Team Redux Beverages/Brawndo Honda Houston Race Recap presented by Rockwell Watches

January 26th, 2009

 

The AMA Supercross Series headed to the great state of Texas for round four of the 2009 circuit.  Team Redux Beverages/Brawndo Honda was on hand to present the debut of Cocheton, New York’s Phillip Nicoletti.  Marking the opening round of the 2009 East Region 250cc Series, there was excitement in the air in Houston. 

 

Phillip had been working hard and was looking to reap the fruits of his labor.  The opening practice session had a couple of hiccups, but by session two Phillip had set the 11th quickest time and secured himself a great pick for 250cc Heat One.

 

When the gate dropped on heat one, Phillip jumped out toward the front of the pack.  He lost his edge just out of the gate with a slight wheelie, but maintained a mid-pack position nonetheless.  Within three laps, Philip had made his way up to eighth position and looked to be cruising home for an easy transfer.  On the final lap, the pressure of the first race seemed to get to him as he made a few bobbles and allowed Branden Jesseman within striking distance.  With only two turns to go, Jesseman made his move and pushed Phillip high up in a berm.  This not only allowed Jesseman by, but also hindered Phillip’s momentum enough that he was unable to jump the next triple relinquishing another position and slipping out of the final transfer position.  Phillip would go on the LCQ (Last Chance Qualifier).

 

In the LCQ, Phillip appeared to have the holeshot but got pushed wide in the first turn.  In an all out attempt to regain the lead he collided with the another rider and was forced off the track.  Once back on the course, he began picking his way through the field.  With just four laps of racing, he was only able to muster 4th position, two places shy of qualification.  Phillip was extremely disappointed to have missed the feature, but will have three weeks to prepare for his next opportunity at Atlanta.

 

After a rough start to the season, and an especially tough Anaheim 2, Jake Marsack is battered and bruised.  In spite of it all, he has continued to solider on and put his best effort forward each and every week.

 

This week Jake struggled in practice and timed qualification.  Once the gate drops on the race, a rider is usually able to put the distractions and pain aside and do what he knows.  Jake was hoping the adrenaline would allow him to overcome his ailments in Houston.

 

Jake had a mid-pack start in heat one, but looked to be steadily moving forward toward the ninth place qualifying position.  By halfway, he was into tenth with a talent-packed field flanking him.  One mistake allowed two riders by, and although he gave chase until the end he was unable to make up the positions he had lost.

 

In the Last Chance Qualifier, Jake would need a great start to move into the main event.  Unable to repeat his early season holeshots, Jake was mired deep in the pack.  He moved up several positions but his charge was only able to move him into sixth position. 

 

It was a frustrating night on the track for our riders, but we learned some valuable lessens and will bring them with us as we travel back to California for round five next weekend in San Francisco.  The pit area in Houston was awesome, with plenty of Brawndo for the fans.  Stop by our truck in San Francisco where the Brawndo will be flowing like wine.

The Redux Beverages/Brawndo Honda Supercross and Motocross race team is owned and managed by Team Solitaire/MB1 Racing and is based in Phoenix, AZ.  The team is supported by and endorses the following products and companies:

 

Redux Beverages, Brawndo: The Thirst Mutilator, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., MB1 Suspension, Rockwell Watches, St. Lawrence Radiology, Nuclear Blast, Dunlop, Kingdom Clothing, FLY Racing, Dragon Optical, Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals, Factory Effex, Yoshimura, Vortex, Thunder Alley Sports, WPS, Sidi, Champion Tool Storage, QTM/Brembo, RK Chain, EXCEL Rims, HoyFox.com, Boyesen, K&N Filters, Cycra Plastic, USA Sport, Sano Systems, Pivot Works, Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Crank Works, CP Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Ron Davis Racing Radiators, NGK Spark Plugs, AWhite Design, Leatt Brace, Dirt Pro, Arizona Cycle Park, VP Racing Fuel, CDG Technology, Mechanix Wear, JM Collision, Hammerhead Designs, Team Hawg Racing, Hinson, ASV, Group D Manufacturing and DC Auto Wraps.