Les Smith to Team Öhlins USA for 2012

Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 2:10am
http://www.racerxonline.com/2011/10/31/hlins-usa-signs-les-smith

Hendersonville, North Carolina: Öhlins USA is proud to announce the signing of Les Smith to Team Öhlins USA, for the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil AMA Motocross series. Smith will be competing in the Lites class on a Honda CRF250. A 21-year-old native of York, South Carolina, Smith is a three-time amateur champion at Loretta Lynn’s and will now be racing on the Öhlins gold and running number 46, under the leadership of Team Öhlins USA manger, Grant Langston.

About joining the team, Smith said, “They look to have a really good program so I’m excited to be a part of it. Last year I had five top ten finishes in the SX Lites class, and I hope to improve on that. To stay in shape I practice four to five days a week. I’ve got a brand new Supercross track I’m using today. Plus, I’m focusing on my overall fitness this year as well. I have a local trainer helping me out so I’m putting in over time.”

Smith, who’s been riding since he was four-years-old and racing since he was six, added, “My father rode when he was younger and he got me a dirt bike for Christmas. After that a neighbor suggested I start racing, so we all went racing. My first races were at a super-sandy track and my dad pretty much was pushing me around the track all day. I was ready to go home but then a guy told us if I did one more race I’d get a trophy. So I did. I still have that trophy at my bedside. It says, ‘Participant.’

“As I got older I started really enjoying it. Both my dad, Marty, and my mom, Sue Ellen, were involved. Racing became what our family does. Every weekend we go to the track.”

Motocross champion Grant Langston, Team Manager of Team Öhlins USA, said, “I’ve been in touch with Les for a while and he’s a definite player. He’s serious and has a great attitude and it all shows in how he rides. So we’re looking forward to an exciting year with him. There’s a lot of potential in what we’re doing combined with his riding abilities.”

Öhlins USA Off Road Manager, Stacey Berger, said, “We’re excited to have Les signed. It took a little time to get everything sorted but once he rode a bike with our suspension I think the decision was easy for him to make. We look forward to big things from him this year.”

Öhlins USA distributes and services the world’s leading performance suspension for automobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles. Öhlins develops its proprietary and innovative suspension components at the highest levels of racing from open-wheel car racing, to Moto GP, to off-road competition on two and four wheels. Öhlins USA also provides training for service centers and dealers. www.Ohlinsusa.com.
|
Wandell
Posts
7561
Joined
12/17/2008
Location
Cairo, GA US
10/31/2011 10:25am
Great news! Best of luck in 2012 Les!!
flarider
Posts
25499
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Daytona Beach, FL US
10/31/2011 10:30am
Good for him and the team.
burn1986
Posts
10328
Joined
4/16/2010
Location
bossier city, LA US
Fantasy
3694th
10/31/2011 11:10am
Well, that's pretty cool. I wonder what team MXA would classify this as? Cool
lumpy790
Posts
10017
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC US
10/31/2011 11:19am Edited Date/Time 10/31/2011 11:19am
"I’m putting in over time.”

Way to go neighbor!

The Shop

Shawn142
Posts
2600
Joined
10/27/2008
Location
Burleson, TX US
10/31/2011 11:38am
Did I miss something or did no one else even know Ohlins was considering fielding a team? I wonder what kind of support they're going to get.
etccb
Posts
461
Joined
12/22/2010
Location
CA US
10/31/2011 12:00pm
I am surprised he will be on a Honda. Ohlins has had a long relationship with Yamaha and that relationship may cover a part ownership stake at one time.
NP301
Posts
2673
Joined
1/19/2010
Location
Keene, NH US
10/31/2011 12:02pm
Shawn142 wrote:
Did I miss something or did no one else even know Ohlins was considering fielding a team? I wonder what kind of support they're going to...
Did I miss something or did no one else even know Ohlins was considering fielding a team? I wonder what kind of support they're going to get.
They have had a team. Past few years.
NP301
Posts
2673
Joined
1/19/2010
Location
Keene, NH US
10/31/2011 12:03pm
etccb wrote:
I am surprised he will be on a Honda. Ohlins has had a long relationship with Yamaha and that relationship may cover a part ownership stake...
I am surprised he will be on a Honda. Ohlins has had a long relationship with Yamaha and that relationship may cover a part ownership stake at one time.
Yamaha pulled out. One of the riders got the tech people to try out the Hondas. They liked them better and moved. AJ Catanzaro is going to surprise some people this year on the Honda!!!
sozo
Posts
1169
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Palm Coast, FL US
10/31/2011 12:07pm
Good for #8 also! good news for all....
wildbill
Posts
4367
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Christmas Valley, OR US
10/31/2011 12:30pm
Good for Les.

I considered Ohlin struts for the wrx, till I saw the price. Went with KYB, several thousand cheaper.
ns503
Posts
4211
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
NS Toolies CA
10/31/2011 12:32pm
Shawn142 wrote:
Did I miss something or did no one else even know Ohlins was considering fielding a team? I wonder what kind of support they're going to...
Did I miss something or did no one else even know Ohlins was considering fielding a team? I wonder what kind of support they're going to get.
NP301 wrote:
They have had a team. Past few years.
I'm not exactly a pitster, but I don't remember hearing about 'Team Ohlins' before, or GL as manager?
NP301
Posts
2673
Joined
1/19/2010
Location
Keene, NH US
10/31/2011 12:50pm Edited Date/Time 10/31/2011 7:14pm
Shawn142 wrote:
Did I miss something or did no one else even know Ohlins was considering fielding a team? I wonder what kind of support they're going to...
Did I miss something or did no one else even know Ohlins was considering fielding a team? I wonder what kind of support they're going to get.
NP301 wrote:
They have had a team. Past few years.
ns503 wrote:
I'm not exactly a pitster, but I don't remember hearing about 'Team Ohlins' before, or GL as manager?
They have had a team for the past few years. And remember, they were on the Yamaha, so they should do better now Wink
10/31/2011 6:10pm
lumpy790 wrote:
"I’m putting in over time.”

Way to go neighbor!
yep good kid hope to see him do well
TX_187
Posts
381
Joined
6/17/2010
Location
Deer Park, TX US
10/31/2011 8:20pm Edited Date/Time 10/31/2011 8:23pm
Grant Langston as team manager?

Edit: didn't catch ns503's post

Post a reply to: Les Smith to Team Öhlins USA for 2012

The Latest