KTM HMC’s Kurt Nicoll got a measure of revenge in the final AMA
PPG Supermoto Unlimited race of the season, bouncing back from
his Saturday DNF to score his second win on the season.
The 2004 class champion shot into the lead on the opening lap
aboard his KTM 560SMR and never looked back, opening up a six-
second plus advantage in the eight-lap contest before backing
down and cruising to the checkered flag on the final lap.
The outing only underlined the fact that the former World MX star
is still a force to be reckoned with in the class whenever he races,
finishing the campaign ranked second despite missing two rounds
due to conflicts with his role as Racing Director for KTM North
America. Other than being ruled out on Saturday due to an oil
spill, Nicoll finished on the podium in every race he entered this
season.
"It has been a great season for myself and KTM," Nicoll said
following the race. "I was able to get a great start and I felt like I
had the speed on both the asphalt and dirt to pull of a win. I want
to thank everyone who has been a part of KTM this year. It has
been a successful year and I am already looking forward to
2008."
Factory Aprilia Rip It Energy Racing ace Carlson did most of his
heavy lifting early in the season, opening the year with four
consecutive victories and winning five of the first six, before
leaning on his huge points lead and settling in for three straight
finishes off the box. With his second series title already
confirmed, Carlson picked it back up for the season finale,
however, and rode to a second-place finish, his seventh podium
result of the year.
Carlson ran outside the top three for the opening five laps, but
picked up a spot on lap six when Galveston winner Ales Hlad
made a mistake and dropped out of second and then made his
move on South African Brian Capper on the penultimate lap to
move up to the runner-up position.
"This has been a great weekend," Carlson commented. "Aprilia
has provided me with the best bikes out on the track this year.
I'm so happy to have been able to back up last years'
championship." full story on amasupermoto.com
pics from hmcracing.com & vitalmx.com