Rain Halts Practice at AMA Toyota Motocross in Mount Morris

Better Weather Expected for Sunday’s Final Events

MT. MORRIS, Pa. (June 14, 2008) – Mother Nature was the story of the day on Saturday at the 32nd Annual Kawasaki/Monster Energy Motocross National from High Point Raceway, round four of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF.


Scattered showers delayed the morning practices, forcing AMA Pro Racing officials to limit the day’s activities to four 25-minute sessions in the early afternoon. The AMA Motocross Lites riders were able to get in two, rain-soaked sessions before a steady rainfall caused AMA Pro Racing to cancel the AMA Motocross class practices.


In AMA Motocross Lites practice, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto topped the charts with a time of 2:43.253, taking advantage of the only opportunity to get on the track for the day. MDK/KTM’s Ryan Sipes followed with the day’s second-fastest time at 2:43.960 while Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey rounded out the top three with a 2:44.369.

“The track wasn't too bad until it started to pour down during our practice,” said Villopoto. “During the first 10 minutes of practice the track was fine, but our times didn’t count. When the green flag flew for the final 15 minutes (of timed laps), I only got in one lap before it started to come down. If it clears up, we should be looking good for tomorrow."


Even with the scheduled AMA Motocross practice, many of the class’ top riders selected to forego going on track. Thanks to the AMA seeding rule, the top-10 riders in the standings are guaranteed a spot in Sunday’s motos. As a result, points leader James Stewart chose to keep his Monster Energy Kawasaki under cover while several other riders also decided to stay dry.


“"We decided as a team that it would be best not to go out in the rain,” explained Stewart. “The conditions aren't supposed to be like this tomorrow so it would have been us going out with a bigger chance of getting hurt for no reason. I went around to look at the track and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."


Sunday’s weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid 80s, with a 20 percent chance of rain. The race day schedule will adjust to accommodate Saturday’s cancelled practices and consolation races, beginning at 9 a.m. Opening ceremonies are set for 12:30 p.m., with race day finals scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.


Click the following link to view AMA Pro Racing’s revised race day schedule for tomorrow’s Kawasaki/Monster Energy Motocross National at High Point Raceway: http://www.amaproracing.com/08mx/mtmorris/index-links.html#schedule.


Motocross Lites Saturday Practice

1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 2:43.253

2. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM, 2:43.960

3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki 2:44.369

4. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Kawasaki, 2:44.370

5. Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Yamaha, 2:45.232

6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 2:45.639

7. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 2:45.786

8. Jake Moss, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha, 2:46.414

9. Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., KTM, 2:48.292

10. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha, 2:48.299