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 Topic: Racing NewsThe new items published under this topic are as follows.
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--Next up, Steel City Raceway in Delmont, PA, Sept. 3, 2006--
Round 10 – AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series
Binghamton, NY
Broome-Tioga Sports Center
August 20, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael clinched his 10th consecutive AMA Motocross Championship after winning the first 30-minute Motocross-class moto at Broome-Tioga in Binghamton, NY, on Sunday. Not satisfied to cruise after that, the newly crowned champion went on to win the second moto to take his eighth overall AMA Toyota MX victory for the season.
This championship is a particular milestone for Carmichael, because he will only race select races for Makita Suzuki next year. Carmichael’s impressive resume includes the 10 consecutive AMA Motocross titles – seven 250cc/Motocross and three 125cc titles. In fact, Carmichael has never lost an Outdoor title defense in his professional career.
This 2006 Motocross championship is his 15th AMA title and his 17th career title, and includes five AMA Supercross titles and the 2005 World Supercross title. In 2004, Carmichael won the 250 AMA Motocross Champion with a perfect season. Prior to that, in 1998, he won the 125 East Coast title and celebrated the only 125 SX perfect season in history. Carmichael led Team USA to victory in the 2005 Motocross des Nations and he has been the AMA Pro Racing Speed Channel Athlete of the Year an amazing four times. Finally, this is Carmichael’s 143rd combined SX/MX career win.
Ricky Carmichael:
“Winning another motocross championship is awesome. It was hard-fought, there was tough competition and I’m happy to do it. I never expected to do this, I don’t think anyone at Suzuki expected to have the run we’ve had. We’ve been really fortunate and we’ve made our own luck and done really good as a team. That’s what it takes at this level. Now I’m just looking forward to racing for fun and putting on some good shows for the fans.
“The way I look at it, if I keep racing I’m going to get beat. That’s the same with everybody. You have to know when your time is, and you can’t be greedy. I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished but now I have some other opportunities and other challenges. I’m looking forward to racing just to race and to helping Suzuki. I’m happy to go out on top and that’s all that matters.”
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BINGHAMTON, N.Y., (Aug. 21, 2006) – American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) is proud to announce that Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael captured his seventh consecutive AMA Toyota Motocross Championship at Broome-Tioga Sports Center in Binghamton, N.Y., on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 20, 2006. With two rounds remaining in the 12-round series, Carmichael and his Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 finished first overall to clinch the championship.
“Winning another motocross championship is awesome,” said Carmichael. “It was hard-fought, there was tough competition and I’m happy to do it. I never expected to do this, I don’t think anyone at Suzuki expected to have the run we’ve had. We’ve been really fortunate and we’ve made our own luck and done really good as a team. That’s what it takes at this level. Now I’m just looking forward to racing for fun and putting on some good shows for the fans.”
This is the second consecutive AMA Motocross Championship that Carmichael has won with the Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 and Team Makita Suzuki Racing. Since signing with Makita Suzuki, Carmichael won the 2005 AMA Supercross title, the 2005 World Supercross GP title, the 2005 AMA Motocross title, the 2005 U.S. Open of Supercross and he led Team USA to victory in the 2005 Motocross des Nations. Most recently, Carmichael wrapped up the 2006 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Championship and he is again slated to lead Team USA in the upcoming 2006 Motocross des Nations.
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--Next up, Broome-Tioga Sports Center in Binghamton, NY, Aug. 20, 2006--
Round 9 – AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series
Millville, MN
Spring Creek MX Park
August 13, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael became the first rider in the U.S. to ever lap an entire Motocross-class field at Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minn., on Sunday afternoon. After Carmichael won the first 30-minute MX moto of the day, a heavy downpour created swamp-like conditions for the second moto. In spite of this, the defending AMA Motocross champion persevered and went on to lap the second-place rider before taking the moto win and the overall victory. This is Carmichael’s 142nd combined AMA Supercross/Motocross career win.
Ricky Carmichael:
“It was a great race and I felt good. I knew the holeshot was important, and mine haven’t been so great lately. Getting a good start is super, super important, and I did what I had to do. The Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 came through and I just kept trying to plug away. Mostly, I was just concerned about making it through the moto and making the bike last.”
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--Next up, Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, MN, Aug. 13, 2006--
Round 8 – AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series
Washougal, WA
Washougal MX Park
July 30, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael finished a strong second place at round eight of the AMA Toyota Motocross race at Washougal MX Park, in Washougal, WA, on Sunday afternoon. The defending AMA Motocross Champion won his first 30-minute Motocross-class moto and finished a close second in the second moto to take second-place overall.
Ricky Carmichael:
“That first moto was worth the price of admission. The second moto, well it was good for the fans but I made some mistakes, so I’m just disappointed in myself. But life goes on and we’ll look to the next race.”
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--Next up, Washougal MX Park in Washougal, WA, July 30, 2006--
Round 7 – AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series
Lakewood, CO
Thunder Valley MX Park
July 23, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael won his sixth AMA Toyota Motocross race in a row this season when he took the overall victory at Lakewood, Colorado’s Thunder Valley MX Park on Sunday afternoon. As usual, the defending AMA Motocross Champion won both of his 30-minute Motocross-class motos. This win extended the 2006 Amp’d Mobile Supercross Champion’s points lead in the title chase and it is also Carmichael’s 141st combined AMA Supercross/Motocross career victory.
Ricky Carmichael:
“It’s always tough coming here to Thunder Valley. There are a bunch of elements you have to contend with. Number one is the elevation, obviously, and that takes a toll on you and the bike, as far as power goes. And obviously fitness is a factor and I have to give it up to my trainer, Elden Baker. But it’s still fun to come to a new venue and the track is good. There are several different lines and it’s a good race track overall.”
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BREA, Calif., (July 19, 2006) – American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) announced today that Team Makita Suzuki Racing signed Ryan Dungey to race the Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 in the Motocross Lites class for the remainder of the 2006 AMA Toyota Motocross Series. The 16-year-old Dungey’s first official race with Makita Suzuki will be at Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minn., on August 13, 2006. Dungey signed a two-year contract and will also race the Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 in the 2007 AMA Supercross Championship.
“Ryan is an extremely talented young rider with an amazing work ethic and I believe he has a lot of long-term potential,” said Makita Suzuki Team Manager Roger DeCoster. “He’s had success with amateur racing and we believe that with a lot of guidance and a strong training regimen, he will eventually be a very successful factory rider. Right now, we just want Ryan to focus on learning to race on a factory level, without any pressure. Then we will begin grooming him for championships later on.”
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--Next up, Thunder Valley MX Park in Lakewood, CO, July 23, 2006--
Round 6 – AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series
New Berlin, NY
Unadilla Valley Sports Center
July 16, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael continued his winning ways at New York’s Unadilla Valley Sports Center on Sunday afternoon, winning his fifth consecutive overall AMA Toyota Motocross race of 2006. Extending his points lead in the title chase, the 2006 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Champion and defending AMA Motocross Champion won both of his 30-minute Motocross-class motos to take the overall, marking Carmichael’s 140th combined AMA Supercross/Motocross career victory.
Ricky Carmichael:
“This has been an awesome day. In the first moto, I got a good start on my Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 and I thought the track overall was really good. It’s just unfortunate that James (Stewart) wasn’t out there. He went down hard in practice but I’m hoping he’ll have a speedy recovery. In the second moto, Davi (Millsaps) was running great but we prevailed and were able to get a good lead. I actually fell in the second moto and I’m not sure anyone saw me. But I was able to get up and get a good pace going and it didn’t really affect the outcome. Overall, the Makita Suzuki has been great all year, actually for the last two years.”
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--Next up, Red Bud Track ‘n’ Trail in Buchanan, MI, July 1-2, 2006--
Round 4 – AMA Motocross Championship Series
Budds Creek, MD
Budds Creek MX Park
June 17-18, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael won his third consecutive AMA Toyota Motocross race of the 2006 season at a hot and humid Budds Creek on Sunday afternoon. The 2006 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Champion and defending AMA Motocross Champion won both of his 30-minute Motocross-class motos to take the overall victory. This Father’s Day win marks Carmichael’s 138th combined AMA Supercross/Motocross career victory.
Ricky Carmichael:
“This win is special, since this year the competition has been tough. Chad (Reed, second-place overall) definitely stepped it up this weekend. He always rides well at Budds Creek and I knew it was going to be tough. This track has changed a lot since I first came here. It isn’t nearly as deep as it was and the turns kind of slot themselves into a single groove. It’s actually getting like this at most of the tracks we go to. The dirt just seems to be fading away or something. We just tried to put ourselves in a good position and it turned out to be a great weekend for Makita Suzuki. Now, I think we are all looking forward to the weekend off.”
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Round 3 – AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series
Southwick, MA
Motocross 338
June 10 -11, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael won his second consecutive AMA Toyota Motocross of the 2006 season at Southwick on Sunday afternoon in New England. Taking second place in the first moto and first place in the second moto, Carmichael captured his ninth career overall Southwick victory and extended his points lead in the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship.
In the first 30-minute moto, the defending AMA Motocross Champion and his Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 were running in second place right off the bat. Pacing the leader for the first 10 laps, Carmichael made a strong pass to take over the lead. Although he went down with just a few laps to go, he remounted and charged hard, going from 30 seconds behind first place to just three seconds behind first place in a mere two laps.
In the afternoon’s second moto at sandy Southwick, Carmichael continued his winning ways by taking the lead within the first five laps. The newly crowned AMA Supercross Champion created a gap over the rest of the field, and won the moto with almost 20 seconds over second place.
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--Next up, round 3 of AMA Toyota Motocross 338 in Southwick, MA, June 11, 2006--
Round 2 - AMA Toyota Motocross Championship
Mt. Morris, PA
High Point Raceway
May 28, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael captured his first AMA Toyota Motocross victory of the season and took over the points lead in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the 30th running of the High Point National in Mt. Morris, PA, on Sunday over Memorial Day weekend.
In the afternoon’s first 30-minute moto, Carmichael got an excellent start on his Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 and led the first couple of laps. Despite being passed mid-moto, he continued to charge hard and battle for the lead throughout the race. With just four laps remaining, Carmichael’s competition made a mistake and went down. Carmichael continued his strong ride and took the win.
“I feel bad for James (Stewart),” said the defending AMA Motocross Champion. “I know some people say you should take the win no matter how you can get it but no one wants to see a rider crash. James and I had a killer race going out there and I just hope we can have as good a race in the second moto.”
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--Next up, round 2 of AMA Toyota Motocross at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, PA, May 28, 2006--
Round 1 - AMA Toyota Motocross Championship
Sacramento, CA
Hangtown Classic
May 21, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael brought home a strong second-place finish at the season-opening round of AMA Toyota Motocross at the Hangtown Classic in Sacramento, Calif., on a very rainy Sunday afternoon.
In the first 30-minute moto of the day, defending AMA Motocross Champion Carmichael got the holeshot but then went down in turn one. Even so, he charged hard on his Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 and rode from 40th to third place in approximately seven laps.
“I crashed in the first turn and it was a rookie mistake,” said Carmichael afterward. “It was a long moto but we’ll go back and regroup and try to put on another good race.”
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--Next up, round 1 of AMA Toyota Motocross at Hangtown in Sacramento, CA, May 21, 2006--
Round 16 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Las Vegas, NV
Sam Boyd Stadium
May 6, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael captured his fifth AMA Supercross Championship in one of the closest title bouts in Supercross history by finishing second in the final round of the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series on Saturday night at a sold-out Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium. Bouncing back from a nasty heat-race crash, teammate Ivan Tedesco finished in seventh position.
“I can’t believe it, I kept saying to myself, there’s no way I’m going to let Chad (Reed) beat me this weekend,” said Carmichael from the podium. “Last few weeks, he’s beaten me fair and square. I knew going into this weekend that I’m only racing part-time next year, and I’ve had a great career. This is just amazing, this is the sport that made me and I can’t say enough for the people in my corner and my Makita Suzuki team. It’s great to go out on top.”
The evening’s festivities started out with Carmichael and Tedesco paired together in their eight-lap heat race. Carmichael got a good start and won the qualifier. Tedesco, unfortunately, crashed hard during the heat race but rebounded strong and won his six-lap semi. Both riders advanced to the main.
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LAS VEGAS, Nev. (May 5, 2006) – Team Makita Suzuki Racing announced today that 13-time AMA Supercross/Motocross Champion Ricky Carmichael has re-signed with the team for three more years. The reigning AMA Supercross, AMA Motocross and World Supercross GP Champion will defend his AMA Motocross title in 2006 and race select Supercross events in 2007. After that, Carmichael will continue to race select events and focus on mentoring Makita Suzuki’s up-and-coming riders and developing the multichampionship-winning RM and RM-Z lines.
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--Next up, Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV, May 6, 2006--
Round 15 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Seattle, WA
Qwest Field
April 29, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael battled the elements and the competition to take home a third-place finish at the penultimate round of Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross at Seattle’s Qwest Field on a wet and muddy Saturday night. This victory leaves the defending AMA Supercross Champion tied for the points lead going into the final round at Las Vegas next weekend. Carmichael’s Makita Suzuki teammate Ivan Tedesco finished the night with a seventh-place finish.
“I gave it my all,” Carmichael said from the podium. “I can’t say enough about my Makita Suzuki team, they’ve been behind me 100 percent. Now we’re going to go out to Las Vegas next week and do the best we can and whatever happens, happens.”
Because of the wet weather, the evening’s heat races were shortened from eight laps to six. In short order, Carmichael won the qualifying race and Tedesco came in third. The Makita Suzuki duo advanced to the main.
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--Next up, Qwest Field in Seattle, WA, April 29, 2006--
Round 14 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Dallas, TX
Texas Stadium
April 22, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ivan Tedesco and Ricky Carmichael left the Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross race at Dallas’ Texas Stadium on Saturday night with fourth- and sixth-place finishes, respectively. Defending AMA Supercross Champion Carmichael still holds the lead in the title chase.
At the beginning of the evening, Carmichael won his eight-lap heat race and Tedesco won his six-lap semi. In the 20-lap main event, Carmichael got the holeshot and led the first few laps before a nasty get-off saw him finish in sixth.
“Dallas was definitely not the result that I was looking for,” said Carmichael. “I felt like I was riding really well and just made a big mistake in the whoops. I've been here before and will use my experience to get me through these last two rounds. Seattle and Vegas will be worth the price of admission, for sure."
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--Next up, Texas Stadium in Dallas, TX, April 22, 2006--
Round 13 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Houston, TX
Reliant Stadium
April 1, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael continues to extend his points lead in the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, most recently by finishing second at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on Saturday night. Teammate Ivan Tedesco walked away with a sixth-place finish.
“I feel like I was pretty consistent all night,” said Carmichael. “James (Stewart) has got six wins now, I’ve got six wins and we’re tied for the World title. It’s what everybody wants to see. But I’m just looking forward to getting better. To improving my performance at the beginning of the race and still being there at the end.”
Makita Suzuki’s Carmichael and Tedesco continue to be paired together in the Supercross-class heat races at the beginning of the evening, and Houston’s eight-lap qualifier saw Carmichael get the holeshot with Tedesco right behind him. The duo gapped the field and finished one-two on their Makita Suzuki RM-Z450s to advance to the main.
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--Next up, Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX, April 1, 2006--
Round 12 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Detroit, MI
Ford Field
March 25, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael again extended his points lead in the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series by finishing second in front of more than 40,000 cheering fans at Detroit’s new Ford Field on Saturday night. Teammate Ivan Tedesco finished an impressive fourth place.
“It was definitely a race for the fans,” said Carmichael from the podium. “I got to pass Chad (Reed) twice and we were playing cat-and-mouse. Then I got tangled with a lapper and almost crashed. I was bummed for Suzuki, though, because I really felt like we had the speed tonight to battle for the lead. But it was a good race for the fans.”
Like last weekend in Orlando, the two Makita Suzuki riders were paired together in the second Supercross-class heat race of the evening. Although Tedesco holeshot the eight-lap race, it was Carmichael who took the win. Tedesco, meanwhile, went on to win his six-lap semi and both riders advanced to the main.
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--Next up, Ford Field in Detroit, MI, March 25, 2006--
Round 11 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Orlando, FL
Citrus Bowl
March 18, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael continues to lead the points chase in the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series after finishing a strong second place in front of a home crowd more than 43,000-strong at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl on Saturday night. Teammate Ivan Tedesco brought home a hard-won fourth.
“I gave it my all tonight,” said Carmichael after the race. “I just didn’t have anything for James (Stewart, race winner). It was frustrating. It’s too bad I couldn’t get up there and give the crowd a better race. I’ll have to go home and work a little harder on my Makita Suzuki RM-Z450.”
At the beginning of the evening, the two Makita Suzuki riders were paired together in the second Supercross-class heat race. Carmichael holeshot the eight-lap qualifier and gapped the field to take the win. Tedesco also got a good start and walked away with a third-place finish. Both riders advanced to the main.
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--Next up, Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL, March 18, 2006--
Round 10 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona International Speedway
March 10, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael won his third consecutive AMA Supercross of the season and regained the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross points lead at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Friday night. This victory is Carmichael’s sixth win of the season and his fifth Daytona win, making him the only rider to have won five races here. It also marks Suzuki’s first Daytona victory since 1981.
“When I was at the gate I heard the announcer say that the last time Suzuki won here was in 1981 and I was 2 years old,” said the defending AMA and World Supercross Champion. “I’ve got to thank Makita Suzuki - it’s great to win a race here on a Suzuki. I’m happy to get the win, but I’m really, really happy for my Makita Suzuki team.”
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--Next up, Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL, March 10, 2006--
Round 9 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Indianapolis, IN
RCA Dome
March 4, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael celebrated his second consecutive Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross victory before more than 56,000 enthusiastic fans at Indianapolis’ RCA Dome on Saturday night. Teammate Ivan Tedesco continues to have a stellar rookie year and took home an impressive fourth-place finish.
“To be honest, it was pretty uneventful for me,” said Carmichael of his fifth win of the season, which put him in second place in the AMA Supercross points chase. “I got a really good start on my Makita Suzuki RM-Z450, I think I was in second. And then I got up front and I just tried to keep an eye on Chad (Reed) and James (Stewart) and mark them on the track. Then I just tried to do the best that I could and put in some good laps.”
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BREA, Calif. (March 3, 2006) – Team Makita Suzuki Racing announced today that defending AMA Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael regained the 25 points that he lost when the AMA penalized him for use of illegal fuel at round six of the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series in San Diego, Calif., on Feb. 11, 2006.
"I'm super-pumped about the points -- not just for me, but for my Makita Suzuki team and the fans," said Carmichael. "I'm happy for my team because they've put in too much effort this year to just sit back and watch the other guys compete for the championship. Everyone in Supercross has been working hard to make the racing better for the fans and having the top three guys all going for the title will make the racing even better. Finally, the AMA and FIM's solution is fair for everyone and will help all the teams in the future."
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Round 8 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Atlanta, GA
Georgia Dome
Feb. 25, 2006
More than 70,000 screaming Atlanta fans cheered on Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael as he rode his Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 to an exciting Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross victory at the Georgia Dome Saturday night. Teammate Ivan Tedesco finished the night with an impressive fourth place.
For Carmichael, however, the win was bittersweet. On the one hand, the Atlanta race is close to his Florida home and the defending Supercross Champion was racing in front of friends and family. This was his fourth career win at the Georgia Dome and it was also his 100th career Supercross-class start. But all of this came on the heels of the AMA docking Carmichael 25 points for allegedly using illegal fuel at the recent San Diego round, which knocked Carmichael out of the points lead.
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BREA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2006) – Team Makita Suzuki Racing announced today that the team will appeal the penalty imposed by the AMA for the use of illegal fuel at round six of the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series in San Diego, Calif., on Feb. 11, 2006.
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--Next up, Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA, Feb. 25, 2006--
Round 7 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
St. Louis, MO
Edward Jones Dome
Feb. 18, 2006
A large, enthusiastic St. Louis crowd cheered on Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ivan Tedesco as he carded his best finish of the 2006 season with a strong second place at the Edward Jones Dome on Saturday night. Teammate and defending AMA Supercross Champion Ricky Carmichael did not finish the race.
“I’ve been learning from my mistakes each weekend,” said Tedesco of his successful rookie Supercross-class season so far. “I’m learning to ride the Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 better and better, and every weekend we’ve been improving. I’m just trying to learn from my mistakes and go from there.”
For Makita Suzuki, the evening began with a set of Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross heat races that seemed like precursors to the main event. In Tedesco’s eight-lap qualifier, he got a good start and ran third for the first seven laps before making a daring, last-lap pass to take second. Carmichael, meanwhile, went down hard while leading his heat race and was forced to race a six-lap semi, which he won by more than 20 seconds.
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BREA, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2006) - American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) congratulates veteran mechanic Tony Berluti, who was awarded the Mechanix Wear® Outstanding Achievement Award at round five of the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006. Berluti works on the Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 that Ivan Tedesco put on the podium at that race in Anaheim.
“I’m really honored to win this award from a company like Mechanix Wear, who support the mechanics and the job we do,” said Berluti. “I also want to thank Roger DeCoster and the whole Makita Suzuki team for their tremendous support over the years.”
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--Next up, Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO, CA, Feb. 18, 2006--
Round 6 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
San Diego, CA
Qualcomm Stadium
Feb. 11, 2006
In front of more than 69,000 Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross fans at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday night, Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael finished a strong second place and held onto his points lead in the title chase. Teammate Ivan Tedesco brought home a sixth-place finish after a lap-one skirmish.
“I have no regrets,” said Carmichael after the close race. “I rode my butt off tonight, I rode as hard as I could. If I could do the race over again, I’d have done the exact same thing. I know the crowd was loving it and that’s what it’s all about. I’m just happy to be on the box.”
At the beginning of the evening, the Supercross-class heat races proved to be mixed for the Makita Suzuki duo. Carmichael won his eight-lap qualifier but Tedesco, unfortunately, went down while leading his heat race. Even so, he redeemed himself by handily winning his six-lap semi later on in the evening.
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--Next up, Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA, Feb. 11, 2006--
Round 5 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Anaheim, CA
Angel Stadium
Feb. 4, 2006
The third and final sold-out Anaheim round of this year’s Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross saw Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael take his third win of the season and his 130th combined AMA Supercross/Motocross victory. Teammate Ivan Tedesco had his best race of the 2006 season when he carded his first Supercross-class podium with a third-place finish.
Carmichael was almost as enthusiastic about sharing the podium with his teammate as Tedesco was about being up there. Said Carmichael, “It’s great to see a rookie like him come up and get what he’s been working so hard for. I’m really happy for Ivan.”
Almost a picture of what was to come later, the initial Anaheim 3 heat races were exciting ones for the Makita Suzuki riders. Tedesco lined up in the first eight-lap heat and finished an impressive third, whereas Carmichael contested the second heat and ran away with the win. Both riders advanced to the main event.
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--Next up, Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA, Feb. 4, 2006--
Round 4 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
San Francisco, CA
SBC Park
Jan. 28, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael finished second after battling not only his competitors but also the Northern California weather at the rainy and waterlogged SBC Park in San Francisco’s Supercross Saturday night. Although he didn’t win, the defending AMA Supercross Champion retains the points lead. Teammate Ivan Tedesco struggled in the pouring rain and mud, and finished 16th.
“It was exciting tonight,” said Carmichael about the close race between himself and James Stewart. “We rode our hardest but James beat me. I’m just happy to be on the podium, to be honest. I accomplished my goal tonight, which had been to stay on two wheels. He was prepared to hang it out there a little more than I was. He deserves the win.”
After a full day’s worth of rain, the San Francisco track was soaked at the start of the Supercross heat races. Although Carmichael had a few iffy moments in his eight-lap race, he still carded the win. Tedesco, unfortunately, got caught in multi-rider skirmishes in both his heat and semi, but went on to finish second in the last-chance qualifier and advanced to the main.
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--Next up, SBC Park in San Francisco, CA, Jan. 28, 2006--
Round 3 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Anaheim, CA
Angel Stadium
Jan. 21, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael captured his second consecutive Supercross victory of the year -- as well as the points lead -- in the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series at Angel Stadium on Saturday night in Anaheim, CA. Teammate Ivan Tedesco celebrated his best AMA Supercross-class finish in 2006 by coming in an impressive fourth.
“I’d really like to thank my team because they worked really hard this week,” said Carmichael. “We had some problems in the first few races but we got them straightened out.” This Anaheim victory brings the defending AMA Supercross Champion’s combined AMA Supercross/Motocross wins to 129 (that’s 131 if you count last year’s Canadian World rounds).
The sold-out Anaheim crowd was first treated to an impressive heat race featuring both Carmichael and Tedesco. They both got good starts, with Tedesco first out of turn one. Within seconds, however, Carmichael had pulled ahead. The two Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 riders went on to lead the eight-lap race and finish first and second to advance to the main.
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AURORA, Ill. (January 18, 2006) – Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series returns to Angel Stadium of Anaheim for its 40th AMA Supercross race.
* Not since 2003 have three different racers won the first three rounds, this can happen this weekend.
* This will be the 40th time the gate has dropped in Anaheim. The first race in Anaheim was 12-4-76 and Marty Smith won.
* Pontiac holds the all-time record for most AMA Supercross races with 46, Anaheim is second and Houston is third.
* Last weekend Carmichael earned his first win since St. Louis of last season and his first win on a four-stroke.
* Carmichael can become the season’s first two-time AMA Supercross race winner for the third time of his career.
* Carmichael became the first rider to win at the same venue on a two-stroke and a four-stroke.
* Last weekend was Carmichael’s 8th win on a Suzuki, placing him second on the all-time Suzuki win list behind Mark Barnett with 16. * It was his 41st career AMA Supercross win.
* Chad Reed now has 17 consecutive top 5 finishes. He scored his 46th career podium in 50 starts in Phoenix. Reed is 7th on the all-time AMA Supercross podium list; Rick Johnson has 51.
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Friday
8:00am - 10:00am Semi truck Parking (Factory and Independent)
10:00am - 12:00pm Privateer Paddock Parking (for those staying the night)
1:00pm - 4:00pm Rider Registration and Sound Control
10:00pm Pro Paddock closes for the night no re-entry
Saturday
8:30am - 11:30am Privateer Paddock Parking
9:00am - 11:30am Rider Registration and Tech Inspection
9:00am - 12:00pm Bonus Awards Participant / Mechanic Registration
11:00am - 11:15am KTM Junior Supercross Exhibition Riders Meeting (Mandatory)
11:15am - 11:45am Rider's Track Walk
11:45am - 12:00pm Rider's Meeting at Finish Podium (Mandatory)
12:05pm - 12:20pm Chapel Service
12:30pm - 12:42pm Supercross Lites Non-Seeded Practice Group A
12:44pm - 12:56pm Supercross Lites Non-Seeded Group Parctice B
12:58pm - 1:10pm Supercross Lites Seeded Practice
1:12pm - 1:24pm Supercross Seeded Practice
1:26pm - 1:38pm Supercross Non-Seeded Group Practice A
1:40pm - 1:52pm Supercross Non-Seeded Group Practice B
1:54pm - 2:09pm KTM Junior Supercross Exhibition - Practice
2:10pm - 2:35pm Track Maintenance
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--Next up, Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 21, 2006--
Round 2 - Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Phoenix, AZ
Bank One Ballpark
Jan. 14, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael captured his first 2006 Supercross win in front of an overflowing Arizona crowd at Phoenix’s Bank One Ballpark on Saturday night. Serendipitously, last year Carmichael carded his first 2005 Supercross win at none other than the Phoenix venue. Teammate Ivan Tedesco finished ninth overall after suffering a mid-race get-off.
“I feel good, I’m happy to get the win and it was a god race for the fans,” said Carmichael. With this win, the defending AMA Supercross Champion claims a record 130 combined AMA Supercross/Motocross victories.
Although the evening ended satisfactorily for Carmichael, it didn’t start out that way. Paired in the first Supercross-class heat race with teammate Tedesco - who got a great start and finished an impressive second -- Carmichael got caught up in a turn-one melee.
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Ramsey wins Western Region AMA Supercross Lites
PHOENIX (January 14, 2006 ) – Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael put a charge back into the Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series with a thrilling win on Saturday night at Chase Field in Phoenix. KTM’s Nathan Ramsey, of Menifee , Calif. , won the Western Region AMA Supercross Lites main event.
Tonight’s race will air on SPEED tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. EST.
Seven-time supercross champion Jeremy McGrath, of Escondido , Calif. , brought the crowd to its feet with a holeshot to start the 20-lap main event. He led the first lap and a half before being passed by Yamaha’s Chad Reed, of Dade City , Fla. Meanwhile, Kawasaki ’s James Stewart, of Haines City , Fla. , was working his way through the field after a first turn crash left him in last place and over 30 seconds behind the leaders.
With Reed out front, Carmichael began to make his charge. Carmichael was sitting back in second place and was slowly making ground on Reed when the leader spun his bike in the rhythm section before the first triple jump and was forced to stop. By the time Reed got back up to speed, Carmichael was on his tail and began inching closer with each turn. And on lap 11, Carmichael finally made his move with an inside pass in the sweeper turn before the final triple.
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AURORA, Ill. (January 10, 2006) – Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series makes its ninth consecutive stop in Phoenix this weekend.
- Formerly known as the BOB (Bank One Ball Park), this venue takes on new name in Chase Field.
- First race held in Phoenix was on March 16, 1991. Have been racing at this venue since 1998.
- Kawasaki picked up their first 4-stroke win this season and joins Yamaha who won in 1997 with Doug Henry; Honda who won in ’02 with Nathan Ramsey. Can Carmichael put Suzuki in this category with a win this weekend?
- James Stewart becomes the first rider in history to win the first two Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP races and the first Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series. It was Kawasaki’s first 1st round win since Sebastien Tortelli won in Los Angeles in 1998.
- Only one Kawasaki rider in history has won the first two American races: Jeff Ward in ‘87&’88. Stewart can join them this weekend.
- Kawasaki now has seven first round wins: Jimmy Weinert (’79); Jeff Ward (‘87&’88); Mike LaRocco (‘92&’93); Tortelli (’98); Stewart (’06).
- The winner of the first domestic race of the season has gone on to win the AMA Supercross Series championship 13 times.
- Carmichael has 48 consecutive races where he finished in the top 5; he has finished on the podium in 45 of them.
- At the first race of the season in 2002, Carmichael finished 20th and went on to win the championship.
- Chad Reed has raced in 49 consecutive supercross events and has 45 podium finishes. He started racing in the Supercross class in 2003 and won the championship in 2004.
- Carmichael and Ivan Tedesco put two Suzuki motorcycles in the top five for the first time since 1997 when McGrath and LaRocco finished 1-5 respectively.
- In the AMA Supercross Lites class, only two times has the winner of round 1 won round 2: Casey Johnson (’99); Ivan Tedesco (’04). Andrew Short can join them this weekend.
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Friday
8:00am - 10:00am Semi truck Parking (Factory and Independent)
10:00am - 12:00pm Privateer Paddock Parking (for those staying the night)
1:00pm - 4:00pm Rider Registration and Sound Control
10:00pm Pro Paddock closes for the night no re-entry
Saturday
8:30am - 11:30am Privateer Paddock Parking
9:00am - 11:30am Rider Registration and Tech Inspection
9:00am - 12:00pm Bonus Awards Participant / Mechanic Registration
11:00am - 11:15am KTM Junior Supercross Exhibition Riders Meeting (Mandatory)
11:15am - 11:45am Rider's Track Walk
11:45am - 12:00pm Rider's Meeting at Finish Podium (Mandatory)
12:05pm - 12:20pm Chapel Service
12:30pm - 12:42pm Supercross Lites Non-Seeded Practice Group A
12:44pm - 12:56pm Supercross Lites Non-Seeded Group Parctice B
12:58pm - 1:10pm Supercross Lites Seeded Practice
1:12pm - 1:24pm Supercross Seeded Practice
1:26pm - 1:38pm Supercross Non-Seeded Group Practice A
1:40pm - 1:52pm Supercross Non-Seeded Group Practice B
1:54pm - 2:09pm KTM Junior Supercross Exhibition - Practice
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ANAHEIM, Calif. (January 7, 2006) – Kawasaki’s James Stewart, of Haines City, Fla., won his third Amp’d Mobile Supercross before a sellout crowd of 45,050 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. Honda’s Andrew Short opened the Western Region AMA Supercross Lites series with a main event win.
Honda’s Kyle Lewis, of Henderson, Nev., got the holeshot to start the 20-lap main event but it was Honda’s Ernesto Fonseca that jumped into the early lead. Fonseca, of Murrieta, Calif., led until a fourth lap crash removed him from the top spot, leaving the battle to series contenders Chad Reed, Ricky Carmichael and Stewart.
The race would tighten as the trio of riders pulled away from the pack, with Reed, of Dade City, Fla., gaining the early advantage aboard his Yamaha. Carmichael, of Havana, Fla., would push his Suzuki into the lead on lap seven, but a crash two turns later would return the lead to Reed, who was later passed by Stewart two laps later.
Once in the lead, Stewart never looked back and went to capture the win. Reed finished second while Carmichael ended up in third.
“I felt like I rode a great race,” said Stewart, who adds the Anaheim win to two previous victories in the Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP. “I knew I was strong when lap 10 came around. I’ve been putting in a lot of hard work at home with my trainer. I want to stay consistent and I want to take the season slow.”
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Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael on the Podium in Exciting Season-Opening Supercross Race
--Next up, Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, AZ, Jan. 14, 2005--
Round 1 - Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series
Anaheim, CA
Angel Stadium
Jan. 7, 2006
Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael carded a podium finish in the highly anticipated season-opening round of the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series at Angel Stadium, on Saturday night before a screaming, sold-out Anaheim, Calif., crowd of 45,500. Carmichael’s Makita Suzuki teammate Ivan Tedesco captured an impressive top-five finish in his first AMA Supercross class race.
Carmichael started the cool, dry evening by winning his eight-lap heat race aboard his Makita Suzuki RM-Z450. “I’m having a blast,” he said from the podium. “This was a great start for me and it’s just good to be out here at the start of the season.”
Although Tedesco crashed in his heat race, he won his six-lap semi and advanced to the main. He attributed the victory to racing the two World Supercross GP events. “The Canadian races were good to get a feel for where I’m at,” he said. “The team’s been working really hard on the RM-Z and I’ve been working really hard on myself.”
For the main event, Carmichael and his Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 rode hard for all 20 laps but a mid-race get-off resulted in his forfeiting the win. When the starting gate dropped, Carmichael got a good jump off the line but got caught up in the madness of turn one. Even so, he charged ahead and was battling for the lead when he went down in the whoop section. In spite of the get-off, Carmichael recovered and got a spot on the podium.
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