Hooters-Moto XXX Tamer SX Race Report

Indianapolis, IN. 03/01/08 - For the 17th and final year the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana hosted the AMA Monster Energy Supercross Series.  This was the ninth round and the start of the second half of the 2008 Supercross season which culminates May 3rd in Las Vegas.

The Hooters/Moto XXX Tamer crew started the weekend by riding well throughout all practice sessions, easily transferring into the evening programs.  Eric Sorby was riding through some pain however, after a big get off in practice left him with a swollen knee and bruised body. 

Both Lites class riders would end up lining up together in the second heat race with Mitch Dougherty getting the better start over Vernon McKiddie.  Dougherty was able to put in consistent laps riding most of the race close to the qualifying “bubble” but would cross the finish line 10th and be forced to ride the last chance qualifier.  McKiddie would finish 14th and also be forced into the lcq later in the evening.

Just as their Lites counterparts earlier in the evening, Supercross class riders Eric Sorby and Antonio Balbi Jr. lined up together for the second Supercross heat of the night.  Sorby was able to get a decent start and ride through the pain on his way to a seventh place finish and a spot in the main event.  Balbi rode strong the entire race battling with Jeff Gibson for the final transfer position but would fall one second and one spot short of the main event.

When the gate dropped on the Lites class last chance qualifier both Mitch and Vernon struggled around the first turn and would have their work cut out for them.  Dougherty experienced some problems on the first lap and would pull out of the race on the following lap.  McKiddie would try to make up time on the other riders but was unable to do so and would finish 15th.

Antonio Balbi was next on the line in the Supercross class last chance qualifier.  As the pack rounded the first turn Balbi was stuck around eighth place and needed to work fast.  Just like his heat race Balbi fought for position and while he was able to move up a couple of spots he would fall short of qualifying for the main event with a sixth place finish.

When the Supercross class loaded the gate for the main event the track had developed some pretty deep ruts throughout and would prove to be one of the most technical tracks thus far.  Unfortunately Eric Sorby would struggle a bit in the first turn with his knee badly swollen and be forced to work his way up from last  place.  With a quarter of the race in the book Sorby had moved up two positions into 18th.  By the time the checkered flag flew Sorby was able to pick up two more positions on his way to a 16th place finish. 

Eric has his sights set on getting healthy this week before heading down to Florida where he hopes to put his Hooters/Moto XXX Honda back into the top 10.

Next week the series heads to Daytona Beach, Florida where thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts gather for “Bike Week”.  The infamous Daytona Supercross, presented by Honda, is the roughest Supercross track all year and is by far one of the most exciting.  The race will take place Friday evening and if you’ve never experienced Bike Week in person you should make it a point to get down there this year and support the Hooters/Moto XXX Tamer team.  See you there!
 
Moto XXX Tamer Racing is proudly supported by:

Hooters, Cumberland, Moto XXX, Tamer Racing, Perfex Corp, Akrapovic Exhaust, American Honda Motor Co., Race Tech Suspension, Pirelli Tires, Wiseco, Sidi Boots, O’Neal MX, Motion Pro, Ti Lube, Moto XXX Performance, Honda Genuine Parts, Pro Honda Oils & Chemicals, Enjoy Graphics, Deluge Sport, Vortex Sprockets and Bars,   JD Jetting, Excel A60 Wheel Sets, RK Chains, Tamer Billet Starting Devices, VP Fuels, Mock Racing,  ARC Levers, Honda Rider’s Club of America, Cometic Gaskets, Metaltek, Crower Power, Group D Pit Wear, Interlakes Sport Center, KG Clutch Factory, SDG USA, Polisport Plastics, Ogio, Ready Filter, Vortex Ignitions, Scott USA, Carbon Fiber Works, Bud Racing, Clutch Wipes Hand Cleaner.

For more information or to contact Moto XXX please visit www.motoxxx.com or call (951) 359-6999, Tamer Motorsports www.tamerracing.com or call (402) 438-0088