AMA Supermoto will visit the Stafford Motor Speedway, located in
Stafford Springs, Connecticut this weekend, August 25-26, for the
fifth round of the 10-round AMA Supermoto Championship.
The two-day event marks the inaugural visit to the greater New
England area for the AMA Supermoto Championship. After a six-
week break in the schedule, riders and teams alike should be
rested and ready to get back to competition. During the break,
AMA Supermoto point’s leader, Graves Yamaha’s Mark Burkhart,
was able to capture his first-ever gold medal at the X Games in
Los Angeles in a race-long battle with Honda Troy Lee Designs
rider Jeff Ward. Ward currently sits only four points behind
Burkhart as he tries to reclaim his spot atop the series standings.
Burkhart owns a three-race win streak and carries plenty of
momentum into this weekend’s race.
“Everything has been clicking,” said Burkhart. “We have been
working really hard testing the bike and putting in a lot of practice
during the weeks off. Last round I was able to take over the
series points lead, but Jeff (Ward) is a tough competitor and I will
need to keep at the top of my game to remain on top. We are
just nearing the halfway point of the season and there is lots of
racing left.”
Factory Aprilia Rip It Energy Racing’s Ben Carlson of West Bend,
Wis., has been dominating the AMA PPG Supermoto Unlimited
class presented by M&R Products. Carlson, the 2006 class
champion, has four-win streak and a 30-point lead over BP
Racing KTM rider Josh Chisum of Bakersfield, Calif.
Competition in the AMA Hot Wheels Supermoto Lites class has
turned into a shoot out between Honda Troy Lee Designs rider
David Pingree and Graves Yamaha’s Brandon Currie. Both racers
have two wins and two runner-up finishes this season and sit
even in the standings with 94 points apiece.
To be successful in the sport of Supermoto, riders must master a
variety of racing skills. Track layouts are unique and consist of
both paved and dirt surfaces with right and left hand turns. Tracks
also include technical metal ramps called the Parts Unlimited
UrbanCross. Riders from all racing backgrounds will line up on
Sunday braving these elements, which makes this sport one of
the most thrilling disciplines of motorcycle racing for both
spectators and racers around the world. click on ozzy go to the
full story on amasupermoto.com - photos by Honda Red Riders