Is it a supercross? Is it an arenacross?



New photos & results added Oct. 13!



Actually, the US Open is neither. It’s really an excuse to go to Las Vegas and have a good time! It’s not for any championship points, and it’s not part of any major racing series. So the main focus of the US Open is to go and have a good time!



Before the race even started, word came that James Stewart would not be able to race the first night (Friday) because of the stomach flu. It was thought he might possibly race Saturday night, … but he did not.



Chad Reed was in attendance, but was not racing as well. He had surgery on his hand and leg to remove some metal pins a while back, but unfortunately collided with a car while visiting in his native Australia, injuring his foot.



Let’s fast forward to the overall results after two nights of racing – Ricky Carmichael won both nights of this eighth edition of the US Open – he is the champion! And Brett Metcalfe won the ‘Lite’ class overall championship.



Friday, October 7: The main event went to (drum roll please) the best rider on this planet, Ricky Carmichael. Ricky was riding the Makita Suzuki RM 450 four-stroke. Second was Kawasaki’s Michael Byrne, also on a 450 four-stroke. Third place went to Honda’s Ernesto Fonseca, riding a 250 two stroke.



Mike LaRocco made his return to racing, riding a 250 two-stroke, finishing fourth. Kevin Windham finished fifth.



The support class (Lites) had Brett Metcalfe first, Josh Hansen second, and Billy Laninovich third.



The KTM Junior Supercross Challenge had Darian Sanayei, Garrett Kinsler, Donny Brown as the top three.



Saturday, October: Again, the best rider on the planet was exactly that – the best. RC wins the 25 lap main event. Kevin Windham finished second. Kevin will be having surgery later this week on a herniated disc that’s been bothering him all summer. Third place went to Kawasaki’s Michael Byrne, who is looking very comfortable on the new 450. Fourth was Mike LaRocco, fifth Jason Thomas.



The support class (Lites) had Andrew Short first, Brett Metcalfe second. Metcalfe takes the overall championship with finishes of first and second over the two nights of racing.



The 85 class saw Suzuki rider Blake Wharton of Texas taking the overall victory. Second overall was Eli Tomac, third overall was Shawn Rife.



Overall results:



AMA Supercross

1. Ricky Carmichael – SUZ
2. Michael Byrne – KAW
3. Kevin Windham – HON
4. Mike LaRocco – HON
5. Ernesto Fonseca – HON
6. Nick Wey – HON
7. Jason Thomas – HON
8. Kyle Lewis – HON
9. Jeff Gibson – HON
10. Tiger Lacy – HON

AMA Supercross Lites

1. Brett Metcalfe – YAM
2. Josh Hansen – KTM
3. Robert Kiniry – HON
4. Billy Laninovich – HON
5. Andrew Short – HON
6. Jake Weimer – HON
7. Mike Brown – SUZ
8. Dylan Lord – HON
9. Kyle Mace – HON
10. Logan Darien – HON

KTM Junior Supercross Challenge

1. Chase McCullers
2. Garrett Kinsler
3. Jose Cela
4. Dillion Cloyed
5. Donny Brown
6. Steven Anderson
7. Punky Jones
8. Joshua Lambert
9. Tron Cathcart
10. Nicolas Uzick
11. Jake Willis
12. Drake Dunlap
13. Brandon Leith
14. Bailey Stefka
15. Darian Sanayei
16. Jeremi Williamson

Thanks to Clear Channel Entertainment Motorsports for the info. The race will be broadcast in the USA, on NBC, October 23 at 4:30pm Eastern Time. Photography Brad L.



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	Michael Byrne, Ricky Carmichael	Andrew Short
LaRocco, Windham	LaRocco, Windham	Brett Metcalfe
Vegas is all about the fun	Billy Laninovich	Mike Brown
Oooops	Travis Pastrana was in the house	Kevin Windham
Brett Metcalfe	Ernesto Fonseca	RC and Ernie share a good laugh

October 11, 2003

MGM Grand Garden Arena

Las Vegas Nevada



Chad Reed wins the 6th running of the US Open. He finished runner-up on Friday night, and won the main on Saturday night.



David Vuillemin finished second overall. He won Friday night, followed that up with third on Saturday.



Ricky Carmichael finished third overall. (Third Friday night, second Saturday night)



Kelly Smith won the 125 class.





250 Overall:



1. Chad Reed YAM

2. David Vuillemin YAM

3. Ricky Carmichael HON

4. Mike LaRocco HON

5. Ernesto Fonseca HON

6. Josh Demuth YAM

7. Nick Wey SUZ

8. Ryan Clark YAM

9. Jason Thomas HON

10. Joe Oehlhof HON





125 Overall:



1. Kelly Smth YAM

2. Mike Brown YAM (won Saturday night)

3. Troy Adams YAM

4. Ryan Mills HON

5. Chris Gosselaar (won Friday night)



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Outside the MGM Grand	Looking out on ‘The Strip’
Nice number’s on LaRocco’s bike	Nathan Ramsey’s factory motor	Broc Hepler, Rick Johnson
Ricky Carmichael, and a ‘Miss’ from Georgia		David Vuillemin
RC and Reed put on a show	RC and Reed	Kelly Smith