The 2008 AMA Supercross Series returned to Minneapolis after several years off the schedule. The fans and riders were not disappointed, as the racing was tight and fan participation excellent.
Kyle was looking to improve his previous high mark set back at the Atlanta opener. He set the tone early in the Saturday program by going out and setting the sixth quickest lap time in seeded practice, thus securing himself a great pick on the gate.
Things were looking good down the start straight, but it was quickly ended as he went down in a heap in the first turn. Bike damage was sustained, so KP headed first in to the mechanic's area and then back to the pits to prepare for the LCQ.
The LCQ was stacked, and Kyle's tail-end gate pick did not bode well for him. He rounded the first turn in dead last, but that was short lived. He snuck around the inside of the second turn and picked off several riders. The race was only four laps with the top four advancing, so time was of the essence. When the white flag came out, Kyle was in fourth position. He fought of several late-race charges and advanced with the final transfer position.
After qualifying through the LCQ, Kyle's pick was again not so good. He came out near the tail-end again, but once again wasted no time moving through the 22-rider field. He passed some very fast riders, most of them in the tricky whoop section, en route to the top ten. Kyle climbed as high as seventh before succumbing to one rider late in the race. His eighth place finish sets a new season best for Kyle.
I was looking forward to the return to the Metrodome. Minneapolis has treated me well in the past, and I was hoping for a triumphant return by notching my first top ten of the season.
I felt comfortable in practice and was raring to go when the gate fell on heat race number two. I was mid-pack rounding the first corner and over the first obstacle. Ahead of me, Paul Carpenter was going down and I came barreling into his bike, then got pummeled by several riders behind me. I jumped to my feet quickly and attempted to extract my bike from the mess. Unfortunately, my Honda CRF450R had become entangled in Antonio Balbi's front wheel and was not easily freed. It took us about a minute (with the help of several people) to get the bikes apart. I took off, then one lap down on the field. I came back and passed several riders, moving into 13th at the end of the eight lap race.
The LCQ is only six laps, so the start is very important. I spun out of the gate this time, and things were not looking good when I rounded turn one. I needed to move into the top two to advance, so I had my work cut out for me. I moved through the field quickly, but just not quickly enough. At the end of the race I had worked up to fourth, two positions shy of the transfer.
Summary: Kyle rode great all night and proved he is capable of running top five with a better start. He has a few weeks off before the East Region Lites Series picks back up in Dallas on April 5th. I have one week off to work on my starts before going to Toronto for a 'stand alone" round for the Supercross Class.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support!
Team Solitaire/MB1/Kingdom Honda is a privately owned professional Supercross and Motocross race team based in Phoenix, AZ. Our 2008 marketing partners include: MB1 Suspension, Kingdom Clothing, American Honda, FLY Racing, Dragon Optical, Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals, DRD Exhaust, Vortex, Factory Effex, ASV, Dunlop, WPS, Sidi, Rockwell Watches, DUS, OGIO, Applied, QTM/Brembo, RK Chain, EXCEL Rims, http://www.HoyFox.com, Hinson, Ready Filter, http://www.CoachSeiji.com, Cycra Plastic, Element Sports, Sano Systems, AIMMD, Pivot Works, Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Champion Tool Storage, Crank Works, CP Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Ron Davis Racing Radiators, NGK Spark Plugs, DC Auto Wraps, Leatt Brace, Dirt Pro, Cytomax, JM Collision, Team Hawg Racing and Group D Manufacturing.