It's almost March and the Supercross series is heating up and off-road racing is getting ready to explode in a big way!
The new Mahindra Racing team scored its first points at the last GP at Jerez on April 3. Now the Italy-based Indian-owned squad goes to Portugal, confident of building on that success in the Portuguese Grand Prix on April 29 – May 1.
Competing in the highly competitive 125 class, the Mahindra team were pleased when young German rider Marcel Schrötter (18) picked his way through into the top 15, placing 13th to score points for the Mahindra in only its second race.
“We were pleased, but not satisfied. Our aim is much higher,” said Team Principal Mufaddal Choonia. “We want to keep moving forward.”
Guy Martin will make his pure road racing debut in Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing livery at the Cookstown 100, Northern Ireland's opening road race of the season on April 29 & 30.
The event will be used as a North West 200 shakedown for the Lincolnshire man, who hasn't raced at the County Tyrone circuit since 2005. He will ride his GSX-R600 and GSX-R1000 Superstock machines at the event. In preparation for event, he will also race this weekend at Brands Hatch in the opening round of the British Superbike Championship.
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Had Team Suzuki Alstare rider Michel Fabrizio not started off the fourth row of the grid after experiencing some issues in Superpole qualifying, the increasingly consistent star felt he could have been in with a chance of even a win at last weekend's Assen race.
As it stands Fabrizio left Assen with a fifth and then a seventh place, losing a couple of places due to his choice of tyres for race two. Marco Melandri (Yamaha) finally passed Fabrizio in race one and a battling seventh in race two means Michel is eighth in the championship.
Said Fabrizio after his latest weekend of racing, "It would've been so much better if I had not have had the problem in Superpole yesterday. I am convinced that if I had been on the first or second row of the grid today, I would've got on the podium for sure - and maybe have even won a race! Generally I am quite pleased with our performance especially considering that I had to start from the fourth row of the grid. I didn't make a good start in the first race, but managed to get into fourth by lap twelve. It had taken some time to get past some of the riders, but I was fairly comfortable in fourth until a few laps from the end. My front tyre was already moving about a lot by the time Melandri came past and although I tried to catch him again, the tyre wasn't up to it, so I had to be satisfied with fifth instead."
Speed Week is here and there's plenty to talk about: Hot Rod's River Ranch, Bubba's Daytona, and a whole lot more dirt... 'er, sand.
Jacob Argubright Press Release
The second half of the National Hare and Hound Series kicked off this weekend, I was back home in Lucerne Valley, and it was a Saturday race, so the whole week was dedicated to winning this weekend's race. At this point I needed to step it up and prove that I could really run up front at these things, because I really don't want people to think that I have just gotten lucky this year.
We got to Lucerne on Thursday morning, and it was already really windy. I could tell that it would be a dusty weekend, but after everything we have been through it was sort of a welcomed sight. After Utah, I rushed home to hit the local desert race (which I won), and I was hoping to roll that success into the event this weekend.
Between Thursday and Friday we got a lot of riding in. My friends Donnie Eisenhauer and Ryan Sanders rode with me, and Levi from Off Road Support joined for some fun. We practiced starts, some tight technical stuff, and making passes on Ryan, and I feel like all of it was a good workout for a race the next morning. Late in the afternoon we got to take Destry's son, Cooper, out for a ride and it was impressive to see how good he was on the 250F for a 13 year old!
When I got back, Sarah had gotten there and Ed and Jerry were working on her bike to make sure it was ready for the morning. Megan from Offroad Journal has been hanging with us lately, and it was also fun to spend some time with her and get a quick photo shoot in before dark. I got to bed early and knew that I would need to be on my game come the morning if I wanted to prove my point.
Race Day
The start was at 10 am, but it seemed to come up really quick. It was a narrow line, so I felt like everyone was right on top of me. About 5 minutes before the race started, I got to see Justin Imhof. It was exciting to see that he was back out, and encouraging seeing the progress that he has been making these last few months, but I have to admit that it was nerve racking. He looked good, and we spent a couple minutes talking about what has been happening the last few months. He walked away right as the banner was going up, and it was time to race.
As it dropped I got a first kick start, and I really pulled just about everyone around me. I was third to the bomb, but right alongside Destry and Kurt. I think it was my best start all year, but it felt good to be out there. I got around Destry before we got out of the first tight section and sort of fell in behind Kurt. As it opened up, Kendall Norman passed me wide open off the trail, and it was almost discouraging to see how much faster his bike was then mine.
At this point in the race, we were about 10 miles in and I settled into a good pace just watching the leaders up front. I was able to follow their dust, and see where we were going, and it was a big help to just sort of key off of them and not have to stress. I guess I was able to gap 4th and 5th by a little, because everyone I saw told me I had a big gap, and that was a HUGE relief.
I decided to let those two run their race, and just sort of keep them in sight in case something would happen to either of them. Loop two was going to be the technical stuff, and I knew that I would have the best chance of making up time out in the rocks. Into the pits they told me that I was about 30 seconds down and that those two were right on top of one another.
About 10 miles into loop two, I could tell that Kendall was now in the lead. Kurt was ahead and I could tell that I was slowly catching him. I followed for about 5 miles, and had a lot of fun watching him ride the trails that I have been racing for the last 5 years or so. I really learned a bit about how he attacks each obstacle and was able to make up some time by reading off of his moves. After check 6 he pulled off the trail and waved me by. I wasn't sure at the time, but I guess he had gone down in a cactus and had to stop to deal with the consequences.
Knowing that I was in second at this point my whole game plan began to shift. I knew that Kendall was up front and very good out in Lucerne. I felt like my only option was to push it as hard as I could, and maybe force him to make a mistake if I could get close enough. It worked for a while, and I really started to close the gap. At one point I could see him exiting a turn as I was coming in right behind him. My guess is that we were within 5 seconds of one another, but he really rode a great race.
No matter how hard I pushed, he held it open just as long. At the last downhill, my dad and a bunch of the Honda guys were there to cheer us on. I know that they were stoked that Kendall was out front, but they still took the time to tell me that I too had a big enough gap over third. With camp in sight, about 3 miles out, I put it in cruise mode and finished the race second overall, about a minute ahead of Kurt.
This one was really special for me. It was the best I have ever done at a local national, and although it was my second time at runner up this year, it was great to share it with the District 37 crowd. Kendall, me, and Kurt all got our starts here in District 37, so it was exciting to have a National podium with all three of us at once. It has to be the first time in years that all three riders were from D37.
Everything seemed to work perfect today. Ed did a great job on the bike prep, and he and Jerry did a great job getting me in and out of the pits. The support at the Off Road Support pits was great, and even cooper was cheering me on as I came through (even though I was ahead of his dad!)
I couldn't have made it to the podium for the third time this year if it wasn't for my sponsors. Thanks to Kawasaki of Simi Valley, Off Road Support, Answer Racing, UFO Plastics, Jett Boots, Scotts, Dunlop, Rekluse, Dirt Digits, Omega, BRP, TBT Racing, Kal-Gard, Pro Moto Billet, Fastway Performance, IMS, FMF, Photos by Grumpy, and Brian Elliot at Allianceoffroad.com
This week I am leaving for St. Croix to support my trainer, Jason Johnson as he does a Triathlon event. I am pretty excited as it is my first trip to the Carribean, but more importantly I want to be there to support him as he has done the same for me all year. Ed is coming with me, and it is going to be nice to be on the island bonding with my mechanic in a place other then the desert! We will be back just in time to head to Reno where I hope to get another NHHA podium!
Thanks again for all of the support, and in case you haven't heard, they announced that the X Games will feature Endurocross this year and I WAS INVITED!!!! More details to follow....
See you in the Desert!
-Jake
Jacob911.com
Pity the poor Portuguese MotoGP round. While so many other races sit ostentatiously in fixed slots in the calendar - Qatar as the season opener in March or April, Assen on the last Saturday in June, Laguna Seca as the last race in July before the summer break, Valencia as the last race of the season in November - the Estoril round of MotoGP is constantly being shoved back and forth in the calendar, from early to late and back to early again. Race fans planning a visit to the Portuguese Grand Prix are forced to wait for the calendar to be finalized before deciding whether to book a trip to the track on the edge of the Atlantic.
That vast body of water is part of the problem: the reason for shifting the Estoril MotoGP race back and forth in the calendar - apart from fitting it in among the more solid fixtures in the season - is to avoid the wet and windy conditions that so often prevail whenever the series visits the track. It is hard to blame the weather entirely on the circuit, however; MotoGP only ever visits the track in either early spring or late autumn, times of year when the nearby Atlantic plays a more active role in the weather, bringing wind and rain to the circuit on a regular basis.
Authorized and trained staff on site for inspections and fitment! - Press Release
Irvine, Calif (April 25, 2011) - Leatt revolutionized the neck brace market a few years ago and although there are many options, Race-N-Safe distributing would like to show why Leatt is the leader in neck protection. They will have their trained staff offering free inspections and fitment checks of all Leatt Neck Braces, old, new, youth or adult regardless of where you bought it or how old it is. If your Leatt neck brace needs a tune up, a fitment adjustment, or a broken part needs to be replaced, they will have the parts on hand at a special MiniMotoSX discount and their trained staff will do the work for free while you wait.
As a fully authorized Leatt neck brace dealer Race-N-Safe will showcase the full line of 2011 Leatt neck braces which feature the new fiberglass reinforced polyamide construction. This new material is super strong yet light weight and allows Leatt to offer the braces in 5 different colors. Also available will be all the new Padding Kits, including the awesome Ashley Foilek designed series, as well as all the new "Factory" color pad kits. Race-N-Safe will also have both of the new hydration systems that work with the Leatt neck braces and allow hands free drinking while riding. These are great for racing, practicing or just trail riding. They will also be featuring the highly anticipated Leatt chest protectors that are engineered with no compromise in comfort or safety and are specifically designed to work with the Leatt neck brace. Race-N-Safe Distributing is proud to offer Leatt products at great prices and promote safety and responsibility to the MiniMotoSX community. See you in Vegas!
Make your plans now to head out to Vegas for Monster Energy AMA Supercross weekend a little early so you can race for an AMA #1 plate or catch the Friday night show. You can find race entry and event info at www.minimotosx.com and the new South Point Hotel host has ticket and room packages available at www.southpointeventscenter.com/events/11-minimotosx.php.
For rules and race information visit www.minimotosx.com or email minimotosx@sorc.com
Source Interlink Media Motorsports:
Encompassing the highly successful GEICO AMA MiniMotoSX presented by Monster Energy and Braaap USA, the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship Series presented by E3 Spark plugs and the AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships, the Source Interlink Media Motorsports brands reach millions of motorcycle enthusiasts with live events, web sites, television and magazine coverage. Visit www.minimotosx.com or www.endurocross.com
It's almost March and the Supercross series is heating up and off-road racing is getting ready to explode in a big way!
TiLUBE Racing's Monster Energy Supercross in Seattle, Washington News Release
Advance, NC (April 19, 2011) - It was a rough track full of ruts in Seattle and crashes that kept the TiLUBE riders from making the main event despite strong efforts in their heat races.
Kiniry qualified in the 17th spot with his lap time of 55.626 seconds and Cody Gilmore qualified in 28th with his time of 59.721 seconds.
Robert Kiniry (#62) was working his way into a transfer spot for the main event when he got caught up with a tight pack of riders positioned in 8th through 10th. One of the riders in the pack took out Kiniry eliminating his chance to transfer directly from the heat race. Kiniry finished in 17th place in his heat.
Cody Gilmore (#374) crashed in his heat race in the whoop section and dislocated his shoulder. He was examined by Dr. Bodnar and told to skip the LCQ so that he could heal up and be ready to race at the next round in Salt Lake City. Gilmore finished in 18th place in his heat race.
Since Gilmore was sitting out the LCQ with his injured shoulder only Robert Kiniry was on the line for the start of the LCQ. He got a poor start from a very muddy section of the starting line but rode a great race from dead last up to 8th place.
"Both Cody and Bobby rode with a lot of heart and did their best. Cody's crash was a bit scary but he's going to be fine by Salt Lake. Although it wasn't our best showing, I'm glad we got through the race and look forward to the two final rounds,"commented Tony Wenck, TiLUBE Racing team manager.
After fifteen rounds of the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross Series, Matt Boni is in 20th place, Matt Goerke is in 29th place and Robert Kiniry is in 30th place overall in the standings.
The TiLUBE Racing team's next race is Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The SX races will be televised on May 1 at 12:00 pm ET on CBS. The SX Lites races will be televised on May 1 at 6 pm ET on SPEED. A full television schedule is available at this link http://www.supercrossonline.com/TV/
TiLUBE Racing team sponsorships include Brown Motorsports, Foremost Insurance, Babbitts Online, TiFUEL, Wiseco, Enzo Suspension, Dr. D Racing Development, AXO, Carrier Air Conditioning, Dunlop, RK Excel, Fusion Graphixx, K&N Filters, SDG, QTM, UFO, Vortex, G2 Ergonomics, Pit Posse, Crank Works, Tamer, Pit Pass Radio, DH1, Tuf Racing Products, ODI Grips, Concepts in Aluminum, Mandingo Pickles, and Podium Ink.
About TiLUBE Racing
TiLUBE Racing is a professional Supercross team owned by TiLUBE LLC. The focus of the team is to prove the product line capabilities in racing situations and promote the high end powersports chemical and fuel products. All TiLUBE products are dyno and race tested before they are offered to end consumers. All TiLUBE products offer engine protection in extreme conditions and outperform the manufactures requirements. TiLUBE oils and race fuels can be found at fine retailers across the U.S. For more info on TiLUBE products and race support log on to www.TiLUBE.com
Results and summary of World Superbike race 2 at Assen:
AmPro Yamaha Race Report News Release
Race: OMA Round 2
Location: Ft. Smith, Arkansas
Riders: Paul Whibley 1st Place, Jordan Ashburn 3rd Place
Report:
After the massive storms that seemed to blanket the country had moved on, the riders awoke Sunday morning in Arkansas to clear skies and almost perfect racing conditions.
AmPro Yamaha's Paul Whibley got one of his best starts of the year, going into the corner strong in second place. Charging hard through the tight woods, Whibley quickly gained the lead with former teammate Jimmy Jarrett right behind him. As the woods opened up into the fields, large amounts of water remained stagnate from the devastating storms earlier in the week. Paul and Jimmy would swap positions several times, taking turns charging the large mud holes and trying not to get stuck. Ultimately, it was Whibley that would come out on top, taking the win and the points lead of the 2011 OMA Series.
"This was a great race," says Whibley. "It had a little bit of everything, tight woods, open fields, and it even had a big gravel road section which was like a full on flat track drag race. My Vortex ignition really made the difference on the start and going into the wood both Jimmy and myself had to constantly be on our toes, picking smart lines that wouldn't get us stuck. There was one puddle you literally hydroplaned and just kept it pinned. I'd really like to thank Scotty for getting my bike set up perfect for this race and all the guys on Team AmPro Yamaha for the support. I hope this race gives me the momentum needed going into the Loretta Lynn GNCC."
Obermeyer Yamaha's Jordan Ashburn mounted up his finely tuned 2011 Yamaha YZ450 and waited for the flag to drop. Suffering from a less than perfect start.... DEAD LAST! Ashburn would put his head down and charge into the woods with fire in his eyes. Now, those of you who know Jordan know that he is one of the best mud riders in the country. Add that to the fact that he was riding a YZ450F and you have a loaded weapon. Ashburn quickly made work of the guys in front of him, catching Paul and Jimmy who picked up the pace after noticing him on their tail.
"Man I had a bad start," says Ashburn. "I pushed as hard as I could going into the woods and started catching the guys in my class. It was really tight and the ground conditions where almost perfect in the trees but when we got to the field it was just crazy. Water as far as you could see and there was no telling how deep it was.... All you could do was pin it and hope for the best!!! By the time I caught Paul and Jimmy, I could tell they were both riding a pretty smart race and trying not to get stuck. I just latched on to them and the pace kept getting faster and faster. That's how we finished the race 1, 2, and 3. It was awesome! I would like to thank Keith at Obermyer Yamaha and Randy with AmPro Yamaha for all
the help and support. The new YZ450F worked amazing. I'd also like to thank my mom and dad who are always such a huge part of my program."
When it was all said and done, Whibley crossed the finish line first with Jarrett close behind him and Ashburn following suit. This was a great weekend for the AmPro Yamaha Race Team and we would like to thank all of our valuable sponsors who make it happen!
To see some great photos of the race please visit http://www.digitaloffroad.com/2011/04/18/oma-round-2-photo-report/
To see more race reports, rider bios, and the latest news in racing, check out the all new AmPro Website at www.AmProYamaha.com or become a fan at Facebook
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Welcome to The Weekly Dirt, the place to go each Wednesday to catch up on the latest happenings in the realm of off-road motorcycling. I'll be on the road every weekend bringing you the straight skinny from trenches with a tinge of Oklahoma twang - heavy on the racing and light on the fluff.
Filed under: Motorsports, Europe
Continue reading 2011 Race of Champions heading to Frankfurt
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Glen Helen Raceway News Release
San Bernardino, Calif. - April 15, 2011 - Glen Helen Raceway is now offering premium skybox accommodations for the 2011 Monster Energy Grand Prix of the United States on May 14-15. Skyboxes will be located along the elevated REM parking area, and will offer a commanding view of the entire track. What better way to enjoy the only FIM World Motocross Championship stop in the U.S. than in the comfort and luxury of a private skybox?
Three Skybox packages are being offered for this year's grand prix, including Single (10'x20'), Double (10'x40') and Triple (10'x60') boxes. Each package also features a variety of optional extras like catered food, water and soft drink coolers and a fully stocked bar with bartender. The Skyboxes will be situated along the top REM parking area, offering an elevated view of the entire USGP Track. Each Skybox comes with security and accompanying guest credentials for total privacy and is in a central location to provide easy access to all of the weekend's attractions.
The 10'x20' Single Skybox is priced at $2,500 and has a capacity of 25 people. This package includes 25 Sky Club VIP Passes. These passes include general admission, preferred parking and Skybox credentials. The Single Skybox also offers the option of two water and soft drink coolers and a sandwich platter for the cost of $275.
The 10'x40' Double Skybox is priced at $3,000 and accommodates 50 people. This package includes 50 Sky Club VIP Passes, good for general admission, preferred parking and Skybox credentials. The Double Skybox offers a few food and drink options as well. Two water and soft drink coolers and a sandwich platter will be available for $275. A full bar with a bartender costs $350 per day plus the cost of drinks. Hot food for 50 people is priced at $450 while gourmet food for 50 people is priced at $1,200.
The 10'x60' Triple Skybox is priced at $4,500 and holds up to 75 people. This package includes 75 Sky Club VIP Passes, which provide general admission, preferred parking and Skybox credentials. Optional water and soft drink coolers (2) and a sandwich platter costs $275. The full bar and bartender costs $350 per day plus the cost of drinks. Hot food for 75 people is $675 and gourmet food for 75 people is $1,500.
The Grand Prix Skyboxes offer fans the ultimate race day experience. With the variety of sizes and options, these boxes can accommodate anyone, from employees and customers to family and friends. For more information visit http://glenhelen.com/race-info/2011-usgp/skybox-information. For reservations, options or questions contact Brant Russell of Acorn Woods Communications at (714) 960-5500 or Lori Bryant of Glen Helen Raceway at (909) 384-9342.
Visit www.glenhelen.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/glenhelenraceway for the latest news and updates.
Upcoming Events:
May 12-13 - Thor Cup Amateur MX Championships
May 14 - FIM Veteran Motocross World Cup United States
May 14-15 - Monster Energy Grand Prix of the United States
Glen Helen Raceway: Glen Helen Raceway is the premier Off-Road Racing facility in Southern California and is known as a world class racing facility. The 256 acre facility located near the San Bernardino County town of Devore, has featured Motocross, Sand Drags, Short and Long Course Buggies & Trucks, AMA 125/250 MX Nationals, Pro ATV Racing, Off Road G.P. and Endurance races, and the FIM United States Grand Prix, World Championship Motocross event
Speed Week is here and there's plenty to talk about: Hot Rod's River Ranch, Bubba's Daytona, and a whole lot more dirt... 'er, sand.
It's March, Speed Week is just around the corner, and we're knee-deep in off-road action here at Dirt Rider. Out west, Bobby Garrison turned in an impressive ride at the WORCS race in Primm, Nevada, riding a privateer Kawasaki to a 1-1 overall win. But I'll start off talking about the opening round of the Rekluse/AMA National Enduro Series, in Salley, South Carolina, which is where I was at this weekend.
Welcome to The Weekly Dirt. This week I shot the Steele Creek GNCC in Morganton, North Carolina where Josh Strang got his first win of the year at the expense of Charlie Mullins. This race was one of the best I've seen in a while and it boiled down to one of strangest finishes ever.
World Superbike order was apparently restored on Saturday at the Netherland’s famous Assen circuit, with Althea Racing Ducati’s Carlos Checa grabbing his third consecutive Superpole in as many tries, after struggling a bit during Friday’s practice sessions and initially languishing outside the top ten. The veteran Spaniard’s lap of 1:35.292 was comfortably inside of second qualifier Jakub Smrz’s 1:35.560 effort on the Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati, with Yamaha’s Eugene Laverty third and Pata Racing Aprilia’s Nori Haga filling out the front row.
