Honda's Hughes and four-stroke CRF450R take second at Red Bud
2001 AMA/Chevy Trucks National Motocross Series, Round 6: Red Bud, MI, July 1, 2001 An old saying in the midwestern US goes, "If you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes." That saying held true this weekend for Round 6 of the AMA Motocross Championships in Buchanan, MI. Saturdays' practice saw sunny skies and temperatures in the mid- to high 80s. On Sunday morning for the race, a cold front swept in, with gusty high winds that dropped the temperature into the mid-60s. That made for some drastic changes not only in spectator attire, but also the riders' technique when approaching Red Bud's mammoth motocross jumps. Universal Studios / Honda Racing's Ryan Hughes, aboard his four-stroke CRF450R, shocked the Red Bud crowd by pulling off two consistently strong finishes for a second place overall finish for the day. The likeable southern Californian fought hard in Moto 1 to pass the checkered flag in fifth place. But it would be the second moto that would bring the crowd to their feet. "Ryno" started well in Moto 2 and, as the laps wore on, began picking off riders methodically while making sure that he kept his mistakes to a minimum. Late in the race, Hughes was closing fast on the riders battling up front - Ricky Carmichael and Kevin Windham. As the checkered flag fell, Carmichael took the moto win and Hughes crossed the finish line second, with no Windham in sight. Windham had pulled off on the last lap due to a mechanical failure. The finish is Ryan Hughes's - and the new four-stroke CRF450R's - best result so far in the 2001 motocross series. "I've struggled these last two nationals, so I decided to spend a few weeks with Jeff Stanton, working on speed, and learning to adjust my riding style with the bike a little better. It's been great working with Jeff because of his knowledge and commitment, the guy is still fast on a motorcycle," said a happy Hughes. Teammate Ezra "Yogi" Lusk rode his T-Rex emblazoned Honda CR250R to a strong fourth place finish for the day. The very popular Georgia native was promoting team sponsor Universal Studio's third installment of the widely successful dinosaur saga, Jurassic Park. Lusk's bike, gear, and technician donned Jurassic Park III logos and instantly became a huge crowd pleaser both on and off the track. Red Rider fans were treated to a special Jurassic Park III / Ezra Lusk poster on race day. Jurassic Park III opens nationwide in theaters July 18th. Honda Racing road racer Nicky Hayden will also promote Jurassic Park III at Round 6 of the AMA/Chevy Trucks Superbike Championship at Laguna Seca Raceway Saturday, July 7th. Universal Studios / Honda Racing's Sebastien Tortelli was poised for a victorious day at Red Bud. The young Frenchman battled with Carmichael in Moto 1, passing the defending champ by the half way point, then extending his lead. The hard charger had a mechanical failure on the last lap and was forced to relinquish his lead to moto-winner Carmichael. In Moto 2, Tortelli crashed in the first turn and had to play catch up to the leaders. Tortelli would eventually finish fifth in Moto 2 for a ninth place finish overall on the day. Amsoil / Dr. Martens / Journeys / Competition Accessories / Honda rider Mike LaRocco not only lives a few minutes away from Red Bud, he also happens to have one of the largest jumps on the track - and on the AMA national circuit - named after him. It's called "LaRocco's Leap" and it shoots riders 40 feet in the air. "I did this huge triple step-up back when I raced 125s and the promoter decided to name it after me", said LaRocco. "The Rock" had a good day's start, finishing fourth in Moto 1. Then his luck changed when another rider landed on him off of a jump Moto 2, taking both riders down. The Red Rider picked up his CR250R and carved through the field in an effort to salvage valuable championship points. The Red Bud fans went ballistic as LaRocco showed them his typical come from behind charge, and he crossed the line in eleventh place, finishing eighth overall for the day. Red Bud, MI AMA Motocross 250-class, Top 5 Overall Finishers (with Moto finishes) 1. Ricky Carmichael - Kawasaki - 1-1 2. Ryan Hughes - Honda - 5-2 3. Stephan Roncada - Kawasaki - 3-4 4. Ezra Lusk - Honda 9-3 5. Kevin Windham - Suzuki - 2-13 8. Mike LaRocco - Honda 4-11 9. Sebastien Tortelli - 13-5 AMA/Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championships 250-class Point Standings, Top 5 Riders 1. Ricky Carmichael - Kawasaki - 255 2. Kevin Windham - Suzuki - 222 3. Sebastien Tortelli - Honda - 216 4. Tim Ferry - Yamaha - 213 5. Mike LaRocco - Honda - 210 Upcoming Rounds: July 15 - Unadilla, NY July 22 - Troy, OH END