Practice Notes - Atlanta

A few quick notes from Atlanta's first seeded practice:

Lites:

Mike Alessi started out going for it until Lange came up on him, then he did one of those "I think I will slow down and look around" laps. Later Mike came up on Lange and Lange then raised his hand to look around. Head games.

Goerke was totally on the gas. Dungey looks good and Suzuki very confident in him. Hahn, Sipes and Laninovich all look strong. Townley took his time and for a while was running third fastest.

Fastest times:
Lange
Goerke
Dungey
Laninovich
Townley

Supercross:

More Leatt Braces spotted:

Summey (but he stopped and took it off)
Preston
Sellards

First Seeded Qualifying Practice:

The top three stayed away from each other except for near the end RC and Stewart seemed to be trading "Lets go-no not now" for a bit. RC towed Tedesco around a while and got him in top three times for a while. Reed took his time and picked it up to third by the end. Ferry started slow too and worked up to 4th. DV 5th. Byrne was 6th.

Yes, Scott Metz is out there on an RM250 2-stroke. (non seeded)

Atlanta - Reactions to AMA's Fuel Press Release

(How to stay out of trouble - hopefully. BBMX is running unleaded pump fuel)

After a couple weeks of teams and the AMA working on fuel discrepancies, Nick Wey and Josh Hill got their points and purse from A2 back Friday before Atlanta. Weekend Window was in the pits Friday to see what the reactions were.

The Thursday before San Francisco SX, three teams got the bomb dropped on them, their fuel didn't pass test and points and purse from A2 were taken and the riders DQ'd. Two of the three (Nick Wey and Josh Hill) had a new fuel formulated for 2007 that was under the watchful eye of the AMA, for reasons previously mentioned on Weekend Window.

"After additional investigation and consideration," (sounds like the supercross version of "after further review"), it was found that the problem with Wey and Hill's fuel was more complex and widespread than anyone could have anticipated. It did turn out to be a case where it could have happened to anyone, since the problem was actually built into the fuel. It just wasn't understood to be in the beginning.














The AMA reinstated the points and purse, and we asked MDK's Steve Lamson and Team Yamaha's Jim Perry for their reactions.

Q: What was your reaction to the AMA's fuel press release today (Friday)?

A: I was pretty pumped. Kevin Crowther (AMA Technical Manager) called me a little bit ago. He said a press release was coming out in the next hour, and we would get our points back. It was good to hear.

Q: Is this what you expected?

A: For like 2 weeks things were in like silent mode, at least for me it was. I would try to call and find out what going on, so I just let it ride.

Q: Skipping to the second half of this situation, when people were working so much behind the scenes to solve it, was it handled well?

A: I guess so, overall. I haven't seen the press release though. We got the points back. It didn't get explained to me very well. No one said exactly what was said.

Q: What fuel are you running this weekend?

A: MR9, same as last year. (From VP).













Jim Perry

Q: What was your reaction to the AMA's fuel press release today (Friday)?

A: I am glad that everyone was able to work together and get this resolved, and for Josh Hill to get his points back, and for Nick Wey to get his back.

We were hoping all along, from the time it first happened we had test ran and we were pretty confident that we did the right things. But things can change and nothing is perfect and you have to wait and see till the end.

It's a bummer that it had to happen. When it first happened, everyone was pointing fingers. It doesn't look good for any corporation, any race team, to go through this stuff, in any form of racing. I am sure in the last few weeks at Daytona (500 NASCAR) they have had some weird things going on. When you are sitting on the couch and you don't know the ins and outs, you just know that people are getting penalized for stuff. When this gets turned around, that's a good thing.

Q: It seemed the AMA has found a technical reason to reverse itself, and worked hard on this. Has something like this happened before?

A: I want to say on Feb 24, 2006 when they gave Ricky his points back.

Q: Do you agree technically with what you have heard about the cause of the problem?

A: That is actually more than what I know about the fuel. We get fuel from our supplier and they say its a good fuel to use. We tested it in a lab we are confident with. It came back with the results of what it should be. They know what the rules are (the fuel supplier). We had ours tested and it came back well within what the results were supposed to be. So at some point we go with what is supplied to us.

Atlanta In/Out

Who's In/Out for Atlanta?

RC- In
Millsaps - In 100%? Well.....
Hahn - 100% Yes, says his mech
Alessi brothers - In and ready
Sipes - IN, says RX Breaking News
Shae Bentley - Out, Was going to race a few but complications with previous knee injury.
Townley - haulin
Metcalf - Out
McFarlane - In

Also:
Scott Metz - Is he really going to take the 2-stroke challenge? :)
Lots of Arenacross guys!

Delta - Can They Save the Atlanta Supercross?

Much of the Atlanta supercross crew from Southern California is now in the hands of a long-delayed Delta flight out of Ontario! Yuk. They were waiting for brake parts from LAX.

"The parts are here, we are leaving, really we are."

Bones and Mitch from Pro Circuit, KTM, L&M Racing, DV and our photojournalist buddy Wordnerd are hours delayed and sitting on the runway in Ontario, for sure getting into Atlanta in the wee hours.

Mabye they need to let Bones and Mitch have a look at those brakes. I bet they could improve them.

Hill and Wey Fuel Thing - AMA Does the Right Thing

AMA Pro Racing just stated the following in a press release: "After additional investigation and consideration, AMA Racing officials have concluded that the fuels in question from the January 20, 2007 Anaheim, Calif., round of the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series were correctly found to be in non-compliance with the 2007 AMA Supercross/Motocross rulebook. Testing has shown that the illegal substance Methyl Butynol is being added to the majority of fuels being used in Supercross.

Because of the apparent widespread use of fuels using this substance in the Supercross paddock, and the fact that AMA Racing and its competitors could not have foreseen these circumstances..." and it goes on to state things are on hold as far as enforcement.

"Points, purse and trophies of penalized riders, Nicholas Wey and Joshua Hill will be reinstated."

So what really happened? When the AMA's testing lab discovered too much oxygen in Wey and Hill's fuel, it seemingly comfirmed what the AMA expected and didn't want to see, that VP Fuels had formulated fuel that was "playing with fire," or too close to the limits.

Fuel specs for 2007 were revised, and these were done to make unleaded pump fuel an option. What VP did and what caused some behind the scenes concern, was VP made race fuel (a new "dash 1" blend) for $30 a gallon that fit the specs for pump fuel. VP tested it for compliance, made a batch and shipped it. Everyone in supercross that selected that blend used dash 1 fuel from the same production run at VP.

When oxygen discrepancies were found at Phoenix, the AMA checked again at A2, and it seemed to have a cut and dried case. The oxygen was pretty far off.

At press day for A3, Reed and Ramsey both mentioned that Yamaha has it's own sample and it checked good, and something is wrong with the AMA's lab. Not good. This kicked around and it seems different labs say different things, which it's too scientific.

As time went on, the plot thickened and people stopped talking to the press.

The next chapter was this Methyl Butynol thing. This is an additive that supposedly got mixed in to everyone's fuel that used "dash 1" the 2007 good stuff. The AMA says it's not approved stuff. So assuming this is correct - VP used an unapproved additive to get their fuel oxygen up to newer limits. VP and Yamaha's testing did not pick up on this because they used the new fuels chemistry into account when they checked it. This could account for all the differences in agreement on who's test is right and who's wrong - this led to the Methyl Butynol in the first place.

So cutting to the chase, fuel testing found something, but not what it went looking for. Everyone got a lot smarter, and the fairest and wisest thing for the AMA to do would be just what they did - hand the points back and accept this one as muched learned for all of us.

The fuel thing with Jason Thomas was a different issue.

No one needs to be piling on the AMA this time. As far as Wey and Hill, we should give them credit for knowing when to stop and investigate, and do the right thing.

Leatt Race Report 2 - Josh Grant

Josh Grant added his name to the Leatt Brace list at San Diego. He tried one the Friday before and decided to just go for it. Weekend Window stopped by his semi afterwards to get a race report.

Q: What can you tell us about your decision to use Leatt Brace this weekend?
A: It was good. I wanted to try it in Houston but it didn’t come together, it was too close and we were rushing everything. I got to try it on Friday and you really couldn’t tell it was even there. I just decided to ride with it. I feel more comfortable riding with the brace. I feel more confident riding with it, so why not?
Q: So can I take that as a “hey go get one, nothing to it?”
A: I would say that, yeah. I would say one of the smartest things you could do is go out and get one. It’s not foolproof but it can definitely help to prevent things. I didn’t have one at all until Friday. I rode with it like an hour on Friday and then raced with it tonight.
Q: Any issues with fit or interference?
A: Sometimes in the corners I couldn’t tilt the same but you can adjust it to where it works for you. It really only took me 4 laps to get used to it. I notice that it’s there, but I feel confident wearing it now.
Q: Are you going to stick with it and do you want everyone to ride with one?
A: Yeah, and I hope so. I hope the AMA does something to make them mandatory.

Atlanta Update - RC Back - No Hepler or Wey

RC returns to Amp'd Mobile Supercross this weekend in Atlanta for his last SX there.

So far it looks like no Broc Hepler for Atlanta.

Since Hepler's concussion from two weeks ago, he's been tested for readiness using a system called imPACT that was developed at UPMC. Its computer software that tests reaction times and other things, and they check you early for reference and store your personal data, so after a crash they check for the difference. Yamaha is leaving it to the medical people to evaluate.

Also out still, Nick Wey, due to his thumb. He's going to be a dad soon too, so best of luck!

Also out - but subject to change any day - news on the fuel fuss. So far it's www dot zipit dot com. Yamaha's Jim Perry was pressed for some details at the last press day and he crafted some pretty creative non-answers!

If you are close to Atlanta, don't forget the "Ride 4 AT" fund raiser at Bremen Sunday morning. RC makes a point to go and so do many top riders.

It's a LONG ways to Atlanta

The trucks of supercross are dashing across America right now. Here's the LM Racing semi driven by "Big L" just now, approaching Ft Worth.

Another view:















L&M Racing's semi through a fisheye lens as it passes on I20 at 70mph.

Leatt Race Report 1 - Windham

Sobe/Samsung/No Fear's Kevin Windham was quick to accept the Leatt brace and the first to make a supercross podium with one! After the fizzy business at San Diego, Weekend Window asked Kevin for his reaction after one night of racing in a Leatt Brace at podium speed.

Q: Kevin, how was your race with that Leatt Brace?

A: The race was great. It didn’t bother me at all. It builds a little confidence too. As many neck injuries as we have had, you can’t help but think about it a little bit. It’s a dangerous game. For me, taking any possible risk out by wearing a brace gives me more confidence. That’s good. I have been riding a lot better and it just so happens that everything came together tonight.
I think it’s just been a combination of things, the hard work.

Q: So it was an easy decision for you to wear this brace?

A: Oh yeah. It’s simple. I rode with it for one day. I realized within 2 laps on the track that this is something that it not going to bother me and it is something I am going to ride with. I feel good about wearing it and I feel good about the safety that it provides. It was an easy decision. Now that I am wearing it, I have to make sure I have enough for west coast/east coast practice and everything. I don’t intend to ride any without it.

Q: So with some more confidence tonight you had a good race?

A: In the last 2 weeks actually. I was gunning for the podium in Houston. I didn’t have the best pace tonight. I was struggling a little bit with some of my corners. But I kept my pace. It feels good.

Q: A year from now, will everyone will be wearing one of those braces?

A: Yeah, I think well over 50 percent by the end of the year probably even. It’s hard to say. We know a neck injury is something you can’t come back from. We don’t worry about bones. We know what we face week in and week out. I have had some great doctors putting me back together.

The technology for the neck is not there yet. I think everyone thinks about it. If you think about it, why don’t you do the best you can to eliminate that problem?

Reed Wins San Diego, Gains 9 Points

The tenacious and confident Chad Reed moved up 9 points on Stewart due to one mistake Stewart made, and he closed the points gap to 12. Ryan Villopoto won his first Lites regional supercross championship a weekend early.













Villopoto got a great surprise bonus for winning the championship, a new Toyota FJ Cruiser from Toyota of Escondito, which he gave to his mom Kris!

Reed was having a crowd-pleasing race with Stewart in the main and took the lead when Stewart slid out approaching the finish double and contacted a Tuff Blox cover, slowing him enough hit the finish double wrong and go flying off, arms flying, just like at Seattle that time. It was gnarly.

Just one mistake cost James Stewart 9 points and a win, and a chance to win more SX mains in a year than anyone ever has. MC won 14 in 2006, RC won 14 in 2001. To win 15, Stewart would have to win every main but one. RC already won San Francisco so that's one record that can wait for another season.

Ferry was totally on the gas again, this time taking second, and Windham was third.

This was a great race for the Leatt watchers, with KW leading the way, and Josh Grant racing in one too. The others using one in the night show were Joe Oehlhof, Mike Sleeter, and Brandon Butler. The thing is really picking up steam in the pro ranks, but not as fast as on the internet, which is always on fast forward anyway.





James Marshall, who suffered a career-ending injury here last year, was on hand and in a very positive mood. He's making some progress at "Project Walk," and he's motivated and working hard.

Ok there is is, Leatt on Podium at San Diego.

The amazing story of the spread of the Leatt brace was taken to the podium at San Diego by Kevin Windham, with a solid ride in the main after battling arm pump early in the season.

Kevin is all about the Leatt Brace now and intends to use them all the time, every time. Interviews out in the morning. Josh Grant really liked his too.

James Marshall was on hand and had a happy look in his eye. He's come a long way and is actually showing some progress in his rehab.