Justin Barcia Signs with Factory Honda

TORRANCE, CA – May 8, 2012 – (Motor Spors Newswire) – American Honda is proud to welcome Justin Barcia to Team Honda Muscle Milk for the 2013-2014 seasons. Barcia will contest both the AMA Supercross Championship and AMA Motocross Championship aboard a factory-prepared Honda CRF450R race machine.

Barcia has been a part of the Honda family for many years, riding several models as he rose through the amateur ranks. After winning numerous amateur titles, Barcia made his professional motocross debut in 2009 aboard a GEICO Honda CRF250R. The GEICO Honda Race Team program allows top amateurs to take the next step into their careers as professional Lites riders. The team has proven quite successful with Trey Canard, Eli Tomac and Justin Barcia all coming through the ranks to win AMA Lites Championships.

“It has taken a lot of hard work to get our program where it is today,” stated Factory Connection President and GEICO Honda Team co-owner Rick Zielfelder. “We pride ourselves on having an elite program that offers support to top amateur racers and gives them the opportunity to further their careers in the professional ranks. The GEICO Honda Team has given riders the tools to reach their ultimate goal of winning professional championships. It also creates a seamless integration for the rider to make the move to racing the 450s with the Honda factory team. And like Trey Canard, we are pleased to see Barcia make the transition to Team Honda Muscle Milk.”

In the 2011 AMA Supercross season, Barcia appeared on the podium at every round of the nine-race series and was able to clinch his first Lites East Championship title. During the 2011 outdoor motocross season, Barcia was given the opportunity to ride the last four rounds aboard a factory CRF450R. He showed that he could run up front by taking third place overall at both Unadilla and Pala, and grabbing a moto win in Southwick. Barcia’s 2012 season has proven just as successful as he earned five race wins and wrapped up his second Lites East Championship in New Orleans with one round remaining.

“It’s an awesome feeling to sign with Team Honda Muscle Milk,” said Barcia. “It is something that I have dreamed of since being an amateur. I’ve been riding and winning on Hondas for years because it’s the bike I feel best on. I am excited to continue my career with Honda aboard the CRF450R. I got a glimpse of what I have to look forward to after getting the opportunity to race the 450 last year. After working with Jeff Stanton I have learned that hard work really pays off and I plan to continue that work ethic into my 450 career. With a great team behind me and an amazing bike, I believe I can be a contender for the championship.”

Team Manager Erik Kehoe welcomes Barcia to the Honda lineup. “We are pleased to have Justin on board for the 2013 season. With two Lites East championships under his belt, Justin has proven time and again that he has what it takes to run up front and win races,” said Kehoe. “He has also shown that he can be a front runner aboard a CRF450R. We believe that with his pure determination to win, Justin will be a consistent threat to climb the podium. His focus and drive make him a great fit for our team.”

About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and MUVs in the U.S. American Honda’s Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to www.powersports.honda.com.

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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Makes History in the 250 Class

CORONA, CA – September 12, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki earned a spot in the record books after completing a an undefeated season in the 250 class of the AMA Motocross Championship series with Dean Wilson’s 1-1 victory at Pala Raceway. Along with claiming every overall win, the team also captured every second-place finish throughout the season. Newly crowned champion Dean Wilson was able to find his groove late in the season to capture three overall wins, Tyla Rattray claimed four overall wins, and Blake Baggett bagged the most wins with five overalls.

Wilson had already captured his championship, but he wasn’t ready to back down from the hot streak he started at Unadilla. He got a great jump off the start and was out front early in the first moto and was able to hold off Baggett for the moto win. In the second moto, Wilson worked his way up to the front and made the pass just after halfway to win Moto 2.

“I didn’t want to just take it easy because I already won the championship,” said Wilson. “I really wanted to go out with a win and celebrate with my family since they didn’t make it to Steel City. Overall the season went really well. I didn’t get a win until Round 8, but then I was able to come back and get a few more wins. The championship hasn’t really set in, but maybe at the banquet it will.”

Racing hard for his place on top of the podium, Baggett finished a close second to Wilson in the first moto. In the second moto, a tough start had him charging to the front, eventually finishing third for second overall.

“It’s not the result that I wanted, but I’m able to finish the year with the most wins,” said Baggett. “This was my first full motocross season and I learned a lot. There are a lot of things I would do differently, but overall I felt like I rode well. I couldn’t have done it without the backing of my team.”

Finishing second overall in points for the second consecutive year, Rattray was even closer to a championship this year with four wins and four additional podium finishes. At Pala, he finished on the podium in the first moto, but after getting pushed out on the start, he had to work his way up to finish fifth in Moto 2 and end the day fourth overall.

“I didn’t ride my best today, but I finished the season healthy and was able to hold onto second in the points,” said Rattray. “The track was really fast and with a bad start in the second moto, it was hard to make up any time on the guys in front of me. It would have been nice to end the season on the podium, but we made it out healthy and ready for Motocross of Nations.”

The final moto of the season showcased Tickle’s speed on his Pro Circuit-backed Kawasaki KX250F. After having to come back to 19th in the first moto, Tickle proved he was capable of running at the front with a sixth place finish in the second moto for 11th overall.

“The season had moments I definitely want to remember, but a lot that I want to forget,” said Tickle. “I felt like I rode really well in the second moto and it was a much better way to end the season.”

The AMA Motocross Championship ended with Wilson capturing Pro Circuit’s 28th championship. Rattray finished second in the points, while Baggett finished the top-three sweep in third. With his ups and downs, Tickle was still able to finish seventh in the points.

About Pro Circuit
Based in Corona, Calif., Pro Circuit Inc. is a leader in off-road motorcycle and ATV exhausts and aftermarket performance parts. Started in 1978, Pro Circuit is the go to shop for recreational riders and professionals for everything from suspension work to complete engine packages, and everything in between.

Created by former desert racer Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit proves its products and services week-in and week-out through its tagline “We Race.” Every product that dons the Pro Circuit stamp stems from the legendary Pro Circuit race team. A staple in the professional paddock, Pro Circuit Racing has earned 26 AMA championships and more than 200 race wins in more than 30 years of competition.

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Barcia to Race Honda CRF450R at Remaining Motocross Rounds

TORRANCE, CA – August 12, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – American Honda is pleased to announce that GEICO Honda rider Justin Barcia will ride for the American Honda Racing team and race a factory Honda-prepared CRF450R at the remaining four rounds in the 2011 AMA Motocross Championship.

“I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to ride the Honda CRF450R in the 450 class,” said Barcia. “I can’t thank GEICO Honda team owners Rick Zielfelder and Jeff Majkrzak enough for allowing me to take advantage of this opportunity. I raced the CRF450R to the overall win at the Bercy Supercross last year and I felt great competing on the bike, so I’m excited to now get the chance to race several rounds in the Motocross series on it. I’m also really looking forward to working with the factory Honda team. I feel I’ve grown a lot as a professional racer over the past three years and this whole experience is only going to help me develop my skills even more.”

American Honda Racing Team Manager Erik Kehoe welcomes Barcia to the Honda starting line-up. “Justin has been a part of the Honda family for many years now, having entered the professional ranks through Honda’s amateur support program,” said Kehoe. “He has a lot of experience racing Honda motorcycles and he’s earned a lot of success in both his amateur and professional careers. Trey Canard showcased his talents aboard the factory-prepared Honda CRF450R last year when he filled in for six Supercross rounds, and obviously that was a significant career opportunity for him, while Cole Seely enjoyed racing several Supercross’ with the team this year.We are pleased to work with Honda-supported teams and give the younger Honda riders the chance to gain valuable experience riding for the factory team when opportunities arise.”

For more information, contact American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (310) 783-3745.

About American Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and MUVs in the U.S. American Honda’s Powersports Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to www.powersports.honda.com.

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Kevin Windham to Race Additional Motocross Events

TORRANCE, CA – June 23, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – American Honda Racing announced today that Kevin Windham will continue competing in the 2011 AMA Motocross Championship with the factory Honda team at select events. Windham had originally planned to complete his fill-in role after the return of Josh Grant at the Budds Creek National last weekend, but after posting solid results, including a strong fourth-place finish last weekend, Windham has decided to race additional rounds of the AMA Motocross series. Teammate Trey Canard has just begun training and riding once more, and is working on making his return to racing as soon as possible.

“I’ve had a great time riding Motocross this season,” said Windham. “It’s been so much fun, I’m going to race at least a few more rounds. The fans have played a big role in my decision. The crowd support at each race has been kind of overwhelming. I can hear them cheering me on all around the track and so many people come by the transporter to see me and talk with me that I’m just amazed. I’m really enjoying the racing and everything else at the track, and I feel like I have good momentum going into Colorado after finishing just shy of the podium last weekend at Budds Creek.”

American Honda Racing Team Manager Erik Kehoe supports Windham’s decision to continue racing Motocross. “It’s great to see Kevin having so much fun racing,” said Kehoe. “He loves interacting with fans and the fans love coming to see him and talk with him. He’s got an incredible fan base all around the country. And even though he’s concentrated on riding Supercross only for the past several years, Kevin has put in a number of impressive outdoor rides in 2011. It’s been a good run, and I’m excited to see how all this plays out.”

About American Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, MUVs and personal watercraft in the U.S. American Honda’s Powersports Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to www.powersports.honda.com.

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Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Go After Two Win-Streaks in Colorado

CORONA, CA – June 23, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team will attempt to keep two different win-streaks alive as the riders head 6182 feet above sea level for the fifth round of the AMA Motocross Championship Series at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood, Colo. While Tyla Rattray, Dean Wilson, Blake Baggett, and Broc Tickle go after the team’s fifth-straight win of the season, the four-rider squad will also try to keep Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki as the only team to win at the venue since the series started racing there in 2005.

Carrying momentum from his second win last weekend, Rattray hopes he can be the rider to carry the season streak past the challenging Thunder Valley track. His consistency has put him up on the podium at each round this season and he looks to make another trip to the top.

“I have been in Florida all week and I think that training in the harsh conditions could help me when we go up in elevation,” said Rattray. “Everyone will have to deal with the differences in power, but our bikes have always been good there. It would be nice to win again, but I am focused on staying on the podium.”

While he has yet to earn an overall this year, Wilson remains only four points behind Rattray in the 250 class standings. His hunger for that first win also puts him at the top of the list to keep the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki steak alive.

“I really want to come into the weekend excited to race,” said Wilson. “I think I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself and I know the wins will come. I have been so close, which also isn’t too much fun to miss out by a point here and there. If I get two good starts, I know I can have a good chance for my first overall win.”

After making his first trip to the podium in Moto 1 last weekend, Tickle has now been able to taste what it’s like to be up front. He’ll use the confidence from Budds Creek to go after another top finish at Thunder Valley.

“Even though I didn’t have a great second moto at Budds Creek, the podium gave me a boost of confidence that I needed. I knew that I could be up front, and the podium definitely proved what I had thought all along. I’ll be working hard to get back up there.”

Baggett continued to prove he can come through the pack, earning the Ricky Carmichael Hard Charger award at Budds Creek for most positions gained in one moto. The seventh place overall finish wasn’t the result he was looking for and will be ready to get back to the top of the podium for the third time this season.

“The best way I try to deal with a bad race is to put it behind me and keep my program the same during the week,” said Baggett. “I can’t change the race, but I know I tried my hardest to make up as many positions as I possibly could. Now I can focus on this weekend’s race and I’ll do what I can to get back to the podium.”

The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team will head to just outside the mile-high city for the fifth stop of the AMA Motocross Championship at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood, Colo. Rattray leads the 250cc class with 174 points, while Wilson remains close with 170. Baggett maintained third with 144, while Tickle continued to move up the standings with 99 points in seventh.

About Pro Circuit
Based in Corona, Calif., Pro Circuit Inc. is a leader in off-road motorcycle and ATV exhausts and aftermarket performance parts. Started in 1978, Pro Circuit is the go to shop for recreational riders and professionals for everything from suspension work to complete engine packages, and everything in between.

Created by former desert racer Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit proves its products and services week-in and week-out through its tagline “We Race.” Every product that dons the Pro Circuit stamp stems from the legendary Pro Circuit race team. A staple in the professional paddock, Pro Circuit Racing has earned 26 AMA championships and more than 200 race wins in more than 30 years of competition.

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GetPirelli.com Let’s You Look Like a Champion

Win the Helmet Off the Head of Dowd or Regal after this weekend’s Rockstar Energy Southwick National.

ROME, GA – August 27, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) -  GETPIRELLI.COM is giving two lucky motocross fans the opportunity to win the helmets right off the heads of moto legend John Dowd or up-and-coming champ Kyle Regal – the very same helmets that will be sported by the riders in this weekend’s Rockstar Energy Southwick National in Southwick, Massachusetts.  Registration for the promotion is free and will begin at WWW.GETPIRELLI.COM starting today and end September 3, 2010 at 5 pm EST.

Southwick’s Moto-X 338 track is a physically demanding sand track and is one of the only races in which semi-retired veteran rider and local moto legend John Dowd competes.  The 45 year old Dowd is widely considered as one of motocross’ best sand racers, and finished 3^rd at the 2009 AMA Southwick National on Pirelli Scorpion MX tires.

Kyle Regal is currently ranked 8^th in AMA Motocross Championship points and has 2 podium finishes to date.  The 19 year old finished 6^th at Southwick in 2009 and will be campaigning his privateer Honda in this year’s event.

Dowd’s autographed #16 Shoei Model VFX-W helmet and Regal’s autographed #41 Arai Model VX-Pro 3 helmet are both up for grabs after Saturday’s Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship moto in Southwick, Massachusetts. Contest registration is easy – fans must visit GETPIRELLI.COM to register to win beginning Thursday the 26^th and complete their registrations prior to the September 3^rd deadline.  One entry per person, no purchase necessary to enter.  Contest rules and regulations are available online at GETPIRELLI.COM.

GETPIRELLI.COM is a social media site designed specifically as a gathering place where Pirelli enthusiasts can connect to the brand, its activities in North America and worldwide, brand news, forums, blogs, products and promotions.

Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycles and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.  For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com.

SOURCE: Pirelli Tire North America

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Honda Up Front at Unadilla

TORRANCE, CA – August 16, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The Honda Red Riders took on round nine of the 2010 AMA Motocross Championship at Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New Berlin, NY on Saturday, August 14, and Honda Red Bull Racing’s Andrew Short and Kevin Windham continued to put in solid efforts aboard their CRF450R race machines while GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard secured his fourth-straight 250-class overall victory aboard his CRF250R.

As has been the case all Motocross season, Short was right in the thick of the action up front from the moment the starting gates dropped. The Honda Red Bull athlete was mixing it up among the top contenders in moto one before taking the checkers in fourth place. In moto two he got off to a flying start and moved into the lead on the opening lap but let go of several spots before the race’s end to finish in fifth place. His strong 4-5 results put him fourth overall for the round. Short’s teammate Windham didn’t get the best of starts in moto one and he was working his way through the pack when he crashed hard on lap five, forcing him out of the moto. The determined veteran returned in moto two ready to make amends and make amends he did. Windham charged hard, eventually getting past Short before going on to finish just shy of the moto two podium in fourth. Windham’s 39-4 result put him 12th overall for the round.

In other 450-class action, GEICO Powersports Honda’s Brett Metcalfe finished an impressive third overall after going 5-3 aboard his CRF450R. Honda privateer Kyle Regal went 8-6 to get fifth overall and Ben Townley raced his Troy Lee Designs Honda CRF450R to 7-9 moto finishes to nab sixth overall.

In 250cc competition, GEICO Powersports Honda had the top spots covered with Trey Canard clinching his fourth consecutive overall victory and teammate Justin Barcia finishing second overall. In the opening moto, the GEICO Powersports Honda teammates swept all top four spots with Canard sealing the win followed by Blake Wharton in second, Justin Barcia third and Eli Tomac grabbing fourth place. Canard got away to a flying start in moto two as he nailed the holeshot and charged away to an early lead. Solid out front for 14 laps, Canard relinquished a spot before the race’s end to finish in second place and his one-two result easily earned him the overall victory. Barcia put in a strong performance aboard his CRF250R on his home track, including leading five laps in moto one before going 3-5 for second overall. Wharton racked up 2-9 moto finishes for fifth overall and Tomac finished in sixth (4-6). Wil Hahn made his return to racing after being injured earlier in the season and finished 14-11 aboard his Troy Lee Designs Honda CRF250R for tenth overall.

“I’m really happy with today and pumped to get four overalls in a row now,” said Canard. “I tensed up a bit toward the end of moto two and tried to make a late charge for the lead again at the very end but I just didn’t have it. From here I’m just going to concentrate on riding one race at a time. I’m 16 points away from the top spot so I will just keep working hard and see what comes up.”

450 Overall Results

1. Ryan Dungey 1-1
2. Clement Desalle 2-2
3. Brett Metcalfe 5-3 (Honda)
4. Andrew Short 4-5 (Honda)
5. Kyle Regal 8-6 (Honda)
6. Ben Townley 7-9 (Honda)
7. Kyle Chisholm 9-8
8. Justin Brayton 11-7
9. Josh Grant 6-14
10. Tommy Hahn 10-11

450 Point Standings

1. Ryan Dungey 418
2. Andrew Short 307
3. Brett Metcalfe 293
4. Josh Grant 260
5. Ben Townley 249
6. Mike Alessi 235
7. Chad Reed 204
8. Kyle Regal 185
9. Kyle Chisholm 183
10. Ryan Sipes 181

250 Overall Results

1. Trey Canard 1-2 (Honda)
2. Justin Barcia 3-5 (Honda)
3. Dean Wilson 6-3
4. Tyla Rattray 5-4
5. Blake Wharton 2-9 (Honda)
6. Eli Tomac 4-6 (Honda)
7. Christophe Pourcel 38-1
8. Martin Davalos 10-8
9. Matt Lemoine 8-12
10. Wil Hahn 14-11 (Honda)

250 Point Standings

1. Christophe Pourcel 365
2. Trey Canard 349
3. Dean Wilson 329
4. Tyla Rattray 320
5. Justin Barcia 248
6. Blake Wharton 243
7. Eli Tomac 233
8. Broc Tickle 209
9. Jake Weimer 195
10. Martin Davalos 187

SOURCE: American Honda

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Honda Up Front At Washougal

TORRANCE, CA – July 26, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The Honda Red Riders took on round eight of the 2010 AMA Motocross Championship at Washougal Motocross Park in Washougal, WA on Saturday, July 24, and Honda Red Bull Racing’s Andrew Short and Kevin Windham impressed the crowd by running up front aboard their CRF450R race machines while GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard scored the trifecta in taking his third-straight overall 250-class victory aboard his CRF250R.

In moto one, Short pulled off the holeshot and led Honda’s charge through the first turn with teammate Kevin Windham and GEICO Powersports Honda’s Brett Metcalfe hot in tow. Short kept control out front until a series of small errors on lap five shifted the Honda racer into the number two spot where he remained until the race’s end. The start of the second moto mirrored the first with Short nabbing the holeshot – his eighth holeshot this season – and racing away to an early lead before surrendering a spot at the midway point. Short’s 2-2 results put him second overall for the round. Davi Millsaps’ replacement Windham was fast out of the start gate and was up front banging bars with the frontrunners early on in both motos until the veteran racer gave up a few spots to go 9-9 and end the round seventh overall.

“The Honda Red Bull Racing team really has my race bike dialed in for getting awesome starts,” said Short. “The team did an amazing job and I had a lot of speed this weekend. I get great starts in almost every race and I’m quick to pull a good lead but I need to find that extra something within me to hang on out front until the very end. I absolutely love Washougal and this is one of those tracks that I really look forward to racing every year.”

In other 450-class action, Metcalfe scored his third overall podium of the season by going 3-5 to finish the day third overall. Launching to a solid first-moto effort aboard his GEICO Powersports Honda CRF450R, Metcalfe later put in a heroic effort to rally back from 25th place in moto two to take the checkers in fifth spot, earning him a spot on the overall podium the hard way. Troy Lee Designs Honda’s Ben Townley was up front in the thick of the action in moto one when he crashed hard while negotiating the whoops. The CRF450R racer bruised his shoulder in the fall and was not able to participate in the second moto but is expected to be back racing at round nine in three weeks’ time.

In the 250 class, GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard absolutely dominated the competition, grabbing both holeshots on the day and leading every lap of racing to successfully clinch his third-straight overall victory. Aboard his CRF250R, the likeable Honda racer was unstoppable out front, setting a blistering pace and putting solid gaps between himself and his nearest competitors.

“I struggled at the start of the season to get everything figured out but things have really started to come together now,” said Canard. “I’m in a really good place mentally, which I think has made all the difference, and my goal with four rounds to go is to stay out front and earn as many points as I can by winning motos.”

Blake Wharton put in a solid performance aboard his GEICO Powersports Honda CRF250R going 5-4 to end the round fourth overall. Teammate Eli Tomac fared well going 7-9 to finish seventh overall while Justin Barcia finished in 16th position (32-10).

450 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Ryan Dungey (1-1)
2. Andrew Short, Honda (2-2)
3. Brett Metcalfe, Honda (3-5)
4. Tommy Hahn (7-3)
5. Nick Wey (10-6)
6. Ryan Sipes (5-11)
7. Kevin Windham, Honda (9-9)
8. Kyle Chisholm (8-10)
9. Dan Reardon (12-7)
10. Kyle Cunningham (11-8)

450 Class Championship Standings

1. Ryan Dungey 368
2. Andrew Short 273
3. Brett Metcalfe 257
4. Josh Grant 238
5. Ben Townley 223
6. Mike Alessi 219
7. Chad Reed 204
8. Ryan Sipes 166
9. Kyle Chisholm 158
10. Kyle Regal 157

250 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Trey Canard, Honda (1-1)
2. Christophe Pourcel (2-2)
3. Tyla Rattray (4-3)
4. Blake Wharton, Honda (5-4)
5. Dean Wilson (6-6)
6. Jake Weimer (3-11)
7. Eli Tomac, Honda (7-9)
8. Tommy Searle (10-7)
9. Vince Friese, (12-12)
10. Martin Davalos, (22-5)

250 Class Championship Standings

1. Christophe Pourcel 340
2. Trey Canard 302
3. Dean Wilson 294
4. Tyla Rattray 286
5. Justin Barcia 212
6. Blake Wharton 209
7. Broc Tickle 209
8. Eli Tomac 200
9. Jake Weimer 195
10. Martin Davalos 163

SOURCE: American Honda Motor Co., Inc

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Honda Riders Weather Scorching Heat in Texas

TORRANCE, CA – June 8, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The Honda Red Riders took on round two of the 2010 AMA Motocross Championship and Women’s Motocross Championship at Freestone Raceway in Wortham, Texas on Saturday June 5 in scorching-hot temperatures. Honda Red Bull Racing’s Davi Millsaps, Andrew Short and Ashley Fiolek tackled the second round in the series aboard their CRF450R and CRF250R machines and just like in previous years the grueling Texas heat played a pivotal part in the racing outcome.

In moto one, Millsaps fought back from a mid-pack start to work his way up and finish in 10th position. Feeling the effects from the heat, Millsaps struggled to overcome the blistering on-track temperatures and finish moto two in 19th place—ending the day 16th overall. His teammate Short was forced to miss the first moto following a technical issue that held him up for the start of the race, but he bounced back in moto two to finish sixth. Missing out on earning first-moto points, the Texas resident finished the round 13th overall.

Also in those same races, GEICO Powersports Honda’s Brett Metcalfe, who moved up to the 450 class for the outdoor season, proved fastest out of the start gate as he grabbed the holeshot in both motos. Aboard his Honda CRF450R, Metcalfe held down the initial lead in both races but tired in the grueling heat to post 7-4 results, finishing the round fourth overall. Ben Townley put in a solid performance in the opening moto, claiming third place aboard his Troy Lee Designs Honda CRF450R. Unfortunately, he got tangled up in a first-turn pile-up in the second race and was forced to seek on-track medical attention before mounting a come-from-behind charge. Finishing the race in 16th place, Townley ended the weekend in eight overall. Privateer Honda racer Kyle Regal scored his best-ever result of his young professional motocross career, going 6-2 and taking third overall on his CRF450R.

In the 250 class, Eli Tomac likewise handed the GEICO Powersports Honda team the perfect sweep of both 250-class holeshots, launching his CRF250R from the starting gate and taking control of both motos from the get-go. In moto one, Tomac held on to the number one spot for 10 laps of the 16-lap race before surrendering a spot to finish the race as runner-up. With the temperature at its hottest in the second moto, the effects of heat exhaustion set in while the 16-year-old was leading midway into the race. Pushing on regardless, the determined young racer held on to take the checkers in 11th spot and end the day sixth overall. GEICO Powersports Honda’s most seasoned 250-class racer Trey Canard went 4-7 to wrap up fifth position overall, while teammate Justin Barcia ended the round in 10th place (10-8). Texas local, GEICO Powersports Honda’s Blake Wharton, finished the round in 13th (7-34) while fellow hometown racer Troy Lee Designs Honda’s Wil Hahn nabbed 7th (9-6).

In the Women’s Motocross Championship, reigning two-time champion Fiolek got right in the thick of the women’s racing action, going 2-2 and ending the round second overall. Troy Lee Designs Honda’s Tarah Gieger shadowed Fiolek across both moto finish lines aboard her CRF250R and finished the weekend third overall (3-3).

“It was so hot out there today,” said Fiolek. “I’m not sure if I’ve ever actually been that hot at the end of a race before. It was tough work holding on until the very end of moto two. Like every week, the Honda Red Bull Racing team again gave me a great race bike this weekend and I’m really happy I put the team on both women’s podiums.”

450 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Ryan Dungey (1-1)
2. Chad Reed (2-3)
3. Kyle Regal, Honda (6-2)
4. Brett Metcalfe, Honda (7-4)
5. Josh Grant (5-10)
6. Tommy Hahn (4-12)
7. Mike Alessi (12-5)
8. Ben Townley, Honda (3-16)
9. Kyle Chisholm (9-9)
10. Michael Byrne (8-11)

450 Class Championship Standings

1. Chad Reed 87
2. Ryan Dungey 76
3. Mike Alessi 68
4. Brett Metcalfe 66
5. Josh Grant 60
6. Davi Millsaps 55
7. Ben Townley 54
8. Kyle Regal 51
9. Tommy Hahn 43
10. Andrew Short 37

250 Class (Moto Finish)

1. Christophe Pourcel (1-5)
2. Tyla Rattray (6-1)
3. Dean Wilson (3-3)
4. Broc Tickle (8-2)
5. Trey Canard, Honda (4-7)
6. Eli Tomac, Honda (2-11)
7. Wil Hahn, Honda (9-6)
8. Jake Weimer (5-12)
9. Max Anstie (15-4)
10. Justin Barcia, Honda (10-8)

250 Class Championship Standings

1. Christophe Pourcel 86
2. Eli Tomac, 77
3. Dean Wilson 69
4. Trey Canard 68
5. Broc Tickle 61
6. Tyla Rattray 58
7. Jake Weimer 56
8. Justin Barcia 54
9. Wil Hahn 50
10. Max Anstie 40

WMX Class (Moto Finish)

1. Jessica Patterson  (1-1)
2. Ashley Fiolek Honda (2-2)
3. Tarah Gieger Honda (3-3)
4. Vicki Golden (4-4)
5. Sara Price (5-5)
6. Erica Cook (7-10)
7. Mariana Balbi (10-8)
8. Tatum Sik (8-11)
9. Sarah Whitmore (12-9)
10. Shelbie Brittain (11-12)

WMA Class Championship Standings
1. Jessica Patterson 100
2. Ashley Fiolek 86
3. Tarah Geiger 77
4. Vicki Golden 65
5. Mariana Balbi 56
6. Sara Price 51
7. Tatum Sik 48
8. Elizabeth Bash 46
9. Alexah Pearson 44
10. Sayaka Kaneshiro 40

SOURCE: Honda Red Bull Racing

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