For the month of June, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s trackside support will travel to six Loretta Lynn’s Regional qualifiers which include both amateur and youth classes. The next stop is to the prestigious Mammoth Motocross at Mammoth Mountain, Calif., June 21 to July 1, 2012. Team Green athletes will compete for the coveted “Wooden Bear” trophies and enjoy a week of fun and racing as a prequel to Loretta Lynn’s.

In July, riders have two traditional events leading up to Loretta Lynn’s. First stop is the Kawasaki Tennessee State Championship at Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tenn., July 13-15 followed back to back with the Ponca City Amateur Motocross Championships July 21-26, 2012. Team Green has been a long time supporter of Ponca City and AMBUCS/ABC Race Association and will continue to support their revamped amateur motocross championship this year.

“It is busy every summer for us at Team Green, but also very rewarding,” said Team Green Supervisor Ryan Holliday. “With big races like Mammoth and Ponca City on the schedule we are looking forward to supporting those historic events leading up to opening Greenville at Loretta’s.”

The road to the AMA Amateur National Championship at Loretta Lynn’s includes some of the countries best motocross facilities and will feature thousands of Kawasaki riders competing against the best amateur athletes. Kawasaki trackside support and contingency strives to help our athletes achieve their goals and reward them for choosing the KX™ brand.

Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green Trackside Support Schedule

June 2-3, 2012
Steel City Amateur Regional, Delmont, Penn.
Freestone Amateur Regional, Wortham, Tex.

June 9-10, 2012
Honey Lake Youth/Amateur Regional, Milford, Calif.
Balance MX Youth Regional, Bowling Green, Ky.

June 16-18, 2012
Three Palms Youth Regional, Conroe, Tex.

June 23-24, 2012
Doublin Gap Youth Regional, Shippensburg, Pa.

June 23-July 1, 2012
Mammoth Motocross, Mammoth Mountain, Calif.

July 14-15, 2012
Kawasaki Tennessee State Championship at Muddy Creek, Blountville, Tenn.

July 21-22, 2012
Ponca City Amateur Motocross Championships, Ponca City, Okla.

July 29-August 5, 2012
AMA Amateur National Championship at Lorreta Lynn’s, Hurricane Mills, Tenn

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent

Turning Things Around

Argubright’s weekend did not start the way he would have liked. On Friday, he competed in the opening round of the 2012 EnduroCross series in Las Vegas, Nev., but came just short of making the main event. Disappointed, he packed up at 11 p.m. and started driving north to Jericho, Utah. Driving through the night, he did not arrive until 7 a.m. the next morning. Argubright was ready to turn things and was determined to get a better finish in the Hare & Hound. The course at Little Sahara Dunes OHV consisted of two 60-mile loops, the first of which was mostly sand. Argubright started around fourth and half way through the first loop began making his way towards the front, moving the lead.

“My KX™450F was awesome,” said Argubright. “I ran a Dunlop sand tire instead of a hard-packed tire and that made all the difference. Once I got into second, I saw the leader down and started to tighten up a bit. I have led before, but never won, so I tried to push and get away before the second loop.”

Focused to the End

After a successful pit stop, Argubright headed into the second loop which featured multiple twisting trails through cedar trees. Holding the lead started to weigh on him as they got closer to the finish, but Argubright was able to stay focused and consistent to ride through and take his first professional Hare & Hound win. After getting injured at Round 1, Argubright now has two podiums in the last two rounds and is more determined than ever to keep the wins coming.

“I always have a problem with trees,” said Argubright. “Because I’m tall, my neck always cramps up in tree sections. Second place started to catch me towards the end, but once I saw him, there was only about 15 miles left. I just put it in overdrive and pinned it to the finish. The next round is in Utah again, so I feel like I have a good drive and can carry this momentum through the rest of the season.”

Results

AMA National Hare & Hound Championship Series – Round 5
Jericho, Utah
May 5, 2012

Overall Results
1. JACOB ARGUBRIGHT, NORTHRIDGE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. JUSTIN MORROW, PINON HILLS, CALIF., KAWASAKI
3. T.J. HANNIFIN, EUREKA, UTAH, KAWASAKI
4. DAVID PEARSON, PANACA, NEV., KAWASAKI
5. NICHOLAS BURSON, RIDGECREST, CALIF., KAWASAKI

Overall Championship Points Standings
1. Kurt Caselli, Palmdale, Calif., KTM, 120
2. DAVID PEARSON, PANACA, NEV., KAWASAKI, 114
3. JUSTIN MORROW, PINON HILLS, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 90
4. NICHOLAS BURSON, RIDGECREST, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 76
5. David Kamo, New Plymouth, Idaho, Honda, 61
6. JACOB ARGUBRIGHT, NORTHRIDGE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 51

CAPISTRANO BEACH, Calif. (May 8, 2012) – The months of criss-crossing the U.S. and countless hours of searching for the perfect venue and host city for the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIME) have finally paid off as the Marketplace Events team of Larry Little, Cinnamon Kernes, and Mike Webster have narrowed down the candidates to one.

On Friday, May 11, the formal announcement of the date and location of AIME, set to take place in the Fall of 2013, will be revealed to the world. Starting with an original list of more than 10 cities, one well-known destination has surpassed the rest as the ideal site to host an event of this magnitude.

“We’ve gone from a ‘Tale of Two Cities’ to the one perfect venue for this showcase,” said Little, Vice President & General Manager, Motorcycle Group. “We truly want this event to be something the North American Marketplace has never seen before, so this process has taken some time for good reason because there are so many factors to consider.”

AIME’s social media efforts will serve as the vehicle for the big announcement, with an exclusive video profile set to be unveiled on Friday, May 11. The video announcement will spotlight the new home of the American International Motorcycle Expo in the Fall of 2013.

“I think we’ve kept the industry waiting long enough,” added Little. “We’re ready to let everyone know when and where AIME is headed so the marketplace can adequately plan for 2013. We just need to put the finishing touches on a few things before revealing the big news. I’m confident that what we’ve been developing is going to get industry, retailers, press and consumers really excited about new possibilities for showcasing motorcycling.”

Keep up to date on the impending announcement by visiting the expo’s social media pages. “Like” the American International Motorcycle Expo on Facebook by visiting the AIMExpo page, and “Follow” on Twitter @AIMExpo.

__________________________________________________________________________

About American International Motorcycle Expo
The American International Motorcycle Expo’s purpose is to serve as the catalyst to bring together industry, press, dealers and consumers in a single arena that creates a grand stage for motorcycling in the U.S. and North America, and delivers an efficient and energetic market-timed expo platform for B2B and B2C in the motorcycle industry. AIME is the single most important show of its type in the North American market and will have international impact within the motorcycling community.

About Marketplace Events
Marketplace Events creates uniquely vibrant marketplaces that connect enthusiasts with experts, products and services in dynamic face-to-face environments. The company produces 31 consumer shows annually in 21 markets that collectively attract 14,000 exhibitors, 1 million attendees and another 1 million unique web visitors annually. From 14 offices, the 100-person staff produces some of the most successful and longest-running consumer shows in North America, including market leading home shows in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Orlando, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Indianapolis, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver – some of which have endured for more than 50 years – as well as more recent launches and acquisitions in markets such as Denver, Cleveland and Dallas, which is produced in partnership with Dallas Cowboys Stadium. www.marketplaceevents.com

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent

Race to Finish, Finish to Win

Already a veteran of the sport, Soule knows what it takes to earn an EnduroCross championship. You have to be fast, consistent and you must finish every race. He came to the opening round more prepared than ever. In the heat race Soule got a good start, pulled out front quickly and rode smooth all the way to the checkers. When the gate dropped for the main event, he came around the first turn in second and began pacing fellow Kawasaki rider Haaker. Soule rode a flawless main while waiting for an opportunity to make a pass, but the opportunity never came. He finished in second place, just behind Haaker, to give Kawasaki the top two spots on the podium.

“I really wanted to win this one, but I had to play it smart,” said Soule. “You can’t win the championship in the first race, but you can lose it. The night started out great, I felt solid in practice and took the win in my heat race. In the main event I got a good start right behind Colton (Haaker) and we started pulling away from the pack. Colton was riding really solid. I settled in behind him and was staying close so I could strike like a snake as soon as he made a mistake, but it didn’t happen. I kept looking for a place to pass, but didn’t want to force the issue and potentially cause an accident that could cost me the season. I’m happy to finish on the podium, but I really wanted the win. The team has been working so hard and the KX250F is better than ever; we are looking to dominate this season.”

Scouting It Out

Last year, Robert struggled in the first few rounds of his rookie EnduroCross season, but by the final round of the season he finished on the podium and earned the AMA EnduroCross Junior Pro Championship. He came to the Orleans Arena for the 2012 season opener fully prepared and confident he had the skills to put his KX250F back on the box. During practice Robert was looking smoother than ever. He was able to find the fastest lines around the most difficult obstacles, making them look easy. In his heat race he got a good start and battled around the track to secure second and transfer to the main. In the main he didn’t get the start he was looking for and had to work his way through the pack to finish fifth.

“I felt so much more confident coming into this season,” said Robert. “I have been training hard and know exactly where my skills are on the Kawasaki. This year the track in the Orleans Arena was much more tight and technical than last year. The corners were really slippery and the log matrix turned out to be the most challenging obstacle for most of the other riders. During practice I found the fastest way around the matrix was over it, so I just triple-tripled the log sections. Also, I was the only rider jumping over the log into the water hazard. I feel so much better out there this year and it really all boils down to hard work. We built an EnduroCross training course near my house and I’ve been putting in tons of hours out there. Even though I didn’t get on the podium tonight I really feel that my hard work is paying off.”

Never Give Up

Abbott is one of the most recognized names in off-road racing and he always seems to get the loudest cheers at every event he attends. Although he is not in the championship hunt this season, he still gave it everything he had in Las Vegas. After getting forced into the semi with a third-place finish in the heat race, Abbott was determined to make the main. In the semi, he ripped the holeshot on his KX250F and started to pull away from the pack. He had built almost a half lap lead over the field, but crashed in the log matrix allowing another rider by. Undeterred, Abbott picked his bike off the ground and started charging. He caught the leader on the final lap and at the last possible moment Abbott put together an amazing pass in the log matrix to secure the win and transfer to the main. As soon as he crossed the finish the crowd exploded in a roar of thunderous cheering. Although the crash in the semi had injured his shoulder, Abbott fought through the pain to finish 11^th in the main event.

“My KX250F is awesome,” said Abbott. “I just picked it up two weeks ago and was really impressed by how much torque is has. Because the track in Vegas was so technical I started in second gear every race then shifted to first around the first corner and stayed there the entire race. In my first heat I was riding too tight and was about to finish in the qualifying spot, but threw it away right before the finish in the log matrix. It was awesome to hear the crowd cheering me on as I was fighting back in the semi. By the time the main event came around I was sitting on the gate really feeling my shoulder. I really gave it my all in the main, but was running out of adrenaline and had a tough time holding on. Even though I am disappointed with my main event result the love I got from the crowd in the semi really made my night. I always try to make it exciting out there for the fans.”

Working Out the Bugs

A regular on the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) circuit, Garrison has only competed in a few of EnduroCross events over the years. In the first full EnduroCross season of his career, he hopes to make a name for himself in the series, but knew there would be challenges to overcome. During practice Garrison was feeling confident he had the track figured out. However, when the racing began other racers became more of a hindrance than he had originally anticipated. Although he was unable to transfer to the main event, he learned a lot from the experience and will be working hard to improve before the next round.

“It was pretty technical out there,” said Garrison. “I have done a handful of EnduroCross races in the past, but nothing at this level. I definitely found a few things I need to work on for the next round. Staying out of trouble is key, I didn’t anticipate how much more difficult other racers down on the track would make the racing. I kept running into other racers who were hung up on obstacles and the track was so tight it was hard to get around them. I felt good on 80 percent of the course, but kept making small mistakes that cost me. I learned a lot from this race because now I know exactly what I need to work on so I will be a lot more prepared for next round in Sacramento.”

The Matrix

When racers arrived for track walk on Friday morning they were surprised to see the track design was much more technical than the previous season. The track was tighter with less straightaways and more obstacles. With a water hazard, rock piles, a large hill and several logs placed throughout the course, no one anticipated how difficult the unassuming log matrix right before the finish line would become for most racers.

“The most difficult obstacle was the log matrix,” said Garrison. “The spacing was really tight and if you didn’t just nail it perfect then it was really easy to mess up. It made it even harder after they watered the track, it was so slick your rear tire would just sit there and spin. You had to carry a lot of speed into it or you were getting hung up for sure.”

Tactical Insertion

Every year the EnduroCross event promoters try to add new elements and make the event more exciting for spectators. To kick off the 2012 season in a new fashion, they employed a large 4-wheel drive vehicle to transport the riders into the center of the arena during opening ceremonies.
“Overall we are pretty happy with the results,” said Team Manager Jason Smigel. “It was great to see Kawasaki out there with the win and taking the top two podium spots. It’s nice to see our guys out there in control and applying the skills they have been honing on the test track. We prepared as much as possible coming into this event, but this is EnduroCross, you just pull the pin and wait for something to happen. This is the strongest we have started the series in years so were expecting good things moving forward.”

Stay Tuned

In five weeks the Monster Energy Kawasaki EnduroCross team heads to Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, Calif., for Round 2 of the 2012 AMA EnduroCross series. While Round 1 of the season is officially in the books, you can catch it on television next month. It is scheduled to air on the NBC Sports Network on Saturday, June 23, at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Results

AMA EnduroCross Series – Round 1
Orleans Arena – Las Vegas, Nev.
May 4, 2012

Pro Class Result
1. COLTON HAAKER, KAWASAKI
2. JUSTIN SOULE, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
3. Taddy Blasusiak, KTM
4. Cody Webb, Beta
5. TAYLOR ROBERT, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
6. Mike Brown, KTM
7. Cory Graffunder, Husqvarna
8. Kyle Redmond, Husqvarna
9. Kevin Rookstool, Honda
10. Bobby Procjnau, KTM
11. DESTRY ABBOTT, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI

Pro Class Points Standings
1. COLTON HAAKER, KAWASAKI, 30
2. JUSTIN SOULE, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 25
3. Taddy Blasusiak, KTM, 21
4. Cody Webb, Beta, 18
5. TAYLOR ROBERT, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 16
6. Mike Brown, KTM, 15
7. Cory Graffunder, Husqvarna, 14
8. Kyle Redmond, Husqvarna, 13
9. Kevin Rookstool, Honda, 12
10. Bobby Procjnau, KTM, 11
11. DESTRY ABBOTT, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 10

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent

Never Backing Down

Although the championship was wrapped up, Wilson wanted nothing, but to win. He posted the fastest time in the Lites West qualifying practice aboard his KX™250F. Heading straight into the West main event, Wilson came around the first corner just outside the top-five and quickly started making moves, progressively pushing his way forward. He tripled into second place by the halfway point and started reeling in the leader, but ran out of time. Second in the main secured second overall in the standings for Wilson in the Supercross Lites Western Region. Wilson had one more chance to get a win in the Lites East/West Shootout, but while battling with the leaders, he was pushed off the track and finished 11th.

“The West coast main event went really well,” said Wilson. “Obviously I wanted to win, but I came through the pack really well and felt good on the bike. I was confident going into the shootout, but ended up jumping off the track and couldn’t find a spot to get back on. I finished second in the points and I’m leaving Las Vegas in one piece, so I’m looking forward to outdoors.”

Roller Coaster Season

Baggett started the day by being fourth fastest in the Lites East qualifying practice and was looking to get another podium before the seasons close. In the main event, he got off the gate in second and began battling with the leader. He slipped to third and stalked second place, but couldn’t find a spot to pass. Baggett finished third, which marked his fifth podium of the season and his third consecutive podium finish. With that finish, he moved up to fourth overall in the Supercross Lites Eastern Region standings. Baggett also suffered a similar fate as Wilson in the East/West Shootout where a bad start kept him from challenging for the lead and he finished in 12th place.

“I felt pretty good all night,” said Baggett. “I was happy with how I rode in the main event considering the track wasn’t perfect. In the shootout I got a bad start and it was just chaos back there. I’m excited to move into the outdoor season and will be going for wins.”

Finishing in One Piece

With multiple riders not finishing all 17 rounds due to injury, Weimer was happy to finish the supercross season healthy and fifth in the championship standings. In his heat race, Weimer came around Monster Alley in second aboard his KX™450F and started stalking the leader. He would stay close in tow and finish second, giving him a great gate pick for the main event. When the gate dropped for the final main event of the season, Weimer got pinched off in the first corner and came around in fifth. By lap seven he had moved into second and the battle ensued. After multiple close calls coming in contact with other riders, Weimer fell to fourth place. Weimer finished his first full supercross season fifth overall with five podium finishes.

“It was kind of a rough night,” said Weimer. “I kept making a lot of mistakes and never felt like I could put a smooth lap together. Right out of the gate guys were slamming into one another and getting sketchy, so I was glad to get out of that mess. I would have liked to have finished better in the points, but I’m healthy and ready for Hangtown.”

Building Blocks

Progression was Tickle’s goal all season, which he finished with a string a top-10 finishes. In his heat race, Tickle looked strong and aggressive as he made his way through the pack to pressure for third, only to settle for fourth. The slick Vegas dirt made for a challenging main event where Tickle came around the high-speed first corner in 10th. He would make his way as high as eighth before dropping to 11th just before the checkered flag. Tickle finished ninth overall in the Supercross class points standings.

“My night started good in my heat race,” said Tickle. “I was right with the leaders, but in the main I didn’t feel comfortable on the track. I’m happy to finish top-10 in the championship and am ready to make the switch to the outdoors.”

Slick Conditions

The dirt at Sam Boyd Stadium is known for being very hard packed and blue-groove, but Saturday night’s conditions were not the typical Las Vegas. During practice the track crew heavily watered the track in an attempt to avoid those conditions. Although the dirt was not as hard, ruts formed in all the transitions of the jumps and corners, making the course very technical and challenging for the riders.

The Champ is Here

Only one week out of knee surgery, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto was on hand in Las Vegas meeting the fans and accepting the congratulations of another championship season.

Change of Scenery

With the conclusion of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, the riders now go from stadium surroundings to the great outdoors changing from short heats and main events to two grueling 30-minute motos. The AMA Pro Motocross Championship kicks off at Hangtown MX Park in Sacramento, Calif., on May 19, 2012.

Results

Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Sam Boyd Stadium – Las Vegas, Nev.
May 5, 2012

Supercross Class Results
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
3. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
4. JAKE WEIMER, RUPERT, IDAHO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
5. JOSH GRANT, CORONO, CALIF., JWR KAWASAKI
6. Nico Izzi, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
7. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki
8. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Yamaha
9. Andrew Short, Smithville Tex., Honda
10. NICK WEY, DEWITT, MICH., KAWASAKI

Supercross Class Championship Standings
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 323
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 266
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 257
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 257
5. JAKE WEIMER, RUPERT, IDAHO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 229
6. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki, 206
7. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 178
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki, 177
9. BROC TICKLE, HOLLY, MICH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 171
10. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 166

Supercross Lites Western Region Results
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
2. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Tex., Honda
4. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki
6. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
7. Matt Moss, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
8. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, N.Y., Yamaha
9. Scott Champion, Sun City, Calif., Honda
10. Landen Powell, South Jordan, Utah, Honda

Supercross Lites Western Region Points Standings
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 184
2. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 154
3. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 142
4. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 119
5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki, 111
6. Matt Moss, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 106
7. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, N.Y., Yamaha, 96
8. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki, 89
9. Billy Laninovich, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 85
10. Nico Izzi, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 78

Supercross Lites Eastern Region Results
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 210
2. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Ga., KTM, 165
3. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
4. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM
5. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki
6. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Tex., Yamaha
7. Hunter Hewitt, Corona, Calif., Suzuki
8. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Suzuki
9. MATT LEMOINE, COLLINSVILLE, TEXAS, KAWASAKI
10. Kyle Peters, Greensboro, N.C., Yamaha

Supercross Lites Eastern Region Points Standings
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 210
2. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Ga., KTM, 165
3. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 158
4. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 148
5. DARRYN DURHAM, BUTLER, PA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 143
6. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Suzuki, 131
7. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda, 117
8. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Tex., Yamaha, 85
9. MATT LEMOINE, COLLINSVILLE, TEXAS, KAWASAKI, 78
10. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM, 77

Supercross Lites East/West Shootout
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
3. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
4. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Ga., KTM
5. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
6. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Tex., Honda
7. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, N.Y., Yamaha
8. Malcolm Stewart, Haines City, Fla., KTM
9. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki
10. Matt Moss, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
11. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
12. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI

Monster Energy Under the Tent

Going for the W

Coming off a podium finish last weekend, Weimer was determined to keep his KX™450F on the box. Weimer came out swinging in practice and posted some of the fastest times of the day. With a short start straight, gate pick was very important. Weimer made sure he got out front in his heat race and took the win securing a good gate pick for the main event. In the main, Weimer got off the gate and pushed up to second by the end of lap one. He got into an aggressive battle for position and as much as he wanted to win, he knew points are just as important. Weimer settled into the third position and finished on the podium for the second consecutive week.

“Overall it was a good day,” said Weimer. “I felt really comfortable in practice and came out and won my heat race. In the main, I put myself in the right position off the start, but I started worrying about the guys behind me and wasn’t focused on moving forward. I wanted to win tonight and felt like I had the speed, but I’m happy with third. The track was tough and could jump up and bite you at any point. You had to be careful because it was slippery on top and ruts were developing, which really kept you on your toes.”

Finishing Out Strong

Tickle has been finding speed and gaining confidence as the season winds down and in Salt Lake City he put together his best finish of the season in Salt Lake City. He was impressive in qualifying practice, posting the fourth fastest time and finished third in his heat race. In the main event, Tickle didn’t get the jump out of the gate but quickly made up for it. Battling back and forth, he crawled his way into the sixth position, just outside the top-five. Tickle currently sits 10th in the points standings.

“All day I felt I rode really well,” said Tickle. “My times were good in practice and in the main event I started around 10th and started pushing towards the front. I had a good battle at the beginning and towards the end of the main my lap times continued to drop. I need to get the start though. I think if I start at the front with those guys, I’ll be able to get close to the podium; I just need to be there in the beginning. I’ve got one more chance to get up there next weekend.”

Coming Up Short

Last weekend during a heated battle on the track with his championship opponent, Wilson suffered a crash that injured his right shoulder. All week he did not ride, but instead concentrated on therapy and rehabilitation. Wilson came out in qualifying practice and threw down the second fastest lap, demonstrating that he wasn’t ready to let the championship get away easy. Wilson won his heat race and in the main event, the battle was on. Wilson started third and moved into a battle for second. Wilson swapped positions back and forth, but with three laps remaining, got cross-rutted and was thrown to the ground. He would finish 19th and currently sits second in the points standings.

“My day started off well, but didn’t finish the way I wanted,” said Wilson. “I really wanted this championship and fought my hardest. I didn’t get the greatest jump in the main event, but was able to push up to second. I tightened up and started making mistakes, which ended with a crash. It’s pretty disappointing to come this close to the title and fall short. Now the focus is outdoors and getting healthy for Hangtown.”

Hometown Crowd

Growing up in Rupert, Idaho, Salt Lake City is just a few hours from home for Weimer. The pits were packed with Weimer fans, which he went out of his way to accommodate throughout the day. The crowd would ignite every time his name was mentioned and Weimer could feel their energy on the track and on the podium.

“The love I got from the fans was so awesome,” said Weimer. “I had to get close to 50 tickets for family and friends and it was cool to talk to fans that have been watching me since I was on an 80. Hearing the crowd go wild when I was on the podium was amazing. It was first time I’ve ever gotten a response like that. It was pretty unreal.”

Racing at Elevation

At over 4,300 feet above sea level, the elevation can play a part on race day. The higher the elevation, the lower the oxygen level in the air, which can affect both the motorcycle and the riders. The motorcycles can lose a small percentage of power and riders can show signs of fatigue quicker compared to at sea level. Neither of these were issues for Weimer, Tickle, or Wilson, as they were consistently among the fastest riders on the track in both classes and felt no effects of the climate.

Viva Las Vegas

Next weekend, Monster Energy AMA Supercross heads to Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., for the season finale. What’s unique about Las Vegas is that it is host to the final round of both the Supercross Lites East and West. Instead of heat races, each region will have a 10-lap main event, followed by a 15-lap East-West shootout where the top 10 from both regions will race against each other. With this being the final supercross round, everyone is sure to be going for broke.

Results

Monster Energy AMA Supercross – Round 16
Rice-Eccles Stadium – Salt Lake City, Utah
April 28, 2012

Supercross Class Results
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
3. JAKE WEIMER, RUPERT, IDAHO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki
6. BROC TICKLE, HOLLY, MICH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Tex., Honda
8. JOSH GRANT, CORONA, CALIF., JWR KAWASAKI
9. Bobby Kiniry, Holland Patent, N.Y., Yamaha
10. TYLER BOWERS, DANVILLE, KY., HART & HUNTINGTON KAWASAKI

Supercross Class Championship Standings
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 323
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 244
3. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 237
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 232
5. JAKE WEIMER, RUPERT, IDAHO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 211
6. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki, 192
7. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 178
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki, 174
9. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 166
10. BROC TICKLE, HOLLY, MICH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 161

Supercross Lites Western Region Results
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
2. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki
3. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki
4. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Tex., Honda
5. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
6. Matt Moss, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
7. Billy Laninovich, Riverside, Calif., Honda
8. Topher Ingalls, San Luis Obispo, Calif., Honda
9. Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Colo., Honda
10. Scott Champion, Sun City, Calif., Honda

19. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI

Supercross Lites Western Region Points Standings
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 159
2. DEAN WILSON, MENIFEE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 132
3. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 127
4. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 119
5. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki, 95
6. Matt Moss, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 92
7. Billy Laninovich, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 84
8. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, N.Y., Yamaha, 83
9. Nico Izzi, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 78
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda, 75

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent

Taking Charge

In Saturday’s 60-minute moto, Robert got off to a decent start aboard his KX™450F and came around the first corner in fourth. As they headed into the off-road section, Robert knew he had to make his passes fast before losing too much time on the leaders. Before the end of the first lap the leader missed the pit entrance allowing Robert to fly by. The battle ensued as Robert was stalked by second place for three laps before building a gap. By the checkered flag Robert had established a 40-second lead.

“The track was really nasty,” said Robert. “You had to search for lines and really use the whole track to avoid the holes and chop. The heat was pretty intense. I live here so you think I would be used to it, but it’s really only been this hot for a week or so. Once I was in the lead I just tried to stay smooth and on the last lap the pit board said +40 so it that was nice to be able to cruise the last lap.”

No Sweat

Sunday’s moto would prove to be a true test as the riders had to endure 90-minutes on the beat up, desert course. For Robert it was déja-vu, when he saw the leader once again go flying off track on the first lap, handing Robert the lead, which he maintained for the rest of the moto. This time he would build over a minute lead on second place and finish a perfect 1-1 to take his second consecutive overall win. Robert now holds a 25-point lead in the championship.

“It was really nice to race so close to home for a change,” said Robert. “I think it made all the difference. I was able to go home Saturday night, relax and sleep in my own bed. Also, having all my family and people that I’ve grown up racing around was awesome.”

Adapting to Change

On Saturday, Garrison got off to a great start, but a few mistakes on the first lap set him back to eighth. Small tip-overs each lap kept him from moving forward until the last few laps. He was able to pass teammate Abbott in the endurocross section two corners from the finish to cross the line sixth. Garrison and the rest of the team made some major changes to accommodate for the track conditions on Sunday. Garrison sat fourth for the first half of the race until it was time to pit. Known for having the fastest pit-stops in the series, Garrison entered the pits in fourth and left in second place, showing the importance of a strong team. His second-place finish on Sunday also secured second overall for the weekend.

“Sunday went a lot better than Saturday,” said Garrison. “I stayed off the ground and although I didn’t get a great start I was able to push up towards the front. I had a really fast pit where I was able to jump from fourth to second. From there I just tried to stay smooth and endure the heat. The bike was awesome, we made some suspension changes for Sunday and that made all the difference.”

Strong Start

Soulé came out Saturday ready for battle. Starting second, he tried to keep pace with his teammate, but started feeling the effects of the 100-degree heat. Soulé was able to back it down and ride comfortably in third place without anyone challenging his position. With temperatures even higher on Sunday and lap times over nine minutes, it only took three laps before the heat became a factor. Soulé slowly started feeling the effects of the heat and began to slow. He would finish ninth to take sixth overall on the weekend. Soulé currently sits fourth in points.

“The track was choppy and slick,” said Soulé. “You really had to square up corners to avoid the chop. It was really fast which was nice because it helped cool us down in the 100+ heat, but it was still really tough to push in that heat.”

Showing the Kids How It’s Done

Competing in his first WORCS race of the year, Abbott was ready to show the young bucks how it’s done. He was shuffled back off the start, but quickly started making ground in the off-road section and made his way up to sixth. He would remain in sixth until the last lap when a bobble in the endurocross section allowed Garrison by. Sunday he got a great start aboard his KX450F and was second around the first turn. Knowing he didn’t have the pace of the leaders, Abbott settled into his own pace that he could run for the full 90-minutes. Abbott would eventually finish sixth on Sunday, for eighth overall.

“This was the first WORCS race I’ve done all year and I had a lot of fun,” said Abbott. “The bike was awesome, I got two great starts. I felt really good on Sunday. I was second off the start and rode solid to sixth. I had a lot of fun this weekend, my fitness felt great and my bike was awesome so it felt great to be back.”

KX Proof

Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green had a great showing at Speedworld MX Park. Rounding out a Kawasaki sweep of the podium was Sutherlin who went 5-3 on the weekend to finish third overall. After winning 250A on Saturday, Seeds dominated the Pro 2 class on Sunday, and Team Green’s Brandy Richards easily took the win in the Women A class.

“It was tough to lead out there,” said Seeds. “It was so choppy that I let second by and followed behind. We pitted at the same time and when I got some water on my back that really energized me. I was able to put some time between us and take the win.”

Triple Digit Temperatures

The heat was no joke in Surprise, as temperatures were over 100-degrees on both Saturday and Sunday. Many rider’s struggled with the heat and every lap at least one rider was in the pits trying to stay hydrated. In Sunday’s 90-minute moto, only eight riders were able to cross the finish line, all of which were Kawasaki-mounted.

Switching Gears

The next round of WORCS will take place May 19-20 at Racetown 395 in Adelanto, Calif. In the meantime, the Monster Energy Kawasaki’s off-road team will jump down to the KX™250F to compete in Round 1 of the AMA EnduroCross series on May 4th at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

Results

World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) – Round 4
Speedworld MX Park – Surprise, Ariz.

WORCS Pro Overall
1. TAYLOR ROBERT, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. BOBBY GARRISON, HESPERIA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
3. GARY SUTHERLIN, BAKERSFIELD, CALIF., KAWASAKI
4. ROBBY BELL, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF., KAWASAKI
5. Mike Brown, Bluff City, Tenn., KTM
6. JUSTIN SOULE’, VICTORVILLE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASKI
7. RYAN ABBATOYE, RIDGECREST, CALIF., KAWASAKI
8. DESTRY ABBOTT, PEORIA, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
9. RHETT URSETH, CASE GRANDE, ARIZ., KAWASAKI
10. COREY FLOYD, ALTA LOMA, CALIF., KAWASAKI

WORCS Pro Points Standings
1. TAYLOR ROBERT, SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 221
2. Mike Brown, Bluff City, Tenn., KTM, 196
3. BOBBY GARRISON, HESPERIA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 190
4. JUSTIN SOULE’, VICTORVILLE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASKI, 173
5. Kyle Summers, Florissant, Colo., Yamaha, 157
6. RYAN ABBATOYE, RIDGECREST, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 148
7. GARY SUTHERLIN, BAKERSFIELD, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 146
8. ROBBY BELL, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 131
9. Ross Neely, Chester, Calif., Yamaha, 98
10. COLTON SHONDECK, COLORODO SPRINGS, COLO., KAWASAK, 81

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent

Back on the Box

In the past, Weimer had struggled with the soft dirt in Seattle and knew he would have to work hard to get a good result. Instead of finding consistent lines and clicking them off he would really need to adapt to the track on a lap-by-lap basis. Weimer proved he could adapt quickly and continued to show improvement every time he hit the track. Though he qualified ninth, in the heat race he got a great start and finished second. When the gate dropped for the main event he got another good start on his KX450F and came around the first lap in third. Weimer held onto third place the entire 20 lap main to secure his fourth podium of the season. The outstanding effort advanced Weimer from seventh to fifth in the points standings.

“I really didn’t feel comfortable all day so it felt great to finish on the box,” said Weimer. “I knew it would be tough racing here, because the track is always soft and rutted. That really isn’t my specialty. The track continued to break down throughout the night and there were a few spots where the ruts got really deep so I had to keep adjusting my lines. There was one rut that had a huge rock right in the middle of it, which was really sketchy. I feel pretty good about tonight because I was able to fight through it and come out with a better result than I expected.”

High Expectations

Since he took the first professional win of his career in Seattle, Tickle had high expectations coming into the event. He got off to a slow start, qualifying 12^th, but knew he needed to find some solid lines before he put on a charge. In the heat race he put it all together and rode strong to finish sixth. When the gate dropped in the main event, Tickle got pinched off and funneled to the back of the pack, coming around the first turn in 15th. Undeterred, he put together a solid charge and picked off nearly half of the field to finish eighth. Tickle currently sits tenth in the points standings.

“I thought I rode the best I had all season,” said Tickle. “I rode solid and stayed aggressive all 20 laps and passed half of the pack in the process. You know this has been a crazy season; anything can happen on the track. The top ten racers in the Supercross class are riding really strong so it’s difficult to break into the top three to get a podium. I just have to keep pushing forward and working hard no matter how tough it gets. I know eventually it will all pay off. I’m going to focus on my starts this week and hopefully I can carry this momentum into next weekend.”

Battleground

After a two month break while the series headed east, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson was pumped to return to racing and hoped to stretch his 2-point lead in Seattle. He got the night off to a great start, qualifying in the number two spot and went on to dominate the six-lap heat race, taking the holeshot and winning by almost four seconds. When the gate dropped for the main event, Wilson immediately went to work. He came around the first turn in third and quickly made a move on second, which was returned shortly thereafter and a battle for second ensured. While jockeying for position the two riders got tangled up mid-race, sending Wilson to the ground. Although he went down hard, he picked up his KX™250F and did the best he could to finish seventh and salvage points. Wilson currently sits second in the points, only four points behind the leader.

“I’m super bummed on tonight’s result,” said Wilson. “Me and Eli (Tomac) were really going at it. I was able to get around him pretty quickly on the first lap, then he got me back, and we went back and forth a couple times. It was some pretty aggressive racing, but we’re going for a championship and giving it everything we got out there.  We were halfway through the race and he came across the track, we got tangled up, and I got the worst of it. I just have to put this behind me because we still have another race before the final in Vegas. He only has four points on me and this is racing so anything can happen.”

Roar of the Crowd

Although he had already clinched the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, Seattle-native Villopoto wanted to win in his hometown more than ever. With family and friends from his childhood in attendance and spread throughout the stadium the emotional stakes couldn’t have been higher. During opening ceremonies when he rolled out onto the track the roar from the crowd was deafening. With the crowd cheering behind him, Villopoto started off the night strong, winning his heat race by nearly seven seconds. When the gate dropped for the main event he was only able to get a mid-pack start. He immediately went to work, looking to charge his way toward the front, but lost the front end and went down, forcing him out of the race.

“The day started out great,” said Villopoto. “I found some good lines during practice and was able to connect everything during the heat race. In the main event I didn’t get the start I needed and had to work from mid-pack. I was trying to pass three racers on the inside of a turn, came in hot, tried to grab some front brake and ended up washing out the front end.”

Hometown Hero

When Villopoto arrived in Seattle days prior to the race the town was already buzzing. Television stations and local newspaper were all vying for his time and wanted to chat with their local hero and recently crowned, two-time supercross champion. While travelling between television stations and visiting extended family, he also swung by the local Seattle Children’s Hospital to spread some cheer with teammate Weimer. On race day the pits were absolutely packed and it seemed like everyone on the paddock had some connection with Villopoto. Although the result of the main event was not what anyone expected, everyone who came out to visit him on Saturday knows he has the heart of a champion and is proud of his accomplishments.

“It’s always really awesome to come home and race in front of the people that watched me grow up racing,” said Villopoto. “I have a lot of family out here so it’s always nice to come home and spend time with them too. It seems like most of the people here remember watching me race growing up, know my family, or have pictures with me from my amateur days, so this race is really special for me.”

Mission Impossible

Because Seattle gets so much annual rainfall and Centurylink Field is an open stadium, getting the dirt to settle and pack properly is nearly impossible. While the track crew worked tirelessly to build, shape, and protect the track prior to race day, rain had inundated the track for almost an entire week prior to the event. To help the track better withstand the relentless rain, the track crew mixed the dirt with asphalt and lime to help maintain its composure. When racers arrived on Saturday morning they were informed there would be one less practice session due to the track’s deteriorating condition. However, once racing began the onslaught of hundreds of dirt bikes eventually pounded the track into a rutted mess. Sometimes you just can’t beat Mother Nature.

Next Weekend

Next weekend, Monster Energy AMA Supercross heads to Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the penultimate round of the series before the 2012 season wraps up in Las Vegas, Nev.

Results

Monster Energy AMA Supercross – Round 15
Centurylink Field – Seattle, Washington
April 22, 2012

Supercross Class Results
1. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
2. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, monster energy Kawasaki
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
6. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
7. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Fla., Suzuki
8. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., monster energy/pro circuit/Kawasaki
9. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Yamaha
10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Kawasaki
19. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., monster energy Kawasaki

Supercross Lites Western Region Results
1. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha
2. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
4. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
6. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki,
7. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., monster energy/pro circuit/Kawasaki
8. Billy Laninovich, Riverside, Calif., Honda
9. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda
10. Vince Friese, Cape Girardeau, Mo., Honda

Supercross Class Points Standings
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., monster energy Kawasaki, 323
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 222
3. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 219
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 207
5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, monster energy Kawasaki, 191
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 178
7. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Fla., Suzuki, 176
8. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki, 173
9. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 166
10. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., monster energy/pro circuit/Kawasaki, 146

Supercross Lites Western Region Points Standings
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda, 134
2. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., monster energy/pro circuit/Kawasaki, 130
3. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 119
4. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 111
5. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha, 78
6. Nico Izzi, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 78
7. Matt Moss, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 77
8. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda, 75
9. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki, 73
10. Billy Laninovich, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 70

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent

Adapt and Overcome

While the VORRA event organizers originally planned to host the opening rounds over the course of two days, after a week of torrential downpours, the course was so saturated they decided to cancel racing altogether on Saturday to give the track a chance to dry out. With two full rounds to complete Sunday, racers had to prepare mentally and mechanically, for a long day of racing. Each round consisted of three motos, where the winner would be determined by the overall score. After three grueling motos through the mud, Crowley finished 3-1-1 to earn his first win of the series.

“The course was incredibly muddy,” said Crowley. “It was just a thick, clumpy, soupy mess. Instead of racing on a one-mile course for six laps, they had to eliminate half the course and changed the race to 12 laps. Many of the Class 11 and Class 9 vehicles were getting stuck because they were only two-wheel drive and sliding all over the place. With my Teryx I just powered around them like stationary obstacles. I knew from the beginning it was going to be a race of attrition. It was kind of like a desert race where you have to beat the desert before you can beat your competitors.”

Putting it Together

Still working the bugs out of his first season racing on four-wheels, Garrett has been trying to find a groove in the WORCS series aboard his Teryx. With a strong motocross background, the course at Speedworld MX Park felt like second nature to Garrett and he quickly found a rhythm. Making ground on competitors in the motocross sections of the course he was able to eventually catch the leader and finish in the runner-up spot. He currently sits fifth in the points standings.

“I’m pretty pumped to get on the podium,” said George. “The dirt on the course was super sticky and by the end of the parade lap we were already caked with mud. My strategy once the race got started was to be cautious and stay out of trouble for the first couple laps. I knew it was going to be a long 45 minutes, so as soon as everyone broke loose and got away from each other I put down a good pace and started reeling in the leader. I had so much fun on the motocross track. My Teryx was hooking up great out there and got me on the podium in second. I can’t wait for the next couple rounds with motocross tracks.”

Solid Charge

With almost 60 UTVs out on the tight, WORCS course smashing their throttles and battling for position, successfully advancing through the congested field over the slick course was a tall order. Funco Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Taylor George got a mid-pack start in her Teryx and came around the first lap in 12th place. She was able to consistently gain ground with each lap, slowly advancing through the field to finish seventh in the WORCS SXS Production 1000 class. She currently sits 11th in the points standings.

Competitive Advantage

While many short-course UTVs are very specialized race machines, Crowley feels the versatility of his Teryx was the key to his success in the VORRA at Folsom. After seeing how saturated the track had become by race day, Crowley decided to make some last minute adjustments to better adapt his Teryx to the challenging course. The strategy clearly paid off as he went on to sweep the opening weekend of the VORRA season opener, taking wins in the first two rounds of the series.

“My Teryx is extremely versatile and the Muzzys powerplant is a torque-monster,” said Crowley. “It can go desert racing, rock crawling, short-course, and I can go play in the dunes. It’s not just a race car, it’s a play car. On Sunday, I made some crucial last minute changes like going with a larger, 27.5” tire because of the soupy terrain. I knew it wasn’t a good short-course tire, but I needed to get the Teryx off the ground and needed a tire that flung mud instead of packing it. I also set my ride height a little higher so I wouldn’t be dragging through the mud. The bigger tires and additional clearance made a huge difference. Even with all that mud weighing it down, the Teryx just powered right through it.”

Results

Valley Off Road Racing Association (VORRA) – Rounds 1 & 2
Prairie City OHV – Folsom, Calif.
April 13-15, 2012

Modified UTV
1. JON CROWLEY, MUZZYS MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. Scott Lentz, Polaris
3. Dennis Jean, Polaris

World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS) – Round 4
Speedworld MX Park – Surprise, Ariz.
April 13-15, 2012

SXS Production 850 Class
1. Nic Granlund, Polaris
2. GARRETT GEORGE, FUNCO MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
3. DAVID LYTLE, KAWASAKI
4. Alfredo Ramiriz, Polaris
5. Todd Jespersen, Polaris

Monster Energy Kawasaki Under the Tent

Long Overdue

Durham has had the speed all season, but had yet to put 15 laps together perfectly. In the lites main, he did not get the greatest jump out of the gate, rounding the first turn in sixth, but two corners later he had snuck into second. He quickly overtook the leader and never looked back, taking his first Supercross Lites victory. The win jumps Durham back up to second in points with one round remaining.

“My night actually didn’t start that good, but it ended awesome!” said Durham. “I didn’t feel that good in practice and my heat race was okay. In the main event I kept it on around the first turn and swooped by a few guys, got into the lead and took it home. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m so pumped to finally get one. I hadn’t even ridden supercross since Houston so maybe I should have been riding more outdoors! This is huge for me and I’m pumped to be able to do it for the team.”

Keep Them Coming

Although Villopoto wrapped up the championship two weeks ago, his approach to the races hasn’t changed. Villopoto’s night was close to flawless as he was fastest in qualifying practice, won his heat race, ripped the holeshot in the main on his KX™450F and went on to lead every lap. Villopoto’s calculated precision on the track is unmatched by anyone else in the field, which he proves week after week.

“It’s great to get my ninth win tonight,” said Villopoto. “I felt strong in practice and really put down 20 solid laps in the main event, so I’m really happy with the night. The track was really tough so it kept you on your toes. The focus is changing towards outdoors now, but if a win presents itself like it did tonight, we’ll take it.”

Coming Up Short

Baggett is known for never showing his true speed in qualifying practice, so it is often difficult to judge how he feels on track until the main event. He qualified fifth and ran a solid heat race finishing third. In the main event, he got off the gate in a decent spot and came around the first turn in the top-five. By the halfway point, Baggett had moved into second behind Durham and was looking to make a move. Not wanting to make an overly-aggressive pass on his teammate he would settle for second place. Baggett admits he never fully felt comfortable on the New Orleans dirt, but one would never know it based on his result.

“I rode the best I could tonight, but it wasn’t quite enough,” said Baggett. “I really didn’t like the track and dirt since first practice this morning, it didn’t suit me. I was able to make some passes and move through the field and I made the best of it. I’ve still got some things to dial in, so I plan to come out in Vegas and get a win before the season is through.”

Within Reach

As the momentum continues to build for Tickle towards the end of the season, the Superdome looked like the venue where he could grab his first top-five finish in the Supercross class. Tickle rode an exceptionally strong heat race holding third for much of the race before finishing fourth and putting himself in a good position for the main event. When the gate dropped for the 20-lap main, Tickle jumped out to sixth on lap-one and had the leaders in sight. One lap later he got the worst of a run-in with another rider where Tickle hit the ground and dropped back to 16th. Determined to finish where he belongs, Tickle battled back towards the front and was able to salvage 10th. With that finish, Tickle moves into the top-10 in points and continues to set his eyes on the front.

“I’m really happy with the way I rode tonight,” said Tickle. “I got a good start and was near the top-five before coming together with another guy and going down. I was able to come back to 10th, which is where I have finished without a crash so I’m happy to get those points. With the field thinning out, I should be closer to the front so I’m looking forward to next weekend.”

Soldiering On

Racing is very unpredictable and one small error can end a rider’s night. In qualifying practice, Weimer looked smooth and controlled and laid down the second fastest lap time behind Villopoto. With Monster Energy Kawasaki qualifying 1-2 for the night program, everyone was anticipating a great result. In his heat race he got out front and easily took his second heat race win of the season, boosting his confidence for the main event. When the gate dropped for the main, Weimer put himself right where he needed to be, rounding the first few corners in third until a bobble on the face of the triple sent him off the track and down onto the concrete. Weimer attempted to continue racing, but decided it was not worth the risk of continuing.

“It’s a disappointing end to a good day,” said Weimer. “Today I was riding the way I know how and was able to transition the work I put in during the week, into the weekend. It was a small mistake on the triple that sent me off the track, but that small mistake cost me huge. I got going again, but just about threw it away a few more times and decided it was the best decision to pull off. Next week we’ll start fresh and hopefully end the night on the box.”

KX Proof

Not only did the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki duo of Durham and Baggett aboard their KX™250Fs finish first and second in the Supercross Lites class, but Kawasaki also took the top two spots in the Supercross class. Although many anticipated teammates Villopoto and Weimer to hold those positions, it was Jeff Ward Racing Kawasaki’s Josh Grant that rode a mistake-free 20 laps to earn his first podium in three years and join Villopoto on the box. It is obvious by looking at the results that the Kawasaki KX450F is the preferred bike of most riders on the gate and Kawasaki holding four of six podium spots in New Orleans demonstrated the strength of the KX™ line.

Seashells

The dirt inside the Superdome was unique. At first glance one may think it was littered with pebbles and rocks, but at close inspection the dirt was actually full of seashells. This created a dilemma amongst many riders to sport additional roost protection such as hand guards or chest protectors. After a few practice sessions it was obvious the roost was not that dangerous, but never the less a little harder than average.

The Pacific Northwest

Monster Energy AMA Supercross heads back to the West coast next Saturday, April 21, 2012 to Centurylink Field in Seattle, Wash., for Round 15 of the series. The open stadium in Seattle allows weather to play a factor in the racing. The Supercross Lites Western Region riders will return to do battle where Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson currently holds the points lead by two points. Wilson will be looking to extend his points lead and provide himself with some breathing room as the season concludes.

Results

Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, La.
April 14, 2012

Supercross Class Results
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
2. JOSH GRANT, CORONA, CALIF., JWR KAWASAKI
3. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
4. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Tex., Honda
6. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
7. Weston Peick, Wildomar, Calif., Yamaha
8. KYLE CHISHOLM, VALRICO, FLA., JWR KAWASAKI
9. Will Hahn, Decatur, Tex., Honda
10. BROC TICKLE, HOLLY, MICH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI

20. JAKE WEIMER, WILDOMAR, IDAHO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI

Supercross Class Championship Standings
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 321
2. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 206
3. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 201
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM, 192
5. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha, 178
6. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki, 172
7. JAKE WEIMER, RUPERT, IDAHO, MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 171
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 166
9. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki, 162
10. BROC TICKLE, HOLLY, MICH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 133

11. KYLE CHISHOLM, VALRICO, FLA., JWR KAWASAKI, 129
13. JOSH HANSEN, ELBERT, COLO., HART & HUNTINGTON KAWASAKI, 89
14. NICK WEY, MURRIETA, CALIF., KAWASAKI, 86

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Results
1. DARRYN DURHAM, BUTLER, PA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
2. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
3. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda
4. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, GA., Honda
5. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
6. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Texas, Yamaha
7. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Suzuki
8. TYLER BOWERS, DANVILLE, KY., BABBITT’S MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
9. Austin Politelli, Sun City, Calif., Honda
10. Phil Nicoletti, Cochecton, N.Y., Honda

Eastern Regional Supercross Lites Class Championship Standings
1. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 185
2. DARRYN DURHAM, BUTLER, PA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 143
3. Ken Roczen, Murrieta, Ga., KTM, 143
4. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Suzuki, 142
5. BLAKE BAGGETT, GRAND TERRACE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 128
6. Jake Canada, Sun City, Calif., Suzuki, 118
7. Justin Bogle, Cushing, Okla., Honda, 107
8. Kyle Cunningham, Aledo, Tex., Yamaha, 70
9. Alex Martin, Millville, Minn., Honda 67
10. MATT LEMOINE, COLLINSVILLE, TEXAS, KAWASAKI, 66