Thor MX Welcomes Josh Grant For The 2013 Season

EL CAJON, CA – October 19, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Thor MX welcomes JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha rider Josh Grant to its impressive 2013 line-up. Grant brings nearly a decade of experience to the Thor MX roster, highlighted by one victory apiece in AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross, in addition to a gold and bronze medal from the Summer X Games.

Josh Grant
(Photo courtesy of JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha)

“It’s great that I was able to team up with Thor this year,” said Grant. “I’ve respected their brand for a long time and I’m really looking forward to building our relationship in 2013.”

Along with his previous accomplishments, Grant overcame injury early this past supercross season to finish on the podium in New Orleans. He also collected an overall podium result at Steel City Raceway during the summer’s outdoor nationals on his way to a sixth-place finish in the 450 class standings.

“We are very happy to bring Josh on board,” said Jim Gallager, Design Director at Thor MX. “With his move back to Yamaha, he seems more confident than ever to make his mark on the 450 class and we are excited to be a part of it.”

Grant will make his Thor MX debut at this weekend’s Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 20.

For all the latest from Thor, be sure to visit the NEW thormx.com, Thor on Facebook and follow @ThorMXOfficial on Twitter.

About Thor Motocross
Thor is the originator of motocross apparel. When Torsten Hallman made his first U.S trip to race and promote motocross in 1966, he began developing T.H.O.R. (Torsten Halman Original Racewear) riding gear. Thor is a hardcore, grass roots company that is continued proof of what it takes to reach the top and more importantly, how to stay there. It is the only company with over 40 years of experience in the motocross marketplace.

Thor combines design and marketing, with superior distribution through Parts Unlimited to reach it’s thousands of dealers and consumers. Thor prides itself on key selling features like quality, strength and performance. Thor is more than a brand. It’s a lifestyle.

About Parts Unlimited
Parts Unlimited is the world’s largest distributor of aftermarket accessories in the powersports industry and is owned by LeMans Corporation headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin. Parts Unlimited sells to over 12,000 dealerships world wide and continues to expand its market penetration with its sister companies, Parts Canada, Parts Europe and Drag Specialties.

Parts Unlimited continues to promote racing through its campaign WE SUPPORT THE SPORT®, helping to drive consumers to dealerships, while entertaining its dealers through hospitalities at the events it sponsors.

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Team Honda Muscle Milk Extends Trey Canard Contract

Torrance, CA – July 31, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Team Honda Muscle Milk is proud to announce that we will be continuing our relationship with rider Trey Canard through the 2014 season. Next year will mark Canard’s third season aboard the factory-prepared Honda CRF450R contesting both the AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross Championships.

“It is a huge blessing to be back with Team Honda Muscle Milk,” said Canard. “I am extremely happy that I get to continue working with such a great group of people. I am looking forward to building on the good races we have had in prior seasons.”

“We are very excited to continue our relationship with Trey,” stated Team Manager Erik Kehoe. “Over the past few years he has proven that he has the skill and commitment that it takes to be a top contender for the championship.”

Visit the Honda Powersports web site at powersports.honda.com/experience.aspx to see what Trey Canard has to say about his extended deal with Team Honda Muscle Milk, how his recovery is going and his thoughts on the all-new 2013 CRF450R.

About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and personal watercraft 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 powersports.honda.com.

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Champions Choose Suzuki – Team Yoshimura Suzuki Signs Stewart

BREA, CA – May 7, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) is ecstatic over the signing of acclaimed Supercross and Motocross Champion, James Stewart, to a multi-year contract with Yoshimura Suzuki Racing. Stewart will compete in both AMA Motocross and Supercross aboard the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 beginning with the first round of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Sacramento, CA on May 19th, 2012.

Suzuki has been a dominant force in Supercross and Motocross for a number of years and a leader in technology in order to maintain that stronghold with the continued development of the Suzuki fuel-injected RM-Z450. Since its introduction, the Suzuki RM-Z450 has amassed the most AMA Motocross Championships as well as the most motocross race wins of any four-stroke 450. The RM-Z was also the first four-stroke AMA Supercross Championship 450 and the first fuel-injected 450 to win AMA Supercross and Motocross titles. American Suzuki hopes to continue the success of the RM-Z brand with Stewart at the helm.

“Racing is in our blood and DNA here at American Suzuki,” said Suzuki Sr Director of Motorcycle & ATV Sales and Marketing, Larry Vandiver. “We’ve had such great success in both the road race and supercross/motocross arenas with our Yoshimura partnership and this new relationship with James Stewart will help propel that success for years to come. We’re also quite flattered with the interest and enthusiasm James has shown towards our brand. It rings in concert with our longtime marketing slogan that “Champions Choose Suzuki” – We couldn’t be more excited.”

“James is a great addition to our team,” added President of Yoshimura Racing, Don Sakakura. “He is an amazing rider and gifted athlete and we feel very fortunate to have him join Yoshimura Suzuki. We will do everything possible to help ensure his and the team’s success. Our company has been built on racing and winning championships and we intend to keep that tradition alive with James and his incredible skill on a motorcycle.”Stewart will join Yoshimura Suzuki Racing teammate, Brett Metcalfe, at the first round of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, May 19th.

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Villopoto Out for 2012 Motocross Title Defense

IRVINE, CA – April 24, 2012 – Motor Sports Newswire) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto will not defend his AMA Motocross title in 2012 after injuring his knee at the Seattle supercross on Saturday night. The two-time AMA Supercross and defending AMA Motocross champion will undergo surgery on his knee this week.

“I’m pretty disappointed right now,” said Villopoto. “I have trained hard for this season and even though I won the supercross title, I really wanted to defend my outdoor championship. I’ve been through injury before and I know how hard I have to work to get back.”

Villopoto is coming off of a dominant 16 months where the Poulsbo, Wash., native earned two AMA Supercross titles on the strength of 15 wins, the AMA Motocross Championship with three wins and also the richest payday in supercross with a million dollar win at the Monster Energy Cup.

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Racer X Online Releases The Vault, an Online AMA Motocross Results Database

Beta version of site goes back to the beginning of AMA pro motocross in the USA

MORGANTOWN, WV – December 23, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Who won the 1974 Hangtown Classic? Who got 15th at the 1980 Washougal 500 National? What happened to Bob Hannah in 1978? How many races did Ricky Carmichael actually lose?

Racer X Illustrated is proud to offer a glimpse at the beta release of our new Racer X Vault (http://vault.racerxonline.com/), which is an exhaustive archive that will feature records, results and final standings going back as far as recorded history allows. With the help of moto historians Larry Lawrence and MX Sports Pro Racing’s Nick McCabe, Racer X has compiled all of the top-twenty finishers in every AMA Motocross National since the series began back on April 16, 1972, right outside of Atlanta, Georgia, up through the final motos of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

“Bench racers and students of the sport can use this search engine to find out about the history of AMA Motocross, going back to the days of Gary Jones, Barry Higgins, Gunnar Lindstrom, Brad Lackey and more,” said Davey Coombs, the founder of Racer X Illustrated and Racer X Online. “It’s still a work-in-progress, and we are soon to add the complete results from Monster Energy Supercross, which also goes back to the early seventies, plus Team USA’s history at the Motocross and Trophee des Nations, as well as results and standings from nearly-forgotten series like the Trans-AMA and Inter-Am tours.”

The Racer X Vault archive not only includes top-twenty results and point standings from the 125, 250 and 500 Nationals, but it also includes a brief history of each season.

“Again, it’s a work in progress, and we still have some kinks to sort out,” added Coombs. “But soon you will see galleries of all of the past champions, a video gallery of highlights of races run long ago, and even a program cover collection. It should be a lot of fun for folks who like to look back at the history of our sport.”

Check out the beta version of the  Racer X Vault at http://vault.racerxonline.com/.

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Trey Canard Returns to Motocross

TORRANCE, CA – July 14,2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – American Honda Racing’s Trey Canard will make his return to AMA Motocross racing this weekend at the Spring Creek Motocross National in Millville, MN. Canard returns to racing aboard his factory Honda–prepared CRF450R, having recovered from the leg injury that he sustained earlier in the year while training for the Motocross season.

“Knowing that I’m only days away from racing again and to be racing my first-ever 450-class Motocross event feels awesome,” said Canard. “Since getting back on my bike and training for motos, everything has gone smoothly. I love riding the CRF450R and can’t wait to race it outdoors. I’ve been riding a lot at home in Oklahoma, and I’ve spent time in Southern California testing with the Honda team. I feel really good and the team has given me a lot of support. However, I expect it will take a little while to get up to full race speed.”

“We are excited to see what Trey can do at the remaining six rounds in the Motocross series,” said American Honda Racing Team Manager Erik Kehoe. “Trey has made a lot of progress in a short period of time since getting back on his bike. He’s an incredibly focused and determined racer, and I think that within a few races he will be mixing it up with the front-runners.”

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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Josh Grant Returns to Motocross

TORRANCE, CA – June 20, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – American Honda Racing’s Josh Grant will make his return to AMA Motocross racing this weekend at the Budds Creek National in Mechanicsville, MD. Grant underwent knee surgery earlier in the year to repair the injury he sustained earlier in the Supercross series.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and battling with everyone each week,” said Grant. “More than anything, I’m excited to get back on my CRF450R—I love riding my factory Honda and have had very little chance to race it this year. I’m ready to put my injury behind me and record some good results for the team. I haven’t rushed my recovery period; I’ve taken all the time I needed to fully recover. I’m lucky to have such a great group of people around me and to have the American Honda Racing team stick beside me, lending their full support the entire time. It will be great to get back to working with the team every weekend for the rest of the season.”

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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AMA Motocross — Kevin Windham Bike Setup presented by Air National Guard

June 14, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Air Guard is partnering with the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Check out this Alli motocross video to learn how Kevin Windham and his mechanic Brian Calma from the American Honda Racing team get his bike set up and ready to race. Plan on going to the event this year? Get more details at www.GoANG.com/Moto.

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American Honda Announces Racing Plans for 2011

Supercross and Motocross

TORRANCE, CA – December 1, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – American Honda is pleased to welcome Trey Canard and Josh Grant to the Honda Racing team for 2011 to contest both the AMA Supercross Championship and AMA Motocross Championship aboard Honda CRF450R race machines.

For 37 years Honda has amassed an unparalleled record in AMA Supercross and Motocross, winning more championships than any other manufacturer. Canard added to that tally in 2010 by winning the 250 Motocross Championship.

“Both Trey and Josh have shown great speed in the 450 competition” said Erik Kehoe, Honda Racing Team Manager. “Trey demonstrated his ability on the Honda CRF450R last year when he filled in for an injured rider and finished with five consecutive podiums. Josh has also shown huge potential in the 450 class since graduating from the 250 class, where he rode with the GEICO Powersports Honda team in 2008. We know he can win, as he has recorded wins in both 250 and 450 Supercross and Motocross classes, and we look forward to seeing what he can do aboard a Honda Racing–prepared CRF450R”

Since turning professional in 2007, Canard has enjoyed much success aboard his GEICO Powersports Honda CRF250R, winning the 2008 AMA Supercross Lites East Championship and 2010 AMA 250 Motocross Championship. Last month, Canard added Motocross of Nations Team Champion to his list of stellar career achievements, and he helped Team USA take the victory at the 2010 FIM Motocross of Nations in Lakewood, Colorado.

“As an amateur racer riding for the Factory Connection amateur team, it was my dream to one day make it onto the Honda factory team, and to be given this opportunity now is a real honor” said Canard. “I’ve been a part of Honda’s racing program for a long time in both my amateur and professional careers. I’m pumped to be able to continue that relationship into the big-bike class”

After racking up multiple Supercross and Motocross Lites wins aboard his Honda CRF250R, including winning the U.S. Open of Supercross, Grant transitioned well to the big-bike class, winning the 2009 Anaheim Supercross opener. He went on to earn two more podiums and finish fourth in the series points, as well as take two podiums and an overall win in 450 Motocross competition that year. Hindered by injuries during 2010, Grant bounced back to score a Motocross race win and secure his first-ever X Games Supercross gold medal.

“It feels really good to be back on a Honda, the brand that I started my amateur and professional careers with” said Grant. “I’m ready to get started working with the Honda Racing Team as we prepare for the 2011 Supercross series”

Two-time Women’s Motocross Champion Fiolek finished runner-up in the 2010 WMA Championship, and for 2011 will be back to contest the WMA championship on a Honda.

“I’m so happy to be a part of the Honda family for the third year” said Fiolek. “The support I receive from everyone at Honda is awesome, and I love riding the CRF250R. Last year the women’s competition really stepped it up and the racing was tough every week. I look forward to stepping it up even further in 2011 and going for that third title”

Official SX/MX Honda support teams for 2011 include GEICO Powersports Honda and Troy Lee Designs Honda. The GEICO Powersports Honda team experienced tremendous success in both the 2010 AMA Supercross and Motocross series, winning the 250 Motocross Championship and finishing runner-up in the Supercross and Supercross Lites East Championships. Returning to the team’s starting lineup to contest the AMA Supercross Championship and select Motocross events aboard his CRF450R is Honda racing veteran Kevin Windham. Justin Barcia, Blake Wharton, Eli Tomac and Wil Hahn will contest both the 250 Supercross and Motocross competitions aboard their CRF250Rs, while talented amateur racer Justin Bogle makes his professional debut with the team in the Motocross Championship, also racing a CRF250R.

Troy Lee Designs Honda took the runner-up spot in the Supercross Lites West Championship and enjoyed multiple podium finishes in the 450 Motocross class before finishing the season fourth in the points. Cole Seely returns for his second season in the 250 competition with the team aboard Honda’s CRF250R, and joining him in the 250 class are team newcomers Travis Baker and Christian Craig, also racing CRF250Rs.

Honda welcomes multiple AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross Champion Chad Reed and his newly formed TwoTwo Motorsports team to the Honda fold in 2011. With the support of Honda’s industry-leading Red Riders Reward program, Reed will contest the 2011 Supercross competition aboard Honda’s CRF450R. “For me Honda makes the most sense” said Reed. “It’s what I would call a racer’s bike in that it is very light and very nimble, and it just fits my style very well. I’m excited to be riding Honda motorcycles and to have Honda’s support with the program”

Off-Road

Honda continues its support for off-road racing powerhouse team Johnny Campbell Racing (JCR) in 2011. Aboard Honda CRF450X and CRF450R race machines, JCR riders dominated the competition in 2010, winning the AMA National Hare & Hound title and AMA District 37 Championship along with all three SCORE Baja events—the 250, 500 and Baja 1000. “JCR is excited to continue its partnership with Honda” said 11-time Baja 1000 champion Johnny Campbell, JCR team owner. “2010 was a very successful year for JCR with the team winning a number of off-road racing titles and also Honda’s 14th Baja 1000 victory, and we look forward to another winning season in 2011 with Honda”

ATV

Joe Byrd Racing returns for its sixth season as the official support team for Honda in the 2011 AMA Pro ATV Motocross National Championship. Representing Honda in the Pro, Pro Am and Production A classes, the team has won multiple titles over the years and will continue racing Honda’s TRX450R in the ATV competition. “I’ve really enjoyed working with Honda over the years because we share the same professionalism and work ethic toward winning on and off the track” said Joe Byrd, champion Honda racer and Joe Byrd Racing Team Owner. “Honda has treated me like family since day one, and I couldn’t see myself riding anything else. I look forward to 2011 and another exciting year of racing”

Contingency Support

In 2011, Honda will continue its industry-leading contingency program. The Red Rider Rewards program will support racing all across the United States by offering contingency payouts to a wide range of Honda-mounted professional and amateur racers during the 2011 race season.

About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and personal watercraft 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 http://powersports.honda.com/ .

SOURCE: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

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Honda riders win races and take titles at Pala MX

TORRANCE, CA- September 13, 2010 – (motor Sports Newswire) – The Honda Red Riders took on the final round of the 2010 AMA Motocross Championship and Women’s Motocross Championship (WMA) at Pala Raceway in Pala, CA on Saturday, September 11, and Honda Red Bull Racing’s Andrew Short and Kevin Windham made solid runs up front aboard their CRF450Rs while teammate Ashley Fiolek took victory aboard her CRF250R. The biggest Honda winner at Pala was GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard, who won his first-ever AMA 250 Motocross Championship.

Short grabbed the holeshot in the first 450cc moto and was leading early on but relinquished two spots before the race’s end to take third. In moto two, he again fired off to a fine start and was in second behind GEICO Powersports Honda’s Brett Metcalfe until Metcalfe crashed on lap five, handing Short the lead. The likeable Honda Red Bull athlete held the lead for five laps, but ultimately finished second. Short’s 3-2 results gave him second overall and he finished the 450 series third in points.

Windham had his work cut out for him after suffering lackluster starts in both motos. The veteran Honda racer made solid come-from-behind charges in both motos to go 7-8 for seventh overall.

Metcalfe rounded the weekend out in third overall to finish his rookie AMA 450-class season in an impressive second overall. Troy Lee Designs Honda’s Ben Townley went 6-4 to end both the round and the series in fourth overall. Privateer Kyle Regal finished ninth overall on his CRF450R, good for ninth in the series standings.

GEICO Powersports Honda’s Trey Canard raced his way into the history books by winning his first-ever AMA 250 Motocross Championship. Coming into the round seven points behind series leader Christophe Pourcel, Canard knew he needed to race smart, consistent motos in order to have a chance at the title. Unfortunately, he crashed in the first moto, but rival Pourcel crashed as well—hard enough to take him out of the race. Canard remounted and charged back up to fourth in the first moto. In the second moto, he finished third, netting him third overall as well as enough points to win the 2010 AMA 250 Motocross Championship.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said Canard. “This is the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of people. I’m so privileged to be a part of the GEICO Powersports Honda team and couldn’t have done this without them. I’m really proud to be able to deliver the team the championship in my final year in the 250 class. I won the Supercross Lites title a few years ago and to cap off my 250 career with the Motocross title is just awesome.”

In more 250-class action, teammate Eli Tomac went 8-4 to finish fourth overall. The rookie also finished sixth in the championship. Justin Barcia went 6-5 aboard his GEICO Powersports Honda CRF250R for fifth overall and he finished the series fifth overall in points. Blake Wharton crashed hard in the opening moto and did not participate in moto two, but he still finished eighth overall in the series. Troy Lee Designs Honda’s Cole Seely finished the Pala event in sixth spot (3-12) aboard his CRF250R while his teammate Wil Hahn finished seventh for tenth in the championship.

In WMA competition, Fiolek was fast right out of the gate in both motos, finishing 2-1 to clinch the overall win. Her solid results at every round this season, including scoring two overall wins, put her second overall in the championship at season’s end. Fellow Honda racer Troy Lee Designs’ Honda’s Tarah Gieger went 7-4 for fourth overall at Pala and she finished the championship in third.

450 Results

1. Ryan Dungey 1-1
2. Andrew Short 3-2 (Honda)
3. Brett Metcalfe 2-3 (Honda)
4. Ben Townley 6-4 (Honda)
5. Ryan Sipes 4-6
6. Kyle Chisholm 9-5
7. Kevin Windham 7-8 (Honda)
8. Justin Brayton 12-7
9. Kyle Regal 5-14 (Honda)
10. Nick Wey 11-9

450 Point Standings

1. Ryan Dungey 543
2. Brett Metcalfe 398
3. Andrew Short 393
4. Ben Townley 324
5. Mike Alessi 314
6. Kyle Chisholm 266
7. Josh Grant 260
8. Ryan Sipes 244
9. Kyle Regal 224
10. Nick Wey 223

250 Results

1. Dean Wilson 1-1
2. Tyla Rattray 2-2
3. Trey Canard 4-3 (Honda)
4. Eli Tomac 8-4 (Honda)
5. Justin Barcia 6-5 (Honda)
6. Cole Seely 3-12 (Honda)
7. Wil Hahn 7-7 (Honda)
8. Broc Tickle 5-9
9. Martin Davalos 14-6
10. Les Smith 13-11 (Honda)

250 Point Standings

1. Trey Canard 474
2. Tyla Rattray 446
3. Christophe Pourcel 443
4. Dean Wilson 437
5. Justin Barcia 348
6. Eli Tomac 327
7. Broc Tickle 287
8. Blake Wharton 285
9. Martin Davalos 251
10. Wil Hahn 213

WMX Results

1. Ashley Fiolek 2-1 (Honda)
2. Jessica Patterson 1-2
3. Vicki Golden 3-6
4. Tarah Gieger 7-3 (Honda)
5. Mariana Balbi 5-5
6. Alexa Pearson 9-4
7. Sherri Cruse 8-7
8. Tatum Sik 6-9
9. Sarah Whitmore 11-8
10. Jacqueline Strong 10-14

WMX Point Standings

1. Jessica Patterson 382
2. Ashley Fiolek 360
3. Tarah Gieger 295
4. Vicki Golden 252
5. Mariana Balbi 239
6. Sara Price 230
7. Sarah Whitmore 219
8. Alexa Pearson 202
9. Tatum Sik 179
10. Jacqueline Strong 154

SOURCE: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

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