Pirelli Places 8 Riders in Anaheim Main Event
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (January 8, 2008) – Pirelli Tires opened the 2008 Monster Energy Supercross season at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., by unveiling their upgraded support efforts, including a full semi, to the sponsored riders and teams competing in AMA Supercross/Motocross. Pirelli’s racer-assist program will carry on at the remainder of the AMA Supercross races and run through the 12 AMA Motocross races.
In maintaining its world-wide motorsports brand, Pirelli has taken its professional support program to the next level by bringing top-shelf trackside assistance to its riders and teams.
“The 2008 AMA Supercross season started last weekend in Anaheim, and Pirelli brought in the new year by providing trackside support to our team of riders in an effort to help deliver solid results,” said Pirelli MX Manager Josh Whitmire. “At Pirelli, we recognize the importance of providing support to not only the factory teams but to the hard-working privateers as well. Pirelli has assembled a solid, yet diverse line-up for this year, and we hope that our commitment is part of the overall package the riders need to succeed at this high level.”
During Saturday night’s night program Pirelli-backed riders Eric Sorby, Jeff Gibson and Jeff Alessi qualified for the main event with Sorby headlining the field with a 12th-place finish, which was good enough for him to earn top privateer. In the AMA Supercross’ Heat 1, Gibson established an early lead when he earned the holeshot on the Scorpion MX Mid Soft (32) tires, over former AMA Supercross class champion Chad Reed and Factory Kawasaki’s Tim Ferry before finishing a solid fourth place to advance to the main event.
The Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class saw Pirelli’s Chris Blose, Michael Blose, Michael Willard and Jeff Northrop line up for the 22-main feature. Chris Blose earned top honors for the Pirelli-mounted riders with a ninth-place finish. Northrop, a former arenacross standout, finished an impressive 12th place at the opening round and hopes to build off of his early success. Ryan Grantom earned the Racer X Gas Card in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).
Pirelli’s 2008 AMA Supercross/Arenacross Teams
AMA Supercross Class
Cernic’s Kawasaki
Jeff Gibson
Dusty Klatt
Pro 30/Bad Boy Honda
MotoXXX/Tamer/Hooters/Honda
Eric Sorby
Antonio Balbi Jr.
Ryan Grantom
Vernon McKiddie
Mitch Dougherty
AMA Supercross Lites
Fun Center Suzuki
Michael Blose
Chris Blose
Brady Sheren
Rockstar/Suzuki
Justin Sipes
Tyler Medaglia
Willie Browning
Jimmy Albertson
SVM/ Bud Select Honda
Billy Payne
Jeff Northrop
Eric McCrummen
Team Cycra
Wyvern Motorsports
Leighton Little
Chaplin Kawasaki
Robbie Marshall
Greg Dube
