MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: WHAT HAPPENED WHILE YOU WERE SHOVELING SNOW, DODGING TORNADOS OR BASKING IN THE SoCAL SUN

ST. LOUIS SUPERCROSS RESULTS
450 CLASS:
1. Ryan Villopoto…Kawasaki KX450F
2. Ryan Dungey…KTM 450SXF
3. Justin Brayton…Honda CRF450
4. Kevin Windham…Honda CRF450
5. James Stewart…Yamaha YZ450F
6. Davi Millsaps…Yamaha YZ450F
7. Jake Weimer…Kawasaki KX450F
8. Brett Metcalfe…Suzuki RM-Z450
9. Marvin Musquin…KTM 350SXF
10. Nick Wey…Kawasaki KX450F
11. Broc Tickle…Kawasaki KX450F
12. Matt Goerke…Suzuki RM-Z450
13. Mike Alessi…Suzuki RM-Z450
14. Bobby Kiniry…Yamaha YZ450F
15.Justin Sipes…Kawasaki KX450F
16. Kyle Chisholm…Kawasaki KX450F
17. Gavin Faith…Honda CRF450
18. Jimmy Albertson…Suzuki RMZ450
19. Cole Seely ….Honda CRF450
20. Josh Hansen…Kawasaki KX450F

250 EAST
1. Justin Barcia…Honda CRF250
2. Ken Roczen…KTM 250SXF
3. Blake Wharton…Suzuki RM-Z250
4. Darryn Durham…Kawasaki KX250F
5. Justin Bogle…Honda CRF250
6. Jake Canada…Honda CRF250
7. Malcolm Stewart…KTM 250SXF
8. Kyle Cunningham…Yamaha YZ250F
8. Hunter Hewitt…Suzuki RM-Z250
9. Blake Baggett…Kawasaki KX250F
10. Alex Martin…Honda CRF250
11. Matt Lemoine…Kawasaki KX250F
12. Hunter Hewitt…Suzuki RM-Z250
13. Cole Thompson…Honda CRF250
14. A.J. Cantazaro…KTM 250SXF
15. Jeff Gibson…Honda CRF250
16. Austin Politelli…Honda CRF250
17. P.J. Larsen…KTM 250SXF
18. Bradley Ripple…Honda CRF250
19. Phil Nicoletti…Honda CRF250
20. Tyler Bowers…Kawasaki KX250F

Marvin Musquin made his first-ever 450 Supercross start…and finished in the top ten. Photo: Hoppenworld

450 POINTS STANDINGS
(After 9 of 17 races)
1. Ryan Villopoto…205
2. Ryan Dungey …192  
3. James Stewart…152
4. Chad Reed…128  
5. Kevin Windham…123
6. Jake Weimer…120
7. Justin Brayton…116
8. Brett Metcalfe…113
9. David Millsaps…109
10. Mike Alessi..98

250 EAST POINTS STANDINGS
(After 3 of 8 races)
1. Justin Barcia…75
2. Ken Roczen…57
3. Darryn Durham…56  
4. Blake Wharton…56
5. Justin Bogle…43
6. Jake Canada…41
7. Blake Baggett…40
8. Hunter Hewitt…31
9. Malcolm Stewart…29
10. Kyle Cunningham…28

ST. LOUIS SUPERCROSS TIMED QUALIFYING BREAKDOWN

Ryan V edged out Ryan D in Saint Louie qualifying.

As the Supercross series rushes into its second half, the circus moved to St. Louis (with Daytona on the horizon). The fastest 250 East qualifier was Justin Bogle who edged out Justin Barcia and Ken Roczen. Meanwhile, in the 450 class Ryan Villopoto was the fastest of the 450s again.

THE TEN FASTEST 250 EAST QUALIFIERS
   1. Justin Bogle…51.6
   2. Justin Barcia…51.7
   3. Ken Roczen…51.9
   4. Darryn Durham…52.4
   5. Kyle Cunningham…52.5
   6. Blake Baggett..52.64
   7. Jake Canada…52.7
   8. P. J. Larsen…52.8
   9. Blake Wharton…52.86
   10. Malcolm Stewart…52.9
Other notables: 16. Phil Nicoletti; 17. Tyler Bowers; 20. Austin Politelli; 22. Kyle Peters; 23. Jeff Gibson; 28. Lance Vincent.

250 PENALTY BOX
No 250 riders lost their fastest laps timed for unsportsmanlike conduct, jumping when the red lights were on or failing post-qualifying sound tests.

WHO DIDN’T MAKE THE 250 WEST CUT
Only the top 40 make it to the 250 East night show (out of the 68 who tried in St. Louis) and the difference between making the program and going home is often hundreds of a second. Cody Robbin’s 56.78 gave him the final and 40th spot in the night program. Here are the next closest, but not close enough, five.
   41. Bracken Hall…56.8
   42. Chad Cook…56.8
   43. David Ginolfi…56.9
   44. Michael Akaydin…57.2
   45. Tyler McEwen…57.3

THE TEN FASTEST 450 QUALIFIERS
   1. Ryan Villopoto..50.2
   2. Ryan Dungey…50.5
   3. Kevin Windham…50.8
   4. James Stewart…51.1
   5. Justin Brayton…51.2
   6. Marvin Musquin…51.5
   7. Davi Millsaps…51.9
   8. Cole Seely…52.9
   9. Nick Wey…52.0
   10. Kyle Chisholm…52.3
Other notables: 13. Josh Hansen;  15. Mike Alessi; 22. Jimmy Albertson;  30. Austin Howell; 34. Daniel Blair; 39. Ryan Clark.

450 PENALTY BOX
No 450 riders lost their fastest laps timed for unsportsmanlike conduct, jumping when the red lights were on or failing post-qualifying sound tests.

WHO DIDN’T MAKE THE 450 CUT
Only 57 riders tried to make the 40-man night show in the 450 class?which meant 174 had to go home empty handed. Auston Albers was the 40th fastest and last qualifier (with a 56.23) to make the big show. Here are the next five riders who didn’t make the cut.
   41. Tevin Tapia…56.35
   42. Matt Schneider…56.6
   43. Adam Enticknap…56.7
   44. Cameron Stone…57.0
   45. Myles Tedder…57.1

BEN TOWNLEY WINS THREE IN A ROW IN NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT HE FINALLY LOST A MOTO

Ben Townley has a three-prong plan for 2012: The New Zealand Championship, the Australian Championship and get back to the USA. Photo: Carlton Dry

Ben Townley went 1-2-1 to win round three of the New Zealand National Motocross Championship andfinally lost a moto?to former GP rider Josh Coppins, who went 2-1-2. Cody Cooper was third, but there is on one round to go in Taupo on March 18.

In the 250 class, Scott Columb defeated ageless Darryll King, Shaun Fogarty, Peter Broxholme and Rhys Carter. King still leads the 250 title chase by one point over Scott Columb.

RESULTS: PUKEKOHE 450 CLASS
1. Ben Townley…1-2-1
2. Josh Coppins…2-1-2
3. Cody Cooper…3-6-3
4. Justin McDonald…10-3-4
5. Hamish Dobbyn…4-5-7
6. Hayden Clark…5-7-8
7. Matt Hunt…8-9-7
8. Michael Phillips…16-4-6
9. Mason Phillips…6-10-10
10. Brad Groombridge…12-8-9

NEW ZEALAND 450 POINTS STANDINGS
(after 3 of 4 races)
1. Ben Townley…222
2. Josh Coppins…201
3. Cody Cooper…168
4. Justin McDonald…149
5. Michael Phillips…141
6. Hamish Dobbyn…140
7.  Brad Groombridge…115
8. Mason Phillips…111
9. Nick Saunders…102
10. Matt Hunt…86

DAVI MILLSAPS SHOWS “WHO’S DA MAN” IN THE ATLANTA SAND SECTION

AMA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP BANQUET MOVED …CUZ EVERYONE WANTED TO COME TO COLUMBUS INSTEAD OF LAS VEGAS

The AMA will move the 2012 AMA Championship Banquet to the Aladdin Center in Columbus, Ohio on January 19, 2013. The top three finishers in AMA-sanctioned motorcycle and ATV 2012 national championship competition will be honored at this years banquet. Class champions will receive medals and No. 1 plates at the banquet, while second- and third-place finishers also will receive awards. The winners of special annual awards, such as the AMA Grand Championship Athlete of the Year and the AMA National Championship Athlete of the Year awards, will be announced as well.

Columbus’ Aladdin Center, located adjacent to the expansive Easton Town Center shopping complex and only 20 minutes from AMA headquarters and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, offers free parking, easy access to Interstate 270 and is a short drive from Port Columbus International Airport.

24 RIDERS GET TO GO TO CAMP CARMICHAEL SOMETIMES AROUND THANKSGIVING

Suzuki is offering Suzuki amateur motocross racers the chance to attend the first-ever Suzuki Camp Carmichael – a special riding school withRicky Carmichael at his private training facility in Tallahassee, Florida. It’sa slim chance, but a chance just the same.

To be eligible, riders must purchase a new RM or RM-Z motocross bike, sign up for the 2012 Suzuki Motocross Contingency Program at www.suzukicycles.com/racing and then go racing. For every contingency dollar they earn, racers earn one point toward the Camp contest. On Sepember 31, 2012, the 24 riders (12 85cc riders and 12 250/ 450cc riders) with the most points will win a spot at Suzuki’s Camp Carmichael (where they will receive one-on-one instruction from Ricky himself). Throughout the season, racers can monitor their contingency dollars and Camp points by visiting www.suzukicycles.com. The winners will be announced on October 15, 2012.

Not that long ago, Suzuki offered every Suzuki buyer a free motocross school with three-time National Champion Tony D

QUICK LOOK AT THE ST. LOUIS TRACK DURING THE FIRST 450 QUALIFIER

SEE THE THOR’S BABY-FACED AMATEUR RACERS IN ACTION: RYDER DIFRANCESCO, STILEZ ROBERTSON  & SEAN CANTRELL

DUBYA TO BE THE OFFICIAL WHEEL & SPROCKET SUPPLIER TO KTM’S AMATEUR TEAM
       

Dubya USA has been named the official wheel and sprocket supplier to KTM’s Orange Brigade amateur motocross team for the 2012 season. Dubya has opened their entire catalog to the team, including parts from leading brands like Talon, Kite, D.I.D and Excel. “Dubya is committed to supporting the future of motocross,” said Dubya founder Kristin White Anderson. “Working with amateur programs like KTM’s Orange Brigade lets us do our part to bring up the next generation of motocross racers.” Visit Dubya’s website at www.dubyausa.com for more information or download their catalog from the iTunes app store by clicking the following link: itunes.apple.com/us/app/dubya/id501993969?mt=8

DAYTONA IS WORKING ON THE SUPERCROSS TRACK ALREADY

Here’s a look at some of the numbers behind the construction of this year’s Daytona Supercross By Honda course:
  4 ? Number of tractors working to spread the dirt (1 front loader, 1 crawler, 2 skid steer)
  8 ? Number of dump trucks used to transport loads of dirt
  29 ? Number of jumps on the track up three from last year
  204 ? Number of dump truck loads of dirt used to build the course on the tri-oval grass
  128 ? Number of man-hours needed to complete the construction of the course
  420 ? Number of 2 x 9 Styrofoam blocks which will be used for safety along the course
  3200 ? Feet of the Supercross course from start to finish
  4500 ? Yards of dirt needed to build the Supercross track

ARE YOU AN ANGLOPHILE? EVEN IF YOU ARE A FRANCOPHOBE, YOU’LL WANT TO SEE THE CLASSIC HAWKSTONE PARK INTERNATIONAL FROM LAST WEEKEND

MATRIX HAS A SPECIAL KEVIN WINDHAM GIVE-AWAY OFFER FOR MARCH

In celebration of Kevin Windham’s 200th start, Matrix Concepts would like to give away a free M5 Stand Mat or a M4 Bench Top Mat (your choice) with any Mat purchase from www.MatrixRacingProducts.com. Just select your Mats and enter coupon code: “March” and Matrix will discount your order upon invoicing. (Discount will not show in shopping cart). www.MatrixRacingProducts.com

HART & HUNTINGTON OWNER CAREY HART ANALYZES HIS TEAM’S SEASON SO FAR…IT’S BEEN A GREAT & A BAD YEAR ROLLED UP IN ONE


ARE YOU AN FRANCOPHILE? EVEN IF YOU ARE AN ANGLOPHOBE, YOU’LL WANT TO SEE FRENCH-BASED BUD KAWASAKI’S DYLAN FERRANDIS, LVIA LANCELOT, DAVID HERTRETEAU & VALENTIN TEILLET


SPEED’S RATINGS ARE UP FOR LIVE SUPERCROSS

Speed scored its highest household rating to date for a Monster Energy Supercross event, as Saturday night’s live event from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta was up 24 percent from a year ago (0.47 vs. 0.38) and averaged 630,000 viewers (peaking at 738,000), according to Nielsen Media Research. Through five races this season, Supercross on Speed is up 13 percent with households, 31 percent with Men 35-54 and 27 percent with Men 18-49. The median age of Speed viewers is 52-years-old.

For comparison, primetime network shows, like “Modern Family” are seen by 11 million viewers, and the rain-delayed Daytona 500 had 13.7 million viewers. On cable TV, which Speed is, an episode of “Pawn Stars” will draw 5 million viewers, “American Pickers” 4 million and “Basketball Wives” 2 million. However, the total numbers are not comparable because what is considered a hit show on one channel would be a loser on another.

The next race is scheduled for Saturday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific) and 8:30 p.m. (Eastern) from St. Louis. For more information on Speed moto-racing.speedtv.com/ama-supercross-motocross/

DARRYN DURHAM: THE LEAST KNOWN RIDER ON THE BEST KNOWN TEAM IN MOTOCROSS

TWEET-CITY: THE ELECTRONIC MIMEOGRAPH

Michael Byrne: Byrne crashed in pre-season testing and fractured the C-6 vertabra in his neck. He has missed every race so far, but should be okay for the Nationals (or the last few Supercrosses).

Jake Moss: Jake Moss will go the privateer route in the 2012 Australian Nationals with his new Campbell Mining Services Honda CRF450.

Josh Coppins: First and foremost, Josh Coppins is not an Aussie. He’s a Kiwi. After returning from the GPs last year Josh has raced both the Australian and New Zealand Nationals, but has decided that 2012 will be his last season.

THE 2012 AMA SUPERCROSS POINTS CHASE: ONLY 35 RIDERS HAVE POINTS, BUT SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED FROM TITLE CONTENTION ALREADY

Everybody starts with the same amount of points (zero), but from the drop of the gate at race 1, the spread begins to grow. Photo: Hoppenworld

When a rider wins an AMA Supercross he is awarded 25 points. Second place gets 22, third 20, fourth 18 and fifth 16. After that the points are paid in one point increments from 15 points for sixth down to 1 point for 20th.

POINTS LEADERS (1st & 2nd)
Rider ……………….points…behind
1. Ryan Villopoto……..205…..0
2. Ryan Dungey ……..192….13

75 POINTS BACK: THREE RACES BEHIND (4th through 9th)
4. Chad Reed…………128….77
5. Kevin Windham…..123….82
6. Jake Weimer………120….85
7. Justin Brayton……..116….89
8. Brett Metcalfe……..113….86
9. David Millsaps…….109….96