Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Dungey Wins Lites Race at Season-Opening Anaheim Supercross

Rockstar Makita Suzuki Factory Racing's Ryan Dungey started
out the 2008 AMA Supercross season in style by winning the first
round in the Supercross Lites class at Angel Stadium in Anaheim,
California, on Saturday night. Dungey battled the elements as
well as the competition, racing his Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-
Z250 in swamp-like conditions to take the win in his six-lap
qualifying heat race as well as the victory in the 15-lap SX Lites
main event. This win puts 18-year-old Dungey in the lead of the
championship points chase.

In the Supercross class, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi
had a successful debut in both the class and on the new Suzuki
RM-Z450. After winning the qualifying LCQ, Alessi got a good
start in the main event and was racing for a podium spot.
Focusing on finishing in less-than-stellar conditions, however,
Alessi backed off and rode a smooth race, maintaining a strong
sixth-place position until the race's end. Teammate David
Vuillemin also put in a smooth and consistent ride, getting a good
start and running in the top-10 for the entire 20 laps before
finishing in 10th position.

Ryan Dungey: It was a good race and definitely a great night.
The whole Rockstar Makita Suzuki team, we prepared so much
for this race. And the Suzuki RM-Z250 was working awesome
we were able to put it all together and come out on top. I was
able to take my time and was patient and just let the race come
to me so I could put in some good laps. Winning this race, it feels
like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It's so good to
just be racing again and I'm pumped to get the win.

Mike Alessi: This first Supercross was a learning experience for
me. It was pretty muddy this weekend, but we tried to take the
good with the bad and make the best of the situation. The bike
was awesome and I got a great start and was in third when a few
guys got around me. I was having a good race in fifth and riding
a smooth pace because I didn't want to make any mistakes and
fall. But with about four laps to go, I saw somebody coming up
on me and I tried to put up a fight but I realized I was riding a
little hard and I didn't want to ride over my head and crash. So I
settled for sixth and now I'm just looking forward to next week's
race at Phoenix. full story on teamsuzuki.com - pics from
vitalmx.com