Press Release

Bel-Ray Weekend Racing Preview – August 17, 2012

World Supermoto

Following a one-month break in the racing action, the FIM Supermoto World Championship resumes in Liginieres, Switzerland. Bel-Ray sponsored TM Factory racer Thomas Chareyre is the current point’s leader in the chase for the World Championship. His convincing overall win at the previous round in the Czech Republic places him 31 points ahead of his nearest rival. With only one round remaining after this weekend, a positive result for Chareyre this weekend could allow him to wrap up the title early in the day at the final round.

World Motocross

The Grand Prix of Great Britain arrives at the Matterly Basis circuit for round 13 of the 2012 World Championship Series. Following a 2nd place at the previous round in the Czech Republic, Tommy Searle comes to his home Grand Prix looking for victory. A large partisan crowd will be lining the fences and cheering Searle on as he attempts to become the first British World Champion since Jamie Dobb in 2001. Coming into this weekend, Searle is 57 points behind the leader, with only 4 rounds remaining. Joining Searle in the MX2 class is Belgian Joel Roelants. Roelants was 8th at the previous round and is currently 4th place in the overall standings.

In MX1 class racing the Bel-Ray backed CP377 Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit team of Christophe and Sébastien Pourcel arrive in England with high hopes. Christophe is looking to back up his 2nd overall from the previous round with hope on closing in on the World Championship title. Currently in 3rd place overall, Pourcel needs to close the 57 point gap considerably this weekend if he hopes to take the #1 plate this season. Sébastien was running well in the previous round until a crash damaged his bike too badly to continue. A positive result this weekend will give him the needed momentum to finish the season strong.

Moto GP

Following a break in the action, the MotoGP series resumes in the United States at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Known as the “Brickyard”, the site of the famous Indy 500, this course is laid out in the infield of this well-known facility. Bel-Ray backed Power Electronics racers Randy DuPuniet and Aleix Espargaro come to Indy tied on points as the best CRT racers in the series.

The short break has enabled the racers to relax and prepare for the final stretch of the season. DePuniet spoke about this leading up to this weekend. "After Laguna Seca I spent a few days at Colin Edwards' house and had a lot of fun. We rode some dirt bikes and motocross bikes and then after that I went to stay with some friends in the Bahamas. It has been a nice holiday with plenty of opportunity to relax but I have also been doing sport every day. Now it is time to turn our minds back to racing. It is two weeks since the USGP so I am looking forward to getting back on the bike.”

Espargaro also used the time off to recharge. "The break came at a good time for me. I needed to switch off and the time has flown by but I was able to spend it at home with family and friends and relax on the beach. I have also kept up to my daily training plan to make sure that I am fit and full of motivation for Indianapolis. The championship is long and tough. Luckily for us things have gone well in the first half of the season but we need to keep working hard to keep it going.”

Moto2

Bel-Ray sponsored Mapfre Aspar racer Nico Terol is joined by a new teammate for the remainder of the championship series, current Moto2 Spanish Championship leader Jordi Torres, joins the team as a replacement for Toni Elias.

Terol considers this one of his favorite tracks on the circuit. He’s won 3 times in the last 4 years at Indianapolis, a trend he hopes to continue this weekend. “I have some great memories of Indianapolis and I hope my style on the Moto2 bike is as suited to it as it was on the 125. During the break I have taken some time off to recharge my batteries but I have been working hard and did some testing on a 600 at Albacete to try and mimic the feel of a Moto2 bike. Indianapolis is a circuit that demands a lot of concentration because it is bumpy off line and you can easily crash if you run wide. It has some flowing sections and it is a physically demanding lap with some hard braking and acceleration zones."

Torres spoke positively about his addition to the team and this weekend’s race. “I can't wait to get out to Indianapolis and luckily I go there with prior knowledge of the track and the team. I just need to get a feel for the bike as quickly as possible and adapt to the Dunlop tires, then fight my hardest from there. My objective is simply to give it 100% from the first session to try and be as competitive as possible. Hopefully we can make gradual steps forward and make the most of this opportunity. I know there is a place in Moto2 up for grabs and I am going to give it my best shot."

Moto3

With more than a month off since the last competed the Moto3 series resumes this weekend in Indianapolis. The Bel-Ray sponsored Mapfre Aspar team has a new rider for the rest of the season as German racer Jonas Folger replaces Alberto Moncayo on the team.

Folger is excited about his debut and spoke about it leading up to this weekend’s event. "I am really excited and a little nervous about the new challenge ahead of me starting this weekend. Everything is new for me – the bike, the team, etc. I will work very hard from the first session to try and adapt as quickly as possible. Hopefully we can get on the right path with the bike and be fighting near the front from the start. Aside from the results, the most important thing right now is to adapt quickly to the team and the bike, get a good feeling and go as fast as I can. If I can manage that, I am sure the results will come. Indianapolis is a difficult circuit but I like it and hopefully it proves to be a good place to make my debut with the MAPFRE Aspar Team.”

Faubel spoke about his time off, the chance for relaxation and his preparation for the remainder of the season. "At the start of the holidays I took the opportunity to have a rest and then I continued the training plan that I have for the season. I have worked hard on the bicycle and on the motocross bike but without taking too many risks of crashing. Since last week I have been going to bed later and later to try and get used to the time difference. Indianapolis is a circuit with unpredictable grip levels but I like it. The first and final sectors are quite twisty and that's where you can make up time."

AMA National Motocross

The AMA National Motocross series continues this weekend at “The Home of Horsepower” Unadilla. One of the most recognizable tracks on the circuit, this upstate New York facility has been hosting professional motocross races for more than 40 years.

Bel-Ray backed Team Chaparral racer Andrew Short comes to Unadilla following a disappointing race last week in Massachusetts. He is looking to rebound to the form that saw him reach the podium several rounds ago at Washougal. Joining Short in the 450 class are Bel-Ray Elite racers Lowell Spangler, Derek Anderson, Dakota Kessler, Mic Sowa, Robert Malkiewicz, Tucker Saye, Anthony Roth, Dustin Kendall and Ronnie Stewart.

Team Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki experienced mixed results in Southwick with each racer scoring one good and one not so good moto. Joining Rockstar riders Martin Davalos, Jason Anderson and Blake Wharton in the 250 class are Reed and Reese Racing’s AJ Catanzaro and MXPTV’s Ty Wozney.

Follow Bel-Ray racers in action all season long onwww.belray.com andwww.belrayracing.com.

Bel-Ray Company Inc was founded in 1946 and is a privately held, woman-owned business serving the lubrication needs of powersports, industrial and mining customers worldwide. Bel-Ray is recognized as the leader in the specialty lubricants industry for setting high standards of quality and performance with products formulated for the motorcycle, automotive, aviation, energy, food, marine, military, mining, OEM, industrial steel, and textile industries.

“Flex Your Engine” with Bel-Ray’s superior Powersports line that delivers top quality Made-in-the-USA products to motorcycle and recreational vehicle enthusiasts around the world. Bel-Ray products are available at powersports dealers worldwide. Visit Bel-Ray.com for a complete dealer listing. Like us on Facebook.com/BelRay or follow us on Twitter/Bel_Ray

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