Guthrie Tops Michigan Supermoto

CLIO, Mich. – After nearly a month of rainy weather, the sun shined on Auto City Speedway in Clio, Michigan on Sunday, May 22 for the opening round of the 2011 Michigan Supermoto Championship. Racers came from across Michigan and parts of the Midwest to compete in the most unique form of motorcycle racing. New and returning competitors lined the start for the four classes. Bloomington Power Sports’ Chase Guthrie of Mentone, Indiana led the field of pro entrants winning the heat race and both Pro Class main events.

The course at Auto City Speedway includes use of the asphalt front straight, high banks, infield figure-eight and a dirt section. Lap times in the Pro Class were about 1:10. The conditions were perfect with 87-degree temperature and again no rain. Racers competed on all forms of specialized motocross bikes with slick tires, large front brakes, and slipper clutches. They typically use new-generation four-stroke motorcycles; however Beginner Class winner and new supermoto rider, Jason Arnott, competed on a Honda CR500R two-stroke that was in a CRF450R frame.

Further proof that supermoto is one of the safest forms of racing there were no injuries the entire day.

Two-time AMA 125cc Supercross Champion and multi-time AMA National Motocross race winner Brian Swink of nearby Linden, Mich. came out to try supermoto for the first time after an invitation from MISuperMoto. He participated in practice only, using race promoter Dave Duprey’s personal supermoto bike, a Honda CRF450R.

Swink posted this on his Facebook page after practice, “Just got done trying supermoto for the first time! It was very cool and fun. I’m a bit rusty to say the least. I haven’t ridden a motorcycle in a long time. I can’t wait to do some [motocross] riding and then supermoto with freshened skills.” He plans to race the second round of the Michigan Supermoto Championship on June 19 and also the street-based event on July 15, the Taco Bell Ogemaw Supermoto Spectacular in West Branch, Michigan.

“Sunday was a great start for the Michigan Supermoto Championship,” said Duprey, series promoter and owner of MISuperMoto.com. “This was by far the best weather and most exciting racing we’ve had here in quite some time. We cannot control the weather but we expect the racing will get even more competitive in the coming rounds. Six years ago, we started out just holding track days. Now the racing is really taking off. The double-header Pro Class mains were well-received, and we get frequent comments that the amount of track time we offer, including practice and racing, is well worth the price. Thanks to all the racers, their families and friends who came out to the track for a great start to the new season! We also want to thank Brian Swink for accepting our invitation and look forward to seeing him on a supermoto bike again next month.”

The 2011 Michigan Supermoto Championship opening round offered racers the choice of four classes: Beginner, Amateur, Vet 35+ and Pro. A few racers also chose to participate in multiple classes including Kensington Motorsports’ John Lukasik, Jr. of Howell, Mich. who competed in both the Pro and Vet 35+ classes. Lukasik won the Vet 35+ Class in his first time eligible to compete in that age bracket and finished fourth in both Pro Class main events. For the first time, the Pro Class featured two points-paying main events which will occur at every round this season along with a cash purse.

The podium finishers from each main event during Michigan Supermoto Championship round one follow:

Pro Class Races 1 and 2 (finish order exactly the same)
1.     Chase Guthrie, Kawasaki
2.     Adam Beldyga, Honda
3.     Jason Hine, KTM

Beginner Class
1.   Jason Arnott, Honda
2.   Keith Witherspoon, Yamaha
3.   John Love, KTM

Amateur Class
1.   Shannon Kelsey, Yamaha
2.   Joe Sangster, Honda
3.   Scott Sangster, Yamaha

Vet 35+ Class
1.   John Lukasik, Jr., Yamaha
2.   Ron Meredith, Suzuki
3.   Shannon Kelsey, Yamaha

The second round of the Michigan Supermoto Championship will be on Sunday, June 19 at Auto City Speedway followed by the nation’s only street-based supermoto race, the Taco Bell Ogemaw Hills Supermoto Spectacular on Friday, July 15. All Michigan Supermoto Championship rounds are held rain or shine. Events will run in all conditions.

Never seen supermoto before or hopped on a supermoto bike? Want to know what the supermoto track at Auto City Speedway looks like? Watch this video: .

2011 Michigan Championship Schedule (remaining 3 of 4 rounds)
Sunday, June 19*          Auto City Speedway                                          Clio, Michigan
Friday, July 15              Ogemaw Hills Supermoto Spectacular                West Branch, Michigan
Sunday, August 28        Auto City Speedway                                          Clio, Michigan
*Points-paying round of the 2011 Canadian-American Supermoto Championship.

2011 MISuperMoto Test and Tune Schedule (remaining sessions)
Sunday, June 5 Jackson Speedway       Jackson, Michigan
Sunday, July 10            Jackson Speedway       Jackson, Michigan
Sunday, August 14        Jackson Speedway       Jackson, Michigan
Sunday, September 11  Auto City Speedway      Clio, Michigan
Sunday, October 2        Jackson Speedway       Jackson, Michigan
Sunday, October 23      Auto City Speedway      Clio, Michigan

To learn about the rules, bike set-up, entry fees and keep posted to schedule updates for the Michigan Supermoto Championship and MISuperMoto Test and Tune Days, visit www.misupermoto.com. MISuperMoto offers a membership this year that helps riders save money who participate in both the Michigan Supermoto Championship races and the Test and Tune Days. Check the website or contact Duprey at 810-459-1806 to find out more.

About MISuperMoto
MISuperMoto is the premier regional supermoto racing and track day series east of the Mississippi. Its Test and Tune Days enable current enthusiasts to ride supermoto on a safe course, while new riders can try their hand at this growing motorcycle discipline including renting a demo bike. In 2011, MISuperMoto will promote the four-round Michigan Supermoto Championship and eight Test and Tune Days. These Michigan-based events are held at Auto City Speedway in Clio, Jackson Speedway in Jackson and during Ogemaw Hills Bike Week in West Branch. Support is made possible by Taco Bell, DR.D, Bridgestone, Magnum Distributing, MotoPR, Midwest Motorcyclist, Violation Goggles and ActionSportsTV.com. Visit www.misupermoto.com for more information.

About MotoPR
Detroit, Michigan-based Moto Public Relations, LLC (MotoPR) brings best practice public relations and marketing to action sports to increase public interest and corporate support. Our integrated services include public relations programming, media relations, media training, promotion development, social media, sponsorship acquisition and management, and event production. Visit us online at www.motopr.com.

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