KTM 990 Approved Competition in AMA Daytona SportBike Presented by AMSOIL

Press release from AMA Pro Racing

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 30, 2009) - The AMA Pro Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL class is already one of the most diverse divisions in major league motorcycle road racing, but the competition is going to get even more interesting beginning with this weekend's Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The KTM 990 Super Duke is the 11th different motorcycle approved and homologated for AMA Pro Daytona SportBike competition, and one of the unique twin cylinder bikes will be debuted this weekend at Mazda Raceway. The California-based Tri-Valley Moto team and rider Eric Gulbransen will field the No. 394 KTM 990 Super Duke in Sunday's AMA Pro Daytona SportBike final. "We have seen outstanding racing this year in AMA Pro Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL and that is due to the incredible talent of the teams and riders and the performance of a diverse line-up of motorcycles," said AMA Pro Racing President Roger Edmondson. "AMA Pro Daytona SportBike is now home to 11 different motorcycles from nine different manufacturers and the parity we have seen in the on-track performance has been unmatched at this level. We welcome KTM and Tri-Valley Moto to the series and know they will be a competitive addition to an already outstanding class." The Austrian-made KTM brand has been ridden to more than 90 motorcycle championships around the world but the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike debut will be the manufacturer's first experience in North America at this level. Tri-Valley Moto is based in Livermore, California and Gulbransen is a veteran California rider from Menlo Park, who also has extensive experience racing Ducatis. Dual 23-lap/50-mile sprints for AMA Pro Daytona SportBike and AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike presented by Parts Unlimited will bring the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix weekend to a close on Sunday, July 5. The Daytona SportBike race begins at 3:30 p.m. local time and will be followed directly by the American Superbike race at 4:15 p.m.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. From its Daytona Beach headquarters, the organization operates and manages AMA Pro Road Racing, which includes AMA Pro American Superbike, AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, AMA Pro SuperSport and AMA Pro SunTrust Moto-GT. AMA Pro Racing also manages and works closely with the day-to-day operational organizations of the AMA Pro Flat Track Championship and the AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Series in addition to other two-wheel and ATV series. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at http://www.amaproracing.com/.

Rinker Closes Championship Gap in Bay City

Photos courtesy of Mike Randolph and http://www.mlive.com/

Tim Seebold took the win in Bay City, but it was AMSOIL driver Terry Rinker closed the gap on Shaun Torrente in the standings for the 2009 F1 ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL.

Rinker started the weekend gaining valuable points towards what could become his fifth career ChampBoat championship by becoming the number two qualifier behind Seebold, but ahead of series points leader Shaun Torrente.

During Sunday's final, Seebold dictated the action at the front of the race, but the real battle was behind him between Torrente and Rinker. Torrente would win Sunday's battle, but only because of a broken fuel pump suffered by Rinker's boat on the lap 31 of the 50-lap affair. After the red flag came out to stop the race, Rinker was able to repair the fuel pump and, after starting dead last, moved the Team AMSOIL boat back into fourth over the final 19 laps. Despite finishing one spot behind Torrente (third) in Bay City, Rinker was able to close the gap by 14 points thanks to his strong qualifying on Saturday. Rinker is no just 24 points behind Torrente.

"We had a great set-up this weekend, from qualifying to the final," said Rinker. "It's too bad we had the fuel pump issue, because we could have been back on the podium for the third time this year. The guys did a great job getting us back out there after the red flag. Without their hard work, we wouldn't have been able to close the gap on Shaun and defend our 2009 championship."

The F1-ChampBoat Series now is off until mid-August when it heads to Nashville, Tenn. on the August 15-16. for the first time in its 25-year history.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

TORC on TV, ChampBoat to Bay City

Coverage of the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL continues from Crandon this weekend and the F1 ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL roars into Bay City, Mich.

Short Course Racing returned to its birthplace, Crandon, Wisc., and ESPN2 will highlight the action this Sunday. Tune in and watch some of the best racing of the 2009 season, with nail-biting crashes, high flying action, and the entire fleet of off road superstars. Coverage of The Traxxas TORC Truck Series presented by AMSOIL begins at 12:30pm eastern time, (check local listings).

To get you fired up for short course racing at its finest, you can watch last Saturday's Pro Light race, featuring Team AMSOIL driver Chad Hord finding another podium.

The 2009 F1 ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL travels to its second leg of a back-to-back weekends of racing. The series heads to Bay City, Mich. for the Annual Bay City River Roar.

Team AMSOIL driver and defending champion Terry Rinker will pilot is yellow #10 boat on the turbulent waters in Bay City. Rinker is currently second overall in the points chase after two rounds and two second-place finishes this year. Racing will be held all day Saturday and Sunday.

Also on tap for Team AMSOIL this weekend:

AMA ATV Motocross Championship (AMSOIL is the Official Oil)
June 27 - 28
Blountville, TN

Team GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda Motocross
June 27
Thunder Valley Motocross - Golden, CO

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Rinker Returns to Action with Second Place Finish

For the second straight time in the 2009 F1-ChampBoat presented by AMSOIL season, Shaun Torrente took a win and is now very close to emulating his feat of a season ago when he won three straight at the start of the campaign.

The win, his sixth career victory, came in front of thousands of heat soaked fans along the mighty Ohio River at the Evansville Freedom Festival in Evansville, Ind. The six turn, 1.25 mile race course featured a heat index of 113 degrees and had three different drivers drop out of the race, forcing officials to re-start the race three different times in the fist half of the race.

“The boat ran great all day,” said Torrente. “We had it set up perfectly and it just got us through the right-hander the way we wanted it and made for a great day of racing for the whole team."

Defending series champion Terry Rinker took his second straight runner-up finish to start the 2009 campaign. The Florida driver running the AMSOIL sponsored boat spun out early in the race but fought back from eighth place to eventually take second.

“We have made some moves with the handling that aren't quite working out yet, but we should have them fixed by this week and be ready for Bay City,” said the four time champion. “We have had some wild moments at the River Roar event and look forward for a win this time around.”

With the win, Torrente now leads the championship ahead of Rinker by 37 points (1175-1138) with Brian Venton in third. The F1 ChampBoat Series presented by AMSOIL will return to action this weekend at the Annual Bay City River Roar in Bay City, Mich.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

AMSOIL Traxxas R/C Team Mixes it up at Crandon

As the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL showcased a great weekend of racing at Crandon International Raceway, the competition for R/C supremacy was underway meer feet from their full-size brethren.

Traxxas, the title sponsor of TORC, has partnered with RC Pro to host full fledged racing at each TORC event, complete with a professional constructed course, drivers stand and lap counting system.

Dan Adamski recently purchased the AMSOIL Scott Douglas/Mike Oberg 1/10 Scale Slash, so he decided to take the minature version of the AMSOIL Super Team trucks to Crandon and take part in the Traxxas R/C races. On Friday, he took the Team AMSOIL #7 (complete with Scott Douglas autograph) to a second place finish. On Saturday, Adamski got caught up in an accident, (much like Douglas in the Pro 4x4 race) and was a half-lap down before getting the truck back in the mix. He finished sixth.

"All in all, it was worth the trip to Crandon and I had the time of my life." said Adamski. "Meeting Scott Douglas and the entire crew was an awesome experience and I look forward to seeing them again. I'll be pulling for Scott to win the championship."

The next round of the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL will be July 11-12 in Bark River, Mich. The Crandon race will air on ESPN2 this Sunday, June 28, starting at 12:30 PM (Eastern).

Click here to purchase to get a great deal on one of the three AMSOIL Douglas/Oberg Traxxas R/C trucks.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL Beats Its Own Endurance Record & Wins

The AMSOIL Offshore Racing Team has set the Official Endurance Record sanctioned by OSS in 2008 in the Cat Lite Class from Miami, Florida to Bimini, Bahamas and back. This year, the team returned with a mission of defending and beating its own record in the 106 mile long race. On Friday, June 12th, Team AMSOIL #77 did just that by running the endurance event in 59 minutes and 40 seconds, which was a little over 5 minutes faster than last year’s record. The official average speed of the Team was recorded at 106.8174 MPH.

To further show the endurance and reliability afforded by using AMSOIL lubricants, Team AMSOIL participated in Saturday’s Thunderboat Rally from Sunny Isles Beach to Key Largo and back. The Team received a lot of recognition from other participants and fans as a front runner in the long range event.

The boat was entered in the Sunny Isles Offshore Challenge on Sunday. Team AMSOIL won the Cat Lite class easily in the wind blown Atlantic Ocean waters in front of fans on Beach and in the row of mega hotels along the front straightaway. The start-finish line was located at the famous Trump International Beach Resort Hotel.


During the 3 day event, over 350 race miles were logged on the Team AMSOIL Skater with no problems of any kind.

Next stop:
SBI Suncoast Offshore Super Boat Grand Prix
Sarasota, Florida - 4th of July weekend.
See you at the races!

Accompanying photos of the AMSOIL Offshore boat by Jamie Russell, Professional Offshore Photography

Hord, Oberg, RJ Headline Team AMSOIL at Big House (Watch Saturday's Pro Light Race)

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL came to Crandon International Off Road Raceway for rounds five and six of the 2009 schedule this past weekend. It was the west coast teams turn to make the 2,000 mile trek to Wisconsin to compete at the most prestigious track on the TORC circuit, in front of over 24,000 fans.

Saturday in the Kumho Pro 4x4 class, Monster Energy's Rick Huseman took both the win and the Oakley Bomb Run Award for the fastest lap time, almost breaking Johnny Greaves 2008 track record. The father son Rockstar team of Kyle and Curt Leduc swept second and third place. AMSOIL Super Team driver Scott Douglas was able to battle back from early battle's for a sixth.

In the AMSOIL Pro 2WD class, Rob MacCachren and Todd Leduc took first and second place. Red Bull/AMSOIL star Ricky Johnson took third place and the Oakley Bomb Run Award for fastest lap. AMSOIL Super Team member Mike Oberg shot out of turn one in second and held on to the position before hitting a rutted section of the track, turning his truck over and putting him out of the race.

Click to Watch Saturday's Pro Light Race:

In the Pro Light class the podium was stacked with talent including winner Marty Hart. AMSOIL's Chad Hord took a very close second and the Oakley Bomb Run Award; Steven Federico took third and his first podium of the 2009 season.

Sunday's action in the Kumho Pro 4x4 class saw Red Bull/AMSOIL's Steve Barlow lead his first race of the season for several laps, before losing the lead in a multi car incident. In the end it was Huseman who swept the weekend by capturing both the win and the Oakley Bomb. Despite flipping his AMSOIL Ford F-150 on its roof early in the race, Douglas was able to refire and track down the leaders for a fourth place finish.

In a similar race Barlow's teammate, Ricky Johnson also led most of the AMSOIL Pro 2wd race, but a punctured tire from contact caused him to finish in fourth place. AMSOIL sponsored Scott Taylor took first place and the Oakley Bomb Run Award. Crowd favorite Dan Vanden Heuval rounded out the top three.

The highlight of the weekend was surely The Forest County Potawatomi Chairman's Cup. Pro 4x4 and Pro 2wd trucks battled it out in a shoot-out for the $25,000 prize, as well as the coveted Chairman's Cup Trophy. The Pro 2wd driver lined up almost a full half track ahead of the Pro 4x4 class. Ricky Johnson took the lead and held it throughout with Oberg hot on his tail. In lap two the Wild Man Cenni crashed on the front stretch taking him out of the race. Johnny Greaves also pulled off early in the race. On lap 3 Douglas, Huseman and Mark Jenkins got into each other. Douglas was black flagged for a debatable rough driving call. In the end, Johnson took his first ever cup win, with Oberg putting pressure on him despite an obstructed view for much of the race.

The next stop on the 2009 TORC race schedule is Bark River International Raceway in Bark River, Michigan for rounds seven and eight. The action will take place over two days, July 11-12.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL Heads to Crandon

Following four explosive west coast rounds, The Traxxas TORC Truck Series presented by AMSOIL heads to the "Big House" in Crandon, Wisconsin this weekend. TORC's June 20-21 race weekend at Crandon International Off-Road Raceway opens the special 40th Anniversary season at the legendary track.

The Crandon Brush Run race weekend will feature the 16th running of the Forest County Potawatomi Chairman's Cup race.

"Every off-road racer in the country wants their name on one of the three Crandon Cups," said TORC co-owner Ricky Johnson. "I am excited both as a racer and a promoter, to be bringing short course back to Crandon this year."

Fresh off his first podium finish of 2009 in Perris, Calif., defending Pro 2wd champion Dan Vanden Heuvel will make his 31st Crandon start. Defending BorgWarner Shootout Champion Scott Taylor will take to the punishing 1.5 mile track along with top drivers like AMSOIL's Mike Oberg and Mark Jenkins. Seven-time Supercross Champion Jeremy McGrath will make his first career start at Crandon in the AMSOIL Pro 2wd class.

The Kumho Tire Pro 4x4 class is packed with several past winners of the Brush Run. Power house Johnny Greaves, who won in both 2003 and 2006, will battle it out with AMSOIL's Scott Douglas, and 1994 Brush Run Winner, Curt LeDuc. Monster Energy driver and points leader, Rick Huseman will attempt to continue his winning streak. Huseman, who is leading with the most Oakley Bomb Run Awards for fastest lap time of the race, is the driver to beat in 2009.

Fast Facts

The Race: Crandon, Wisconsin

The Date: Saturday, June 20th and Sunday, June 21st.

The Track: Crandon International Off-Road Raceway

The Time: 10 a.m.

TV: ESPN2, June 28, 2009 (12:30 p.m. ET)

Radio: DirtNewz.com and Tracking International.com

Schedule: Saturday and Sunday- Practice, 9:00-10:00 a.m., Races start 10:30 a.m.Track

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL is the world's premier short course off road series. TORC drivers push the limits with 900 horsepower, action packed fender pounding on challenging natural terrain racetracks. The 2009 season schedule includes stops in Texas, California, Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin. For more information on TORC please visit http://www.torcseries.com/.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL MX Fights Uphill Battle at Mt. Morris

Motocross racing is among the toughest sports in the world, and we are regularly reminded why.

The top GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda rider in the AMA 250 Pro Motocross Championship points standings, Trey Canard, was off to a career day at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Penn. last Saturday. He came from outside the top 10 in the first moto to grab second in the race, even gaining significant ground on the leader in the moto, Christophe Pourcel. Then, in moto two, Canard grabbed the holeshot and with Pourcel on his rear wheel, led the first 30 minutes of the moto. After the two-lap board, less than two circuits away from his first-ever AMA National overall victory (and moto victory, for that matter), Canard took a new line, hit a kicker on a jump- face, went over the bars, and broke his right wrist.

“It just goes to show that, with our sport, things can change in a moment,” Canard said a few days later. “I can’t put into words how bummed out I am that I had this happen. One second, I thought I had my first overall win in the bag, and the next moment, I’m on the side of the track with a broken arm.”

With no return date confirmed, he’s going to need some time to let his wrist heal before he’s back at it.

Similarly, teammate Dan Reardon has been showing a lot of promise since moving up to the 450cc class for the outdoor championship, and he was looking like he was having another one of those days at High Point.

In the first moto, Reardon started mid-pack and by the end of the first lap had moved up to 14th. Over the next few laps, Reardon put on a display as he moved quickly through the pack until he was in sixth with barely over two laps to go. But as he switched lines to pass a lapper, he encountered a kicker in a jump face and was sent over the bars spectacularly. Reardon dislocated his already-injured shoulder, which forced him to get surgery earlier this week to repair it. He hopes to be back before the end of the championship, though.

“That’s the plan,” Reardon said. “I really want to continue to show what I can do. I never came into my own back in Australia until I was on a 450, either, so I just want people to see that I’m a top 450cc rider. My team took a risk in putting me on the bike, and I was proving to them and everyone else that it was the right move. This is just a temporary setback.”

Back in the 250cc class, rookie Blake Wharton was the team’s top-finishing rider on the day, and he was his own worst enemy in both motos. But he was very fast.

“The first moto, I got a decent start, and I moved up to fourth by the end of the first couple turns, and then I was trying to pass Rattray, and I tried an outside line and it was wet, and I lost the front end and fell,” Wharton said. “I got up in about 14th or so and ended up catching up to sixth. In the second moto, I got a pretty good start again, and I went into the second turn a little hot, and I hit someone, and someone hit me, and I ended up falling. Again, I got up, this time in last place, and I ended up catching up to sixth in that moto, too. I got fifth overall, so that was good.”

Wharton worked for every bit of it on his way to fifth on the day, and he probably passed more people on the day than anyone.

His fellow rookie teammate, Justin Barcia, is still struggling with some issues with his hand, but he rode strong at High Point, starting inside the top 10 in both motos and riding consistent laps through pain for an 8-5 score and sixth overall.

Brett Metcalfe chose to stay out on the road between the Texas and Pennsylvania rounds, and while he was out practicing, he had a hard crash and came into High Point even more bruised and battered than he started the season. Things got harder when he was knocked down in the first turn and was forced to come from about a half a lap behind the next guy in the first moto, eventually finishing seventh. In the second moto, Metcalfe started at the tail end of the top 10 and just tried to maintain an even pace.

“I was just focused on getting a good start and getting around as good as I could to the finish line,” Metcalfe said. “I got a better start and just rode my own race. I didn’t do anything radical, but I salvaged a seventh place and got decent points on the day considering how beat up I was going into the race.”

From here, the team gets a weekend off before heading to Lakewood, Colo. for round five of the championship under the lights at Thunder Valley at night.

Overall Points Standings/Results

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Larry Pegram on Pit Pass Radio Tonight

Team AMSOIL Road Racer Larry Pegram (Foremost/AMSOIL/Ducati Team) will be a featured guest on Pit Pass Radio tonight.

Pegram recently won his second Superbike race in ten years in a historic battle with Matt Mladin at Road America. As unbelievable as it might sound he might have been able to win two superbike races that weekend, but his tire selection on Saturday would not allow it. Pegram is only the second rider to beat Mladin this season. Pegram was off to a strong start this season but a nasty crash at Fontana served as a set back. As he prepares for the Laguna Seca race, he is in 4th place overall and just 7 points out of third place in the American Superbike class.

Pit Pass Moto Weekly is a syndicated motorcycle talk show heard across the U.S. on radio stations and around the world via the internet at http://www.pitpassradio.com/. The show airs every Tuesday from 5-7 pm Pacific, 6-8 pm Mountain, 7-9 pm Central, and 8-10 pm Eastern at http://www.pitpassradio.com/.

AMSOIL is the Official Oil of AMA Pro Road Racing and the Presenting Parner of the Daytona Sportbike class. The next event is July 3-5 at Laguna Seca.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL Excels at Baja 500

As written by AMSOIL/Torchmate driver Brad Lovell

"I am used to sitting behind the wheel. Holding on to it helps your body absorb harsh bumps and it gives you a general sense that you control your fate. This was my third race as navigator in the Torchmate Ranger and up to this race, I have always felt comfortable. The adventure of Baja racing is more extreme though and I once again felt the hair raising thrill that I have spent years attempting to numb.

The race started in a very relaxed manner. As a team we had spent hundreds of hours preparing. The paperwork alone was an inch thick. It was time for the fun to begin and we were all jubilant as we crossed the border. While no one can deny the violence in Mexico, but we felt relaxed as we drove 100 miles down the coast to our hotel in Ensenada. Off-road racing has deep roots in Mexico that were clearly visible as soon as we reached town. Decades of team stickers littered restaurant windows and taco carts. We packed the vehicles into a secure lot and headed inside our hotel for some Tecate.

Torchmate Racing recruited the finest and most colorful group for this epic race. The team consisted of nine on the ground in Mexico and a few back home helping with logistics. Bill Kunz and I would start the race. Experienced desert racer Mark Levrett was talked into riding with Greg Jones for the second leg while JT Taylor (rock racer and Speed Technologies crew chief) captained Chase #1. Mike Shaffer and Lance Clifford (no explanation needed) made up Chase #2 on the Pacific coast. Nick Socha and Ross Carr joined us for the trip and we even recruited a few experienced locals in Ensenada.

I have been told that pre-running is more fun than the race itself. The people spreading those lies have $500,000 pre-runners with dangly cup holders and air conditioned seats. We had a Jeep TJ and Ford F-150. While anything off-road is fun, 200 miles in a stock truck gives you some sore spots and a quick appreciation for the technology behind desert trucks. Bill and I crossed Sierra Grande in the F-150 and headed south to Borrego. The 100 mile jaunt took us well over 10 hours and ravaged the stock truck. More than once I was forced to spot Bill over the rocky summit before we reached the scorching sands of Laguna Salada (the name is very misleading). From there it was 40 miles of whoops, silt, and rock before we reached the highway. 18 hours after we departed, we wearily returned to the hotel for some rest.

Race day was approaching. It ended up being my chore to attend the driver’s meeting which was full of Mexican pageantry. I noted that promoter Sal Fish described the race as “the E-ticket ride of your life.” I recalled the fantastic things I saw riding in the 2006 Baja 1000 and wondered how year after year this man got away with a race that is so death defying. Only in Mexico.

After all the planning was over, equipment sorted, and team staged, we finally arrived at the start line. Bill and I built our confidence and shook hands. The moments of relaxation were over and the deafening pitch of the 500 hp V-6 took hold. Soon we made the turn into the famed Ensenada ditch and soared over the man made jump. Thousands of Mexicans were barely visible flashes of color as we thundered on. I recall reading 96 mph as we again entered the city streets of Ensenada. At least there was no dust. It was 35 miles to the first highway crossing and this zone is notorious for dust, wrecks, and booby traps. We eventually found all of them but were both intently focused on our duties. We passed two trucks in our class which put us in second place. With no mechanical problems, we radioed the chase crew and rocketed south past mile 35. The county road heading south of Ojos Negros has huge rolling jumps and we nailed them all. My stomach was in my throat as the Torchmate Ranger fell off the leeward side of the rises.

We pushed on into rougher terrain and maintained over 65 mph on narrow winding two track roads. Fences, cattle guards, and even horses on the course flashed by as we gained on other trucks. The dust was absolutely blinding and the only thing preventing us from a wreck was the GPS. Sooner or later Bill saw the lights of the vehicle in front and could follow them, always gaining. A quick hit of the siren and we were past. Another highway crossing at race mile 76 with no need for service. Soon we would turn east and face the 100 miles of Sierra Grande with no chase support.

We had a brief stop for fuel at BFGoordirch Pit #1 and pushed on. About 7 miles later my GPS turned off. I looked for the problem but had no luck. Next, the gauges read no oil pressure and we pulled to the side. The radio and satellite phone would not function. Mexicans streamed up to the truck, eager to help. I directed them the alternator and reached for my cell phone. With all the technology in the truck, the cell phone saved the day. I reached JT who could reach the course only a few miles ahead. Our problem was a damaged belt which was quickly repaired and the after a jump start from our Mexican friends, we were on our way once more.

Final repairs were quickly made but most of class 7 had past us. We tore up Sierra Grande and the ride did not even compare to a stock vehicle. What previously took us hours, only took minutes. We raced down the barren range and hit 107 mph on the rough lake bed. The truck quickly gobbled up 40 miles of whoops and we turned it over to Greg and Mark at mile 199. I was dizzy and unstable and could barely stand when I exited but the ride was safely over and we were now part of the chase effort. Lucky for me I missed most of the horrific events unfolding outside the truck as I was glued to the GPS. Bill kept us safe, kept us fast, and did a fantastic job that was unquestionably our best effort yet.

As soon as we were refreshed, we caught up with JT near race mile 255 and waited to hear from the race truck. Patience turned way to nervousness and JT called BFG relay but there was no word from #703. Over an hour past before the phone rang and Greg informed us that a banked turn had caused a full roll and nearly destroyed the truck. They were stuck and working to repair the steering. Another hour past until the badly bruised truck creaked to a hault in our pit. The whole crew got busy and bent the truck back into shape. The disappointment could be felt but we still had hope for a finish. What was left of the lights pierced into the night sky and the truck was gone again.

We retreated to a hill near race mile 390 to again await the truck and add enough fuel for the finish. Some slept while others nervously fidgeted. Eventually we saw clouds illuminated by skyward facing lights and knew that Mike and Lance had gotten the team successfully up the coast. A quick fueling and we were off to the finish line.

As the truck turned the corner only yards from the finish, we all felt pride in pushing through the hardest adversity on the course for a hard fought finish. We celebrated and Sal Fish came to shake our hands. He informed us that we had finished 3rd in class 7. After all our problems we still beat 8 trucks to the finish. Our best race yet and something to be proud of.

The team now has two trucks in need of serious repair. #232 is completely torn down and will be reassembled to join #28 Bill Kunz and #199 Jesse Haines at We-Rock #3, in downtown Reno. Roger Lovell will race his AMSOIL/Torchmate Ranger under #232 at the Colorado Springs XRRA on the same weekend (June 20 – 21).

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Photos courtesy of Nick Socha.

Win Blake Wharton's Fox Jersey from Mt. Morris

GEICO Powersports/Honda with Factory Connection will be giving away AMSOIL sponsored Blake Wharton’s Fox Jersey from High Point in Mt. Morris, Penn. this Saturday.

The jersey will be signed by all team riders, including Trey Canard, Brett Metcalfe, Justin Barcia, Dan Reardon and the man of the moment, Wharton, who is coming off his best finish of the season at his home state race at Freestone last weekend,.

To enter for the jersey, stop by the GEICO Powersports team trailer. While there, check out the Factory Connection products and meet the team riders during the scheduled autograph session. The jersey will be shipped to the winner after a drawing Tuesday morning following the race.

The GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda team has led more laps in the 250 class this season than any other team. This is a unique opportunity to collect a one off item of moto memorabilia. Check out http://www.factoryconnectionracing.com/ after the race for a race report on Mt. Morris and find out who won the Jersey.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Canard Third Overall in Texas

The GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda team headed down to Wortham, Texas, for round three of the AMA Pro Motocross Championships, and it was the closest thing to a hometown race for Blake Wharton (from Texas) and Trey Canard (from Oklahoma).

Canard has been up front all year, and as the team left Texas, he still only has one moto finish outside of the top three. At Freestone County Raceway, he got the hole shot in the first moto, but fell, and in probably his best ride of the year (following the crash), he fought his way all the way back up to a strong third-place finish. In moto two, he led for quite a while before finishing second. Still, it was good enough for third overall, and he’s still third in points.

“I had the holeshot in the first moto and was leading, and then I crashed, but I got up and I thought I rode with a lot of heart and came back up to third, which I thought was awesome,” Canard said. “Then, in moto two, I got the hole shot again, which was great. I led until nearly halfway before Dungey got around me, and I tried to shadow him for a little bit, and I thought I was actually making time on him, and the [lap time] sheet shows that I was, but then I went off the track and lost big. After that, I never got it back together, and there was only a lap left, so that was the end.”

His teammate Brett Metcalfe had a good weekend as he continues to improve physically, racing himself into shape. Metcalfe started near the front in the first moto and stayed there for most of the race before Canard got him at the end of the moto for third. Then, in moto two, Metcalfe was working his way forward before coming together with another rider and going down. Metcalfe was fourth overall on the day.

Rookie Blake Wharton was hampered by a fall just like Canard, but it also didn’t stop him from being near the front of the pack. The Texan was fifth overall meaning three of AMSOIL's four riders 250cc riders were in the top five at the event.

Who was missing? Rookie sensation Justin Barcia, who fell on the opening lap of the first moto and got going again absolutely last – by a large margin – and then caught up from 40th to 14th before he went down hard, dropping out of the moto. He hit his head and bit his lip, but made a go of it in moto two anyway. But it was a bit too much for him and he eventually finished 26th.

In the 450 class, Dan Reardon had another good day overall, with only a couple minor issues. Reardon went 12-4 for sixth overall. After moto two, he looked exhausted, but it was mainly because he got so excited running up front in the beginning of the race.

“It was hot out here, but I think I worked myself up just being in the position I was in, and I was just revving bad the last few laps, and it hurt me really bad,” Reardon said. “But I feel all right now, and at least I tried my hardest, so hopefully I can keep it rolling along.”

From here, the AMSOIL sponsored team heads east to Mt. Morris, Penn., for round four of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship at High Point Raceway.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Pegram Wins AMA Superbike at Road America

On a nearly perfect day for racing at Road America, Team AMSOIL's Larry Pegram captured his first AMA Pro Racing American Superbike victory in 10 years and Martin Cardenas scored his sixth AMA Pro Daytona SportBike presented by AMSOIL victory of the season on the final day of the Suzuki Superbike doubleheader.

The American Superbike race featured an epic, four-bike battle royal at the front with Pegram on the No. 72 Foremost Insurance/AMSOIL/Ducati 1098R, Mat Mladin, Blake Young and Geoff May. The four bikes swapped positions throughout the first three-quarters of the race before the fight for the win became a mano-a-mano duel between Pegram and Mladin.

As he did at the standing start in Saturday's first race of the doubleheader, Pegram got an outstanding start from the second row and claimed the lead. Pegram led the first six laps of the 13 lap race before Mladin took the lead as he went in search of his 10th victory of the season. The second half of the race featured a seesaw battle in which Pegram would power past Mladin heading into Turn 1 at the end of the long front straightaway, and Mladin would return the favor under braking in Turn 5 on each lap. As a result, Mladin was scored as the leader from Lap 7 through Lap 11. However, the lead changed hands an amazing four times on Lap 8 alone as the two combatants thrilled the Road America fans with their determination to wrestle the lead from one another at every opportunity. The battle came to a head on the penultimate lap of the race. Pegram took the lead on the front straight heading into Turn 1, but Mladin reclaimed the position in Turn 3. Pegram finally sealed the deal on the run from Turn 3 to Turn 5 and managed to pull away for a 0.342-second victory.

It was Pegram's first win since April 19, 1999 at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, Calif., and was the third victory of his AMA Pro Racing career. The other win came in 600 SuperSport competition at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo. On September 6, 1998.

"It was definitely a great race," said Pegram. "I was expecting that I could run the pace, but I wasn't expecting to lead like that most of the time. I was real comfortable. When Mat would get in front of me, he wouldn't really get me anywhere. We were pretty even, but I'd catch him in The Carousel (Turns 9 and 10). When we'd go through there, he would gap me in the lefthander after The Carousel. It was weird. He was really getting through there good. It's been such a long time. I don't know if that was as good as the first one or not, but I don't want to wait 10 years for another one."

The next round for AMA Pro Road Racing is Sunday, July 5 as part of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. AMSOIL is the Official Oil of AMA Pro Road Racing and presenting sponsor of the Daytona SportBike class.

Until then, we'll seeyou at the races.

TORC Series on ABC This Sunday

The Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL will make its network debut this weekend.

The third and fourth rounds of racing from Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif. will air on ABC stations coast to coast on Sunday, June 7, 2009. The hour-long show will highlight a great battle by Team AMSOIL Pro Light driver Chad Hord, who flipped his truck before coming back to take the win. Scott Douglas' come from behind podium run and Ricky Johnson's weekend sweep will also be highlights of the TORC showing.

The ABC coverage starts at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Check your local listings for more information. Rounds 5 and 6 will be in Crandon, Wis. on June 20-21.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Team AMSOIL Offshore Wins in Ocean City

Photo courtesy of Freeze Frame photograpy

The Team AMSOIL Offshore racing team of Bob Teague and Paul Whittier attended the OPA season opener in Ocean City, Md. last weekend, marking the first race of the Geico Triple Crown series. Saturday testing required several setup changes including switching gear ratios to accommodate the rough conditions of the Atlantic Ocean.

After some severe weather, the conditions on Sunday were even rougher, presenting challenging conditions for the offshore teams. Team AMSOIL started in the first wave of the main event with the other top class catamarans. Team AMSOIL’s arch rival in the Northeast, Motley Crew, was unable to make the start, which enabled Team AMSOIL to run unchallenged in the Super Cat Lite class. Team AMSOIL ran hard anyway, finishing fifth overall against the higher class Turbine powered, Extreme, and Super Cat 750 boats.

"Team AMSOIL’s Skater performed flawlessly, enduring the brutal conditions," said Bob Teague. "This was a great run to prepare for the upcoming attempt to beat our own endurance record from Miami to Bimini and back, which will be attempted on June 12 off Sunny Isles Beach, Fla."

After the Sunny Isles record run and race, Team AMSOIL will be headed to Sarasota, Fla. to compete in the annual,well attended race on the 4th of July weekend.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

Canard, Barcia Shine at Hangtown MX

Round two of the AMA Pro Motocross Championships were similar to round one in at least one way: There were quite a few GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda's near the front of the pack all day long.

In the 250 class, rookie Justin Barcia was all the rage again at round two, and he got the hole shot in the first moto before pulling away from the pack. Unlike at Glen Helen, though, Barcia’s lead lasted nearly to the end of the moto. Even once he lost the lead, he fought to get it back, eventually finishing second.

“When (Christopher Pourcel) passed me, I definitely wanted it back,” Barcia said. “It was weird because when he was catching me, I don’t know if I got tight or nervous, but I definitely tried to get him back, for sure. I wasn’t tired. People think I’ve been getting tired every weekend, but that’s not really it, because I’m really in good shape. I’ve been having a bit of a problem with my hand and I had a big blister on it, so that didn’t help in the second moto.”

In that second moto, Barcia got a mid-pack start and then moved his way quickly through the pack up to sixth and was gaining on the top five when trouble started. After crashing, Barcia officially ended the race 29th, but with the second in the first moto, that landed him 10th overall.

His teammate Trey Canard, however, fared better in the overall rankings. In moto one, he barely lost out on the hole shot to Barcia, eventually finishing a strong third, and in moto two, he was also near the front off the start, eventually finishing second. His 3-2 was good for second overall on the day, his best finish at an outdoor national in his young career.

“The year has started off 10 times better than it did last year, so that’s definitely a positive thing, and I think I’m in a good position right now,” Canard said. “I’m not out of the title hopes – I’m in third – so that right there is something to be happy about. I would like to get a win, though. That’s just me as a racer. I want to win races, so I’ve just got to keep putting in the effort that I am and I know my time will come.”

Still recovering from injuries suffered in supercross, Brett Metcalfe is making the best of it every weekend. At Hangtown, Metty went 5-4 for fourth overall despite fighting through a wrist injury. Finally in the 250 class, rookie Blake Wharton had a tough go of it in the first moto on his way to ninth, but in moto two he was up front the whole race, and despite some pretty major mistakes, was able to finish fifth for sixth overall. This marked the second consecutive weekend that all four AMSOIL sponsored riders finished in the top ten.

In the 450 class, Dan Reardon had a much better day than at Glen Helen. His starts were better, and in both motos he battled it out with members of the Honda factory squad, among others. In the first moto, Reardon grabbed seventh, a took fifth in the second moto for sixth overall.

From here, the AMSOIL team heads east to Wortham, Texas, for round three of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.

RJ Sweeps, Hord's Impressive Rebounds and Douglas on the Move at TORC

There was a lot of drama and intrigue at the third and fourth rounds of the Traxxas TORC Series presented by AMSOIL over the weekend, including a Pro 2wd sweep, a incredible recovery by a Team AMSOIL driver and a banged up Pro 4x4 gets the last laugh.

In the AMSOIL Pro 2wd class, Red Bull/AMSOIL's Rickey Johnson was on a tear all weekend long. After winning round one and taking a second in round two, RJ pushed his AMSOIL-backed Ford into the winner's circle on Friday and Saturday, extending his overall points lead to 22. Team AMSOIL had a great Pro 2wd weekend with a podium sweep on Saturday night (RJ, Jeremy McGrath and Dan Vanden Heuvel). AMSOIL Super Team member Mike Oberg finished sixth on Friday and was battling for second on Saturday with four laps to go before a mechanical issue dropped him to eighth.

In Pro Light, AMSOIL Super Team member Chad Hord stole the spotlight Saturday night. After finishing third on Friday, Hord again battled up front with long-time rival Jeff Kincaid. During a restart, the two veteran drivers pushed hard, but a red flag came out after Steve Federico jumped the start. When Federico slowed down in the dangerous back stretch, he caused a massive chain reaction, causing Hord to flip his truck into the K-rail. Hord was allowed to change a flat tire and retook his spot on the restart. From there, the Upper Michigan native captured the attention of the sold out crowd, pushing the AMSOIL sponsored truck to the front, catching and passing Kincaid for the win. His third podium of the year vaulted Hord into a tie with Kincaid for the overall lead.

"That was one of the most exciting races of my life," Hord said after Saturday's win. "I've never felt the energy of a crowd like I did tonight. To come back after that crash and win is just unbelievable."

In Pro 4x4, AMSOIL Super Team driver Scott Douglas was looking to build off his second place finish at round two. On Friday, the El Cajon, Calif.~native was literally battling with the field. Douglas started on the outside of row two, and stayed out of opening lap aggressions to settle into fourth behind Steve Barlow, Curt LeDuc and pole sitter Johnny Greaves. By the third lap, Douglas had passed LeDuc. Despite aggressive attempts by LeDuc and Adrian Cenni to get by the AMSOIL Ford F-150, Douglas was able to pass Barlow on lap nine for second. From there, Greaves and Douglas diced back and forth all the way to the checkered flag, with Douglas just missing his first win of the year.

On Saturday night, Douglas started on the inside of row three due to TORC's inversion of the top six trucks. Douglas started in good position, but the contact from other trucks came quick and hard. The number 7 truck was hit multiple times on the opening lap, spinning Douglas into the outside concrete retaining wall. With no red flag called for, Douglas had to quickly gather himself up and catch up to the pack. By lap six, he was battling for fourth and by lap eleven, he was back in third. From there, a three-way battle ensued with Greaves and points leader Rick Huseman to the checkered flag. Douglas finished third and and moved into third overall, just three points behind the second place Greaves.

“I knew we had a very fast truck tonight and I was looking forward to putting the AMSOIL Kumho Ford through its paces for these great California race fans.” stated Douglas after the race. “We took some hard hits on the first lap, but thanks to the best crew in the business, the truck held together. Our truck prep is second to none and even with the obvious damage I was able to run it on the ragged edge and challenge for the lead.”

Rounds 3 & 4 of TORC Series from Perris, Calif. will air Sunday June 7 on ABC at 5 pm EST. Next stop on the 2009 TORC Series presented by AMSOIL schedule is "The Big House", Crandon International Raceway in Crandon, Wisconsin on June 20 and 21.

Until then, we'll see you at the races.