2011 AMA Supercross
Yoshimura-backed teams showed their dominance once again at the 12th round of the 2011 AMA/FIM Supercross Championship at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada.
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki and Honda Racing Supercross teams put their Yoshimura products to good use in a successful campaign to the top of the podium in Toronto.
Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey dominated the Supercross field aboard his Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z450 and scored his first win of the season.
Supercross teammate Brett Metcalfe did not race, as he continues his recovery from a string of recent crashes, but hopes to return to action at next week’s event in Dallas.
Dungey rode strong all day, scoring the fourth best time in the afternoon qualifying and picking up a second-place finish in his Supercross heat race. In the main event, his Suzuki powered him out of the gate and into second place through the first turn.
Dungey easily made his way to the front by the end of the first lap, which is where he stayed throughout the entire 20-lap main Supercross event.
His Suzuki RM-Z450 performed flawlessly as Dungey threw down 20 strong laps on his way to a convincing first victory of the season. Dungey sits solidly in third place in the championship points and a mere eight points from first.
Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki RMZ450) says: “We had a great day today. My Rockstar Makita Suzuki team did a great job setting my bike up for this track and I felt really comfortable all day. I knew going into the main that a holeshot was gonna be key. I got a good start and ended up second and was able to work my RMZ into the lead in the first lap.
“From there, I tried to put down the laps as best as I could – I tried to focus on my own race and not behind me. It was cool to be able to come around and get this first win. I’m very thankful. I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my whole Rockstar Makita Suzuki team and my family. I’m really looking forward to Dallas.
“I was able to get a win there last year and it’s a great stadium; it’s new and big. The fans there are great and it’s always a good race.”
American Honda Racing’s Trey Canard scored a third-place Supercross podium finish aboard his Honda CRF450R in Toronto. After winning his heat race, Canard got away to a good start on his CRF450R in the main and was among the lead group early on.
Pounding out a series of successful passes, he moved into third on lap two, where he remained until the race’s end. Canard’s finish marked his fourth podium of the season, including two race wins, and after 12 rounds he is fifth in the championship.
Fill-in Supercross teammate Cole Seely scored his second top ten result in three races. Finishing sixth in his heat race, Seely got a mid-pack start in the main and rode a strong race to finish tenth overall.
Trey Canard (American Honda CRF450F) says: “I’m happy with third tonight. After getting the win last weekend, I’m pleased to put American Honda Racing on the podium for the second week in a row. I’m not completely happy with the way I rode, but that’s something I will work on in the upcoming week and I’ll be ready to go for the win next week in Dallas.”
The next stop of the 2011 AMA/FIM Supercross Championship for the Yoshimura-backed teams is Saturday, April 2, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. You can meet the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team riders on Friday, April 1, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Arlington Motorsports, 2501 Centennial Drive, Arlington, TX.
