Reed to ride US open

Posted on August 29, 2008
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The Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open announced today that two-time U.S. Open and current AMA Supercross class champion Chad Reed will compete in this year’s race inside Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena October 10-12. This year’s Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open will be Reed’s American début with his new Rockstar Makita Suzuki team.

“I really enjoy the US Open; It’s a race I look forward to every year,” said Reed. “The track brings back great memories from when I was a kid racing in Australia. This year will be extra special for me because I will be riding my new RMZ450 for Rockstar Makita Suzuki for the first time in the U.S. I came so close to the Trifecta last year. I really want it bad this year!”

Reed won back-to-back U.S. Open championships in 2003 and 2004, besting rival and motocross legend Ricky Carmichael. Known for his indoor skills, Reed has 35 career AMA Supercross wins and is third on the all-time win list.

Reed conquered the field in supercross this season, as he won his second AMA Supercross class championship. Along his journey to the championship, Reed enjoyed nine wins and four additional podiums.

“When I moved to America, it was a race I really looked forward to competing in,” added Reed when talking about racing in the Rockstar Energy Drink U.S. Open. “It receives great publicity, so after winning the race in ‘03 and ‘04, it helped boost my profile in this sport.”

Reed came to the U.S. from Australia in 2002 and has quickly become one of the world’s top supercross racers. In his AMA rookie year, he won the 125cc Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Series. The following season he moved to the premier AMA Supercross class, winning eight races and scoring an additional six podium finishes en route to second place in points standings. In 2004, Reed had his best season ever, earning 10 wins and the first championship of his career. Since moving into the premier class, he has yet to finish worse than second place in AMA Supercross.

“The U.S. Open is a fun weekend for the riders and fans,” said Reed. “The track is really tight, which reminds me of the supercross races I competed in while growing up in Australia. It’s fast and intense and all of the riders are eager to get their hands on the $100,000 check.”

Reed VS McGrath SuperX 2008 Brisbane Australia

Posted on August 29, 2008
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Australia will play host to a battle of champions, as seven-time AMA champion Jeremy McGrath jets ‘down under’ to take on current world number one Chad Reed in the final two rounds of Super X, the all-new Australasian Supercross Championship.

Widely regarded as the sport’s most successful competitor, the Hall-of-Fame inductee will pull on the legendary #2 jersey for a bar-to-bar battle with current World Supercross Champion, Reed, reigning Australian Supercross Champion, Dan Reardon, who is based in the US and will be flying home for the series as well as local frontrunners at the Townsville (22 November) and Brisbane (29 November) events.

The McGrath versus Reed matchup is a mouth-watering prospect; both riders are renowned for their fearless and flat-out approach to riding and a relentless passion for victory.

Now based in San Diego, McGrath said he was looking forward to heading to Australia to compete against Reed and the current crop of Australian stars.

“I’m excited to be heading to Australia, there’s a lot of buzz about the new championship and the new formats it is introducing to the sport,” said McGrath.

“It will be great to race alongside Chad (Reed), the spotlight is on him after his recent win and this can only be good for other Australian riders as their talent is placed on a world stage.

“The Townsville and Brisbane events are based in large, open venues so I’m looking forward to seeing and racing on some unique tracks.”

McGrath has strong ties to Australia, with his mother and grandparents both having grown up here.

Chad Reed, who was making his way through the junior ranks when McGrath was blazing a trail for the sport in the 1990’s, said the opportunity to race his good friend and all-time great was one he was very much looking forward to.

“I am so excited that Jeremy (McGrath) is going to come down to Australia and race in two rounds of Super X,” said Reed.

“He is a true legend of the sport and was my hero when I was coming through the ranks. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for Australian sporting fans, to see Jeremy, myself and (defending Australian champion) Dan Reardon all going head-to-head.”

“We are only five weeks out from the opening round and the series is really starting to take shape, I can’t wait to be back racing in front of an all Australian crowd,” he continued.

2008 Australian Motocross of Nations team announced

Posted on August 21, 2008
Filed Under Motocross | Leave a Comment

Motorcycling Australia has announced the Australian line up that will contest the 2008 FIM Red Bull Motocross of Nations to be held at Donington Park, Great Britain on 28 September 2008.

The three riders who will represent Australia in this prestigious event will be Chad Reed, Michael Byrne and Brett Metcalfe.

Last year’s event, held at Budd’s Creek, USA, was won by the American team with top riders Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Villopoto and Tim Ferry securing a home victory, while injury and mechanical problems kept the Aussies; Reed, Andrew McFarlane and Michael Byrne out of contention.

Australian Team Manager, Gary Benn, said that even though all three riders have performed strongly over the past few months, selection was still quite hard.

“Selection is quite hard in some ways because they’re obviously racing on the other side of the world, so we can only look at their results in the races and we have to base it all on that,” Benn said.

“Chad has obviously shifted from Yamaha to Suzuki, following his World Championship win, and is very motivated with his new team and new bike.

“It could be said that the team this year is as strong if not stronger with both Brett and Burner riding very well.

“I’d like to think, all being well, with no injuries, mishaps or mechanical breakdowns, we should be on the podium for sure!”

Kawasaki sweeps the AMA motocross series

Posted on August 19, 2008
Filed Under AMA Motocross | Leave a Comment

The first moto at Spring Creek in Millville, Minnesota marked one of the highest achievements in James Stewart’s motocross career. Stewart is the 2008 AMA motocross champion after riding to victory with another perfect 2 wins from two starts for the round. Stewart has been plagued with machine failure and injury in previous years, not to mention the G.O.A.T. Ricky Carmichael getting in his way. Stewart remains undefeated for the 2008 AMA motocross season so far this season.

The premier class is a little light on for entertainment given that Stewart moves into the lead on the first last, pulls away from the field and then coasts the last couple of laps due to the huge lead he builds up over the race. That said, behind Stewart the competition is a lot closer with the places changing every race.

In the lites class Ryan Villopoto dominated the opening moto at Spring Creek Motocross Park, finishing ahead of Ryan Dungey, but the second moto was a bit more eventful when Villopoto crashed on the first lap. “I just came down the first downhill and I was pushing hard,” stated Villopoto. “I think I hit a wet spot. The next thing I know I was rolling on the ground.”

It was enough to hand the overall win to Dungey, who opened up a commanding lead on the Lites field. But in the bigger picture, Villopoto didn’t give anything up to Dungey since his second place finish was more than enough to clinch the championship.

Check out the latest AMA motocross championship results

Chad Reed signs with Team Makita suzuki

Posted on August 9, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized, supercross | Leave a Comment

It has been confirmed, after rumours were being tossed around earlier this year that Chad Reed, the 2008 AMA supercross champion has signed with Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki for the 2009 AMA supercross season. The American Suzuki Motor Corporation made this announcement.

Reed will race the 2009 supercross season and selected events in the U.S. and will also race in the Australian Supercross season. Chad will be racing a full injected RMZ-450. The Australian supercross will support new race formats and full sized supercross tracks in the major cities of Australia and should attract some other big names from overseas.

“I’m extremely excited to be starting a new chapter in my career and to be working with Roger DeCoster and Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki,” said Reed. “It will be a whole new experience for me which I’m really looking forward to. I rode Suzukis for a good part of my amateur career and have some great memories from then and now I’m excited to be racing the new Suzuki EFI RM-Z450. I believe this bike and my new team have great potential and I couldn’t be happier.”

am very excited to have been able to sign Chad Reed to Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki,” said team manager, Roger DeCoster. “Our team has worked very hard to get to the level we are at today and I’m glad we’ve been able to secure a rider with such accomplishments and determination as Chad so that we may continue to be top contenders. Our sponsors have been extremely supportive over the years and I’m happy that we are able to provide them a top-level rider and team to support him.”

Reed’s first race with Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki will most likely coincide with the 2009 supercross season operner at the Rockstar Energy Drink US Open at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on October 10-12.

It will be interesting to see where James Stewart ends up as it was rumoured that Stewart would be singing with Suzuki as well.

2008 Rockstar U.S. Open Supercross Invitation List

Posted on August 8, 2008
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The invitation list for 2008 Rockstar U.S. open taking place on October 10 - 12 2008 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas has been announced.

The event will attract the worlds top Supercross riders with both the premier and the lites classes competing against each other in a combined class.

Grant Langston took out the event last year over two nights of racing with a consistent 2nd and 5th place finish which was enough to take out the overall. Chad Reed won the main on the first night and Jake Weimer, a lites rider, took the honours on the second night of racing.

Invited Riders

1. Grant Langston
2. Chad Reed
3. James Stewart
4. Tim Ferry
5. Kevin Windham
6. Ivan Tedesco
7. David Vuillemin
8. Michael Byrne
9. Ryan Villopoto
10. Ben Townley
11. Jason Lawrence
12. Ryan Morais
13. Darcy Lange
14. Ryan Dungey
15. Josh Hill
16. Jake Weimer
17. Josh Demuth
18. Mike Alessi
19. Trey Canard
20. Jeff Alessi
21. Nico Izzi
22. Paul Carpenter
23. Nick Wey
24. Davi Millsaps
25. Andrew Short
26. Nathan Ramsey
27. Dan Reardon
28. Branden Jesseman
29. Chris Gosselaar
30. Josh Hansen
31. Billy Laninovich
32. Josh Grant
33. Tommy Hahn
34. Matthew Lemoine
35. Tyler Bowers
36. Troy Adams
37. Mat Goerke
38. Kevin Johnson
39. Kyle Cunningham
40. Austin Stroupe
41. Robert Kiniry
42. Michael LaPaglia
43. Danny Smith
44. Bryan Johnson
45. Joe Oehlhof
46. Chris Blose
47. Ryan Clark
48. Heath Voss
49. Jeff Gibson
50. Josh Summey
51. Travis Preston
52. Eric Sorby
53. Cole Siebler
54. Jason Thomas
55. Tyler Evans
56. Justin Brayton
57. Brock Sellards
58. Jake Marsack

Redland city council says no to motorcycle enthusiasts

Posted on August 5, 2008
Filed Under Motorcycle parks | 1 Comment

Redland city council has reversed its decision to search for a site to build an off road motorcycle track in the Redlands. Support was given to the cause after motocross, trail riders and council officers called for action to accommodate the growing number of dirt bike enthusiasts in the area.

Deputy Mayor Toni Bowler led a push to reverse the decision, arguing that the state government was doing its own study across South East Queensland and the council should not waste its money. This was opposed by Mayor Melva Hobson, Peter Dowling and Helen Murray. The decision came after the manager of Redland Bay’s Kindilian centre Rebecca Fox complained that if a motocross track was built nearby it may force the closure of the outdoor camping facility.

Motorcycling Australia general manager Lindsay Granger condemned the council for backing down on its own study, saying that there are 1700 licensed riders in the Redlands and surrounding suburbs. This doesn’t include a large number of riders who are not licensed.

Voting with Toni Bowler included, Wendy Boglary, Craig Ogilvie, Debra Henry, Barbara Townsend, Murray Elliot and Kathy Reimers.

So what happens now?
Where do all the dirt bike riders go to ride?

There are a growing number of dirt bike enthusiasts thanks to the influx of cheap Chinese imported bikes. This means there are also going to be more inexperienced riders without adequate supervision. This will lead to more and more people riding illegally and risking the lives of themselves and those they come into contact with.

The Redlands has spent a million dollars on a skate park. But can’t take the needs of all its residents seriously and simply complete a study to find suitable land for a motocross track.

FIM Motocross And Supermoto World Series to be Broadcasted Live Online Free of Charge on Freecaster.TV

Posted on August 4, 2008
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The FIM Motocross World Championship promoter Youthstream and the online broadcaster Freecaster.tv have reached an important agreement to broadcast the series for free live and delayed on www.freecaster.tv from 2009.

This new partnership will bring important benefits to the sport; courtesy of the Internet streaming free of charge Motocross and SuperMoto will become a lot more accessible to accommodate all the current fans and to attract new audiences.

Thanks to Freecaster.tv, which is already showing and will continue to show the MXGP highlights and lots of extra features on the Championship, the FIM Motocross and SuperMoto World Championships will become the first major sports to be broadcast live and delayed online for free.
The FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship will be aired on Freecaster.tv which will cover also the MX3 and Snowcross World series, the Veterans’ World Cup and the FIM Off Road Awards.

The whole Freecaster.tv coverage will be available for websites to embed as the common goal is to increase the sports’ coverage and visibility worldwide.

Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo stated: “This is a very important moment for the fans worldwide, from next year they will be able to follow the FIM Motocross World Championships and SuperMoto World Championship free of charge from anywhere in the world. Thanks to this agreement between Youthstream and Freecaster.tv the Motocross World Championship will enter everyone’s homes all over the world. We would like to thank Freecaster.tv for believing and investing in our sport, and together I am sure we will reach unbelievable levels. Youthstream will continue to invest in the TV Production and from 2009 we will see the new camera on-board live, cameras in the pit-lane, jimmy jib, etc we always strive to increase the quality of the production and give always a better show to the fans. It’s fantastic that for the first time we will have also a highlight program completely dedicated to the MX3 and European Motocross Championship broadcasted on TV and on Freecaster.tv.”

Ricky Carmichael wins X Games step up competition

Posted on August 4, 2008
Filed Under Freestyle Motocross | Leave a Comment

Former Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael collected the second X Games gold medal of his career when he out-dueled Ronnie Renner for the win Friday night inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Five riders competed in the final, which started with the bar at 26 feet. Mike Mason, Brian Deegan, and four-time Step Up gold medalist Tommy Clowers were all eliminated at the 32-foot mark, leaving Renner, last year’s Step Up winner, and Carmichael to duke it out for the gold medal.

Renner’s first attempt ended when his front wheel knocked the bar off and on the second attempt his rear wheel caught the bar, sending it to the ground. Carmichael cleared the 33-foot bar with room to spare.

2008 Rockstar Motocross Nationals Pro open won by Jay Marmont

Posted on August 4, 2008
Filed Under Australian Motocross | Leave a Comment

Jay Marmont (Yamaha) has won the 2008 Pro Opens Championship at the final round of the Rockstar Motocross Nationals held at Coolum, Queensland.

Marmont only needed to finish in the top 15 in the first moto to take the title and with his 12th place finish he easily brought it home.

Speaking after the moto Marmont said that although he’s wrapped up the Championship, it wasn’t quite the finish he was expecting.

“I’m pumped, but that race didn’t end up how I wanted it too,” Marmont said.

“A guy went down and got stuck under his bike and I was riding the whole moto with the front end of my bike all twisted, and it was the longest 30 minutes of my whole life but I got through it!”

Marmont’s father, Peter, was thrilled with his oldest son’s victory after a nerve wracking race!

“I don’t know if I had any dark hairs left but if I did he just took them all off me after that one!” an emotional Peter said.

CDR Rockstar Yamaha Team Manager Craig Dack had nothing but praise for the young rider who had worked incredibly hard throughout the season.

“We’re really proud at CDR to have helped Jay realise a dream, and that’s to win a national Motocross Championship,” Dack said.

“The preparation started here in October, we were very focused on this Championship and he’s got a great bunch of people around him.

“I’m really happy for him, he’s a great man and he deserves the Championship.”

While Marmont had a less than average performance in the first moto it the main battle of the day was between Craig Anderson (Honda) and Daryl Hurley (Suzuki) for second and third.

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