Team Solitaire/Kingdom/FLY Racing Honda Event Update
Phoenix Supercross
January 13th, 2006
Round two of the 2007 AMA Supercross Series landed in Chase Field smack dab in the middle of downtown Phoenix, AZ. Just 30 minutes from the Team Solitaire home-base of Waddell, this annual outing brings some added workload with press day and the countless friends and family in attendance. Missing from our lineup this week is Jiri Dostal, who suffered an injury to his right leg while preparing for the event last Wednesday. The pressure would fall squarely on my shoulders to hold it up high for the hometown crowd.
Practice: Although I had some extra time on the track prior in the week, I felt really tight in the first practice. The temperatures were extremely cold, and although I did a great deal of warming up, my hands and my body just couldn't acclimate to the conditions until late in the session. I knew that when it came time to perform, I would step it up.
Heat One: I gated just to the outside of James Stewart and kept pace with him all the way down the start straight to round the first corner in fourth. I cased the first triple which allowed Tedesco by, but held strong for several laps and kept pace with Ivan while fending off a charge from Reed. On lap five, Reed took the measure of me in the whoops which left me outside for the following turn. I proceeded to make a rookie mistake which pretty much cost me the night while exiting those whoops when I missed my rear brake and ran way too hot into the corner. I stood it up straight but couldn't regain my balance and fell down low side onto the track. My bike remained fired and picked up and got going in fifteenth. I moved up to twelfth place but would have to go the LCQ.
LCQ: The LCQ was pretty stacked so I knew a start would be crucial. I chose the second inside gate and had a decent jump heading toward the first turn. I rounded the turn around eighth, but became momentarily stuck in the first rhythm when a rider ahead hit the ground. I was tenth on the first lap and began to charge my hardest. The short course (only about 45 seconds compared to the usual one minute lap times) would also work against me as I made some aggressive passes in hopes of finding my way back into the top two. On the final lap I moved into fourth place, where I would finish behind Lewis, Thomas and Eric Sorby. My event was over.
Summary: I am very disappointed in myself for making a mistake in the heat when I had a qualification spot in hand. I was riding pretty well up to that point, but it was all in vain. There isn't really too much to say here, except that we will go back to the drawing board and give it all we have again at Anaheim next weekend. Thank you to everyone for the continued support and we will see you at the races.
Best Regards,
Ryan Clark
Team Solitaire/Kingdom/FLY Racing Honda is an independently owned and operated professional Supercross and Motocross race team based in Phoenix, AZ. Our 2007 marketing partners include: FLY Racing, Kingdom Clothing, American Honda, Dragon Optical, WPS, Dubach Racing Exhaust, RideNow.com, Ohlins by Coppersmith, HoyFox.com, Michelin, Vortex, Team Hawg Racing, ASV, Coachseiji.com, Dirt Pro, Polisport Plastics, Enjoy Mfg., Ride Engineering, Boyesen, Pivot Works, Ready Filter, Sano Systems, Twenty20, Pro Honda Oils & Chemicals, RK Chain, Excel, Group D, DC Auto Wraps, Champion Tool Storage, Motion Pro, OGIO, Ron Davis Radiators, Crank Works, Hot Rods, CP Pistons, Barnett Clutches, Sidi Boots, RPM Science, NGK Spark Plugs, QTM/Brembo, Pro Grip, Hammerhead, IMS Products, USA Sport, Cytosport, Lakai and Rocky Mountain Bicycles.
For more information visit http://www.teamsolitaire.com or http://www.myspace.com/teamsolitaire
JIRI DOSTAL INJURY UPDATE January 15, 2007
Team Solitaire/Kingdom/FLY Racing Honda rider Jiri Dostal suffered a fracture to his right fibula just above the ankle last Wednesday while preparing for the Phoenix Supercross. After several x-rays and an MRI, it was determined that the best course of action is to stabilize the bone with a plate and multiple screws. Jiri is going in for surgery today and is expected to make a full recovery and be back on the bike in eight to ten weeks. Jiri will be on hand to sign autographs and meet with fans this coming weekend at Anaheim.
 The Team Solitaire/Kingdom/FLY...  The Team Solitaire/Kingdom/FLY Racing Honda rig |  The rig in the pits on race...  The rig in the pits on race day. |  Ryan Clark signing autogr...  Ryan Clark signing autographs. |
 Ryan Clark with some fans...  Ryan Clark with some fans. |  Ryan Clark mid-interview....  Ryan Clark mid-interview. | |