Justin Brayton AMA Interview -ozzy go-

Coming into 2008, MDK KTM’s Justin Brayton was my dark-
horse pick to capture his first AMA Supercross win in the
West Coast Lites division - and with his third place finish at
Anaheim 1, he reinforced that. Although #114 has yet to
back that podium spot up, he’s nonetheless right in the mix
with the anticipated favorites. In this stacked class, the
transplanted Iowan is currently sixth in points; only eleven
points out of third. I recently tracked down the 23-year old
via cell phone to get his perspective on his supercross
season, and what he has planned for his upcoming break.
interview on amamotocross.com - pics from
tedescophoto.com

MDK/KTM Race Report: AMA Supercross Lites West Series: San Diego, CA

MDK KTM Team riders earned three top ten finishes over the weekend at
the sixth round of the AMA Supercross Series.

MDK KTM Lites Team rider Billy Laninovich had a spell of bad luck when
he suffered a last place start in his heat which set him back from
qualifying directly from the heat to the main. He turned up later in the
LCQ where he finished in the top four to qualify into the main program.

His teammate, Justin Brayton, carried the same luck into his heat when
he came around the first corner in 15th. However, he plowed through
riders and was able to work his way into 6th place by the 6th lapsending
him and his KTM machine into the main event.

Both MDK KTM Lites riders got a good jump when the gate dropped for
the Lites Main Event. However, Brayton got squeezed off as they neared
the first turn pushing him back to 15th. Laninovich looked like he might
break into the top ten until another rider forced him off of the track
sending him into 19th position as he completed the first turn. Both riders
rode strong and merged through the pack. By lap 3 Brayton had moved
into 7th place. Laninovich had passed four riders and was now in 15th.
The crowd stood on their feet as the battle progressed among the riders
inside the top ten. Throughout the race Brayton battled with Dungey,
Metcalfe and Stroupe. At the conclusion of the race Brayton had
mustered his way into the top five finishing fifth for the night. Laninovich
worked his way up from last position to 10th.

MDK KTM Lites Team Manager Danny Paladino stated, “Both riders have
the speed to be up top but their starts continue to hold them back. We
will go home this week and focus on those weaknesses to ensure we’re
on the leader board in Houston.” ktmpress.com - pic from
vitalmx.com

MDK KTM Riders are “Ready to Race” in San Francisco -ozzy go-

MDK KTM rider Nick Wey is excited to head North to San
Francisco for the fourth round of the AMA Supercross
Series. Wey, who has suffered from bad starts the last two
events, thus forcing himself to have to work through the pack,
is excited about the possibility of another mud race. A ninth
place finish at Anaheim 1 has been the highlight of his season
so far and he looks to improve upon that result this Saturday.
“I have made the necessary changes to my training and my
bike in the past week that should positively effect how I place
this weekend in San Francisco,” commented Wey. MDK KTM
Factory Team Manager Steve Lamson agrees, “We’ve struggled
the past few rounds, but we are putting that behind us and
have full confidence that this week will bring the results we
know Nick and his MDK KTM machine are capable of.”

MDK KTM Lites rider, Justin Brayton, is recovering from a cold
that has plagued him since last Friday. “I’ve spent the last
couple days resting so this cold doesn’t get the best of me.
Last weekend’s race was tough, it hurt my head to even put
my helmet on and my body was more fatigued than normal,”
stated Brayton. Despite the illness, Brayton did manage a top
ten finish at the third round that... full story on ktmpress.com

MDK KTM riders take on Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ - Round two of the AMA Supercross FIM Championship
held at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ brought a nearly sold out crowd
and perfect temperatures. In fact, it wasn't just the attendance
and temperature that were better than the muddy and cold opener
at Anaheim, the racing was too.

MDK KTM Lites riders, Justin Brayton and Billy Laninovich, were
eager for the day to start. Brayton wanted to show the audience
that he could maneuver his KTM to the front once again and
Laninovich wanted to show the crowd that he too was a front
runner after a spill of bad luck left him out of the main event the
week prior.

Both riders suited up for Heat #2. As the gate dropped Laninovich
jumped out into the top three while Brayton wasn't as fortunate
and ended up mid-pack around turn one. Laninovich was able to
hang on to third when the checkers flew earning himself a good
gate spot for the main event. Brayton charged hard and worked
his way through the pack passing for the last qualifying position on
the final lap.

MDK KTM Factory rider, Nick Wey, was in Heat #2 of the
Supercross class. He got a good jump but was pushed out causing
him to come around the first turn in last position. He charged his
way up trying to pass where he could on the fast track. By the
eighth and final lap he had moved into 10th just one spot shy of
qualifying.

Forced to go to the last chance, Wey, nailed the holeshot and lead
the race from start to finish to earn a spot in the main.

Soon the lights got brighter and the crowd screamed as the Lites
main event was about to get underway. Brayton and Laninovich
took their spots on the grid and waited in anticipation of the gate
drop. Joining them on the gate was All American KTM rider Brad
Graham on the #240 250SX-F lining up for his first main event of
the year. When the gate dropped, Brayton got a great jump and
came around the first turn in 5th while his teammate wasn't too far
behind in 10th. The crowd stood on their feet the first ten laps as
the top ten riders remained within milliseconds of each other. The
front running order changed repeatedly from lap to lap as Lites
riders diced back and forth. By lap ten Brayton was hanging on to
6th while his teammate was in 10th. The lead pack continued to
speed around the track remaining close... full story on ktm.com

MDK KTM Earns Podium at the First Race of the Year -ozzy go- ktm.com

Justin Brayton breaks out and gets 3rd at the
Supercross Lites opener.

Justin Brayton, now on the MDK/KTM team, sprang
into action at the Supercross Lites opener in Anaheim.
In what is now his third year riding in the Lites class,
he demonstrated what hard work and a great team
can accomplish.

The bikes are incredible,exclaimed Justin. He went on
to say that when the team received the bikes, he
rode the 08 KTM 250SX-F stock, and indicated it was
ready to ride, just like KTM claims. In fact, it was
surprisingly fast right out of the box. Of course, the
team has put a lot of work and long hours into the
race bikes, and MDK Speed is constantly developing
new parts for the bike.

Justin went on to say, I have been putting a lot of
hours at the test track and feel that I am in the best
shape of my life. I have put a lot of good people
around me, and it is paying off. Steve, my trainer, is
a key component to keeping me on the right path. My
mechanic, Rick Simmons, keeps the bike tuned and
whether I am racing, testing, or training, the bike is
always awesome.

Everyone on the team is working hard, and between
the parts that Factory KTM provides and those
developed by MDK Speed, the bike rips. I have to
thank the whole team, as well as all of the sponsors.
I also want to thank my personal sponsors, Ogio,
Cytomax, Cannodale, American Racing, Kicker, and
Team VRM. They have all been very supportive
throughout the years.

After a taste of the champagne from the box, Justin
is looking forward to the next race in Phoenix, as
well as the rest of the series. Come out to the race
on January 12, 2008 at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ.
supercrossking.com - ad pic from
tedescophoto.com

Anaheim 1 Supercross Lites class Results

Angel Stadium - Anaheim, CA - January 5, 2008
2008 Monster Energy Supercross
AMA Supercross Lites West Round 1: Anaheim I

Anaheim 1 Supercross Lites Main Event
1. Ryan Dungey (Suzuki)
2. Jason Lawrence (Yamaha)
3. Justin Brayton (KTM)
4. Dan Reardon (Honda)
5. Austin Stroupe (Kawasaki)
6. Thomas Hahn (Kawasaki)
7. Gavin Gracyk (Honda)
8. Andrew McFarlane (Kawasaki)
9. Chris Blose (Suzuki)
10. Wil Hahn (Yamaha)
11. Broc Hepler (Yamaha)
12. Jeff Northrop (Honda)
13. Michael Lapaglia (Suzuki)
14. Michael Blose (Suzuki)
15. Michael Willard (Honda)
16. Adam Chatfield (Suzuki)
17. Kyle Cunningham (Honda)
18. Matt Lemoine (Yamaha)
19. Brett Metcalfe (Kawasaki)
20. Eric McCrummen (Honda)
21. Shaun Skinner (Honda)
22. Zach Osborne (Yamaha)
BLT: Jason Lawrence 00:57.993

AMA Supercross Lites LCQ top-5
1. Eric McCrummen (Honda)
2. Andrew McFarlane (Kawasaki)
3. Thomas Hahn (Kawasaki)
4. Wil Hahn (Yamaha)
5. Ryan Grantom (Honda)

AMA Supercross Lites Heat 2 top-10
1. Jason Lawrence (Yamaha)
2. Brett Metcalfe (Kawasaki)
3. Matt Lemoine (Yamaha)
4. Zach Osborne (Yamaha)
5. Austin Stroupe (Kawasaki)
6. Michael Willard (Honda)
7. Adam Chatfield (Suzuki)
8. Michael Blose (Suzuki)
9. Jeff Northrop (Honda)
10. Robert Kiniry (Honda)

AMA Supercross Lites Heat 1 top-10
1. Ryan Dungey (Suzuki)
2. Justin Brayton (KTM)
3. Chris Blose (Suzuki)
4. Gavin Gracyk (Honda)
5. Broc Hepler (Yamaha)
6. Michael Lapaglia (Suzuki)
7. Dan Reardon (Honda)
8. Shaun Skinner (Honda)
9. Kyle Cunningham (Honda)
10. Bradley Graham (KTM)

pic from motocross.com

Justin Brayton RacerX Interview -ozzy go-

5 Minutes With...Justin Brayton December 18, 2007
Maybe Justin Brayton didn’t burst onto the AMA pro scene
as someone like Ryan Villopoto, but the Fort Dodge, Iowa,
native has steadily moved up the racing food chain. Now as
a member of the newly formed MDK KTM Lites team, the
23-year-old is poised to move to the next level. Carefully
watched by many industry insiders, Brayton could be the
dark horse of the 2008 Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Lites West series. We reached Brayton on his cell phone as
he was leaving a practice session. read the interview on
racerxill.com - pic from tedescophoto.com