Kawasaki Rider’s Stewart and Villopoto Set Fastest Lap Times in Practice At Honda Hangtown Classic

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 31, 2008) – After a week of success, Kawasaki-mounted riders paced the field once again after the opening day of the Honda Hangtown Motocross Classic Presented by Jackson Rancheria Resort & Casino, round two of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart topped the AMA Motocross class with a time of 2:01.865 while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto was quickest in AMA Motocross Lites at 2:04.192.

James Stewart – Credit Steve Giberson

Abundant sunshine and temperatures in the mid 80’s greeted the riders, a stark contrast to the overcast and chilly conditions from the opening round. The Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club presented an outstanding, yet challenging track for the riders, running the famed circuit in reverse direction. Maintaining the momentum he established last weekend at Glen Helen, Stewart bested Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, the day’s second fastest time at 2:04.676. Privateer-rider Steve Boniface turned heads in third at 2:06.435 aboard his Honda CRF450R.


In AMA Motocross Lites, Villopoto outpaced everyone on Saturday for the second week in a row. His time of 2:04.192 bested Team MDK KTM’s Ryan Sipes at 2:05.886. Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey rounded out the top three with a time of 2:05.944


Sunday’s moto action for the Honda Hangtown Motocross Classic kicks off at 1 p.m.

Ryan Villopoto – Credit Steve Giberson

Motocross Class Saturday Practice

1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 2:01.865

2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 2:04.676

3. Steve Boniface, Corona, Calif., Honda, 2:06.435

4. Charles Summey, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha, 2:06.749

5. Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 2:07.205

6. Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Honda, 2:07.394

7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Tex., Honda, 2:07.606

8. Ryan Clark, Waddell, Ariz., Honda, 2:08.252

9. Michael Byrne, Newman, Geo., Suzuki, 2:08.679

10. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 2:08.707


Motocross Lites Saturday Practice

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 2:04.192

2. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM, 2:05.886

3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki 2:05.944

4. Nico Izzi, Saint Clair, Mich., Suzuki, 2:06.715

5. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., KTM, 2:06.864

6. Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Tex., Honda, 2:06.953

7. Robert Kiniry, La Fayette, N.Y., Honda, 2:07.123

8. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 2:07.158

9. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki, 2:07.285

10. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 2:07.362

For more information on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, log on to www.amamotocross.com for live timing and scoring at @theWireLIVE!. Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.motocross.com, with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend, featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.

About the National Promoters Group (NPG)

The National Promoters Group (NPG) comprises 12 individual promoters of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF which sanctions outdoor motocross events throughout the United States, and remains the Nation's premier outdoor motocross championship series. NPG's mission is to raise awareness of motocross racing through the production of professional championship racing events nationwide.

About AMA Pro Racing
AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional properties include the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110 thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit www.amaproracing.com.