Dragon Racing Fuels Race Report – Unadilla

New Berlin, NY – For
the first time this 2010 season, Team Dragon Racing Fuels/1-866-KTM
PART pulled into Unadilla with a full stable of riders. Excitement was
running high as the long awaited return of #64 Taylor Futrell was
finally here. Taylor was injured during the 2010 Monster Energy
Supercross Series and after having a top five finish in the 2009 Lucas
Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, having the #64 Team Dragon Racing
Fuels/1-866-KTM PART bike on the starting line as opposed to the pits
on display brought a welcome smile to Team Manager Al Albiker’s face.


Adding to the excitement, the Team was bringing in the professional
debut of rookie #244 Ryan Zimmer. Ryan, coming off of Loretta’s, is
making a bike brand switch and is showing outstanding progress with the
move. The riders were anxious to fire up their bikes and compete on one
of the most storied tracks in the United States.

 

With the outstanding relationship between Factory KTM and Team
Dragon Racing Fuels/1-866-KTM PART and the unfortunate injury to
Factory rider Tommy Searle, Factory KTM asked if the Team would allow
#175 Phil Nicoletti to return to the Factory truck for the weekend to
fill in for Tommy. "We work closely with KTM and want to help when we
can. Casey (Lytle) asked if we would allow Phil to return to the team
to fill in for (Tommy) Searle, of course we want what’s best for
everyone so we gave Phil permission to get back on a factory bike",
said Al Albiker, Team Manager. "We wish Phil all the best and want him
to succeed… he is a good rider and great kid", added Albiker. It is
uncertain as to how long Phil will be filling the spot for Tommy Searle.

 

With 3 riders left for the weekend, the focus was on racing. The
track conditions for the first qualifying practice were pretty good.
Taylor Futrell and Ryan Zimmer laid down their best qualifying laps
that ultimately secured their spot in the fastest forty. As the track
conditions deteriorated for the second qualifying practice, #690 Ricky
Winters laid down his fastest qualifying lap but was still unable to
make the top 40.

 

As the gate dropped for Moto one, both Futrell and Zimmer came out
of the first turn at the back of the field. With nowhere to go but
forward, they both put their heads down and began their battle towards
the front. While the focus and excitement was at the front of the
field, when the checkered flag flew, Futrell finished 22^nd and Zimmer finished 32^nd.

 

With a disappointing first Moto in the books for both Futrell and
Zimmer, the second Moto was a chance to go out and get some time under
their belts with higher expectations to finish the weekend on a high
note.  When the gate dropped for Moto two, Zimmer jumped out with the
lead pack but got caught up in the carnage as several riders hit the
ground. Futrell came out of the gate towards the back of the pack and
dodged the pile up in front of him. With both Futrell and Zimmer in the
back of the field, they both fought hard to get towards the front. With
a few miscues from the two riders their fate would be set as they ended
the weekend on a very disappointing note. Taylor Futrell finished the
weekend with a (22) (26) giving him a 27^th overall and Ryan Zimmer finished with a (32) (29) giving him the 36^th overall.

 

"It was good to get back on the track", said Taylor Futrell. "I am
disappointed that my first race back was as poor as it was… I know I am
better than what my results showed today and I have a lot of work to
do, I’ll be ready for Southwick".

 

Ryan Zimmer added, "I was not really nervous for my first race as
a pro… I had no expectations and no pressure from the Team… I just
needed to go out and see what I could do. I am disappointed by my
results but will work hard to find my place. Taylor, Ricky, and I
practice and work out as a team… we have a lot of work to do. We will
be ready for Southwick".