Monster Energy Kawasaki San Diego Report

February 20, 2007, 5:57am

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Villopoto Wins in San Diego; Captures Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Championship

SAN DIEGO (February 17, 2007) - Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto clinched the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites title with a win at Qualcomm Stadium, while teammate Chris Gosselaar rode to an impressive third-place finish. Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Timmy Ferry put in his season's best performance with a solid second-place finish and teammate James Stewart finished fifth.

Villopoto came into San Diego not needing a win to clinch, but as has been the case this season, he turned in another impressive performance in earning his sixth win of the season. The championship is his first in AMA Supercross and a record 20th for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki.

"I don't think it has set in yet, but I have worked for this," said Villopoto. "It's definitely something that I want to continue to do. I think that my consistency has paid off and that's why I was able to win the championship a race early. You have to be consistent especially with only eight races. Outdoors is a little different because you have room for error."

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Chris Gosselaar, who is still nursing a separated shoulder, was able to put together a strong third-place finish. The Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class will take a two-month break before concluding the season in Seattle, which should give Gosselaar enough time to completely heal his shoulder.

Ferry continues to prove that he is a legitimate contender in capturing his third consecutive podium appearance.

"I really wanted to back up the podium position I had last week and to prove to myself and the competition that I can be up there every week," said Ferry. "I did it; it was a really good night. I am trying to stay calm about it because all this stuff is happening really fast. I need to look at the whole season, the last race is in Vegas and I want to be here in the same spot."

Stewart led most of the main event before a crash on lap 13 surrendered the lead. His ability to quickly remount his Kawasaki KX450F allowed him to maintain double-digit leads in the AMA Supercross and World GP point standings.

Cernic's Kawasaki rider Paul Carpenter put in a solid finish in the AMA Supercross class with an eighth-place in the main event, while teammate Jeff Gibson finished 13 th.

MotoSport Kawasaki's Steve Boniface did not race due to his pre-race crash in Houston but is expected to be back in action in Seattle. Joaquim Rodriguez finished in the 14 th position in the AMA Supercross Lites division.

RACE RESULTS

Amp’d Mobile Supercross
Qualcomm Stadium – San Diego
February 17, 2007

AMA Supercross
1. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
2. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
3. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
4. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki
5. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI
6. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki
7. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda
8. PAUL CARPENTER, ITHACA, NY., CERNIC’S KAWASAKI
9. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda
10. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Results
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY/PROCIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
2. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha
3. CHRISTOPHER GOSSELAAR, VICTORVILLE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI
4. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
5. Josh Hansen, Lake Elsinore, Calif., KTM
6. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., KTM
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda
8. Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki
9. Michael LaPaglia, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
10. Kyle Cunningham, Springtown, Texas, Yamaha

Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP Season Standings
1. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 207
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 196
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 164
4. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 116
5. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 114
6. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 112
7. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 110
8. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 110
9. Nicholas Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 108
10. PAUL CARPENTER, ITHACA, NY., CERNIC’S KAWASAKI, 100

Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series Season Standings
1. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 163
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha, 151
3. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 132
4. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 104
5. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 103
6. Travis Preston, Hesperia, Calif., Honda, 87
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 84
8. Heath Voss, Mico, Texas, Honda, 83
9. David Vuillemin, Menifee, Calif., Honda, 74
10. PAUL CARPENTER, ITHACA, NY., CERNIC’S KAWASAKI, 70

Amp’d Mobile Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Season Standings
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 172
2. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha, 135
3. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 103
4. CHRISTOPHER GOSSELAAR, VICTORVILLE, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 97
5. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 92
6. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 88
7. Josh Hansen, Lake Elsinore, Calif., KTM, 87
8. Matthew Lemoine, Pilot Point, Texas, Yamaha, 86
9. Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki, 71
10. Kyle Cunningham, Springtown, Texas, Yamaha, 66