Welcome to Supercross 2008:

Answers by 1983 AMA Supercross Series Champion David Bailey

Last year’s standings, David’s answers to the important questions, the teams, the riders, TV info, and their numbers.

by Angela & Amanda, and answers by 1983 AMA Supercross Series Champion David Bailey



Last year’s standings, David’s answers to the important questions, the teams, the riders, TV info, and their numbers.



2007 RESULTS



Final Supercross Standings – 450 class



1. James Stewart 385

2. Chad Reed 334

3. Tim Ferry 276

4. Kevin Windham 240

5. Ivan Tedesco 197

6. David Vuillemin 196

7. Michael Byrne 189

8. Ricky Carmichael 160

9. Heath Voss 160

10. Paul Carpenter 143

11. Jeff Gibson 118

12. Josh Summey 103

13. Travis Preston 98

14. Nick Wey 80

15. Davi Millsaps 79

16. Andrew Short 77

17. Nathan Ramsey 67

18. Grant Langston 66

19. Eric Sorby 57

20. Cole Siebler 51

Final Standings – 250 Supercross class Lites West Coast



1. Ryan Villopoto 197

2. Jason Lawrence 157

3. Josh Hill 128

4. Jake Weimer 120

5. Chris Gosselaar 111

6. Josh Hansen 98

7. Josh Grant 91

8. Matt Lemoine 85

9. Troy Adams 84

10. Kyle Cunningham 77

Final Standings – 250 Supercross class Lites East Coast



1. Ben Townley 133

2. Ryan Morais 130

3. Darcy Lange 117

4. Branden Jesseman 103

5. Ryan Dungey 98

6. Billy Laninovich 85

7. Thomas Hahn 84

8. Mike Alessi 84

9. Matt Goerke 83

10. Justin Brayton 68

QUESTIONS COMING INTO SUPERCROSS 2008, Answers by David Bailey:

1. What is the overall condition of the sport, and what is everyone generally going thru right now?



I think it’s interesting that riders are concerned about how long the season is, yet go a little stir crazy in the off-season and seem a little lost with regards to what to do and how hard to do it. The off-season is a sketchy time for riders. The top riders with big plans don’t know if they will meet their expectations until things get under way … and that used to drive me crazy, but it also motivated me to do a little more, just to be sure. Even for the defending champions, it can be a stressful time until you get the first race under you belt. I think riders and teams are anxious for the season to start. I know the fans are!



2. What does James Stewart have to do this year to repeat as champion?



Execute. James is probably more confident than he’s ever been for two reasons: First, I think he’s come up short of his own expectations the past couple years, so I believe he is very motivated. Second, he has Aldon Baker – formerly Ricky Carmichael’s trainer, and those two had a good run, so James isn’t guessing as much anymore in regards to training. He knows now that he’s doing the right thing each time out, and that builds confidence. If he can execute what’s in his head, no one will be able to touch him.



3. What does Chad Reed need to do to step it up?



Chad needs ‘The Eye of the Tiger’. I think he’s lost a little of that and throws in the towel too early, but maybe that couch after last year’s supercross season was what he needed to see what was missing. RC missed a SX season (2004) and seemed to come back hungrier than ever with a new appreciation for the gift he had. I don’t know if Chad truly believes he can beat James when James is at the top of his game, and that’s tough mentally.



I could be wrong though. I know Chad’s riding ability is there. I’ve seen it. He just has to ride 100% all the time no matter what. I know James will, but James doesn’t always finish. If I were Chad I would lay it all out there. All of it! It might be enough … if he doesn’t he’ll regret it when he’s older. Beating a healthy James Stewart is something I’ll bet even RC ranks up there as one of his biggest accomplishments.



4. Can Grant Langston improve in supercross?



Yes. I look at Grant’s resume and there’s a ‘check’ in every championship box except the supercross class, so the motivation to improve is there. Plus he has Chad to observe while testing with Yamaha. I like that Grant seems to be able to turn it up a notch the way only the best can do. Very few riders in history have had the ability to turn it up a notch when needed. Grant is an ‘opportunist’ and if the leaders are within sight, he’ll figure out a way to catch ‘em.



5. What is Ricky Carmichael going thru now not racing?



He has to feel relieved at this point. However, he might be a spectator at some races this year, thinking ‘I could of won that race’. The relief comes from the fact that he’s been doing it for so long and he doesn’t have the responsibility or pressure of performing all year long any more. It’s difficult for a successful athlete to make the transition to ‘normal’ life. It’s a trip over the falls and there is no shortcut. It’s good that Ricky has kids because at some point if it hasn’t already, being a father will help take the focus off of himself and the emotional cliff you fall off when you finally set all the racing and fame down. This season though, I believe it might difficult at times for him because he still could win on certain nights and afternoons. I believe he made the right choice though. There wasn’t anything else to prove and takes a lot of discipline to walk away when you’re that good still.



6. How good is Ryan Villopoto?



I think Ryan should be riding in the 450 class right now. Nothing against Ryan, it’s just that he belongs with the best. It’s obvious he’s going to be the one to beat in the future. He’s probably going ride and win the Eastern Lites series. I look at that as a waste of time. Some say he is riding in the East to prepare for the big class for 2009, but Ryan can learn a track in 10 minutes. I say forget all the agents and Kawasaki’s interests and focus on his own. Kawasaki can get their worth out of him on the podium on a 450. Others have hung around in the lights too, so I’m not singling him out, but I wish he would get out of little league and step up to the plate in the majors. He just beat the best riders in the world at the Nations on a 250F.



7. What about the supercross tracks of today?



I really don’t see the need for the tracks to look like they do today – they are homogenized, cookie cutter, same ‘ol tracks with whoops sections, step-on step-offs, triples, rhythm sections – it’s like a video game. I think they need to go back to how it all started and bring ‘motocross’ to the fans. No matter how hard you try to make it like an outdoor it’s still supercross. The high flying deal it has become doesn’t make it more exciting. It just makes it so a couple riders dominate and the rest are scared and laying up so they can get through the season in one piece.



There shouldn’t be a set way to build the track. I’d like to see it be more like motocross and change a little more throughout the night. I think a couple really big jumps are fine, but the rest has become boring and dangerous and separates everyone too much. There needs to be more ‘thinking’ rather than everyone jumping stuff on the first or second lap of practice. Right now, I think it’s more about having ‘balls’ than riding skill and fitness and racing sense.



This year for Anaheim 2, Live Nation made a decision to revisit some of the ‘flavor’ and ‘spirit’ of the 80′s, which is memorable to many people. Rick Johnson and I are involved in helping with the track, and it will be pretty close to the original. I’m interested to see what happens. I’m glad they decided to throw that out there regardless of some potential complaints. There are three Anaheim events, so why not? I’m honored to be part of it and hopeful this upcoming ‘retro’ night will produce something that we are all still talking about 20 years from now.



See you there!



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THE TEAMS

Monster Energy Kawasaki – Manager Mike Fisher



Riders: James Stewart, Timmy Ferry



Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki – Manager Mitch Payton



Riders: Ryan Villopoto (East), Brett Metcalfe (West), Austin Stroupe (West) (And possibly Branden Jesseman)



Honda Red Bull Racing Team – Manager Erik Kehoe



Riders: Andrew Short, Ben Townley (East), Ivan Tedesco, Davi Millsaps



Team Yamaha – Manager Jim Perry



Riders: Grant Langston, Josh Hill, Broc Hepler (West)



Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki – Manager Roger De Coster



Riders: Mike Alessi, David Vuillemin, Michael Byrne, Ryan Dungey (West) Nico Izzi (East)



Team San Manuel Yamaha/L & M Racing – Manager/co-owner Larry Brooks



Riders: Chad Reed, Nate Ramsey



MDK KTM SX/MX Factory Race Team – Manager Steve Lamson



Riders: Nick Wey, Martin Davalos



MDK KTM SX/MX Factory Race Lites Team – Manager Casey Lytle



Billy Laninovich, Justin Brayton, Ryan Sipes, Matt Goerke



Torco Racing Fuels Honda



Riders: Kevin Windham, Josh Grant, Jake Weimer, Trey Canard, Dan Reardon



Starr Racing – Owner Bobby Regan



Riders – Broc Tickle, Matt Lemoine, Jake Moss, W Hahn



Joe Gibbs Yamaha Racing team – Manager Jeremy Albrecht



Riders – Josh Hansen, Josh Summey



Yamaha of Troy / Boost Mobile



Riders: Jason Lawrence (East), Ryan Morais # 116 (West), Zach Osbourne (West), Tyler Bowers (East)



Motosport Xtreme Kawasaki



Riders: Kyle Chisholm, Phil Nicoletti, Tommy Hahn, Andrew McFarlane



Team Bad Boy – Manager Rick Ware



Riders: Jeff Alessi, Jake Marsack



Troy Lee Design / Honda / RedBull Lites – Jeff Ward, Matt Jory



Riders: Chris Gosselaar, Gavin Gracyk, Justin Keeney



2008 AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES TV INFO



Supercross Class on CBS Sports



Sunday, January 27, 2008 – San Francisco – Noon EST



Sunday, February 3, 2008 – Anaheim 3 – Noon EST



Sunday, February 10, 2008 – San Diego – Noon EST



Sunday, February 17, 2008 – Houston – Noon EST



Sunday, February 24, 2008 – Atlanta – Noon EST



Sunday, March 30, 2008 – Toronto – Noon EST



Sunday, April 20, 2008 – St. Louis – Noon EST



Sunday, May 4, 2008 – Recap Show – Noon EST

Supercross Class on SPEED

Saturday, January 5, 2008 – Anaheim 1 Live – 7:00 p.m. PST



Sunday, January 6, 2008 – Anaheim 1 – 6:00 p.m. EST



Sunday, January 13, 2008 – Phoenix – 6:00 p.m. EST



Sunday, January 20, 2008 – Anaheim 2 – 6:00 p.m. EST



Sunday, March 2, 2008 – Indianapolis – 6:00 p.m. EST



Sunday, March 16, 2008 – Minneapolis – 6:00 p.m. EST



Sunday, April 6, 2008 – Dallas – 6:00 p.m . EST



Sunday, April 13, 2008 – Detroit – 6:00 p.m. EST



Sunday, April 27, 2008 – Seattle – 6:00 p.m. EST



Sunday, May 4, 2008 – Las Vegas – 6:00 p.m. EST



Supercross Lites on SPEED



Saturday, January 12, 2008 – Anaheim 1 – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, January 19, 2008 – Phoenix – 1:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, January 26, 2008 – Anaheim 2 – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, February 2, 2008 – San Francisco – 6:00 p.m. EST



Sunday, February 10, 2008 – Anaheim 3 – 5:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, February 16, 2008 – San Diego – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, February 23, 2008 – Houston – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, March 1, 2008 – Atlanta – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, March 8, 2008 – Indianapolis – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, March 22, 2008 – Minneapolis – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, April 5, 2008 – Toronto – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, April 12, 2008 – Dallas – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, April 19, 2008 – Detroit – 6:00 p.m . EST



Saturday, April 26, 2008 – St. Louis – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, May 3, 2008 – Seattle – 6:00 p.m. EST



Saturday, May 10, 2008 – Las Vegas – 6:00 p.m. EST

THE RIDERS NUMBERS

The riders below can ride with the number 1 plate in their respective classes because they are the defending champions:



James Stewart – Supercross



Ryan Villopoto – Supercross Lites West, Motocross Lites



Ben Townley – Supercross Lites East



Grant Langston – Motocross



2 – Ryan Villopoto



3 – Mike Brown



4 – Ricky Carmichael



7 – James Stewart



8 – Grant Langston



9 – Ivan Tedesco



11 – Travis Preston



12 – David Vuillemin



13 – Heath Voss



14 – Kevin Windham



15 – Tim Ferry



16 – John Dowd



17 – Robbie Reynard



18 – Brock Sellards



20 – Josh Grant



22 – Chad Reed



23 – Kyle Lewis



24 – Josh Summey



25 – Nathan Ramsey



26 – Michael Byrne



27 – Nick Wey



28 – Ryan Dungey



29 – Andrew Short



30 – Jake Weimer



31 – Brett Metcalfe



32 – Tommy Hahn



33 – Gavin Gracyk



34 – Martin Davalos



35 – Broc Tickle



36 – Kyle Chisholm



37 – Jason Thomas



38 – Andrew McFarlane



39 – Ryan Clark



40 – Josh Hill



41 – Matt Goerke



42 – Paul Carpenter



43 – Jeff Gibson



44 – Troy Adams



45 – Robert Kiniry



47 – Joaquim Rodrigues



48 – Trey Canard



49 – Steve Boniface



51 – Austin Stroupe



52 – Matt LeMoine



53 – Cole Sielbler



55 – Antonio Balbi



56 – Shaun Skinner



57 – Ryan Sipes



58 – Kyle Cunningham



60 – Broc Hepler



61 – Daniel Sani



63 – Dusty Klatt



64 – Tyler Evans



65 – Ryan Morais



66 – Jacob Marsack



67 – Bryan Johnson



68 – Kyle Mace



69 – Kelly Smith



70 – Ryan Mills



71 – Kyle Keylon



72 – Kevin Johnson



73 – Adam Chatfield



74 – Chris Blose



75 – Ricky Renner



76 – Zach Osborne



77 – Branden Jesseman



78 – Keith Johnson



79 – J. Sipes



80 – Michael LaPaglia



81 – Bobby Garrison



82 – Jake Moss



83 – Matt Boni



84 – Chris Whitcraft



85 – Billy Ainsworth



86 – Michael Willard



87 – Tucker Hibbert



88 – Joseph Oehlhof



89 – Robbie Marshall



90 – Scott Simon



91 – Ritchie Owens



92 – Jeff Dement



93 – Kyle Summers



94 – Kevin R.



95 – Kyle Partridge



96 – Doug Dehaan



97 – Tyson Hadsell



98 – Jacob Saylor



99 – Wil Hahn



101 – Ben Townley



102 – Chris Gosselaar



116 – Ryan Morais



118 – Davi Millsaps



132 – Billy Laninovich



341 – Nico Izzi



338 – Jason Lawrence



800 – Mike Alessi



801 – Jeff Alessi