Suzuki City Race Recap – New Orleans

March 19, 2009, 5:38pm

Suzuki City’s Matt Goerke hasn’t tried to hide the fact that he needed to improve his starts. In fact, last week in an interview he did with Racer X Online, Goerke said, “It’s been the same thing all year; I’ve got to work on my starts. I have to figure out something, because if I get a start I definitely think I can run up there.”
Well somehow, even after getting a bad jump out of the gate, the Suzuki City rider managed to get into the lead in the first heat of the night in New Orleans, finally putting the #34 up front. Unfortunately a mistake cost him the lead, but he did manage to hold on for third. His teammate, Steven Clarke, unfortunately got a bad jump in the heat, forcing him to go to the dreaded Last Chance Qualifier. Fortunately Clarke led from wire-to-wire, ensuring him a spot in the 20-rider field.
In the main event the teammates started 11th and 12th, but Clarke crashed on lap two and fell back to last place. Goerke experienced a few bobbles as well, but both riders charged till the checkered flag and finished 9th and 10th, respectively.

Matt Goerke:
The track was pretty cool, kind of one-lined. I felt like I rode really good in the main. In the heat race I got a bad jump, but then I hugged the inside and came out third. I moved into the lead, but I rode cautious because I’m afraid to fall and then have to go the LCQ. In the main I got a bad start, but I start riding awesome. I just pinned it. I passed a lot of fast guys. I even passed [Christophe] Pourcel before I fell, but then I tipped over two turns later when I was trying to pass Wil Hahn—I fell over in the sand. So I felt like I rode pretty good finally, so I’m pretty pumped for this weekend.

Steven Clarke, Suzuki City RM-Z250, #77
10th Place – New Orleans Supercross
8th Place (tied) – Overall Championship Points Standings

Matt Goerke, Suzuki City RM-Z250, #34
9th Place – New Orleans Supercross
10th Place – Overall Championship Points Standings

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results, New Orleans
1. Austin Stroupe (Kaw)
2. Brandon Jesseman (Kaw)
3. Blake Wharton (Hon)
4. Christophe Pourcel (Kaw)
5. Wil Hahn (KTM)
6. Darryn Durham (Yam)
7. Daniel Blair (Hon)
8. Broc Tickle (Yam)
9. Matt Goerke (Suz)
10. Steven Clarke (Suz)

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel (115)
2. Austin Stroupe (84)
3. Nico Izzi (82)
4. Branden Jesseman (73)
5. Wil Hahn (68)
6. Blake Wharton (66)
7. Martin Davalos (57)
8. Matt Lemoine (51)
9. Steven Clarke (51)
10. Matt Goerke (50)

Team Suzuki City would like to pay special thanks to the sponsors: Suzuki City, Biloxi, MS; RG3 Biloxi; Utopia; Thermo Probe; Parts Unlimited; Two Brothers; CV4; Pirelli; Crew Wear; TCX; Cometic; VP Racing Fuels; Wiseco; Moose Racing; Suzuki Genuine Accessories; RK Excel; K&N; Works Connection; Motion Pro; Boyesen; Pro Taper; Parts Unlimited Brakes by SBS; MGX Unlimited; Hansen & Associates; Moto Master; Beau Rivage Casino & Resort

About Suzuki City: Suzuki City is a full-line Suzuki dealership based in Biloxi, Mississippi, which offers a complete line of Suzuki superbikes, sportbikes, cruisers, dual-sport bikes, motocrossers, dirt bikes, and ATVs as well as a big selection of parts, accessories, and apparel. They also offer engine and suspension services. They are also home of RG3 Biloxi, the same suspension that the team uses. Visit www.suzukionly.com for more information.