Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s East Coast Rookies Strong In Pro Debut

BREA, CA – Team Rockstar Energy Suzuki’s east coast rookies scored fifth- and seventh-place finishes in the first round of the 2011 AMA/FIM Supercross Lites East Championship season Saturday night at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. In their first-ever pro supercross event, 18-year-old Ian Trettel rode strong and powered his Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z250 to a fifth-place finish and 17-year-old teammate, Jason Anderson, finished just behind Trettel in seventh in the 15-lap lites main event.

After a good practice and qualifying, Trettel came out strong in his heat race with a great start on his RM-Z250 and finished sixth. After an eighth-place start in the main, Trettel rode a smart and consistent race on his Suzuki and worked his way up to a fifth-place finish in his first supercross lites main event.

“I really had no idea what to expect coming into Houston,” said Trettel. “I qualified my Suzuki RM-Z eleventh fastest which I feel is pretty good because there are a lot of fast guys here in the east. I got a pretty good start in my heat race but got pushed around a bit in the first lap and ended up sixth. I got a pretty good jump on the start of the main, but there was a lot of bumping and pushing; I felt I just had to be patient. I put my head down and put my RM-Z250 to work and was able to get my Suzuki up to fifth. I’m really happy with a fifth-place finish in my first race – that was my goal, but you never know if you’re going to be able to put everything together for the first night. I’m going to study this race and figure out what I need to do to improve my results for Atlanta.”

Jason Anderson started his day with a decent practice and qualifying. His Suzuki RM-Z250 powered him to a fifth-place finish in his heat race. In the main, the Rockstar Energy Suzuki rider had a tough start but worked his way up to eighth by the end of the first lap. Anderson rode a strong 15 laps on his RMZ, ending up with a seventh-place finish in his first pro race.

“I’m excited with my first pro race ever,” said Anderson. “I wasn’t really used to the timed qualifying and I started off a little slow but got better throughout the end of qualifying. I got into my heat and had a good first few laps and ended up in third at one point, which was cool. I made it to the main and got a decent start and my Rockstar Energy Suzuki RM-Z250 powered me up to seventh, which is where I stayed, and that was good. I’m excited with the result and I want to build on that for Atlanta."

The 2011 Rockstar Energy Suzuki team’s next event is Saturday, February 19th, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. You can meet the Rockstar Energy Suzuki team riders on Friday, February 18th from 6 to 7 PM at the Escondido Cycle Center, 1415 Montiel Road, Escondido, CA.

Houston Supercross Lites Class Results:

1.  Justin Barcia

2.  Dean Wilson

3.  Blake Baggett

4.  Ryan Sipes

5.  Ian Trettel

6.  Blake Wharton

7.  Jason Anderson

8.  Lance Vincent

9.  Matthew Lemoine

10. Alex Martin

2011 Supercross Lites East Standings:

1.  Justin Barcia – 25

2.  Dean Wilson – 22

3.  Blake Baggett – 20

4.  Ryan Sipes – 18

5.  Ian Trettel – 16

6.  Blake Wharton –15

7.  Jason Anderson –14

8.  Lance Vincent – 13

9.  Matthew Lemoine – 12

10. Alex Martin – 11