Carmichael and Fonseca on podium again!

For Immediate Release

AMA Supercross Series 250cc/125cc West
Round 14: Dallas, TX
April 12, 2003

Duel in Dallas

"The bike was unreal tonight. I guess that's why they call them Honda Motor
Company," commended Ricky Carmichael about the Honda CR250R that his team
provided for him at Irving's Texas Stadium. "I definitely have to thank my
team," continued Carmichael. "They got the engine working really well this
week. We've been searching for something to help with starts and we found
it this weekend. I think Ernesto (Fonseca) can vouch for me. It was a step
in the right direction."

Carmichael's powerful steed netted him a huge advantage at the start of the
Main Event; a 20-lap affair in which the Supercross champion gated second
behind the Honda CRF450R of Larry Ward and then moved into the lead before
the completion of the first lap. For MotoXXX/Yoshimura's Ward, it was yet
another holeshot award to put on his mantle, but for Carmichael, it was the
start that he'd been craving for many Supercross rounds.

Both Carmichael and teammate Ernesto Fonseca started the 250 Main Event
headed in the right direction. Carmichael completed the first lap in the
lead and Fonseca followed closely in fourth behind Ward and Chad Reed. With
the #4 Honda out to an early lead, it appeared to be a typical Carmichael
victory in the making to the 39,643 race fans at Texas Stadium. Instead,
Reed made a race of round 14 that saw Carmichael and Reed trade the lead
approximately ten times before a bobble in the infamous whoops allowed Reed
some breathing room.

"I made one big mistake in the whoops somewhere around lap 12 or 13,"
explained Carmichael, who ran into a different obstacle soon after. "I got
back within two bike lengths of Reed and then Brock (Sellards) got in my
way. Chad opened up a good lead at that point."

Although lapped traffic separated the race leaders several times throughout
the evening, Carmichael insisted that ultimately the back markers didn't
affect the outcome of the race. Even though Sellards momentarily paused the
champion's momentum, Reed too had a few close calls with lappers that
Carmichael was unable to capitalize on.

"The lappers weren't too bad except for my good buddy Brock Sellards. He'll
be finding a new place to stay next winter," joked Florida native
Carmichael, who offers Ohio-based Sellards a place to live and train during
the winter months. "Even if he didn't get in my way, who's to say if I
would have won or lost."

At the finish, a mere two seconds separated Reed and Carmichael, but 32
seconds passed before third place Fonseca completed lap 20. Fonseca passed
Ward on the fourth lap to take over the final podium position and never
looked back; finishing 11 seconds ahead of fourth place Nick Wey. Ward
ultimately finished seventh. The Reed, Carmichael and Fonseca finishing
order marked the fourth time in as many rounds that the three riders have
stood next to each other on the podium.

"It will take a lot," said Fonseca when asked what it will take to win one
of the final two races in the 2003 Supercross series. "I have to be faster
in the turns and be able to put it together for all 20 laps. Right now I'm
trying my hardest."

Carmichael too is trying his hardest, but realizes that winning his third
consecutive Supercross championship is more important than taking the
checkered flag at every race.

"It's frustrating for me not to win, but that's the sport and I'll try to
rebound from it," says Carmichael. "The main thing is the championship.
That's what you want to hang on your wall.

"We both made our fair share of mistakes," continued Carmichael about his
battle with Reed. "He was better in some areas and I was better in some
areas. There were times when I had to back it down and think about the
championship."

Assisted by his recent string of podium finishes, Fonseca moved up to third
in the series point standings. The race for the championship is closer than
ever, but with two rounds remaining in the series, Carmichael still enjoys
a 13-point lead over Reed. Mathematically the champion remains favored to
win the title and, despite what people might think, is happy with Reed's
recent surge.

"It's good that I have a challenge," said Carmichael. "When I go out there
and run away with it week after week like I have before, it gets a bit
stale. With someone out there pushing me like Chad has been lately, it
gives me something to strive for and I'm sure it's more exciting for the
fans.

"It's fun to race Chad and not have to worry about him taking a cheap
shot," complemented Carmichael. "It reminds me of racing with Jeremy
(McGrath). It's fun to race when you don't have to look over your shoulder.
We did some good clean racing tonight and did what we had to do without
being harsh on each other."

While one chapter in the 2003 Supercross season is still unfinished,
another was closed at Texas Stadium. After a two month 125 Western Region
hiatus, James Stewart clinched the class championship with a win over the
defending champion, Amsoil/Chaparral/Factory Connection Red Rider Travis
Preston. Preston, who recently injured his knee while competing on a
CRF450R in the 250 class, gated fourth on his Honda CR125R and worked his
way to second place by the sixth lap of the 15-lap event. Unfortunately at
that point, Stewart had already opened up a sizeable lead and Preston had
no choice but to hope for a mistake on the part of Stewart, which never
materialized.

"Stewart rode smooth and consistent all series," said Preston, who will
moved up to the 250 class full time in the outdoor Motocross Nationals.
"Besides myself, I can't think of anyone more deserving of being 125
Western Region Champion."

Meanwhile, Preston's Factory Connection teammate, Chris Gosselaar made a
successful return to racing after being injured at round five in Anaheim.
Gosselaar ended the evening an impressive fifth, starting as far back as
14th.

"It feels great to be back racing," said Gosselaar. "I'm going to give it
all I've got for the final two Supercross rounds and then make a bid for
the 125 National Motocross title."

250 Main Event Results:
1. Chad Reed - Yamaha
2. Ricky Carmichael - Honda
3. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda
4. Nick Wey - Yamaha
5. Heath Voss - Yamaha
7. Larry Ward - Honda
10. Jason Thomas - Honda
17. Clark Stiles - Honda
18. James Povolny - Honda

250 AMA Supercross Point Standings:
1. Ricky Carmichael - Honda - 323
2. Chad Reed - Yamaha - 310
3. Ernesto Fonseca - Honda - 185
4. (Tie) David Vuillemin - Yamaha/Nick Wey - Yamaha - 169
9. Larry Ward - Honda - 139
13. Michael Byrne - Honda - 75
14. Mike LaRocco - Honda - 73
17. Damon Huffman - Honda - 55

125 West Main Event Results:
1. James Stewart - Kawasaki
2. Travis Preston - Honda
3. Matt Walker - Kawasaki
4. Andrew Short - Suzuki
5. Chris Gosselaar - Honda
17. Ty Conner - Honda

125 Western Region Point Standings:
1. James Stewart - Kawasaki - 172
2. Travis Preston - Honda - 138
3. (Tie) Matt Walker - Kawasaki/Andrew Short - Suzuki - 110
5. Billy Laninovich - KTM - 101
7. (Tie) Chris Gosselaar - Honda/Eric Sorby - Kawasaki/Danny Smith - Suzuki
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