Moto XXX Motocross Round 6 Race Report: New Berlin, New York
The famed New York track, Unadilla Valley Sports Center, played host to round six of the AMA Motocross Championships this past weekend marking the half way point of the 12 race series. Light rain threatened to make the race a wet one but Mother Nature held off and the fans were treated to some excellent racing.
Josh Summey and Kyle Lewis threw down some quick laps in Saturday's qualifying sessions earning the 10th and 12th fastest lap times, respectively. After the Sunday morning sessions, Summey would head to the line with the 15th pick with Lewis not far behind in 19th.
Just after 2:00pm the first moto of the Motocross class got under way with Josh Summey logging a solid top 15 start. Kyle Lewis didn't get the best jump and rounded the first turn 30th. As the pack completed the first lap Summey was sitting 13th with Lewis back in 28th. Summey made some quick passes in the early laps working his way up to 10th place by lap three. Meanwhile, Lewis put his head down and began to charge. At the half way mark Lewis had worked his way up to 20th position while Summey was holding strong in 10th. Just past the half way point a small bobble cost Summey a position but he was able to ride smart and hang on to 11th place by moto's end. Lewis continued to make passes as the laps wound down and would ultimately be credited with 17th place.
Motocross class moto two got off to a much better start for team Moto XXX as the 40 rider packed charged down the newly redesigned start straight. Kyle Lewis led the team this time around with a strong eighth place start. Josh Summey followed close behind just outside the top 10. Unfortunately for Lewis his luck would run out a few corners later when he washed out in a corner and hit the dirt. It took Lewis a couple minutes to get going again and he would pull off shortly after. Out on the track, Summey was up front and on the gas. He completed the first lap in 10th place and on lap four moved into ninth. For next 20 minutes Summey would battle it out with another Honda rider on his way to a solid ninth place moto finish. This marks Summey's second top 10 moto finish and combined with is first moto score of 11th earned Josh his first top 10 overall of the year.
After the race, team manager Allan Brown commented; "We were happy to see Josh get back up into the top 10 overall. The first few races were a little challenging but everyone is working hard and Josh has been riding really well. He is gaining more and more confidence each weekend and we all think he is capable of running close to the top five by the end of the season."
Next weekend the series heads for the high ground of Lakewood, Colorado, and Thunder Valley Motocross Park. The Lakewood track adds extra pressure to the riders and teams as they take their bikes to the limit trying to ring every last horsepower out of the thin Colorado air. Thunder Valley also signifies the start of the final six races of the 2007 AMA Motocross Championship. See you there!
Moto XXX Racing is proudly supported by:
Honda, Supersports Inc., Deluge Sport, Akrapovic, Moose Racing, Perfex Corp., Scorpion Helmets, Tag Metals, Sidi Boots, Pro Honda Oils & Chemicals, Race Tech, Dunlop, Honda Genuine Parts, Braking, Motion-Pro, Atomic 22, Ti-Lube, Pro-Comp Wheels and Tires, Polisport Plastics, Lucky 13, RK Racing Chain, Excel, Honda Rider's Club of America, Sunline ARC, Carbon Fiber Works, Scott USA, SDG, VP Racing Fuels, Crower Power, Vortex Ignitions, LA Sleeve, Hinson Clutch Components, Ogio, Ready Racing, Metaltek, Faction MX.