Vital MX Press Releases

Penultimate Round of 2009 FIM Women’s World Championship in Uddevalla This Weekend

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:48:58 -0700

FUNCHAL (PORTUGAL), 1 July 2009 – Uddevalla is now ready to welcome the fastest female racers in the world headed by Steffi Laier of Germany, as the venue will host the series for the first time since it was upgraded to the status of FIM World Championship.

The latest round in Germany last month added drama to the series which was headed by defending Championship Lancelot until Laier’s home event. The French entered Teutschenthal with a dislocated right shoulder and the injury got worse through the weekend. Eventually Lancelot pulled out of round five and is probably done with this season ending in two rounds, while Laier won and took the lead of the FIM Women’s World Championship.

Laier now leads the series

Taking victory in the two German heats, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Laier stormed to the series lead and is confident for Uddevalla, the venue marking her FIM Women’s World Cup victory in 2005 in occasion of the series’ first edition. In 2006 the German was a close second behind overall winner Prumm as the duo ended level in points, while in 2007 Laier won heat one to crash and dnf in moto two.

Just 21 points behind Laier sits German compatriot Papenmeier of Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2. Despite taking back to back podiums since round two in Agueda, Papenmeier has not yet won an overall.

Kawasaki Racing’s Lancelot is now third in the Championship but with the defending Champion missing the remainder of the season Kawasaki fellow rider Franke aims at breaking into the top three this weekend at Uddevalla, where she took a podium in 2007. Franke is only 32 points behind red plate holder Laier and still has the chance of leading an all German top three in this year’s Championship.

Being fifth in the standings, home rider Mann of KTM Scandinavia is chasing her first season’s podium. The only home podium appearance of the 22 year old happened in 2006.

Kane of Northern Ireland performed strong in Germany where she was fourth overall. The Suzuki mounted rider is now sixth in the series and holds a chance of breaking into the top five this weekend.

Other Swedish Romlin is due to comeback to racing at home this weekend after a troublesome injury.

2007 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP PODIUM:

1. Katherine Prumm
2. Livia Lancelot
3. Maria Franke

2007 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP POLE: Stephanie Laier

More photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/galleryinfo.aspx.

TIMETABLE

Saturday: WMX Free Practice 9:00-9:30; MX2 Free Practice 10:00-10:40; MX1 Free Practice 10:50-11:30; WMX Time Practice 12:00-12:30; MX2 Pre Qualifying Practice 13:30-14:10; MX1 Pre Qualifying Practice 14:30-15:10; MX2 Qualifying Race 16:00; MX1 Qualifying Race 17:00; WMX Race 1 18:00.

Sunday: WMX Warm Up 8:45-9:05; MX2 Warm Up 9:15-9:35; MX1 Warm Up 9:45-10:05; WMX Race 2 11:15; MX2 Grand Prix Race 1 12:10; MX1 Grand Prix Race 1 13:10; MX2 Grand Prix Race 2 15:03; MX1 Grand Prix Race 2 16:03.

LINKS

Youthstream
FIM
Grand Prix of Sweden

Freecaster.tv is the prime source of LIVE and On-Demand coverage for action sports on the Internet. Watch the 2009 FIM MX1/MX2/MX3 and Women’s World Championships, the 2009 SuperMoto World Championship and the 2009 FIM Snowcross World Championship races exclusively, LIVE and free on www.freecaster.tv.

Youthstream is the company that manages the exclusive television, marketing and promotional world wide rights of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the FIM Motocross of Nations, the FIM Women's Motocross World Championship, the FIM Veteran's Motocross World Cup, the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship, the FIM SuperMoto World Championship, the FIM SuperMoto of Nations, the FIM Snowcross World Championship, the UEM Motocross European Championship, the UEM Motocross of European Nations and the UEM SuperMoto European Championship.

www.MotocrossMX1.com

Fly Racing Launches 2010 Product Line

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:43:31 -0700

Fly Racing is proud to announce the release of its 2010 line-up of advanced technology race wear and exciting new line of casual wear. All 2010 Fly Racing products can now be viewed at www.flyracing.com.

Watch Fly Racing’s 2010 product launch video, shot on location at Rynoland in Anza, California, by clicking on the catalog cover image below, or HERE.

About Fly Racing
Established in 1996, Fly Racing began as a manufacturer of motorcycle handlebars and helmets and has quickly developed into one of the fastest growing off road riding apparel and hard part brands. Fly Racing develops high-quality products for the competitive and demanding North American market and is distributed in 40+ countries.

Pressure Remains High Ahead of Third Consecutive FIM Motocross Grand Prix

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:32:47 -0700

FUNCHAL (PORTUGAL), 1 July 2009 – A demanding stage of three back to back races will end this weekend as the FIM Motocross World Championship heads to Uddevalla, Sweden, for the 11th Grand Prix of 15.

Cairoli has a strong lead in the MX1 class with new runner up Nagl and Philippaerts following. In the MX2 class there is Musquin on top with Paulin and Goncalves completing the top three.

MX1

Winning his second consecutive GP at Kegums Yamaha Red Bull De Carli’s Cairoli is ready to enter the Swedish Grand Prix on top of his game. The Italian heads the MX1 Championship at his first full season in the category and has already taken four Grand Prix victories while the second winningest rider Barragan has two despite five MX1 seasons under his belt – including 2009.

Cairoli’s performance in Latvia left other youngster Desalle of LS Motors Honda with a disappointed second, though the Belgian collected his maiden moto win at the end of the opening heat. Desalle, whose defeat was also due to a clutch issue in moto two, will surely give it another try this weekend in Sweden to improve on his fifth position in the Championship, just 19 points behind new runner up Nagl.

The German of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing struggled in the second Latvian heat but managed to move past defending Champion Philippaerts in the points standings. The latter dropped down to third ahead of Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross team mate Coppins, coming back to the podium at Kegums after two strong rides.

Leaving Cairoli aside, the group of riders spread from second to sixth in the Championship are spread in just 30 points as this list also includes Teka Suzuki WMX1’s De Dycker, whose Latvian GP was hampered by a first moto crash. Sweden is a milestone venue for De Dycker taking his maiden overall win at Uddevalla in 2007.

With the fans expecting Barragan’s return to action after his Swedish GP win of last year, they will have to wait one more round as the Spaniard is due to comeback at Lommel together with team mate Krestinov.

Home rider Johan Carlsson of Delta Rentor Racing Team will try and improve on his 32nd place in the points standings by exploiting the advantage of racing at home while American Matt Boni will jump onboard the Factory 450 Honda seat left vacant by injured Billy Mackenzie of CAS Honda.

With the Swedish GP being the closest to his home country Norway, GP winner Gundersen will reinforce Yamaha’s line up this weekend as a wild card rider. In 2008 Gundersen entered his 12th FIM World Championship season with the Utag-Yamaha.com squad but a knee injury at the opening GP in Valkenswaard saw him pull out of the whole GP campaign.

2008 MX1 PODIUM:

1. Jonathan Barragan
2. Steve Ramon
3. David Philippaerts

2008 MX1 POLEMAN: Steve Ramon

Desalle taking a downhill section

More photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/galleryinfo.aspx.

MX2

Returning to victory onboard his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine in superb Latvian weekend, Goncalves is confident for Uddevalla. With three GP wins now in his bag courtesy of Kegums’ success, the Portuguese stormed to third in the Championship to put runner up Paulin in his sights. The goal will keep Goncalves busy in the forthcoming weekend with the Portuguese expected to try and close the 21 point gap from the Frenchman.

Championship leader Musquin watches the dogfight for second being 49 point ahead of Paulin. Courtesy of a second overall finish, the KTM mounted Frenchman took his fourth consecutive podium at Kegums where he collected as many points as overall winner Goncalves and limited the damages to his solid Championship.

Kawasaki Bud Racing PSM’s Paulin completed the podium in Latvia with the country marking both his podium comeback –after an absence of two races- and the maiden appearance of the series in the country.

Guarneri of Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci Motocross just dropped from third to fourth in the Championship rounding off a packed top four.

CLS’ Frossard is fifth ahead of rookie Roczen. The Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 boy, who won already at Teutschenthal, is a surprising sixth in the Championship with a 64 point gap to close if he wants to break into the top five as he is currently sandwiched in between French countrymen Frossard and Aubin.

2008 MX2 PODIUM:
1. Antonio Cairoli
2. Tyla Rattray
3. Shaun Simpson

Paulin continues chasing Musquin for the Title

More photos available at www.motocrossmx1.com/galleryinfo.aspx.

TIMETABLE

LINKS

Youthstream
FIM
Grand Prix of Sweden

www.MotocrossMX1.com

Provisional 2010 FIM World Motocross, SuperMoto and Snowcross Championships Calendars

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:27:33 -0700

FUNCHAL (PORTUGAL), 1 July 2009 – In occasion of the FIM Management Council held in Geneva on June 20 and 21, the provisional 2010 calendars of the FIM Motocross, SuperMoto and Snowcross World Championships promoted by Youthstream were announced.

The calendars can be found here below.

FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MX1/MX2

(including FIM Women’s World Championship, FIM Veterans’ World Cup, Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations, UEM 125 2t European Championship)

DATE	GRAND PRIX	VENUE	WORLD CHAMP/CUP	SUPPORT RACE
11 April	ITALY	Fermo	Veteran	UEM 125 2t
18 April	BULGARIA	Sevlievo	Women
25 April	TURKEY	Istanbul
09 May	PORTUGAL	Agueda	Women
16 May	CATALUNYA (E)	Bellpuig	Women	UEM 125 2t
30 May	GREAT BRITAIN	Tba	Veteran
06 June	FRANCE	Saint Jean d'Angely	Women	UEM 125 2t
13 June	THE NETHERLANDS	Valkenswaard
27 June	GERMANY	Teutschenthal	Veteran	UEM 125 2t
04 July	SWEDEN	Uddevalla	Women
11 July	LATVIA	Kegums	Veteran
01 August	BELGIUM	Lommel	Veteran
08 August	CZECH REP.	Loket	Veteran	UEM 125 2t
29 August	BENELUX (NL)	Lierop	Women	UEM 125 2t
05 September	Tba	Tba	UEM 125 2t
19 September	BRAZIL	Canelinha
3 October	Red Bull FIM Motocross Of Nations	Tba

Website: www.motocrossmx1.com

FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MX3

(including UEM EMX2 European Championship, UEM 150 4t European Championship)

DATE	COUNTRY	VENUE	CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP	SUPPORT RACE
28 March	FRANCE	Castelnau de Levis	EMX2 UEM	UEM 150 4t
11 April	SPAIN	Tba	EMX2 UEM	UEM 150 4t
18 April	PORTUGAL	Cortelha	EMX2 UEM
02 May	GREAT BRITAIN	Tba	EMX2 UEM	UEM 150 4t
16 May	GREECE	Tba
23 May	TURKEY	Tba
30 May	BULGARIA	Troyan
13 June	CZECH REP.	Holice	EMX2 UEM
27 June	THE NETHERLANDS	Markelo	EMX2 UEM
04 July	ITALY	Tba	EMX2 UEM	UEM 150 4t
18 July	SLOVENIA	Orehova Vas	EMX2 UEM
25 July	CROATIA	Mladina	EMX2 UEM
01 August	GERMANY	Schwedt	EMX2 UEM	UEM 150 4t
22 August	FINLAND	Vantaa	EMX2 UEM
29 August	DENMARK	Randers	EMX2 UEM
05 September	SWITZERLAND	Geneva	EMX2 UEM	UEM 150 4t

Website: www.motocrossmx1.com

FIM JUNIOR MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

DATE	COUNTRY	VENUE
22 August	FRANCE	Dardon Gueugnon

Website: www.motocrossmx1.com

FIM SUPERMOTO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

(including UEM Open and Maximoto European Championships)

DATE	GRAND PRIX	VENUE	UEM OPEN & MaxiMoto
02 May	ITALY	Viterbo	Yes
23 May	SPAIN	Tba	Yes
20 June	FRANCE	Villars sous Ecot	Yes
18 July	BELGIUM	Bilstain	Yes
22 August	ANDORRA	Andorra	Yes
26 September	EUROPE (I)	Latina	Yes
17 October	BULGARIA	Pleven	Yes
24 October	TURKEY	Tba	Yes
12 September - FIM SuperMoto of Nations - FRANCE - Cahors

Website: www.supermotos1.com

FIM SNOWCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

DATE	COUNTRY	VENUE
20 March	Sweden	Mala

Website: www.worldsnowcross.com

LINKS

Youthstream
FIM

www.MotocrossMX1.com

Rollercoaster Weekend for TLD / Lucas Oil / PPG / Honda

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:02:15 -0700

The Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ PPG/ Honda team had a roller coaster weekend at the Thunder Valley National in Colorado last weekend. Jake Moss and Chris Blose made it clear that they intended to have breakout rides over the weekend by posting the first and fourth quickest times in the second practice session. Their young teammate, Sean Borkenhagen, logged his best qualifying time this season with a ninth in the 250 class.

In the first 450 moto Chris Blose rounded turn one in second place behind Red Bull/Honda's Ivan Tedesco. Moss was close behind in fifth but it wouldn't take him long to move up and eventually pass his teammate. By lap three Moss was in a solid third behind Tedesco and Short while Blose fell back to the eighth spot. And that's where both riders stayed until the closing laps when Reed got by Moss with just a few laps to go. Moss would make a run at him on the final lap but still cross the flag in fourth position. Blose held onto eighth place for his best finish of the outdoor season. It was a banner moto for the Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil team with both riders well inside the top ten and Moss fighting for a coveted podium spot.

The second moto wouldn't be as kind to either rider. Moss was again inside the top five rounding the first turn but it wouldn't take long for things to go sideways. Jake hit a bump on the face of a jump and it sent him flying over the handlebars. He was knocked unconscious briefly and then attended to by the Asterisk Medical team. He suffered a concussion and a small contusion around his right eye in the crash that ended his night. Chris Blose suffered a terrible start (38th position) and worked his way up to tenth after the opening laps. It looked like Chris was set to post another solid finish until a crash shot him off the track and out of the top twenty. It was not the way either rider hoped to finish off an otherwise spectacular weekend.

After qualifying well, Sean Borkenhagen struggled in the 250 class with a 15-DNF result. Sean will look to improve that score as he heads to Red Bud this weekend in his own van.

The Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/ Honda team will skip Red Bud and return to action at the Washougal round of the series on July 25th.

X Games 15
The following weekend the team will prepare to add to it's medal count in the Summer X Games in Los Angeles on August 1st.

Jake Moss and Chris Blose will compete in the Moto X event and Jeff Ward, Joey Pascarella, David Pingree and Cassidy Anderson will fight for the gold in the Supermoto discipline.

The Troy Lee Designs /Lucas Oil /Honda MX Race Team would like to thank all of the amazing companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years.

We would also like to welcome our new sponsors that will be an integral part of the crew in years to come.

Among those are Lucas Oil, Seaspan, Avia, SkullCandy, Rossignol, Epic Camera, Kasey Kahne Racing and Icon Aircraft.

These companies have come onboard for 2009 and we are excited about working with them.

We would also like to acknowledge the sponsors that are returning this year.

Those include American Honda, Wings for Life, PPG, Pacific Collision Centers , Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, VP Racing Fuels, Pro Circuit, Renthal, ODI, Excel, RK, N-Style, Selle Italia, Alpinestars, Jimmy Vasser, Cornwell Tools, Cumberland, Cycra, Malcolm Smith, Flexfit, Hinson, Leatt Brace, Light Speed, Muc-Off, QTM, Talon Hubs, CRF’s Only and Twin Air. We could not go racing without you.

Thank you for your support of the Troy Lee Designs /Lucas Oil /Honda MX Race Team.

We would also like to acknowledge Mid-Cities Honda for their continued support of Sean Borkenhagen .

GEICO Powersports Honda - Colorado

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:58:10 -0700

June 30, 2009

Lakewood, Colo. – The GEICO Powersports Honda team rolled into the Mile High City with a new rider under the tent in WMA frontrunner Vicki Golden. As a sort of replacement rider for Trey Canard, Golden will be competing in the final part of the WMA series as well as the X Games for the GEICO Powersports Honda team.

Series rookie Golden was blown away by the support offered to her by the team.

“It was really good,” Golden said. “Everyone was nice and welcoming to me, and they helped me out with everything that I needed. They were all very welcoming, and it was a new experience having a full-time mechanic looking after every detail. It was definitely awesome. He’s a great mechanic, and I couldn’t complain about the day.”

The 16-year-old was second fastest in practice despite having no time on her new race bike prior to race day.

“Considering that Saturday was the first day for me riding that bike, I was just trying to use as much of the day as I could to get used to it and put in as many laps as I could and stay smooth on the bike,” Golden said. “It worked out really well, and I ended up second in the times. I was definitely stoked on that. I did that before even being comfortable on the bike, so it definitely helped my confidence coming into the first moto.”

In the races, Golden was fourth in the first moto, then led for a period of time in moto two before finishing third.

“Knowing that I did just as well, if not better, this race than I had before, and it was my first time ever leading a WMA race, given my lack of time on the bike, it really helps my confidence and I can’t wait for my next race,” Golden said. “It’s a great start, and I know I have more time to get comfortable, and I’ll get better from here.”

Golden returns to action with the WMA series in Washougal on July 25.

In the 250 class, another rookie in Justin Barcia had a good day at altitude, despite a bad start in moto one.

“The air wasn’t too bad,” Barcia said of the altitude. “The bikes were a little bit sluggish out there because of the altitude, but the first moto I got a really bad start and then worked my way up to ninth. The race was good, but I just got a really bad start.”

But in the second moto, Barcia started closer to the front, only to inherit the lead when Jake Weimer went down.

“Yeah, when I got out front, I tried to pull out a lead as good as I could, and Weimer was riding really good, so he caught up to me and passed me,” Barcia said. “I tried to stay with him, but I made a few mistakes, but second was pretty good.”

Barcia hung on for second, giving him fourth overall.

Brett Metcalfe started up front in both motos, but had a technical problem in moto one.

“In the first moto, I got an awesome start, and then in the second turn, the tearoff post on the lens came off, so I lost all my tearoffs and I couldn’t see crap,” Metcalfe said. “I was right there with the front guys, but I got roosted pretty good in the first couple laps, and for the rest of the moto, it was super-hard to see. It was just bad. At that point, the sun was still up, and I couldn’t see crap. I felt like I just wanted the moto to end after the second lap because I couldn’t see much. It was a bit of a bummer, but I hung on for seventh, which was okay for points.”

But in the second moto, Metcalfe ended up in a seven-rider battle for third.

“The second moto, I got another good start, and then I worked my way up into fourth,” Metcalfe said. “Me and Searle were having a good battle, and then I finally made a move on him, and I tried to put a little time on him, and then I spun out in a turn and made a mistake. That allowed him to get back by me, and I had to find another way around him again. I finally got past him again, and that same lap he put a pretty good move on me and pushed me out wide, and Dungey got underneath me, so I lost two spots, and a couple turns later Pourcel was on me and he went by me too. I got swallowed up pretty good and was in sixth, and on the last lap, I made a move on Pourcel and I was just a bit pissed off from going backward, so I got back into fifth, and that was it.”

However, Metcalfe felt great about the end of the day.

“The second moto was the best race I’ve had all year,” Metcalfe said. “The first moto could’ve been, too, but it was a waste being out there because I couldn’t see. The second moto was the most aggressive I’ve felt all year, and I felt good on the bike, and I felt like I could be in there, and I was. I feel like this weekend, I can do it. I feel hungry and I feel like I can do it and I want it.”

Metcalfe was seventh overall.

Blake Wharton ran up front the entire first moto, ending up fourth.

“The first moto was good because I got a pretty good start and I hung with the leaders for a little bit, and I was there for a while and then I battled for first for, I don’t know how long, and then I made a little mistake and we spread out a little bit,” Wharton said. “But I rode a good race, I thought.”

Wharton started near the front again in moto two.

“The second moto, I got another good start, and I was looking forward to running up front again, and I was in third on barely the second lap but I got taken out,” Wharton said of a collision with Tommy Searle. “I got up and salvaged a pretty good race, but I could only catch up to 11th, which isn’t too good. But at least I salvaged some points and stuff. So I’ll go to the next round and learn from it, and I’ll definitely not do that again. I’m not going to let it happen again. I want to run up front, and I’m going to continue to do that.”

Wharton ended up eighth overall.

From here, the GEICO Powersports Honda team heads to Buchanan, Michigan, for round six of the championship at infamous RedBud.

Team Sponsors: GEICO Powersports, Honda, Planet Fitness, Unbound Energy, AM/PM, Factory Connection, Fox, Shoei, Gaerne, DVS, Amsoil Lubricants, Cycra Plastics, Dunlop Tires, EK Chains, Filtron Air Filters, Hinson Clutches, Leatt Brace, One Industries, Pro Circuit, Renthal, Shock Doctor, Showa, TAG Sprockets, Vortex Ignitions, VP Fuels, and Works Connection.

Thunder Valley 250cc Overall:
1. Jake Weimer Kaw
2. Christophe Pourcel Kaw
3. Tommy Searle KTM
4. Justin Barcia GEICO Powersports Honda
5. Ryan Dungey Suz
6. Broc Tickle Yam
7. Brett Metcalfe GEICO Powersports Honda
8. Blake Wharton GEICO Powersports Honda
9. Tyla Rattray Kaw
10. Darryn Durham Yam

Thunder Valley WMA Overall:
1. Ashley Fiolek Hon
2. Sherri Cruse Suz
3. Mariana Balbi Hon
4. Vicki Golden GEICO Powersports Honda
5. Jessica Patterson Hon
6. Sara Price Kaw
7. Elizabeth Bash Kaw
8. Tatum Sik Suz
9. Sara Whitmore KTM
10. Penni Cyrus Kaw

Broc Hepler Out for Season Due to Injuries Suffered at Las Vegas

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:56:08 -0700

Cypress California, June 30, 2009 – During practice at the Supercross Finale in Las Vegas, Yamaha Factory 450 Rider Broc Hepler sustained a head injury when one of his competitors suffered a mechanical failure and ran into him after a long, fast straight away. At that time, the extent of the head injury was unknown. After careful consideration by both Broc’s doctors and Yamaha personnel, it has been decided that rather then rush his recovery to return for a few AMA Outdoor Nationals, Broc will instead use that time for additional healing.

“I’m not 100% okay yet, so I haven’t been training or riding and with it already this late into the season it’s pretty pointless to try and make a comeback since I’m already so far behind the eight ball. With my past experiences regarding concussions I know they are very serious and I want to take plenty of time coming back so that I don’t have any long term repercussions”, said Broc Hepler.

“It is really hard to watch a rider of Broc Hepler’s talent and work ethic struggle with this injury. We fully respect and understand Broc’s desire to take the necessary precautions to return to 100%“, said Racing Team Manager Jim Perry.

Yoshimura Redesigns Website

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:27:10 -0700

Chino, Calif. – June 30, 2009 – Yoshimura R&D of America has just re-launched its website with a new look and additional special features that cater to the needs of Yoshimura's customers as well as the media.

The new site highlights the company's 55-year history and keeps enthusiasts up to date on product and racing news. The expanded racing section carries race reports plus rider profiles for Rockstar Makita Suzuki Road Racing and ATV teams as well as the Honda Red Bull Supercross/Motocross team. Riders seeking sponsorships can also get their contact information here.

Yoshimura's home page gives easy access to the company's well-stocked video archives. Visitors can quickly access detailed product information and how-to instructions. In addition, there are exclusive interviews with Mat Mladin, Tommy Hayden, Dustin Wimmer, Doug Gust and Gary Jones as well as industry celebrities like Rockstar's Mike Kelso and Wayne Hinson of Hinson Clutches. Want to see what is inside the Yosh race trailer or a sneak peak in the dyno room? How about getting a private ATV lesson with Kory Ellis? Check it out!

The media center sets you up with wallpapers, newsletters and links to Yoshimura's YouTube, myspace, facebook and twitter pages. A press room has been set up for easy media access to all Yoshimura's race reports and press releases.

The product section remains unchanged where visitors can discover the various pipe options for their bike as well as see what new products are being designed or just released. New features include a convenient PDF download of Yoshimura's Book of Speed catalog and the option for consumers to order replacement parts for their exhaust systems.

The interface has a fresh new look sporting Yoshimura's signature red and black colors and has been designed with easy navigation in mind.

Please visit www.yoshimura-rd.com for a full tour.

Brrraaappp!!! Two-strokes Fire Up Once Again @ Monster Energy RedBud MX National!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:37:54 -0700

Carmichael, Stanton & Emig head up a field including Michigan Mafia greats in this all-two-stroke gate exhibition race @ RedBud July 4th

Jeff Stanton photo courtesy of: American Honda

BUCHANAN, Mich., (June 30 2009) – Fans yearning for the unmistakable crackle of two-stroke dirt bikes ripping around RedBud’s pro track will get their wish this Saturday with the inaugural running of the RedBud FMF Two-Stroke Invitational, featuring the likes of Ricky Carmichael, Jeff Stanton, Jeff Emig and a whole host of recognizable Michigan Mafia names from several eras of pro MX racing!

The three-lap exhibition race, scheduled for intermission at this Saturday’s (July 4th) Monster Energy MX National @ RedBud, will be run on older and more current two-stroke bikes – the kind of which not only put RedBud on the map, but allowed the sport of motocross to prosper with their quick-hitting power and indistinguishable “Brrraaappp” noise eminating from the exhaust.

“This is going to be an absolute blast,” said Stanton, the multi-time MX/SX champ from nearby Sherwood, Mich.. “It’s been a while since the fans at RedBud have heard a bunch of two-strokes racing around the track. I think everyone’s really going to get a kick out of this – I know I will.”

Added Carmichael: “I’m with Stanton, man. This is gonna be a riot.”

Joining RC and Michigan’s greatest motocross racer of all time will be a number of recognizable names from the Michigan motocross ranks, i.e., the Michigan Mafia members, guys from a number of pro racing eras that still get after it, including: Todd DeHoop, Josh Woods, Kelly Smith, Matt Maximoff, Josh Lichtle, Matt Crown, Larry Witmer, Jay Wagner and Ryan Valade.

“When FMF approached us and asked that we put this event together, all it took was a few calls and the guys were on board,” said RedBud’s Tim Ritchie. “Pretty much everyone still had a two-smoker around somewhere. A few had to be pulled out of barns, garages and what not – tuned up a bit. But we’ll have a pretty good field of bikes, with an all-star lineup of riders that should give the fans who remember the great two-stroke races RedBud hosted quite a thrill this Saturday.”

For more information on the Monster Energy RedBud MX National, check out our website at: www.redbudmx.com

RedBud supports the sport of motocross and has since 1972! The region's most prestigious amateur events and Round Six of the AMA Lucas Oil Motocross Championship are held in the beautiful rolling hills of southwestern Michigan. A state with an affinity for off-road recreational vehicle use, RedBud owns the bragging rights to the highest attended U.S. motocross race year after year. Just the right soil mix, lots of passing and the BIGGEST jump on the circuit (LaRocco’s Leap), the track provides for some terribly exciting motocross racing. Definitely a top motocross destination in a region that loves its motorsports.

High Profile Public Relations, LLC is a multi-faceted communications agency specializing in strategic media relations – both industry and mainstream – for the powersports and action sports communities. Dialed in with all forms of power and action sports, its participants, manufacturers and live event promoters, HPPR’s Pat Schutte can be reached at (734) 369-2170 and pat@highprofilepr.com. For more information, please visit www.highprofilepr.com.

Beta Motorcycle Wins the Baja 500

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:33:30 -0700

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (June 30, 2009) – When the dust settled on the 41st annual SCORE International Baja 500, a Beta Motorcycles dealer-sponsored team won the series’ premier Open Pro Motorcycle class on a Beta 450 RR.

In Baja’s extreme terrain and weather conditions, where the temperature reached more than 100 degrees, Threat Racing’s near-stock 450 RR ran flawlessly. In 432 grueling miles, the bike needed just an air filter and a rear tire throughout nine hours and 33 minutes of punishment.

With this victory, the ultra-versatile Beta 450 RR has now gained international acclaim from the Baja Peninsula to the woods of Finland, where Mirko Gritti recently rode to a podium finish in the FIM World Enduro Championship series.

The Threat Racing team consisted of Baja veteran Craig Smith, 35, and teenage brothers Cameron, 18, and Kyle Corfman, who is just 16 years old. Kyle was flabbergasted with the trio’s results. “At first,” he said, “I didn’t believe that we won. Then, a billion text messages came in and my phone started ringing.”

Smith, who started racing long before either of his teammates was born, also won the Baja 500 in 1995. His latest south-of-the-border adventure went according to plan. “Other than staring down a cow in the middle of a fireroad at 50 mph, things went real smooth,” said the alfalfa farmer from Brawley, Calif.

American Beta’s 2008 Dealer of the Year, Threat Racing is a family-owned shop doing business for more than a decade in the desert community of El Centro, Calif., just 10 miles from the Mexican border. Shop owner Chip Corfman took on Beta last year as the dealership’s first motorcycle franchise. His rationale was simple: “We used to compete on other bikes, but I didn’t like it when we’d race on Sunday, do well and prospective customers would go buy a bike somewhere else on Monday.”

Tim Pilg, American Beta’s founder, stressed that it was Beta dealers’ personalized, old-school service that sets the company apart from other brands: “My experience in motorcycle dealerships taught me that American distributors focused on how many units they could sell instead of ways to improve customer service. While we also concentrate on sales, we are ultimately focused on giving our customers the personalized attention that keeps them coming back.

“We’re proud of Threat Racing’s Baja 500 performance and look forward to more success in competition and on the showroom floor.”

ABOUT AMERICAN BETA MOTORCYCLES
In the United States, American Beta is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Beta’s California Green Sticker-approved off-road bikes and 50-state-legal dual-sport motorcycles.

Founded in 1904, Beta is one of the world’s oldest family-run motorcycle businesses. Based near Florence, Italy, the company holds seven FIM World Trials championships and six Indoor World Trials titles in international competition. It employs 111 people and produces 17,000 vehicles annually. Beta’s 40-model 2009 domestic lineup covers the motorcycling universe with everything from 50cc trials bikes and scooters to 525cc Supermoto racers.

For more information, log on to AmericanBeta.com.