Violation1.com/Shea Racing Race Report: San Diego

SAN DIEGO – Team Violation1.com/Shea Racing/Travisa/National Switchgear, powered by Munn Racing KTM, made the trip back west to the motorcycle Mecca of California to compete at Qualcomm Stadium for Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship. The San Diego round on Saturday, February 19 was one of the toughest this season. Team athlete Casey Hinson persevered by competing in yet another Supercross Lites main event.

Qualcomm Stadium is one of the long-standing stops on the AMA Supercross tour. The weather did not cooperate with severe rains preceding the racing at the open air football stadium. The track became a quagmire; however the promoter Feld Motor Sports and track builder Dirt Wurx did an impressive job keeping most of the course intact.

Team Violation1.com/Shea Racing/Travisa/National Switchgear's Hinson drove to the stadium from his home in Clovis, Calif. The team was faced with extra work on their hands to prep his #149 KTM 250 SX-F with foam inserts around the engine and shift lever to keep mud from weighing down the bike. They also used ODI waffle grips, changed the gearing using SuperSprox sprockets and switched the Dunlop tires. A sign that preparation was successful occurred when Hinson qualified in the top 20 for the night program.

Hinson lined up for AMA Supercross Lites West Region heat number two ready to battle in his purple FLY Racing Evolution gear. The six-lap heat was sure to be longer than other heats this season with the thick mud reducing lap times. Hinson came out on top for the Shea Racing team, finishing seventh to take yet another direct transfer to the main event, his fifth in a row.

The 15-lap Supercross Lites main was expected to be a slithering mud battle. Hinson was ready with his KTM 250 SX-F, protected by Maxima Racing Oils and a premium DT-1 Filter. He faced a mid pack start and battled for position with other riders throughout the race. Hinson focused on returning a solid position at the finish, which would be a feat for any rider competing in the mud. At the checkers, he finished in 16th place. Hinson remains in the 18th spot in the AMA Supercross Lites West Region standings.

“Even with one rider, this was the hardest we worked at a race this year,” said Tim Shea, team manager. “I'm proud of the entire team, and thankful to our sponsors that provided us the resources to compete. The mud takes its toll on the bike and the strength needed to ride through it wears on an athlete's body. Casey [Hinson] was fully prepared since he trains intensely all week. George Daniel stepped up to prep our KTM 250 SX-F for the mud and water. Quick, smart action was needed to clean the bike and double-check all parts after each time on the track in the mud. I’m stoked that Casey got 16th in a tough race.”

Shea continued, “Now Casey and Austin Howell, who is injured, get a break for several weeks before the West Region Lites riders return in Seattle in April. Our focus will be completely on our East Region riders, Ricky Renner and Vernon McKiddie, who have a stretch of seven races starting this weekend in Atlanta.”

Team Violation1.com/Shea Racing/Travisa/National Switchgear, powered by Munn Racing KTM, heads to round eight of Monster Energy AMA Supercross this Saturday, February 26 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. This is round two of eight of the Supercross Lites East Region. Fans come out to see athletes Ricky Renner #94 and Vernon McKiddie #129 on their DeCal Works-emblazoned KTM 250 SX-F race bikes with bodies fueled by PowerBar. During the pit party stop by the team’s purple and yellow semi hauler to meet the riders and the Violation Goggles girls. Keep posted to www.sheamoto.com.