- press release -

Kawasaki Rider’s Stewart and Villopoto Set Fastest Lap Times in Practice at Honda Hangtown Classic

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 31, 2008) – After a week of success, Kawasaki-mounted riders paced the field once again after the opening day of the Honda Hangtown Motocross Classic Presented by Jackson Rancheria Resort & Casino, round two of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s James Stewart topped the AMA Motocross class with a time of 2:01.865 while Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto was quickest in AMA Motocross Lites at 2:04.192.

Abundant sunshine and temperatures in the mid 80’s greeted the riders, a stark contrast to the overcast and chilly conditions from the opening round. The Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club presented an outstanding, yet challenging track for the riders, running the famed circuit in reverse direction. Maintaining the momentum he established last weekend at Glen Helen, Stewart bested Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Mike Alessi, the day’s second fastest time at 2:04.676. Privateer-rider Steve Boniface turned heads in third at 2:06.435 aboard his Honda CRF450R.

In AMA Motocross Lites, Villopoto outpaced everyone on Saturday for the second week in a row. His time of 2:04.192 bested Team MDK KTM’s Ryan Sipes at 2:05.886. Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey rounded out the top three with a time of 2:05.944

Sunday’s moto action for the Honda Hangtown Motocross Classic kicks off at 1 p.m.

Motocross Class Saturday Practice

James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Kawasaki, 2:01.865
Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki, 2:04.676
Steve Boniface, Corona, Calif., Honda, 2:06.435
Charles Summey, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha, 2:06.749
Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 2:07.205
Jeff Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Honda, 2:07.394
Andrew Short, Smithville, Tex., Honda, 2:07.606
Ryan Clark, Waddell, Ariz., Honda, 2:08.252
Michael Byrne, Newman, Geo., Suzuki, 2:08.679
Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 2:08.707
 

Motocross Lites Saturday Practice

Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 2:04.192
Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM, 2:05.886
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki 2:05.944
Nico Izzi, Saint Clair, Mich., Suzuki, 2:06.715
Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., KTM, 2:06.864
Kyle Cunningham, Fort Worth, Tex., Honda, 2:06.953
Robert Kiniry, La Fayette, N.Y., Honda, 2:07.123
Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 2:07.158
Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki, 2:07.285
Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Kawasaki, 2:07.362
 

Interview opportunities are available to the media by contacting AMA Toyota Motocross Championship media coordinator Brandon Short via email at Media@MXNationals.com or by phone at 951-203-2605.

For more information on the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship, presented by FMF, log on to www.amamotocross.com for live timing and scoring at @theWireLIVE!. Racer X Illustrated will host a new and improved webcast on www.motocross.com, with live racing action hosted by Jason Weigandt. The Racer X Motocross Show on Motocross.com has also been added on Saturday night of each race weekend, featuring practice footage and interviews taken earlier in the day.

Credential requests for each round of the 2008 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF must be submitted via email to Media@MXNationals.com three weeks prior to the race. Media members interested in interviews with the riders of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF should contact Brandon at 951-203-2605 or email Media@MXNationals.com.  

About the National Promoters Group (NPG)

The National Promoters Group (NPG) comprises 12 individual promoters of the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Presented by FMF which sanctions outdoor motocross events throughout the United States, and remains the Nation's premier outdoor motocross championship series. NPG's mission is to raise awareness of motocross racing through the production of professional championship racing events nationwide.

About AMA Racing

AMA Racing is the competition arm of the American Motorcyclist Association and is the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the United States. Its professional properties include the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship, the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF, the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, the AMA Flat Track Championship, the AMA Supermoto Championship and the AMA Pro ATV Championship. In amateur and pro-am competition, AMA Racing sanctions over 4000 events in 24 different disciplines and supports over 110 thousand active members. For more information about professional racing, visit www.amaproracing.com. Accredited media outlets can also access an on line Press Room at www.amaproracing.com/pressroom. For amateur racing information visit www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/amasports.asp.