Press Release

YOSHIMURA-Backed Teams Take Win And Dominate At Thunder Valley Motocross!!


CHINO, CA (June 28, 2011) –
Yoshimura-backed teams once again showed their dominance and the
performance advantage of their Yoshimura products Saturday during the
fifth round of AMA Pro Motocross Championship at the Thunder Valley
National in Lakewood, CA. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki and Honda Racing
teams put their Yoshimura products to work in capturing the win and
dominating in Colorado.


A huge crowd was
on hand to witness and help celebrate as Team Rockstar Makita
Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey scored his first overall victory of the season
at Thunder Valley. Both Dungey and teammate Brett Metcalfe put their
Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z450s to the test in the grueling, high
altitude conditions in Lakewood. Dungey rode two great races,
claiming a second and first to come away with the overall win.
Metcalfe once again had to work his way through the pack in both
motos to grab a seventh-place overall finish for the day.


Dungey was strong from the get-go in
Colorado. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider qualified with the second
fastest time and had great starts in both motos. In moto one, Dungey
was tight with the front group and in fourth place after lap one. By
lap three, he was able to pull into third and put his head down to
power his RM-Z after second. At lap nine, he made the pass for
second, but by that time, the leader had built a pretty large gap and
he had to settle for a second-place finish. In moto two, Dungey
launched his RM-Z450 out of the gate and quickly into second. By lap
three, he was able to pass for the lead and never looked back,
claiming the second moto win and overall victory for the day. Dungey
remains third in the championship points race but picked up a
valuable seven points from the leader.


"It means a lot to get this win,”
said Dungey. “We’re five rounds in and I wish it could have come
earlier, but that’s racing. I have to give it up for Team Rockstar
Makita Suzuki; we’ve all been working our butts off. This win feels
really good – I’d like to keep continuing it. My RM-Z450 was
awesome. I want to thank the man above and my whole family – It
feels good to get this one. I’m looking forward to Redbud. It’s a
great track and one of my favorites. I was able to pull off wins in
both motos there last year. Hopefully we have a little momentum from
this one and I can pull off a couple more.”


Teammate Brett Metcalfe started the day
with the fourth fastest time in qualifying. The Rockstar Makita
Suzuki rider suffered a bad start and a tip over in the first moto
but was able to use the power of his RM-Z to work from near the back
of the field to card a ninth-place finish. In moto two, Metcalfe had
a better start but got caught up in a turn two incident and again had
to work his way up from near the back. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki
rider rode solid and put in some great laps to cross the line in
seventh, which was good enough to give him a seventh-place overall
for the day. Metcalfe sits sixth in the championship points but just
one point out of fifth and four points out of fourth.


"It was a pretty good weekend in
Colorado,” said Metcalfe. “Riding-wise, I was happy. I had a bad
start and a small crash in the first moto. I was just really far back
and Thunder Valley is a technical track. And with the altitude, the
bikes are slower, so it’s really difficult to make up time.
Unfortunately, not a good result with a ninth, but from where I came
from, my riding was good. The second moto I got a much better start,
but I got caught up in a bit of a pileup in the second corner, so I
ended up at the back again. I was pretty frustrated, but I rode good
that second moto and my Rockstar Makita Suzuki was working great. My
team made some adjustments that really helped me in the second moto.
I’m looking forward to Redbud. Everyone likes Redbud – It’s an
awesome track and I feel really comfortable on the bike now and feel
strong. I really need to get the starts there and give myself a
chance to run up front.”


American Honda Racing was right there
as well as Kevin Windham matched his best result of the season
finishing just off the podium in fourth at Thunder Valley on his
Yoshimura-equipped Honda CRF450R.


Windham replicated his strong results
from last weekend’s High Point National, getting good starts in
both motos to go 4-4 for fourth overall. Windham’s points haul
elevated the veteran to fourth in the championship standings. His
American Honda Racing teammate Josh Grant got a great start in moto
one and was in fifth position when he suffered an injury to his knee,
forcing him to withdraw from the event.


“I really thought Budds Creek was
going to be my last race for the summer,” said Windham. “I’m
excited to be out here, especially with the way the bike is running.
It’s fun being out here for the fans and riding with their support.
It’s like a win without even winning.”


The Yoshimura-backed team’s next
event is the sixth round of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championship
on Saturday, July 2nd, at the Rockstar Energy Drink Redbud National
in Buchanan, MI.


About Yoshimura R&D of America:
Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for
more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge, and passion for
racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust
industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same
legendary performance, fit and quality that has been their trademark
for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view
their wide variety of performance products, visit
www.yoshimura-rd.com.


Yoshimura products are designed,
manufactured, intended, and sold for use on vehicles that are
operated only on closed course racing circuits unless otherwise
noted.  Use of these products on public roads or lands is
strictly prohibited and may be a violation of local, state, or
federal laws. Products intended for use on vehicles operated on
public roads or lands are clearly so indicated.


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