Vital Buzz: Budds Creek 2008 1

 


Ready for some of the buzz from Budds? Here we go. Like always, click any photo below for a larger version.


After struggling to keep his 250Fs healthy, happy, and competitive against the factory-caliber bikes, Michael Willard opted to buy a pair of new YZ450Fs, and go racing in the big-bored class instead. Other than a pipe and some suspension work, he said they were pretty much stock.


Michael was also pitting out of his pickup, since the Cycra rig blew an engine recently while traveling from National to National.


Michael Willard 


The two F-16s that flew over the Budds Creek facility at the end of the National Anthem during opening ceremonies? Awesome. But at current fuel prices? We can only imagine how much that afterburner intro cost.


 


One of the buzzwords that we keep hearing about the Nationals in ’09 is…festival. More entertainment for the fans, more of a weekend-long event. And…more types of racing?


Ten Man Push 


Nope, this wasn’t part of the Monster Energy talent pool…though she apparently does like the product.



Most impressive charge through the field last weekend? That had to go to Timmy Ferry. After a so-so start in the second moto, he charged from about 18th place up to second at the end of the moto. Apparently he’s not getting older, he’s getting better. Now the question is, did that clinch a spot on the MXoN team for him? If you believe some of what you read in the Vital MX Forums… (and the team will be announced Sunday morning at Unadilla).


Timmy Ferry 


We dug this banner that was hanging out on the track during Sunday’s racing, but we may have seen that bunny before…when we were kids…in a nightmare.


Tim Ferry 


Paul Carpenter’s still dealing with some of the injuries that he suffered at Glen Helen earlier this season. His knee is mostly good to go, but he has a calf muscle that’s still bugging him. He toughed it out to a 14-9 (for 10th overall) day.


Paul Carpenter

Before the racing on Sunday we caught Sean Hamblin doing a little pre-race callous maintenance. Also, check out the stitches on his left fingers. A lot of guys are getting pretty beat up right now. We hear that Sean had problems with his shoulder again in the first moto, and opted out of the second moto.


Sean Hamblin 


The Monster Energy Kawasaki team guys are using a brake pedal stop similar to the ones used by the JRG Toyota Yamahas, which helps prevent damage to the brake master cylinder if the pedal takes an upwards hit. We also like the Acerbis rubber wrap around the pegs.


 


If you ask Josh Grant, he’ll tell you that he had his hand up as the AMA officials were checking to make sure everyone was ready, since he was having problems getting his Geico Powersports Honda fired up. Unfortunately, the 30-second board went up without him being ready, and he was left sitting on the gate when it dropped. He wasn’t very happy, and displayed that down the start straight. But despite starting dead-last, he charged back to ninth in the first moto. In the second moto, he rolled over his own ankle, and finished 35th.


Josh Grant 


Yeowch. Check out the shiner and stitches on Team Tamer / Hooters / Moto XXX’s Antonio Balbi. Yep, he caught a rock in the eye at Red Bud. Despite the problem, he was knocking on the door of a top-ten finish on Sunday.


Antonio Balbi 


Honda Red Bull Racing’s Davi Millsaps was still sporting a swollen and sore shoulder after his big crash at Red Bud. He gamely finished sixth in the first moto, but struggled to a 35th in moto two.


Davi Millsaps 


Injuries aren’t just limited to the riders…or throttle-twisting activities. MDK KTM’s Darrin “Rookie” Sorenson had a gnarly mountain bike crash a while back that left him in a sling and with a neck brace. Unfortunately for him, the temps were in the 80s, which made the brace soggy and “fragrant.” The good news is, as you can see, he was getting lots of sympathy and support from his team.


Darrin "Rookie" Sorenson


We spy, with our little eyes…


 


The Southern Maryland Dirt Riders offer up the Kevin Crine Award to two deserving privateers each year at Budds Creek, and this year the Lites Award (and the $1,500 check) went to Sean Borkenhagen. A similar award went to Jake Marsack in the 450cc class. We know that for privateers like these guys, they really appreciate it.


 


Sean Borkenhagen

Eric Sorby got called into duty for the Spike Energy Toyota Yamaha Joe Gibbs MX squad. Unfortunately, he got ill during the second moto.


 Eric Sorby


Josh Hill scored not only his best moto finish of the season (4th), but also his best overall (4th as well) at Budds Creek.


Josh Hill


Yep, looks like motocross to us. Check out the ruts and bumps during the last moto of the day. Oh yeah… James Stewart scored two more moto wins, and is now a perfect 14-0 since his return. Unadilla has been unkind to him over the last few years. How will he fare next weekend? We'll have to wait and see.


 James Stewart


Stuffed up against the fence around the podium at the end of the day we found this fan…and we have to agree. Get well soon, Mike.


Get well Mike Alessi

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