Star Racing Motocross Round 8 Race Report

July 25, 2011, 4:20pm

Washougal, WA. - The AMA MX National Series rolled into the beautiful state of Washington to attend round eight at Washougal MX Park. DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha comprised of #25 Ryan Sipes, #35 Kyle Cunningham, #387 Gareth Swanepoel, #533 Gannon Audette, and , #76 Kyle Partridge came in with hopes of keeping their status of fixtures up front intact. Things proved to be tough, but our day at Washougal did end up having some bright moments that occurred sporadically.

Taking top honors on this weekend would go to Cunningham, who continues to bring his total package together and match it up with the raw speed he holds. After a strong 7th place start in moto one, the likeable rider pulled himself up through the field. The task was accomplished, and he successfully piloted the #35 YZ 250F up to 3^rd place by the races end. Moto two was a much more trying showing, sitting 18^th on lap one, Cunningham battled for every position through the races entirety. By doing so, he took a hold of 7^th and made it his own with four laps until the finish due to his determination and closed this round out positively.

Bringing another positive to a tough day was Swanepoel, grabbing an 8^th place start in moto one, #387 put the hammer down. After moving up one spot very quickly, Swanepoel kept the fight going. With less than four laps to go, he battled relentlessly to maintain his position. In the end Swanepoel fought off all attacks, seeing him go on to a finish score of 7^th. Gareth’s moto two began well with him sitting 4^th momentarily. The talented South African climbed to 3^rd on lap four, riding hard and holding his position all the way until three laps to go. When the checkers were thrown, Swanepoel had slipped back into 4^th, and his consistency was a building block.

The next guy in line was Audette, pushing forward all the while in moto one, the rookie started 18^th only to jump four spots early on. Now sitting in 14^th, Audette raced from there to take a tally of 12^th. After starting poorly around 25^th in moto two due to being chopped off out of the gate, Audette bounced back and netted 14^th.

Having just plain horrible luck throughout the outdoor series and still on that path is Sipes, after riding up into 1^st in moto one following a great start. Things unraveled mid moto when his strength frustratingly fell off, struggling to continue on Sipes finished out 15^th. Prior to moto two beginning, it was decided Ryan would sit out and look into tests to determine his issues of unexplainable fatigue. More updates will follow when available.

Results:

Moto 1 Moto 2 = Overall Finish

Kyle Cunningham 3^rd 7^th = 4^th

Gareth Swanepoel 7^th 4^th = 5^th

Gannon Audette 12^th 14^th = 12^th

Ryan Sipes 15^th DNS =20^th

Also making the big show again, was Kyle Partridge our 450F pilot who put two steady moto’s together going 18-31 for 20^th overall.

Be sure to tune in to the X Games this weekend to see Jessica Patterson go after the Women’ Super X Gold Medal!

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