Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki scored two top-ten finishes in the eighth round of the 2011 AMA/ FIM Supercross Lites West Championship on Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah: Ryan Morais used the power of his Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z250 to claim a seventh-place finish, as team mate Martin Davalos followed close behind in eighth in the 15-lap Lites Main Event.
Morais rode strong all day, starting with 10th place in the weather-shortened afternoon practice. In the night show, the Rockstar Energy Suzuki rider blasted his RM-Z out of the gate and straight to the front, scoring his first heat race win of the season. After a decent start in the Main, Morais finished the first lap in seventh and continued to ride a strong, consistent race, eventually crossing the line to finish in seventh place.
“My practice result was pretty normal for me,” said Morais. “I got a great start on my RM-Z and was able to pull the holeshot and get up front in my heat race. I was able to lead all six laps and pulled off the win. I’ve been working really hard and it was good to get that win. That helped a lot and put me in a good position for the Main. I didn’t get the best start in the main, but I was able to work my way up to nearly fourth in the first few turns. But then I made a couple mistakes and fell back to seventh. It was hard to make up time tonight. Everyone was going really fast. Everyone over here at Rockstar Energy Suzuki did a great job tonight. My mechanic Rene always sets up my Suzuki perfectly for me. I’m excited for Vegas with the two Main Events and the shootout. The dirt there is a lot more like our test track, which suits my style better. I just need to work on my starts and I’ll be ready for Vegas.”
Davalos started his day strong, scoring the first fastest time in the afternoon timed practice. In his heat race, the Rockstar Energy Suzuki rider powered his RM-Z to a fourth-place finish. In the Main, Davalos jumped out of the gate just behind his team mate Morais, staying close the entire 15 laps and crossing the line to score an eighth-place finish.
“It started out good for me,” said Davalos. “I qualified first in practice. My RM-Z felt great and I was feeling great. I got fourth in my heat but was a little all over the place out there. In the Main, the top five guys were gone but I just couldn’t be aggressive. I’m a little frustrated because I’ve got the speed but I just can’t get out in front. I’m gonna work on starts this week and go to Vegas and try to get that start.”
The Rockstar Energy Suzuki team’s next event is the final round of the 2011 AMA/FIM Supercross Championship season on Saturday, May 7th, at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Salt Lake City Supercross Lites Class Results:
1. Eli Tomac
2. Ken Roczen
3. Broc Tickle
4. Cole Seely
5. Kyle Cunningham
6. Tyla Rattray
7. Ryan Morais (Rockstar Energy Suzuki)
8. Martin Davalos (Rockstar Energy Suzuki)
9. Travis Baker
10. Ben Evans
2011 Supercross Lites West Standings:
1. Broc Tickle – 165
2. Eli Tomac – 163
3. Joshua Hansen – 151
4. Cole Seely – 131
5. Ryan Morais (Rockstar Energy Suzuki) – 124
6. Tyla Rattray – 111
7. Ken Roczen – 105
8. Kyle Cunningham – 105
9. Martin Davalos (Rockstar Energy Suzuki) – 95
10. Ben Evans – 68
