Rockstar Makita Suzuki Claims a Second and an Eighth at San Diego

February 21, 2011, 2:35pm

Ryan Dungey scores a second-place podium and Brett Metcalfe finishes eighth in a rain-soaked main event

BREA, CA – Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey powered his Yoshimura-equipped Suzuki RM-Z450 to a second-place podium finish last night during the seventh round of the 2011 AMA/FIM Supercross Championship at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. Teammate Brett Metcalfe had a solid race aboard his RM-Z, scoring an eighth-place finish in the wet 20-lap main event.

Dungey tallied the fifth best time in the day’s qualifying schedule, which was delayed and shortened due to weather conditions. In his heat race, he piloted his Suzuki to a consistent fourth-place finish. A good start in the main put Dungey in fourth place by the end of the first lap. His RM-Z450 powered him through the slick conditions to his third second-place podium finish of the season.

“The track was actually in pretty decent shape at the start of the main,” said Dungey. “I got a great start right up with the front guys and really tried to put my Rockstar Makita Suzuki in a good position and make no mistakes because the rain was coming down. The track was getting greasy so I just tried to keep my lap times good and not make any mistakes. To finish off with a second was good – a great step in the right direction and one step closer to that win. I’m looking forward to Atlanta. We have press day there so we’ll get a chance to check out the track a bit. Atlanta has been really good to me – I really enjoy going back there. The fans are great and it’s always one of the biggest crowds.”

After qualifying 11th, Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe grabbed a sixth-place finish in his heat race aboard his RM-Z450. A tough start in the main put him in 11th place at lap one. Metcalfe quickly worked his way up to eighth place by lap four. He rode a consistent race on his Suzuki for the remainder of the main event, crossing the line in eighth place.

“I really enjoyed riding the track tonight,” said Metcalfe. “I’m just a little disappointed in my results. I got a bad start in the main – I had a lot of wheel spin at the start because the gate was so slick. I had to fight my way through the pack with my RM-Z a bit but I was a little inconsistent. It was a difficult one, but I still picked up an eighth and I’m happy that my Rockstar Makita Suzuki is still sitting seventh in points. I need to start pushing and get some better results. I’m glad to go to Atlanta. I’ve done well there in the past and it’s a good layout with a lot of floor space. The dirt is tacky and it suits my style. I look forward to a better result with my Suzuki there.”

The 2011 Rockstar Makita Suzuki team’s next event is Saturday, February 26th, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. You can meet the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team riders on Friday, February 25th, from 6 to 7 PM at Freewheeling Suzuki, 6408 Fairburn Road, Douglasville, GA.

San Diego Supercross Class Results:

1. Chad Reed

2. Ryan Dungey

3. James Stewart

4. Trey Canard

5. David Millsaps

6. Andrew Short

7. Ryan Villopoto

8. Brett Metcalfe

9. Mike Alessi

10. Justin Brayton

2011 Supercross Class Standings: