5th Round of AMA Supermoto Race
AMA Supermoto will visit the Stafford Motor Speedway, located in Stafford Springs, Connecticut this weekend, August 25-26, for the fifth round of the 10-round AMA Supermoto Championship.
The two-day event marks the inaugural visit to the greater New England area for the AMA Supermoto Championship. After a six-week break in the schedule, riders and teams alike should be rested and ready to get back to competition. During the break, AMA Supermoto point’s leader, Graves Yamaha’s Mark Burkhart, was able to capture his first-ever gold medal at the X Games in Los Angeles in a race-long battle with Honda Troy Lee Designs rider Jeff Ward. Ward currently sits only four points behind Burkhart as he tries to reclaim his spot atop the series standings.
Burkhart owns a three-race win streak and carries plenty of momentum into this weekend’s race.
“Everything has been clicking,” said Burkhart. “We have been working really hard testing the bike and putting in a lot of practice during the weeks off. Last round I was able to take over the series points lead, but Jeff (Ward) is a tough competitor and I will need to keep at the top of my game to remain on top. We are just nearing the halfway point of the season and there is lots of racing left.”
Factory Aprilia Rip It Energy Racing’s Ben Carlson of West Bend, Wis., has been dominating the AMA PPG Supermoto Unlimited class presented by M&R Products. Carlson, the 2006 class champion, has four-win streak and a 30-point lead over BP Racing KTM rider Josh Chisum of Bakersfield, Calif.
Competition in the AMA Hot Wheels Supermoto Lites class has turned into a shoot out between Honda Troy Lee Designs rider David Pingree and Graves Yamaha’s Brandon Currie. Both racers have two wins and two runner-up finishes this season and sit even in the standings with 94 points apiece.
To be successful in the sport of Supermoto, riders must master a variety of racing skills. Track layouts are unique and consist of both paved and dirt surfaces with right and left hand turns. Tracks also include technical metal ramps called the Parts Unlimited UrbanCross. Riders from all racing backgrounds will line up on Sunday braving these elements, which makes this sport one of the most thrilling disciplines of motorcycle racing for both spectators and racers around the world.
