MDK/Lucas Oil/Wonder Warthog Racing Makes Both Mains in Phoenix
January 15, 2007
Newbury Park, CA: In just it's second outing, Wonder Warthog Racing placed riders in both main events of the Amp'd Mobile AMA Supercross Series, held last Saturday night at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ. This week's 9-rider effort, generously hosted by the MDK/Lucas Oil/Yamaha team, included two Dana K/WWR sponsored interns and another seven privateers who rode out of the DeCal Works/P-Lok Hog Haven.
Riders Ryan Grantom and Antonio Balbi, who qualified for the Lite and Supercross main events, respectively, were part of a trimmed-down Hog Haven team. "Attrition is just part of the game", WWR President, Steve Bauer, explained, "Unfortunately, with any team there will be injuries and ours is no exception. We lost Ty Morrow for the season at Anaheim 1 and then this week Jimmy Hazel hurt himself while practicing and is out. I feel bad for these guys because I know how hard they worked and how much they wanted to go racing. We're not going anywhere, so hopefully they'll get another shot." On a positive note, Adam Chatfield, who also was injured while practicing this week, is expected back under the Decal Works tent by round 3 in Anaheim.
Ryan Grantom, a newcomer to the WWR Hog Haven, looked great in his O’Neal gear as he worked his way into the Lites main via the Last Chance Qualifier. His 18th place in the main is the start of great things to come for this young rider. Antonio Balbi looked like the real deal while running as high as third during his heat race in the Supercross class. In only his second race in the premiere class, the transplanted Brazilian went on to tally a fine 17th place against the best riders in the world.
Scott Kandel, Chief Altruistic Officer for WWR, said, "Our goal is to qualify all of our riders into the night show and place a number of them in the mains. This week we really moved our program forward, with Antonio and Ryan making the mains and placing all of the active riders in the night show."
The rider roster included Antonio Balbi, Ted Campbell, Charles Castloo, Adam Chatfield, Ryan Grantom, Clay Higgins, Vernon McKiddie, as well as interns Chris Blose and Brady Sheren.
The next stop on the 2007 Hog Haven Tour will be Saturday, January 21st at Anaheim Stadium. Hog Haven apparel can be purchased at the LiveNation merchandise trailer in the pits or at http://www.smoothindustries.com. All WWR proceeds go towards funding their privateer support programs. Drop in to visit the entire team at http://www.mymotospace.com/wwr