Team Violation1.com/Shea Racing A2 Race Report
Casey Hinson makes another strong showing on his KTM at Monster Energy AMA Supercross Lites round five
Teammate Austin Howell will be out several weeks due to serious injury
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Team Violation1.com/Shea Racing/Travisa/National Switchgear returned to Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the second time this season as part of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship. This was the fourth-consecutive race team rider Casey Hinson transferred directly to the West Region Supercross Lites main event from his heat. Unfortunately, his teammate Austin Howell suffered severe injuries in a practice crash earlier in the day.
The series returned to Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif. on Saturday, February 5 for the fifth round, widely known as A2. The track was in a much different layout than the opening round last month. Fans saw an abundance of pink on the track and in the pits. Series promoter Feld Motor Sports, sponsors and teams went all out to promote breast cancer awareness by using pink on race bikes, gear, signage and team apparel. Shea Racing was no different as it partnered with sponsors Dubach Racing Development (DR.D), DeCal Works and ODI Grips to promote awareness. DR.D made special “Save the Boobies” pink end caps for their exhausts, DeCal Works added pink to the team’s KTM 250 SX-F bike graphics, and ODI supplied pink grips. Team personnel wore special limited edition pink shirts.
During the afternoon practice sessions for timed qualifying, Howell of Red Bluff, Calif. was improving his lap time and getting tuned to the track when another rider crossed his line in a section of jumps. The result caused Howell to cartwheel his bike and crash hard. He was rushed to the hospital in Anaheim, where it was discovered he had three broken ribs and a bruised lung. The prognosis for his recovery is dependent upon further medical evaluation.
“It was a horrific crash,” said team manager Tim Shea. “We’re all concerned for Austin [Howell]. The other rider was rolling the jumps and crossed right in front of Austin who was making the jumps. It was a very disappointing incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Austin for a speedy recovery.”
Back to the racing action, Team Violation1.com/Shea Racing/Travisa/National Switchgear’s Hinson of Clovis, Calif. was put into heat race one. Although concerned for his teammate, he had to focus on the race. Hinson's Eleven 10 Mods/DR.D/Enzo KTM 250 SX-F led him to another solid start. Some of his best performances have come in the heat races. After the six-lap heat was complete, Hinson transferred directly to the Lites main with an 8th place.
The AMA Supercross Lites main featured 20 riders lined up in front of a capacity crowd in Anaheim. This was Hinson’s fourth-consecutive main. He only missed qualifying in the opening round. In his FLY Racing Evolution gear, Hinson had one of his better main event starts and was in the top 15 early in the race. Within the first few laps, he put his head down on his Renegade Fuels-powered KTM 250 SX-F to be in 14th place. Throughout the 15-lap main, Hinson battled with other riders alternating positions throughout the remaining laps. At the checkers, he flew his KTM over the finish line in 16th place, matching his best Supercross Lites finish. Hinson remains in 18th place in AMA West Region Supercross Lites standings.
“Casey [Hinson] is becoming one of the regulars in an AMA Supercross Lites main and we could not be happier for him,” said Tim Shea. “A2 was our worst race of the season and also one of our best. Casey has been improving each week and is on the gas. We are proud that he has put together a string of main events. Our effort during the first five rounds is only possible due to the determination of Casey and Austin, dedicated team personnel and the support of all our sponsors.”
Shea continued, "Our West Region Supercross Lites riders and mechanics will be on a well-deserved break this weekend. This could not be timelier with Austin’s injury. On Saturday, we’ll put our East Region Supercross Lites rider Vernon McKiddie on the track at our home town event in Houston.”
Team Violation1.com/Shea Racing/Travisa/National Switchgear will head to round six of Monster Energy AMA Supercross on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, which serves as the opening round of the East Region Lites series. Fans attend the event to see East Region Lites racer Vernon McKiddie #129 on his DeCal Works-emblazoned KTM 250SX-F race bike with body fueled by PowerBar. During the pit party stop by the cannot-miss team’s purple and yellow semi hauler to meet the riders and the Violation Goggles girls, and watch videos on the flat screen TV sponsored by ActionSportsTV.com. Keep posted to the team at www.sheamoto.com.
About Team Violation1.com/Shea Racing/Travisa/National Switchgear
Shea Racing, led by Tim Shea, places emphasis on involving action sports fans in the team through pit parties and charity events which it has done the past four years while participating in professional motocross races. In its third season in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, the team has expanded with three Lites riders and a team semi rig with Austin Howell #61 (West), Vernon McKiddie #129 (East), and Casey Hinson #149 (West). The 2011 AMA Supercross team is made possible by the Violation Brand (www.violation1.com), National Switchgear (www.nationalswitchgear.com), Travisa (www.travisa.com), KTM Sportmotorcycles (www.ktmusa.com), FLY Racing, Power Bar Team Elite, DeCal Works, Dubach Racing Development (DR.D), Maxima Oils, Engine Ice, DT-1 Filters, ActionSportsTV.com, Matrix Concepts, ODI Grips, Outlaw Products, SuperSprox, IRIS Chains, Renegade Fuels, Enzo Suspension, Eleven 10 Mods, Lightspeed, TCX Boots, Stomp Designs, Devol Engineering, Moto Public Relations, Dunlop Tires, and River Valley Motocross Park. Its community partner is the James Marshall Project. Visit www.sheamoto.com to learn more.
About MotoPR
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