Press Release

Amp’d Mobile World Supercross Notes Package: Phoenix

AMA Supercross Class Laps Led:
James Stewart 36
Chad Reed  17
Ricky Carmichael 6
Nick Wey 1

AMA Supercross Lites Class Laps Led:
Ryan Villopoto 18
Christophe Pourcel  2

Progressive Direct Holeshot Award (AMA Supercross)
Nick Wey (Toronto): $1,500
James Stewart (Vancouver): $1,500
Chad Reed (Anaheim 1): $1,500

Progressive Direct Holeshot Award (AMA Supercross Lites)
Christophe Pourcel (Anaheim 1):  $1,000

MMI Top Tech Award
Jeremy Albrecht (Anaheim 1): $500.00

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Pro Privateer Challenge

1.  David Vuillemin 49 Points
2.  Nick Wey  41 Points
3.  Travis Preston 37 Points

Asterisk Medic Card
Charles Castloo (Anaheim 1)

Racer X Gas Card
Nathan Ramsey (Anaheim 1)

Race Recap:
ANAHEIM (January 6, 2007) – Kawasaki’s James Stewart picked up a thrilling victory before a sold-out crowd of 45,050  at the Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series. Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto won the AMA Supercross Lites main event.

Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP Season Standings

1. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 69
2. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 67
3. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 65
4. Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 50
5. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 49
6. Nicholas Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 41
7. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 37
8. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 35
9. Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, N.Y., Kawasaki, 33
10. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Kawasaki, 31

    Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP Event Results, Anaheim 1
    1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki
    2. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki
    3. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
    4. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda
    5. Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki
    6. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda
    7. Nicholas Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
    8. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda
    9. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
    10. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki

    Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series Standings
    1. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 25
    2. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 22
    3. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 20
    4. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 18
    5. Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 16
    6. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 15
    7. Nicholas Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 14
    8. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 13
    9. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 12
    10. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 11

    Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Lites Event Results, Anaheim 1
    1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
    2. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki
    3. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
    4. Josh Hansen, Lake Elsinore, Calif., KTM
    5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda
    6. Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki
    7. Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Yamaha
    8. Christopher Gosselaar, Victorville, Calif., Kawasaki
    9. Kyle Chisholm, Seminole, Fla., Kawasaki
    10. Justin Keeney, Lebanon, Ore., Kawasaki

    Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Lites Season Standings
    1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 25
    2. Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki, 22
    3. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 20
    4. Josh Hansen, Lake Elsinore, Calif., KTM, 18
    5. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 16
    6. Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki, 15
    7. Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Yamaha, 14
    8. Christopher Gosselaar, Victorville, Calif., Kawasaki, 13
    9. Kyle Chisholm, Seminole, Fla., Kawasaki, 12
    10. Justin Keeney, Lebanon, Ore., Kawasaki, 11

    Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP Rider Finishes

    Chad Reed
    Toronto:  1
    Vancouver 3
    Anaheim 1:   3

    Ricky Carmichael
    Toronto:  2
    Vancouver 1
    Anaheim 1:   2

    James Stewart
    Toronto: 3
    Vancouver: 2
    Anaheim 1: 1

    Tim Ferry
    Toronto: 4
    Vancouver 5
    Anaheim 1:   5

    David Vuillemin
    Toronto:  5
    Vancouver 4
    Anaheim 1:   6

    Nick Wey
    Toronto:  6
    Vancouver 9
    Anaheim 1:   7

    Ryan Clark
    Toronto:  7
    Vancouver:  14
    Anaheim 1: 17  

    Paul Carpenter
    Toronto: 8
    Vancouver:   12
    Anaheim 1:   11

    Heath Voss
    Toronto:   9
    Vancouver:   11
    Anaheim 1:   8

    Jeff Gibson
    Toronto:   10
    Vancouver   8
    Anaheim 1:   15

    Nathan Ramsey
    Toronto:  21
    Vancouver: 6
    Anaheim 1:   DNQ

    Travis Preston
    Toronto:   16
    Vancouver:  7
    Anaheim 1: 4

    Jason Thomas
    Toronto:   14
    Vancouver:   10
    Anaheim 1:   21

    Kevin Windham
    Toronto:   N/A
    Vancouver:   N/A
    Anaheim 1:   9

    Michael Byrne
    Toronto:   15
    Vancouver:   19
    Anaheim 1:  10

    AMA Supercross Class Recap


    • Kawasaki’s James Stewart picked up his 12th career AMA Supercross win in Anaheim last week. 
    • Stewart is now tied with David Bailey and Ezra Lusk on the all-time AMA Supercross class win. 
    • Stewart is now third on Kawasaki’s all-time AMA Supercross class win list behind Jeff Ward and Ricky Carmichael. 
    • Yamaha’s Chad Reed got his 4th podium in five first race starts. 
    • Reed now has 65 career starts with 62 top five finishes, 59 podium finishes, and 25 career AMA Supercross class wins.
    • Kawasaki now has eight career first round wins: Jimmy Weinert: ‘79; Jeff Ward: ‘87 & ‘88; LaRocco: ’92 & ‘93; Tortelli: ‘98, Stewart: ’06 & ‘07. 
    • The winner of the first round has gone on to win the AMA Supercross title 13 times, 28 times the winner of the first round would finish in the top five in the final point standings.

    AMA Supercross Lites Class Recap


    • The AMA Supercross Lites class started in 1985 and Kawasaki has won 9 first round events. 
    • For six consecutive years Kawasaki won the first round of AMA Supercross Lites racing: 85-90. 
    • Kawasaki became the first AMA Supercross Lites team to earn 100 wins. 
    • This was Kawasaki's third first round sweep: Jeff Ward and Jeff Matiasevich swept in ‘87 and ‘88, Stewart and Villopoto swept this year. 
    • In 12 of the 22 years of AMA Supercross Lites competition, the winner of the first round won the championship.

    About Phoenix


    • First race,  March, 16th 1991; Jean-Michael. Bayle won on a Honda. 
    • First race at Chase Field: 1998.

    Wins by brand:
    Honda: 4
    Kawasaki: 2
    Suzuki: 2
    Yamaha:2


    • This will be the 11th time the gate will drop in Phoenix. 
    • Not since 1987 has a Kawasaki won the first two rounds. Jeff Ward was the last to do it and this year James Stewart can do it? 
    • Carmichael has won Phoenix on Three brands. Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki.

    Last win by brand in Phoenix

    Yamaha: ‘00
    Kawasaki: ‘03
    Honda: ‘04
    Suzuki ‘06

    AMA Supercross Lites Stats in Phoenix


    • First race: March 16, 1991, Jeff Emig won on a Yamaha.

    Wins by brand:

    Kawasaki: 4
    Yamaha: 3
    Honda: 1
    KTM: 1
    Suzuki: 1


    • Jeff Emig won his first AMA Supercross Lites race in Phoenix on a Yamaha. He had battled With  Jeremy McGrath all year and came up short by three points. 
    • Ryan Villopoto will be trying to get his 3rd career AMA Supercross Lites win.

    AMA Supercross history for the Second Race of the Season

    30 years ago

    March 12th, 1977 Bob Hannah won the Daytona Supercross on a Yamaha. He became the first Yamaha rider to win two AMA Supercross races in a row. 

    20 years ago

    Feb. 7th, 1987, Jeff Ward won the Houston stop of AMA Supercross and became the first Kawasaki  rider to win two races in a row.

    10 years ago

    January 12th, 1997 Doug Henry won the Los Angeles stop of AMA Supercross on a Yamaha. After breaking his back in 1995, Henry came back to win this race.

    Chad Reed

    “I had to do it.  I couldn’t sit at home on the couch because I want to win the title and this is what I had to do. Sometimes you get dealt a bad hand but you still have to pull through. I knew tonight’s start was the most important of my career.”

    “I just had it in me tonight.  I thought to myself, ‘I’m here, why not fight for it.’ You never know which guys are going to make mistakes, as we saw James go down and also Ricky.  I wasn’t in any shape to capitalize tonight, but I’m super pumped about third. So, that’s kind of weird for me.”

    Q: How did you feel the first time you rode after practice when you went back to the pits?  What was the report?

    A: Guys, I can ride.  I can go around the track and do the jumps and let’s just save it for the main event.  A lot of people speculated and thought I was going to go for my promoters’ choice.  I said I needed to get in the heat and do the jumps and I worked on it.  I went down and I was like ‘this is a déjà vu of Daytona all over again.’  I just put my head down and got comfortable with the jumps.

    Q: You said that was the most important start of your life.  That meant when you went to the main event, if you had a good start you’d have a good finish. Did you know at that point the twenty laps were in you or was that still a mystery when you went down the line?

    A: The twenty laps is the easy part. That is our job.  I mean, if you can’t do twenty laps than you shouldn’t be here. My worry was my chest more than anything this weekend.  I just couldn’t get a full breath and it hurt worse when I went down in the heat.  I just rode until I felt I was running out of air in my lungs and then just watched as Travis Preston gauged off of him and watched my pit board to ride into third.

    Q: How encouraging was it for you to mix it up with Ricky and James? I know you weren’t riding at 100% tonight but there were some glimpses tonight you were going to mix it up with these guys this year. So, did you get some confidence out of this?

    A: I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could mix it up with these guys.  I knew James was going to ride away with it; it was quite obvious.  The track was a tough one this weekend.  I watched the practices and no one looked very comfortable to me. I knew if I got a good start that it was my podium and finished third.

    Q: Can you give us status on when you think you will be back at 100%?

    A: Hopefully sooner rather than later. At this point my shoulder is stable. I think when I did it at Daytona, I had movement but it was painful with it being in my shoulder blade.  It’s not as big of a deal as my chest is right now.  Hopefully, we can work on that this week.  I mean last week I was in a hospital coughing up blood thinking my season was over.  But six days later we are here on the podium.  So, hopefully in the next seven days we can make some more improvements and come out swinging.  

    Q: What was the most difficult part of the track, regarding your injuries?

    A: For me it was after the finish line in the straightaway. When we go step on, step off, step on, step off. 

    Q: When you think about points, does it give you more confidence to know the championship can be as close as it is with just a couple of points difference?  Especially, thinking about last year, does that factor in at all?

    A: It’s racing, we lay it all on the line week in and week out.  With racing anything can happen.  I found that out last weekend; that things can go wrong.  You just have to be on your toes and sometimes it’s out of your control.  So, I’m just going to put my head down and try to get healthy.  I’ll come back next weekend and do the same. 

    Ricky Carmichael

    Q: We had the makings of a great race. What happened in the third corner about half way through the main event?

    A: The whole night I was chasing my tail a bit with the ninety degree turns.  I just couldn’t start my turn outside enough.  James is riding well and he was better.  He made that mistake and I got in the lead. Then he caught me right back and passed me.  I always kept him in sight.  When he’d make a mistake I’d catch him, but I was right on the edge. Where I would try and make up time by driving it in on the inside, he would just get me on accident. James rode well tonight; there is no two ways about it. His times are really good in practice and I knew I was going to have my work cut out for me. I at least figured I would be there at the end, but it didn’t happen.  What happened tonight has no affect on what I have done with my career.  It doesn’t matter to me because I had a great time tonight.

    Q: Talking about this being your last Anaheim here. It seemed like you were really embraced by the fans more so than usual.  What was the weekend like for you?

    A: It was a very fun and emotional weekend for me. I feel bad for the other racers out there waiting for me but they’ll have their day.  I’m very thankful for Live Nation for doing everything for me.  It really means a lot and has a big impact on me. I love it.  I think it says a lot for my program when you see all the teams I have ridden for.  

    Q: I know there are certain races when you say people put too much emphasis in practice times, but here you knew James was going to be quick. Are there some nights when the lap times don’t matter? 

    A: I knew James was a second faster in practice.  I was surprised that I was as close to his times in the heat race. I knew it was going to be tough.  I have been doing this a long time and it seemed like he was really good where I was weak.  He rode well, with a lot of momentum. 

    Q: Going into this race, did you feel different at the starting gate than you thought you would?

    A: No, I still had the desire to win. I still feel like it is not over.  I still think I have a great chance to win. I love the challenge and it doesn’t change the way I approach anything or the way it feels.

    Q: When you take a weekend off and don’t race in every city, do you feel like you lose a step compared to other riders by not being there?

    A: I have raced hard competition and sometimes the competition hasn’t been as hard as other times.  You only do what you have to do to win. I feel that if I’m not out there, maybe James won’t ride as hard. He’s just going to do what he needs to do to win, which is smart.  In the small amount of time that I’m taking off it really won’t matter now. I don’t agree with how you can take the whole outdoor season off.  I don’t agree with that because that’s how you lose a lot of time. Honestly, I keep up with James because I raced against him in outdoors and got better.

    James Stewart  

    Q: You just look like you’re on fire out here the entire time during practice, heat race and main event.  You had tons of speed all around.  How good did you feel all day?

    A: I felt pretty good. After the Canada races I knew I had to go back and work some more.  I wasn’t too happy about those races. It was a good day. I think I adapted to the track pretty well but it was kind of tricky.  The whoops were super big and the jumps weren’t that forgiving.  When the main event came, I felt like I got some more speed than what I had all day, and Ricky’s and my heat race were pretty close with lap times.

    Q: Everyone has commented on the track tonight. What did you think about the track?

    A: I thought it was pretty tough. Especially, what we went through last year after Anaheim 1.  The hardest part of the track was the whoops.

    Q: Did you dread going through that section even though you had a big lead?  Is that the type of section you can’t really be cautious because it’s always going to be tough every lap?

    A: I knew it was going to be tough.  But, I really didn’t dread it every lap. I felt I was strong enough to hold on to whatever I was given.  It was one of those sections you could tell by all the riders going down it, that if you weren’t ready for it, you were going down.

    Q: Take us to the main event.  You managed to take the lead early and then you went down. Take us through how it all went.

    A: I almost had the holeshot and then Chad came flying around from the outside and got me. I made a couple of mistakes in the corners then I felt I was picking it up.  The next thing I know, I’m picking my bike up off the finish line.  I knew I wanted to get around Chad pretty quickly. So, I could set my sites on Ricky and ride my own race.

    Q: The pass you made was classic Bubba.  You made a pass in the rhythm section with the triple jump.  Tell us what was going on there?

    A: I just had a sense of urgency tonight; I just didn’t feel like waiting.  I wanted to get out front early and just put my head down and ride my laps. I felt like I was getting stronger around laps eight and nine and then I got caught up in lappers.  The next thing I knew, Ricky went down and a gap opened up.

    Q: Is there any pressure for you to tame things down with the probation and the way you are riding now? 

    A: I don’t race to just win races. I race to win championships and that has always been my goal ever since I came into this thing.  It’s just unfortunate, I have had some bad luck here and there but it goes the same.  I’m going to race the same because that’s just the way I am. I got a lot more knowledge about how to do it and I think that is the only thing that has changed. I feel good and we have a good season coming. I feel really strong; probably better than I have ever racing Supercross.  

    Jason Lawrence

    Q: I know Anaheim 1 didn’t go your way last year, but things are a whole lot different here in 2007.

    A: Yeah, last year coming from not qualifying to being on the podium this year is about the most drastic change you can make and it feels great. It’s the right way to start the season. It’s hard to start a season off by not qualifying and being down twenty five points and virtually out of the championship before it even starts. It was hard last year but I’m happy this year. I put myself in a good position for the rest of the year.  Hopefully, I can keep it strong and get top fives every race and see where I’m at in the end. 

    Q: How good does it feel to make your way back and show people you can do it?

    A: It feels good for sure. It was partially due to the team and partially due to how I prepared last year. But, no matter what the reason was, the result was I had a horrible year. I landed on an awesome team now and there is no one else I would want to ride for.  I feel confident in my bike and that’s improving because I had two of the best starts I’ve had in Supercross.  I raced all last year and never saw the first turn without nineteen other guys in front of me and it’s a great feeling to start in front and have others try and pass you.

    Q: Do you think when you got into third you could make a run for second place? 

    A: It was hard. It just didn’t make sense to me to try and get up there and race with him when I’m already on the podium and that’s a great way to start the season. Second is a lot better but I struggled with the whoops and it was the main spot I was losing time. So, I know if I could have picked it up in the whoops.  I think I could have picked it up and gotten closer to him but who knows, he might have been able to go a little faster as well but I was fine with third.

    Q: What is the biggest lesson you learned last year other than yourself and equipment?  What was the overall best thing you’ve learned for your career?

    A: I know you can never be too ready, that’s for sure. For some reason, I thought I was ready last year coming to this race and that I did everything I needed to do, but boy was I wrong.  I came here and it was horrible.  I just never wanted to do that again.  I put in a lot more work this year and it’s paying off.

    Christophe Pourcel

    Q: Were you surprised to get on the podium at your first ever Supercross?

    A: Yes, I was surprised because I was here to learn and have fun.  To get onto the podium is a really good performance for me.

    Q: How much experience racing Supercross do you have?

    A: I just train because every time I want to race for a championship, I get an injury.

    Q: Next year are you going to race the entire season?  Is that the plan?

    A: Yes, 2008 and 2009.

    Q: What do you think you’ve learned that will pay off down the rode in upcoming races?

    A: I learned that I need to work out if I need to win a championship. So, it’s my goal to work out and come back.

    Q: When you were in the lead, did you think to yourself ‘forget all this learning stuff I’m going to win myself a race?’

    A: No, when I was leading I wanted to be safe.  I knew that Ryan was behind and then he passed me.  So, he was the best tonight.  I did my race and that is cool for me.

    Q: What does it mean to you to have some of the older French riders congratulate you?

    A: It was cool. It gave me courage to do the race. It was important for me to get advice from them. 

    Ryan Villopoto

    Q: Everybody was saying guys were moving to the east because they were afraid of racing you and that you are the favorite.  You want to talk any smack now that you won a race and proved them right?

    A: I just go out there to do what I came to do.

    Q: What’s the difference between this race last year when you got the holeshot and got nervous leading?  I also noticed the crowd didn’t even know who you were at this point last year, but this year every move you made the crowd cheered.  How different is it one year later?

    A: It’s a lot different. Last year I came into it thinking I’d find out exactly where I’m at.  After doing outdoors, I know exactly where I’m at. Now, I am going out there for the win and if not that, the podium.

    Q: Do you notice the crowd making noise for you as you make passes?

    A: Yeah, the crowd is awesome.  It is always loud here and everywhere else. It’s always good to get out there and race.

    Q: Can you talk about the start tonight?

    A: Yeah, I got a decent start tonight. Then Christophe got out front and I had to work up a little bit and got behind him.  We both jumped the finish line and I think we bumped a little bit but luckily he didn’t go down.

    Q: How much did the outdoors do for you coming back indoors and winning as many races as you did?

    A: It’s a different sport. Supercross and motocross are totally different.  We all grow up riding outdoors but I think it’s better this year, and every year it’s going to get better and every race it’s going to get better. So, every time you get out there to race or ride you get better.  So, everybody’s going to do that. Hopefully I can do it faster. 

     Q: Was this track too tough for a first round or was it okay for you?

    A: No, it was good. Last year we had a long set of whoops and this year we had two decent sized ones.  They were good and they separated the field.  I think it was more slippery than normal and than it was last year. Hopefully, it gets better but I thought the track was good. 

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