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WARM HOMECOMING AWAITS VILLOPOTO AT WASHOUGAL
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (July 26, 2006) -- Ryan Villopoto will return home to Washington this weekend to a hero’s welcome. The 17-year-old Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider from Poulsbo, Wash., leads the AMA Motocross Lites Championship as Washougal Motocross Park hosts round eight of the 12 round AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF on July 30.
Villopoto is the first rider from Washington State to lead the series this late in the season. He could also become the first home state rider to win at Washougal since Larry Ward was victorious in the Motocross Lites class (then called 125 class) in 1991.
“I haven’t ridden at Washougal in five years,” said Villopoto, who is a former AMA Horizon Award winner and is in his first full year as a pro. “I just did local amateur races before so it will be interesting to race on the track at a national.”
Villopoto is on a four race winning streak coming into Washougal. In all he’s won five of the seven nationals this year. He took over the points lead with a victory in New Berlin, N.Y., on July 16. He comes home sporting a 13-point lead over rival Mike Alessi. After the last round Alessi acknowledged how well Villopoto has been riding.
“Ryan’s going so fast right now,” Alessi admitted. “He’s going to his home track so he’s going to be good there. He’s just carrying more speed around the outside of the turns and straight-aways; he just seems to be going faster everywhere. That’s all I can say; he’s going fast right now and he has the momentum. I just have to do my work at home, and figure out where his weakness is; everyone has a weakness – I just need to figure it out.”
Honda’s Andrew Short was solidly in the hunt for the Motocross Lites title as well, but bike problems cost him a poor finish last week in Colorado. As a result, Short is now a full 60 points down to Villopoto in the standings and will need an outstanding result in Washougal to get back in the championship picture.
While Villopoto is coming to the Washougal National for the first time, this may be the last opportunity fans of the Pacific Northwest have to watch Ricky Carmichael, the rider many consider to be the greatest motocross racer of all time. Carmichael announced earlier this season that he will return to race a limited schedule in 2007. While Carmichael’s career may be winding down, that by no stretch of the imagination means that the defending and six-time AMA Motocross Champion is slowing down. Carmichael is riding his Makita Suzuki as fast as ever and he holds a commanding 69-point lead in the AMA Motocross Championship.
“I’m savoring every win right now like it’s my last one,” said Carmichael, a four-time Washougal Motocross winner. “Overall I have to say I’ve had a great year with Makita Suzuki, actually a great two years. I’m looking forward to racing at Washougal. It’s a scenic track with the surrounding mountains and the fans there are awesome.”
Carmichael’s nearest competitor is Yamaha’s Chad Reed. Reed is riding with a sore knee he suffered in a hard crash in New York a few weeks ago.
“I’m just trying to do the best I can, standing up a lot and trying not to dab my foot,” Reed said of riding injured. “I’m actually pretty happy with my results considering my injury. I’ll just have to ride carefully and wait for a break in the schedule to heal up.”
Honda’s Davi Millsaps scored his best result ever in the premier class last weekend in Lakewood, Colo. Millsaps, a first-year rider in the AMA Motocross class, said he’s finally getting over being star struck by the riders he’s racing against. “I have been watching these guys for the past ten years – and I was getting really nervous,” he said. “Ricky’s never lost an outdoors! At first I hit my head so many times; basically I just calmed down and got over it.”
Washougal is considered by many in the motocross community to be the most beautiful circuit in the series. The track climbs and descends out of beautiful pine forests and it annually attracts some of the biggest crowds of the year.
Both Motocross and Motocross Lites will be televised nationally on OLN. The Motocross class will be shown on Aug. 5 at 6:00 p.m. eastern while the Motocross Lites class airs on Aug. 7 at 5:00 p.m. eastern.
For information on the Unbound Energy National at Washougal presented by Snap-On, Scott USA and Yamaha call 541-673-1671 or visit www.washougalmx.com.
WHAT: Unbound Energy National at Washougal presented by Snap-On, Scott USA and Yamaha, round eight of the 12-round AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF.
WHERE: Take I-5 to 205 to Hwy. 14, go east to Washougal, 15th St., turn left, go 8 miles, turn left on Alder Rd/412th, left on Borin Rd.
WHEN: July 29-30, 2006
COURSE: 1.4 miles (approx), hard pack and soft loam.
2005 WINNERS: AMA Motocross: Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki). AMA Motocross Lites: Ivan Tedesco (Kawasaki).
SCHEDULE: Saturday (July 29) - Pro practice, 1:00-3:25 p.m.., Pre-qualifiers 4:05 p.m.; Sunday (July 30) - Practice, 9:00-10:30 a.m. Qualifying, 10:45 a.m. Opening Ceremonies, 12:30 p.m. Final events start at 1:00 p.m. with two 30-minute, plus two lap motos for each class.
TICKETS: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday Ticket -$45.00; Friday, Saturday, Sunday Ticket -$40.00; Saturday, Sunday Ticket - $40.00; Sunday only Ticket - $30.00.
Six & under free all days. Parking: $5.00; Paddock passes - $15.
About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Pro Racing is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its properties include the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship and the AMA Supermoto Championship. For more information about AMA Pro Racing, visit www.amaproracing.com. Accredited media outlets can also access AMA Pro Racing`s online Press Room at www.amaproracing.com/pressroom.
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CARLSBAD, Calif., (July 17, 2006) – Monster Energy-backed Ryan Villopoto captured the overall Lites class title this past Sunday at Unadilla and, in the process, took control of the overall points lead over longtime rival Mike Alessi.
With the overall 2-1 win Villopoto now holds a three-point lead (240-237) over Alessi. More importantly, Villopoto has now won three consecutive races, four overall. Alessi has only managed to win one race (Hangtown).
“I was real happy with the way things went at Unadilla,” said Villopoto. “I didn’t get the greatest starts, but my Pro Circuit-tuned Kawasaki KX250F was running unreal and allowed me to make up time on the guys ahead of me. This is the first time I’d raced Unadilla and having a bike capable of handling those speeds and the tough conditions was key. I’m having a blast and can’t wait to get back after it this weekend at Thunder Valley.”
In the first moto Villopoto found himself in 5th place after the first lap. Over the course of the next several laps Villopoto caught and passed Andrew Short (Southwick overall winner), Andrew McFarlane and Josh Grant – both of whom have made the Lites class podium twice this year.
In the second moto, which was one of the most exciting races of the season, Villopoto got a better start (3rd) and had a four-way battle for the lead with Josh Grant, Nathan Ramsey and Andrew Short. Villopoto passed longtime Lites class racer Ramsey for 2nd place on lap six, then reeled in and past Honda factory rider Short for the lead on lap ten. This come-from-behind effort would award Villopoto the overall win and give him the Lites class points lead for the first time this season.
Teammate Troy Adams barely missed out on the top ten, going 13-9 for 11th overall.
The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team returns to action on the 2006 Toyota AMA Motocross Championship this weekend (July 23rd) when the tour stops at Thunder Valley in Lakewood, Colo.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team sponsors include: Parts Unlimited, Thor, Scott, Maxima, Amp’d Mobile, KMC Wheels, Vans, Bridgestone, Hinson Clutch, Components, Showa, The Garage People, Troy Lee Designs, Excel, Renthal, N-Style, Works Racing Parts, Twin Air, VP Racing Fuels, Athena, Motion Pro, DP Brakes, RK Racing Chain, UFO, Mechanix Wear, CTI2, Vertex, Alpinestars, PPG, Trek Bicycles, Imagine It Graphics.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it motocross, surf, skate, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” All the boyz racing for Pro Circuit/Kawasaki dig it – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Henry’s fastest all weekend, overcomes first race crash to win second race; Monster Energy teammate Mark Burkhart podiums in first race
CARLSBAD, Calif., (July 11, 2006) – Monster Energy’s Doug Henry, battling hard all weekend with AMA Supermoto Championship series points leader Jeff Ward, overcame a first race crash on Saturday to win the second race of the inaugural Detroit AMA Supermoto at Waterford Hills Road Race, Inc., in Clarkston, Mich.
Henry, who dominated the first moto as well – only to tip over late in the race and get passed by eventual winner Ward – came back with a vengeance in the second AMA Supermoto class race to win the second race going away.
“It was just a silly little mistake and it cost me the win,” said Henry of his first race accident. “I caught my handlebar on one of the tires (marking the edge of the track) and it pulled me down.”
By swapping wins in the two-race format in front of an estimated 6,000 fans at Waterford Hills Ward and Henry remained 1-2 in the overall points chase with Ward leading at the halfway point of the 20-race season, 203-192.
In the first race the Yamaha-mounted Henry, 36, pulled the holeshot in the 24 racer field and led the race through lap 12 of the 14 lap contest. The Superpole was won by Henry’s Monster Energy teammate Mark Burkhart, who nearly stuffed his Yamaha YZ450F on the fastest portion of the course, but held on to win the pole. A miscalculation by Henry coming out of a technical section on the dirt portion of the combination asphalt/dirt course would send him to the ground. Henry was able to collect his bike and finish the race in fourth, however Ward had inherited the lead and would cruise in for the victory with Burkhart in second place.
In the second race it was again Henry taking the early lead with a rocket ship start and smooth riding through the road-to-dirt transitions. Burkhart would go down in the asphalt-to-sand section and Ward would reel in and hang tight with his friendly rival Henry, the two of them distancing themselves from the rest of the field.
On lap eight it would be Ward that hit the deck, again in the dirt portion of the track that felled Henry and Henry would take the checkers with ease.
In the AMA Supermoto Lites division Monster Energy/Graves Yamaha-backed Brandon Currie finished 2nd overall. Currie trails Lites class points leader Cassidy Anderson 125-104 at the halfway point of the 2006 AMA Supermoto Championship season.
Next up for Monster Energy’s Henry and the AMA Supermoto Series is the Denver Supermoto, August 26-27.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it road racing, motocross, surf, skate, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” Doug Henry digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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One more win for Carmichael – Steel City on Labor Day Weekend – would earn him his second-straight Monster/Kawi Triple Crown of Motocross!
CARLSBAD, Calif., (July 3, 2006) – Monster Energy-backed Ricky Carmichael gave the massive crowd at Buchanan, Mich.’s RedBud Outdoor National MX facility what they came to see on Sunday – the greatest motocross racer of all time topping the world’s best competition to take the second of the three-round Monster Energy/ Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross.
“Two down, one to go,” said Carmichael of the coveted $30,000 bonus award he won last year as well.
The fast Floridian’s performance was as masterful as they come, taming the long, legendary RedBud track to the tune of a 1-1 performance for first place overall. With the effort Carmichael extended his points lead over Chad Reed to 30 points after five rounds of racing (242-212).
Next up for Carmichael is the July 16th Unadilla National in New Berlin, N.Y., Round Six of the 2006 Toyota AMA Motocross Championship.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it motocross, surf, skate, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/ fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” Ricky Carmichael digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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Series’ hottest Lites class racer goes 1-2 to take the overall title, his second o/a win in a row and pulls to within five points of Series lead
CARLSBAD, Calif., (July 3, 2006) – Washington’s Ryan Villopoto led the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team to victory in front of the largest crowd of the season thus far (and estimated 25,000-plus), winning the Monster Energy-backed RedBud Outdoor National with a stellar 1-2 moto performance at Round Five of the 2006 Toyota AMA Motocross Championship.
With the effort – his third overall win in five races - Villopoto moved to within five points of the overall AMA Lites class lead (198-193), held by longtime rival Mike Alessi.
Noteworthy: Villopoto’s win keeps him in the running for the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross bonus. Villopoto has now won High Point and RedBud, leaving only Steel City (Labor Day
Weekend) as the final race he needs to win to capture the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Triple Crown of Motocross bonus money.
Also shining for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team was series newcomer Ben Townley. The former GP champion (’04), coming off an injury, was on the podium in the second moto (3rd) and would wind up 5th overall on the day in his first-ever American motocross race.
And putting the third Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki bike in the top eight overall was Troy Adams (9-8 for 8th o/a).
The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team returns to action on the
2006 Toyota AMA Motocross Championship in a couple weeks (July 16th) when the tour stops at the famed Unadilla National track in New Berlin, N.Y.
Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it motocross, surf, skate, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the flavors – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault and the new Monster/ fruit juice hybrid called “Khaos.” All the boyz racing for Pro Circuit/Kawasaki dig it – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.
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