Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki had a strong showing on their Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z450s in the second round of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at the Rockstar Energy Freestone National in Wortham, Texas at the weekend despite a fuel issue ruining Ryan Dungey’s chance of victory.
Conditions were tough as usual with high temperatures and humidity throughout the day as Dungey rode strong scoring a convincing second place in the first moto, then led every lap of the second moto until a fuel problem hit with just two laps to go that resulted in a DNF. Team mate Brett Metcalfe had a solid performance in the Texas heat as well, scoring a fourth-place overall for the day.
Dungey claimed the fastest time in the morning timed practices. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider didn’t have the best of starts in the first moto, but he rode hard and powered his RM-Z450 through the field to cross the line in second position. In moto two, Dungey blasted out of the gate just behind his team mate and quickly moved into the lead by the end of the first lap. He led for the next 14 laps and built a 20-second plus lead until the extreme temperatures caused the fuel in his RM-Z to boil. The unfortunate end result was that fuel was expelled through the vent system, which depleted his fuel supply, robbing him of the moto win and the overall victory. Dungey was credited with a 25th-place finish in the second moto and an eighth-place overall for the day.
“Overall, I felt awesome all day,” said Dungey. “My Rockstar Makita Suzuki team worked really hard and it’s just too bad we had the issue in the second moto. It’s a bummer for the team and myself – for all of us together, as we’re all in it together. I feel bad because we all work too hard for something like this to happen. We just need to keep looking forward; keep moving in the right direction and keep our heads down. We have a lot of racing left, so we have a lot to be thankful for. We have a weekend off and we’re gonna do a little testing and see if we can’t improve on a few areas and be ready for High Point. It’s a great track; it’s got some hills and elevation and the dirt’s awesome there. It’s a fun track and I was able to get a win there last year, so I’m really looking forward to it. ”
Metcalfe started the day with a solid practice aboard his Suzuki RM-Z450. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider had a good start in the first moto but struggled a bit and went down a couple times which resulted in a ninth-place finish. In moto two, the awesome power of his RM-Z blasted Metcalfe out of the gate as he pulled the holeshot, just in front of Dungey. He rode solid until the end, crossing the line for a third-place finish. His 9-3 moto finishes gave him a fourth place overall for the day.
“I was feeling pretty good coming into Texas after my fifth at Hangtown,” said Metcalfe. “I knew the heat and humidity in Texas is always tough, so my main goal was to get two good starts and put my Rockstar Makita Suzuki up front and then if the heat was a factor, I could back it down from there. I was able to achieve that and actually got the holeshot in the second moto – My Yoshimura Suzuki crew put together a real good package for the start today, so that was really good. I struggled in the first moto and went down twice. And that was after I was up in the front early, so that was a disappointment. I was able to rebound strong and have a really strong second moto and got a third there and a fourth overall. That was a good little boost for me and now I’m sitting fifth in the points. I’m really thankful to the whole Rockstar Makita Suzuki team today as it was a really good day for us. I’m going to take advantage of this off-week and go back to California and do some testing and get ready for High Point. I like that track and last year I was able to get a podium there, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki team’s next event is the third round of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championship on Saturday June 11th at the Rockstar Energy High Point National in Mt. Morris.
Freestone 450 Class Overall Results:
1. Chad Reed
2. David Millsaps
3. Ryan Villopoto
4. Brett Metcalfe (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
5. Ricky Dietrich
6. Jake Weimer
7. Christian Craig
8. Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
9. Andrew Short
10. Nick Wey
2011 Motocross 450 Class Standings:
1. Chad Reed – 97
2. Ryan Villopoto – 76
3. David Millsaps – 72
4. Ryan Dungey (Rockstar Makita Suzuki) – 69
5. Brett Metcalfe (Rockstar Makita Suzuki) – 64
6. Ricky Dietrich – 53
7. Christian Craig – 47
8. Kevin Windham – 45
9. Jake Weimer – 44
10. Tommy Hahn – 40
Team Suzuki is going down fast! DeCoster would never put up this!! Dungy will look much better in orange next year!!