Honda-heavy podium in Pontiac

For Immediate Release

AMA Supercross Series 250cc/125cc East
Round 13: Pontiac, MI
April 5, 2003

                       Honda-heavy podium in Pontiac

Getting a good start and getting through the whoops unscathed are two prime
factors that often determine the outcome of an AMA Supercross Series event.
Because the Main Event is so short and because the whoops are so
treacherous, the rider that masters both usually comes out on top.
Unfortunately, at round 13 of the AMA Supercross Series in Pontiac,
Michigan, Ricky Carmichael had issues with both, which resulted in a
second-place finish.

While Carmichael posted his third runner-up finish in as many rounds, his
Honda teammate Ernesto Fonseca also recorded three consecutive podium
finishes with the Pontiac race. Fonseca got a good start and never ran
lower than fourth place throughout the 20-lap Main Event. An exciting
battle with Sean Hamblin ended on the 11th lap when Fonseca took over third
place for good, making the pass through the whoop section that claimed many
riders throughout the evening. Fonseca's valiant effort boosted him to
fourth place in the series point standings, while Carmichael maintains a
commanding 16-point advantage over race winner Chad Reed.

"Obviously I needed a better start and there were places on the track that
I could have used some work," said Carmichael, referring to his mid-pack
start and near crash through the whoops in the Main Event. "But there's no
need to freak out. I got a killer start in my Heat race. I just didn't get
the job done in the Main."

Getting out front at the start and conquering the rapidly changing track
conditions was not an easy job at the Pontiac Silverdome. Despite the wet
and freezing conditions outside of the covered stadium, the track dried out
quickly and became slick and slippery, making tire choice and precise
throttle control very important. Unfortunately, before the evening program
began, Amsoil/Chaparral/Factory Connection Honda riders Travis Preston and
Ryan Mills fell victim to the notorious whoop section that lay beyond turn
three.

"Both Preston and Mills crashed in the same spot during practice," said
Honda Motocross Team Manager Erik Kehoe. "Travis tweaked his knee and Ryan
hurt his hand and elbow. Neither one was seriously injured, but they both
decided it would be best to sit out the evening and begin the healing
process. Mathematically, it didn't affect Mills in the points standings
since this was the final round of 125 Eastern Region competition, but
Travis still has a chance to win the 125 Western Region series, which
resumes next weekend in Dallas."

Mills ended his 125 Eastern Region Championship rookie season in an
impressive ninth place, while Branden Jesseman won the title as he carded a
sixth-place finish in Pontiac.

Earlier in the evening, Carmichael dominated his Heat race, finishing 23.8
seconds ahead of the runner-up MotoXXX/Yoshimura Honda CRF450R of Larry
Ward. Meanwhile, the #24 Honda CR250R of Fonseca raced to third place in
his Heat, setting the stage for the Main Event. At the start of the final,
Fonseca charged to the front, completing the first lap in third place
behind Reed and Hamblin. Carmichael, on the other hand, gated mid-pack and
picked his way through slower riders until reaching the lead group on the
second lap.

"When Ricky passed me he was going really fast," said Fonseca. "I tried to
stay with him and follow him to the front, but he just inched away.

"I got a little tight toward the end of the race after passing Hamblin,"
continued Fonseca. "That track was rough. It was slippery and going through
the whoops was the whole key. It was a tough one."

On the fifth lap Carmichael blasted past second-place Hamblin and set out
to put pressure on Reed. The two-time Supercross champion gained on the
leader the remainder of the race and had it not been for a few bobbles in
the closing laps, Carmichael may have been able to make a play for the win.

"I had a scary moment there in the whoops," said Carmichael, who made an
amazing save to stay upright. "It threw off my rhythm and prevented me from
getting closer to Reed. I wouldn't say I backed off after that, but I
regrouped and thought about what was going on. Everyone knows I don't like
finishing second, but I have one goal right now and that's to win the
Supercross championship."

With only three rounds remaining, Carmichael is less than a month away from
a third consecutive Supercross title. Getting through Pontiac with his 12th
podium finish in 13 rounds was enjoyable for Carmichael, despite the recent
surge of competition from Reed. "It's fun to have someone challenging me,"
said Carmichael in the post-race press conference. "It's been a while since
anyone has stepped it up and the added competition keeps me motivated. Last
year at this race my teammate Nathan Ramsey got the better of me, but I
didn't let it get me down. I came back the next weekend in Irving and
started a new win streak, which is what I plan to do this year."

If the #4 Honda CR250R does reign supreme next weekend in Irving, Texas, it
will mark the third year in a row that Carmichael has stood on top of the
box in Texas Stadium.

250 Main Event Results:
1. Chad Reed - Yamaha
2. Ricky Carmichael - Honda
3. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda
4. Sean Hamblin - Suzuki
5. Heath Voss - Yamaha
7. Larry Ward - Honda
11. Joe Oehlhof - Honda
14. Jason Thomas - Honda
17. James Povolny - Honda
19. Ted Campbell - Honda
20. Clark Stiles - Honda

250 AMA Supercross Point Standings:
1. Ricky Carmichael - Honda - 301
2. Chad Reed - Yamaha - 285
3. David Vuillemin - Yamaha - 169
4. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda - 165
5. Tim Ferry - Yamaha - 163
9. Larry Ward - Honda - 125
13. Michael Byrne - Honda - 75
14. Mike LaRocco - Honda - 73
17. Damon Huffman - Honda - 55
19. Travis Preston - Honda - 47

125 East Main Event Results:
1. Ivan Tedesco - Yamaha
2. Kelly Smith - Yamaha
3. Mike Brown - Kawasaki
4. Matthieu Lalloz - Suzuki
5. Steve Boniface - KTM

125 Eastern Region Point Standings:
1. Branden Jesseman - Suzuki - 150
2. Mike Brown - Kawasaki - 143
3. Brock Sellards - Yamaha - 120
4. Kelly Smith - Yamaha - 105
5. Brett Metcalfe - KTM - 89
9. Ryan Mills - Honda - 63
15. Michael Byrne - Honda - 36