Paul, Franske and myself visited the US Open of Supercross in Las Vegas two nights in a row. We had been spending time at the Interbike show and at the Hardrock during the beginning of the week. On Friday it was time to move on from the BMX world into the MX world and we hung out at the Dirt Expo together with the Universal MX crew who served chilled Corona's and Coors light. The night action consisted of some serious SX racing in the MGM with riders on new equipment and wearing new 05 gear. In between chilling in the seats watching the races I managed to take some pics. For the report I'm taking the easy route by using the official press release with results. Enjoy. BdJ
Yamaha’s Chad Reed, of Dade City Fla., captured his second consecutive Maxxis U.S. Open championship in front of a sold-out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las vegas, Nevada.
Reigning Maxxis U.S. Open champion Reed came out of turn one in fourth place and moved into second behind Ricky Carmichael before crashing at the end of lap one. Reed worked his way back to second until Carmichael slid out in lap 17. This mistake allowed Reed to secure the lead. Carmichael, who placed second in last night’s race, was unable to finish the race due to mechanical problems on the second to last lap of the 25-lap race. Honda rider Nick Wey, of Dewitt, Mich., finished second and Suzuki’s Sebastien Tortelli, of Lake Elsinore, Calif., finished third.
Wey finished second over all on the weekend and Mike LaRocco, of South Bend, Ind., finished third.
“This track was difficult tonight,� said Reed. “I crashed early on, and then I started catching Ricky (Carmichael). When he crashed it gave me an opportunity to race him head-to-head, but he crashed again, so I was given a break.�
In the Pro Circuit 125cc main, Greg Schnell, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., won the championship, placing first in both races. Leading all 20 laps, Schnell beat second place finisher Troy Adams, Brooksville, Fla., and third place finisher Thomas Hahn, of Belpre, Kan.
“It’s much easier to have good results when you get a start here,â€? said Schnell. “I actually stalled the bike on lap seven or eight, but luckily I was able to get it re-started and win the race. This gives me a big boost of confidence leading into my supercross season.â€?
Pro Circuit 125cc Results:
1. Greg Schnell, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Honda (1-1)
2. Troy Adams, Brooksville, Fla., Kawasaki (3-2)
3. Thomas Hahn, Belpre, Kan., Honda (2-3)
4. Josh Demuth, Dallas, Texas, Yamaha (6-5)
5. Brett Metcalfe, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha (4-8)
6. Josh Summey, Richardson, Texas, Yamaha (5-10)
7. Michael Blose, Richardson, Texas, Yamaha (7-9)
8. Eric Nye, Corning, Calif., Yamaha (7-6)
9. Matthew Lalloz, Murrieta, Calif., Honda (13-7)
10. Davi Millsaps, Cairo, Ga., Suzuki (9-12)
250cc Maxxis U.S. Open results:
1. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Yamaha (1-1)
2. Nick Wey, Dewitt, Mich., Honda (5-2)
3. Mike LaRocco, South Bend, Ind., Honda (3-6)
4. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Yamaha (4-5)
5. Ernesto Fonseca, Murrieta, Calif., Honda (6-4)
6. Ricky Carmichael, Havana, Fla., Suzuki (2-11)
7. Sebastien Tortelli, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Suzuki (10-3)
8. Damon Huffman, Valencia, Calif., Honda (9-7)
9. Keith Johnson, Albuquerque, N.M., Yamaha (12-8)
10. Kyle Lewis, Henderson, Nev., Honda (7-13)
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After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.