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AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships heat up Bonneville

2010-09-01T11:28:19Z

AMA Racing

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Some of the fastest motorcyclists in the world take to the Bonneville Salt Flats today as the 2010 AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships kick into high gear near Salt Lake City. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) will certify numerous land-speed records expected to be set at the event, in classes featuring everything from 50cc mini-bikes to 2,000cc-plus purpose-built high-speed motorcycles.

"From the venue to the machinery, land-speed racing is one of the more unique types of motorcycle competition, and the AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships, promoted by BUB, is the sport's premier event," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "There is a lot of thrilling action on the salt this week on many different levels. No question about it, land-speed racing is so engaging because each class has its own competitive landscape, with different personalities vying for the top of the box."

One battle that is capturing a lot of attention in 2010 is the race for the top time for a sit-down motorcycle. Richard Assen and 2008 AMA Female Rider of the Year Leslie Porterfield are two of the top competitors for this honor, which recognizes the fastest one-way run on a traditional-styled sportbike rather than a purpose-built, streamlined land-speed racer.

Last year, Porterfield achieved the feat with a pass of 240.382 mph in the 1350-APS-BF class. However, Assen claimed the class record, which is based on an average of two runs in opposing directions, with an official time of 236.01 mph.

"Interest also is running high in our electric-powered classes," Bromley said. "Several competitors are eager to establish records with this new, non-traditional technology, and it is an area that is ripe with innovation.

"That isn't limited to the electric classes, though," he added. "You can spend an entire day just checking out amazing technology in the pits, all designed for one purpose: to simply go as fast as possible."

The current outright motorcycle land-speed record is held by seven-time AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr, on the Denis Manning-built No. 7 streamliner. Carr upped the record last year with a two-pass average of 367.382 mph in Bonneville's measured mile. The previous record was 360.913, set by rider Rocky Robinson and builder Mike Akatiff in 2008. Current records for all classes can be downloaded here: http://home.ama-cycle.org//RACERESULTS/RESULTS/2010/FIM/BUB%20RECORDS.pdf.

The AMA Racing Land Speed Grand Championships run through Thursday, Sept. 2. Results will be available at AMARacing.com and SpeedTrialsByBUB.com following the event.

Jay Marmont And CDR Rockstar Yamaha Forge Ahead In 2011

2010-08-31T10:32:49Z

Jay Marmont has signed with CDR for 2011

CDR Rockstar Yamaha is proud to announce that reigning and three-time Australian Motocross Champion, Jay Marmont, has extended his relationship with the Yamaha factory team for the 2011 season.

Marmont will continue to headline Yamaha's motocross campaign for the 2011 season making this the fourth year with CDR Rockstar Yamaha in what has become one of the most successful partnerships in Australian motocross history.

"We are delighted that Jay has agreed to race with us again for 2011," enthuses team boss Craig Dack. The last three years have been very rewarding for both Jay and the team and we look forward to adding another successful year to this relationship."

"The Marmont's are a real motocross family and the network of support Jay has around him is crucial to his success. His parents Peter and Sharon, Jay's wife Abby and his close knit circle of friends are all part of the CDR working family and we are happy to be associated with them," Dack concludes.

Marmont has been the dominant rider in Australian motocross since joining the CDR Rockstar Yamaha team and the decision to continue was a relatively simple one for the Wollongong based champion.

"The CDR Rockstar Yamaha team is the best in the business with great bikes, the right infrastructure and the hardest working crew in the pits. As a team they have the same goals as me and we all work together to make those goals a reality."

"The process was a simple one where I wanted to race for the team, CDR wanted me to stay and we got the deal done. I couldn't be happier and think that we can continue to build on what is already a very successful partnership," Marmont offers.

The new deal will see Jay defend his national motocross championship for the fourth year running and also compete in the high profile and internationally recognised Australasian Super X series that kicks off in October 2010. Jay will campaign the revolutionary Yamaha YZ450F, the most technologically advanced motcross bike on the market.

In 2010 Jay Marmont won his third Australian MX National motocross championship in a row and etched his name alongside the legends of the sport. Marmont is a fierce competitor known for his dogged determination and his ability to win races when they must be won.

He also earned a spot on the three man team that represents Australia in the 2010 MX Olympics - the Motocross of Nations. Simply put, Marmont is the man to beat in Australian motocross.

CDR Rockstar Yamaha is Australia's longest running and most successful motocross outfit. Coming up on 20 years as the premier team in the sport, CDR Rockstar Yamaha has amassed over 20 national championships and changed the face of the sport with their profile, professionalism and results.

Rider Profile
Jay Marmont - CDR Rockstar Yamaha
Nickname: JayLo
Date of Birth: 8th April 1983
Hometown (city and state): Wollongong NSW
Height: 5'10
Weight: 78kg
Home track: Mount Kembla, Wollongong
How many years riding: 21 years
Career Highlights: 1st Place '03' & '04' Aust SX Championship, 5th Place '05' AMA SX Championship, 1st Place '08' / '09 /'10' Aust MX Championship, Also my three wins in the '08'& '09' Aust SX series
Results MX 2009: 1st place
Bike for 2010 MX: Yamaha YZ450F
Riding number for 2010 MX: 1
Team Manager: Craig Dack
Mechanic: Jason Childs
First bike: YZ Pee Wee 50
Favourite track: Coolum (QLD)
Heroes: Ricky Carmichael & Valentino Rossi
Strengths: Experience, will to win, determination, family
Weaknesses: Arm pump
If you weren't riding Motocross, what would you be doing: Teaching kids how to become better riders
What can't you live without: Motorbikes, beach, Abby
Toughest Competition: Ryan Marmont

CDR Yamaha Welcomes Rockstar Energy Drink For 2010

Jay Marmont And CDR Rockstar Yamaha Claim MX Championship Hat Trick

Mackenzie wins home round, Marmont takes Series lead

Chad Reed out of Aussie MXoN Team as Marmont steps up to the plate

2010 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals go head to head with Helicopter

Tony Cairoli celebrates winning the MX1 title in Brazil - Video

2010-08-29T03:13:04Z

Tony Cairoli celebrates winning the MX1 title in Brazil - The Video

KTM endorses FIM Motocross World Championship in USA

Tony Cairoli 2009 MX1 World Motocross Champion

Round 15 - FIM World Motocross - Brazil - September 13, 2009

Team USA takes gold at FIM Junior Motocross World Championships

2010-08-29T01:10:09Z

AMA

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) congratulates Team USA, which raced to victory against the world's top junior riders at the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship, Aug. 22-24, in Dardon Gueugnon, France. The event included motocross prodigies from 34 nations competing for both individual and team FIM World Championships.

American rider Jake Pinhancos took the victory in the 65cc class, Josh Mosiman was the top 85cc rider, finishing 11th overall, and Joey Savatgy placed second overall in the highly competitive 125cc class. Teams were ranked based on the finishing positions of their highest-placed rider in each class, with the lowest score winning. Team USA dominated the field with a total score of 14. Italy had the next lowest score at 23, and Team Australia rounded out the podium with a score of 25.

"Putting together a team on such a limited budget was a major challenge, but we pushed on with the level of commitment that is necessary to establish our young stars," said AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow, who was the U.S. delegate for the event and a driving force to send a U.S. team this year. "As a racer my whole life, I know that dedication and teamwork are essential to success, and I am proud of all of these riders and look forward to seeing them excel not only in motocross but in life. I would like to thank the NAMU [North American Motorcycle Union], the FIM, the AMA, MX Sports and especially the families of the riders for all their support."

American Suzuki's Brian Noah managed Team USA. He added that the win would not have happened without teamwork.

"This past week in France could not have turned out any better for a first year presence," Noah said. "Everyone on the team worked together better than I could have ever imagined, and our first place overall finish for Team USA was a true testament to this. I hope with the AMA's continued support this success will only strengthen our commitment to this event so that we can continue to show the world that our amateur riders are some of the best in the world."

Noah also thanked those who contributed to the effort, including the riders, the family members, the Bonamigo Performances team, Dunlop, Answer Racing, Fox Racing, MSR, Thor MX, Richard Clarke and Kreg Bigelow."

The U.S. team won the event by breaking a three-way tie with Netherlands and Italy going into the final 125cc moto. The competition all weekend was as tough as the points battle would suggest. Racing with storms on the horizon and strong winds bearing down on the rocky course at the Circuit de Gueugnon, the riders gave the 5,000 spectators who lined the fences a race to remember.

Leading the charge for the U.S. team was Rochester, Mass., rider Pinhancos, 12. Pinhancos took the win in both 65cc class motos on his KTM. Also racing KTMs in the 65cc class, 11-year-old Brock Papi from McMurray, Pa., finished seventh overall, while 12-year-old Joey Crown from Metamora, Mich., finished eighth overall.

"It was very awesome for the AMA to pick me to represent the United States in Europe," Pinhancos said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was really excited to see all the different racers representing their countries. In the riders' meeting, you could see all the different countries there. It was really cool. I never thought I would get to do something like this. To go to Europe and win -- it feels really great to know I'm a world champion."

In the 85cc class, Mosiman, 14, from Sebastopol, Calif., and Matt Burkeen, 14, from Cary, N.C., represented the United States. While Burkeen just missed qualifying for the program on his Yamaha, Mosiman raced his Rockstar Makita Suzuki to 11th overall on the back of a gutsy second-moto charge that kept the U.S. team's title hopes alive.

Savatgy, 16, from Thomasville, Ga., and Matt Bisceglia, 16, of Weatherford, Texas, competed in the 125cc class for Team USA. Savatgy led both motos on his Rockstar Makita Suzuki before crashes allowed ultimate 125cc class champion and current European 125cc Champion Jordi Tixier to take the win. Savatgy ultimately finished second overall. With the rain coming down hard for the second 125cc moto, Bisceglia had two crashes on his Yamaha. Bisceglia's 4-18 moto finishes placed him 9th overall.

For more results from the FIM World Junior Championship please visit Juniors.MX3World.com

Bike News

Glenn Allerton Gains Championship Ground

2010-08-26T12:13:25Z

Glenn Allerton - Team Valvoline

Valvoline Superbike Team rider and 2008 Superbike titleholder Glenn Allerton proved to be the big mover in the race for the 2010 ASBK title, forging ahead from 5^th place to 3^rd position with a in the 2010 Superbike Championship standings at round five of the ASBK held at Queensland Raceway over the weekend.

Friday’s practice session saw Allerton comfortably setting the third fastest time on a wet and slippery Queensland Raceway surface beaten narrowly out of the top slot by Honda mounted Wayne Maxwell and factory Suzuki rider Shawn Giles.

With the Friday’s inclement weather clearing overnight the Valvoline Superbike Team technicians reverted to dry settings for Saturday’s first qualifying session with Allerton immediately on the pace with the second fastest time of 1:10.857 only 0.091 shy of Factory Ducati mounted Jamie Stauffer. The afternoon session saw Allerton slip down the order to 9^th position at the end of qualifying.

Allerton later commented “As we had a fast set up after the morning qualifier, we tried some experimental settings for the second session and unfortunately went backwards before reverting the mornings set up for the Superpole shoot out”.

Superpole saw Allerton charge through to put his Valvoline CBR1000R in 4^th position joining fellow Honda racers Staring and Maxwell and the lone KTM RC8R of Shannon Johnson on the front row of the grid.

In Sunday’s first Viking Group Superbike race Allerton finish on the podium after battling with Staring (Cougar Bourbon Honda), Maxwell (Demolition Plus Gas Honda) and J Stauffer (Motologic Ducati) until three quarter race distance when Staring and Stauffer stretched their lead and Maxwell faded to fourth.

Race two of the Viking Group Superbike championship saw the same four combatants fight for the honours. The race lead swapped back and fourth between Allerton and former team mate Maxwell until Staring pushed through followed closely by Stauffer. After the 16 lap journey Allerton meet the chequered flag in fourth position.

This 4^th place finish combined with the 3^rd position from race one totalled to a 4^th position overall for the round and advanced Allerton from 5^th to 3^rd in the 2010 Championship standings.

“The Valvoline Honda worked well all weekend and I am looking forward to both Phillip Island and Symmonds Plains, the Valvoline Superbike Team has found the extra horse power we lacked earlier in the year and I have a point to prove, my plan for the rest of the season is to challenge and challenge hard” said Allerton at a post race interview.

Round five of the ASBK also saw the first appearance of a new livery for the Valvoline Superbike Team Honda machinery.

Evolution Sports Group representative, Brett Lloyd said “Although we unveiled the new Valvoline Superbike Team livery at a black tie function held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney’s CBD last Saturday night, this weekend is the first race meeting for the new Valvoline livery, the new look offers greater visibility on track and further emphasises the iconic Valvoline brand. Valvoline have a long and very distinguished history in Australian motor sport and distribute a brilliant range of products that surpass the high demands of today’s performance Superbikes.”

The 2010 Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship resumes in anger at Phillip Island, September 10-12, alongside the L&H V8 Supercar endurance race.

Chad Reed out of Aussie MXoN Team as Marmont steps up to the plate

2010-08-26T00:46:18Z

Jay Marmont

Motorcycling Australia (MA) can confirm that Chad Reed has withdrawn from the Australian Team for the 2010 Motocross of Nations to be held in Colorado, USA on 25-26 September.

Diagnosed with Epstein Barr Syndrome little more than a month ago and unable to defend his 2009 AMA Motocross Championship title, Reed made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Australian Team.

In a statement released earlier, Reed said that without a doubt Marmont the best candidate and his performance was the benchmark of the Australian Motocross scene.

"Trying to make the "smartest" decision, isn't always the easiest decision so it is really hard for me to announce that I am not going to be racing in the 2010 Motocross of Nations,” Reed stated.

"I am always extremely proud to represent my country at this event, not only is it an honour to be chosen, Team Australia has always been a case of my best mates and I racing together.

“However, based on my performance and health this year I have to make a smart decision and I feel that there is someone else who deserve this honour more than I do.

"For the past three years no one has come close to Jay's performance in the Australian Motocross scene - even in the middle of the greatest personal adversity he didn't drop the ball once and I think he will truly do his country proud.

"Getting well is my number one priority right now, I have to be healthy and ready for the 2011 AMA Supercross Series and AMA Pro Motocross Championship.”

Reserve rider and three times Australian Motocross Champion Jay Marmont will have some big shoes to fill, as he steps up to replace Reed.

Speaking after the announcement, the Wollongong local was excited about the opportunity to represent his country for the first time.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Marmont said.

“I was wondering if I would ever get my shot because the last few years, even though I’ve done well domestically, there’s always been a strong group of riders based in America.

“When I got the call I was over the moon and now I’m just so excited to go over there - to race guys I’ve never raced before and most importantly to represent my country.

“I’ve always been a team player and been consistent in my racing so I’m going to give it all I’ve got to put myself and the team in the best position possible.

“Dacka [Marmont’s Team Manager and former Mr Motocross Champion Craig Dack] likes to remind us every time the des Nations is on, that when he went over to race they were the highest placed Aussie Team and that no one’s has topped it yet, so this is my chance to go one better!

“We’ve got a strong team – on paper it may not be as strong as we’ve had in the past – but it’s a team with nothing to lose so everyone is going to go out there and give it their all and hopefully we can do well.

“I was reading the other day that the Australian Team came third at the Junior Motocross World Championship - good on them – that is something they can be very proud of and if we can go out there and do what they did or even better that would be a huge feat for us!”

17 Year Old Matt Walters Wins 2010 Australian Superstock 600 Championship on Ninja ZX-6R !

2010-08-25T06:02:07Z

Kawasaki is pleased to announce that 17 year old KCR (Kawasaki Connection Racing) rider Matt Walters has won the 2010 Australian Superstock 600 Championship on board his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R.

Matt trailed by 16 points heading into the 5^th and final round at Queensland Raceway on 21-22 August and was hungry for success after tasting victory at the 2^nd round of the series in Darwin, where he won the round.

Matt’s weekend didn’t start as planned as he qualified his Ninja ZX-6R in 6^th place on the back of a high speed practice crash on board his Superstock 1000 Ninja ZX-10R on a wet track. Starting off the front row of the grid for the first time all year, Matt was unperturbed, focusing solely on the Championship win.

Matt Walters - Kawasaki

Matt rode sensationally throughout the 3 races on Saturday to take 1-2-1 and position himself in equal first in the points standings heading into Sunday’s racing. Thanks to fast, aggressive starts and a steely determination, Matt took 1-1-2 on Sunday to take the round and Championship win.

Matt says, “It feels great to be the Australian Superstock 600 Champion! I’d like to give a big thanks to Kawasaki Australia for supporting both myself and KCR for the last 2 years.”

“I’d also like to give a big thanks to Aaron from Rover Coaches for his support this season and also a special thanks to Murray Sayle for sticking by my side for the last 2 years.”

Matt will now take a well deserved rest from training but will still keep busy riding his KX450F MX bike with his mates and working at the Walters’ family owned Kawasaki dealership, Kawasaki Connection, in Cessnock NSW.

Matt’s next racing commitment will see him competing in the Australian Supersport class at the upcoming Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island in October.

Team Suzuki Report: Troy Herfoss Extends Championship Lead

2010-08-23T05:30:12Z

Troy Herfoss - Team Suzuki

Team Suzuki rider Troy Herfoss has extended his points lead in the Australian Supersport Championship after two hard-fought races at the fifth round of the series at Queensland Raceway on Sunday, 22 August.

Herfoss, who started from pole position on his Team Suzuki GSX-R600, was engaged in two thrilling 16-lap races with experienced international rider, Kevin Curtain.

Twenty-three-year-old Herfoss, who is only in his second full season of Supersport racing, after swapping from Supermoto at the end of 2008, went bar-to-bar with Curtain in each race.

The Team Suzuki rider finished the round second overall, with his 38-point haul from fourth and second placings moving him 28 points clear on the championship points table. Herfoss had entered the round with a 19-point lead.

The Team Suzuki rider recorded the fastest lap in each race, but had his challenge for the win in race one thwarted when the gear-shift knob vibrated loose on lap 10. Despite the difficulty in changing gears on his Team Suzuki GSX-R600, Herfoss was able to complete the race in fourth place and secure 17 championship points.

In race two Herfoss was again engaged in a titanic battle with Curtain, the latter finally prevailing by 1.656sec at the chequered flag.

The ferocity of their battles saw Curtain, a runner-up in the Supersport World Championship, direct praise at his less-experienced rival at the podium presentation.

“I haven’t raced like that since I was in the world championship a few years ago,” said Curtain. “Troy is going well.”

After five rounds, Herfoss now leads the six-round Australian Supersport Championship on 178pts from Christan Casella 150 and Suzuki GSX-R600 rider Brodie Waters 141.

In the Australian Superbike Championship Team Suzuki riders Robbie Bugden and Shawn Giles finished sixth and seventh respectively with 29 points apiece after chasing a set-up they were comfortable with on the bumpy and challenging 3.12km Ipswich circuit. The round was won by current championship leader Bryan Staring.

Bugden, a three-time New Zealand Superbike Champion, finished ninth and fifth in the two 16-lap races, but was fortunate to finish race one when a collision with another rider removed his Team Suzuki Mack Trucks GSX-R1000’s clutch lever.

In race two Bugden was involved in an entertaining battle with 2008 Australian champion Glenn Allerton and fellow Suzuki GSX-R1000 rider Scott Charlton, the Queenslander finishing just 0.196sec behind Allerton in the battle for fourth and 0.403sec ahead of Charlton.

Giles, a three-time Australian Superbike Champion, finished seventh in each race after starting from the third row of the grid. Giles’ 29-point haul consolidated fourth overall in the championship standings, with the Team Suzuki rider now just 3.5pts off third.

With two rounds remaining Staring leads the seven-round series on 166pts from Wayne Maxwell 147.5, Allerton 115 and Giles 111.5.

Missing from the grid for Round Five’s two Superbike races was the Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 of reigning Australian champion Josh Waters, the 23-year-old being ruled out of the meeting on Thursday after medical tests revealed he had not recovered sufficiently from an accident in early July in the USA when testing for the US Suzuki Superbike team.

The series now heads to Victoria’s Phillip Island circuit on September 10-12 for round six of the seven-round series, to be run in conjunction with the V8 Supercars.

PHIL TAINTON – TEAM MANAGER

“Troy’s performance this weekend was exceptional. It’s the first round this year that Troy hasn’t won, but to race like that with Kevin Curtain showed maturity beyond his years.

“It was unfortunate what happened with the gear-lever knob vibrating loose in race one – that’s something we’ve never encountered before.

“It was a challenging weekend finding a set-up for the Superbike guys that they were happy with, as the circuit is quite bumpy in parts.

“Of course we want to win every time we go out there, and winning both classes was our aim. But Bryan (Staring) got his package working better, so congratulations to him.

“Shawn has closed the points’ gap to third in the championship, so we’re looking forward to the next round at Phillip Island.”

TROY HERFOSS

“I’m really pleased with the weekend results, although I’m a little annoyed with myself for making a few mistakes.

“It was great to race with a person like Kev and I appreciate what he said after the race – he’s a great rider. It was good hard racing, but clean and fair.

“It was unfortunate in race one when the gear-lever knob vibrated loose as it meant I could not race for the win. But to extend my championship lead was more important than race wins this weekend, so I’m happy with that.

“The bike was awesome and the team did a great job.”

SHAWN GILES

“I had a few problems getting a set-up I was happy with, and I couldn’t get the confident feel I was after.

“Misssing Superpole didn’t do me any favours when I got bumped out of the top eight in the last five minutes, and it was always going to be hard starting both races from row three.

“The team worked non-stop all weekend, and kept making set-up changes until I had the confidence to push harder. I can’t thank them enough.

“I’m only a few points off third in the championship now, so I’m looking forward to Phillip Island – a circuit I really enjoy.”

ROBBIE BUGDEN

“It’s always great to race in front of my friends and family at my home round at Queensland Raceway.

“It would have been good to have got on the podium, but the pace up front was pretty hot and I’d struggled throughout practice and qualifying with set-up.

“We got things working for Superpole and in Sunday warm-up, but having my clutch lever knocked off in race one didn’t do me any favours. Up-shifting was okay, but down-shifting was difficult.

“Race two was more like it, and the battle with Glenn and Scotty was a good one.”

JOSHUA WATERS

“It’s obviously disappointing not to be racing, but it’s important that I’m fully fit before I get back on the bike.

“Team Suzuki has been monitoring my progress and making sure I’ve been getting regular medical attention. There was no way the team was going to let me race this weekend unless I had 100 per cent clearance.

“It would be unsafe for me and unsafe for the other competitors if I’m not 100 per cent fit. I’m probably another week away from being fully right, so it’s better to sit out the meeting.

“I’m looking forward to racing at the next round.”

2010 AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND FIVE, QUEENSLAND RACEWAY, IPSWICH, QUEENSLAND

Superbike Overall Results - Round 5

1 Bryan Staring; 2 Jamie Stauffer; 3 Wayne Maxwell; 4 Glenn Allerton; 5 Scott Charlton (Suzuki GSX-R1000); 6 Robbie Bugden (Suzuki GSX-R1000); 7 Shawn Giles (Suzuki GSX-R1000); 8 Daniel Stauffer; 9 Shannon Johnson; 10 John Allen.

Superbike Championship Points (after 5 of 7 rounds)

1 Bryan Staring 166pts; 2 Wayne Maxwell 147.5; 3 Glenn Allerton 115; 4 Shawn Giles (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 111.5; 5 Scott Charlton (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 110; 6 Josh Waters (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 105.5; 7 Jamie Stauffer 98; 8 Shannon Johnson 90; 9 Robbie Bugden (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 87; 10 John Allen 68.5.

Supersport Overall Results - Round 5

1 Kevin Curtain; 2 Troy Herfoss (Suzuki GSX-R600); 3 Christan Casella; 4 Rick Olson; 5 Pat Medcalf; 6 Aaron Gobert; 7 Chris Quinn; 8 Ben Burke; 9 Andy Lawson; 10 Blake Leigh-Smith (Suzuki GSX-R600).

Supersport Championship Points (after 5 of 7 rounds)

1 Troy Herfoss (Suzuki GSX-R600) 178pts; 2 Christan Casella 150; 3 Brodie Waters (Suzuki GSX-R600) 141; 4 Chris Quinn 107; 5 Aaron Gobert 98; 6 Ben Burke 87; 7 Ryan Taylor 80; 8 Kevin Curtain; 9 Mitchell Carr (Suzuki GSX-R600) 68; 10 Blake Leigh-Smith (Suzuki GSX-R600) 63.

YJDT Take On The World And Land On The Podium

2010-08-23T02:37:39Z

Wilson Todd

The Queensland Yamaha Junior Development Team of Joel Dinsdale and Wilson Todd competed at the FIM World Junior Motocross Championships over the weekend and came away with some impressive results.

The 2010 event was hosted at the Dardon- Gueugnon circuit in France, where they pitted the worlds fastest junior pilots together in an individual and teams championship.

12year old Wilson Todd (Steve Hunt Motorcycles) competed in the 9 to 12 years 65cc class and posted an astounding third place overall in the World Title. The Atherton, Queensland based charger was on song all weekend posting great qualifying times throughout the Saturday practice sessions and then carried that form into the first of the two championship motos on Sunday.

Todd raced to third in moto one and returned for fourth in moto two giving him a very consistent day and a third place in the overall standings.

"I had no idea what to expect here in France," Wilson said down the phone. "Getting some good lap times in on Saturday gave me some confidence and I was just aiming for a top 5 to 10 finish, so to finish third and be on the podium is super cool."

" I am stoked!"

Team mate Joel Dinsdale (Bullet Bikes) also looked the goods after the Saturday sessions with the seventh fastest time out of the 107 riders entered in the 13 to 16 years 85cc class. Dinsdale then moved into the main event after finishing third in his qualifier and looked for big things on Sunday.

Unfortunately a bad start and some crashes hampered his moto one performance and he crossed the line in 17th place. Moto two fared a little better and Dinsdale charged home for a 10th place finish and an overall result of 14th in the ultra competitive class.

"I am a little bit disappointed with the result, but happy with the way I raced. My speed was right there with the best guys in the world, I just made too many mistakes to get a good result."

"Still, it was a great opportunity for me to race here and the experience has been amazing. I also have to thank Bullet Bikes and my home town of Mackay for getting behind me as their support has been unreal," Dinsdale offers.

Both riders received significant assistance for Motorcycling Australia, Yamaha Australia, Gebben Motoren and EHR, and have passed on their thanks.

As a team, the Australian crew of Wilson Todd, Mitch Evans, Scott Mann, Joel Dinsdale, Errol Willis and Matt Phillips managed to finish third in the championship, just behind that United States and Italy in a top showing for the standard of Australian junior motocross.

Juniors 65cc
1 PINHANCOS Jake USA - KTM 25 25 50
2 HSU Brian TWN - KTM 22 22 44
3 TODD Wilson AUS - KTM 20 18 38
4 SIKYNA Richard SVK - KTM 16 16 32
5 VAESSEN Bas NED - KTM 12 15 27
6 EVANS Mitchell AUS - KTM 13 14 27
7 PAPI Brock USA - METRAKIT 11 12 23
8 CROWN Joseph USA - KTM 0 20 20
9 PRAMMER Lukas AUT - KTM 10 10 20
10 20 ZONTA Filippo ITA - KTM 18 0 18

Juniors 85cc
1 JACOBI Henry GER - KTM 25 20 45
2 GAJSER Tim SLO - KTM 18 25 43
3 EKEROLD Stefan GER - KTM 22 9 31
4 JONASS Pauls LAT - SUZUKI 7 22 29
5 KOVAR Vaclav CZE - KTM 14 15 29
6 CERVELLIN Michele - FMI HONDA 15 13 28
7 DE WAAL Micha Boy - KNMV SUZUKI 11 16 27
8 BOGERS Brian NED - KTM 5 18 23
9 MANN Scott AUS MA - KTM 20 2 22
10 OLSEN Thomas Kjer DEN - SUZUKI 9 10 19
14 DINSDALE joel AUS - Yamaha 3 - 11 - 14

NATIONS
1 USA
2 Italy
3 Australia
4 Czechoslovakia
5 Netherlands
6 France
7 Sweeden
8 Spain
9 Belgium

Election fails to dampen Aussie Moto Trials Championship

2010-08-21T12:06:51Z

Jake Whitaker

As voters flocked to the polls on Saturday, the 2010 Australian Moto Trials Championship kicked into gear at Thunderbird Park - Mount Tamborine.

With the sun finally breaking through after two days of rain, it was New Zealand import Jake Whitaker, who despite a slow start to the day, managed to finish strongly taking the lead ahead of Sunday’s final battle.

“I was third after the first lap, and had a few unlucky point scores,” Whitaker said.

“Going into the second lap I felt much better and it showed in my results - the course here is great, very similar to New Zealand, so I’m quite comfortable out there.”

Brisbane local Boyd Willcocks began the day in strong form, leading after the first lap, however, with Whitaker finding his rhythm, Willcocks was forced back into second place by the end of the day.

Reigning Champ and New South Welshman, Colin Zarczynski, struggled in the tough conditions in the first lap; however, improvement in the second lap saw him secure fourth place.

Zarczynski is one of four riders in the Open Solo class, and three in the Women’s class, using the Championship as preparation for the 2010 Trial des Nations – the Olympics for Moto Trials, to be held in Poland in less than a month’s time.

In the Women’s class, Canberran Michelle Coleman, has taken the lead ahead of 2009 Champion Kristie McKinnon.

As ‘Trials Week’ begins, one of the event organisers, Robert Eyers, said that despite a fair bit of rain – oh, and a federal election, things were going brilliantly!

“With all the rain we had on Thursday night and Friday, it did make the lower grade sections more difficult that we’d planned,” Eyers said.

“However most of the riders seem to be getting through and with the sun shining things should be spot-on for Sunday’s competition.

“When we first heard about the date of the election, we were a bit worried, however we’ve still received more entries than in 2009, and we’ve even had a quite a few spectators coming by to check out all the action.”

The Australian Championship will be followed up on 25 August with a trial at Esk, and an Arena Showcase event at Carrara on the Gold Coast on 28 and 29 August as part of ‘Trials Week’.