AMA Supercross

[v65infla]

Hell with the racing, I want to see if Ivan gets to Bubba or if Bubba gets to Ivan first.   

[dt]

James Stewart won in Phoenix last night although RV was charging hard through the first ten laps. Then RV washed on a corner, but held on for second and maintained his points lead after the win at A1. I think we’ll be seeing more of this Stewart-Villopoto matchup.

Reedy did well…won his heat race and had some decent battle with Ice Trey. Champ Ryan Dungey was coming on strong and passed Reedy and Canard about mid way, but then got held behind a pile up and lost those, and I think, a couple other positions.



2011 AMA Supercross Phoenix Results:
1. James Stewart, (Yamaha)
2. Ryan Villopoto, (Kawasaki)
3. Trey Canard, (Honda)
4. Chad Reed, (Honda)
5. Ryan Dungey, (Suzuki)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Championship Points:
1. Ryan Villopoto, 47
2. James Stewart, 45
3. Ryan Dungey, 38
4. Trey Canard, 38
5. Chad Reed, 34

A couple other notes…

Brewing controversy over some device on James Stewarts bike that the Joe Gibbs racing team thought might be traction control. That would be illegal. Commentators Emig and Carmichael seemed a little baffled by it. Then at the podium, Erin Bates asks James straight up…something like how’d that “traction control device” work tonight. Bubba shook his head and said “you guys are nuts.” Hahahah… Blogs and forums are saying it was a GPS…okay, why was it on his rear wheel (specifically connected to the brake caliper)…lol. We’ll probably hear more on this.

I was hoping to see the 2-stroke Yamaha 250 of Motoconcepts Cédric Soubeyras in the premier class. However, he crashed earlier in the week and hurt his wrist to the point he couldn’t race last night. Maybe next week.

Also, Austin Stroup showed up on a Valli Motorsports YZ450F last night. Stroup was a contender in the East Lites last year. He took third in the second heat, but DNF’d the main…mechanical troubles I presume.





On to Lites…

Lites looked like a repeat of last week with the Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s running the show. Back to back wins for Josh Hansen. Some of the others need to step it up or it’s going to be a Kawi blow out in the West.

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Phoenix Results:
1. Josh Hansen, (Kawasaki)
2. Broc Tickle, (Kawasaki)
3. Ryan Morais, (Suzuki)
4. Cole Seely, (Honda)
5. Eli Tomac, (Honda)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Championship Points:
1. Josh Hansen, 50
2. Broc Tickle, 44
3. Ryan Morais, 35
4. Tyla Rattray, 35
5. Cole Seely, 34

[v65infla]

Yep, I am aware of the FTR, but it has been a long time..............

I just put my issue of FTRs most recent quarterly mag in the mail to you. Not trying to get you to join…I don’t do much with them up here for sure, but there’s a lot of info in this particular issue about the formats, results, contacts, etc… Thought you might like to flip it. 

Magazine received today, THANK YOU!!  I had to post this w/o reading your results report for Phoenix as I haven't gotten through watching all of it yet.   

[dt]

So…what do you think? Another James Stewart – RV show Saturday night? Probably.

Supercross moves to the inaugural round at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (yes, a baseball stadium) replacing Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Yeah hey, thanks (not) to the AMA for spreading the SX and MX events around the country (not) when a venue change is made so more people can enjoy these events (not). Fookers!

Anyway, not much news this week. Random babbling…

Josh Grant is out with a knee injury from Phoenix last week…hasn’t really been in, but he’s a good guy, sorry to see an injury cut his down his points.

Nothing came of that device on James Stewart’s wheel, but I bet we’ll at least hear what it “really” was from Emig and Carmichael this weekend.

Hey, Roger Decoster…planning on any of those 350 KTMs placing higher than 10th this year? It’s not like Andrew Short and Mike Alessi are lightweights for crying out loud. Oh, maybe giving up 100ccs to everyone else has something to do with it. KTM arrogance imo. Really! Hope I eat crow, but I doubt it.

I’m thinking Trey Canard is going to take first or second…when either bubba or RV crash. Probably RV, ‘cuz bubba seems a lot more patient than in past years…and he’s still fast as hell. If both bubba and RV crash Kevin Windham will be on the podium. Either way, after last weeks crash, K-dub is in the top five tomorrow fosho.

Anyway…

TV….Sunday on CBS at Noon….Lites Sunday at 6PM on SPEED. Set your dvrs.

[dt]

Wow! What a race...glad I taped that because it’s one of the best races I’ve seen in a long, long time and I intend to watch it again. Ryan Villopoto won the inaugural Supercross at Dodger Stadium last night followed by James Stewart and Ryan Dungey. All three…plus Dungey’s teammate, Brett Metcalf, held the lead in the main event. Early on Dungey and Stewart went back and forth and then Trey Canard came out of nowhere and got in it…then same with RV. Another unfortunate washout by James Stewart and RV took and held the lead until the end. RV is fast! They all are. Get this…the track crew had the blue (lapper caution) flag out on lap 4!

2011 AMA Supercross Los Angeles Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto, (Kawasaki)
2. James Stewart, (Yamaha)
3. Ryan Dungey, (Suzuki)
4. Trey Canard, (Honda)
5. Justin Brayton, (Yamaha)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Championship Points:
1. Ryan Villopoto, 72
2. James Stewart, 67
3. Ryan Dungey, 58
4. Trey Canard, 56
5. Chad Reed, 48



Hey, two out of three events now Trey Canard has crashed pretty bad in his heat race and then went on to win the LCQ. Last night’s heat crash was spectacular. The bike literally went flying in the air and bounced off his back. Can’t find a vid but I’m sure it’ll pop up this week and I’ll post it up.



Onward to lites…

Well, a couple other teams finally stepped up and kept the Pro Circuit Kawi team off the podium, but they were close behind in fourth and fifth. Honda riders Cole Seely (Troy Lee) and Eli Tomac (Geico) took fist and second, with Ryan Morais on a Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rounding off the podium.

The Pro Circuit riders had a lot of bad luck. Tyla Ratray had a painful looking crash in his heat race but still won the LCQ…then went on to 14 in the main. Josh Hansen got a great start in the main but stalled on one of the turns in the first lap. Then he couldn’t get the bike running until the entire field passed…yet he still managed fifth and maintained his point lead…which included a totally unnecessary forced block crash of another rider. Looked like black flag territory to me.

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Los Angeles Results:
1. Cole Seely, (Honda)
2. Eli Tomac, (Honda)
3. Ryan Morais, (Suzuki)
4. Broc Tickle, (Kawasaki)
5. Josh Hansen, (Kawasaki)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Championship Points:
1. Josh Hansen, 66
2. Broc Tickle, 62
3. Cole Seely, 59
4. Ryan Morais, 55
5. Eli Tomac, 49

Nothing came of that device on James Stewart’s wheel, but I bet we’ll at least hear what it “really” was from Emig and Carmichael this weekend.

Yup, we heard…not from Emig or Carmichael. Early in the broadcast some AMA rules director said it was a completely legal data gathering sensor…nothing to do with traction control. What was hilarious was directly after that, lead SPEED commentator Ralph Sheheen offered up a completely lame, tongue-in-cheek public apology to Bubba for making such a deal about it, while wearing a CBS shirt! The Supercross went to network this week and I thought it looked like CBS was apologizing…not SPEED who created all the brouhaha. LOL!

[v65infla]

I missed it damn it.  Well all but the last 3 laps.   

Someone needs to get that kid in the Lites off the track.  Sorry, don't recall his name but I am talking about the 16 year old that cases hard and crashes almost every time he gets on the track.  He is supposed to be good but the boy is going to get hurt.  He is obviously riding above his head.   

[dt]

SPEED is re-airing all of the Los Angeles Premier Class this Saturday (January 29) from 3PM to 5PM, (then LA Lites again at 5PM). I’ll be dvr’ing it because the networks trash these races. CBS only gave 20 minutes to the main and then filled the rest of the hour with trash.

If you’re referring to Josh Hansen on the Kawi, that’s never been his style, but the way he blocked that rider into a crash seemed unnecessary and even retaliatory so I thought a black was in order.

[dt]

Someone needs to get that kid in the Lites off the track.  Sorry, don't recall his name but I am talking about the 16 year old that cases hard and crashes almost every time he gets on the track.  He is supposed to be good but the boy is going to get hurt.  He is obviously riding above his head.   

Oh wait…are you talking about Justin Barcia? He’s an east rider; came in second in the East Lites behind Christophe Pourcel in his rookie season last year. Haha…he got quite a reputation. We were comparing him to 70's era madman Bob Hanna in last year's thread.

East Lites will kick off in Houston on the 12th of February. It’s going to be a Justin Barcia (Geico Honda) and Dean Wilson (Pro Circuit Kawasaki) show this year in the East.

[dt]

I knew someone would post up Trey Canard's heat race crash at Dodger Stadium on Youtube. No worse for the wear I guess...he couldn't finish the heat, but he won the LCQ and went on to fourth in the main event.

Trey Canard's Crash in Qualifying at Los Angeles Supercross Heat 1

[v65infla]

Someone needs to get that kid in the Lites off the track.  Sorry, don't recall his name but I am talking about the 16 year old that cases hard and crashes almost every time he gets on the track.  He is supposed to be good but the boy is going to get hurt.  He is obviously riding above his head.   

Oh wait…are you talking about Justin Barcia? He’s an east rider; came in second in the East Lites behind Christophe Pourcel in his rookie season last year. Haha…he got quite a reputation. We were comparing him to 70's era madman Bob Hanna in last year's thread.

East Lites will kick off in Houston on the 12th of February. It’s going to be a Justin Barcia (Geico Honda) and Dean Wilson (Pro Circuit Kawasaki) show this year in the East.

Nope, sorry.  I am pulling a total blank, sorry.  The kid is 16 and is racer in Europe, I think??  The announcer's, said too many more crashes the sponsor in the other country would force him back home???

And, while I am on the subject of the announcer's, how bad is Ricky??  Dude, I almost I can't listening to him.  He sounded smarter when when he was a 12 year old kid racing in Ocala.   

[dt]

And, while I am on the subject of the announcer's, how bad is Ricky??  Dude, I almost I can't listening to him.  He sounded smarter when when he was a 12 year old kid racing in Ocala.   

Haha...no offense to Jeff Emig, but he really ain’t equipped for that job either.

[dt]

Oh…and Erin Bates! Miss “How’d that traction control device work?” I didn’t see her apologize to Bubba.

She's cute though. 

[dt]

Got my tickets for Jax yesterday. Section 108 West...right on top of the hole shot. 

[dt]

The Supercross moves to the Oakland Coliseum Saturday night.

Time for our Supercross champ, Ryan Dungey, to make a move I think. He’s going to need some first place finishes if he wants a crack at a repeat and so far this year he’s playing third fiddle to RV and JS7…plus it just looks to me like Trey Cannard is coming on stronger and stronger during each of the three races so far. Everyone needs to keep an eye on the rookie.

Ditto for Reedy. He’s a two time champ…time to kick that pig and get in the game.

However much I’d like to see the Roger Decoster and the KTM team make a statement with those 350s, it just doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen. I think they’ve got some excellent competitors in Andrew Short and Mike Alessi, but riding some mediocre equipment. The idea behind running these bikes was that what they gave up in power they got back in a lighter weight and agility on the Supercross tracks. It ain’t happening. See ya’s next year on 450s.

Hey, I’ll say it again, last week’s race in LA was one of the best Supercross races I’ve ever seen. Its one thing to have two guys going at it…it’s a whole ‘nother when five are going at it! I expect the same tomorrow.

TV coverage is similar to last week…12PM Sunday on CBS (Lites at 6PM Sunday on Speed).

[dt]

The points lead shifted to James Stewart last night when he won his second of the four SX events this season. James got a good start although behind Ryan Villopoto and Chad Reed, who got the hole shot. He chased RV down after a couple laps before RV crashed (actually twice). Then he left everyone in the dust, nine seconds out at one point. Pheew, what a rough and off track, and there was some rain. The racers actually carved a rut along the right side of the whoops and just followed each other through it. Otherwise, lots of great racing though for positions between 2 and 7, but the wow of last night was when Chad Reed put about a tire in front of Ryan Dungy, who was asleep at the wheel, right at the finish line.

2011 AMA Supercross Oakland Results:
1. James Stewart (Yamaha)
2. Chad Reed (Honda)
3. Ryan Dungey (Suzuki)
4. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
5. Brett Metcalfe (Suzuki)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Championship Points:
1. James Stewart, 92
2. Ryan Villopoto, 90
3. Ryan Dungey, 78
4. Trey Canard, 71
5. Chad Reed, 70


Chad Reed

The Lites brought another Hansen-Tickle Pro-Circuit Kawasaki Show. Each won their heat races too, but Broc came out on top for his first win of the season. Last weeks surprise winner, Cole Sealy, made it one lap before his brake line broke on a tuff block. The 250s really had a lot more difficulty on the track. I’ll tell you though; Geico Honda’s SX Rookie Eli Tomac ain’t gonna give up…another podium even after a low slide.

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Oakland Results:
1. Broc Tickle (Kawasaki)
2. Josh Hansen (Kawasaki)
3. Eli Tomac (Honda)
4. Ken Roczen (KTM)
5. Tyla Rattray (Kawasaki)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Championship Points:
1. Josh Hansen, 88
2. Broc Tickle, 87
3. Ryan Morais, 70
4. Eli Tomac, 69
5. Cole Seely, 60


Eli Tomac

[dt]

Okay…they’re back in Anaheim at Angel Stadium this weekend for A2.

…plus we get a break from that awful network telecasting. Yeah, the Supercross and Lites are covered on SPEED, back to back on Sunday…Lites at 4PM and Supercross at 5PM. It also looks like SPEED is re-airing Oakland at 3PM.


Trey Canard, Austin Stroupe, Chad Reed

[dt]

James Stewart was off the gate and through the holeshot at A2…and gone. He was so far out ahead at lap 10 that they stopped covering him and focused on some of the waring going on behind. RV was clearly playing it cool. After two crashes in the main event last weekend, he probably just wanted a clean ride and that’s what he got with second. Ryan Dungey, on the other hand, got a poor start and was working hard to get back in the game. Then his chain came off on lap 8…causing a dnf. Geesh…

2011 AMA Supercross Anaheim 2 Results:
1. James Stewart (Yamaha)
2. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
3. Chad Reed (Honda)
4. Justin Brayton (Yamaha)
5. Trey Canard (Honda)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Championship Points:
1. James Stewart, 117
2. Ryan Villopoto, 112
3. Chad Reed, 90
4. Trey Canard, 87
5. Ryan Dungey, 79




Josh Hansen and Pro Circuit Kawasaki have pretty much ruled West Lites. Now they get a break as East Lites kicks off in Houston next weekend. Bring on the Wild Child! 

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Anaheim 2 Results:
1. Josh Hansen (Kawasaki)
2. Eli Tomac (Honda)
3. Ken Roczen (KTM)
4. Broc Tickle (Kawasaki)
5. Kyle Cunningham (Yamaha)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Championship Points:
1. Josh Hansen, 113
2. Broc Tickle, 105
3. Eli Tomac, 91
4. Ryan Morais, 84
5. Cole Seely, 70

[dt]

AMA Supercross will be at Reliant Stadium in Houston Saturday night. I’m hoping the Makita Suzuki factory team can keep the chain on the bike this week and give our reigning champ a fighting chance…at least for a podium position.

Also, East Lites kicks off in Houston this weekend. All we’ve seen out of the West Lites is continuing dominance of the Pro Circuit Kawasaki team. In the East, they’ve also got a top notch rider in young Canadian Dean Wilson, but look for Geico Honda’s Justin Barcia (aka “Wild Child”) to start working on his first Lites Championship and putting on a show in the process.

Premier will be back on CBS (yuck) Sunday at 12PM (EDT)…Lites on SPEED at 4PM (EDT).

[dt]

Well, Kevin Windham got the hole shot as the rest of the pack, including JS7, Reedy and RV, piled up in the first turn. Turning that into a commanding lead, he came up short on a triple on lap eleven (out of 20) and piled; had to be carried off the track. Canard and Dungey continued the show right up to the finish line where Trey slipped through less than two-tenths of a second in front of the reigning champ. Very good race today. Too bad about K-dub, he had it put away.

2011 AMA Supercross Houston Results:
1. Trey Canard (Honda)
2. Ryan Dungey (Suzuki)
3. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
4. Davi Millsaps (Yamaha)
5. Andrew Short (KTM)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Championship Points:
1. Ryan Villopoto, 132
2. James Stewart, 123
3. Trey Canard, 112
4. Chad Reed, 105
5. Ryan Dungey, 101



On to East Lites...

Did I call that or what? Geico Honda’s Justin Barcia and Pro Circuit Kaw Dean Wilson battled back and forth for most of the race until Dean backed off and settled for second. This is going to undoubtedly be the matchup to watch all season. Based on post race interviews, there’s some bad blood goin’ there too. I am sooo glad the East Lites are back.

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Houston Results:
1. Justin Barcia (Honda)
2. Dean Wilson (Kawasaki)
3. Blake Baggett (Kawasaki)
4. Ryan Sipes (Yamaha)
5. Ian Trettel (Suzuki)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Lites Championship Points:
1. Justin Barcia, 25
2. Dean Wilson, 22
3. Blake Baggett, 20
4. Ryan Sipes, 18
5. Ian Trettel, 16



Rumor has abound for quite awhile that James Stewart’s younger brother, Malcolm, was going to be a force to be reckoned with when he makes it to the pros. Well, he got his ride with Suzuki City (uh, who?) on an RM-Z250 and is racing this year in the East Lites. He posted second in his heat race behind Justin Barcia and 14th in the main after a pretty spectacular crash. We’ll see…but there’s only one Bubba.

[dt]

Reedy

I finally got through the Supercross in San Diego that aired lived Saturday night…dvd’d it. Exactly like last year, it rained hard and made for a mud fest. That messed up our points leaders RV and JS7, but not for 2x SX Champion Chad Reed who won his first event of 2011 and 39th career SX. Tell ya what, though…our boy Trey Canard was in play for the win had a late crash not screwed that up.

2011 AMA Supercross San Diego Results:
1. Chad Reed (Honda)
2. Ryan Dungey (Suzuki)
3. James Stewart (Yamaha)
4. Trey Canard (Honda)
5. Davi Millsaps (Yamaha)
Full Results

2011 AMA Supercross Championship Points:
1. Ryan Villopoto, 146
2. James Stewart, 143
3. Chad Reed, 130
4. Trey Canard, 130
5. Ryan Dungey, 123



Eli

Well, we had to go back to the West one more time for Lites before East gets really rocking, but it was worth it. Eli Tomac won his second pro race. His first was his very first race at the MX last summer. That was the upside. The downside was that I was kind of disappointed with Josh Hansen for some real nasty tactics out there in San Diego. With his talent, he doesn’t need to be like that. So anyway, screw it…bring on the East

2011 AMA Supercross Lites San Diego Results:
1. Eli Tomac (Honda)
2. Tyla Rattray (Kawasaki)
3. Broc Tickle (Kawasaki)
4. Cole Seely (Honda)
5. James Decotis (Honda)
Full Results


2011 AMA Supercross Lites Championship Points:
1. Josh Hansen, 128
2. Broc Tickle, 125
3. Eli Tomac, 116
4. Ryan Morais, 96
5. Cole Seely, 88

Cool photo of Ken Roczen on a KTM 250 SXF.

[dt]

The Supercross has moved into Atlanta’s Georgia Dome this weekend. SPEED will be covering LIVE tomorrow evening starting 7:30 PM EDT, both Lites and Premier. Watch or set your dvr’s.

Also, Lites shifts back to the East this weekend, giving Malcolm Stewart his second shot at the podium, or maybe a win. Let’s see if he can get by Justin Barcia and Dean Wilson…don’t think so, but we'll know for sure tomorrow night.

[dt]

"Perhaps one of the best Supercrosses I've ever seen."
Ricky "The Goat" Carmichael, post race commentary on the Atlanta Premier Class.

Report later. 

[dt]

Sorry for the delayed report, but I had to work on some important deadlines today.

I’ve got to say, Atlanta was nothing short of a freaking rumble…both in the Premier and the Lites. The headline though was in the Premier where James Stewart and Chad Reed went at it from virtually the start. What was mostly a respectful battle though turned into a wild scene halfway through the last lap where…well…watch for yourself. The video opens with James Stewart (7) sandwiching Reedy (22) with Stewart's Teammate Kyle Regal, which I think influenced the events that followed...

2011 Atlanta SX: Last 2 Laps, Reed & Stewart CRASH

AMA Supercross Atlanta Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
2. Ryan Dungey (Suzuki)
3. Chad Reed (Honda)
4. James Stewart (Yamaha)
5. Trey Canard (Honda)

AMA Supercross Championship Points:
1. Ryan Villopoto, 171
2. James Stewart, 161
3. Chad Reed, 150
4. Trey Canard, 146
5. Ryan Dungey, 145

Full Results

In the second event of the East Lites, Dean Wilson took the win over an injured Justin Barcia (wrist injury). Justin had effectively fought off Wilson’s Pro Circuit teammate, Blake Baggett, but got caught up behind some lappers and Wilson got through. Very uncharacteristic of Justin he went after the culprit after the race…another bad scene in Atlanta.

AMA Supercross Lites Atlanta Results:
1. Dean Wilson (Kawasaki)
2. Justin Barcia (Honda)
3. Blake Baggett (Kawasaki)
4. Blake Wharton (Honda)
5. Ryan Sipes (Yamaha)

AMA Supercross Lites Championship Points:
1. Dean Wilson, 47
2. Justin Barcia, 47
3. Blake Baggett, 40
4. Ryan Sipes, 34
5. Blake Wharton, 33

Full Results

Justin Barcia (17), Blake Baggett (57)

[dt]

The Supercross will “cross” the halfway point Saturday night in Dayton on a track designed by the Goat, Ricky Carmichael, reportedly with many outdoor elements. After last weekend’s brawl in Atlanta, it’ll be interesting to see how the renewed Stewart-Reed rivalry further develops. Could be the same as last week, so don’t miss it! Coverage is Live on Speed at 8PM EDT Tomorrow.

Oh, and the weather looks good. Daytona hosted a classic race back in 2008 that turned into the biggest mudfest I’ve ever seen. Here's K-dub crawling up to the finish for the win in 2008:



Dang...wish I was going, but two weeks out to Jax! 

[dt]

Well, another “you had to see it” races in the 2011 SX Season. James Stewart was out of the gate and through the hole shot on the way to one of his signature uncontested wins when he came up short on a fairly simple double and did a major endo crash…bad one. The bike went flying and, unfortunately, landed on its wheels and kept going about 30 or 40 yards. James was staggering to get back to the bike. I mean the guy could barely stand and the entire field went by. It seemed like minutes went by before he got to his bike and got it up only to fall on his ass trying to get back on. It was painful to watch. Finally he got back on and then proceeded to clock the fastest lap time and recover all the way to ninth…wow! Absolutely astonishing. I'm sure there'll be a youtube of all this tomorrow.

While all that was going on, Ryan Villopoto won his fifth race of the year. Both Reedy and Dungy got pretty bad starts, but pulled off second and third.

Daytona Premier:

1.   Ryan Villopoto (Kawasaki)
2.   Chad Reed (Honda)
3.   Ryan Dungey (Suzuki)
4.   Andrew Short (KTM)
5.   Davie Milsaps (Yamaha)

Full Results

On to Lites…

Three races in the East Lites and three winners. Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett got his first win of the season carrying gate to gate. Justin Barcia had a huge brace on his right wrist after the break last weekend. He’s kicking butt in the qualifiers and heat races, but I think the wrist is catching up with him in the main two weeks in a row now.

Daytona Lites:

1.   Blake Baggett (Kawasaki)
2.   Justin Barcia (Honda)
3.   Ryan Snipes (Yamaha)
4.   Blake Wharton (Honda)
5.   Philip Larsen (KTM)

Full Results