YOSHIMURA SUZUKI RACING CONQUERS THE LONE STAR STATE
May 27, 2012
WORTHAM, TX (May 27, 2012) – Team Yoshimura Suzuki Racing captured their fourth-consecutive moto win as well as the overall victory at round two of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at the Freestone National in Wortham, TX, on Saturday afternoon. Rider James Stewart raced two picture perfect motos on his 2012 Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 to take the win. Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Brett Metcalfe bounced back from some unfortunate luck to finish a solid eighth overall for the day.
Sporting the points leader’s red number plate for thefirst-time ever, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Stewart was a force to be reckoned with in Texas. In the first moto, he got a good start on his Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450, took the lead on the first lap and went on to gap the field and take the win. In the second moto, Stewart again got out front in short order, but this time the pressure from the competition was more intense. Despite this, Stewart kept his composure to hold off all attacks and take the second-moto win along with the overall victory.
“It was a good race,” said Stewart. “It was warm, but I was able to get two good starts and I actually led every lap. We made a few changes to the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 after the first moto and the team’s just gelling. We had an hour and 10 minutes worth of battle and I was able to get the job done. Now, we’re going to Colorado, and Lakewood is not one of my better tracks. But we’re going in there with the red plate. Also, it’s at altitude so it’ll be another tough race, but the team has a really good set-up for me with the Yoshimura Suzuki RMZ450, and we’ll do our best to put it on the podium.”
Yoshimura Suzuki teammate Metcalfe suffered some bad luck in both motos but rallied before the day’s end. In the first moto, Australian Metcalfe got a good start but an error resulted in his having to work his way back to 13th. In the second moto, Metcalfe led going into the first turn but ran wide and settled into seventh. He then turned it up a notch but suffered a minor get-off. Undaunted, Metcalfe remounted and charged through the field to 10th. These combined results gave the Yoshimura Suzuki rider an eighth-place finish overall.
“I felt like I rode really well in Texas,” said Metcalfe. “It was just a tough track to come from behind on. In the first moto, I got a good start on the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 and then I spun it out and had to come from behind to 13th. In the second moto, I got a real good start but went way too wide in the first corner and dropped back a little. On the first couple of laps, I picked off some guys and was sitting in a good position. But I could see the leaders were getting away so I tried to force something on a tough braking section and got sideways and went down, so it was a tough break. Now, I’m looking forward to Colorado and getting up front and staying up there."
Team Yoshimura Suzuki Racing’s next event is the third round of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship on Saturday, June 2nd, at the Thunder Valley National in Lakewood, CO.
2012 Freestone National MX 450 Results:
1. James Stewart
2. Ryan Dungey
3. Mike Alessi
4. Jake Weimer
5. Josh Grant
6. Andrew Short
7. Tommy Hahn
8. Brett Metcalfe
9. Nico Izzi
10. Ryan Sipes
2012 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Standings:
1. James Stewart – 100
2. Ryan Dungey – 86
3. Mike Alessi – 70
4. Jake Weimer – 61
5. Andrew Short – 61
6. Josh Grant – 58
7. Brett Metcalfe – 53
8. Broc Tickle – 43
9. Nico Izzi – 39
10. Tommy Hahn – 39
About Yoshimura R&D of America: Yoshimura is “The Leader in Performance” and has been for more than 55 years. With unmatched skills, knowledge and passion for racing, Yoshimura is on the forefront of the aftermarket exhaust industry. Yoshimura pipes are race bred and feature the same legendary performance, fit, and quality that have been their trademark for more than five decades. To learn more about Yoshimura and view their wide variety of performance products, visit www.yoshimura-rd.com.
About Suzuki: Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) founded the Motorcycle and ATV Division of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC), Brea, CA, in 1963. ASMC markets motorcycles and ATVs via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. ASMC's parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, automobiles and marine engines. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, it has 120 distributors in 191 countries. For more information, visit www.suzukicycles.com. Follow Suzuki Scoop on facebook for exclusive team content www.facebook.com/suzukiscoopfans.
Team Yoshimura Suzuki is grateful for the support of their sponsors: Yoshimura R&D, Dunlop, Motorex, Vortex, ONE Industries, Showa, Renegade Fuels, Pro Taper, Hinson Clutch Components, D.I.D, Twin Air, Works Connection, Thor, Excel, Mechanix Wear, CP Pistons, Matrix and NGK.
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