Go here for FREE live timing of the MotoGP races a throughout the weekend this-weekend.  This benefit was provided by the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.  Thank you, Indianapolis Motor Speedway! You can see how each rider is doing throughout each race.

Ben Spies, Tom Houseman (Crew Chief), and team, win Yamaha’s first World Superbike World Championship in 2009! This post includes an exclusive interview by OnTheThrottleTV, quotes from Yamaha Racing Europe, Ducati, and more.

I don’t understand how Suzuki could have possibly let Ben get away.  The critics talked of “Ben isn’t ready for MotoGP” last year.  Not ready?  He came in fifth during the Indy GP.  Fifth in MotoGP… On an unfamiliar bike… in severe weather…

During Valentino’s second 500cc year they kept talking about how he met his match during each race, because he would start out behind, but by the end of the race he was always in front.  I decided that year that Valentino must be the greatest rider to ever live, and that panned-out.  Same with Ben Spies.

Ben once-again downplays his chances of winning the MotoGP championship next year. He shouldn’t do that. Rossi began 2000 with similar goals, and rode more defensively in order to meet those goals. Rossi finished 2000 in 2nd but admitted that he might have finished in 1st had he set that for his goal. Ben, please stop saying “Top 10″. You did top 6 in MotoGP, on a Suzuki, in the worse weather (Hurricane Ike “remnants”) of any GP in history. Go for #1 in 2010!

Notice in the video below how even Ducati is celebrating Ben’s Championship on the podium, even Noriyuki Haga— the man who had the next-best chance of being World Champion this year— is celebrating Ben’s championship on the podium. An awesome show of sportsmanship from those Ducati guys. (See the manufacturer’s standings below to see how both Yamaha and Ducati can celebrate this year…)

Remember: WordSBK.com makes all of the race videos available 7 days after the race. Go here to see the complete season.

Here is the “Ben Spies 2009 World Superbike Champion Exclusive Interview” Video by OnTheThrottleTV

Rookie Ben Spies wins the World Superbike Championship, becoming the first American to do so since fellow Texan Colin Edwards in 2002. SpeedGreen was on location to capture the emotions as Yamaha celebrated their first World Championship.

Quotes from Yamaha Racing Europe’s Release

Ben Spies and Yamaha made history today, claiming the first ever Word Superbike title for the Yamaha World Superbike Team. In yet another Ben Spies Masterclass of riding, The American rookie sensation took a race win and a well executed fifth place finish to lift the title for Yamaha for the first time. Race one saw a textbook performance from Spies, taking the holeshot on the first corner and leading from the first lap. Perfectly executed lines and smooth riding saw him cross the line nearly two seconds ahead of a determined Biaggi who had stalked him for the entire race. Championship rival Noriyuki Haga crashed out six laps into the race, leaving Spies some breathing room for race two.

With the extra points behind him and less pressure for an outright race win Spies kept himself in check for race two, monitoring Haga’s position and keeping a steady race pace as he counted the laps down to victory. The American let a couple of riders passed then tucked in behind Biaggi for a number of laps. After the Italian rider ran wide a couple of times, Spies turned on some extra speed to pass him and brought his championship winning Yamaha R1 home in fifth place to take victory.

Spies can now claim 14 Superbike race wins and 11 pole position race starts in his rookie year, breaking all records since the championship began. He leads the standings with 462 points, six clear of rival Haga.

Ben Spies, Yamaha World Superbike Team, (1st, 5th)

On the first race: “It was actually a really tough race. At first I was just going for the win, getting to the front and not worrying about anything. Then when Haga was out I had to win to get as many points as possible for race two. Once you have a gap, you don’t want to be stupid and throw it all away.”

” I’ve got to thank Yamaha for giving me the bike I need to win. We had a really good first race, in the second we did what we had to do to win. It was quite difficult to keep it in check as the pace was pretty fast, I saw I had a couple of people behind me and I knew that if Nori won I had to be in sixth and that’s where I was so I tried to get a bit of a gap on them and stay out of trouble. Max came through the inside of me and ran off a couple of times which really freaked me out so I went to get past him and then settled in for some nice fast laps to the end. It’s been a spectacular day and I can’t thank those people enough that have been behind me. It’s been incredible to do it for Yamaha, and especially in my first year here. I don’t think I really realize what’s happening right now but I’m sure it’s going to hit me in a couple of days!”

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager

“I feel great! This is the first time I’ve had this victory feeling. I was so nervous for this whole weekend. Ben showed us that the speed he had was ok but I know Nori very well and Ducati as well so I was always worried that something was going to come. Fortunately we finished very well. I want to thank everyone, not just the people here in the team and Yamaha but the people at home, mine and the team’s families, they give us a lot of support and are patient, I think it is hard for them to so thank you to my wife!”

Laurens Klein Koerkamp, Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe

“A fantastic day for Yamaha! Today was the crown of a year’s hard work for Ben and the team. From the first moment we started to work with Ben it was clear he was something special. He did an amazing job in his rookie season, not knowing many of the circuits in Europe. This victory is also very well deserved for the team who have given 100%. I know how hard we have all been trying and coming close for such a long time. This championship success is a clear testimonial of the competitiveness of the new R1 and a validation of Yamaha’s vision of production bike development and so is also shared with the engineers in Japan.”

Quote from Noriyuki Haga

“All weekend I have had problems with the set up of the bike, mainly with the tyres that didn’t give me total confidence. Usually we have a package that works well at every track and here too we didn’t change so much with regard to the setting, only really tyres. In Race 1 we mounted two hard tyres and they didn’t perform as we’d hoped, they didn’t give me the necessary grip so it was hard to brake and unfortunately I fell even though I wasn’t pushing so hard. We changed bikes for Race 2, just to be sure, as well as changing tyres of course. This time I had more grip and was able to make a good race. Unfortunately second in the race was not enough to take the title and it’s a real pity, but I must say that I have had a great first year with this fantastic team that always provides me with a good bike. I thank my whole technical team, Ducati, the sponsors and the Clinica Mobile who have taken good care of me throughout the season. My compliments go to Ben who has been such a strong rival this year and even though he is going to MotoGP next year, I am sure we will remain friends. This week we’ll start testing in preparation for next year. This year was a new adventure with Ducati and we’ll continue to give 100% in 2010.”

Results

RACE 1

1. B. Spies (Yamaha WSB)
2. J. Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda)
3. M. Biaggi (Aprilia Racing)
4. S. Byrne (Sterilgarda Ducati)
5. M. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team)
6. L. Camier (Aprilia Racing)
7. C. Checa (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda)
8. R. Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport)
9. M. Lagrive (Honda Althea Racing)
10. M. Baiocco (Guandalini Racing)

RACE 2

1. M. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team)
2. N. Haga (Ducati Xerox Team)
3. J. Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda)
4. S. Byrne (Sterilgarda Ducati)
5. B. Spies (Yamaha WSB)
6. M. Biaggi (Aprilia Racing)
7. L. Camier (Aprilia Racing)
8. J. Smrz (Guandalini Racing)
9. T. Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport)
10. S. Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare)

Final Points

1. Spies 462
2. Haga 456
3. Fabrizio 382
4.Biaggi 319
5.Rea 315
6. Haslam 241
7.Checa 209
8. Byrne 192
9. Sykes 176
10. Smrz 169.

Manufacturers Standings

Yamaha wins the championship, but Ducati wins the most points…

1. Ducati 572
2. Yamaha 505
3. Honda 431
4. Aprilia 329
5. Suzuki 173
6. Bmw 141
7. Kawasaki 76

MotoGP: A Closer Look At The Title Fight Video

The MotoGP.com videos are not free, but the FIM occasionally puts promotional videos up on youtube.  This one called “MotoGP: A closer look at the title fight” shows just how close Jorge Lorenzo has been to beating Valentino Rossi this season.

Señor Lorenzo has not only stalked Signore Rossi all season, but he also stages end-of-race Lorenzo-land celebrations similar to those pioneered by Valentino.  Señor Lorenzo has a comic book, just like Valentino’s.  The man obviously respects and emulates Rossi.  Simultaneously he pushes Valentino to be his best, by being right-there.  Right-there where he can take the championship at any moment.  Rossi’s comments about Yamaha show how shaken Lorenzo is making him.

The greatest motorcycle rider that ever lived, and someone that can beat him in an even race (on the same freakin’ team)?  I’d like to see some of that action.  Here you go:

Eric Buell has announced the discontinuation of Buell Motorcycles this morning.  This is after winning their first AMA Championship, giving even many non-Buell-riders a sense of pride in the company.

“May you ride-with-pride into the future, and may your roads ahead be as adventuresome and rewarding as mine have been for the last 26 years.” Eric Buell

Image from, and links-to, Casey Stoner's Web site.

This is a quote from the Carole Nash article available here: http://www.carolenash.com/insidebikes/bike-sport/sponsors-demand-apology-from-stoner.htm

Stoner has missed the last three rounds of the championship due to an illness that remains undetermined, much to the displeasure of the Ducati title sponsor, with Maurizio Arrivabene, deputy chairman for the tobacco giant has reported claimed that he is expecting an explanation from the 23-year-old.

“I hope that Stoner at Estoril will have the decency to apologise to the team,” Arrivabene told Italian television website Sportmediaset.

Obviously Arrivabene doesn’t know the meaning of “chronically ill”. He, and Marlboro (do you see the irony there?) should be ashamed.

Casey Stoner you ROCK! Get better man!

Here at dangerismymiddlename.com we have to wonder what the FIM President is referring-to? Most critics in the United States describe MotoGP as a parade-of-bikes. This is a side-effect of there being such a small grid.  The small grid means that there is less passing than in competing series, such as World Superbike SBK. What has been said, or done, that would reflect badly on the sport?  Don’t we want classic rivalries to come back?  What follows is a Press Release from the FIM:

FIM President Vito Ippolito delivers ‘Race with Fair Play!’ message to riders.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Following many incidents between riders that have taken place during races since the beginning of the season and comments made by riders that were published by the media, as FIM President, I would like to make the following remarks:

Our sport has the privilege of being seen on TV by millions of viewers and covered by hundreds of media worldwide. Our fans admire the riders’ courage and talent. These are two key ingredients that make us one of the most popular sports in the world.

Riders must also be highly focused, have very strong nerves and make correct decisions in order to make a successful career. Of course, this supreme effort exhausts physical and mental reserves and, as a consequence, it is possible to make mistakes. But this state of “agonistic trance” cannot excuse unfair behaviour in competition, as we have seen recently. This is precisely why this kind of behaviour must be severely punished. But worse yet is what has just happened when the lack of fair play extends beyond competition, with vulgar and offensive remarks towards the opponents. This is even more unforgivable.

We must show to our huge audience not only how spectacular our sport is, but also how important fair play is to us. Most riders are respectful of sporting, moral and ethical values. Therefore, we cannot allow anyone achieve victory or act unfairly or dishonestly. I really hope that this will not happen again and that the spirit of chivalry which has always distinguished our champions will prevail.

If such incidents take place in the future, it is clear that the FIM will not hesitate to intervene and take necessary disciplinary action against the riders concerned.

Yours sincerely,

Vito Ippolito
President

Press release courtesy of Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme

Please see: a note about “press releases, news releases, and public service announcements”. Thank you.

September 28, 2009

The AMA has developed model legislation for use by cities seeking a simple, consistent and economical way to deal with sound complaints related to on-highway motorcycles within the larger context of excessive sound from all sources.

The model legislation offers an objective method for municipal jurisdictions to evaluate motorcycle sound through science-based measurement. It’s based on the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) new J2825 standard, “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles.” The AMA produced similar model legislation for off-highway motorcycles several years ago.

“Many cities and other jurisdictions already have excessive sound laws on the books, but when they get citizen complaints about loud motorcycles, they sometimes decide to single out the riding public with unfair or overly restrictive ordinances and laws,” said Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager. “We believe that motorcycles shouldn’t be singled out, but should be regulated as part of a comprehensive sound management policy that also addresses cars, trucks, leaf blowers, generators and other sources of excessive sound.”

The J2825 standard, issued by the SAE in May, is based on a comprehensive study of a wide variety of on-highway motorcycles. It establishes instrumentation, test site, test conditions, procedures, measurements and sound level limits.

“Too many times, jurisdictions responding to citizen complaints about excessive motorcycle sound create laws that simply don’t work in the real world,” Szauter said. “They either set an unreasonable decibel limit, leave it up to a police officer to subjectively decide whether a bike is too noisy, or come up with another plan that is arbitrary or unworkable. Our model legislation is objective, workable and fair.”

The model legislation adopts the SAE J2825 standard for stationary on-highway motorcycle sound testing, specifies the type of sound meter to be used, and allows for each city to specify the penalties for violating the law. Szauter stressed, however, that the sound-testing procedures and decibel limits established in the SAE J2825 standard should remain unchanged to ensure that the law remains objective and fair.

Under the SAE J2825 standard, decibel limits range from 92 dBA at idle for all motorcycles, to up to 100 dBA at certain RPMs for various motorcycles, depending on the type of engine.

In 2003, the AMA organized the National Summit on Motorcycle Sound to bring together riders and user organizations, representatives of the motorcycle manufacturers, the aftermarket industry, racing promoters, government agencies, law enforcement and others to develop proposals regarding the increasingly controversial issue of excessive motorcycle sound. The creation of a new on-highway motorcycle sound measurement procedure was a top recommendation of the summit’s Motorcycle Sound Working Group.

“The motorcycling community, local governments and police officers have sought a practical sound field test for streetbikes for many years, and now it exists, thanks to a collaboration between the Motorcycle Industry Council and the SAE,” Szauter said. “The next step is for jurisdictions struggling with motorcycle sound complaints to adopt fair and objective laws, and the AMA is providing the tool for them to do that.”

Szauter encourages motorcyclists and government and law enforcement officials to download the model legislation from the Rights section of this website.

Note from dangerismymiddlename.com: We did not find the model legislation.  We did however find these resources there:

1. http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/positions/sound.asp
2. http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2005/soundsummit.asp
3. Appendix B (of http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2005/soundsummit.asp). (“SAE J1287 Measurement of Exhaust Sound Levels of Stationary Motorcycles”) doesn’t appear in the electronic version of Sound Advice. To order a copy of SAE J1287, contact the Society of Automotive Engineers at 877-606-7323 or visit www.sae.org.
4. Appendix C (of http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2005/soundsummit.asp)(“AMA Position on Motorcycle Sound” ) as of May 14, 2005. For the current AMA position statement on motorcycle sound, visit www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/positions/noise.asp.
5. For the latest information on engine test speed data for stationary sound testing, see the Motorcycle Industry Council downloads page.

Kenny Roberts

Apparently Dunlop created this video and uploaded it to YouTube. Dunlop had this to say:

In 1975, Kenny Roberts rode a fearsomely fast Yamaha TZ750 flat tracker to a stunning victory at the Indy Mile. After just three races, the AMA banned the bike from further competition—because it was too fast. In 2009, KR rode this famous TZ750 flat tracker once again, at the Indy Mile.

For sure Kenny Roberts felt that the bike was dangerously fast, but here’s another way of looking at it: why have Harley Davidsons dominated 2-cylinder Flat Track? Because anything faster gets banned as too-dangerous. A 750 doesn’t sound too-bad does it?  It’s a 750 two-stroke though— that’s twice as many firings-per-revolution as with a four-stroke— making it more like a 1500cc bike. Please enjoy the video, and if you are wondering: no, we don’t begrudge Harley Davidson, or any manufacturer, their racing success. If its on two wheels, then its fine by us. In fact we would definitely like to see more Harley Davidson motorcycles in roadracing. Something like Spain’s BBQ series would be nice. AMA Pro hinted at something like this last year. Let’s hope.

Ben Bostrom

Ben asked if he could ride the TZ750 this year, and they let him do it after the Indy Mile races!

This image and text were from Ben Bostrom’s Twitter Feed: “Ahh. Happier daze. Running KR’s TZ700 into turn 1 at Indy this year at midnite The smell of 2stroke .” This was after the Indy Mile races this year.

Larry Pegram

Aaron King on is on #40 and Larry Pegram is on #72f

Larry Pegram raced a Ducati… a… Ducati… in the Indy Mile.  Yes, Virginia there is a non Harley Davidson v-twin flat tracker!  The back-story here is that Larry began his racing career in Grand National Championship Series.  He eventually moved to road racing, but he did make special Ducati-based Indy Mile attempts in 2008 and 2009.

The Indy Mile is an extra-special event for the road racing world, because so-many great American Grand Prix and Superbike stars started out racing Flat Track.  So here we have a new MotoGP event— the highest-profile road racing series in the world— and it coincides with the Indy Mile Flat Track Grand National Championship Series event: same weekend, same town.  Some of the world’s best racers, and most vociferous fans, were on-hand to see turn-left-only racing American style, and they had two European marques to root-for: Larry Pegram on the Duc, and Aaron King on the Aprilia.

Flat Track racing is heat racing.  Each event is a mini-championship.  The Ducati and Aprilia raced in the same ten lap heat.  Larry Pegram almost finished third, but ended up 18th due to an incident.  He goes on to explain:

I was running fifth for the last three laps right behind Joe Kopp and Aaron [King].  I am pretty sure that I could have definitely drafted by Joe if he was behind a Harley, but Aaron’s bike was fast enough to pull Joe along in his draft. Going into turn 3 on the last lap I knew I needed to get Joe to go directly to the main. I ran it in there really hard on the outside of Joe and when I went to bring the bike back down on the groove I was going to run into the back of Aaron. I did not want to chance knocking Aaron down so I laid it down.  I was joking with Rich [King] (Aaron’s father) that I can’t be racing with these guy’s kids. If it was Rich I would have bounced him right off of the groove, but I couldn’t chance it with his son. Rich laughed and thanked me at least 3 times!

The Ducati was repaired, but a win was not in the cards that night.  Larry went from 18th to fourth in the semi-final, which is very respectable, considering that the semi final only allowed-him 8 one-mile laps to take care of business.

I am obviously disappointed to not make the main, but making a Grand National Main is a very difficult thing to do. Laying it down in the heat race put us behind for the semi. I would be more disappointed if the bike wasn’t so good. We all worked really hard building this bike in a very short time. It would be unfair to say that it has potential to run up front because I think that it is already capable of racing at the front. I am hoping that we can find some good support for the program and come back next year with a full time rider and then I can ride a few of the miles again as my road race schedule allows.

Valentino Rossi

Journalists spread rumors about Valentino’s eminent TZ750 demonstration lap via Twitter.  Then, when we all learned that he wasn’t going to ride, people started saying that the TZ750 was too-dangerous for Rossi.  How did these rumors start? Reporters noticed a flat track bike wearing Rossi’s livery on-display.  Ahem.

Every two-wheeled vehicle is a potential Valentino Rossi race-replica.  Here are images of a 125cc (no, that is not a typo) Valentino Rossi race-replica motorcycle, a Valentino Rossi Race replica scooter, and a Valentino Rossi race-replica child’s bicycle with training wheels.  Yamaha Racing also built a one-off custom Valentino Rossi race-replica factory motocross bike with the best-available racing parts.  Seeing a Valentino Rossi flat track bike on-display doesn’t mean that Rossi is planning to ride-it.  It simply means that someone chose to display a Valentino Rossi race-replica flat track bike.

(Updated on 2009-10-11)  According to RoadRacerX October/November 2009: it was “built by the crew at Van’s Yamaha in Central Illinois.”  It appears that the folks that built the bike were hoping that Rossi would ride it.  Still: he is Valentino Rossi, just because he has the option to ride a given bike, doesn’t mean that he has plans to.

The real story here was written on Rossi’s face (see above).

The real news here is how awesome the Nicky Hayden 848 looks.  Unfortunately there are no more available at Ducati.  If you see one in a dealership, then buy it.  Really.  Before its too late.  Thanks.

From Ducati North America News…

At the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, Ducati MotoGP rider Nicky Hayden received the surprise gift of his own personal Nicky Hayden Edition 848. On track, Nicky rode his Desmosedici GP9 with matching US livery to his best finish of the year and first podium aboard the Ducati. Take a look as Nicky takes delivery of his Nicky Hayden Edition 848 and rides it for the first time.

CycleWorldMag sent the following link via Twitter: “Two-wheel electric vehicles get Department of Energy development funding. MPM“  The link includes the actual law.

Aaron Colton: 17-year-old, Pro Stunt Rider and Road Racer recently injured his foot.  Dr. Arthur Ting will be working on it.  We don’t have details about the incident.  You can read Colton’s Corner blog at my.sportbikeclub.com, or check out www.aaroncolton.com.  I’ll add some better pics of Aaron’s action figure as I find them.  Go here to see a great promo video of Aaron’s riding. I don’t believe that I ever met Aaron in-person, but I am really interested in him getting better.

• There’s an image of the dislocated foot here.
• We received a tweet from @aaroncolton at 4:00 PM CDT 2009-09-21.  It says:  “In the lobby. Surgery in 30 or so…”
• We received a tweet from @aaroncolton at 4:47 PM CDT 2009-09-21.  It says: “On the IV about to go to surgery.”
• At around 10:00 PM CDT 2009-09-21.  We saw: “2 Plates 16 screws. Good as new ”.

]]> http://dangerismymiddlename.com/archives/3987/feed 0 http://dangerismymiddlename.com/archives/3665 http://dangerismymiddlename.com/archives/3665#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:02:20 +0000 Paul Danger Kile http://dangerismymiddlename.wordpress.com/?p=3665

Essentially there are three reasons for Honda’s leaving:

1. They aren’t winning in the U.S.
2. The series isn’t helping to sell motorcycles. At this point, lack-of-credit, is what kills motorcycle sales.  Even if they did “win on Sunday”, they wouldn’t be selling more bikes.  This is not DMG’s fault.
3. They claim that they would like to use the AMA Pro series for development, and DMG’s new rules don’t allow that.  I suspect that this means “we need trick parts”.

American Honda Senior Vice President Ray Blank told Cycle News the following (and more) in a September 17 phone interview:

“Either it makes customers really happy, it improves the breed, or it helps sell the product. I don’t see customers real happy, we’re not permitted to evolve in technology, and we’re not given a platform to really sell the product. It isn’t any different than what it was in March of 2008 when we first sat down with Roger [Edmondson] and were told this is how it was going to be.”

Honda builds their products for the street; it’s possible that they believe that they need the racing parts (that the rules no longer allow) to win.  This is a the-bikes-win-the-races-for-us world view.  Does American Honda have that view?  The Honda MotoGP effort certainly does.  If not, then they wouldn’t have chased champions such as Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi away.  This isn’t a guess.  Both of these riders have said as much.  Even with the new rules: how many wins would Honda have in AMA Pro if they had Spies riding for them, or Mladin, or Rossi?

The rest of this article is a re-posting of what we wrote yesterday (September 17):

We received the following from Cycle World Magazine’s Twitter Feed:

American Honda is officially out of AMA Pro Road Racing, won’t renew contract with Corona Extra Racing for 2010, padlocking race shop. MPM

We also received these from Road Racing World’s facebook Notes:

Honda Racing announcementTorrance, CA: During the 2009 AMA/DMG Road Racing series, American HondaMotor Company, Inc. contracted team personnel, including team Honda riderNeil Hodgson, to the Corona Extra Honda race team.Corona Extra Honda race…

Seven American Honda road race crewman currently assigned to the Corona Honda AMA American Superbike team were told today that their contracts will not be renewed when they expire October 31st.The crewmen work out of a shop at American Honda headquart…

And here is the Press Release:

Honda Racing announcement

Torrance, CA: During the 2009 AMA/DMG Road Racing series, American Honda
Motor Company, Inc. contracted team personnel, including team Honda rider
Neil Hodgson, to the Corona Extra Honda race team.

Corona Extra Honda race team participated in this series with our
award-winning 2009 CBR1000RR in the AMA Superbike class, unfortunately
participation in this series did not meet our racing goals and objectives.

Regrettably the current AMA/DMG racing environment does not align with our
company goals. Effective today 9/18/09, AHM will not be renewing contracts
with Corona Extra Racing and will be terminating the on-site Road Race
operations by 9/30/09. All assets will be put into storage for future
consideration. Team staff was informed of these changes today at 1:00PM
PDT.

The following video of John Hopkins was posted to his wife Ashleigh’s YouTube account.  John didn’t wait; this was made the night after his surgery (on September 10, apparently the people wondering about his retirement haven’t seen it yet).

He said “There is no intention of retirement for me”. “We’re 100% focused and ready to start my career all over again, and to climb my way back up to the top”, but he will be out for at least six weeks due to his head injury.  He also thanks Arai helmets, and Alpinestars gear, for keeping him alive.  Get better John!

Here is a video of the incident:

Here is what the http://www.worldsbk.com/ News Page had to say:

John Hopkins will probably be out of action for a minimum of six weeks following Sunday’s race 1 crash at the Nurburgring in which he ended up on the tarmac together with Broc Parkes and Makoto Tamada and was then run over by Vittorio Iannuzzo. He lost consciousness for ten minutes and woke up in the ambulance taking him to hospital.
The Stiggy Racing Honda rider was declared free of any serious injuries, but further checks with Dr Ting back in the USA revealed something unusual going on in John’s brain and a specialist examination was scheduled for the unfortunate 26-year-old Anglo-American.
“Everything went ok, there is a small bruise to the back of the brain that was bleeding but not anymore” posted his wife Ashleigh on John’s website. “They have rescheduled John to come back in 6 weeks to re check and see if there is any change in size.”
Hopkins however did undergo corrective surgery at the Fremont Centre in California on his right wrist and left shoulder, which were injured in the turn 3 crash. “Surgery took place around 5pm and didn’t wrap up till around 7.30-8pm” continued Ashleigh. “I waited in the recovery room till he eventually came around. He is so funny to be around when he does, a complete joker!”
A visual update on John’s condition can be found on www.JohnHopkins21.com.

Please see: a note about “press releases, news releases, and public service announcements”. Thank you.

MORGANTOWN, W.V. (September 17, 2009) – With one of the most memorable seasons in American Motocross history in the books, MX Sports Pro Racing presents the final statistical report of the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. 450 Class champion Chad Reed and 250 Class title holder Ryan Dungey provided a clean sweep for the Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team while Honda Red Bull Racing’s Ashley Fiolek made history as the first full factory-supported woman to win a championship in the inaugural season of the Women’s Class of the Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship.

• With seven overall winners in the 450 Class, the series featured the most parity since 1999 when seven different riders also stood atop the podium.
• Of the eleven different winners across both classes in 2009, only Ryan Dungey was a previous class winner, meaning there were 10 first-time class winners this season.
• Five riders won their first-ever AMA Motocross National in either class: Christophe Pourcel, Jake Weimer, Justin Barcia, Matt Goerke, Tommy Hahn
• Suzuki’s sweep of the 450 and 250 classes marks the third time in history the manufacturer has achieved the feat. As a whole, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki team manager Roger DeCoster’s riders won 45% of the overall victories across both classes (11 of 24).
• Dungey’s final 11-point advantage over Christophe Pourcel is the closest since 2001, when Mike Brown edged out Grant Langston by just 14 points.
• Michael Byrne was the only 450 Class rider to score points in all 24 motos.
• Dungey and Brett Metcalfe are the only two 250 Class riders to score points in all 24 motos.
• Christophe Pourcel finished on the overall podium in 11 of 12 rounds this season.
• Chad Reed finished on the podium in 18 of 24 motos in the 450 Class while Dungey and Pourcel did it 17 times apiece in the 250 Class.
• Ashley Fiolek became the first full factory-supported female to win a national championship as well as the inaugural champion of Women’s Motocross Class of the Lucas Oil AMA Motocross Championship.
• Fiolek’s heroic effort to finish the first moto at the Steel City finale after breaking her collarbone clinched the championship as she finished the season with just a 5-point lead over Jessica Patterson.

2009 450 Class:

• Suzuki won its ninth championship in what is now the 450 Class: Tony DiStefano (’75, ’76, ’77), Kent Howerton (80,’81), Greg Albertyn (’99), Ricky Carmichael (’05, ’06) and Chad Reed (’09).
• Chad Reed becomes the 21^st different rider to win a 450 Class championship and the 12th different rider to win a Supercross and Motocross title in the premier class: Bob Hannah, Donnie Hansen, David Bailey, Jeff Ward, Rick Johnson, Jeff Stanton, Jean-Michel Bayle, Jeremy McGrath, Jeff Emig, Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, and Chad Reed
• Reed has five career 450 Class wins. He is tied with fellow champions Greg Albertyn and Tony DiStefano for 20^th all-time.
• Reed becomes just the fifth international rider to win an AMA Motocross Championship: Pierre Karsmakers (Holland), Jean-Michel Bayle (France), Greg Albertyn (South Africa),
  Grant Langston (South Africa), Chad Reed (Australia).

Final Point Standings

1. Chad Reed, Australia, Suzuki, 481
2. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 388
3. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 376
4. Michael Byrne, Australia, Suzuki, 348
5. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Kawasaki, 302
6. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Yamaha, 280
7. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., KTM, 249
8. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Yamaha, 200
9. Cody Cooper, New Zealand, Yamaha, 191
10. Jimmy Albertson, Ozark, Mo., Yamaha, 185

Overall Wins
Chad Reed – 5
Mike Alessi – 2
Matt Goerke – 1
Josh Grant – 1
Tommy Hahn – 1
Ivan Tedesco – 1
Ryan Villopoto – 1

Moto Wins
Chad Reed – 10
Mike Alessi – 4
Josh Grant – 2
Ivan Tedesco – 2
Ryan Villopoto – 2
Justin Brayton – 1
Matt Goerke – 1
Tommy Hahn – 1
Davi Millsaps – 1

Wins by Brand
Suzuki – 7
Kawasaki – 2
Yamaha – 2
Honda – 1

Laps Led (total)
Chad Reed – 117
Josh Grant – 62
Ivan Tedesco – 62
Mike Alessi – 52
Davi Millsaps – 18
Andrew Short – 18
Justin Brayton – 14
Tommy Hahn – 9
Ryan Villopoto – 8
Matt Goerke – 7
Jeff Alessi – 4
Total: 371

Holeshot Winners (total)
Chad Reed – 5
Ivan Tedesco – 5
Mike Alessi – 4
Justin Brayton – 3
Jeff Alessi – 2
Josh Grant – 2
Andrew Short – 2
Davi Millsaps – 1

2009 250 Class:

• Suzuki won its sixth AMA Motocross championship in what is now the 250 Class: Mark Barnett (’80, ’81, ’82), Guy Cooper (’90), Travis Pastrana (’00), Ryan Dungey (’09)
• Ryan Dungey becomes the 23^rd different rider to win a 250 Class championship.
• Dungey ends a five-year Kawasaki streak in the 250 Class and is the first non-Kawasaki rider to win this championship in the four-stroke era.
• Dungey becomes the sixth rider to win an AMA Supercross Regional and AMA Motocross National title in the same season.
• Dungey has seven-career 250 Class wins. He is tied with fellow champions Travis Pastrana, Doug Henry and Johnny O’Mara for 18^th all-time.

Final Point Standings

1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 503
2. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 492
3. Brett Metcalfe, Australia, Honda, 378
4. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 353
5. Justin Barcia, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 340
6. Tommy Searle, Great Britain, KTM, 332
7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 285
8. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 273
9. Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki, 236
10. Matt Lemoine, Collinsville, Texas, Yamaha, 189

Overall Wins
Ryan Dungey – 4
Christophe Pourcel – 4
Jake Weimer – 3
Justin Barcia – 1

Moto Wins
Christophe Pourcel – 13
Ryan Dungey – 7
Jake Weimer – 2
Justin Barcia – 1
Tyla Rattray – 1

Wins by Brand
Kawasaki – 7
Suzuki – 4
Honda – 1

Laps Led (total)
Christophe Pourcel – 148
Ryan Dungey – 87
Justin Barcia – 52
Trey Canard – 21
Jake Weimer – 18
Tyla Rattray – 16
Brett Metcalfe – 8
Martin Davalos – 6
Blake Wharton – 6
Total: 362

Holeshot Winners (total)
Justin Barcia – 5
Ryan Dungey – 4
Trey Canard – 3
Martin Davalos – 3
Christophe Pourcel – 3
Ryan Sipes – 2
Jake Weimer – 2
Tyla Rattray – 1
Vince Freise – 1

2009 WMX Class:

Final Point Standings

1. Ashley Fiolek, St. Augustine, Fla., Honda, 350
2. Jessica Patterson, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda, 345
3. Sherri Cruse, Bakersfield, Calif., Suzuki, 258
4. Sara Price, Canyon Lake, Calif., Kawasaki, 237
5. Elizabeth Bash, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki, 217
6. Vicki Golden, El Cajon, Calif., Honda, 192
7. Sarah Whitmore, Cheboygan, Mich., KTM, 185
8. Mariana Balbi, Brazil, Honda, 170
9. Penni Cyrus, Queen Creek, Ariz., Kawasaki, 157
10. Jacqueline Strong, Sedona, Ariz., Honda, 148

Overall Wins
Ashley Fiolek – 5
Jessica Patterson – 3

Moto Wins
Ashley Fiolek – 10
Jessica Patterson – 6

Wins by Brand
Honda – 8

Series Awards

Ricky Carmichael Hard Charger Award Winners

Glen Helen Wil Hahn & Nick Wey
Hangtown Tommy Hahn
Freestone Josh Hill
High Point Jimmy Albertson
Colorado Wil Hahn
Red Bud Christophe Pourcel & Matt Lemoine
Spring Creek Matt Goerke
Washougal Ivan Tedesco
Unadilla Tim Ferry
Budds Creek Brett Metcalfe
Southwick Christophe Pourcel
Steel City Broc Tickle & Austin Stroupe

Muscle Milk Recovery Rider of the Day Award Winners

Event 250 Class 450 Class
Glen Helen Scott Champion Dustin McDonald
Hangtown Ryan Dungey Jake Moss
Freestone Scott Champion Dan Reardon
High Point Brett Metcalfe Tommy Hahn
Thunder Valley Matthew Lemoine Tyler Bowers
RedBud Blake Wharton Jeremy Medaglia
Spring Creek Darryn Durham Kyle Regal
Washougal Justin Barcia Jarred Browne
Unadilla Lucas Crespi Robby Marshall
Budds Creek Willy Browning Christian Craig
Southwick Ryan Sipes Tyler Bowers
Steel City Blake Baggett Antonio Balbi

Please see: a note about “press releases, news releases, and public service announcements”. Thank you.

Novice Lightweight Supersport
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	723 	Frank R Babuska Jr, Pelham, NY 	8 	SUZ
2 	360 	Glenn Carnell, Elburn, IL 	8 	BUE
3 	504 	Chris Dorn, Cincinnati, OH 	2 	SUZ

Expert 125 GP
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	85 	Jake Lewis, Princeton, KY 	8 	HON
2 	28 	Ryan Matter, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 	8 	HON
3 	97 	Nick Hansen, Cedarburg, WI 	8 	HON
4 	137 	Stafano Mesa, Boca Raton, FL 	8 	HON
5 	32 	Austin Medrano, Mustang, FL 	8 	HON
6 	334 	Cody Wyman, Macedon, NY 	8 	HON
7 	310 	Grayson Gerloff, Trussville, AL 	8 	HON
8 	17 	Jordan Reid, Columbus, OH 	8 	HON
9 	14 	Bob Poetzsch, Unionville, CT 	8 	HON
10 	56 	Crystal Campagna, Bergenvield, NJ 	8 	HON
11 	623 	Duane Hixon, Fairview Park, OH 	8 	HON
12 	118 	Glen Pison, ALlison Park, PA 	8 	HON
13 	38 	Marcus Matthews, Columbus, OH 	8 	HON

Novice Lightweight Superbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	124 	Joseph Dempsey, Nicholson, GA 	8 	DUC
2 	444 	Charles Burton Iv, Green Bay, WI 	8 	SUZ
3 	904 	Jim Berard, Villa Park, IL 	8 	DUC
4 	277 	Jay Smith, Machesney Park, IL 	8 	BUE
5 	723 	Frank Barbuska Jr, Pelham, NY 	8 	SUZ
6 	619 	Hernan Martinez, Aptos, CA 	8 	SUZ
7 	21 	Paul Gray, South Bend, IN 	8 	SUZ
8 	504 	Chris Dorn, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ

Expert Lightweight Superbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	369 	Robert Buroker Jr, Smithtown, NY 	8 	DUC
2 	316 	Eddie Rusch, West Chicago, IL 	8 	SUZ
3 	773 	George Linhart, Elmhurst, IL 	8 	DUC
4 	714 	Matt Evans, Mansfield, OH 	8 	SUZ
5 	71 	Ray Hofman, Waupun, WI 	8 	SUZ
6 	522 	Robert Pirog, Westchester, IL 	8 	BUE
7 	167 	Brian W Lacy, Marengo, IL 	8 	YAM
8 	42 	Jason Smith, Portage, MI 	8 	SUZ
9 	88 	Srtephen Wilkins, Gurnee, IL 	8 	SUZ
10 	303 	Kevin Uttech, Kenosha, WI 	7 	SUZ
11 	363 	Corey Alexander, Ossining, NY 	2 	SUZ

Novice Middleweight Superbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	32 	Scott Stall, Ankeny, IA 	8 	SUZ
2 	386 	Blake Cochran, Houston, TX 	8 	SUZ
3 	175 	Eric Smith, Beach Park, IL 	8 	KAW
4 	513 	Christian Pettit, Ciincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
5 	406 	Kurt Russman, East Liberty, OH 	8 	HON
6 	936 	Chris Holbert, Port William, OH 	8 	SUZ
7 	626 	Brian Mullins, FLorence, KY 	8 	SUZ
8 	278 	James Merrick, Rockford, IL 	8 	HON
9 	777 	John Bush, Sagamore Hills, OH 	8 	HON
10 	606 	Robert Humphrey, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	HON

Expert Middleweight Superbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	72 	Miles Thornton, West Point, GA 	8 	YAM
2 	20 	San Gaige, Rochester, NY 	8 	YAM
3 	63 	Jeff Wrobel, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	YAM
4 	547 	Aj Krause, Hempstead, NY 	8 	KAW
5 	75 	Garrick Schneiderman, Monticello, IA 	8 	YAM
6 	88 	Ben Lingel, Utica, OH 	8 	YAM
7 	59 	Nick Ziepfel, Hamilton, OH 	8 	HON
8 	405 	Aaron Smith, Germantown, WI 	8 	HON
9 	441 	James Butler, Watkinsville, GA 	8 	DUC
10 	28 	Ryan Kerr, Johnstown, OH 	8 	SUZ
11 	55 	Gene Mckay, Halifan, Ns, Canada 	8 	KAW
12 	612 	Robert Hancock, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
13 	456 	Mike Cerone, Heneoye Falls, NY 	8 	YAM

Novice Heavyweight Superbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	386 	Blake Cochran, Houston, TX 	8 	SUZ
2 	82 	Brian Evans, Columbus, OH 	8 	DUC
3 	242 	Jesse Krueger, Neenah, WI 	8 	SUZ
4 	816 	Brandon Schweitzer, CArmel, OH 	8 	SUZ
5 	513 	Christian Pettit, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
6 	936 	Chris Holbert, Port William, OH 	8 	SUZ
7 	775 	Eric Monger, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
8 	325 	Matthew Frick, Zanesville, OH 	8 	SUZ
9 	24 	Jen Muecke, Menomonee Falls, WI 	7 	HON
10 	401 	Matthew Dorn, Bethel, OH 	2 	YAM

Expert Heavyweight Superbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	63 	Jeff Wrobel, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	YAM
2 	42 	Jason Runte, Waukesha, WI 	8 	SUZ
3 	547 	Aj Krause, Hempstead, Nhy 	8 	KAW
4 	14 	Matt Kent, CAnton, OH 	8 	SUZ
5 	59 	Nick Ziepfel, Hamilton, OH 	8 	HON
6 	46 	Chris Ianniello, Lewis Center, OH 	8 	SUZ
7 	272 	Alan Pett, Farmington Hills, MI 	8 	SUZ
8 	49 	Rob Sobottka, Decatur, IL 	8 	YAM
9 	36 	Joel Spalding, Huntley, IL 	8 	BUE
10 	369 	Robert Buroker Jr, Smithtown, NY 	8 	DUC
11 	456 	Mike Cerone, Honeoye Falls, NY 	2 	YAM

Novice Unlimited Superbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	175 	Eric Smith, Beach Park, IL 	8 	SUZ
2 	82 	Brian Evans, Columbus, OH 	8 	DUC
3 	816 	Brandon Schweitzer, CArmel, OH 	8 	SUZ
4 	513 	Christian Pettit, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
5 	318 	Robert Grabowski, Clay Township, MI 	8 	SUZ
6 	728 	Dwayne Henderson, Newton, Ontario, Canada 	8 	KAW
7 	775 	Eric Monger, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
8 	626 	Brian Mullins, FLorence, KY 	8 	SUZ
9 	936 	Chris Holbert, Port William, OH 	8 	SUZ
10 	401 	Matthew Dorn, Bethel, OH 	8 	YAM
11 	801 	Eier Medina, Elmsord, NY 	8 	SUZ
12 	606 	Robert Humphrey, Cincinnati, OH 	7 	HON
13 	32 	Scott Stall, Ankeny, IA 	1 	SUZ
14 	950 	Dustin Atkielski, Hubbertus, WI 	1 	SUZ

Expert Unlimited Superbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	20 	Sam Gaige, Rochester, NY 	8 	YAM
2 	10 	Brian Healea, Mt Gilead, OH 	8 	SUZ
3 	42 	Jason Runte, Waukesha, WI 	8 	SUZ
4 	547 	Aj Krause, Hempstead, NY 	8 	KAW
5 	272 	Allan Pett, Farmington Hills, MI 	8 	SUZ
6 	65 	Jonathan Peters, Dalton, OH 	8 	SUZ
7 	59 	Nick Ziepfel, Hamilton, OH 	8 	HON
8 	477 	Ted Mills Jr, Vincennes, IN 	7 	SUZ

Novice Lightweight Grand Prix
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	112 	Adrian Jasso, New York, NY 	1 	YAM
2 	444 	Charles Burton Iv, Green Bay, WI 	1 	SUZ
3 	904 	Jim Berard, Villa Park, IL 	1 	DUC
4 	277 	Jay Smith, Machesney Park, IL 	1 	BUE
5 	723 	Frank R Babuska Jr, Pelham, NY 	1 	SUZ
6 	7 	Tyler Butts, Howard, OH 	1 	HON
7 	619 	Hernan Martinez, Aptos, CA 	1 	SUZ
8 	504 	Chris Dorn, Cincinnati, OH 	1 	SUZ

Expert Lightweight Supersport
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	363 	Corey Alexander, Ossining, NY 	8 	SUZ
2 	303 	Kevin Uttech, Kenosha, WI 	8 	SUZ
3 	42 	Jason Smith, Portage, MI 	8 	SUZ
4 	414 	Peter Cline, Columbus, OH 	8 	KTM
5 	88 	Stephen Wilkins, Gurnee, IL 	8 	SUZ

Expert Lightweight Grand Prix
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	67 	Cassidy Heiser, York, PA 	1 	YAM
2 	363 	Corey Alexander, Ossining, NY 	1 	SUZ
3 	85 	Jake Lewis, Princeton, KY 	1 	APR
4 	199 	Mike Aboyoun, Riverdale, NJ 	1 	HON
5 	316 	Eddie Rusch, West Chicago, IL 	1 	SUZ
6 	938 	Jonathan Freiman, Royal Oak, MI 	1 	YAM
7 	14 	Bob Poetzsch, Unionville, CT 	1 	YAM
8 	27 	Jim Bonner, Coopersburg, PA 	1 	YAM
9 	714 	Scott Evans, Mansfield, OH 	1 	SUZ
10 	441 	Jeff Pratt, Des Moines, Wa 	1 	YAM
11 	334 	Cody Wyman, Macedon, NY 	1 	HON
12 	71 	Ray Hofman, Waupun, WI 	1 	SUZ
13 	522 	Robert Pirog, Westchester, IL 	1 	BUE
14 	84 	Greg Langman, Manitowoc, WI 	1 	KTM
15 	56 	Crystal Campagna, Bergenfield, NJ 	1 	HON
16 	601 	Todd Urig, Churubusco, IN 	1 	YAM

Novice Middleweight Grand
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	32 	Scott Stall, Ankeny, IA 	8 	SUZ
2 	513 	Christian Pettit, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
3 	936 	Chris Holbert, Port William, OH 	8 	SUZ

Expert Middleweight Grand Prix
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	547 	Aj Krause, Hempstead, NY 	8 	KAW
2 	20 	Sam Gaige, Rochester, NY 	8 	YAM
3 	63 	Jeff Wrobel, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	YAM
4 	75 	Garrick Schneiderman, Monticello, IA 	8 	YAM
5 	88 	Ben Lingel, Utica, OH 	8 	YAM
6 	612 	Robert Hancock, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
7 	405 	Aaron Smith, Germantown, WI 	8 	HON
8 	49 	Rob Sobottka, Decatur, IL 	8 	YAM
9 	59 	Nick Ziepfel, Hamilton, OH 	8 	HON
10 	180 	Joseph Ball, Westerville, OH 	8 	TRI
11 	38 	Jamie Knuth, Colulmbus, OH 	8 	YAM
12 	55 	Gene Mckay, Halifax, Ns, Canada 	4 	KAW

Novice Unlimited Grand Prix
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	175 	Eric Smith, Beach Park, IL 	8 	SUZ
2 	32 	Scott Stall, Ankeny, IA 	8 	SUZ
3 	950 	Dustin Atkielski, Hubertus, WI 	8 	SUZ
4 	82 	Brian Evans, Columbus, OH 	8 	DUC
5 	816 	Brandon Schweitzer, CArmel, OH 	8 	SUZ
6 	728 	Dwayne Henderson, Newton, Ontario, Canada 	8 	KAW
7 	91 	David Eller, Richwood, OH 	8 	HON
8 	936 	Chris Holbert, Port William, OH 	8 	SUZ
9 	318 	Robert Grabowski, Clay Township, MI 	8 	SUZ
10 	801 	Edier Medina, Elmsford, NY 	8 	SUZ
11 	775 	Eric Monger, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ

Expert Unlimited Grand Prix
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	20 	Sam Gaige, Rochester, NY 	8 	YAM
2 	10 	Brian Helea, Mt Gilead, OH 	8 	SUZ
3 	42 	Jason Runte, Waukesha, WI 	8 	SUZ
4 	65 	Jonathan Peters, Dalton, OH 	8 	SUZ
5 	313 	Gene Paul Gilchrist, Columbus, OH 	8 	SUZ
6 	13 	Christian Meekma, Menomonee Falls, WI 	8 	SUZ

Novice Formula 40
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	175 	Eric Smith, Beach Park, IL 	8 	KAW
2 	278 	James Merrick, Rockford, IL 	8 	HON
3 	59 	Joe Manor, Yorktown, IN 	7 	KAW

Expert Formula 40
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	714 	Scott Evans, Mansfield, OH 	8 	SUZ
2 	180 	Joseph Ball, Westerville, OH 	8 	TRI
3 	717 	Aaron Bagwell, Clio, MI 	8 	YAM
4 	38 	Jamie Knuth, Columbus, OH 	8 	YAM
5 	48 	James Brown, Becchertown, Ma 	8 	APR
6 	441 	Jeff Pratt, Des Moines, Wa 	8 	YAM

Novice 450 Supersingles
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	76 	Robbie Robert, Ft Wayne, IN 	7 	HON

Expert 450 Supersingles
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	570 	David Johansen, Loudonville, OH 	8 	KTM

Novice Middleweight Supersport
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	386 	Blake Cochran, Houston, TX 	8 	SUZ
2 	32 	Scott Stall, Ankeny, IA 	8 	SUZ
3 	278 	James Merrick, Rockford, IL 	8 	HON
4 	757 	Joseph Camacho, Louisville, KY 	8 	YAM
5 	406 	Kurt Russman, East Liberty, OH 	8 	HON
6 	626 	Brian Mullins, FLorence, KY 	8 	SUZ
7 	777 	John Bush, Sagamore Hills, OH 	7 	HON
8 	606 	Robert Humphrey, Cincinnati, OH 	7 	HON
9 	444 	Charles Burton Iv, Greey Bay, WI 	1 	HON

Expert Supersingles
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	570 	David Johansen, Loudonville, OH 	8 	KTM
2 	414 	Peter Cline, Columbus, OH 	8 	KTM

Novice Thunderbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	904 	Jim Berard, Villa Park, IL 	8 	DUC
2 	124 	Joseph Dempsey, Nicholson, GA 	8 	DUC
3 	723 	Frank R Babuska Jr, Pelham, NY 	8 	SUZ
4 	277 	Jay Smith, Machesney Park, IL 	8 	BUE
5 	619 	Hernan R Martinez, Aptos, CA 	8 	SUZ
6 	21 	Paul Gray, South Bend, IN 	8 	SUZ
7 	360 	Glenn Carnell, Elburn, IL 	8 	BUE

Expert Thunderbike
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	15 	Matthew Carr, Fishers, IN 	8 	DUC
2 	36 	Joel Spalding, Huntley, IL 	8 	BUE
3 	363 	Corey Alexander, Ossining, NY 	8 	SUZ
4 	714 	Matt Evans, Mansfield, OH 	8 	SUZ
5 	316 	Eddie Rush, West Chicago, IL 	8 	SUZ
6 	84 	Greg Langman, Manitowoc, WI 	8 	DUC
7 	369 	Robert Buroker Jr, Smithtown, NY 	8 	DUC
8 	773 	George Linhart, Elmhurst, IL 	8 	DUC
9 	303 	Kevin Uttech, Kenosha, WI 	8 	SUZ
10 	522 	Robert Pirog, Westchester, IL 	8 	BUE
11 	570 	David Johansen, Loudonville, OH 	8 	SUZ
12 	89 	Wade Parish, Greenfield, IN 	2 	HON

Novice Supertwins
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	82 	Brian Evans, Columbus, OH 	8 	DUC
2 	305 	Andrew Sidwell, Fayetteville, Nc 	8 	DUC
3 	904 	Jim Berard, Villa Park, IL 	8 	DUC
4 	277 	Jay Smith, Machesney Park, IL 	2 	BUE

Expert Supertwins
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	15 	Matthew Carr, Fishers, IN 	8 	DUC
2 	36 	Joel Spalding, Huntley, IL 	8 	BUE
3 	369 	Robert Buroker Jr, Smithtown, NY 	8 	DUC
4 	71 	David Podolsky, Red Hook, NY 	8 	DUC
5 	84 	Greg Langman, Manitowoc, WI 	8 	DUC
6 	441 	James Butler, Watkinsville, GA 	8 	DUC
7 	48 	James Brown, Becchertown, Ma 	8 	APR
8 	522 	Robert Pirog, Westchester, IL 	7 	BUE

Expert Middleweight Supersport
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	20 	Sam Gaige, Rochester, NY 	8 	YAM
2 	72 	Miles Thornton, West Point, GA 	8 	YAM
3 	75 	Garrick Schneiderman, Monticello, IA 	8 	YAM
4 	63 	Jeff Wrobel, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	YAM
5 	49 	Rob Sobottka, Decatur, IL 	8 	YAM
6 	612 	Robert Hancock, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
7 	88 	Ben Lingel, Utica, OH 	8 	YAM
8 	59 	Nick Ziepfel, Hamilton, OH 	8 	HON
9 	28 	Ryan Kerr, Johnstown, OH 	8 	SUZ
10 	456 	Mike Cerone, Honeoye Falls, NY 	8 	YAM
11 	441 	James Butler, Watkinsville, GA 	8 	DUC
12 	180 	Joseph Ball, Westerville, OH 	8 	TRI
13 	55 	Gene Mckay, Halifax, Ns, Canada 	8 	KAW
14 	717 	Aaron Bagwell, Clio, MI 	8 	YAM
15 	405 	Aaron Smith, Germantown, WI 	7 	HON
16 	547 	Aj Krause, Hempstead, NY 	4 	KAW

Novice Heavyweight Supersport
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	32 	Scott Stall, Stall, IA 	8 	SUZ
2 	386 	Blake Cochran, Cochran, TX 	8 	SUZ
3 	242 	Jesse Krueger, Krueger, WI 	8 	SUZ
4 	325 	Matthew Frick, Frick, OH 	8 	SUZ
5 	757 	Joseph Camacho, CAmacho, KY 	7 	YAM

Expert Heavyweight Supersport
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	42 	Jason Runte, Waukesha, WI 	8 	SUZ
2 	547 	Aj Krause, Hempstead, NY 	8 	KAW
3 	63 	Jeff Wrobel, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	YAM
4 	49 	Rob Sobottka, Decatur, IL 	8 	YAM
5 	59 	Nick Ziepfel, Hamilton, OH 	8 	HON
6 	612 	Robert Hancock, Cincinnati, OH 	8 	SUZ
7 	14 	Matt Kent, CAnton, OH 	8 	SUZ
8 	272 	Allan Pett, Farmington Hills, MI 	8 	SUZ
9 	46 	Chris Ianniello, Lewis Center, OH 	8 	SUZ
10 	456 	Mike Cerone, Honeoye Falls, NY 	8 	YAM
11 	180 	Joseph Ball, Westerville, OH 	8 	TRI

Novice Unlimited Supersport
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	175 	Eric Smith, Beach Park, IL 	8 	SUZ
2 	950 	Dustin Atkielski, Hubertus, WI 	8 	SUZ
3 	32 	Scott Still, Ankeny, IA 	8 	SUZ
4 	728 	Dwayne Henderson, Newton, Ontario, Canada 	8 	KAW
5 	318 	Robert Grabowski, Clay Township, MI 	8 	SUZ
6 	325 	Matthew Frick, Zanesville, OH 	8 	SUZ
7 	801 	Edier Medina, Elmsford, NY 	7 	SUZ

Expert Unlimited Supersport
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	46 	Chris Ianniello, Lewis Center, OH 	8 	SUZ
2 	20 	Sam Gaige, Rochester, NY 	8 	YAM
3 	14 	Matt Kent, CAnton, OH 	8 	SUZ
4 	313 	Gene Paul Gilchrist, Colulmbus, OH 	8 	SUZ
5 	65 	Jonathan Peters, Dalton, OH 	8 	SUZ
6 	13 	Christian Meekma, Menomonee Falls, WI 	8 	SUZ
7 	477 	Ted Mills Jr, Vincennes, IN 	7 	SUZ

Novice 125 GP
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	7 	Tyler Butts, Howard, OH 	8 	HON
2 	312 	Eric Frazier, MIlton, WV 	8 	HON
3 	241 	Xavier Zayat, FLushing, NY 	8 	HON
4 	888 	Max Flinders, Slidell, La 	8 	MOR
5 	617 	Marc Purslow, Columbus, OH 	8 	HON
6 	101 	Steve Massey, Dublin, OH 	7 	HON

Femmoto Middleweight
Position 	No. 	Rider, Hometown 	Laps 	Bike
1 	24 	Jen Muecke, Menomonee Falls, WI 	8 	HON
2 	56 	Crystal Campagna, Bergenfield, NJ 	8 	N/A

“Ben Bostrom Says Johnny Rock Page Tried To Get Out Of The Way When Lapped At New Jersey Motorsports Park” according to this 2009-09-15 Roadracing World article.

11 September 2009

The MWT Racing Ducati 848 qualified in both the Daytona Sportbike and Moto-GT GT 1 races at New Jersey Motorsports Park only to have their race weekend potentially put to an end by a crash during Saturday practice. With the 848 heavily damaged and unable to be repaired their dreams of finishing their race weekend were almost dashed.

But with the help of Ducati North America and Jack Trebour Motorcycles, MWT Racing was able to obtain an 848 fresh off the showroom floor. With just under two hours till race start the MWT Racing pit crew stepped up and immediately went to work swapping parts off their mangled 848 race bike to race prep the new 848. Their hard work and persistence paid off as they were able to pass the AMA tech inspection and made the grid just before the two minute warning horn!

With only minimal prep work done to the 848, MWT Racing was able to finish Saturday’s race mid pack. A testament to Ducati’s passion for racing and building motorcycles with technology developed and tested on track.

“We finished the AMA weekend and a dream of mine since childhood was realized with the help of a lot of really great friends, fans…oh, the fans! The Ducati grandstands had some of the areas most dedicated fans shouting for me and our Ducati like we were battling for the lead,” said MWT Racing rider Dennis Espinosa.

For more information, Please contact:

Jack Trebour Motorcycles
1445 Route 46
Ledgewood, NJ 07852
973-584-0810
www.jacktrebourmotorcycles.com

The 2010 YZF-R1 LE Will Come with Valentino Rossi’ Graphics, but no other special features.  Have a look.  Schweeet.

1. We become fans of the riders that we like, not the ones who always win.
2. You can’t win the race without slower riders out-there to beat.
3. The easiest way to not look foolish on video is to not act foolish in public.
4. Treat everyone fairly.

Paul James turned around and said “Hi, Paul” to me while preparing for his stint last year (they switch riders in MotoST/MotoGT).  He did this just before his stint, when anyone else would be getting in the zone, and focusing on winning, and not on the fans. A year later at the first Tornado Nationals he gave my little girl her first ever ride on a scooter.  How do I know Paul James?  I am a spectator.  He is a racer.  He remembered me from an autograph signing.  Really. That’s how far this guy goes when he reaches out to people.

Ben Spies was late for practice at last year’s IndyGP. I waited in line for a signature, but it took too long, and the Motul guys asked me to leave.  Before leaving I said “Ben”, just meant as a “Hello”.  I don’t really need a signature , but being able to talk to Ben Spies would be really special, whether the Motul guys wanted me to or not.  I chose to stand there and watch, for the sake of watching, and Ben continued to sign posters until the moment they handed me one.

When everyone else was complaining about the factory teams Larry Pegram was creating his own, or as close to one as he possibly could.

Getting out there is what all the riders need to be doing.  That’s what Johnny Rock Page is trying to accomplish.  Is he making mistakes?  I think that lots of people are making mistakes this season.  I really have to wonder: in all of this excitement over JRP, or LP, or AL, or RE, or whomever, have the officials and racers, lost sight of the big picture?

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) has made the sale of small motorcycles illegal due to the lead content in parts such as batteries. I see two problems with this:
1) Not all short people are children.
2) Children do not suck on the insides of motorcycle batteries.

It’s time that Congress to make the right decision. Here is a quote from an American Motorcyclist Association email (the AMA has is no longer related to AMA Pro Racing / DMG).  Please follow the links:

“The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a hearing titled, “Consumer Product Safety Commission Oversight:  Current Issues and a Vision for the Future” on Thursday, September 10. This hearing will have Chairman Inez Tenenbaum of the Consumer Product Safety Commission as the only witness to discuss the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).

This hearing is the first one sponsored by this Committee since the CPSIA passed 13 months ago. It is long overdue, and now is the time to voice your opinion before Congress. It is important that motorcyclists and ATV riders let Congress know that we are concerned about the lead content requirements of the CPSIA, and that we want youth-model OHVs excluded from those requirements.

We need your help to let our lawmakers know how we feel. Riders should contact their Representatives and let them know how the CPSIA has created a severe and unwarranted disruption to families who recreate together responsibly, and a deleterious effect on youth amateur racing. Since the fastest way to permanently address this issue is through legislation, urge your Representative to support H.R. 1587, introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg, to exempt youth-sized motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA.

You can find contact information for your elected officials on AmericanMotorcyclist.com, click on “Rights,” then “Issues & Legislation,” and enter your zip code in the “Find your Officials” box. Additionally, a prewritten e-mail is available for you to send to your Representative immediately by following the “Take Action” option and entering your information.

For more ways you can help to exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA or for more information about the issue, click here.

Please write or call your Representative today and let them know how the CPSIA has adversely affected your ability to recreate with your families and friends responsibly and to ask them to support H.R. 1587 to exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA lead content requirements.”