REED v STEWART EPIC?

'Reed - Stewart rivalry reaches epic status.'

The rivalry between dual World Supercross champion Chad Reed and reigning champion James Stewart reached boiling point today, with the two clashing heavily during the second round of the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series which was held at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Both Reed and his nemesis were back in the pack at the start of the 20 lap race and followed each other through the early laps. On lap five of race Reed put a pass on Stewart going into a right hand corner and the two collided, leaving Reed with a suspected broken bone in his hand.
Tempers flared following the race but Reed acknowledged his focus is now is on having his hand assessed ahead of next weekend’s third round of the series. 
“We were racing hard and we were racing for a championship where every point counts, as we saw at the end of last season,” Reed explained.
“James went high and I saw an opportunity to pass and took it and we came together end of story. The main focus for me right now is to seek medical advice and understand what sort of injury my hand has sustained.
“That’s got to be the priority right now then once I know where I am at I will take a little time to reflect on what happened,” he added.
The third instalment of the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series will see the series head back to Anaheim’s Angel Stadium on Saturday 23rd January.

Top Ten Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series Results - Rd 2 Chase Field, Phoenix

1. Ryan Dungey,  SUZ, 25pts
2. Ryan Villopoto, KAW, 22pts
3. Josh Hill, YAM, 20pts
4. Ivan Tedesco, YAM, 18pts
5. Andrew Short, HON, 16pts
6. Kevin Windham, HON,15pts
7. Austin Stroupe, SUZ, 14pts
8. Justin Brayton, YAM, 13pts
9. Davi Millsaps, HON, 10pts
10. Thomas Hahn, SUZ, 11pts
19. Chad Reed, KAW, 2pts

Top Ten 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Point Standings

1. Ryan Dungey, 47pts 
2. Ryan Villopoto, 38pts 
3. Josh Hill, 35pts
4. Kevin Windham, 35pts
5. Andrew Short, 34pts 
6. Ivan Tedesco, 32pts
7. James Stewart, 31pts
8. Justin Brayton, 26pts
9. Davi Millsaps, 24pts
10. Thomas Hahn, 21pts
21. Chad Reed, 4pts

Source: Fluid PR

A GOOD BADD REPORT

By Jos Mason.
What a scorcher of a day!
BADD supporters came from all over including Tauranga, New Plymouth and Napier to assist Salvation Army’s food banks, and peruse at leisure, some dramatic racing from NZ’s best, up and coming and club level riders alike at the inaugural BADD 3-Hour Endurance Race.
And lest we forget, our Aussie entrants, which saw Robbie Phillis unfortunately withdraw in the fortnight prior; Paul Gaskin and Joel Reed!

This year attracted a remarkable full grid – 32 teams plus reserves, with many entrants from last year’s 3-Hour coming back for another go at the title.

The word ‘Endurance’ describes many competitors this year. Particularly those who raced the previous day at the legendary Wanganui Cemetary Circuit for points, and  facing the following day’s points racing - the final of the Tri-series.

 Andrew Stroud 7x NZ Superbike champ who would go on to become the Tri-Series F1 winner, joined us for the 3-Hour, alongside team-mates, Kevin Kingham and Greg Dodunski.
A  young man on the move - Glen Skachill; last year’s 3-Hour winner, with frantic repairs from Wanganui’s Cemetary Circuit crash and some challenging pit stops, saw Glen and teammate, Sam Smith fly into 6th place. And then the following day, going on to win the F2 class of the Tri-Series.

Jeremy Holmes and Hayden Fitzgerald saw the Honda Team finish in the same place as ‘08 - 2nd Place.
The Biggles/Wiggles combo – Marcus Beagley and Mark Wigley came in fourth up from 6th place in last year’s 3-Hour.

Sandra Stannova showed the boys how do it, along with teammate Adrian Cox coming in 5th place.
Fantastic to see our first ladies team entered - Susan Ure, Tamasin Beattie. Go the Girls, awesome effort!
Superman Micheal Pera completed the final 20 minutes with cracked ribs.
Sadly Fred Merkels team race ended early with a DNF!

The accolade of course goes to Mr Sloan Frost, who submitted his entry on the day, for “a bit of practice” for the Final Round of the Tri-Series coming in first place, not only for the coveted ‘Superman’ trophy, but, also the overall title win.

Sloan completed 105 laps in 2 hours 57m10.38, with fastest lap time of 1m33.48

”I entered the race 10 minutes before the start. I figured it would be good to get a bit of track time before R3 of the Tri Series, so I thought I’d just ride till I got tired.
I came in for my first pit stop, but forgot that I didn’t have a pit crew!
I actually pulled in after 2hrs and told my dad I’d had enough because I was bored, then he told me I was actually winning, so I did another few laps. I didn’t really know what place I was; until I saw the chequered flag come out for me. STOKED!”

Following the 3-Hour Race there was a ‘podium finish’ prize giving, complete with B.A.D.D Girls and Moet, a fantastic BBQ meal and band for the Riders Reunion and Competitors.
Free camping was put to good use over two nights.
Congratulations to all competitors, and a big thank you for another day’s dramatic and legendary racing.
On a final note a quote from this year’s fourth place winner Marcus Beagley “I expect this event to become bigger and bigger!”
Many thanks to those who donated funds to the BADD Charity for this year’s upcoming projects and to those that donated food items to Salvation Army Food bank.
Thanks to NZSRA and the BADD_3-Hour Organisers – Chris Lawrance and Andy Scrivener.
Thanks to the Ralliests from Tauranga, New Plymouth and Napier who joined us.
Thanks Also to Sponsors and Supporters Suzuki NZ, Hauraki FM, Kiwiracer, Kiwirider, Bayride Motorcycles Tauranga, Novus Mount Maunganui, Go Fast Nutritional Drink, Design Booth, C1webdesigns, BADD Team, including the BADD Girls and AutoCycle Refinishers Tauranga.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Damien Tomen
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Learn more about BADD here
www.badd.co.nz

SUZUKI 1-2-3-4-5 AT RUAPUNA

Hamilton's Andrew Stroud is off to a flying start.
The Waikato father-of-seven qualified his Suzuki GSX-R1000 in pole position at the opening round of this year's New Zealand Superbike Championships in
Christchurch at the weekend and then raced his way to a two-point lead over fellow Waikato Suzuki rider Sloan Frost at the top of the superbike standings.
In fact, the whole weekend was a Suzuki bun-fight with the brand eventually claiming all five top spots in the superbike rankings -- Stroud followed by Frost,
Christchurch's James Smith in third, Auckland's Ray Clee in fourth and defending champion Robbie Bugden, of Australia, taking the No.5 spot.
It was a major disappointment for Bugden, who had come from Brisbane with his sights set on making it four Kiwi superbike crowns in a row. Bugden won Sunday's first superbike race but then crashed out of race two.
Stroud had been forced to settle for fourth place in race one but was in superb form in race two, shooting out to a commanding lead and eventually winning it by nearly 16 seconds from Frost.
That race win also gave Stroud the New Zealand Superbike GP title.
"The pack seemed half a lap behind me," said Stroud afterwards. "I guess you could say the weekend worked out good for me.
"I struggled a bit in the first race and it took me a while to work out how much traction I could find on the wet surface.
"It all turned back in my favour in race two though. There were still wet patches on the track but the new Pirelli tyres are brilliant and I was able to go hard straight away."
Frost finished 3-2 to take second overall for the day, while Smith's 2-4 placing gave him the third step on the superbike podium.
Frost was thrilled to record his career best result at a national superbike championship round.
"I got held up in traffic in race two," he explained. "By the time I got past Ray Clee, Andrew Stroud was long gone. I'm pretty pleased with my day though."
It also turned out to be a Suzuki scrap in the formula three class with defending champion Glen Williams, of Palmerston North, eventually edging out evergreen Taranaki campaigner Terry Fitzgerald by just two points for the top spot.
Williams (Suzuki SV650) finished 1-1-4 and Fitzgerald (Suzuki SV650) came home 3-2-1 in the three races.
There's also little to separate Suzuki riders Geoff Booth, Jason Cameron and James Hoogenboezem at the top of the 650 Pro Twins class.
Dannevirke's Booth took his Suzuki SV650 to 2-2-1 placing, while Kaiapoi's Cameron (Suzuki SV650) finished 1-1-4 and Christchurch's Hoogenboezem (Suzuki SV650) was placed 3-3-2 in the three outings.
There are just 13 points between these three riders at the top and closer racing is likely when they head to round two of the series at Invercargill's Teretonga circuit this coming weekend.

Source: Suzuki NZ 
KR File Pic.

RACE FOR THE TITLE HEATS UP

by Andy McGechan
Even a bone-jarring crash could not derail Bay of Plenty’s Ben Townley at the third round of four in this season’s New Zealand Supercross Championships in Tokoroa on Saturday night.
The Tauranga man, still on the comeback from a shoulder injury suffered in America in 2007, remains on target to take his first New Zealand title in nearly 10 years after another scintillating display on the race track, this time at a Tokoroa track made treacherous by persistent drizzle.
The 25-year-old former world motocross champion and US supercross champion crashed heavily while leading the night’s first of three open class races.
He picked himself up to limp home in ninth place and then, with a rapid-fire format in place for the Tokoroa event, he had no time to rest as he was obliged to head straight back to the starting grid for race two.
Despite showing signs of wear from the crash, Townley took his Kawasaki KX450F to the lead from the start and never looked back, clocking up an impressive win.
He repeated the dose for the third and final race that followed immediately after that.
Townley’s 9-1-1 results meant Townley finished the night an unaccustomed third overall, behind Mount Maunganui pair Cody Cooper (Suzuki) and Mason Phillips (Kawasaki), but it was still enough for him to extend his lead in the championship chase to 26 points over his nearest threat, Christchurch Honda rider Justin McDonald.
“I was feeling awesome on the bike. It just gets better and better every time I ride,” said Townley.
“The crash was just one of those things really. A piece of a trackside barrier was sticking out, my foot-peg clipped it and down I went.
“Considering the circumstances (with the crash), I am happy to still finish the night on the podium. In damp and slippery conditions like this, you just have to take what you can."
While most attention was focussed on Townley, there was no denying the incredible pace of fellow Kiwi international Cooper, who, despite having to brave a painful knee injury following his crash at round one, won the night in Tokoroa with 1-3-2 results and leapt from fourth to third equal in the championship standings.
"The way things have been going for me lately, I have to say I'm surprised I won the night. I was sick at round one and then crashed and hurt my knee. Then I got only second placings at round two … but now I've got an overall win to celebrate.
"I struggled a bit tonight because my sore knee has no strength in it. It's all swelled up. I'll just have to see what I can manage at the final round next weekend in Auckland."
The Senior Lites (250cc) class belonged to defending champion Scott Columb (Suzuki), the Queenstown man finishing 2-1-1 on the night to edge out dual-class campaigner Phillips – who took his Kawasaki to 1-2-2 finishes.
Taupo’s Brad Groombridge (Suzuki) was third best on the night and also remains third in the championship standings.
Rangiora’s McGoldrick brothers, Isaiah and Micah, continue to lead the two junior classes.
Isaiah McGoldrick (KTM) won the junior 250cc class at Tokoroa and created a 16-point buffer over nearest challenger Tom Managh (Suzuki), of Wanganui.
Micah McGoldrick topped the podium in the Junior Lites (85cc) class at Tokoroa and stretched his advantage to 21 points over Feilding’s Haki Waller (Kawasaki).
The racing will go down to the wire with the fourth and final round set for Manukau City this coming Saturday night, the land beside the TelstraClear Events Centre turned into a floodlit moonscape for a thrilling climax to the championship.

Leading standings after round three of the New Zealand Supercross Championships at Tokoroa on Saturday night:

Senior open:
1. Ben Townley (Tauranga) 162 points;
2. Justin McDonald (Christchurch) 136;
3= Mason Phillips (Mount Maunganui) 135;
3= Cody Cooper (Mount Maunganui) 135

Senior lites:
1. Scott Columb (Queenstown) 165 points;
2. Mason Phillips (Mount Maunganui) 156;
3. Brad Groombridge (Taupo) 132.

Junior 250cc:
1. Isaiah McGoldrick (Rangiora) 157 points;
2. Tom Managh (Wanganui) 141;
3. Brandon Tipene (Auckland) 125.

Junior lites:
1. Micah McGoldrick (Rangiora) 172 points;
2. Haki Waller (Feilding) 151;
3. Scott Sowry (Pahiatua) 130.

BikesportNZ.com

BUBBA WINS ANAHEIM AMA SX OPENER

The opening round of the 2010 AMA Supercross/FIM SX World Championship at the Angel Stadium, Anaheim in Los Angeles on Saturday Jan 09 was won in fine style by defending champion L and M San Manuel's James Stewart. The Floridian gave the new Yamaha YZ450F its first victory in a major series.

The 51st supercross race in Anaheim and the first of three visits in the 2010 schedule saw a tense beginning to the current campaign that runs almost every week across the US and into Canada until the beginning of May. Stewart was dominant in practice and took first pick in the gate for Saturday's main event that was attended by more than 43,000 people. James Stewart
The 24-year-old started in second place and hunted the rear wheel of rookie Ryan Dungey for 17 of the 20 laps before making his play for the lead in the closing stages. He crossed the line for his seventh win in Los Angeles by nearly four seconds from Dungey with Kevin Windham over thirty seconds adrift in third. Stewart's arch-rival, Chad Reed, retired on the second lap after a collision left him with broken wheel spokes.
"The first few laps, I was trying to settle in and see where everything was, checking out the bike and everything was cool, but I messed up a rhythm section and then he [Dungey] got a pretty good gap," Stewart recalled. "I looked up and it was like lap 13, so I had to put in another charge. I felt like I had a lot left in the tank and I was able to catch him, pass him, and then he ended up trying to pass me back, but I was able to hold him off until the end of the last lap and win the race."
"I feel like my endurance is really good, and that's what I really work for hard every week. I felt way better at lap 17 than I did at the beginning."
"It's going to be a long season," he added. "Unfortunately, Chad DNF-ed tonight, so there were a lot of crazy things going on but I'm happy to be out of here with a win and the points lead." Josh Hill
Stewart's success could start another Anaheim 'clean sweep' for Yamaha as the champion claimed two events last year and Joe Gibbs Racing's Josh Grant was another victor. Grant on this occasion did not start the Main Event after feeling the ill-effects of a practice crash on Tuesday before the meeting.

Results
2010 AMA-SX Anaheim, CA 10/01/2010 Race 1 - 20 Laps 1 James Stewart Yamaha USA 18'59.724 2 Ryan Dungey Suzuki USA 0'03.423 3 Kevin Windham Honda USA 0'37.074 4 Andrew Short Honda USA 0'41.282 5 Ryan Villopoto Kawasaki USA 0'44.902 6 Josh Hill Yamaha USA 0'49.151 7 Ivan Tedesco Yamaha USA 0'50.266 8 Justin Brayton Yamaha USA 0'57.308 9 David D Millsaps Honda USA 1'00.003 10 Grant Langston Yamaha RSA -1Laps 11 Thomas Hahn Yamaha USA -1Laps 12 Nicholas Wey Kawasaki USA -1Laps 13 Gregory Aranda Kawasaki FRA -1Laps 14 Fabien Izoird Kawasaki FRA -1Laps 15 Justin Keeney Kawasaki USA -2Laps 17 Jason Lawrence Yamaha USA -16Laps 20 Josh Grant Yamaha USA -20Laps

Rider Standings 09/01/2010
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. James Stewart Yamaha USA 25 2. Ryan Dungey Suzuki USA 22 3. Kevin Windham Honda USA 20 4. Andrew Short Honda USA 18 5. Ryan Villopoto Kawasaki USA 16 6. Josh Hill Yamaha USA 15 7. Ivan Tedesco Yamaha USA 14 8. Justin Brayton Yamaha USA 13 9. David D Millsaps Honda USA 12 10. Grant Langston Yamaha RSA 11 11. Thomas Hahn Yamaha USA 10 12. Nicholas Wey Kawasaki USA 9 13. Gregory Aranda Kawasaki FRA 8 14. Fabien Izoird Kawasaki FRA 7 15. Justin Keeney Kawasaki USA 6 17. Jason Lawrence Yamaha USA 4 20. Josh Grant Yamaha USA 1
Manufacturer Standings 09/01/2010
Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. Yamaha 25 2. Suzuki 22 3. Honda 20 4. Kawasaki 16

CHARLETT OFF TO A FLYING START

Dennis Charlett is off to a flying start for 2010.

Two days into the New Year and the Christchurch racer is still celebrating the arrival of a new decade after winning five races from seven starts at the 16th annual Port Nelson Street Races on Saturday.
Charlett took his Suzuki GSX-R600 to finish 3-1-1 in his three formula one outings and then also wrapped up the formula two-class, coming home 2-1-1.
The Canterbury ace then also wrapped up the 12-lap King of the Port feature race.
Runner-up was fellow Christchurch racer Daniel Ornsby, on a Triumph 675, while another Christchurch rider, Chris Alley, came third on his Suzuki GSX-R1000.
"I'd never raced on this circuit before, so I guess I'd have to say I'm pretty pleased to come here and win," Charlett said.
"It's good to get a win or two under my belt ahead of the nationals … it's certainly a confidence-builder," said the 41-year-old.
Charlett has every right to feel confident, with such a solid set of wins under his wheels with the Castrol Power 1 New Zealand Superbike Championships set to kick off near his Christchurch home, at Ruapuna Raceway, in just two weeks' time, on January 17.
"We're on track for the nationals and just need to get suspension settings right now for the new tyres I'm using this year. I'll be using Continental rubber this season.
"I'm not quite polished yet but I'm getting closer and closer each time I ride."
"I think riders such as (fellow Christchurch man) James Smith (Suzuki), Wellington's Glen Skachill (Suzuki) and Tauranga's Sam Love (Yamaha) will be my biggest threat for the 600 sports production crown this season."
Charlett's title bid last season was fraught with bad luck early on but, even so, he managed to claw his way back to finish fourth in the class.
Meanwhile, Motueka's Josh Coppins was another rider to impress at the Port Nelson Street Races.
Grand Prix motocross star Coppins took a Suzuki RM-Z450 to an unbeaten string of wins in the Super Motard SM2 class (for 450cc bikes) and then backed that up by finishing a strong third overall in the SM1 (open) class, behind Wanganui Suzuki rider Jayden Carrick and Taranaki's Mitch Rowe (Yamaha).

Source: Suzuki NZ