- press release -

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.

Ryan Villopoto – Credit Steve Giberson

“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

Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 2:43.253
Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., KTM, 2:43.960
Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki 2:44.369
Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Kawasaki, 2:44.370
Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Yamaha, 2:45.232
Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 2:45.639
Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 2:45.786
Jake Moss, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha, 2:46.414
Matt Goerke, Lake Helen, Fla., KTM, 2:48.292
Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Yamaha, 2:48.299
 

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.