Jason Lawrence wins San Francisco SX...monster press release

Monster Energy-Backed Jason Lawrence (YoT) Wins The San Francisco Monster Energy AMA SX Round!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Lawrence nuts up and toughs out the most difficult Monster Energy Supercross conditions yet this season to record his first career SX win CORONA, Calif., (Jan. 29, 2008) – Monster Energy-backed Jason Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy) topped a field of the world’s premier Lites class racers this past weekend in San Francisco, winning his first-ever main event on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, tour. Lawrence, 20, rode aggressively from start to finish, taking the lead from Brett Metcalfe and Tommy Hahn on the first lap and then led every lap of the rain abbreviated ten-lap contest. During the race Lawrence made numerous saves that brought the 37,000-plus San Franciscans out of their seats in approval. “I have to give it up to Monster and, especially, the whole Yamaha of Troy team,” said Lawrence. “I know I give those guys some trouble sometimes, but just because I want a result like this.” Lawrence got to the main by virtue of a 3rd place finish in his heat race. With monsoon-like conditions facing him, Lawrence buckled down and rode the race of his life to date to take the win. In fact, it was raining so hard that Lawrence got cleaner as the race went on. But that was all for not as YoT team manager Chris McAvoy tackled Lawrence in the mud in celebration after Lawrence crossed the finish line. “Now we’re going back to Anaheim so I can try and revenge (meaning “avenge”) myself,” said Lawrence on the podium. “I probably feel I should have won there (Anaheim) the last two times.” Next up for Monster Energy Supercross is the Anaheim (Calif.) 3 round back at Angels Stadium (Feb. 2). Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it Monster Energy Supercross, MX, MotoGP, road racing, supermoto, off-road, FMX, skate, MTB, surf, snow, BMX – name it – the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types – Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Assault, Monster Khaos, the new Monster/fruit juice hybrid called “M-80” and the ground-breaking Java Monster premium coffee & cream supercharged with our Monster Energy blend. Jason Lawrence digs ‘em – so will you. On the ‘Net at www.monsterenergy.com.

Carsten Continued

Round 5 of the Florida Winter Series was again held at Gatorback Park in Gainesville this past weekend. Barry Carsten (Bayville) continues to put his Suzuki at the front of the vet classes. Barry won the overall in the + 40 class and finished second in the +25, +30, and +35 classes. Frank Tussell (Scotch Plains) was third overall in the Vet Open and second overall in the +45 class. The Renzland Brothers (Hewitt) also had a successful weekend with Kody finishing ninth in the 125 youth 12-15 and Luke finishing fifth in the SuperMini 12-15 and seventh in the 85 12-13 class. Complete results can be found at www.Vurbmoto.com or by clicking the link below.
http://vurbmoto.com/site/images/stories/20080127_Round5WinterAMGatorback/rd%205%20race%20results%20gatorback.htm

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge

Due to the torrential rains that fell on San Francisco leading up to Saturday evenings Supercross the KTM Junior Supercross Challenge had to be cancelled. Local rider Jamis Perrotta was scheduled to compete but it looks like his supercross debut will have to wait. As you can tell by this http://www.vitalmx.com/ photo it looks like they had a great time anyway.

J-Law wins his first Supercross

Photo from Vitalmx.com (thanks Guy B)
NJ native became the first rider from New Jersey to ever win an AMA Supercross Main Event. Jason claimed the top spot of the podium at this weekends rainy San Francisco Supercross in the AMA lites class.

overall results:
1.Jason D Lawrence
2.Thomas K Hahn
3.Brett Metcalfe
4.Daniel James Reardon
5. Austin L Stroupe

Jason now sits in third overall in the overall season's standings.

Florida is for Fun in the Sun....and rain

Round 4 of the Florida Winter Series took place at Lakeland this past weekend under what was described as the wettest race of the series thus far. Several NJ based riders were in attendance. Charlie Miller (Pennsville) was 16th in the Youth 4stroke, 31st in the 125b and 25th in the 125 Open class. Brian Mulcahy (Hewitt) was 10th overall in the 125A class and 13th overall in the Pro 125 class. The Renzland Brothers (Hewitt) Luke was 19th overall in the 85cc 12-13 and older brother Kody finished 28th in the youth 4stroke and 10th in the 125 youth 12-15 class.
Frank Tussell (Scotch Plains) was 4th in the Vet Open class and 2nd overall in the +45 class.
Long time NJ hero Barry Carsten (Bayville) ended the weekend 3rd overall in the +35, 3rd overall in the +25, 8th overall in the +30, and the overall winner of the +40 class.
For more coverage of the Winter series check out www.vurbmoto.com

NJ Photographer Carl Stone's photos featured on Sponsorhouse

Need more photos from Anahiem 2 or the rest of the SX series? NJ's own Carl Stone is a contributor to www.sponsorhouse.com 's loop'd supercross network.
Click the link for more
http://supercross.loopd.com/Members/loopdsx/Pics.aspx

NJ Photographer Tedecso's Photos Featured at Supercrossonline

NJ Native Chris Tedesco's most recent photos from Anahiem 2 are featured on the highly interactive website www.supercrossonline.com
Here is a link to his gallery: http://www.supercrossonline.com/photoGallery/Photo_Album.2302216/photoalbum_view

Florida Winter Series round 3

Round three of the Florida Winter Am's was held at Dade City on January 12th. According to many this track is widely considered to be the roughest tracks in Florida.
Several NJ riders have been spending their winter in Florida getting ready for the 2008 season.
Both Barry Carsten and Frank Tussell have continued their winning ways. Carsten (Bayville) was the winner of the +40 class and went on to finish fourth overall in both the +30 and +35 classes. Tussell (Scotch Plains) was the Vet Open winner and also went on to finish eighth overall in the +40 and sixth overall in the +45 class. Hewitt New Jersey native Brian Mulcahy was 16th overall in the 250/500 A class and unfortunately Alex Stavola (Middletown) had some problems and finished 20th overall in the 125 Novice class.

Remember Shawn Ulikowski??

Since leaving New Jersey several years ago Shawn Ulikowski has worked in the business as a mechanic for many riders and teams including David Pingree and Travis Preston including being the wrench behind Preston's supercross championship. The recently married Ulikowski is now one of the guys behind the scenes of Joe Gibbs Racing's motocross team. Thanks to Vital MX (thanks Guy B) for the photo. Look for an interview with Shawn in the coming months right here on NJ Motocross. For more photos from each round of the supercross series why not check out www.Vitalmx.com. While you're there sign up and become a member. Tell them NJ Motocross sent you.

Carl Stone Wallpaper Photos

NJ motocross photographer Carl Stone is a frequent contributor to RacerX both online and in print. Check out his latest work from the Phoenix Supercross right here:

http://www.racerxill.com/wallpaperdetail.aspx?wallpaperID=1261

Nick Desiderio featured on VurbMoto website

NJ's own Nick Desiderio was featured on the Prodigy section of Vurb Motos website.
Check it out here:
http://www.vurbmoto.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=325&Itemid=67

Winter-Am's Round 2

Held at Reddick Florida, Barry Carsten (Bayville) continued his winning ways taking first overall in the +40 class, second overall in the +30, second overall in the +35, and fifth overall in the 250/500 A class. Barry's son Corey was 22nd overall in the 65cc 7-9 class. Pennsville New Jersey's Charlie Miller was 20th overall in the Youth 4-stroke class (14-16) and Scotch Plains New Jersey resident continued his successful winter series by winning the +45 class.

For more from other classes check out VurbMoto here: http://www.vurbmoto.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=309&Itemid=67

NJ's Jason Lawrence second at A1

From Monster Energy Press Release
Monster Energy-Backed Jason Lawrence (YoT) Leads A1 Monster SX
- press release -
Lawrence was the fastest Lites racer on the track and proved that in the main, coming from 13th place after the first turn to lead by lap 4
CORONA, Calif., (Jan. 7, 2008) – Monster Energy-backed Jason Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy), the defending Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship, Western Region Lites class runner up, was in it at the Anaheim (Calif.) opener this past Saturday, putting up the best times in the Lites class despite some dicey condition brought on by unusually stormy weather.
Lawrence put down, by far, the fastest practice time then went on to holeshot and win the second heat race – doing so by nearly 14 seconds over Brett Metcalfe.
"I got the track wired early was pumped coming into the main,” said Lawrence.
In the main Lawrence got out of the gate well, but managed somehow to drift sideways a bit in the wet and loose soil – taking him off his desired line to the apex of the first turn. Once there, Lawrence got caught up in the pack and came into the first rhythm section in 13th place.
“Sucked,” was the one word answer Lawrence gave on his start.
Still, the California transplant had pretty much the entire stadium keeping an eye on him as he put the hammer down on his YZ250F and started picking off riders one after another.
“My YZ was haulin’,” said Lawrence. “The guys at Yamaha of Troy did a killer job getting it ready. All I did was pretty much pin the throttle and steer.”
By lap four Lawrence had caught and passed everybody, including both Pro Circuit racers, eventual winner Ryan Dungey and then race leader Dan Reardon to take the overall lead. The crowd was going nuts during his run at the front. Lawrence then led through lap seven of the 15- lap contest before running into some lappers, which allowed Dungey to triple past Lawrence.
In no time Lawrence was able to reel in Dungey pretty easily and was poised to take the lead back from the Suzuki rider before he(Lawrence) threw it away in a spin out crash on the face of the finish line jump right before lap eight.
“I blew it,” said Lawrence, who was able to re-mount his bike and race back to the podium (2nd o/a). “My Yamaha was the fastest bike out there and I should have won. Period. But my goal is the championship and this just gets me more fired up and ready to go for Phoenix. I know I’ve got the fastest bike and I plan on proving it.”
Next up for Monster Energy Supercross is the Phoenix round at Chase Field (Jan. 12).

Ginolfi top 5 at Toyota Arenacross

Hopatcong New Jersey's Dave Ginolfi finished 4th on Friday night and 5th on Saturday night in the Arenacross Lites class at this weekend's round of the AMA Toyota Arenacross Championship series race held in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Local rider Perrotta invited to KTM Junior SX

District 6 rider and 2007 Disrtict 6 7-8 oil injected class champion Jamis Perrotta has been invited to participate in the KTM Junior Supercross at round 4 of the Monster Energy Supercross series held at San Francisco's AT&T Park.

The last local rider to participate in this sereis was Jamis' Cornerstone Motorsports teammate Sean Knoll.

From KTM-Sel Narayana, KTM's Vice President and KJSC Manager stated, “It is such a pleasure to give these children an opportunity of a lifetime. They ride on the same track as their idols – imagine how exciting that is for a young rider! It is a huge reward for me and the rest of KTM to see such excitement on their faces when they see the track and then the audience for the first time. After all is said and done, there is nothing better than seeing a smile on their face when they are heading home.”
The KTM Junior Supercross Challenge is sponsored by KTM Hard Equipment, Motorex, Thor, Michelin, FMF, Scott, Ogio, M2R and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

More from the Winter-Am's round 1

For more information on Round 1 of the Winter-Am's in Florida check out Vurbmoto.com
http://www.vurbmoto.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=293&Itemid=67

American Honda Announces 2008 Contingency Program

January 04, 2008

American Honda Announces 2008 Racing Contingency Program
- press release -
Torrance, CA: American Honda is proud to announce that in 2008 it will once again offer a strong contingency program with more than $10 million in posted contingency payouts to a wide range of Honda-mounted professional and amateur racers. Administered by the Honda Riders Club of America™ (HRCA®), this newly expanded rewards program covers more racing series than ever before, nearly 700 events in just about every motorcycle racing discipline in the USA. In addition, Honda will be offering a $25,000 bonus to Honda CRF and ATV riders who win an overall GNCC Series pro championship.
Because this contingency program offers so much to so many racers, riders should visit www.hondaredriders.com and click on the “contingency” program tab to get the full scoop. Simply select your preferred racing discipline, and you’ll find downloadable claim forms that make it easy to claim your winnings. These winnings will be issued through the HRCA Red Rider Rewards Visa® debit card, which can be used at Honda dealers or wherever Visa is accepted to purchase anything you like. Be sure to log on today and check out all the benefits you might be eligible to receive through the HRCA. Ride Red and get ready to cash in big at races all across the country.

Monster Energy Press Release..Jason Lawrence..Anahiem 1

Monster Energy-Backed Jason Lawrence (YoT) Looking For A Major SX Impact This Weekend
- press release -
Training with Ryno to back the walk, Lawrence plans on talking the talk when the Lites class checkers fly on the Anaheim opener this Saturday
CORONA, Calif., (Jan. 4, 2008) – Monster Energy-backed Jason Lawrence (Yamaha of Troy), the defending Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM Championship, Western Region Lites class runner up, thinks it’s about time to get this stadium race season started.
Loose, casual, but ready to tear into the Western Lites division again this year, when asked of what he’s expecting at the Anaheim 1 opener, Lawrence said: “Uh, here’s mud in your eye?” (laughter).
Training voraciously with a former pro rider who’s about as tough as they come, Ryan “Ryno” Hughes, Lawrence has reportedly laid down some eyebrow-raising times recently at the local SoCal test tracks around his adopted hometown of Carlsbad.
“Yeah, I don’t even know, man. I had some kind of timer deal on my bars and it ended up flying off or something – probably got ran over,” said Lawrence, who was rockin’ the latest Volcom clothing at the track, courtesy of his new sponsor. “So people have been telling me my times are pretty good a nd that. But I’m like ‘Whatever.’ Practice lap times are just that – practice.”
Not to be lost in the Iversonesque moment, Lawrence was keen to point out that he’s seen a noticeable rise in his cardio and strength now that he’s been training with Ryno.
“It’s insane, man,” he said. “I mean like today we went out and watered the starting gate and Ryno had me pull like 40 starts in the mud. That dude’s got me more focused to start a season than I’ve ever been I think.”
A quick rewind back to last year’s final supercross race in Vegas should spark the interest of any Lawrence fans that may have been on the fence. At the East/West Dave Coombs Sr. Lites Shootout Lawrence wadded up in the first turn of the main and, against the world’s top 250Fcc class racers, raged all the way back to 4th place.
“That was a blast, man,” recalled Lawrence. “Sucked I couldn’t make the podium, but I gave it everything I had trying.”
When it was all said and done last year, Lawrence finished 2nd to rival Ryan Villopoto – himself a Monster Energy-backed racer. This year the two enter the 2008 Monster Energy Supercross season as the favorites to come out on top again.
Said Lawrence in closing: “I want it bad, man. Real bad.”

NJ in Florida

While many in the northeast enjoyed snow flurries and cold temperatures on the Sunday before New Year's Day some of NJ's racers took advantage of year round racing in a somewhat warmer climate. Round 1 of the Winter-Am series took place at the famous Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville Florida. Once the site of the opening round of the AMA National Series it now hosts thousands of riders over a six race series.

Several New Jersey riders took part in the action including:
Spencer Hess (Whiting) 12th overall in the +40 class
Andrew Maroney (Manahawkin) 16th overall 65cc 10-11, 33rd overall 85cc 7-11, 14th overall 65cc open
Luke Renzland (Hewitt) 4th overall 85cc 12-13, 8th overall 12-15 supermini
Kody Renzland (Hewitt) 8th overall 12-15 125 youth, 9th overall 14-16 4-stroke
Alex Stavola (Middletown) 4th overall 250/500 C
John Ward (Manalapan) 8th overall Vet Open, 12th overall +30, 10th overall +35
Frank Tussell (Scotch Plains) 3rd overall Vet Open, 4th overall +45
and of course the Carsten family (Bayville).
Cory 23rd overall 65cc Open and Barry 1st overall Vet Open, 3rd overall +30, 2nd overall +35 and 1st overall +40.
So it looks like many riders stuck in the cold have their work cut out for them as their fellow competitors are still racing. It certainly looks like Barry Carsten, now in his 40s, certainly hasn't slowed down.

Happy New Year

I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy 2008.

See you at the track.