The rainy, muddy and generally miserable conditions of the first round of the THQ AMA Supercross series have been well documented. Like many teams and riders on the circuit, Moto XXX was relieved to escape with a few points and without any injuries. Even though the quagmire made it difficult for the team’s true potential to show, a few of the things that happened gave them reason to feel good about the rest of the series.
As always, the ageless Kyle Lewis led the way on his booming Honda CRF450. Mud or not, everybody knows “Lucky” can start and that’s exactly what he did, grabbing the holeshot in the evening’s first 250cc heat race and leading the early stages. His fourth place finish there earned him a spot in the main event. Though he didn’t get the jump he wanted in the final race of the night, Kyle pushed his bike toward the front as the pack neared the first turn. He had to check up, however, when a rider in front of him faltered. Unfortunately, the rider behind him didn’t and #23 was taken to the ground, or muck as it were, in the first turn. Handicapped from the start, Lewis soldiered on to finish 18th in the abbreviated main event.
Despite a somewhat disappointing finish, Lewis was pleased with his bike’s performance. He found out that even in sloppy conditions, the package put together by Team Manager Allan Brown and Akrapovic Exhaust Systems produces just as much usable horsepower as any bike in the field.
Making his American debut for Moto XXX was #73, Justin Buckelew. Round 1 was his first opportunity to ride the 2-stroke Honda CR250R in competition. He had very limited time aboard the bike before the race, but looked comfortable nevertheless. In the end, “Bucky” was a casualty of the conditions, just missing the main event. As a native of the southwest, Justin looks forward to round 2 in Phoenix where the covered Bank One Ballpark guarantees better conditions.
Another team member making its first appearance at Anaheim was the new transporter. West Coast Customs got a portion of the graphics in place for the first round and plans to have the exterior completely “pimped” by round 2. The part that was finished received an overwhelming level of support from fans, all of whom said they would be back to see the finished product.
American Honda, Akrapovic, O’neal, Honda Genuine Parts, Sidi, Tag Metals, West Coast Customs, Polisport Plastic, Pro Honda Oils & Chemicals, Pro-X, Utopia Optics, N-Style, Lucky 13, Ready Filter, VP Fuels, Braking, Motion Pro, Hinson, Metaltek, Ogio, Dunlop, Fat Wreck Chords, RK Chain, Excel Wheels, Vortex, ARC, Ti Lube, Carbon Fiber Works, SDG Seats, Engine Ice, PPG, Asterisk, Lockhart Phillips, V-Force.
