Bel-Ray Race Report – Weekend Wrap-Up

May 2, 2011, 3:10pm

Bel-Ray’s professional racers took part in action this weekend around the world in Supercross and Road Racing in the United States, Portugal and Australia.

United States
Rice-Eccles Field in Salt Lake City, UT was the host of the penultimate round of the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross series. Two Two Motorsports / Bel-Ray’s Chad Reed held steady in second in the point standings and needed another podium finish in order to set himself up for a run at the title next weekend in Las Vegas.

After setting the second fastest time of the night, Reed won the first heat race of the evening and was setting his sights on another podium finish. Getting a great start inside the top five, Reed moved into second early, and set his sights after race leader, James Stewart. Right on Reed’s back fender was current point leader, Ryan Villopoto. When Reed made a small mistake in the whoop section, Villopoto made his move past the #22 Reed Honda.
Villopoto and Reed were closing on Stewart, when Stewart made a mistake in a corner, going down and handing the lead to Villopoto. Reed would stalk Villopoto the rest of the 20-lap main event and would close the gap. In the end, Villopoto would take the win followed by

Reed and Ryan Dungey in third.
The points standing heading into Las Vegas has Reed in second, just 9 points away from the championship crown. "It’s been said, 'it ain’t over until it’s over'" and the 2011 supercross season has exemplified that.
With Dodge Motorsports / Hart and Huntington teammate, Ivan Tedesco out with an injury, Chris Blose upheld the team honors, taking a hard-earned 14th place in the main event at Salt Lake City. Blose is currently in 15th place in the overall season’s standings.

Portugal
Moto GP racing was in Estoril, Portugal this past weekend. Bel-Ray’s sponsored Moto2 Team, Tech 3 racing had mixed results. Tech 3 Racing Team rider, Mike Di Meglio stormed to his first top ten finish of the 2011 Moto2 World Championship, while teammate, Bradley Smith suffered a poor result due to a flat tire that occurred in the 26 lap event. Starting from the 26th grid position, the French Di Meglio worked inside the top 10 on the 17th lap, eventually finishing 9th. Smith started from 15th on the grid and was inside the top 10 within 4 laps, when the bikes handling started to worsen. As he slipped down positions, he eventually pitted for a new tire around the half way point of the race. After replacing the rear tire he went back out onto the circuit to gain more track time and whatever points he could salvage. Smith was 29th by the end of the race.

The next MotoGP event takes place in France on May 15th.

Australia
Bel-Ray backed, Yamaha Racing’s Kevin Curtain staked his claim for dual championships this season at the Formula Xtreme Australian Superbike Championships held at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park.

Curtain has taken control of the points lead in both premier divisions of the Formula Xtreme Championship, the 1000cc Superbike and 600cc division, with 2 rounds completed so far this season.

He won all 3 legs of the 600cc class and won the first 2 legs of the 1000cc class. The third leg was less kind to Curtain, as he struggled with a cold front tire in the beginning of the event. Despite a strong finish, he could only manage a 5th in the final leg. His points lead in the 600cc class is now 19 points and 18 points in the 1000cc class.

Bel-Ray is proud of all of our racers' success. Follow all of Bel-Ray’s racing action this season at www.belray.com.