2011 Supercross Schedule

2011 AMA supercross season is set to be a good one!  Nothing like the anticipation of Anaheim 1, everyone being healthy and riders moving up to the 450 class.

 

January 8 – Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
January 15 – Chase Field – Phoenix, AZ
January 22 – Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
January 29 – Alameda City Stadium – Oakland, CA
February 5 – Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
February 12 – Reliant Stadium – Houston, TX
February 19 – Qualcomm Stadium – San Diego, CA
February 26 – Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA
March 5 – Daytona Int’l Speedway – Daytona, FL*
March 12 – Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
March 19 – Jacksonville Municipal Stadium – Jacksonville, FL
March 26 – Rogers Centre – Toronto, ON, Canada
April 2 – Cowboys Stadium – Arlington, TX
April 9 – Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis, MO
April 16 – Qwest Field – Seattle, WA
April 30 – Rice-Eccles Stadium – Salt Lake City, UT
May 7 – Sam Boyd Stadium – Las Vegas, NV

Let people know which supercross races you are planning to attend in 2011, and is James Stewart going to be the man this year?

2009 Supercross Teams

As of this morning these are the teams that will be competing in the 2009 Monster Energy Supercross Series.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Yamaha
7 James Stewart
38 Kyle Chisholm

Monster Energy Kawasaki
2 Ryan Villopoto
15 Tim Ferry

Team Yamaha
8 Grant Langston
60 Broc Hepler
75 Josh Hill

Rockstar/Makita Suzuki
10 Ryan Dungey
20 Nico Izzi
22 Chad Reed
26 Michael Byrne
800 Mike Alessi

Honda Red Bull Racing
9 Ivan Tedesco
18 Davi Millsaps
29 Andrew Short
101 Ben Townley

Spike Energy/Toyota/Yamaha
21 Cody Cooper
33 Josh Grant

Star Racing Yamaha
41 Matt Lemoine
43 Broc Tickle
159 Darryn Durham
TBA Michael Hall

GEICO Powersports Honda
14 Kevin Windham
24 Brett Metcalfe
39 Trey Canard
40 Daniel Reardon
61 Blake Wharton

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki
19 Jake Weimer
46 Austin Stroupe
116 Ryan Morais
377 Christophe Pourcel

MDK/Muscle Milk/KTM
31 Ryan Sipes
49 Justin Brayton
50 Wil Hahn
51 Martin Davalos
100 Tommy Searle

Motosport Kawasaki
36 Kyle Cunningham
48 Tommy Hahn
87 PJ Larsen
148 Hunter Hewitt

Jagermeister/MDK KTM
11 Travis Preston
28 Josh Summey

DNA Energy/BTOSports.com/BBMX
45 Jason Thomas
54 Matt Boni
65 Shaun Skinner
256 Bryan Johnson
TBA Kyle Keylon

Atomic Racing/Cernic’s Kawasaki
35 Paul Carpenter
52 Robert Kiniry
82 Jack Carpenter

Brawndo/Solitaire Honda
55 Ryan Clark
58 Phil Nicoletti

Suzuki City
34 Matt Goerke
77 Steven Clarke

MotoConcepts/RXR/Honda
79 Cole Siebler
801 Jeff Alessi
979 Ben Coisy
TBA Daniel McCoy

Hart & Huntington Honda
59 Troy Adams
67 Josh Hansen
135 Josh Demuth

Supercross 2009

Whose excited about the upcoming 2009 Supercross season… Anyone?  I know I am, it’s going to be awesome.  For the first time in a long time, a bunch of very good riders are moving up to the 450 Class.  Let’s Recap.

Ryan Villopotto – This guy is ridiculously fast, and may even be able to challenge stewart.

Josh Grant – Another very fast rider finally moving up to the big bikes

Chad Reed – looks like he is more ready then ever, and he might even run outdoors this year.

James Stewart – Will most likely win everything.

Kevin Windham – Always fun to watch

Andrew Short – Should be top 3

Davi Millsaps – Hopefully he’s back

Mike Alessi – Might miss he first few rounds

Ben Townley – Is he racing? Comment if you know

Here’s what else is coming:

New Sound Limits
The push to get to 94db should be no surprise to anybody. The races are basically held in concrete and metal boxes, and one of the biggest complaints from Supercross patrons is the noise. The former Live Nation (now Feld Entertainment) crew worked with the AMA and FIM to reduce the sound to 94db, and they’ll be using both the FIM’s sound testing standards and methods of testing.

Drug Testing
For Supercross ’09, the AMA will also adopt the FIM’s anti-doping policy for both recreational and performance-enhancing drugs. If you go to http://www.fim.ch/en/default.asp, you’ll download a PDF with the guidelines, both for what’s not allowed, and drugs that are allowed to treat various ailments, so that riders can stay within guidelines. There will be a separate committee similar to what the Olympics use (WADA). It will be an independent organization that could show up at a race, or without warning on the doorstep of a rider. They can take random samples from riders—basically whatever they deem necessary—with no input required from the promoters or sanctioning body. Yep, it’s an expensive undertaking, but it’s also one that they believe is necessary.

Class Structure
This is one of the areas where we’d heard plenty of rumors in recent months, but here’s the scoop. The East and West Lites classes remain intact, and the Supercross class in ’09 will be an open displacement class. Only homologated machinery can be used (no hybrid engine sizes.), so you could find 250 two-strokes, 250 four-strokes, or the usual 450 four-strokes. Also, Lites riders from either coast can jump to the Open class during races on the opposite half of their schedule…but on their 250Fs. For example, an East rider could show up at Anaheim 1 to get Supercross class experience against the premier class riders, while using their already familiar 250F equipment. The same goes for the Lites West guys during the East series.

It’ll be up to the American distributors and independent teams to figure out what’s best for their programs, but watching riders cross back and forth to different regions while riding a 250F, rather than having develop a 450 for a handful of races should be interesting indeed. It’ll also be interesting to see what happens late in the season when teams battling for the Supercross championship start looking for riders who can help their cause.

Tracks
The Feld Entertainment crew have commissioned some of past champions to help develop tracks, so you could see a Travis Pastrana-inspired St. Louis track, or something from Jeremy McGrath, or a Ricky Carmichael-designed circuit. There’s also a possibility that the top five riders from the ’08 season will get a chance to design a track. The remaining few? That’s up to Feld Entertainment, but with a unique mix of old school designs, and very technical new school stuff, it should give a different flavor in all the 17 rounds this season.

They’ll also continue what they started last season at Anaheim 2, with the retro design…and (drumroll please) there may be a water crossing this year. While it won’t be mud, there may be sand and water in one of them. One of them? Hmm…

Numbers
You’re going to see a new policy adopted where the Supercross Champion and the Lites East and West Champions will be required to run the number one plates. That will make it easy for the casual fan to identify the champions on the track, and it also helps the American distributors showcase their riders. For example, Chad Reed will be running the number one in ’09, but will still hold onto his familiar 22, and return to it when he’s no longer champion.

Weight
For the last 20-some years, was minimum weights were intended for 125 and 250 two-strokes. There are no specifics yet, but the weights of the bikes will likely be adjusted for today’s modern machines… upward. That’s a move to make them safer, as well as less expensive for the teams to build. Currently, the factories are throwing magnesium, titanium and carbon fiber on top of an already expensive machine. They’re hoping that by boosting the weight limits it will balance the field, as well as reduce the cost of racing somewhat.

The Difference Between Supercross and Motocross

The history of dirt track racing can be traced back to motocross races.  There is a new type of motocross that has become very popular with extreme sports enthusiasts.  This is supercross.

What is the difference between motocross and supercross?

Motocross races are on dirt tracks that can only be between a half mile long and two miles long.  The width of the track needs to be between 16 and 40 feet.

The track is laid out in an irregular pattern that causes the rider to shift between having to make left hand turns and right hand turns.

The motocross track is designed with inclines, jumps, and switch back curves that demand the rider to change gears and alternate their throttle method.  A motocross track takes over a large piece of land and they are very noisy.  Most motocross tracks are placed in a rural area for this reason and rarely do you find one that does not use the natural terrain of the area for the track.

When supercross came on board the ideal of extreme sports was labeled to it.  The course is different in supercross.  The supercross track is not outside but is constructed in a stadium or coliseum style building.

The width of the supercross track is about twenty feet wide, but it can go as low as fourteen feet when the traffic flow will be heavy.  Unlike motocross the length of the supercross track varies with the size of the facility that is hosting.

The size of the arena would also limit that type of jumps and other feats due to the height of the building.  In a smaller venue the cut back turns would be sharper with smaller room to maneuver. The supercross venue will be very loud because the noise of the motorcycles will resound of the walls or stadium seats.

Motocross and supercross are now considered extreme sports because of the speed and danger involved in both.  Not only does the sport become extreme because of the speed, but sometimes the riders are bolted twenty five feet or more above the audience.

Some people claim that supercross is superior because it is more technical and more rules.  The entire supercross track can be seen from the stand versus having to stand a just at a portion of the track to watch the riders go by.  This is a plus for many viewers because a motocross track is dusty but a supercross track has you above the dust in a more comfortable place to seat.

Though supercross and motocross are similar extreme sports, there is enough difference between the two to call them two different sports.  The speed and danger is present in both motocross and supercross and it is the spectator’s choice to which one they prefer to watch or participate in.

Motocross and supercross are recognized by extreme sports enthusiasts and are followed on extreme sports websites and television shows.  The difference is apparent and to some they are the same thing only different. Track size and venue would be the biggest difference.

Troy Lee Designs 2009 Supercross Team

Team Troy Lee Designs / Honda announced today a brand new roster for the upcoming 2009 AMA Supercross Series.

Joining the team will be: No. 47 Jimmy Albertson, No. 42 Jake Moss, and No. 63 Chris Blose.  All three riders will compete in the west coast lites series which kicks off January 3 at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.

Jimmy Albertson turned pro in 2006 after a string of amateur victories, including a Loretta Lynn’s 125cc Championship. In 2008, Jimmy started to turn some heads with a fifth place finish in the lites division at Daytona Supercross. The factory teams took notice. Amid the outdoor nationals, American Honda gave Albertson the opportunity of a lifetime. He was offered a ride to fill in for the injured Ben Townley on a factory Red Bull/Honda 450. Jimmy answered the call with sixth place finishes at Washougal and Steel City. Jimmy will live and train in Corona, CA so that he will be close to Troy Lee Designs.

“I am stoked to be a part of this team,” said Albertson upon arriving at TLD. “The helmets and gear are so cool, and the bikes look amazing. I can’t wait until Anaheim.”

At the young age of 20, Chris Blose already has three years of Supercross experience on his resume. In 2008 he had three top ten finishes in the west coast lites series and he backed that up with four top ten finishes in the 450 class at the nationals. He will get the chance to showcase his talent this year with the TLD team and it is an opportunity he does not plan to squander.

“I am so excited to be working with this team,” says Blose. “The opportunity to have a top-level bike under me and to work with a crew that has that much experience is something I won’t take for granted. I know I can be in the top five on a regular basis with that kind of support behind me. I can’t wait.”

Jake Moss will be missing at the opening rounds of the series but you will see his No. 42 machine under the TLD transporter. Just days after signing his contract, Jake crashed and suffered a serious injury to one of his thoracic vertebrae. The injury is healing well and Jake plans to be back on the bike before the first of the year. Expect to see Moss enter the fray sometime mid-season.

In addition to the new riders, TLD has made some other changes to its program. Bicycle legend Brian Lopes will be available to the riders for guidance on their physical training. David Pingree has been appointed to the Team Manager position, and will handle logistics and media relations. Jeff Ward and Jeremy McGrath will act as riding coaches for the team, getting the riders mentally prepared for each event and elevating them to the next level. Their championship-winning experience alone is a powerful tool for Jimmy and Chris as they prepare for battle.

Team owner Troy Lee has tremendous confidence in the changes, and is excited to get the ball rolling for 2009. “I think we’ve made some great changes to the team, and hopefully we’re onto something big. I’d sure love to get some of our guys up on the podium this year and I think we’re definitely in a position to do that.”

James Stewart – L&M Racing

Last Friday, Nov 14, Yamaha hosted a media day to get their top races in front of the media to talk about the upcoming season. I spoke with a bunch of the blue bike riders, and they’re all excited about their rides for 2009. 

Here’s the first couple conversations I’ll share with you, when I spoke to the two riders that make up the L&M Racing, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians race team, James Stewart (fresh off his wins at both pre-season races the US Open in Vegas and the Bercy SX in Paris) and Kyle Chisholm. 

JAMES STEWART 

PP: What’s the biggest difference with the bike after being on Kawasaki so long? 

JS: For me it’s just handling, it turns really good. I think it was definitely a good change and I’m excited about it. You know, they are different bikes, but it’s not as a big a difference as you think it is. 

PP: How about the new crew, have you got them figured out? What’s that like joining a whole new family? 

JS: The whole teams laid back and the cool part is they want to win just as bad as I do. I love the team and everybody’s fun to hang out with. My mechanic Oscar’s funny, Larry, I like messing around with him, and everybody’s got a really good sense of humor but they know when it’s time to race it’s time to race and they get down for sure. 

PP: What does this change do to recharge your batteries? 

JS: I was definitely recharged already after getting hurt. During the outdoor season that’s probably why I went 24-0. It’s definitely a good change for me because I get to see fresh faces, the color’s different, every time I look down at the front fender it’s completely different. The team’s excited, it’s like a kid in the candy store working here. I’m excited about the change. 

PP: There’s gotta be some downside to it. 

JS: I definitely miss my old motor guy Rick Asch, one of the other guys, Derek… There were a couple people that were cool and stuff but that ended, changes had to be made, decisions made, and we’re all still friends. I think our new team is even better so I’m happy about that. 

PP: Who do you think your biggest competition’s going to be for ’09? 

JS: Chad Reed’s definitely going to be tough, and Ryan (Villopoto), but the biggest competition I always see is myself. I gotta make sure I do what I need to do and stay healthy. 

PP: How about the outdoor series. Do you know better now how many rounds you’re going to do of that? 

JS: No, not yet, but I do know we’re gonna do some for sure. It depends on how we split it up. Maybe we’ll be doing some GP stuff, but I’ll know pretty much once we get into supercross how we get rolling. 

PP: People loved to watch you when you used to ride your KX125 against the 250Fs. You’re not doing a full outdoor series, you’re riding for Yamaha, which still makes a 125, has it ever crossed your mind… 

Note: James broke out a big grin here. I’m not sure if it was because the question was too ridiculous or if he was thinking back of the fun he had on his 125. 

JS: Yeah, I mean, I would go out there and race if you guys want me to on the two-stroke but I’m not promising anything. I’d probably barely qualify. The two-stroke, man I hate to say it, but they’re dead and they’re not coming back. 

PP: What’s going to be the biggest surprise about you for 2009? 

JS: Obviously we’re on the Yamahas now and, I don’t know, it’s kinda hard to say. We’ve had a great year so far, a great two races obviously, and hopefully just continue that. 

KYLE CHISHOLM

I also spoke with James’ teammate Kyle Chisholm, who last year raced a 250F on the Motosport Kawasaki Xtreme Team Green. This year he’s battling in the 450 class. 

PP: Tell me about getting the call to join the team, and was James Stewart already a part of it? 

KC: It was pretty cool. I was at church. Actually me and my girlfriend got baptized that night. I had my phone on silent and when we got out, in the car trying to get out of the parking lot I handed my girlfriend the phone because somebody had called me. It was Larry trying to get a hold of me. We spoke the next day. Obviously he was calling to see if I was interested and obviously I said yeah. It all went from there. I came out after the nationals were over and tested a bike. They wanted to watch me ride, ride the bike on a supercross track, and they had a few other guys they were looking at. They let me know about a week later that everything was cool and everything went through. 

PP: How much have you gotten to ride with James on a supercross track since you joined the team? 

KC: Actually not a lot so far. The week before the US Open we rode, and obviously at the US Open. I actually hurt my knee a little bit and took a couple weeks off while we had time so I could heal up. Everything’s good now. I’ve ridden with him at home ever since were were on 80’s, we’ve known each other for a long time. Since he’s had a track at his house we’ve been riding together. We’ll be training and everything together, getting ready for Anaheim. 

PP: You’ve had your first race on the team. What is or what do you foresee to be the downside of having such a high profile teammate? 

KC: I don’t think there really is any, you know? The only thing I could think you could assume is maybe having him on the team he would more attention or better stuff. But the team is awesome, they’re totally fair. We both get the same opportunities, the same everything. Just because he’s the best rider in the world, they don’t treat me any different. I don’t see any negative thing there could be. It obviously puts me in the spotlight a little more, it helps my career, so nothing, nothing bad. 

PP: So that spotlight is good pressure? 

KC: I put more pressure on myself than anybody. The team is really great about not putting too much pressure on us. Larry’s been in our shoes, and all the guys on the team, the mechanics, and everybody with the team has a lot of experience so they know we put enough pressure on ourselves. Everything’s really good. 

PP: What’s going to surprise us about you in 2009? 

KC: I just want to be up there. This is my first year racing the 450 class and only my third year racing as a pro, so I just want to be up there, getting experience, racing with the top guys, so we’ll see what happens. P

P: Do you have a position in mind as your goal for the year? 

KC: You know, we talked a little bit, and don’t want to put an exact number or something like that. I just want to go out and do my best and work hard for that. Wherever I finish, as long as I know I did my best, that’s all I can hope for. Long term, we kinda looked at it, if I’m top ten at the end of the season, that’d be a successful season, being as there are a lot of fast guys. I just want to get up there and race with them. 

Note – and like seasoned pro, when I asked Kyle if there was anything I was forgetting he added – KC: I just want to thank obviously the team that game me the opportunity and all my sponsors. I have some new ones now. Fly, 661, Red Bull, obviously L&M and San Manuel Yamaha, JSE, still working on some other sponsorships, everything’s happening late this year but I’m just glad to have the opportunity.

this article is sourced from dirtrider.com

Supercross TV Schedule

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim (I)

01/03/09 :: 10:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (I)

01/04/09 :: 5:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (I)

01/04/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (I)

01/06/09 :: 12:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (I)

01/06/09 :: 1:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Phoenix, AZ

01/11/09 :: 5:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Phoenix, AZ

01/11/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Phoenix, AZ

01/13/09 :: 12:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Phoenix, AZ

01/13/09 :: 1:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (II)

01/18/09 :: 12:00PM ET on CBS 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (II)

01/18/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Phoenix, AZ

01/20/09 :: 12:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (II)

01/20/09 :: 1:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (II)

01/23/09 :: 12:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Houston, TX

01/25/09 :: 12:00PM ET on CBS 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Houston, TX

01/25/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (II)

01/27/09 :: 12:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Houston, TX

01/27/09 :: 1:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Houston, TX

01/29/09 :: 4:00AM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Houston, TX

01/30/09 :: 12:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from San Francisco, CA

02/01/09 :: 12:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from San Francisco, CA

02/01/09 :: 12:00PM ET on CBS 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (III)

02/08/09 :: 3:30PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Anaheim, CA (III)

02/08/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from San Diego, CA

02/15/09 :: 12:00PM ET on CBS 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from San Diego, CA

02/15/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Atlanta, GA

02/22/09 :: 5:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Atlanta, GA

02/22/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Indianapolis, IN

03/01/09 :: 5:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Indianapolis, IN

03/01/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from New Orleans, LA

03/15/09 :: 5:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from New Orleans, LA

03/15/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from St. Louis, MO

03/22/09 :: 5:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from St. Louis, MO

03/22/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Toronto, ON

03/29/09 :: 12:00PM ET on CBS 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Toronto, ON

03/29/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Jacksonville, FL

04/05/09 :: 5:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Jacksonville, FL

04/05/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Seattle, WA

04/19/09 :: 12:00PM ET on CBS 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Seattle, WA

04/19/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Salt Lake City, UT

04/26/09 :: 12:00PM ET on CBS 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Salt Lake City, UT

04/26/09 :: 6:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Las Vegas, NV

05/03/09 :: 12:00PM ET on SPEED 

 

Monster Energy Supercross – RECAP

05/03/09 :: 12:00PM ET on CBS 

 

Monster Energy Supercross from Las Vegas, NV

05/03/09 :: 1:00PM ET on SPEED 

Carmichael switches gears for Daytona race

Ricky Carmichael, Jason Pridmore and Scott Russell share a remarkable record of success in motorcycle racing — Carmichael in Supercross and motocross and Pridmore and Russell in road racing — with much of it coming at Daytona.

So what were the trio doing on Monday at the big track? Testing a sports car.

What’s up with that?

The trio plan to run a Porsche-powered Daytona Prototype for Holly Hill-based Spirit of Daytona Racing in the Jan. 24 and 25 Rolex 24 at Daytona, along with veteran road racer Guy Cosmo. Competing in the grinding, twice-around-the-clock race is not something to be taken lightly, even for experienced hands, so Carmichael, Pridmore and Russell need as much seat time as possible, even with two more Grand-Am tests remaining — Nov. 11 and 12 and Jan. 2 and 4.

Tallahassee’s Carmichael has experience on four wheels, having competed in stock cars, but there’s very little in common between the school-bus like stockers and the sleek prototypes.

“These things are so much lower to the ground and there’s so much more feel in these cars,” he said.

And he takes comfort in that he’s not alone in experiencing a learning curve.

“We’re all about even in this Prototype car,” Carmichael said. “We can learn together.”

Carmichael’s race with Spirit of Daytona is a one-off deal as he prepares to race in what will be known next season as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for Kevin Harvick Inc. His Trucks debut could come on Feb. 13 at Daytona three weeks after the 24-hour race. He’ll then return to once again design the track for the March 7 Daytona Supercross by Honda, a race he won five times.

Russell also is a five-time winner at Daytona, with a quintet of triumphs in the Daytona 200 — North America’s premier motorcycle race — to his credit.

The self-described “redneck boy from Georgia” who said he never envisioned himself having the success he did on two wheels now pursues excellence on four, but from a neophyte’s standpoint.

“It’s a great challenge to come in cold like that with no real car experience,” said Russell, who was critically injured in the 2001 Daytona 200. “I don’t think any of us have much car experience. You got a lot of great drivers in this series and I look forward to chasing them around and trying to see if I can get my times down to where they are. It’s such a new challenge for me. It’s great.

“This is one of my favorite races to come watch. For years, I just thought how cool it would be to be out there. To have the opportunity is just amazing for me. I pinched myself every day to make sure this is real.”

It is and to that end, the focus is on learning.

“There’s zero ego involved here I think between all three of us,” said Pridmore who has two 750 Supersport victories at Daytona. “We just want to learn and we got a great guy — Guy Cosmo has helped us so much. You’ve got to give full credit to him. The whole team has been very accommodating. They’re all a bunch of motorcycle heads anyway. They all knew who we were when we came, which is nice. It’s made it very comfortable.”

But that comfort only goes so far.

“It’s exciting because we’re all nervous,” Pridmore said. “We’re all scared. I don’t think any of us will lie to you. We’re all a little bit nervous for what we’re getting ourselves into. There’s a lot of respect for the guys that do this full-time.”

And the hope is the respect will flow both ways.

“We haven’t really been on the track with these guys much,” Russell said. “I’m sure the word will be out and they’ll be looking out for us and watching and making sure we’ve made the right moves when they come up on us or vice versa. Just keep it clean, that’s what I plan on doing and running hard.

“I believe that we’ll be OK.”

Moment that nearly ended Chad Reed’s supercross career

IT was the moment that could have ended Chad Reed’s career. With his leg smashed to bits after a motor bike accident, a surgeon at Mackay hospital told Chad’s father Mark he was going to place a steel rod through his knee.

The operation could have stopped the-then 17-year-old from going on to become a world Supercross champion.

“I told them no bloody way,” Mark said. “It would have stopped him from riding.

“His leg was bad. It was just dangling there like a piece of meat. But there was no way they were putting a rod through his knee.”

But the surgeon told Mark he could not take Chad out of the hospital unless he walked out.

“So I went down to the service station and got some gaffer tape,” Mark said. “Then I snapped a couple of branches from a tree and used them to brace his leg. We got some crutches and guess what? He walked out.”

What followed was a horrific 1635km journey involving aeroplanes, forklifts and excruciating pain: “We went and hired a forklift and put him on a pallet,” Mark said. “We took him to the airport on it and loaded him onto a plane. He was in a bad way. He had no painkillers or anything. When we finally got to Newcastle my wife (Robyn) met me with another forklift. We loaded him onto it and took him home.”

But Reed’s nightmare was not over. He was forced to endure another eight days of pain as his father scoured the country for another surgeon.

“I had to sit at home for eight days until dad could find a surgeon who would do the operation with screws and a plate,” Chad said.

James “Bubba” Stewart – The Bubba Scrub

Probably the coolest move in all of Motocross is James Stewart doing the “Bubba Scrub”

VitalMX captured a pretty good shot, and as soon as I saw it I had to post it.