Kawasaki/Racer X Race Report
Back to the Future at the Perris Supercross
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“Jeremy wanted to do the race, but he could only do it on a 250 because there was a huge jump back by where all the rocks were that he wanted to clear,” said longtime mechanic Skip Norfolk. A year later, Team Yamaha rookie Jeff Emig won the race, a precursor of what would be a National Championship season in the 125cc class. Within a few years, primarily due to the factories creating their own test tracks, the Perris Supercross simply died. However, last Saturday night, on December 22, 2007, the race was brought back to life and a number of factory-backed satellite riders came out to get the blood flowing before the Anaheim Supercross in just a few weeks time.
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In the 450F Supercross division it was Jeff Alessi getting the best jump out of the hole at Perris with Yamaha’s Nathan Ramsey just behind, glaring at the back of his jersey. Meanwhile, assumed to be a major player in the race, Team Yamaha factory pilot Josh Hill was in the dirt, the victim of a first turn crash. While Alessi and Ramsey went at it tooth and nail for the lead, Hill began blitzing his way through the pack. Soon, he was chewing on Alessi’s rear fender, and moments later, through and clear into second. Hill then set his sites on Ramsey and motored right up behind the veteran rider. When the white flag was unfurled and waved, Hill went for it several times, using every trick in the book to get by Ramsey. But Ramsey kept his cool, kept the rubber side down, and crossed the finish line with the win. A hell of a race for Ramsey and a solid, confidence inspiring ride for the Yamaha youngster Josh Hill. Next stop: Angel Stadium, where on Saturday night, January 5, 2008, some 45,000 fans will be on-hand to see who will draw first blood in the 2008 Monster Energy Supercross Series.