TORRANCE, CA – May 17, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – American Honda proudly announces Dan Betley as the new Honda Muscle Milk team manager beginning with the opening round of the 2013 Motocross season at the Hangtown Classic in Sacramento, CA. Betley successfully filled the role during the 2013 Supercross season as he led the team to two victories and six additional podiums.
Since he began his career with Honda in 1989, Betley has held multiple positions within the race team, including his most recent as Engine Development and R&D specialist. He has worked with many high profile motocross champions such as Jeff Stanton, Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael, making him highly qualified for the role as team manager.
“Dan has been with Team Honda for many years and has played an important role in the team’s success,” explained Honda Race Team Director Ray Conway. “It seems natural for him to move up to Team Manager and he has done a great job filling in during the 2013 Supercross season.”
“I’m looking forward to transitioning into my new role,” explained Betley. “It’s a challenging job but I got a good feel for what it entails while filling in during the 2013 Supercross season and I’m grateful Honda chose me to continue as team manager. We have two extremely talented riders in Trey Canard and Justin Barcia and a great team behind them, so I am looking forward to a successful Motocross season.”
About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. was established in 1959 and is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides in the U.S. The American Honda Motorcycle Division is responsible for 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.
About Muscle Milk
Muscle Milk® Ready-to-Drink is a protein-enhanced functional beverage that promotes workout recovery, lean muscle growth, and sustained energy. Muscle Milk takes the guesswork out of high performance nutrition, delivering a precise blend of premium proteins, complex carbohydrates, functional fats, vitamins & minerals. CytoSport™, the maker of Muscle Milk®, is among the largest sport nutrition protein beverage companies in the U.S. and offers a complete line of protein-enhanced powders, shakes and bars. Muscle Milk® was named Ready-to-Drink Beverage of the Year by bodybuilding.com, Best Functional Beverage and Beverage of the Year by BevNet and Company of the Year by Beverage Forum presented by Beverage Marketing Corporation and Beverage World.
Congratulations to Feld Motorsports on a Successful Supercross Season
MORGANTOWN, WV – May 7, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – MX Sports Pro Racing and Alli Sports, a division of the NBC Sports Group, organizers of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, wish to congratulate Feld Motorsports on a successful 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season. Following the crowning of three-time supercross champion Ryan Villopoto last week, two more athletes emerged victorious as champions to complete a historic season, which came to an exciting conclusion Saturday night in Las Vegas with main events for the Eastern and Western Regional 250SX divisions.
GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn secured the first Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship of his career with a podium finish at Saturday’s season finale. Then Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen finished second to defending champ Eli Tomac in their showdown, allowing him to capture the first Western Regional 250SX Championship of his career, as well as the first-ever supercross title for KTM as a brand.
MX Sports would also like to congratulate Ken Roczen and Red Bull KTM on adding a victory in the annual Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout, which took place following the East and West main events in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
“For both Wil Hahn and Ken Roczen this marked their first titles in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, which means they’ve put in years of hard work and dedication to reach this point of their careers, and now it’s paying off,” said Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing. “Both the East and West titles came down to the very last lap of their respective finals, which is a testament not only to Wil and Ken, but also the athletes they were competing against, including Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin in the East and GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac in the West.”
All of these athletes will now compete for the 250 Class title in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, which begins on May 18 with the Red Bull Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, Calif.
“We look forward to seeing these riders continue their respective rivalries all summer long, as well as Ryan Villopoto’s return to the series after last year’s injury hiatus,” Coombs added. “Ryan will have his work cut out for him in getting the #1 plate back from Ryan Dungey. It should be an excellent summer of racing for both divisions.”
For additional information, please visit AlliSports.com/motocross and LIKE the Pro Motocross Facebook page and follow @ProMotocross on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content and additional information on the latest Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship news.
MX Sports Pro Racing
MX Sports Pro Racing manages and produces the world’s most prestigious professional motocross series – the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The industry leader in off road power sport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators. Visit www.mxsportsproracing.com.
Alli Sports
Alli Sports is a media, event and branded content company that specializes in action, adventure, and adrenaline based sports. Alli Properties include the Dew Tour, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, the Red Bull Signature Series and Octane Academy; Alli Media, which creates original content, produces and presents content with partners and distributes content through a variety of channels; and Alli enterprises consisting of E-commerce, event merchandise and branded licensed product. Alli Sports is a division of the NBC Sports Group. More information can be found at www.Allisports.com.
AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.
NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January 2011, the sports assets of the two companies combined to form the NBC Sports Group, which serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of a unique array of broadcast television, cable television, radio and digital sports assets, including NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBC Sports Network, Golf Channel, 11 NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and all of their respective digital properties. The NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, MLS, Tour de France, French Open, Formula One, IndyCar and many more.
Lucas Oil Products
Lucas Oil is a worldwide leader in the production of oils, lubricants and additives. Based in Corona, Calif., Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a premium line of oils, lubricants and problem-solving performance additives. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top-selling additive line in the American truck-stop industry. Lucas Oil is involved in an array of motorsports sponsorships, including the “Official Motor Oil of the Pro Motocross Championship.” Visit www.LucasOil.com.
CORONA, CA – May 7, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Following a season full of captivating competition, Monster Energy AMA Supercross hosted arguably its biggest night of the 2013 season in front of a packed house inside Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium for the final race of the championship. A full slate of action for the 250SX Class featured the final main events for both the Eastern and Western Regional Championships in addition to the annual East/West Shootout, which pits the best riders from both regions in a 10-lap showdown.
Bowers Caps Off Dream Season with a Breakthrough Win
When Mitch Payton called on the services of reigning three-time AMA Arenacross Champion Tyler Bowers to fill in for injured riders Dean Wilson and Justin Hill in the Eastern Regional Championship, he probably didn’t expect Bowers to become one of the breakout stars of the final few weeks of the season. In just two starts, Bowers had already established himself as a legitimate threat for the podium. As a result of his strong rides, he unexpectedly qualified for a chance to compete in Las Vegas, where he hoped to cash in.
Bowers put himself in a good position at the start of the Eastern Regional Main Event, moving into second place early and setting his sights on the front of the field. After following early leader Gavin Faith for a couple laps, Bowers made his move to the front of the field and proceeded to check out on the competition. After holding a multiple second advantage for the majority of the 15-lap main event, Bowers withstood some late pressure from Marvin Musquin to emerge with his first career supercross victory.
“I can’t believe I’m in this position right now, it’s unbelievable,” exclaimed Bowers. “This just goes to show that all the hard work I’ve put into arenacross the last few years paid off. I would have never had this chance if Mitch Payton hadn’t given me a call so I cannot thank him enough for taking a shot at letting me ride a Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki bike. I also wouldn’t be here without the dedication of Team Babbitt’s Monster Energy Kawasaki and everything they’ve done for me in arenacross. This is such an amazing night and a great way to end the season.”
Bowers finished the Eastern Regional Championship with 59 points in three starts, which moved him to 16th overall with an impressive average finish of 3.33.
As he headed into the East/West Shootout, Bowers was hoping to keep the momentum from his win going into the 10-lap sprint. Following a start outside the top five, Bowers looked to make some early passes but suffered from misfortune in the process. He dropped to the tail end of the field, but was able to remount and battle his way to a 14th-place finish.
Davalos Finishes Strong with Another Podium Effort
Martin Davalos’ first season with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki was a solid one as the veteran rider led the way for the team in the Western Regional Championship on several occasions. With three podium finishes to his credit coming into Las Vegas, Davalos was hoping to wrap up the season with another spot on the box and potentially a first career victory.
Davalos put himself in position to win by grabbing the early lead in the Western Regional Main Event and checking out on the field. He opened a healthy gap over the competition and led the first 11 laps of the 15-lap race on the long, physically demanding track inside Sam Boyd Stadium. On Lap 12, Davalos was pressured by Eli Tomac and despite his best efforts, gave way to his rival. Just a couple laps later, Davalos made a slight mistake in a rhythm section that allowed Ken Roczen to pass for second, but in the end, Davalos still walked away with his fourth podium result of the season and arguably his most impressive ride of the championship.
“I really wanted that win, but I’m still happy to be back on the podium,” said Davalos. “I pushed as hard as I could early on to open a big lead but this track was so tough and it really took everything you had to run the same lines every lap. I unfortunately made a couple mistakes there at the end and lost a couple spots, but I’m happy with third and how I raced tonight. I’ve made a lot of progress as a rider this season thanks to being a part of an elite team like Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki.”
Davalos’ podium result solidified his fifth-place finish in the Western Regional Championship.
In the East/West Shootout, Davalos grabbed the best start of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki trio, moving into fourth place early on. He maintained that spot for the majority of the 10-lap race, but pressured Marvin Musquin for third place in the late stages. Davalos attempted a pass on Musquin for third, but couldn’t make it stick and ultimately finished just off the box in fourth.
Rattray Endures Intense Battles to Finish Inside the Top 10
Since the return of the Western Regional Championship a few weeks ago, Tyla Rattray had shown an added aggression and comfort aboard his Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki KX250F. The veteran rider moved from outside the top 10 in the championship standings into a tie for eighth heading into Las Vegas, where he was looking to take over the position for himself.
Rattray started the Western Regional Main Event deep inside the top 10, surrounded by many of the division’s most talented riders. He engaged in battle for a spot inside the top 10 throughout the 15-lap main event and outlasted many of his rivals en route to a ninth-place finish.
Thanks to his top-10 effort, Rattray took over sole possession of eighth in the final Western Regional Championship standings.
Rattray had his work cut out for him in the East/West Shootout after starting 10th and experienced some misfortune as he attempted to work his way forward. After dropping a couple positions to 12th, Rattray battled his way through the field to earn a hard-fought 10th-place finish.
Celebrating the Season that Was
On Sunday evening, the annual Monster Energy Supercross Year-End Awards Ceremony looked back at the 2013 season and celebrated the individuals and moments that made this one of the most captivating championships in history. While Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team was faced with adversity at times, the 2013 season was filled with bright spots, including the winning efforts from both Wilson and Bowers, along with the many podium appearances by Davalos. Additionally, rookie Justin Hill showed tremendous promise in his first season of professional competition. The team now looks ahead to the start of the 2013 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season where all of its riders will return healthy and ready to battle for the title in the 450 Class and 250 Class.
Don’t miss anything!
Be sure to subscribe to our team newsletter to receive updates on all things Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki including race reports, contests, and the latest team news. Click HERE to subscribe.
CONNECT WITH US:
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Race Team Social Media Channels
Based in Corona, Calif., Pro Circuit Products, 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 28 AMA championships and more than 200 race wins in more than 30 years of competition.
LAS VEGAS, NV – May 7, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Yoshimura backed GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn took home the 250SX East championship at the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Series finale in Las Vegas. Hahn showed speed and consitency throughout the 2013. He showed true courage and the heart of a champion, lining up to race with a freshly broken hand, which he suffered earlier in the day during practice. He raced hard through the main, landing on the podium for 3rd, securing the 250SX East Title.
Wil Hahn 250SX East Champ
Eli Tomac, from the West Coast GEICO squad, showed prolific speed in his main event, reeling in 1st place, and making the pass on Roczen near the halfway mark of the race. With the exception of a holeshot bobble, Tomac rode as solid as he had all year. In true Tomac style, he put his head down and went to work, blasting from 7th place to the front of the pack, where he would stand atop the podium in 1st. Just 3 points shy from becoming the 250SX West Champion. Teammate Zach Osborne ripped the holeshot in the East main, but pulled off early after an uninvited mishap cut his night short.
Eli Tomac
Wil Hahn
In the 450′s, Yoshimura powered Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Barcia took home a 5th in the Main, and a 4th in the 2013 Championship points standings. Teammate Trey Canard suffered a misfortune in the main, but was able to maintain a 6th overall in the championship. Trey has displayed remarkable determination this season, coming back from a devastating injury in 2012. He is far and away a fan favorite, known for his can-do attitude, and ability to overcome the odds.
Broc Tickle
Justin Barcia
Yoshimura backed team RCH Suzuki’s Broc Tickle ran consistent 450 Main Event, finishing 10th for the evening, as well as clinching 9th in the championship points. Teammate Josh Hill was able to finish the race mid-pack and earned an impressive 15th in the championship points.
Trey Canard
Josh Hill
450SX Results:
5. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, GA – Honda Muscle Milk, Titanium Carbon RS9 Dual Full System
10. Brock Tickle, Holly, MI – RCH Racing Suzuki, Titanium Carbon RS4 Full System
14. Josh Hill, Portland, OR – RCH Racing Suzuki, Titanium Carbon RS4 Full System
20. Trey Canard, Shawnee, OK – Honda Muscle Milk, Titanium Carbon RS9 Dual Full System
East 250SX Results:
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, TX – GEICO Honda, Titanium Carbon RS4 Full System
West 250SX Results:
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO – GEICO Honda, Titanium Carbon RS4 Full System
20. Zach Osborne, Richlands, VA – GEICO Honda, Titanium Carbon RS4 Full System
About Yoshimura R&D of America
Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visitwww.yoshimura-rd.com
Distributor to Bolster VP Brand Presence in Northern Wisconsin, Michigan
SAN ANTONIO, TX – May 6, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – VP Racing Fuels, Inc. today announced Remington Oil Company, Inc. has signed on as its newest retail brand partner, building on its 4-year relationship as a distributor of VP’s race fuels. As a supplier to 10 company-operated retail locations and 50+ independent locations, Remington will strengthen VP’s brand presence in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
“We’ve been very happy with the service and support provided by VP’s regional office in Indiana for our race fuel sales, so it was an easy decision to extend that relationship to VP’s retail brand program,” said JP Remington, Vice-President of Remington Oil. “VP has a great reputation and there’s a lot of demand for its products, as reflected by the increase in race fuel sales each year since we added them to our product line. We anticipate race fuel customers will be a catalyst for increased sales of VP-branded street gas and vice versa.”
“On top of those synergies, VP’s retail brand program enables substantial expense reductions through lower credit card processing fees and sourcing unbranded supply,” Remington continued. “We’ll also generate increased revenue through the sale of VP110 race fuel at the pump and other premium VP race fuel blends in 5-gallon pails via VP’s Fuel Cage program. All in all, our retail locations will be far more competitive under the VP brand.”
“Remington Oil has been a quality race fuel partner for years, and we’re ecstatic to add them to our retail brand marketer team,” said Alan Cerwick, President of VP Racing Fuels. “We look forward to creating a presence in Northern Wisconsin with this multi-site deal. Good operators plus the best brand offering in the business will certainly equal increased gallons and profits. We’re happy to welcome Remington Oil to the revolution!”
Currently based in Antigo, Wisconsin, Remington Oil has been a family business for nearly 50 years, beginning its operation in Birnamwood, Wisconsin before expanding throughout northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Remington also owns and operates dealerships for Yamaha, Ski-Doo and Polaris. Located in Antigo and Tomahawk, the dealerships sell and service motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft and boats, along with VP Racing Fuels products in pails and drums.
VP Racing Fuels is best known as the World Leader in Race Fuel Technology, fueling champions in virtually every form of motorsports on land, sea and air since 1975. VP is the Official Racing Fuel of NHRA Championship Drag Racing, American Le Mans, World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and Late Model Series and Rally America, among more than 60 VP-sponsored series and sanctioning bodies.
In addition to racing fuels, VP’s product line includes VP Small Engine Fuels, formulated for 2-cycle and 4-cycle portable gas-powered equipment and PowerMaster® hobby fuels for R/C racing. More information is available online at VPRacingFuels.com, VP-SEF.com or PowermasterFuels.com.
Hahn and Roczen Claim Regional 250SX Championships
LAS VEGAS, NV – May 4, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto capped of his title-winning season by earning his 10th Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, race tonight before 39,504 fans at Sam Boyd Stadium. GEICO Honda’s Wil Hahn won the first Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship of his career as three-time AMSOIL Arenacross Champion Tyler Bowers won the first 250SX Class race of his career. Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen captured then first Western Regional 250SX Championship of his career as GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac won his fifth Main Event of the season. Roczen went on to win the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer started the 450SX Class with the Nuclear Cowboyz® Holeshot Award. Villopoto rebounded from a mid-pack start to take over the lead from his teammate Weimer at the end of the opening lap. Villopoto led from wire to wire en route to the victory.
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, who came into tonight’s race trailing Rockstar Energy Racing’s Davi Millsaps by three points in the battle for second place in season standings, moved into second place on Lap 5.
Millsaps pulled into the number-three position behind Dungey to secure second place in the season standings. Dungey finished the race in second and finished third in season standings.
“This is a great way to cap the season off,” said Villopoto. “We rebounded this year from a bad start at the season opener and won the title. There is no better way to end a season than like this.”
In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Main Event, Gavin Faith won the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award, leading Hahn through turn one. After the opening lap, Bowers moved into second place before taking over the lead on Lap 2.
Hahn secured the number-two position on Lap 5, and on the same lap, Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin, who came into tonight’s race five points behind Hahn in the championship standings, moved into third place.
Musquin managed to pass Hahn for second and staged a late-race charge on Bowers, crossing the finish line just inches apart.
“Right now, I do not know what to say,” said Hahn. “Marvin [Musquin] has been making a string comeback on me, and coming into this race, I may not have been in the most ideal situation, but I am glad I pulled it off.”
“This was an amazing race for me,” said Bowers. “I had a great AMSOIL Arenacross season and come into supercross ready to put in some good races. This is the perfect way to close out the season.”
GEICO Honda’s Zach Osborne led the field through turn one of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class race, winning the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award with Rockstar Energy Racing’s Ryan Sipes and Davalos in tow. Davalos quickly worked his way into the lead on the opening lap. Coming into tonight’s race, Roczen led GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac by five points in season point standings. Roczen worked his way into third place on the opening lap after starting in fifth place.
On lap 4, Roczen advanced to second place as Davalos controlled the lead. Tomac made the best of his sixth place start and began working his way through the field, passing Roczen on Lap 9 and Davalos for the lead on Lap 11.
Roczen successfully passed Davalos on the 14th lap, which secured the brand’s first-ever 250SX Class Championship.
“I am so happy right now,” said Roczen. “This was a close race tonight and the championship was intense. I really hope that the fans enjoyed tonight’s race. I was riding with a lot of weight [on my shoulders], but I am so excited right now.”
“It was a year of ups and downs,” said Tomac. “This is going to make me better as I make the transition to the 450SX Class next year.”
Newly crowned champion Roczen opened the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout with the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award followed by his teammate Musquin. At the end of the opening lap, Musquin moved into the lead, and on the following lap, the two traded places several times before Roczen made a pass and rode to the first shootout win of his career.
MyPlash Yamaha’s Kyle Cunningham passed Musquin for second place on Lap 5 and rode to the best finish of his career.
“This race was really important to me because this is my last 250SX race in supercross because I am moving up next year,” said Roczen. “This is my first shootout win and it feels great.”
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross and Nuclear Cowboyz®. Feld Motor Sports is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.
PICKERINGTON, OH – May 5, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates the three riders who claimed AMA No. 1 plates by the time the dust settled on the 2013 AMA Supercross season: Ryan Villopoto, 450SX champion; Wil Hahn, 250SX East champion; and Ken Roczen, 250SX West champion.
“Once again, AMA Supercross delivered some of the best motorsports racing on the planet, with a 2013 season for the record books,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “I’m confident I speak for all motorcyclists when I congratulate three of our most talented AMA members — Ryan Villopoto, Wil Hahn and Ken Roczen — on a job well done. Standing triumphantly at the end of one of the world’s most-demanding, competitive and highest-profile racing series is no small task. What they have accomplished is truly historic.”
Dingman added that AMA Supercross would not be what it is without the cooperation of some of the AMA’s most dedicated partners.
“Feld Motor Sports has been an excellent promoting partner as AMA Supercross has grown over the years,” Dingman said. “I would like to congratulate them on another stellar season. In addition, the participation of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme continues to bolster our championship on the world stage, and I would like to thank the FIM for their contributions, as well.”
Another group important to success of AMA Supercross is the Asterisk Mobile Medical Center, which provided a range of emergency medical care for riders throughout the 2013 season.
Villopoto, from Seattle, Wash., locked up his third straight AMA Supercross premier class title in the series’ penultimate round, clinching in Salt Lake City. In so doing, Villopoto joined Ricky Carmichael and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famers Jeremy McGrath and Bob Hannah as the only riders with three consecutive championships. For the 2013 season, Villopoto claimed 10 main event wins in the 17-race series, including the Las Vegas finale. Villopoto races for Monster Energy Kawasaki.
Hahn, from Decatur, Texas, won the 250SX East Championship. Hahn finished third in Las Vegas, behind Tyler Bowers and Marvin Musquin. The finish gave Hahn the points he needed to top Musquin by three championship points, 198 to 195. For the season, Hahn had two wins and four runner-up finishes in the nine-round regional championship. Hahn races for the GEICO Honda team.
Roczen, from Murrieta, Calif., won the 250SX West Championship. Roczen finished second in Las Vegas, behind his championship rival Eli Tomac. The runner-up finish saw Roczen end the season with 185 points to Tomac’s 183. Roczen had three wins over the course of the nine-round regional championship. Roczen races for Red Bull KTM.
The 2014 AMA Supercross season kicks off in Anaheim, Calif., next Jan. 4. The complete 2014 series schedule is below. For updates, see the AMA’s official series website www.amasupercross.com and the official AMA series Facebook page www.facebook.com/AMASupercrossChampionship.
Date
Venue
City
January 4
Angel Stadium
Anaheim, Calif.
January 11
Chase Field
Phoenix
January 18
Angel Stadium
Anaheim, Calif.
January 25
O.Co Coliseum
Oakland, Calif.
February 1
Angel Stadium
Anaheim, Calif.
February 8
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego
February 15
Cowboys Stadium
Arlington, Texas
February 22
Georgia Dome
Atlanta
March 1
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis
March 8
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach, Fla.
March 15
Ford Field
Detroit
March 22
Rogers Centre
Toronto
March 29
Edward Jones Dome
St. Louis
April 5
Reliant Stadium
Houston
April 12
CenturyLink Field
Seattle
April 26
MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, N.J.
May 3
Sam Boyd Stadium
Las Vegas
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
AURORA, IL – May 2, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) - Feld Motor Sports® announced today that CBS will broadcast an all-new, one-hour feature on the 2013 season and the future of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, fittingly named Changing of the Guard on Sunday, May 5, at 1:00PM ET.
Bob Hannah became the sport’s first three-time 450SX Class Champion in 1979 before the Honda era reigned supreme from 1982-1996, winning 13 championships with seven different riders. Jeremy McGrath gave Honda four consecutive championships en route to becoming the all-time winningest supercross racer with seven titles. As the McGrath era turned the page, Ricky Carmichael soon became the new dominant force in supercross as he captured five titles. Shifting gears, James Stewart and Chad Reed simultaneously consumed this space as well as a fierce rivalry that fed the headlines.
The new era of Monster Energy Supercross has begun with the four riders – Ryan Villopoto, Davi Millsaps, Ryan Dungey and Justin Barcia – responsible for the Changing of the Guard. CBS will showcase how these athletes ascended to the top of the sport in 2013 and set the tone for a bright future in one of the world’s most captivating forms competiton.
Villopoto joined the elite company of Hannah, McGrath and Carmichael last Saturday night when he secured his third consecutive 450SX Class Championship with a class-leading ninth victory of the season.
“A championship is a championship, but it makes it harder when there’s five, six guys that can win it versus one,” said Villopoto. “It’s harder to win now than I think it’s ever been.”
Before giving way to Villopoto in the championship hunt, seven-year 450SX Class veteran Davi Millsaps controlled the points race for the first time in his career. After capturing a surprise victory at the opening race in Anaheim, Millsaps captured seven podium finishes through the first eight races, including a pair of wins.
Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey, the 2010 450SX Class Champion, also scored a pair of wins this season and landed on the podium 11 times en route to an average finish of 3.3, further enhancing the argument that Dungey is the new “Mr. Consistency.”
Between Dungey and his 250SX Class teammate Ken Roczen, they gave Red Bull KTM its first-ever Main Event sweep at the third stop in Anaheim, which was followed by the same achievement with Marvin Musquin in Minneapolis.
Highly touted rookie Justin Barcia, who rides for Team Honda Muscle Milk, etched his name in the record books by winning in the second Main Event of his 450SX Class career and becoming the division’s 56th different winner. Only two other riders before Barcia were able to win so early in their 450SX Class career; Sebastien Tortelli won the first 450SX Class start of his career, while Bob Hannah won the second start of his 450SX Class career
“It’s crazy to be racing against those guys that have won all these 450SX Class championships,” explained Barcia. “For me, I’ve looked up to some of those riders and now being competitive with them and racing against them, it’s pretty awesome. You don’t really think about that when you get out there on the line, but sometimes you sit back and relax thinking about racing the best guys in the world and how you could be one of them.”
While veteran riders Chad Reed and James Stewart, each of whom are two-time Monster Energy Supercross Champions, also made their presence felt throughout the 2013 season, it was this foursome of riders that stole the spotlight week in and week out. Over the last three races, these riders are the only competitors to stand on the podium, establishing a comfortable margin over the field in the championship standings.
“As the years keep going by, there definitely seems to be a lot more guys coming up, whether it’s from the 250SX Class or guys who have been in the 450SX Class challenging for that top spot even more,” commented Dungey. “We’re putting more and more pressure on the guys to be there every weekend, which is raising the bar. That level of intensity is getting better as well, so with that many good guys out there, the racing is only going to get better and tougher. To win, it’s going to mean all that much more.”
Supercross LIVE!® will feature an extended three-hour and forty-five minute mid-raceday program from 1:15 – 5:00 p.m. local time directly from Las Vegas this weekend due to raceday schedule changes for final round. Hosts, Jim Holley, a former World Supercross Champion, and Kevin Barnett, a former member of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team and professional broadcaster, will provide in-depth analysis of the afternoon’s practice and qualifying sessions as the riders and teams prepare for the night racing, in addition to interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage. As the only place to follow live practice and qualifying coverage from Monster Energy Supercross, Supercross LIVE! provides fans with an inside perspective before the gate drops on the night’s qualifying and Main Events. Additionally, there will be video snippets made available throughout the race day that can be viewed on www.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross, or the YouTube Channel www.YouTube.com/SupercrossLive. To access the live streaming broadcasts, go to www.SupercrossOnline.com/SupercrossLive or subscribe to the Supercross LIVE! streaming channel at http://new.LiveStream.com/Supercrosslive.
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross and Nuclear Cowboyz®. Feld Motor Sports is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com
LAS VEGAS, NV – May 1, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Check out this 3D Animation of the Monster Energy Supercross track that will be in Las Vegas on 5/4/13. See it in person by getting your tickets today at:http://www.supercrossonline.com/Event…
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, is an off-road motorcycle racing competition, produced inside a stadium that seats no less than 35,000 fans, where dirt is brought in and sculpted using construction equipment. Widely regarded as the king of extreme sports, AMA Supercross is considered the NASCAR of motocross. Some of the world’s greatest athletes compete in what has been described as the most physically demanding sport in existence Top supercross riders James Stewart, Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey and more battle it out for the 2010 AMA Supercross crown.
Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, is the premier off-road motorcycle racing circuit in the world, produced inside the world’s most elite stadiums. Monster Energy® Supercross tracks are man-made inside the stadium. Some of the sport’s marquee names include Chad Reed, James Stewart and former supercross greats Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael. Regarded as the king of action sports, supercross has been described as one of the most physically demanding sports. Monster Energy® Supercross can be seen on CBS Sports and SPEED Channel.
TORRANCE, CA – May 1,2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The penultimate round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship race, made its way to Salt Lake City, UT, this past Saturday, and 43,149 fans filled Rice-Eccles Stadium to witness the action. Leading the charge for the Honda Red Riders was the Team Honda Muscle Milk duo of Trey Canard and Justin Barcia, both finishing 4-5 respectively. Muscle Milk-supported GEICO Honda rider Eli Tomac had a trying night in the main event, but was able to close his deficit to a mere five points in the championship heading into the final round.
450 Race
With a solid second-place finish in his heat race, Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Trey Canard headed into the main event with a good gate pick. Jumping off the line to a fifth-place start, Canard was able to make his way into fourth a few laps in and continued to lay down consistent times throughout the entire 20-lap race. “It was a really good day for me, especially after last weekend,” stated Canard. “I think I need some more days like this. The main was especially good for me through the whoops, it’s the best I have ever ridden the whoops and they were really tough. I was really happy, we were able to progress the bike throughout the day. It was a really demanding track physically, especially with the altitude. I am happy to come away with a fourth and to be healthy heading into the final round.”
After scoring his second win of the season last weekend, Justin Barcia was hoping to carry that same momentum into Utah. He posted the fifth-quickest qualifying time in practice and was able to grab a third in his heat race. Despite getting a mid-pack start in the main event, Barcia made his way into sixth by the end of the first lap. A few laps later, he made the pass into fifth, which is where he settled for the night.
“I’m a little disappointed with my finish, especially after my win last weekend,” explained Barcia. “The track was super tough, it was technical and tight, and I rode really tight. The whoops were gnarly, but the bike was working awesome. We made some good changes to the bike throughout the day, which really helped me. I’m ready to head into Vegas and hopefully grab another win, I have had some good luck there in the past.”
250 Race
This weekend also marked the eighth round of the Western Regional 250 Supercross and Muscle Milk-supported GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac caught a huge break in the championship chase, after the currents points leader was unable to qualify for the main event. Tomac had the opportunity to walk away with the points lead, and it looked like he was going to capitalize on it after grabbing a second-place start behind his teammate Zach Osborne. Unfortunately, Tomac struggled in the challenging whoops the entire 20-lap main event, causing him to lose multiple positions. He was able to recover and finish in sixth overall, putting him a mere five points behind the points leader heading into the final round in Las Vegas.
“I started the race in second, but just blew the race in the whoops,” said Tomac, who leads the category with four victories this year. “It was a section that just got me almost every time around. There were a couple of passes where I got through them OK, but there were others where I got wild and out of control.”
In the main event, Osborne earned the holeshot and was still fighting for a podium position when a crash in the whoops caused him to fall outside the top 10. He remounted his GEICO Honda CRF250R and ultimately finished in 12th place overall.
“I had a great day, actually,” Osborne said. “Up until I fell in the main everything was going really well. That kind of turned the whole deal. I just need to soldier-up and fight for a great finish in Vegas. I have nothing to lose and I plan to just go for it and try to get up on the podium.”
Suffering from a season-ending crash in Salt Lake City last year, Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda’s Cole Seely was able to put his nervousness aside and ride a noteworthy race to finish in second place overall on the podium.
The Focus: Suspension Settings
Suspension settings are key to the success of a rider and can be changed based on the track conditions and rider preference. Salt Lake City was a very tight and technical track, which required a few small changes to the Team Honda Muscle Milk CRF450Rs.
“The track today was very difficult, the whoop section specifically,” said Shane Drew, Honda’s chassis/suspension engineer. “The improvements that we made today was that we just increased the wheelbase of our bike to give more leverage on the rear shock, ultimately making it more stable in the whoops. We made a few other small adjustments to the high-speed settings of the shock, but nothing major. Both Trey and Justin ride very similar setups and each rider received the same changes.”
450 Supercross Class Overall Results
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Davi Millsaps
3. Ryan Dungey 4. Trey Canard (Honda)
5. Justin Barcia (Honda)
6. Justin Brayton
7. Josh Hill
8. Andrew Short
9. Weston Peick 10. Chad Reed (Honda)
450 Supercross Class Championship Points (after 16 of 17 rounds)
1. Ryan Villopoto 346
2. Davi Millsaps 318
3. Ryan Dungey 315 4. Justin Barcia 261
5. Chad Reed 224
6. Trey Canard 220
7. Andrew Short 202
8. Justin Brayton 177
9. James Stewart 174
10. Broc Tickle 165
250 Supercross West Class Overall Results
1. Jason Anderson 2. Cole Seely (Honda)
3. Martin Davalos
4. Malcolm Stewart 5. Christian Craig (Honda)
6. Eli Tomac (Honda)
7. Ryan Sipes
8. Tyla Rattray
9. Joey Savatgy
10. Travis Baker
250 Supercross West Class Championship Points (after 8 of 9 rounds)
1. Ken Roczen 163 2. Eli Tomac 158
3. Cole Seely 135
4. Jason Anderson 124
5. Martin Davalos 114
6. Zach Osborne 111
7. Kyle Cunningham 96 8. Christian Craig 87
9. Tyla Rattray 87
10. Joey Savatgy 87
About Honda
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. was established in 1959 and is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides in the U.S. The American Honda Motorcycle Division is responsible for the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers. For more information on Honda products, go towww.powersports.honda.com.
About Muscle Milk
Muscle Milk® Ready-to-Drink is a protein-enhanced functional beverage that promotes workout recovery, lean muscle growth, and sustained energy. Muscle Milk takes the guesswork out of high performance nutrition, delivering a precise blend of premium proteins, complex carbohydrates, functional fats, vitamins & minerals. CytoSport™, the maker of Muscle Milk®, is among the largest sport nutrition protein beverage companies in the U.S. and offers a complete line of protein-enhanced powders, shakes and bars. Muscle Milk® was named Ready-to-Drink Beverage of the Year by bodybuilding.com, Best Functional Beverage and Beverage of the Year by BevNet and Company of the Year by Beverage Forum presented by Beverage Marketing Corporation and Beverage World.
Since he began his career with Honda in 1989, Betley has held multiple positions within the race team, including his most recent as Engine Development and R&D specialist. He has worked with many high profile motocross champions such as Jeff Stanton, Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael, making him highly qualified for the role as team manager.
