L&M Racing Official Statement
LOS ANGELES, CA - L&M's Team San Manuel Yamaha rider Kyle Chisholm was black flagged and asked to leave the race track for a move race officials felt was unsportsmanlike at round 16 of the 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series, an FIM World Championship, April 26th, Saturday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Upon further review, the FIM ruled that Chisholm interfered with another racers progress. As a result, he was disqualified from the Salt Lake City Supercross main event, fined and not allowed to race the series final in Las Vegas, NV this May 2nd.
According to Team Manager Larry Brooks, “We've discussed the incident at length with Kyle and firmly believe, as a Team, that he would never do anything intentionally unsportsmanlike that would jeopardize himself or another rider. I really believe Kyle when he told me, and the FIM, that he had made a mistake on the track.” Brooks added, “While I am certain that Kyle's error on the track was a result of a personal error in riding technique, we have to support the FIM's ruling.” “I know Kyle is truly regretful for the concern he's caused his Team, sponsors and race fans; it's an unfortunate situation for everyone.”
Chisholm, after working his way through a tough section of the track, found himself in between San Manuel Yamaha teammate James Stewart and competing rider Chad Reed. Kyle came into a corner with too much speed, applied the brakes, trying to stop his forward momentum, and accidentally struck the rear tire of his own teammate Stewart before catching the foot peg of Reed's bike. As a result, Chisholm himself was thrown off his Yamaha and into the tuff blocks; he remounted and subsequently asked to leave the track by AMA officials.
From Kyle Chisholm “I know I made a mistake during the race and take full responsibility for my actions. It was never my intention to make contact with James Stewart or Chad Reed however, I must respect the ruling of the FIM and accept the consequences as a result. I want to express my sincere apologies to our Team, our sponsors and to race fans everywhere.”
At this time, Brooks is undecided as to what further actions the Team will take regarding the incident.
