Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s East Coast Rookies Ian Trettel and Jason Anderson scored fifth and seventh-placed finishes in the first round of the 2011 AMA/FIM Supercross Lites East Coast Championship on Saturday night at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
In their first-ever Pro Supercross event; 18-year-old Trettel rode strong and powered his Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z250 to a fifth- and 17-year-old team mate Anderson finished just behind in seventh in the 15-lap Main Event.
After a good practice and qualifying, Trettel came out strong in his heat race with a great start on his RM-Z250 and finished sixth. After an eighth-placed start in the Main, Trettel rode a smart and consistent race and worked his way up to a fifth.
“I really had no idea what to expect coming into Houston,” said Trettel. “I qualified 11th fastest, which I feel is pretty good because there are a lot of fast guys here in the east. I got a pretty-good start in my heat race but got pushed around a bit in the first lap and ended up sixth. I got a pretty-good jump on the start of the Main, but there was a lot of bumping and pushing; I felt I just had to be patient. I put my head down and put my RM-Z250 to work and was able to get my Suzuki up to fifth. I’m really happy with a fifth-placed finish in my first race – that was my goal, but you never know if you’re going to be able to put everything together for the first night. I’m going to study this race and figure out what I need to do to improve my results for Atlanta.”
Anderson started his day with a decent practice and qualifying; and then fifth. in his heat race. In the Main, he had a tough start but worked his way up to eighth by the end of the first lap. Anderson rode a strong 15 laps, ending up with a seventh-place finish in his first Pro race.
“I’m excited with my first Pro race,” said Anderson. “I wasn’t really used to the timed qualifying and I started off a little slow but got better throughout the end of qualifying. I got into my heat and had a good first few laps and ended up in third at one point, which was cool. I made it to the Main and got a decent start and my Rockstar Energy Suzuki RM-Z250 powered me up to seventh, which is where I stayed, and that was good. I’m excited with the result and I want to build on that for Atlanta.”
The 2011 Rockstar Energy Suzuki team’s next event is Saturday, February 19th, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
Houston Supercross Lites Class Results:
1. Justin Barcia
2. Dean Wilson
3. Blake Baggett
4. Ryan Sipes
5. Ian Trettel (Rockstar Energy Suzuki)
6. Blake Wharton
7. Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Suzuki)
8. Lance Vincent
9. Matthew Lemoine
10. Alex Martin
2011 Supercross Lites East Standings:
1. Justin Barcia – 25
2. Dean Wilson – 22
3. Blake Baggett – 20
4. Ryan Sipes – 18
5. Ian Trettel (Rockstar Energy Suzuki) – 16
6. Blake Wharton -15
7. Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Suzuki) -14
8. Lance Vincent – 13
9. Matthew Lemoine – 12
10. Alex Martin – 11
