Team Suzuki Press Office – January 31. Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki scored a sixth and a 16th-place finish in the fourth round of the 2011 AMA/FIM Supercross Lites West Championship at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California at the weekend.
Ryan Morais powered his Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z250 to a sixth-place finish and team mate Martin Davalos finished the 15-lap Lites Main Event in 16th.
Morais started his day qualifying 14th. His Suzuki RM-Z250 powered him to a second-place finish after a strong ride in an exciting heat race and in the Main, the Rockstar Energy Suzuki rider was sixth at the start and was able to work his Suzuki up to fifth before falling back and eventually finishing sixth. Morais’ overall consistent results have moved him up to third place in the Lites West point standings.
“I think my day went alright,” said Morais. “My heat race went really good. It was a good battle and I ended up second. My Rockstar Energy Suzuki team did a great job getting my bike ready for the Main. I didn’t get a great jump in the Main, but was able to work up to fifth. Then I had a few mistakes and tightened up and ended up finishing sixth. The track conditions were tough and I’m happy I was able to keep my Suzuki RM-Z on two wheels. I’m third in points, but I have to start winning some of these if I want to win this Championship, so that’s what I’m going to focus on. I’m going to put some time on my Suzuki this week and get ready for Anaheim.”
Davalos started with a fourth-place qualifying effort on his RM-Z250. A tough heat race yielded the Rockstar Energy Suzuki Lites rider an eight-place finish, which resulted in a poor gate pick for the Main. Unfortunately, after a decent start, he fell in the sand section and restarted in last place.
“It was a disappointing weekend,” said Davalos. “In the first practice I hurt my groin a little bit, but I pulled through and my Suzuki RM-Z powered me to a fourth-place qualifying time. The heat race was tough and I went down in the sand and just barely qualified. I went down in the sand again in the Main and eventually got going in dead last. My Rockstar Energy Suzuki team did a great job, but I had a disappointing weekend. I know I have the speed and the fitness; I just need to work on my head and my concentration. I hope to be better for Anaheim.”
The 2011 Rockstar Energy Suzuki team’s next event is Saturday, February 5th, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Oakland Supercross Lites Class Results:
1. Broc Tickle
2. Joshua Hansen
3. Eli Tomac
4. Ken Roczen
5. Tyla Rattray
6. Ryan Morais (Rockstar Energy Suzuki)
7. Kyle Cunningham
8. James Decotis
9. Bruce Rutherford
10. Ryan Marmont
16. Martin Davalos (Rockstar Energy Suzuki)
2011 Supercross Lites Class Standings:
1. Joshua Hansen – 88
2. Broc Tickle – 87
3. Ryan Morais (Rockstar Energy Suzuki) – 70
4. Eli Tomac – 69
5. Cole Seely – 60
6. Tyla Rattray – 58
7. Ken Roczen – 49
8. Martin Davalos (Rockstar Energy Suzuki) – 45
9. Kyle Cunningham – 44
10. James Decotis – 40
