 2-9th
James Stewart - Championship Points - 51
Josh Hill - Championship Points - 206

About Team San Manuel
     Team San Manuel is a unique partnership between the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and L&M Racing, LLC, with the sole purpose of reaching out to Native and non-Native communities and sharing with them the value of perseverance and dedication.  Building a winning team comprised of top-notch talent and community service, Team San Manuel honors the Serrano belief of caring for our community. (www.sanmanuelracing.com)

About the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
     The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the city of Highland, California.  The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture.  The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government.  Despite challenges and hardships, the San Manuel tribal community has continued to progressively maintain and enhance its unique form of government - focusing all efforts on providing a better quality of life for its citizens.  Through economic diversification, both on and off the reservation, the tribe has been forward thinking in its efforts to build infrastructure, maintain civil services and promote social, economic, educational and governmental units including the departments of fire, public safety, education and environment and continues to pursue opportunities for future generations.

About L & M Racing
     L&M Racing was formed in 2006 by Owner/Team Manager Larry Brooks and partner Mike Kranyak.  Operating as Team San Manuel Yamaha, this illustrious team has garnered 2 Supercross Championship titles in just three professional race seasons. For the 2010 race season, 2009 Supercross Champion James Stewart anchors Team San Manuel as he vehemently defends his title and is joined by 2008 Supercross Rookie of the Year Josh Hill.  In 2009, Team San Manuel's James Stewart won his second Supercross Championship, his first coming in 2007, and second for L&M Racing's independent effort.  Rookie Kyle Chisholm rounded out Team San Manuel's 2009 team.  In 2008 team, Team San Manuel Yamaha, consisted of 2004 Supercross Champion Chad Reed and former West Coast Lites Champion Nathan Ramsey -- the newly-formed endeavor garnered its first championship title that season.  Led by Larry Brooks, the driving force behind the Jeremy McGrath / Chaparral Racing team's three-year championship reign in Supercross, Brooks' then race effort yielded the first and only indie team to ever win an AMA Supercross Series Championship.  L&M Racing is headquartered within an 8,000 square foot, state-of-the-art race facility in Southern California and is one of the most successful independently owned and operated teams in professional Supercross racing today.

Next Race
April 10th  - RELIANT STADIUM - Houston, Texas
Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

Glen Helen Out of National Series

Courtesy of MX Sports
MORGANTOWN, W.V. – MX Sports Pro Racing announced today the postponement of the Glen Helen round of the 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, citing contractual differences with the promoter of the San Bernardino, Calif., facility. The second-round event, which was originally scheduled for Glen Helen Raceway on May 29, 2010, is now being slated for September 11.
“This was a difficult decision, but ultimately, we simply were not able to come to contractual terms with Glen Helen Raceway,” said Davey Coombs, Vice President of MX Sports Pro Racing. “By moving the date to September 11, we will have time to find a suitable venue. Riders, teams and fans are making travel plans now and we want them to feel secure that we will have an exceptional venue ready in Southern California. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this change.”
MX Sports Pro Racing does not intend to fill the date of May 29 and will opt to leave the remaining series dates intact, giving competitors and teams Memorial Day weekend off. Details for the September 11 event will be announced soon.
The revised 2010 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship Schedule is:
Rd 1 May 22 Hangtown Classic Sacramento, CA
Rd 2 Jun 5 Freestone Raceway Wortham, TX
Rd 3 Jun 12 High Point Raceway Mt. Morris, PA
Rd 4 Jun 19 Budds Creek Motocross Mechanicsville, MD
Rd 5 Jun 26 Thunder Valley Motocross Lakewood, CO
Rd 6 Jul 3 RedBud Buchanan, MI
Rd 7 Jul 17 Spring Creek Motocross Millville, MN
Rd 8 Jul 24 Washougal MX Park Washougal, WA
Rd 9 Aug 14 Unadilla New Berlin, NY
Rd 10 Aug 28 Moto-X 338 Southwick, MA
Rd 11 Sept 4 Steel City Raceway Delmont, PA
Rd 12 Sep 11 TBA CA
Racing fans that have purchased advanced tickets or camping passes to this event should contact Glen Helen atwww.glenhelen.com.
Please stay tuned to www.allisports.com for updates and additional information on the series.

Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

James Stewart Has Wrist Surgery

Courtesy of San Manuel Yamaha

AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPION JAMES STEWART
UNDERWENT SURGERY TODAY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 29TH, 2010

LOS ANGELES, CA – Team San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart underwent surgery this afternoon, to repair a broken scaphoid in his right wrist.  Following Round 3 of the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, in Anaheim, CA, Stewart continued to experience severe pain in the wrist.  Although previous x-rays had not indicated there was a break, an MRI performed yesterday and reviewed by medical experts today, revealed the bone was broken.  Surgery was performed immediately by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Arthur Ting, of Fremont, CA and was completed without incidence.

As a result of the surgery, Stewart will not be competing in San Francisco this weekend.  His return to the race track will depend on how quickly he is able to recover post-surgery and will be evaluated and determined on a weekly basis.  “James is a true champion.  The fact that he rode as competitively as he did making the podium at Anaheim 2 with a broken wrist (unknowingly) is testimony to that.  He’s anxious to heal and get back on the race track as soon as possible,” said Larry Brooks, Team Manager.

About Team San Manuel
Team San Manuel is a unique partnership between the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and L&M Racing, LLC, with the sole purpose of reaching out to Native and non-Native communities and sharing with them the value of perseverance and dedication.  Building a winning team comprised of top-notch talent and community service, Team San Manuel honors the Serrano belief of caring for our community. (www.sanmanuelracing.com)

About L & M Racing
L&M Racing was formed in 2006 by Owner/Team Manager Larry Brooks and partner Mike Kranyak.  Operating as Team San Manuel Yamaha, this illustrious team has garnered 2 Supercross Championship titles in just three professional race seasons. For the 2010 race season, 2009 Supercross Champion James Stewart anchors Team San Manuel as he vehemently defends his title and is joined by 2008 Supercross Rookie of the Year Josh Hill.  In 2009, Team San Manuel’s James Stewart won his second Supercross Championship, his first coming in 2007, and second for L&M Racing’s independent effort.  Rookie Kyle Chisholm rounded out Team San Manuel’s 2009 team.  In 2008 team, Team San Manuel Yamaha, consisted of 2004 Supercross Champion Chad Reed and former West Coast Lites Champion Nathan Ramsey -- the newly-formed endeavor garnered its first championship title that season.  Led by Larry Brooks, the driving force behind the Jeremy McGrath / Chaparral Racing team's three-year championship reign in Supercross, Brooks' then race effort yielded the first and only indie team to ever win an AMA Supercross Series Championship.  L&M Racing is headquartered within an 8,000 square foot, state-of-the-art race facility in Southern California and is one of the most successful independently owned and operated teams in professional Supercross racing today.Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

DUNGEY TAKES 2ND VICTORY AT ANAHEIM SUPERCROSS

Courtesy of Suzuki

DUNGEY TAKES 2ND VICTORY AT ANAHEIM SUPERCROSS



Team Suzuki Press Office - January 24.

Ryan Dungey has increased his lead in the 2010 AMA/ FIM Supercross Championship after racing to his second straight victory at Saturday night's third round at Anaheim in California.

The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider raced his RM-Z450 to a three-second win over Joshua Hill in the Main Event, watched by almost 32,000 fans.

Said Dungey: "To get our second win was unbelievable and I can't thank the guys on the team enough. The guys at Rockstar Makita Suzuki did a great job with bike set up."

After a shortened practice schedule due to fears that the track wouldn't hold up after a week of rain in Southern California, Dungey was the fastest in the practice sessions. At the drop of the gate for the Main Event, he came out of the first turn in fifth, while his team mate Austin Stroupe grabbed the holeshot. Eventually, Dungey worked his way through the pack and was able to take the lead in lap 14. By the end of the race, Dungey had given himself a comfortable three-second lead at the flag.

"The way the Main Event happened was perfect..." said Team Manager Roger DeCoster. "... because if Ryan got the holeshot, people would say 'Well, he got the holeshot and that's what helped him win.' Coming from behind was good for Ryan. He was fifth coming out of the first turn, and having to pass some guys made the win that much better. It's good for his confidence, and the circumstances of the race were perfect for us."

Dungey was very calculated in his manoeuvres on the track, which allowed him to benefit from the mistakes of other racers.

"I had my work cut out for me tonight," Dungey said. "But I just had to be patient. I had the speed and I had the lines; it was just a matter of letting it come and not rushing it."

With consistent lap times and smart racing last night and so far this season, Dungey has opened up his points lead 15 points ahead of second place.

Another winner was the Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450, which has proved to be a holeshot machine: Austin Stroupe got the holeshot in Heat #1 as well as the Main Event, and Dungey got the holeshot in Heat #2. The fuel-injected RM-Z450 has grabbed more holeshots in the 2010 season than any other bike on the starting gate.

The race action moves to San Francisco's AT&T Park next weekend; January 30th.

Main Event: 1. Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki); 2. Josh Hill (Yamaha); 3. James Stewart (Yamaha); 4. Andrew Short (Honda); 5. Kevin Windham (Honda); 6. Justin Brayton (Yamaha); 7. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki); 8. Davi Millsaps (Honda); 9. Michael Byrne (Yamaha); 10. Ivan Tedesco (Yamaha).


 

Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

Courtesy of One Industries

ONE Industries Announces RIDERS F1RST Featuring David Bailey

The inaugural RIDERS F1RST event featuring David Bailey was held on Friday night to celebrate the Icon and introduce a new program by ONE Industries to provide help for injured riders.

This year’s event was held at Oakley world headquarters in southern California and brought together key figures in the industry as well as some of the most successful riders in the world. The evening celebrated David’s achievements and raised awareness and money for a good cause.

RIDERS F1RST is a charitable organization established by ONE Industries to provide support to athletes who have suffered career-ending injuries and are in need of substantial help.  With the help of David Bailey, the goal is to find these people and address their needs with the money raised by the program to make a big difference in their lives.

ONE Industries will produce a limited run of 300 complete sets of racewear including a helmet, jersey, pants, and gloves. The first ten sets of gear were offered to the highest bidders in a silent auction at Friday night’s event, with the winning bid on the #6 set hitting $10,000!

Neil Calvesbert, CEO of ONE Industries said “The event was a great starting point for RIDERS F1RST, we got the ball rolling with David and this is something we will continue to drive forward. We all know the big name riders who get hurt but there are so many more riders at all levels that need a helping hand. The gear got a great response not only at the event but also when Ivan Tedesco wore it at Anaheim on Saturday. I want to thank David Bailey for helping us turn this idea into a reality and everyone who supported the event, Oakley, Racer X, Red Bull, Todd Huffman, Chris Williams and all of the athletes and industry people who came together despite the terrible weather last week”.

David Bailey adds, “Everything ONE industries does is carefully planned and well executed, but this project is their best yet. I'm honored they revived the 1986 florescent gear, but more honored to have a platform to help those who are and have been suffering.”  He continues, “I've been down before and I know how devastating it can be even though I had a lot of support. There are many who have been forgotten and it is time to lift them up and give them hope”.

Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

ROCKSTAR MAKITA SUZUKI SET FOR ANAHEIM CLASH

Courtesy of Suzuki Press Office
ROCKSTAR MAKITA SUZUKI SET FOR ANAHEIM CLASH



Team Suzuki Press Office - January 21.

Amidst a large group of storm systems hammering Southern California, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey and Austin Stroupe are preparing for another big clash this weekend at Anaheim 2, the third round on the AMA/ FIM Supercross Championship.

The 2010 RM-Z450 Suzuki has proven to be the class of the field so far this season with holeshot after holeshot and Dungey's fine breakout win in Phoenix. He currently sits atop the points standings but knows that it's still very early in the season.

'I'm going to put in a good week of practice and work on what we've got to," Dungey explained of his strategy. "We're going to show up to Anaheim 2 ready. Getting the win in Phoenix was cool, but Roger always tells me 'You're only as good as your last race.' So, I'm going to keep pushing."

Austin Stroupe (pictured) is also pumped for the return trip to SoCal: "For Anaheim 2, I want to maintain my good starts and make the top 10 again. That would be great. I want to stay safe and just put a good 20 laps in and then get ready for the East Coast, where I'll be racing the Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites class. I think riding the 450 will help me do well on the 250 later this season."

Dungey is the only 450-class rider to be on the podium at both events so far this season, something he wants to continue. The 2010 Suzuki RM-Z450 has proven to be fast and consistent. The Suzuki fuel injection makes the power useable, and has proven to have what it takes to get a holeshot. Just rewind to last week's double holeshots in the heat races plus the one-two first turn domination by Dungey and Stroupe in the Main Event.


It will be interesting to see how much the weather plays into the track conditions this weekend. The track crew is doing a great job in keeping things dry -- covering each section of track as they complete it -- so, it could be anything from a perfect track to a mud race. However, the action on the yellow bikes will be the same rain or shine -- looking to win.Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.

MORAIS RACES TO PHOENIX SUPERCROSS PODIUM

Courtesy of American Suzuki
Rockstar Energy Suzuki team rider Ryan Morais raced to another podium finish with second place at the second round of the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

Morais moved up one position from last weekend's third overall at the opening Anaheim round which puts him in second overall in the series and only eight points off the lead.

"My RM-Z250 is running great!" Morais said after the race. "I got a pretty good start and then pretty much attacked the whole race. I got close, but couldn't quite get up to the top spot on the box. Hopefully I can get a win in Anaheim next weekend"

In the heat race, Morais and team mate Hunter Hewitt lined up. At the drop of the gate, Morais snagged the holeshot but had a bobble and found himself in fourth position. But by lap two, he was in second and Hewitt was mired back in 13th.

With three laps to go, Morais made a mistake in the sand and fell back to third but quickly passed back up to second.  At the end it was Morais in second while Hewitt worked his way up to 10th, putting him into the LCQ. In the LCQ, Hewitt missed transferring to the Main by just one spot and will have to wait until Anaheim-2 for his next shot.

At the start of the Main, Morais got out to a fourth-placed start and immediately started to charge forward. By lap four, he was up to third and on the move. The next lap he was up to second and looking for more. By the halfway point, Morais was still running second but it was anyone's race as the top four were separated by only a few seconds. He took over the lead on lap 12 and led until lap 14 when he was passed and put in second place. The last lap saw Morais close down to a .4-second gap but at the flag he had to settle for second place.

"The bike is just amazing out there," Morais said after the race. "I got great starts all night. I'm really looking forward to next week; I'm learning every weekend and I'm really having fun."

Team Manager Bill Keefe was happy with his Lites riders' performance, "Ryan rode a strong, smart race at Phoenix. It's only our second race together as a team on the Suzuki RM-Z250. To finish second on the night, and be sitting second in the Lites West Coast Championship, is a very good start to our 2010 season."

Meanwhile in the AMA Supercross class, team rider Tommy Hahn scored a hard-fought top-10 finish, making him the top-ranked privateer in the class. With many of the world's top riders struggling on this technical track, Hahn's efforts made his RM-Z450 the third Suzuki in the top 10. Like Hunter and Ryan, Hahn can't wait for Anaheim 2 this coming weekend. But there may be some surprises waiting for all the Supercross riders at the Big A.

"With the prediction of a week of rain in Southern California, Anaheim 2 should be very interesting." Bill Keefe reminded us. "Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki has a good mud prep plan for the race bikes. Tommy, Ryan and Hunter all enjoy racing in the mud, so rain or shine we will be ready. The Suzukis are great bikes and with help from Rockstar Energy Drinks, Canidae, and all our program partners, it is especially gratifying to deliver some solid results."

 

Husqvarna Demo Days Visits SoCal

Image via Wikipedia

Courtesy of Husqvarna
January 12, 2010 - Woodcliff Lake, NJ - Husqvarna Motorcycles North America (HMNA) and its Southern California Dealer Network will be offering demo rides on select 2010 model Husqvarnas during the opening round of the AMA National Hare & Hound Series on Saturday Jan 23rd in Lucerne Valley, CA. This is your chance to ride the legendary machines that have taken Husqvarna racers to more than 74 World Championships (not to mention Nick Burson to #1 in D-37 Open Class Desert Competition).

"This is an exciting opportunity for anyone in the market for a new motorcycle to experience all that Husqvarna has to offer," said Travis Flowers of Husqvarna Motorcycles NA. "For riders and racers who may be on the fence choosing a motorcycle brand, this is an ideal opportunity to learn firsthand why Husqvarna is a superior choice."

There is no better time for riders and fans to enjoy hospitality provided by the Husqvarna crew. "Riders will enjoy an opportunity to sample Husqvarna's heritage and hang out with the sport's living legends such as Ty Davis and Scot Harden," Flowers adds.

The Husqvarna Lucerne Valley Demo event takes place from 9am to 3pm on Jan. 23, 2010 -- one day before the Desert MC National Hare & Hound. A special demo ride course will be setup by Husqvarna staff. This is a great chance to enjoy some bench racing, riding and just hanging out with people who truly love the sport. Demos will be based out of the Zip-Ty Racing Transporter located in the main pit area. "Come on out and be a part of the fun," Flowers concludes. "You won't regret it!"

Yamaha Invades XGames 15

Image via Wikipedia

Courtesy of Yamaha

Cypress California, July 29, 2009 - Yamaha athletes will be invading X Games 15 this weekend at the Staples Center and Home Depot Center in Southern California. Headlining the charge will be 7-Time AMA Champion James Stewart. Stewart and his L & M team will be using his Supercross Championship winning YZ450F in the Moto X Super X and Moto X SuperMoto events, but it is still undecided whether he will use a YZ250 or YZ450F in the Moto X Best Whip. No matter what, James is definitely a serious threat to grab a handful of medals.

Joe Gibb's Racing's Josh Grant will also be competing in the Moto X Super X event on a YZ450F and already has a custom built YZ250 all prepped and ready to go for Moto X Best Whip.

Graves' Yamaha rider and two-time AMA Supermoto Lites Champion Brandon Currie will be looking to put his YZ450F on the box and earn his first X Games medal on Saturday afternoon in the Moto X SuperMoto final.

In Moto X Freestyle multi-time X Games Gold medalist Nate Adams and his YZ250 are coming into X Games 15 100% healthy and back in gold medal form after a very successful pre-season. Red Bull Experiment pioneer and all around incredible athlete Robbie Maddison will also be going for the gold in Moto X Freestyle on a YZ250.

Last year's Moto X Super X Women winner Tarah Gieger has been laying low, healing up and getting prepared to repeat last year's performance in this years Moto X Super X Women's Final.

"X Games is without a doubt one of the biggest events we do all year and with the caliber of talent we have competing this year, we're definitely looking forward to taking home some gold", said Keith McCarty, Yamaha Racing Division Manager.

Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship: Motosport.com Motocross National Team Previews and Series Statistics for Washougal

Press Release from MX Sports

MORGANTOWN, W.V. (July 23, 2009) - The second half of the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship season kicked-off what will surely be a memorable final six races as Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki set the tone for the year's final push. This weekend, the series heads to the beautiful Pacific Northwest for the Motosport.com Motocross National Presented by Yamaha and Scott USA from Washougal MX Park in lush Washougal, Wash. Live coverage of round eight can been seen on SPEED, beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

For the second time in 2009, the factory Suzuki stable swept the overall victories in the 450 and 250 classes at Spring Creek. Premier class points leader Chad Reed raced to season win number two, which also served as his second career victory on the big bikes. The win helped Reed extend his points lead and in control of the series' home stretch. Teammate Ryan Dungey made it two in a row at his home track in Minnesota and vaulted to just three points out of the 250 Class points lead by garnering his third win of the season.

450 Class

Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki

Reed's cushion now sits at a comfortable 37 points and according to the Australian, last weekend was the first time all season that he felt as though he rode his best. The two-time supercross champion has held the red leader plate since his first win at High Point and if his words are true, his rivals are going to need to be at the top of their game down the homestretch. For Michael Byrne, Spring Creek marked the fellow Australian's return to the overall podium. He rode his best race of the season, overcoming adversity en route to an impressive third place effort. From here on out, Byrne will be looking to keep up the momentum.

"Going into the weekend, I want to try and keep some momentum going," stated Reed. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this past weekend was the last of my stomach problems. Washougal is a tough track - it's hard and it's slick. Even though I've always done well there, it's a track I've had to work hard at."

"Washougal is a good track for me, I enjoy racing there," said Byrne. "It can be a little bit slick but everybody will have to deal with that. The track layout is really fun and the Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki RM-Z450 worked good there last year so hopefully this weekend we'll be able to keep the ball rolling."

Honda Red Bull Racing

Honda returned to full strength last weekend in Millville. The arrival of Davi Millsaps was a welcome sight throughout the pits as the Georgia rider competed in his first race since injuring his neck at the series' second round. Prior to the event, Millsaps stated that his goal was to finish on the podium at the remaining races. If not for some hard luck, he would have achieved his goal, looking rejuvenated at the front of the pack. For his teammates Ivan Tedesco and Andrew Short, it was a quiet Saturday. Tedesco captured second overall, but did so methodically and without flair. He closed the gap on Short who sits second in the standings and had a frustrating day in Minnesota by his standards finishing fifth overall. With a runner-up finish at Washougal one year ago to build off of, Short will look to close the gap on Reed while his teammates push to keep Honda at the forefront of the class.

JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha

Coming off his first career win at RedBud, Josh Grant had high hopes at reasserting himself in the championship fight at Spring Creek. A strong performance in moto one gave the Southern California rookie the win and a upper hand in claiming his second straight victory but a crash out of the gate relegated Grant to the back of the field where he was able to recover admirably and capture fourth overall. Washougal has been a good track for Grant, who finished third in the 250 Class one year ago and he hopes it translates to another trip atop the podium. For teammate Cody Cooper, 2009 continues to be a battle of consistency. While he is a regular top-10 performer, Cooper expects to run at the front of the pack each week. While his ninth place run last weekend helped solidify his sixth place in the standings, he hopes to gain ground on the top five. If a fourth place finish at Washougal in 2008 is any indication, the New Zealander could find himself on the podium on Saturday.

Jagermeister KTM

A pair of seventh place finishes in Millville helped give Justin Brayton his best career finish of sixth since joining the 450 Class in 2009. Prior to last weekend, Brayton's best finish in a moto was seventh, coming at High Point. Thanks to strong starts, he ran up front early and got a taste of the pace necessary to have a shot at the top five. The race proved to be a valuable lesson in his continued growth as a big bike rider and should result in another strong outing in Washington.

Brayton added, "I have been working hard this season and progressing each round and hope to break the top five this weekend and land on the podium before the season is over."

250 Class

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki

With two straight victories to his credit, Jake Weimer entered Spring Creek as the rider to beat in the 250 Class. However, the depth of talent in arguably the toughest field in history resulted in a sixth place finish for the Idaho rider after mid-pack starts out of the gate. Despite missing out on a third overall win, Weimer still made up ground in the standings, moving into sixth. For teammate Christophe Pourcel, Millville proved to be an important race in the championship. The points leader captured his seventh straight overall podium result and has yet to finish worse than second this season. Rival Ryan Dungey swept the day's motos, but thanks to his stellar consistency, the Frenchman still holds a three point advantage. The championship battle is shaping up to be a dogfight over the final five rounds but Pourcel's calmness throughout the 2009 campaign will surely help him remained focus.

"Washougal should be a good race for me," said Weimer. "We have been running pretty well and I like the track. We're going to just keep working hard and we're going to try and get the results we know we can achieve."

I want to start winning again," explained Pourcel. "My goal is the championship and the easiest way to get that is to win motos. I overcame some things last week so I know I can still race for the win."

Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki

After several motos of small misfortune where valuable championship points may have slipped away, Ryan Dungey put together his best performance of the season at his hometown race by going 1-1 on the day. It was a huge boost in confidence for Dungey who has felt as though he let a couple opportunities slip away earlier in the season. One year ago, the Minnesota native garnered one of the biggest wins of his career at Washougal, outlasting Ryan Villopoto to claim his first career professional motocross victory. Since this race in 2008, Dungey has been a different rider and with such a strong performance one week ago to set the stage on Saturday, he is ready to take the title fight to the wire.

"Washougal is always a track I enjoy going to," added Dungey. "It's one of my favorite stops on the racing circuit. I got my first Outdoors win there last year, so that makes it special for me. Hopefully I can get another win there this weekend."

GEICO Powersports Honda

Over the last couple rounds, rookie Justin Barcia and veteran Brett Metcalfe have put on a show for the fans while leading the way for the GEICO Honda team. The duo ran at the front of the pack again in Millville and appear to be settling into a groove as the season reaches the final stretch. Barcia captured his first career overall podium finish with Metcalfe following closely in fourth. The performances have vaulted each rider up the standings where Metcalfe has moved into the top three while Barcia sits fifth, inching his way towards the top four. Blake Wharton suffered from a hard-luck outing last Saturday, scoring just two points. Despite the tough finish, Wharton's resiliency and ability to run up front should translate into a big turnaround in Washington. Metcalfe is the only member of the team with previous experience at Washougal, finishing just off the podium last season in fourth.

Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM

After a string of outstanding runs leading into Spring Creek, Tommy Searle surprised many onlookers with his 10th-place finish last Saturday. The British rookie did not appear to be the same rider that posted three consecutive podium results and in turn, dropped from third to fourth in the standings. He will be looking to bounce back this weekend. For teammates Wil Hahn and Martin Davalos, Minnesota was a race to forget as each rider suffered injuries and will miss the action this weekend.

"I had an off weekend at Millville and just never got comfortable," explained Searle. "I worked with my trainer and my team this week to improve in some areas where I was lacking last week and plan to return to the podium this weekend."

WMX Class

After a two-race break, the Women's Motocross Class of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship returns to action at Washougal. Honda Red Bull Racing's Ashley Fiolek is a perfect 5-0 this season for overall victories, but five-time champion and arch rival Jessica Patterson is the only woman to ever win at Washougal since the class began racing there in 2004. With some time off, all the girls will be fresh and while the battle up front between Fiolek and Patterson will be tight, expect Cernic's Suzuki's Sherri Cruse to make her presence felt as she looks to steal a win of her own.

Round 7 Series Statistical Report

* Chad Reed became just the second rider to repeat in the 450 Class. Both riders have come from the Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki team with Reed and Mike Alessi.
* The win was Reed's 41st career AMA victory but just his third in AMA Motocross. The remaining 38 have come in AMA Supercross.
* As a whole, Roger DeCoster's riders have won 50% of the overall victories across both classes (7 of 14).
* Reed started a new streak for the 450 Class, becoming the second straight winner to take the overall with 2-1 moto finishes.
* Ryan Dungey is the winningest rider in the series, capturing his third victory last weekend at his hometown.
* After having his streak of winning the first moto broken one round earlier, Christophe Pourcel's streak of winning at least one moto at each round was broken at Spring Creek. However, he remains the only rider in the series to finish on the overall podium at all seven races with a worst finish of second.
* Matt Goerke captured the Ricky Carmichael Hard Charger Award at Spring Creek, passing 28 riders (37th to 9th) in the first 450 Class moto.

450 Class Stats:
* The first race held at Washougal was August 14, 1983. Rick Johnson would win on a Yamaha.
* This will be the 19th time the gate will drop for the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Washougal.
* Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, and Jeff Emig have won at Washougal in both classes.
* In 2001 and 2007, Tim Ferry went 2-2 in motos for the overall win. He is the only rider since 2001 to achieve such a feat.
* Mike LaRocco won the last 500cc race in Washougal in 1993 on a Honda.
* Rick Johnson and Ricky Carmichael are the only two riders to win Washougal back-to-back in 1983-84 (Johnson) and 2004-05 (Carmichael).
* Washougal will welcome a first-time winner at the facility in 2009.

Wins by brand at Washougal
Kawasaki - 6
Honda - 5
Yamaha - 4
Suzuki - 3

First time winners at Washougal
Jimmy Button, 1999 - Yamaha

Last win by brand at Washougal
Kawasaki - 2008
Suzuki - 2005
Honda - 2004
Yamaha - 1999

Riders to win Washougal in both classes
Ricky Carmichael
James Stewart
Jeff Emig

Brand Sweeps at Washougal
Kawasaki; Ryan Hughes, Mike LaRocco - 1994
Honda; Mike Brown, Jeremy McGrath - 1995
Kawasaki; Jeff Emig, Ricky Carmichael - 1997
Kawasaki; Ben Townley, Tim Ferry - 2007

450 Class Point Standings - Thru 7 of 12 Rounds
1. Chad Reed, Australia, Suzuki, 287
2. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 250
3. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 238
4. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 234
5. Michael Byrne, Australia, Suzuki, 183
6. Cody Cooper, New Zealand, Yamaha, 157
7. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki, 149
8. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 142
9. Ricky Dietrich, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki, 136
10. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 127

450 Class Overall Wins
Mike Alessi - 2
Chad Reed - 2
Josh Grant - 1
Ivan Tedesco - 1
Ryan Villopoto - 1

450 Class Moto Wins
Mike Alessi - 4
Chad Reed - 4
Ivan Tedesco - 2
Ryan Villopoto - 2
Josh Grant - 2

450 Class Wins by Brand
Suzuki - 4
Honda - 1
Kawasaki - 1
Yamaha - 1

450 Class Laps Led
Ivan Tedesco - 57
Mike Alessi - 52
Josh Grant - 49
Chad Reed - 41
Andrew Short - 11
Ryan Villopoto - 8

450 Class Muscle Milk Recovery Rider of the Day - Thunder Valley
Kyle Regal (M1: 25th, M2: 6th) - 19 positions

250 Class Stats:
* The first race was held at Washougal on July 6, 1980. Mark Barnett would win on a Suzuki.
* This will be the 29th time the gate will drop at Washougal for a 250 Class race.
* Kawasaki has won eight of the last 12 races at Washougal.
* Ryan Dungey captured his first career victory at Washougal last season, becoming the fifth rider to do so in 28 years. His win ended a seven-year drought for Suzuki at Washougal.
* Dungey will look to become the first rider to go back-to-back at Washougal since James Stewart did it as part of a three-year streak from 2002-2004.

Wins by brand at Washougal
Kawasaki - 11
Suzuki - 9
Honda - 6
Yamaha - 2

First time winners at Washougal
Ryan Dungey, 2008 - Suzuki
Brock Sellards, 1999 - Honda
Mike Brown, 1995 - Honda
Larry Ward, 1991 - Suzuki
A.J. Whiting, 1985 - Suzuki

Last win by brand at Washougal
Suzuki - 2008
Kawasaki - 2007
Honda - 2006
Yamaha - 1993

250 Class Point Standings - Thru 7 of 12 Rounds
1. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 299
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 296
3. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 215
4. Tommy Searle, Great Britain, KTM, 213
5. Justin Barcia, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 191
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 182
7. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 175
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 172
9. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 158
10. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 139

250 Class Overall Wins
Ryan Dungey - 3
Christophe Pourcel - 2
Jake Weimer - 2

250 Class Moto Wins
Christophe Pourcel - 7
Ryan Dungey - 6
Jake Weimer - 1

250 Class Wins by Brand
Kawasaki - 4
Suzuki - 3

250 Class Laps Led
Ryan Dungey - 70
Christophe Pourcel - 66
Justin Barcia - 43
Trey Canard - 21
Jake Weimer - 11
Martin Davalos - 5

250 Class Muscle Milk Recovery Rider of the Day - Thunder Valley
Darryn Durham (M1: 15th, M2: 5th) - 10 positions

WMX Class Stats
* The WMX Class has raced at Washougal since 2004.
* Jessica Patterson is the only rider to win at Washougal in the WMX Class.

Wins by brand at Washougal
Honda - 5

Last win by brand at Washougal
Honda - 2008

WMX Class Point Standings - After 5 of 12 rounds
1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 247
2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 198
3. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki, 194
4. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Honda, 192
5. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 147
6. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki, 146
7. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM, 118
8. Penni Cyrus, Queen Creek, Ariz., Kawasaki, 105
9. Tatum Sik, Temecula, Calif., Suzuki, 101
10. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Honda, 86

WMX Class Overall Wins
Ashley Fiolek - 5

WMX Class Moto Wins
Ashley Fiolek - 9
Jessica Patterson - 1

WMX Class Wins by Brand
Honda - 5

Tickets are available are available at the box office, or online at www.washougalmxpk.com. Thursday through Monday tickets: Adults - $55, 6 and Under - Free; Saturday tickets: Adults - $35, 6 and Under - Free

Fans can catch live video feed of the first motos in each of the three classes streaming on the internet at www.allisports.com beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

For more information about the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, please contact media coordinator Brandon Short via email at brandon@mxsports.com or by telephone at (949) 365-5752.

For fan and racing information on the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, log onto www.allisports.com.

MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world's most prestigious motocross series - the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. An industry leader in off road powersport production and management, its mission is to raise awareness of motocross racing through the production of professional championship racing events nationwide. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing fields more than 60,000 action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of active fans, spectators and enthusiasts. For more information, please visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.

Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports
Alli, the Alliance of Action Sports, is a global business that encompasses national and international action sports tours and events, multimedia production, and a consumer facing lifestyle brand. The Alliance includes: the Dew Tour, Winter Dew Tour, China Invitational, Maloof Money Cup, Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, King of Wake series, and the Gatorade Free Flow Tour; Alli TV Productions, which creates original content, produces and presents content with partners, and distributes Alli content through a variety of channels. Alli is owned by NBC Sports and MTV Networks and represents a network of athletes, fans, brands and properties. Its mission is to facilitate the momentous growth of action sports, through competition and lifestyle, for a new generation of fans and athletes. The Alli properties are home to more than 550,000 spectators each year and broadcasts more than 150 hours of original content in 100 countries and 280 million homes worldwide. More information can be found at www.allisports.com.

Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, greases, and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, greases, and problem-solving additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry.

Forrest Lucas and his wife, Charlotte, founded Lucas Oil Products in 1989 after he spent 20 years as a truck driver and owner of a nationwide long-haul trucking fleet. They experienced firsthand the need for better lubricants and fuel treatments to maintain their equipment.

Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the "Official Motor Oil of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship." For more information on Lucas Oil, please visit www.LucasOil.com.

AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport and AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT. AMA Pro Racing also manages and works closely with the day-to-day operational organizations of the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship and the AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Series in addition to other two-wheel and ATV series. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Red Bull High Rise: Ronnie Renner Aims to go Higher, this time in Chicago

Press Release from Red Bull
CHICAGO, IL (June 30, 2009) – Chicago’s renowned skyscrapers will share the sky with motocross superstar Ronnie Renner on Saturday, July 25. The Windy City will watch as Renner attempts to break his own Guinness World Record for the highest air ever attained on a motorcycle at Red Bull High Rise. He will go sky-high at Butler Field prior to Chicago’s annual Venetian Night, adding a new spin to an old tradition.

Renner is a respected freestyle motocross veteran whose credentials include a gold medal in Step-Up at the 2007 Summer X Games and the Step-Up world record. He set his original quarterpipe big air world record by jumping an amazing 59 feet, 2 inches in July, 2008. In 2009, he will attempt to beat this record by launching sky-high onto a massive custom-built steel landing ramp measuring 64 feet wide and 30 feet tall.

Why Chicago? Why not? “While I was thrilled with being able to set the initial world record last year, I know I can push myself to achieve a better height, and Chicago is one of the best places to be in the summer,” said Renner. “Plus it added another component to my training regimen – I need to train my stomach to prepare for Chicago cuisine; especially the deep dish pizza!”

Renner has been training at the exclusive Red Bull Compound in Southern California in preparation for his big night on a modular quarterpipe built specifically for him. The Compound is a one-of-a-kind training facility that Red Bull provides its athletes to equip them with the support they need in order to achieve their wildest dreams.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF RED BULL
Renner’s jump completes yet another amazing chapter of world-firsts, following the record-shattering performances of fellow motocross sensation Robbie Maddison and BMX star Kevin Robinson. Maddison jumped the length of a football field in front of thousands on New Year’s Eve 2007, clearing 322 feet in Las Vegas. Last June, Robinson soared 27 feet above the lip of a huge quarterpipe (54 feet above the ground) in New York’s Central Park to set the BMX big air world record.

VENETIAN NIGHT!
Presented by the City of Chicago, the 52nd Annual Venetian Night is expected to draw more than half a million people to the lakefront. In addition to Renner’s world record attempt, the evening kicks off at 7:45 p.m. with the Chicago Fire Department's Air/Sea Rescue re-enactment. Immediately following at 8:15 p.m. the boat parade begins, culminating with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:00 p.m. People of all ages begin to stake out spots along the lakefront in the early morning to ensure a good view of this popular event. Admission to the event is free.

Red Bull High Rise is free and open to the public. Renner’s world record attempts will take place from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Butler Field. Parking is limited – it is recommended to walk, bike, or the CTA. For CTA information, visit www.transitchicago.org or call 1-888-YOUR-CTA.

For more information about the event, visit www.redbullusa.com/highrise. For hi-res images, free for media use, visit www.redbull-photofiles.com.