Dirt MX - On Sale Now
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:26 PM
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
DOUBLE PODIUM FOR SUZUKI AT ANAHEIM
Suzuki’s RMZ450 raced to its first double podium at Saturday night’s AMA Supercross fifth round at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California as reigning champion Ricky Carmichael grabbed a 10-second win and team-mate Ivan Tedesco his first 250 Main Event rostrum.
With the victory, Carmichael moved into the lead of the World Supercross series ahead of James Stewart - who crashed three times during the 20-lap event - and extended his advantage in the Amp’d AMA Supercross series over Chad Reed.
Carmichael led from turn three of the opening lap with Tedesco second as Stewart, Reed and David Vuillemin all fell. The Makita riders kept out front from there on in, although Reed recovered from his fall and closed right up on Tedesco by the half-way point and passed him on lap 11.
Carmichael continued to up the pace and with three laps to go held a commanding 11.5-second lead over Reed and Tedesco and was never challenged.
Said Carmichael: "It’s a shame that James fell as I think it would have been a great race between us again. I felt good and wanted to put on a good show for the fans and I’m glad to come away from here with the win. I’m really happy for my team mate Ivan – I’m really pumped for him – as he’s been working real hard and deserves it. I like to see people achieve their goal."
Said Tedesco: "Tonight was the night. It’s been a goal of mine all season to make it onto the box and I achieved it. I tried to latch onto Ricky, and I learned some good lines, but I couldn’t stay with him. I felt real comfortable on the bike and it’s all coming together."
250 Main Event: 1 Ricky Carmichael (Makita Suzuki), 2 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 3 Ivan Tedesco (Makita Suzuki), 4 Mike LaRocco (Honda), 5 Michael Byrne (Kawasaki), 6 Travis Preston (Honda), 7 Ernesto Fonseca (Honda), 8 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 9 David Vuillemin (Honda), 10 Nick Wey (Honda).
AMA Supercross Points (after 5 rounds): 1 Carmichael 117, 2 Reed 104, 3 Stewart 103, 4 Byrne 74, 5 LaRocco 73, 6 Wey 72, 7 Tedesco 71, 8 Preston 62, 9 Fonseca 62, 10 McGrath 49.
World Supercross Points (after 7 rounds): 1 Carmichael 161, 2 Stewart 157, 3 Reed 144, 4 Tedesco 115, 5 Byrne 114, 6 Wey 114, 7 Thomas 86, 8 Clark 83, 9 Gibson 74, 10 Evans 61.
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:24 PM
Catastrophic Crash takes out Series Leader – Garrett!
Round two of the Speedway Karting Winter Mini Supermoto series was a resounding success, for both organisers and racers.
With structure in place, including new race bibs, the event was running like clockwork until the computer crashed just before it added up the scores for the semi finals to take place.
Some one hundred and fifty spectators enjoyed a fine evening’s entertainment, which was to serve up a few new names in the winners enclosure.
Both adult and youth racers battled throughout four heat races, providing numerous winners, as they fought for a place in the semi ‘s. The pace was notably faster than the previous round and the slippery surface claimed quite a few riders during the early heats.
As the adult final blasted of it was Motocross rider and series leader, Jason Garrett who made the running with Darren Gawley, hounding the tail of the race leader. Gawley ran out of patience and Garrett then ran out of track!
At the half way stage of the final both Gawley and Garrett were all – but out of the race following a somewhat optimistic passing manoeuvre at the end of the start straight. Surprise of the evening goes to Jonathan Eadie who was in prime position to take over the leading position. At chequered flag it was a smiling Eadie who crossed the line 1st with an equally pleased Andrew 'O, Show" O’Brien 2nd and Philip McCammond collecting the runner up medal and champagne for their efforts.
In the Youth class it was the consistently fast Greame Irwin who recorder his second series win from Steven Arnott who claimed another runner up position. A fine third place went to young Stuart McLarnin who mixed it up with the leaders throughout the final race of the evening.
A great nigh of fun and racing, still room for improvement, but I think everyone will agree things are on the up for Mini bike racing in Ireland.
Round three, and the updated overall series positions will be available on ULSTERMOTOCROSS.COM & MINIBIKERIDER.co.uk on Monday morning.
(Pic – supplied by Steve Mills - Surprise winner, Jonathan Eadie enjoys the moment, as O'Show and Phil McCammond contemplate spraying champagne over the crowd)
With structure in place, including new race bibs, the event was running like clockwork until the computer crashed just before it added up the scores for the semi finals to take place.
Some one hundred and fifty spectators enjoyed a fine evening’s entertainment, which was to serve up a few new names in the winners enclosure.
Both adult and youth racers battled throughout four heat races, providing numerous winners, as they fought for a place in the semi ‘s. The pace was notably faster than the previous round and the slippery surface claimed quite a few riders during the early heats.
As the adult final blasted of it was Motocross rider and series leader, Jason Garrett who made the running with Darren Gawley, hounding the tail of the race leader. Gawley ran out of patience and Garrett then ran out of track!
At the half way stage of the final both Gawley and Garrett were all – but out of the race following a somewhat optimistic passing manoeuvre at the end of the start straight. Surprise of the evening goes to Jonathan Eadie who was in prime position to take over the leading position. At chequered flag it was a smiling Eadie who crossed the line 1st with an equally pleased Andrew 'O, Show" O’Brien 2nd and Philip McCammond collecting the runner up medal and champagne for their efforts.
In the Youth class it was the consistently fast Greame Irwin who recorder his second series win from Steven Arnott who claimed another runner up position. A fine third place went to young Stuart McLarnin who mixed it up with the leaders throughout the final race of the evening.
A great nigh of fun and racing, still room for improvement, but I think everyone will agree things are on the up for Mini bike racing in Ireland.
Round three, and the updated overall series positions will be available on ULSTERMOTOCROSS.COM & MINIBIKERIDER.co.uk on Monday morning.
(Pic – supplied by Steve Mills - Surprise winner, Jonathan Eadie enjoys the moment, as O'Show and Phil McCammond contemplate spraying champagne over the crowd)
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:22 PM
GH Racing Ireland
Having spent this past few months importing some of the best known American products, George Hoy founder of GH Racing Ireland has taken his company to new heights by putting together a Motocross Team for the 2006 season. This exciting new addition to the racing scene here in Ireland will consist of Richard McKeown who’ll be racing in selected Grand Prix’s and British Championships on board a Honda 450 f. Also in the team is the hotly tipped Adam Clifford who’ll be piloting his 85 b/w Honda throughout the season on the British Championship circuit. On home soil Alex Hoy, George’s son will complete the line-up by competing throughout the season in the MCCNI Championships, one of which will be supported by none other than Tamer; one of GH Irelands leading brands. More details on the MCCNI Tamer Championship will be announced at a later date.
Naturally Motocross Teams cannot survive racing at such high levels as World Grand Prix’s and British Championships without getting support from somewhere. On this front GH Racing have been in the fortunate position to be one of the 1st European Teams to run with some of the Americans biggest names when it comes to Motocross products. The products to date are Tamer – Who’s currently running their own Motocross and Supercross Teams in the AMA Championships, So Cal / De Cal – Motocross Clothing, Concepts in Aluminium – C.I.A as their known in the States, Pro Wheel Racing – Top quality racing wheels and hubs, Pro Clean 1000 – Not to be mistaken by the UK brand; Pro Clean 1000 will help keep the bikes and helmets looking their best, Sisam Fifam – A lesser known brand within the UK but these guys will provide the backbone of products / finance when it comes to the running of the Team throughout the season.
At the time of going to press GH Racing Ireland are in talks to bring another rider into the team. As the details emerge we’ll let you know.
Brought to you by GH Racing Irelands PR team
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:20 PM
CARMICHAEL 2ND AT MUDDY SAN FRANCISCO
In one of the best races of the season so far, Team Makita Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael raced to a close second place at Saturday night’s rain-lashed AMA Supercross fourth round at SBC Park in San Francisco, California.
The reigning World and AMA Supercross Champion had led the shortened 12-lap, muddy 250cc Main Event from lap nine but lost out to arch rival James ‘Bubba’ Stewart in the closing stages.
Carmichael’s RM-Z450 and Stewart’s Kawasaki clashed on the gate and took the first turn in fifth and third respectively behind holeshotter Nick Wey (Honda). But before the lap had finished, Stewart had moved into the lead and Carmichael to third.
By the half-way stage, Stewart had increased his lead to 3.8 seconds ahead of Carmichael as the pair lapped up to sixth place, then Carmichael took the awkward double jump and closed right up on the Kawasaki rider. From there on they were locked together until the Suzuki man forced ahead three laps from home.
But Stewart fought back as the pair hit backmarkers – both lapped up to third-placed Nick Wey – and Carmichael eased off for fear of crashing.
He said: "That was a real exciting race and ‘Bubba’ deserved the win! We both rode our hardest tonight but he was prepared to give that little extra whereas I wasn’t. I had a few scary moments but I achieved my goal tonight – not to crash.
"It’s a long season and it’s better to get second than risk crashing," added Carmichael, who continues to lead the Amp’d Mobile Supercross series by two points over Stewart.
"I don’t really enjoy mud races, I don’t know who does," added Carmichael. "I think I’ve gotten a little older - this is my 10th season - and I’ve learned to ride in the mud. But I just don’t take the chances that I used to. What really bums me out is that the track looked so good before the rain. If it had been dry, we would have been flying."
Meanwhile Carmichael’s team mate Ivan Tedesco struggled for most of the night. He got a great start but got tangled up with other riders in turn one and was never able to recover from a crash with Mike LaRocco on lap six.
"I got a great start and I felt comfortable and was really happy with how I was riding at first," said Tedesco.
250 Main Event (12 laps): 1 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 2 Ricky Carmichael (Makita Suzuki), 3 Nick Wey (Honda), 4 Michael Byrne (Kawasaki), 5 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 6 Tyler Evans (Suzuki), 7 Jeff Gibson (Honda), 8 Travis Preston (Honda), 9 Ryan Clark (Honda), 10 Jason Thomas (Honda).
Championship Points (after 4 rounds): 1 Carmichael 92, 2 Stewart 90, 3 Reed 82, 4 Wey 61, 5 Byrne 58, 6 LaRocco 55, 7 Tedesco 51, 8 Fonseca 48, 9 Preston 47, 10 McGrath 44.
World Supercross Points (after 6 rounds): 1 Stewart 140, 2 Carmichael 136, 3 Reed 122, 4 Wey 98, 5 Byrne 96, 6 Tedesco 95, 7 Gibson 74, 8 Thomas 73, 9 Clark 69, 10 Evans 51.
The reigning World and AMA Supercross Champion had led the shortened 12-lap, muddy 250cc Main Event from lap nine but lost out to arch rival James ‘Bubba’ Stewart in the closing stages.
Carmichael’s RM-Z450 and Stewart’s Kawasaki clashed on the gate and took the first turn in fifth and third respectively behind holeshotter Nick Wey (Honda). But before the lap had finished, Stewart had moved into the lead and Carmichael to third.
By the half-way stage, Stewart had increased his lead to 3.8 seconds ahead of Carmichael as the pair lapped up to sixth place, then Carmichael took the awkward double jump and closed right up on the Kawasaki rider. From there on they were locked together until the Suzuki man forced ahead three laps from home.
But Stewart fought back as the pair hit backmarkers – both lapped up to third-placed Nick Wey – and Carmichael eased off for fear of crashing.
He said: "That was a real exciting race and ‘Bubba’ deserved the win! We both rode our hardest tonight but he was prepared to give that little extra whereas I wasn’t. I had a few scary moments but I achieved my goal tonight – not to crash.
"It’s a long season and it’s better to get second than risk crashing," added Carmichael, who continues to lead the Amp’d Mobile Supercross series by two points over Stewart.
"I don’t really enjoy mud races, I don’t know who does," added Carmichael. "I think I’ve gotten a little older - this is my 10th season - and I’ve learned to ride in the mud. But I just don’t take the chances that I used to. What really bums me out is that the track looked so good before the rain. If it had been dry, we would have been flying."
Meanwhile Carmichael’s team mate Ivan Tedesco struggled for most of the night. He got a great start but got tangled up with other riders in turn one and was never able to recover from a crash with Mike LaRocco on lap six.
"I got a great start and I felt comfortable and was really happy with how I was riding at first," said Tedesco.
250 Main Event (12 laps): 1 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 2 Ricky Carmichael (Makita Suzuki), 3 Nick Wey (Honda), 4 Michael Byrne (Kawasaki), 5 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 6 Tyler Evans (Suzuki), 7 Jeff Gibson (Honda), 8 Travis Preston (Honda), 9 Ryan Clark (Honda), 10 Jason Thomas (Honda).
Championship Points (after 4 rounds): 1 Carmichael 92, 2 Stewart 90, 3 Reed 82, 4 Wey 61, 5 Byrne 58, 6 LaRocco 55, 7 Tedesco 51, 8 Fonseca 48, 9 Preston 47, 10 McGrath 44.
World Supercross Points (after 6 rounds): 1 Stewart 140, 2 Carmichael 136, 3 Reed 122, 4 Wey 98, 5 Byrne 96, 6 Tedesco 95, 7 Gibson 74, 8 Thomas 73, 9 Clark 69, 10 Evans 51.
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:17 PM
Rikki Priest - Irelands #1 Motocross Training Academy
For the 2006 racing season SIXSIXONE/MSR are proud to announce the launch of the new MX training Academy.
Rikki Priest has focused his coaching on being the Manager/Coach throughout 06. In brief the academy consists of a yearly on bike training program, physical training program and a full race clothing sponsorship package which is also covering the correct mental approach on aiming and achieving certain goals in your chosen sport. Something many other training academy's don't even take into account.
The academy has already been launched and proving to be very successful in the UK.
I will now be focusing and passing on my experience to riders in the whole of Ireland. Some of the riders already signed up are Jody Hurley (65cc) Micheal McGinn (85cc) Ian Jones (85cc) Robert Lyons (125cc) and Stuart Edmunds.
A yearly membership will consist of the following......
1. On bike training program.One years on bike training which will be held twice a month throughout Ireland. All aspects of motocross will be covered from basic techniques through to advanced technical training and of course the physical and mental approach to racing MX. 2. A fully calculated fitness program.
Riders will attend a fitness training day where a fully qualified instructor will asses your fitness level and also pass on his experience to educate both riders and parents the importance of diet, nutrition and fitness.
You will then receive your training program calculated for the first quater of the year. After then your instructor will fly back to visit you during the year to re-asses your fitness level and give results on your strength's, weaknesses and hopefully prove that you are achieving your physical goals.
3. Sponsorship package from SIXSIXONE and MSR.
Team race clothing from SIXSIXONE and MSR Racing (www.sixsixone.com / www.msrracing.com) will be supplied to each team member along with personal bike graphics in order to look and feel part of a dedicated and professional team.
The academy will be launched in February and will work through until November.
If you would like to work with and feel part of a professional training academy and be kited out in the best SIXSIXONE and MSR team clothing plus have your race bike personally designed by BLINK Graphics please feel free to contact us for any further information. Good luck to all for 2006. 07974 641913 UK.
Website www.mxcoach.co.uk
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:15 PM
CARMICHAEL WINS AT ANAHEIM II
Reigning World and AMA Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael increased his lead in the AMA Supercross series after taking victory at Saturday night’s Anaheim Supercross third round in California.
The RM-Z450-mounted Makita Suzuki rider reeled in race leader James Stewart after gating in fifth place and passed him on the 18th of 20 laps when the Kawasaki rider fell.
Carmichael now holds a four-point advantage in the Amp’d Mobile Supercross series over Chad Reed and trails Stewart by just one point in the World Series after five rounds.
He said: "It’s always good to win but I would have preferred to have beaten James fair and square rather than take the win because he crashed. I’m more excited about how fun and exciting the race was – that is what we need.
"I had a couple of opportunities to pass James but made a couple of mistakes and left it pretty late – when he went down, I thought we were only 10 laps in, not 18…"
Carmichael’s team mate Ivan Tedesco raced to fourth place after holding an early lead on the opening lap.
250 Main Event: 1 Ricky Carmichael (Makita Suzuki), 2 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 3 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 4 Ivan Tedesco (Makita Suzuki), 5 Jeremy McGrath (Honda), 6 Ernesto Fonseca (Honda), 7 Mike LaRocco (Honda), 8 Michael Byrne (Kawasaki), 9 David Vuillemin (Honda), 10 Nick Wey (Honda).
AMA Supercross Points (after 3 rounds): 1 Carmichael 70, 2 Reed 66, 3 Stewart 65, 4 Tedesco 46, 5 LaRocco 45, 6 McGrath 44, 7 Fonseca 44, 8 Wey 41, 9 Byrne 40, 10 Vuillemin 34.
World Supercross Points (after 5 rounds): 1 Stewart 115, 2 Carmichael 114, 3 Reed 106, 4 Tedesco 87, 5 Byrne 78, 6 Wey 78, 7 Thomas 61, 8 Gibson 60, 9 Clark 56, 10 Bucklew 44
The RM-Z450-mounted Makita Suzuki rider reeled in race leader James Stewart after gating in fifth place and passed him on the 18th of 20 laps when the Kawasaki rider fell.
Carmichael now holds a four-point advantage in the Amp’d Mobile Supercross series over Chad Reed and trails Stewart by just one point in the World Series after five rounds.
He said: "It’s always good to win but I would have preferred to have beaten James fair and square rather than take the win because he crashed. I’m more excited about how fun and exciting the race was – that is what we need.
"I had a couple of opportunities to pass James but made a couple of mistakes and left it pretty late – when he went down, I thought we were only 10 laps in, not 18…"
Carmichael’s team mate Ivan Tedesco raced to fourth place after holding an early lead on the opening lap.
250 Main Event: 1 Ricky Carmichael (Makita Suzuki), 2 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 3 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 4 Ivan Tedesco (Makita Suzuki), 5 Jeremy McGrath (Honda), 6 Ernesto Fonseca (Honda), 7 Mike LaRocco (Honda), 8 Michael Byrne (Kawasaki), 9 David Vuillemin (Honda), 10 Nick Wey (Honda).
AMA Supercross Points (after 3 rounds): 1 Carmichael 70, 2 Reed 66, 3 Stewart 65, 4 Tedesco 46, 5 LaRocco 45, 6 McGrath 44, 7 Fonseca 44, 8 Wey 41, 9 Byrne 40, 10 Vuillemin 34.
World Supercross Points (after 5 rounds): 1 Stewart 115, 2 Carmichael 114, 3 Reed 106, 4 Tedesco 87, 5 Byrne 78, 6 Wey 78, 7 Thomas 61, 8 Gibson 60, 9 Clark 56, 10 Bucklew 44
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:14 PM
Monday, February 13, 2006
Mini Supermoto Round 1
Wednesday evening at Doagh proved that “FUN” has not completely gone out of motorcycling. Road and tarmac riders joined their Motocross compatriots in what turned out to be a “Night to remember”The Speedway Karting team, marshals and race officials were excellent throughout the evening, although no one is under any illusion that there are procedures that could be put in place to ensure things could run better.
Ten junior racers battled throughout four heats trying to earn a place in the final.Both Graham Irwin and Steven Arnott won heats apiece, but it was Graham who run in consistent lap times throughout the final. Steven Arnott filled the runner up spot, while the battle for third was hotly contested, with local rider Robert Donaldson claiming the Bronze “Durographix.com “ Medal.
As the evening whittled through to the fastest adult races for the Final, it was looking like the Road Racers were going to fill the top three places.
Ulster Motocross was well represented with DG Williamson teamster, Tommy Merton riding the all- new Monster machine. Tommy looked at home on the little machine taking a heat win on the way to the Final. The slick racing surface proved challenging catching out even the more experienced racers, it was a tough call; slicks or Motocross tyres, both fell foul of the Speedway Karting track.
As the final got the green light, it was Jason Garrett who firmly claimed the leading role; one which he was reluctant to give up. Despite the pain scrapping efforts of Marshall Neill and Darren Gawley, Jason went home with the gold medal and a big grin on his face.Tommy Merton recovered from a bad start to join in the battle at the front, finishing forth in his first ever outing on a mini bike.
UlsterMotocross.com will be the media, which will keep you informed of any future events. There will be an announcement on Friday 20th January.
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:41 PM
40 And Not Out!!!
As the teams for the 2006 season are all nearly finalised, I'd like to take a quick look at one of the best privateers this country has ever produced. Several rumours have been around that Peter Trevor Woods McCready (what were your parents thinking when they named you that!!) or Fred as some of his mates call him (its a long story) will once again be mounted on a new 250f Kawasaki supplied by ‘Normy’. The talented rider from Hillsborough is reported to be back in training. We heard that he ran to his brother in laws house on Christmas day for his lunch. Even though the house was only about 2 miles away, it took him 3 days to recover!! But at least he's putting in the effort.
Pete is a well-known rider amongst the older generation; he was winning races in Ulster before Martin Barr was in nappies. He has even got his name on the illustrious Tommy Stewart memorial trophy, with names like Morrison, Crockard, Lyons, Merton and McCullough etc.
Several injuries wrecked championship seasons for the quiet Hillsborough man. Breaking both his collarbones several times and breaking his shoulder to name a few. But this never deterred the talented Pete from trying to qualify for a GP in Ireland. Just to be Pete he tried to ride a stock 2-year-old 125 in the qualifying session. As the bike was a bit slower than the rest he decided to only put a bit of fuel in the bike so it would be lighter an thus go faster. According to Pete he was on a flying lap and sure to qualify when disaster struck and the kwacker ran out of fuel!!! These experiences never seemed to faze the likeable man, in fact the only time I’ve ever seem him angry in the last 10 years was a Donemana a few years ago. Some crazy rider rote Pete off in a turn and he hit the ground hard giving him a mild concussion. He couldn’t even remember what way the track went!!
In 2005 Pete finished 15th in the Semi-Expert Ulster championship, even thought he did sand bag a few races to not get moved up again!! (That was our thought on the thing anyway!) For 40 the man can still ride and when he wants to just seems to find plenty of extra speed. He may just need this extra speed next season when his nephew James Kennedy (leaky) moves up to the semi-experts as the grade c 125 champ, and I’m sure Uncle Pete won’t want the 17 year old beating him on a regular basis.
It’s surprising that even at 40+ the man is still motivated enough to get out of his bed at 6ish in the mornings and bring the family to the races. I don’t think he would have had such a long career if it hadn’t been for his lovely wife Vicky, who I think loves the races more than Pete sometimes. Vicky and the children Joshua and Erin just love the crack at the races and the family day out. And maybe one day Joshua will go on to beat his dad and manage to qualify for a GP and maybe even win one!!.
So watch out for Fred when the season kicks off in full swing in March. He’ll be the blonde haired man with the big grin on face. After all that’s why he races motocross, for the fun. At the end of the day were not all going to be the next Stefan Everts. And if he wasn’t out having fun he wouldn’t have stuck at it for so long.
Pete is a well-known rider amongst the older generation; he was winning races in Ulster before Martin Barr was in nappies. He has even got his name on the illustrious Tommy Stewart memorial trophy, with names like Morrison, Crockard, Lyons, Merton and McCullough etc.
Several injuries wrecked championship seasons for the quiet Hillsborough man. Breaking both his collarbones several times and breaking his shoulder to name a few. But this never deterred the talented Pete from trying to qualify for a GP in Ireland. Just to be Pete he tried to ride a stock 2-year-old 125 in the qualifying session. As the bike was a bit slower than the rest he decided to only put a bit of fuel in the bike so it would be lighter an thus go faster. According to Pete he was on a flying lap and sure to qualify when disaster struck and the kwacker ran out of fuel!!! These experiences never seemed to faze the likeable man, in fact the only time I’ve ever seem him angry in the last 10 years was a Donemana a few years ago. Some crazy rider rote Pete off in a turn and he hit the ground hard giving him a mild concussion. He couldn’t even remember what way the track went!!
In 2005 Pete finished 15th in the Semi-Expert Ulster championship, even thought he did sand bag a few races to not get moved up again!! (That was our thought on the thing anyway!) For 40 the man can still ride and when he wants to just seems to find plenty of extra speed. He may just need this extra speed next season when his nephew James Kennedy (leaky) moves up to the semi-experts as the grade c 125 champ, and I’m sure Uncle Pete won’t want the 17 year old beating him on a regular basis.
It’s surprising that even at 40+ the man is still motivated enough to get out of his bed at 6ish in the mornings and bring the family to the races. I don’t think he would have had such a long career if it hadn’t been for his lovely wife Vicky, who I think loves the races more than Pete sometimes. Vicky and the children Joshua and Erin just love the crack at the races and the family day out. And maybe one day Joshua will go on to beat his dad and manage to qualify for a GP and maybe even win one!!.
So watch out for Fred when the season kicks off in full swing in March. He’ll be the blonde haired man with the big grin on face. After all that’s why he races motocross, for the fun. At the end of the day were not all going to be the next Stefan Everts. And if he wasn’t out having fun he wouldn’t have stuck at it for so long.
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:38 PM
Team Suzuki Press Office – January 8, 2006
Reigning World and AMA Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael raced back from a crash to take third place in Saturday night’s opening Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Championship round in Anaheim, California
In front of 45,000 fans, the Makita Suzuki rider and his RM-Z450 four-stroke got buried in the pack at the start of the 20-lap Main Event but he pulled through to take the lead from former champion Chad Reed on the ninth lap before making a mistake in the whoops, which put him into fifth position.
The Florida rider fought back into a rostrum position behind overall winner James Stewart (Kawasaki) and Yamaha-mounted Reed.
Said Carmichael: "Unfortunately it didn’t work out the way we wanted it tonight but we had a good race. Chad made a mistake and I got the drive to get by him but then I made a mistake and went down. It was survival after that and I don’t know how I got back on the podium! The guys were riding real well tonight. I need to get better."
Carmichael’s team-mate Ivan Tedesco raced to fifth position overall and continues to hold fourth overall in The World Supercross standings behind Stewart, Carmichael and Reed
250 Main Event: 1 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 2 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 3 Ricky Carmichael (Makita Suzuki), 4 Mike LaRocco (Honda), 5 Ivan Tedesco (Makita Suzuki), 6 Ernesto Fonseca (Honda), 7 Nick Wey (Honda), 8 Travis Preston (Honda), 9 Michael Byrne (Kawasaki), 10 David Vuillemin (Honda).
250 Points: 1 Stewart 25, 2 Reed 22, 3 Carmichael 20, 4 LaRocco 18, 5 Tedesco 16, 6 Fonseca 15, 7 Wey 14, 8 Preston 13, 9 Byrne 12, 10 Vuillemin 11.
World Supercross Points: 1 Stewart 75, 2 Carmichael 64, 3 Reed 62, 4 Tedesco 54, 5 Byrne 46, 6 Wey 45, 7 Thomas 37, 8 Gibson 36, 9 Bucklew 33, 10 Lewis 29.
In front of 45,000 fans, the Makita Suzuki rider and his RM-Z450 four-stroke got buried in the pack at the start of the 20-lap Main Event but he pulled through to take the lead from former champion Chad Reed on the ninth lap before making a mistake in the whoops, which put him into fifth position.
The Florida rider fought back into a rostrum position behind overall winner James Stewart (Kawasaki) and Yamaha-mounted Reed.
Said Carmichael: "Unfortunately it didn’t work out the way we wanted it tonight but we had a good race. Chad made a mistake and I got the drive to get by him but then I made a mistake and went down. It was survival after that and I don’t know how I got back on the podium! The guys were riding real well tonight. I need to get better."
Carmichael’s team-mate Ivan Tedesco raced to fifth position overall and continues to hold fourth overall in The World Supercross standings behind Stewart, Carmichael and Reed
250 Main Event: 1 James Stewart (Kawasaki), 2 Chad Reed (Yamaha), 3 Ricky Carmichael (Makita Suzuki), 4 Mike LaRocco (Honda), 5 Ivan Tedesco (Makita Suzuki), 6 Ernesto Fonseca (Honda), 7 Nick Wey (Honda), 8 Travis Preston (Honda), 9 Michael Byrne (Kawasaki), 10 David Vuillemin (Honda).
250 Points: 1 Stewart 25, 2 Reed 22, 3 Carmichael 20, 4 LaRocco 18, 5 Tedesco 16, 6 Fonseca 15, 7 Wey 14, 8 Preston 13, 9 Byrne 12, 10 Vuillemin 11.
World Supercross Points: 1 Stewart 75, 2 Carmichael 64, 3 Reed 62, 4 Tedesco 54, 5 Byrne 46, 6 Wey 45, 7 Thomas 37, 8 Gibson 36, 9 Bucklew 33, 10 Lewis 29.
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:35 PM
Thursday, February 02, 2006
SEBASTIEN TORTELLI VS. STEFAN EVERTS: SHOWDOWN IN FRANCE!
On February 25th and 26th the Moto Club Pernois will celebrate his 80th birthday, and a lot of GP riders will be there to contest one of the biggest MX pre-season event. With two separate classes (MX1 and MX2), a 85cc support race and a Free Style show, this second edition of the International MX No Fear will attract fans and medias in the sunny Provence.
Coming back in Europe eight years after clinching his second World Title, Sébastien Tortelli will race against the GP stars for the first time since the 1999 US Grand Prix. Sébastien who will compete in the MX1 GP’s this season had an opportunity to race against Everts, Coppins or Pichon during the last MX of
Nations, but he was aboard a 250 KTM while his main rivals raced with their usual 450. It will be the first 2006 appearance of Tortelli in Europe, and as most of his GP rivals will be also in Pernes this race will be a ‘mini’ GP.
Sébastien Tortelli (left) and Stefan Everts were happy to meet in Ernée during the MX of Nations. They will race together for the first time this season in Pernes.
Leading Tortelli’s opponents, Stefan Everts will do his first and last appearance in Pernes as 2006 will be his last racing season; the Belgian legend will use his new 450 Yamaha for this meeting, eight years after his legendary duel against Tortelli in the 250 World Championship. Belgian Cedric Melotte, teammate of Stefan in the Rinaldi Yamaha squad will be involved too, for his comeback in the MX1 class.
The Red Bull KTM Factory team selected Pernes as one of his pre-season race, and alongside Tortelli we’ll find Frenchie’s Mickael Pichon and Yves Demaria, Belgian Sven Breugelmans and Spaniard Jonathan Barragan. The factory Kawasaki team with British Stephen Sword and Estonian Tanel Leok, as well as the Factory Suzuki team with Belgian’s Steve Ramon and Kevin Strijbos will be there for a ‘live testing session’ and will be involved in the MX1 race. A total of forty riders will line-up in this class, including Swiss Julien Bill (Yamaha Dixon) and Frenchman Pascal Leuret (Honda Multitek), and of course New Zealander Joshua Coppins (Honda CAS); winner last year on this track, Josh will be one of the main favourite of the event
In the MX2 class the French Team will be impressive with Christophe and Sébastien Pourcel aboard their factory Kawasaki’s, Anthony Boissière (Yamaha Casola), European Champion Jeremy Tarroux and Nicolas Aubin (Kawasaki TSM). The factory KTM team will be involved in this class too, with South African Tyla Rattray, Italian David Philippaerts, Dutch Marc De Reuver and British Carl Nunn. Among the other riders already engaged are young Estonian Aigar Leok (Yamaha Van Beers) and German Max Nagl (KTM Sarholz), while many other teams continue to negotiate an entry place with the organisers.
Christophe and Sébastien Pourcel will do their first appearance on the factory Kawasaki's. They will race in the new team built by their father Roger (left) and Belgian Patrick Gelade (in the middle)
Two heats for the MX1 riders, two others for the MX2 riders (with practice sessions on Saturday 25th), two races for the 85cc support race and a Free Style exhibition will offer a great show to the fans. More than 10000 spectators attended last year the 1st International MX No Fear, and with such a strong entry list there’s no doubts that Pernes 2006 will be a huge success. Pernes les Fontaines is located close to Avignon, and for more details or information’s please visit http://www.motoclubpernois.org/.
Coming back in Europe eight years after clinching his second World Title, Sébastien Tortelli will race against the GP stars for the first time since the 1999 US Grand Prix. Sébastien who will compete in the MX1 GP’s this season had an opportunity to race against Everts, Coppins or Pichon during the last MX of
Nations, but he was aboard a 250 KTM while his main rivals raced with their usual 450. It will be the first 2006 appearance of Tortelli in Europe, and as most of his GP rivals will be also in Pernes this race will be a ‘mini’ GP.Sébastien Tortelli (left) and Stefan Everts were happy to meet in Ernée during the MX of Nations. They will race together for the first time this season in Pernes.
Leading Tortelli’s opponents, Stefan Everts will do his first and last appearance in Pernes as 2006 will be his last racing season; the Belgian legend will use his new 450 Yamaha for this meeting, eight years after his legendary duel against Tortelli in the 250 World Championship. Belgian Cedric Melotte, teammate of Stefan in the Rinaldi Yamaha squad will be involved too, for his comeback in the MX1 class.
The Red Bull KTM Factory team selected Pernes as one of his pre-season race, and alongside Tortelli we’ll find Frenchie’s Mickael Pichon and Yves Demaria, Belgian Sven Breugelmans and Spaniard Jonathan Barragan. The factory Kawasaki team with British Stephen Sword and Estonian Tanel Leok, as well as the Factory Suzuki team with Belgian’s Steve Ramon and Kevin Strijbos will be there for a ‘live testing session’ and will be involved in the MX1 race. A total of forty riders will line-up in this class, including Swiss Julien Bill (Yamaha Dixon) and Frenchman Pascal Leuret (Honda Multitek), and of course New Zealander Joshua Coppins (Honda CAS); winner last year on this track, Josh will be one of the main favourite of the event
In the MX2 class the French Team will be impressive with Christophe and Sébastien Pourcel aboard their factory Kawasaki’s, Anthony Boissière (Yamaha Casola), European Champion Jeremy Tarroux and Nicolas Aubin (Kawasaki TSM). The factory KTM team will be involved in this class too, with South African Tyla Rattray, Italian David Philippaerts, Dutch Marc De Reuver and British Carl Nunn. Among the other riders already engaged are young Estonian Aigar Leok (Yamaha Van Beers) and German Max Nagl (KTM Sarholz), while many other teams continue to negotiate an entry place with the organisers.
Christophe and Sébastien Pourcel will do their first appearance on the factory Kawasaki's. They will race in the new team built by their father Roger (left) and Belgian Patrick Gelade (in the middle)
Two heats for the MX1 riders, two others for the MX2 riders (with practice sessions on Saturday 25th), two races for the 85cc support race and a Free Style exhibition will offer a great show to the fans. More than 10000 spectators attended last year the 1st International MX No Fear, and with such a strong entry list there’s no doubts that Pernes 2006 will be a huge success. Pernes les Fontaines is located close to Avignon, and for more details or information’s please visit http://www.motoclubpernois.org/.
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:45 PM
HODGSON IS STAR GUEST AT SELL–OUT RACER AWARDS
Neil Hodgson, the former World Superbike Champion, will be the special guest for the forthcoming Irish Racer & Dirt MX Motorcycle Awards on Friday, January 27th 2006, at the Ramada Hotel on Belfast’s Shaw’s Bridge, where a whole host of local talent from all our motorcycling disciplines will also be on show.
The event now in it’s third year and regarded as the premier motorcycling awards ceremony in Ireland, is already a 530 seater sell–out and organiser, Paul Lindsay – Publishing Editor for both Irish Racer and Dirt MX magazines told us: "Yes the response to the event for 2006 has been phenomenal and all 530 seats are now completely sold out with six weeks still to go. This just proves how strong the support for motorcycling is in Ireland, with all the seats sold before we even to get announce our star guest! We have also added some exciting new sponsors for the 2006 event, which we will be announcing along with a short list for each category in early January."
Other star guests who have already pledged their support for the January extravaganza are: Eddie Seel the former World Supermoto star who will fly in from Belgium; British Supersport Champion Leon Camier and TAS Suzuki’s Tom Sykes; and from British Superbikes, the Red Bull Honda team, Ducati’s Leon Haslam along with Michael Rutter and team boss Paul Bird from the Stobart Honda team.
Where there is glitz, there surely must be glamour, so the organisers will also be flying in MotoGP racing’s very own diva, Suzi Perry, new girl on the grid and former model Fran Robinson of Men & Motors fame; the fastest women around the mountain circuit Maria Costello – not forgetting our very own Claire McCollum from UTV Sport and Christine Bleakley the face of entertainment at BBC NI.
The event will be hosted by Stephen Watson BBC NI & Claire McCollum UTV Sport.
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:43 PM
Mike Alessi wins in England
The 2005 Wulfsport Future West British Supercross went off with a bang, with Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium rocking to live bands, pyrotechnics, celebrity minibike racing and the return of the “oh” so loud air horns – it turned out to be a very memorable and enjoyable night.
Three hundred riders were on hand to show that British supercross is alive and well and this will only increase in years to come from the tiny guys in the auto’s to the top pro riders like Mike and Jeff Alessi – racing was at its highest level and the
British fans loved it.
The main event was the 250 open race, right from the start you knew the race could go so many ways, with tension building on the start line the gate dropped and mayhem followed – super quick Canadian Colton Faccotti and current British supercross champion Jordan Rose collided off the gate putting both riders at the back of the pack, this gave Martin Barr the young Irish flyer the chance to steal the show and lead for the first three tense laps, then out of nowhere came Kiwi Scott Columb who stole the lead and looked in full control for a possible surprise victory – in the meantime Colton Faccotti was picking off riders one by one and creeping up to the now tired looking Columb and Barr, on lap nine Faccotti swept passed both riders and took the lead and went away for a momentous victory from dead last to first – sweet victory indeed.“I had a real bad start which put me dead last, I just ran my own race and tried not to get caught up with the backmarkers, it was a fun race and by lap nine I was leading, I just didn’t realise it until the last lap flag appeared, it was pretty good”, explained the jubilant victor Colton Faccotti.
Mike Alessi is showing why he’s fast becoming one of the hot favourites for next years AMA supercross championship, aggressive off the start, super quick in the corners and hungry to win, it sums up young Mike to a tee – just awesome!Mike led from start to finish, only Colton Faccotti stayed with him for the first six laps but just couldn’t handle the consistency of Mikey, Jeff Alessi took over the job of chasing Mike but suffered a rear wheel puncture and had to settle for third come the end of the race – what would of it been like to see both young guns head to head – man that day I feel is getting closer!
Mike had this to say after, “I took the holeshot; I checked out pretty good, Colton was right there for a few laps but he went down and I was in cruise control for the rest of the race.”
Three hundred riders were on hand to show that British supercross is alive and well and this will only increase in years to come from the tiny guys in the auto’s to the top pro riders like Mike and Jeff Alessi – racing was at its highest level and the
British fans loved it.The main event was the 250 open race, right from the start you knew the race could go so many ways, with tension building on the start line the gate dropped and mayhem followed – super quick Canadian Colton Faccotti and current British supercross champion Jordan Rose collided off the gate putting both riders at the back of the pack, this gave Martin Barr the young Irish flyer the chance to steal the show and lead for the first three tense laps, then out of nowhere came Kiwi Scott Columb who stole the lead and looked in full control for a possible surprise victory – in the meantime Colton Faccotti was picking off riders one by one and creeping up to the now tired looking Columb and Barr, on lap nine Faccotti swept passed both riders and took the lead and went away for a momentous victory from dead last to first – sweet victory indeed.“I had a real bad start which put me dead last, I just ran my own race and tried not to get caught up with the backmarkers, it was a fun race and by lap nine I was leading, I just didn’t realise it until the last lap flag appeared, it was pretty good”, explained the jubilant victor Colton Faccotti.
Mike Alessi is showing why he’s fast becoming one of the hot favourites for next years AMA supercross championship, aggressive off the start, super quick in the corners and hungry to win, it sums up young Mike to a tee – just awesome!Mike led from start to finish, only Colton Faccotti stayed with him for the first six laps but just couldn’t handle the consistency of Mikey, Jeff Alessi took over the job of chasing Mike but suffered a rear wheel puncture and had to settle for third come the end of the race – what would of it been like to see both young guns head to head – man that day I feel is getting closer!
Mike had this to say after, “I took the holeshot; I checked out pretty good, Colton was right there for a few laps but he went down and I was in cruise control for the rest of the race.”
posted by Race Deal - Sports PR @ 12:40 PM
