March 15th 2008 - Minneapolis Supercross
After last weeks mudder at the Daytona Supercross, the riders and especially the mechanics were happy to see the Minneapolis Metrodome. The dome meant that the riders and crew were inside for a dry race inside one of the larger domes on the circuit. After a three year absence from the schedule, the Metrodome was added back to the 2008 shedule. The 40,000+ fans who attended the race saw a couple of the most exciting races in Metrodome history.
Minneapolis marked round 11 of the 2008 Supercross schedule and round 4 of the East Coast Supercross Lites Championship. 2008 has been a horible year for injuries as many teams are down riders. The latest casualty is Tim Ferry who injured himself the week before Daytona Supercross. Ferry crashed while practicing at his home and suffered a broken tailbone among other injuries. He missed Daytona and also Minneapolis. No word on his return date. After Anaheim III, Team Kawasaki picked up Travis Preston to fill in for the injured James Stewart. With both Stewart and Ferry out, the replacement rider Preston was the only rider present for Team Kawasaki. This shows you just how bad the injuries are for some teams. Team Honda is down both Tedesco and Townley. The strong performances from Davi Milsaps and Andrew Short have kept Team Red Bull Honda in the spotlight. Team Yamaha is down a couple of riders also as Grant Langston and Broc Hepler are both out with injuries. Team Suzuki is missing Mike Alessi.
You would think with all the talent missing from the track that the racing action would be down also. Ironically this year has been one of the best years in recent history for racing action. Many riders see the importance of showing thier teams that they have the speed to run up front. Ryan Dungey who is currently sitting in second place in the West Coast Lites Championship, has deciced to race the Supercross class on the East coast. Ryan has turned a lot of heads with two great rides and a good showing at Daytona until a fall near the end dropped him several positions. Josh Hill is another rider who has moved up to the Supercross class. Hill signed with Team Yamaha to race the Lites moved up to the big bike after several dissapointing results outdoors last season. Hill hasn't disappointed anyone at Team Yamaha with his great finishes so far.
Here is some racing and practice photos from Minneapolis.
Birds-eye view of the track. The Metrodome has plenty of floorspace.
If you are the person that just shows up for the night show you miss out on a lot of action. Ryan Villopoto nails every obtacle on the very first lap with aggression!
Minneapolis hit the riders with two sets of whoops.
I won't comment on Reed's gear. You make your own opinion!
Dungey is still forced to practice in the non-seeded riders since he is out of the top 20 in season points.
The track was dry and one-lined. Most of the Lites riders were able to triple out of this section, although it took a little effort.
Same section with Windham's style.
Ryan Grant #20 looked strong all day long. Here RG20 grabbed the holeshot in Heat #1 action.
Hill and Milsaps battling in Heat 1 action.
Dungey looked comfortable in his heat. Dungey finished in second place behind Windham.
Josh Grant grabbed the holeshot in the Lites Main but was immediately hounded by Villopoto.
The battle lasted all race long. The last lap saw RV and JG pass, and then pass back going down the start straight.
Villopoto went wide while Grant tried to protect the inside. The result?
Grant hit the deck and RV2 picked up his first win of the season.
Canard finished in fourth place in the main. He showed his mad goon riding skills after the main.
Villopoto still finds himself several points back in championship but was happy with the win.
The start of the Supercross main event brought the 40,000+ fans to their feet. Homestate rider Dungey with the holeshot.
Dungey held the lead for several laps. Here he is pressured by Team Yamaha's Josh Hill.
Dungey proved that he had the speed as he looked very comfortable up front.
Windham rode a smart race but wasn't able to fully capitalize on Reed's crash.
Dungey in just his fourth Supercross class start finished in second place.
AMA Supercross Class Results, Minneapolis
1.Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
2.Ryan Dungey, of Belle, Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3.Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
5. Thomas Hahn, Alvord, Texas, Kawasaki
6. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda
7. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
8. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
9. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha
AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 237
2. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 220
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 172
4. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Honda, 164
5. Tim Ferry, Largo, Fla., Kawasaki, 137
6. Joshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 135
7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif., Yamaha, 134
8. David Vuillemin, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 115
9. Paul Carpenter, Ithaca, N.Y., Honda, 97
10. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., KTM, 95
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, Minneapolis
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda
3. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM
4. Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla., Honda
5. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., KTM
6. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ken., Yamaha
7. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
8. Kyle Partridge, Menifee, Calif., Honda
9. Nico Izzi, Saint Clair., Mich., Suzuki
10. Billy Payne, Simi Valley, Calif., Honda
Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla., Honda, 93
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 69
3. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ken., KTM, 67
4. Nico Izzi, Saint Clair., Mich., Suzuki, 54
5. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM, 53
6. Ben Coisy, Manosque, France, Honda, 53
7. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 47
8. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ken., Yamaha, 45
9. Billy Payne, Simi Valley, Calif., Honda, 42
10. Branden Jesseman, New Brighton, Pa., Kawasaki, 39