Team Yoshimura Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe overcame injury to put in another solid performance aboard his RM-Z450 at Saturday night’s ninth round of the AMA/ FIM World Supercross series at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis in front of a record 60,000 crowd.
Although this weekend started slowly for the Yoshimura Suzuki team – after tweaking his leg in the first two practice sessions – Metcalfe was still able to make some real progress with the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 before race time.
Said Metcalfe: “This track suits me: The dirt’s really tacky and gets nice ruts and it’s tight and pretty technical. In the last practice, we made a change with the bike and I started to feel comfortable and get a good flow and be at one with the bike. I really want to thank the Yoshimura Suzuki team for getting me that.”
At the onset of the evening’s racing, Metcalfe’s leg was still bothering him and he was forced to sit out the opening ceremonies. Despite this, the Australian managed to get the holeshot in his eight-lap heat race, lead the first few laps; and finish fourth. In the 20-lap Main Event, the 27 year old again got a good start and brought home eight place.
“We got the holeshot in the heat race and that was a good start for us,” said Metcalfe. “I rode solid and got a fourth and I was happy that I was riding well. In the Main Event, I got a good start but then I got pushed wide and got hung-up a little bit. But I was in a good flow and in race mode, more so than I’ve been all year. We only got an eighth and we’re working on improving those results, but I think this weekend was a turning point for my season.”
As the series’ East Coast rounds continue, Metcalfe is feeling comfortable and confident on the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450. As a result, he is counting down the days until next weekend’s race in Florida.
He said: “Daytona is always tough, both physically and mentally. It’s more of an Outdoor track, but still with some gnarly Supercross obstacles. It’s going to be tough, but I’m just really stoked with where the Suzuki’s at right now and the feeling I have with the RM-Z450. I’m looking forward to a good week and being strong at Daytona and improving on the results we’ve been picking off.”
Team Yoshimura Suzuki Racing’s next event is the 10th round of the 2012 AMA/ FIM Supercross Championship on Saturday, March 10th, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
St. Louis Supercross Class Results:
1. Ryan Villopoto
2. Ryan Dungey
3. Justin Brayton
4. Kevin Windham
5. James Stewart
6. Davi Millsaps
7. Jake Weimer
8. Brett Metcalfe (Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450)
9. Marvin Musquin
10. Nick Wey
2012 Supercross Class Standings:
1. Ryan Villopoto – 205
2. Ryan Dungey – 192
3. James Stewart – 152
4. Chad Reed – 128
5. Kevin Windham – 123
6. Jake Weimer – 120
7. Justin Brayton – 116
8. Brett Metcalfe (Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450) – 113
9. Davi Millsaps – 109
10. Mike Alessi – 98
