US Supercross Lites West Series: 5th round San Diego, CA

Courtesy of KTM USA

US Supercross Lites West Series: 5th round San Diego, CA

The fifth round of the AMA Supercross West Lites Series marked the first round for FMF/KTM rider PJ Larsen after earning a replacement ride on the Factory KTM Team just days prior to the race. Larsen's eventual 8th place finish at Qualcomm Stadium satisfied his new team and presents a mark to improve from going into the next week's race.

With only a few days to prepare for the Supercross round, (Larsen has been focusing on motocross for his ride with the JDR Motorsports/Moterex/KTM Team in Australia) Larsen came to San Diego excited for his new challenge and ready to place his KTM bike in the top of the pack. "Despite the fact that I didn't have much time to practice for Supercross, I felt confident going into this round," remarked Larsen. "My KTM motor and suspension are great, and when you have confidence in your bike, everything else comes naturally."

The early morning rain storm caused the track officials to delay practice until 5:30pm that evening, allowing only one timed practice session for each group. Larsen was in the first practice group and put in a good run earning the fastest lap time in his practice session and the tenth fastest qualifying lap time overall. After practice, he and fellow KTM rider, Phil Nicoletti, began to prep for heat #1.  

When the gate dropped for the first Lites heat, Nicoletti got off to a great start putting his St. Lawrence Radiology/Alessi Racing/KTM in 2nd position around the first turn. Larsen didn't have as great of a jump and came around mid-pack. Halfway around the first lap Nicoletti was able to pass the current leader, Max Anstie, to take over 1st place. Meanwhile, Larsen had started his climb through the pack and sat in 5th as they crossed over the finish line on lap number one. Nicoletti continued to hold the front position for the next three laps, successfully holding off a hard charging Wil Hahn, followed by Max Anstie, Travis Baker and PJ Larsen. On the fourth lap, in an aggressive pass, Hahn snatched the lead from Nicoletti. With two laps to go, Nicoletti remained close and finished 2nd in the heat, Larsen crossed the line in 6th overall.

In the Last Chance Qualifier, the KTM Factory Service/One Industry rider Sean Borkenhagen, KTM privateer rider Hugo Dagod and Jake Canada battled for the final qualifying position in the quick four lap sprint. On the last lap and final turn, Dagod came on strong and put a block pass on Canada for the final transfer position.

With the rain still holding off, the main event was set to start right on schedule. The riders lined the gate ready to put in a solid fifteen laps. As the riders rounded the first turn, Nicoletti squeezed his KTM up into a top five position with Larsen a few spots back around 9th. With one lap down, Nicoletti held 4th position with Larsen back in 9th. On lap two, Nicoletti slipped to 5th position when Cole Seely was able to get by while Larsen moved up one spot passing Antonio Balbi for 8th. The two riders remained consistent and held their positions for the majority of the race. Larsen climbed as high as 7th position and held that place from lap 4 to lap 13 until he was passed by Trey Canard with two laps to go. Larsen eventually crossed the finish line in 8th place with Nicoletti a few seconds ahead in 7th.

"Overall I am happy with my result tonight," remarked Larsen. "I tightened up around lap ten because I haven't been riding Supercross lately. But I feel good. I am happy with a top ten finish in my first race this season and I hope to improve upon that finish at Anaheim 3 next week."

Larsen will race the Anaheim 3 Supercross for the FMF/KTM Team at Anaheim 3 and hopes to be joined by Tommy Searle who has been on the sidelines since Anaheim 2, recovering from a shoulder injury.

Results

POS.	RIDER	MANUFACT.	NAT.
1	12 Jake Weimer	Kawasaki
2	200 Cole Seely	Honda
3	49 Wil Hahn	Honda
4	48 Max Anstie	Yamaha
5	20 Broc Tickle	Yamaha
6	38 Trey Canard	Honda
7	175 Phillip Nicoletti	KTM
8	44 PJ Larsen	KTM
9	21 Blake Wharton	Honda
10	102 Christopher Gosselaar	Honda

Standings

POS.	RIDER	MANUFACT.	NAT.	POINTS
1	12 Jake Weimer	Kawasaki		122
2	38 Trey Canard	Honda		96
3	49 Wil Hahn	Honda		94
4	20 Broc Tickle	Yamaha		78
5	200 Cole Seely	Honda		76
15	19 Tommy Searle	KTM		27

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2010 Supercross Schedule Announced

Press Release from AMA
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Feld Motor Sports(SM) announced today the schedule for the 2010 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, that begins Jan. 9 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., and concludes May 8 at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium. Since its beginning in 1974, Monster Energy® Supercross has played in some of the world's largest markets and most prestigious venues, and the 2010, 17-stop season adds to the sport's rich heritage.

"The 2009 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, was arguably the best season of all time, combining parity on the track and drama off the track, and we expect 2010 to build off of that excitement," said Charlie Mancuso, president, Feld Motor Sports. "The championship will continue its rich history at many of the legendary stadiums that have made Monster Energy® Supercross so strong, in addition to the new tour stop at the new state-of-the-art Cowboys Stadium."

The newest addition to the tour will be the inaugural stop at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which is a short drive from the old Texas Stadium. Monster Energy® Supercross held its first race at Texas Stadium in March 1, 1975, with subsequent races through 1977. From 1983-2008, Texas Stadium was one of the marquee stops on the Monster Energy® Supercross schedule. With the establishment of the new Cowboys Stadium, a new area of tradition will be built off of the historic 30 races held in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman added: "AMA Supercross is the premier competition of its kind on the planet. The AMA is pleased to once again be working with the FIM and Feld Motor Sports for the 2010 season to provide the world's stage where the best of the best will battle for championship honors. Since the beginning, AMA Supercross has grown in stature and significance. Today, the consolidated championship attracts the top riders from all over the globe. It's going to be another incredible season of competition."

"Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, can bow on a glorious past which results in the rich history it presently has," said Wolfgang Srb, President of the FIM Motocross Commission. "We are proud to count Monster Energy® Supercross amongst the 49 FIM World Championships. The 2009 season was most entertaining and kept the fans thrilled until the end. The FIM considers 2010 as a transition year and is confident that Feld Motor Sports will export Monster Energy® Supercross to new international horizons as of 2011. The fans that are supporting Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship worldwide deserve it."

After a successful 2009 return to Salt Lake City, Monster Energy® Supercross will bring the action back to Rice-Eccles Stadium May 1. With the loyal support and commitment from the Utah Sports Commission, Monster Energy® Supercross will make its sixth stop at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"After looking at the 2010 AMA Supercross schedule, it's exciting to see where we will be competing at next year," said 2009 Monster Energy® Supercross champion James Stewart. "Most of the events will be similar to last year, but this year we're going to go to the new Cowboys Stadium, and it's the newest and biggest stadium in the United States. It's going to be fun to compete in the billion dollar Cowboys Stadium. Also, I look forward to returning to the venues that I created winning memories at during the 2009 season."

2010 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, Schedule

January 9: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.
January 16: Chase Field, Phoenix, Ariz.
January 23: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.
January 30: AT&T Park, San Francisco, Calif.
February 6: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.
February 13: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.
February 20: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
February 27: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.
March 6: Daytona Int'l Speedway, Daytona, Fla.*
March 13: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
March 20: Cowboy Stadium, Arlington, Texas
March 27: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.
April 10: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
April 17: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Mo.
April 24: Quest Field, Seattle, Wash.
May 1: Rice-Eccles, Salt Lake City, Utah
May 8: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.

* Not a Feld Motor Sports event. This date is independently promoted by Daytona International Speedway and the International Speedway Corp.

For more information on the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com.