BBMX pit area, Saturday morning.  Yes, blue clouds!  Photo: docweedon

8am – The Monster Energy/AMA Supercross series storms into America's finest city this weekend, San Diego, CA. The word storm is the word of weekend, as a huge storm has set it's sights on San Diego, making round five of the Supercross series a wet mess. The Dirt Wurx crew has been working overtime to stay one step ahead of the weather this weekend, and has had a lot of practice as the last two rounds have followed the same protocol. This weekend the moto gods are not looking too friendly upon us.

The BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX team riders Bobby Kiniry and Jason Thomas have prepared themselves for the mudder tonight. Kiniry is no stranger to mud, and is ready to do battle tonight and improve on his San Francisco misfortunes. Jason Thomas 13^th place finish last week in San Fran was better than his pair of 14^th places, but this week JT shelved the Van Damm movies and has been watching the Rocky saga 1-6 all week to get in the right frame of mind. No doubt JT is pumped and ready to go for tonight's race. Look for JT to manhandle his way into the top ten here in San Diego. "Mud...what mud" exclaims JT.

The second BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX team Lites rider, Ben Evans will not be in action tonight as he is still recovering from his big get-off at Anaheim 2. Ben planned to be back for San Diego and Anaheim 3, but with the injuries still not healed up, decided it would be best to heal up fully and come back after the break. Heal up Ben, we look forward to your return.

The 450 class is wide open after 5 rounds. With James Stewert, Chad Reed, and Josh Grant all out already, it has opened the door for Ryan Dungey, Josh Hill and Ryan Villopoto to fight up front for the win. Villopoto comes off a win in San Francisco after Dungey crashed half way into the main event. Look for another three way battle up front between Dungey, Villopoto and Hill tonight. The Lites class saw Trey Canard take his first win of the season and breaking Jake Weimer's winning streak. Canard rode hard from start to finish and Weimer could not gain any ground on him. Now that Canard has found his groove, look for him to be up front battling with Weimer for the win tonight and next week.

As of 8:30am, the rain has stopped, but is expected to start back up later this afternoon and continue into the night show. Be sure to log onto www.butlerbrothermx.com throughout the day for up to the minute information on track conditions and happenings on and off the track.

-CW

-CW

11:45pm - The night started off with Bobby Kiniry blasting off the gate, but would go down in the first turn. Bobby would get back up and mount a charge into the 9^th spot, which transferred him into the Lites main event tonight.

Jason Thomas would come off the gate in the 450 heat two, but would not get the start he needed. He would finish one out of a qualifying spot in 10^th place and would go to the LCQ. In the LCQ, JT would start up front, but would then inherit the lead and would not look back. JT would take the win in the LCQ and a spot in the main event.

Bobby Kiniry would start the Lites main event with a mid-pack start, but could not pull himself up from the middle. Kiniry would move two spots to 13^th position where he would finish the main event.

In the 450 main, JT rounded the first turn in 13^th, but would go down on the first lap. JT would get back up, but just didn't feel the same. He did not know that part of his forearm was missing. During the crash, JT caught his footpeg and it tore a huge hole in his left forearm. For the rest of the main, JT rode and finished 18^th. After the race, JT rushed to the Asterisk Medical center and was treated.

“I didn't even know I lost a part of my arm” , said JT after being stitched up. “I knew something was wrong, but didn't realize it was that bad.”

JT's hole in his arm from his main event crash.

The Lites main would see Jake Weimer back to his winning ways as he takes his 4^th win of the season. Cole Seeley and Will Hahn would finish 2^nd and 3^rd. Max Antsie held down 2^nd for most of the main until a last lap crash killed his drive.

The 450 main would see Ryan Dungey crash in the first turn and collect Ryan Villopoto in the process. Nick Wey would take the early race lead, followed by Davi Millsaps and Josh Hill. Wey would fall back, and Millsaps would take the lead. Andrew Short would crash hard over the triple while in third, giving way to Ivan Tedesco to battle with Josh Hill. In the end, Davi Millsaps takes his first win of the 2010 season, with Hill and Tedesco rounding out the top three. Villopoto would charge up to 4^th place and Dungey would get as high up as 6^th.

With the teams still cleaning the mud off the bikes and packing up the race semis, the series heads back to Anaheim for the 3^rd and final stop at the big A. It also is the last west coast round until Seattle in April. The weather tonight for the most part did hold off to give us some great racing and the series more excitement than it already had. For the BBMX riders, Bobby Kiniry is going to be on it next week and JT is going to be stronger than ever come A3.

Be sure to log onto www.butlerbrothersmx.com next weekend for all the action from Anaheim on and off the track. Keep it pinned and grab that holeshot!

BBMX pits in San Diego, Friday afternoon.  Photo:docweedon

Round 5 of the Monster Energy/AMA Supercross series travels down the coast of California to America's finest city, San Diego. For the third week in a row, the threat of rain has the Dirt Wurx crew working overtime to prep the track for the incoming rain. Where the last two weekends the rain has stopped before Saturday, this weekend is looking to be a wet one. It will be the storm of the century that will come through and the moto gods are not looking too friendly this weekend here in San Diego.

With the rain on it's way, the BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX team are busy setting the bikes up for the muddy conditions. Bobby Kiniry and Jason Thomas are looking forward to the mud. From upstate New York, Kiniry is no stranger to mud races and is looking to improve on his San Francisco result. Jason Thomas has prepared himself for the mud race this weekend as well and is also looking to better his performance from San Francisco.

Ben Evans, who sat out last weekend, is still recovering from his Anaheim 2 get-off and will be out of action again this weekend in San Diego. Ben is healing up and is looking to be back for Anaheim 3 next weekend.

Be sure to log onto www.butlerbrothermx.com tomorrow morning for up to the minute information on track conditions and happenings on and off the track.

-CW

If you missed the BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX photo galleries from Anaheim 2 and San Francisco, here is your chance to get caught up with the team and team riders from rounds 3 and 4.  All photos are from team photographer docweedon. Check them out now and get up to speed!

Anaheim 2 SX Photo Gallery: Click here now for the full gallery:




San Francisco SX Photo Gallery: Click here now for the full gallery:



-CW

BTOSports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki’s JT$ Battens down the Hatches in the Bay City

San Francisco, CA- Under a clear and chilly night in San Francisco, BTOSports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki’s Jason Thomas took his Suzuki RMZ450 to a 13th in the main event at round four of the AMA Supercross series. JT, the reigning German Supercross champion, is a veteran of the supercross wars and used all his guile and tenacity to make sure he continued his strong start to the season.

With his result Thomas moved a couple of spots up and into 14th in the 450 class points. “Das Champ” as we like to call him would certainly be a little higher than that had he not missed the opening round when he was busy clinching his German title in Dortmund.

The switch to the Suzuki’s has obviously agreed with the diminutive rider who, although short in stature, is high on skill and hard work. “I had a good race, I need to get better starts once in the main events but for sure I’m happy with my race. Thanks to all the team sponsors for everything they do for us” said Thomas after the main event.

The teams other rider this night, Bobby Kiniry, missed his first main of the year when he suffered crashes and bad starts. BK put in a valiant charge in the 250 LCQ but came up as the first guy to not make the main. He did get the gas card on the evening for his efforts.

The teams other rider, Ben Evans, is currently hurt but we look for him to make it back this weekend in San Diego.

For more team updates, sponsor news and race updates go to:

 btosports.com and butlerbrothersmx.com

 There's no way that BTO Sports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki team can go racing without the help of their sponsors and would like to thank the following companies:

BTOSports.com, BBMX, Palmetto Suzuki, FLY Racing, Bel-Ray, Vortex, Pro-Circuit, WMI, Vanquish MX, Smith, FLU Graphics, Jett Boot, Wiseco, Leatt Brace, McGraw Insurance, Umbrella Girls, Dream Traxx, ASMF, ASV, Ti-Fuel, Factory Connection, Applied, Hinson, ICW, Twin Air, RK / Excel, QTM, Faction MX, Pit Posse, Outlaw, Dunlop, FLmx, MX Press, Polisport, Engine Ice, Galfer, Sponsor house, STMX, Kinetic Animation, Safety Kleen, Axcel

BBMX and The Residence Inn by Marriott® San Diego Mission Valley

Monday, February 1, 2010 -

The Residence Inn by Marriott® San Diego Mission Valley will be the official hotel for the BTOSports.com / BBMX / Palmetto Suzuki race team for the San Diego SX. Fans and industry folks alike can have a chance to support a hotel that is showing a tremendous amount of excitement in the sport of SX. The Residence Inn by Marriott® San Diego Mission Valley is near everything that makes San Diego America’s Finest City. From the beaches of Mission park and Sea World Adventure Park® and Belmont Park to Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy and the all of downtown San Diego, our all-suite hotel is in the center of it all. Less than one mile away is the Simon® Fashion Valley Mall. Other nearby shopping areas include the Seaport Village, Carlsbad Premium Outlets, two Westfield® Malls and much more.

The Residence Inn by Marriott® San Diego Mission Valley also offers fans a chance to meet their favorite team and riders over the race weekend. BTOSports.com / BBMX / Palmetto Suzuki team riders will be ready for the second to last California race of the Supercross season. Team riders Jason Thomas and Bobby Kiniry are looking to break into the top ten this weekend and possibly onto the podium. Ben Evans will also be back in action in San Diego, after taking a week off to heal up from his Anaheim 2 get off. All three of the BBMX riders are ready to do battle under the San Diego lights this Saturday night at Qualcomm Stadium.

Please click here or call (619- 881-3600) to book your reservation today. Be sure to let them know you saw the link online from your favorite motocross web site, and you are a fan of the greatest sport on earth, Supercross! Race fans can book a room at one of the hottest hotels in San Diego and have a chance to sit down for breakfast next to some of the best Supercross riders in the world. Not only that, but both fans and industry folks alike can also have a chance to give their business to a hotel that is into the sport of Supercross and helping to support a privateer team. So click here and book a reservation today, or be sure to swing by for breakfast to hang out with some of the sports top SX racers!

-BBMX

BBMX 2010 Race Day Blog: San Francisco SX


AT&T Park, 8am Sat. morning.  Photo: docweedon

“Only in San Francisco...”

8am - The fourth round of the Monster Energy/AMA Supercross series travels up the coast of California to the bay area, more specifically AT&T park in San Francisco. For the second week in a row, rain has been a threat to the series, as the sky has been opening up since 4pm Friday afternoon. The track has been covered to protect it from the rain, but as we saw last weekend in Anaheim 2, with Dirt Wurx on track patrol, we will have a good track for racing tonight.

Anaheim 2 saw BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX riders again on the gas. Bobby Kiniry would finish 11^th in the Lites main and Jason Thomas would again finish in 14^th position in the 450 main. Ben Evans would not qualify for the main due to a crash in his heat race. Ben was on the gas in his heat, moving up through the pack. He was running battling for 5^th position before hitting a kicker on the section before the finish line. Ben would go over the bars and plant himself on the face of the finish line jump. He would line up for the LCQ, but Ben could not hold on and pulled off.

Ben took the weekend off to rest his shoulder and heal up for San Diego and Anaheim 3. The rest of the BBMX riders, Bobby Kiniry and Jason Thomas are ready for battle here in San Francisco. Bobby is ready to push his way back into the top ten tonight, as he worked on starts and pounded out motos all week. JT is equally prepared to break the top ten tonight. JT is not happy with the pair of 14^th place finishes he has accumulated thus far and has been psyching himself up by watching Jean-Claude Van Damme movies all week! Look for JT to come out tonight with the fire and aggression he is known for.

The new JETT MX Boot. Photo: docweedon

In the BBMX pit area, the U.S. first look at the JETT MX boots are on display for fans to touch and see. The JETT boot is brand new from the ground up and has a hinge/exoskeleton design for the best in protection. While the team riders are not wearing the boots yet, look for the team to debut the JETT boots here in the next few rounds. If you don't know about JETT boots, you will within the upcoming weeks.

The big news in the pits this morning (other than the weather) is the announcement of James Stewert out for San Francisco and beyond, as he underwent surgery this week for a broken scaphoid in his right wrist. The fact that Stewert was able to battle and hold on to 3rd last weekend at A2 is a true testament to Stewert's ability on the bike.  All of us in the pits wish James a speedy recovery and return to the Supercross series. You can read the official release here.

By now you have seen a slight change to our website.  The Loop'd network has changed their name to Hookit.  It's now even a better way to get connected to sponsors and get hooked up.  To learn more about hookit, click here.

Please be sure to log in here at www.butlerbrothersmx.com for up-to-the- minute updates from here in San Francisco on practice sessions and race info.

-CW

11pm - The heat races started off with Bobby Kiniry battling from the middle of the pack. Kiniry would get up to 8^th before a late race crash would put him out of a transfer spot and would have to try and make the main via the LCQ. In the LCQ, Kiniry did not get a good jump off the gate, but fought hard for 3^rd place. That earned him the Asterik Medical Gas card and $250. It's something, but not a spot in the main.

In the 450s, Jason Thomas would push hard into 8^th place and a spot in the main event. In the main, JT didn't get the start he needed and was mired in the back of the field. For 14 laps, JT would push through and get up to 13^th, where he would finish. He improves on his previous two finished by a spot. While JT improved this weekend, he was agitated with his ride here in SF. Thomas will go back this week and find what he needs to break inside the top ten next weekend in San Diego.

The Lites main saw Trey Canard lead the whole main event to break the win streak of Jake Weimer. Canard took the checkers and felt the heat of the flames as he crossed the finish line.

In the 450s, Ryan Villopoto would take the lead half way into the main to win the 450 main event. Early leader Ryan Dungey would crash hard in the section before the finish line handing the lead over to Villopoto, who had a sizable lead over Josh Hill and Davi Millsaps. Dungey would hold on to finish 4^th in the main.

The racing here in San Francisco is done, but the series packs up and heads back down the coast of California to San Diego for round five. Early weather reports show rain in the forecast for Friday and Saturday. With the past two weeks the moto gods have held the rain off on race day, but will San Diego see the series' first mud race of 2010? We will have to wait and see. Be sure to log into the butlerbrothersmx.com race day blog next weekend from San Diego for all the action on and off the track. Keep it pinned and grab the holeshot!

The San Francisco track as of 2pm Friday afternoon. Photo: docweedon

As the rain comes down here in San Francisco, the fourth round of the Monster Energy/AMA Supercross series storms into AT&T Park in the city by the bay.  The Dirt Wurx crew learned from last weekend's preparation of A2 and have prepared the San Fran track to withstand the onslaught of rain that will be coming down tonight and early tomorrow morning.  The weather guessers are saying the rain will stop by 8am tomorrow morning, but as we all know anything can happen with the weather.  Let's hope the moto gods are on our side tomorrow and lets the sun shine through.

Under the BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX tent is only two riders this weekend, Bobby Kiniry and Jason Thomas.  Ben Evans is sitting out this weekend due to his heat race crash at A2 last week.  Though Ben is not seriously hurt, he was stiff enough that taking the weekend off was in the best interest for him and the team.  Kiniry is ready for the San Francisco treat as he looks to put himself within the top ten this weekend.  Jason Thomas is ready as well, as he is looking to better his pair of 14th place finished from Phoenix and Anaheim 2. 

Track schedule will most likely be on the wet schedule tomorrow, and that means a delay in the program.  For up to the minute information, be sure to log into www.butlerbrothersmx.com

BTOSports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki’s Thomas Comes Up Big at A2

Anaheim, CA- With so much riding on getting a good start on the 2010 AMA Supercross series, there wasn’t much doubt that missing the first round makes it doubly important to maximize your results.

And that’s just what BTOSports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki’s Jason Thomas has done so far. After being forced to miss A1 due to the immediate need to clinch the German Supercross title, Thomas rode strong last week in Phoenix on his way to a 14^th in the 450 main event.

Forced to make it into this week’s race at Anaheim via winning the LCQ, Thomas started poorly in the main event, ending the first lap in 18th. From there he charged hard the whole way and ended the race with another 14^th and with another few laps, JT$ might have been able to make a few more passes.

250 rider Bobby Kiniry continued his run of getting into main events and finished a credible 11^th. After scores of 13-9-11 through three rounds, he sits inside the top ten in the 250 west series points and is looking to get that podium speed that he’s shown in the past.

The teams other 250 rider, Ben Evans, crashed hard on his shoulder in the heat while in qualifying position and after consulting with doctors, will sit out this weekend’s race in San Francisco.

For more team updates, sponsor news and race updates go to:

 btosports.com and butlerbrothersmx.com

 There's no way that BTO Sports.com/BBMX/Palmetto Suzuki team can go racing without the help of their sponsors and would like to thank the following companies:

BTOSports.com, BBMX, Palmetto Suzuki, FLY Racing, Bel-Ray, Vortex, Pro-Circuit, WMI, Vanquish MX, Smith, FLU Graphics, Jett Boot, Wiseco, Leatt Brace, McGraw Insurance, Umbrella Girls, Dream Traxx, ASMF, ASV, Ti-Fuel, Factory Connection, Applied, Hinson, ICW, Twin Air, RK / Excel, QTM, Faction MX, Pit Posse, Outlaw, Dunlop, FLmx, MX Press, Polisport, Engine Ice, Galfer, Sponsor house, STMX, Kinetic Animation, Safety Kleen, Axcel

Photo:Racerxonline.com

“Rain or Shine...”

8am – This weekend the Monster Energy/AMA Supercross series travels back to a rain soaked Anaheim, CA for round three of this 17 round series. No doubt that the crazy weather here in California has made national news, with Southern California getting double the normal rainfall for the year in just a week's time! The Dirt Wurx crew has been on top of the track prep and weather situation this week, as they flew people from Phoenix last Saturday to build the A2 track. By Sunday afternoon, the track was completed and tarped in preparation for oncoming weather. All week the Dirt Wurx crew has been pumping water out of the stadium in an effort to curb as much standing water as possible, so when the tarps are taken off, there will be no wet areas created on the track.

For Sat. morning track update photos click on the Racerx link here: Click here

As California gets the last of the wet weather this morning, the moto gods have given us the silver lining. The weather reports look to be dry and clear throughout Saturday's program, which is a miracle considering the wet week that California has had. The weather hasn't been the only drama in the Supercross world, as the James Stewert/Chad Reed controversy has taken center stage this week, with Reed out with a broken hand and Stewert needing some anger management classes. Nevertheless, James Stewert is in this weekend, and will be on Phoenix winner Ryan Dungey's rear wheel.

For the BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX team, riders Ben Evans and Bobby Kiniry along with Jason Thomas are looking to again step it up another notch. Phoenix wasn't the kindest to Evans and Kiniry. At the start of the main, Kiriy was pushed by Cole Seely into fellow teammate Ben Evans which pushed Evans wide into a tough block. Kiniry had to slow and battled from deep in the pack to a 9^th place finish. Evans could not get back into his groove after the mishap and finished the main in 17^th. Meanwhile in the 450 class, Jason Thomas didn't get the start he was hoping for, rounding the first lap in 18^th, but battled up to the 14^th spot where he would finish. Not a bad start for the German SX champ, but A2 look for JT to be in the top ten where he is more comfortable at.


BBMX pit area. Photo:docweedon


Be sure to check back here at www.butlerbrothersmx.com for action on and off the track here at Anaheim.
If you are heading to the stadium, be sure to hang out at the BTOsports.com semi, as a live DJ will be spinning your favorite music, courtesy of BTOsports.com and vanquish.




Update: with track walk set at 11:45am, the final word on practice sessions will be announced at the riders meeting after track walk.  Be sure to check www.butlerbrothersmx.com  for the latest schedule info.


DJ setup in the BTOsports.com pit area.

For BBMX photos from A2, click on the A2 photo gallery here: Click here for Photo Gallery

-CW

5pm- The BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX riders Bobby Kiniry and Ben Evans both qualified for the night event, with Kiniry pulling himself into the top ten with a 10^th place qualifying spot. Evans is sitting in the 23^rd qualifying position for tonight's event. In the 450 class, Jason Thomas is in the 17^th qualifying spot and is just getting warmed up for tonight's event. "My Hinson Clutch felt really good out there and pulled me to my 10th place qualifying spot" Bobby Kiniry said in the pits while watching the practice session videos.

Bobby Kiniry qualified 10th tonight.  Photo: docweedon


Hinson Clutches are used in the BBMX race bikes. Photo: docweedon

Jake Weimer is top qualifier for tonight's Lites event. In the 450 class, Ryan Dungey tops the qualifying list, with Josh Hill and Justin Brayton in tow. James Stewert is sitting in the 4^th qualifying spot, and looks to not be 100% out there.

Ryan Dungey tops the charts in qualifying. photo docweedon

Side notes: Ivan Tedesco almost crashed hard when his bike blew a rear shock the first lap of first practice. Then in the last laps of the timed session, Josh Hill blew his rear shock on his Yamaha.

IT with issues.  Photo:docweedon

The track looks really good and is shaping up to be a great track. The whoops are harder than they look, as the first set gets deeper in the middle.

As the practice sessions finish up, the pit party has started here in the BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX pit area, with DJ Tim spinning music and the BTOgirls are out saying hi to the fans.

Bobby Kiniry and Ben Evans take off during practice session two.  photo:docweedon

The night event will start at 7pm, so be sure to check back here at www.butlerbrothersmx.com for post race update.

-CW

11pm - The night show started with Bobby Kiniry in Lites heat one getting a good jump and would round the first turn in 8^th. His front tire would wash out in the second corner and go down. He got back up and charged up to 8^th place for a transfer spot to the main. Ben Evans would get a great start in heat two and round the first lap in 9^th place. He battled his way up to 6^th until he crashed hard into the finish line jump. He got back up, but would go to the LCQ. In the LCQ Ben would pull off due to his injuries sustained in his heat race crash.

The main event would not start the way Kiniry wanted, as he would get a back of the pack start. Kiniry would battle from 15^th at one point to 11^th at the finish. Kiniry is 11^th in points as well after three rounds.

In the 450 heat race, Jason Thomas would not get the jump he needed and was hung up in a first turn pile up with Justin Brayton and Davi Millsaps. JT would finish out of a qualifying spot in 11^th and would have to go into the LCQ. In the LCQ, Thomas would holeshot and lead for a lap and a half. A bobble in the whoops would cost him first and then second, the final transfer spot. JT would battle back into second and take the final transfer spot into the 450 main event.

JT leads the pack in the LCQ.  Photo:docweedon

In the 450 main, Jason Thomas would fight back from a mid-pack start to finish a solid 14^th. Thomas was riding fast and hard, but could not make up time on the riders in front of him.

Jake Weimer took the win in the Lites class without any trouble at all.  The race was in the 450 class, with James Stewert, Josh Hill and Ryan Dungey going at it for half of the race.  First it was Josh Hill reeling in Stewert, challenging and taking over the lead for a brief time.  Dungey stayed back in thrid until mid race where he passed Stewert and Hill to take over the lead. From there Dungey put distance between Hill and Stewert and that's how they would finish...Dungey, Hill and Stewert.

Dungey makes the pass on Hill for the lead. Photo:docweedon

With A2 in the books, the teams head up the coast and to San Francisco. The bay area has seen it's share of mud races in recent years, and with the weather calling for rain, it might be the first mud race of the season. No matter what, the BTOsports.com/Palmetto Suzuki/BBMX riders will be ready for any conditions in SF. Be sure to log back here to www.butlerbrothersmx.com for the San Francisco Race Day blog next weekend for all the happenings in the BBMX pits and on track happenings. Keep it pinned and see you next week!

-CW
 

The BBMX semi with Anaheim Stadium in the background.  Photo: docweedon