Hooters-Moto XXX Tamer Supercross Round 2 Race Report:
Phoenix, AZ. 01/12/08
After the wet and slick first round of the AMA Monster Energy Supercross Series in Anaheim the covered confines of Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona was a welcome sight. With the conditions being what they were at Anaheim the dry Phoenix track would provide much closer racing than the week before.
Unfortunately the weekend did not start as planned when Lites rider Ryan Grantom, who narrowly missed the main event last weekend, went down in the first practice session on the hard packed track resulting in a broken collarbone. Grantom consulted with the Moto XXX team doctors after the crash and hopes to be back riding again in four to five weeks. Back on the track, Eric Sorby and Antonio Balbi JR. both rode well throughout practice easily qualifying into the night's first and second heat races, respectively.
The first heat race for the Supercross class saw Eric Sorby get out to a mid-pack start heading into the track's first rhythm section. In the early laps of the race Sorby worked his way by a couple of riders to move closer to a qualifying position. While battling for the final transfer spot Sorby put down some very consistent lap times but would ultimately cross the line in 11th place, two spots shy of qualifying.
Antonio Balbi lined up for tredemption after the first round in Anaheim. Balbi got off to solid top 10 start and began working his way around the blue grooved track. With the laps winding down Balbi continued to string together fast laps eventually earning himself a spot on the line in the main event with a ninth place finish.
Eric Sorby battling back from a dismal start. Unfortunately for Sorby, half way through the six lap race he fell victim to the slippery Phoenix track and went dowone of the dusty corners. Even though he got going again quickly the short race did not allow enough time for Sorby to make it back into qualifying position as he finished 14th.
With the hard packed race tracking becoming more and more one-lined as the night wore on it was time for the Supercross class main event to get under way. Antonio Balbi lined up on inside of the start line hoping to make it through the crowded first turn safely. While he was able to make it through the first turn unscathed Balbi was faced with the challenge of battling back from 14th place. By the end of the third lap Antonio had moved up into 11th place right behind some factory backed riders. A slight miscue on the fourth lap saw Balbi slip back to 13th but he continued to ride consistent. When the half way mark came out Antonio sat in 16th place. With the race drawing to a close Balbi carefully worked his way around the slippery track on his way to an 18th place finish. With his first main event out of the way Antonio is looking to improve his results this coming weekend in Anaheim.
Team manager Allan Brown commented; "Antonio rode well tonight to make it directly into the main event. The track here in Phoenix can get pretty tricky but Antonio rode smart and made it safely through the main event."
Next weekend the series heads back to Anaheim, California for the third round of the AMA Monster Energy Supercross series. This third round will be unlike any seen before as the 1986 Anaheim Supercross track will be replicated on the floor of Angeles Stadium. The unique event will undoubtedly provide some close racing and is an event no one should miss. See you there!
Moto XXX Tamer Racing is proudly supported by:
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