Bel-Ray Racing Weekend Preview
Racing competition for Bel-Ray’s professional teams will take place this weekend in the United States, Spain and France with motocross and road racing events.
MotoGP
With Bel-Ray lubricants providing the performance and protection required, the Power Electronics team of Aleix Espargaro and Randy DePuniet head to the Circuit de Catalunya for this weekend’s Moto GP event. Both riders have fond memories of this track as Espargaró scored his first podium at this circuit in 2011 and De Puniet his first win in 2003. Espargaro spoke highly of the track and what was necessary to improve on his previous round’s 13th place finish. “I live virtually next door to the circuit, so I have a lot of great memories here. It is quite a fast track and I love the majority of the corners. I am looking forward to racing in Spain for the second time this season and I usually go well at fast tracks, so in general, I am hopeful that this can be a positive weekend for us.” He added, “we have to continue working in the same way as we have up to now and try to be amongst the fastest CRT bikes on Saturday and finish the race as best we can on Sunday. Hopefully it will be a fight between my teammate Randy and myself to be the top CRT." DePuniet suffered a DNF in front of his home crowd at the last round in France, but comes into this weekend fully healed from his Estoril crash and is confident of a top performance this weekend. "I am feeling highly motivated ahead of the Catalunya Grand Prix, firstly because I am almost completely recovered from the pain in my ribs following the crash at Estoril. I adore Montmeló as a circuit and I have two wins there in the 250cc class, including my first ever in 2003, as well as some good races in MotoGP to look back on. Just thinking about the circuit brings back good memories.”
Moto2
The Mapfre Aspar team is prepared for the second race of the series on their home soil this weekend as the Moto 2 continues in Spain. The Bel-Ray backed team of Toni Elias and Nico Terol are ready for the home track advantage as both riders have history at this famous track. Elias is eager to perform in front of the home crowd this weekend and he spoke about his chances. "I love Montmeló and I have great memories of the track. I rode a Grand Prix bike there for the first time when I was just fourteen years old and I have cut my teeth there as a racer over the years. I am very motivated for this race, which we approach with a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the belief that it can be a turning point for our season.” Teammate Terol also spoke highly of his chances this weekend. "It's another home race, the fifth round of the season and we go there in good form. I like the fast turns at Montmeló as well as the braking into turn one and the last two corners, which are the secret to a good lap time. I am in form and expecting a lot from this weekend."
Moto3
The Bel-Ray backed Bankia Aspar team of Hector Faubel and Alberto Moncayo come to the Spanish circuit in Montmeló with high hopes. In terrible weather conditions, Faubel led the race before going down and Moncayo held on for a strong podium finish. Considered a home race for the team, both racers are looking for a podium finish this weekend. Moncayo spoke about his finish and looked ahead to this weekend. "The confidence boost of a podium finish in the last race will be an important factor this weekend. It proves that we are doing a good job and the bike is developing as it should, so the team and I are all happy. The last round was a turning point for us and now we just need to keep working hard and looking to the future.” Faubel spoke about the home race pressure and his new found confidence following LeMans. "Montmeló is a special circuit, it's a home race for us - close to Valencia - and the fans always give us a lot of support, so it's a special race. It was a shame about the crash but there is always the risk of that happening in the wet. Anyway, I am taking the positives, which are that I was able to run at the front again and be competitive. Hopefully, at Montmeló that good feeling and high performance level can continue in the dry conditions."
AMA Motocross
The 2012 AMA National Motocross Championship continues on Saturday in Lakewood, Colorado for the Thunder Valley National. Located just outside the mile high city of Denver, Colorado the thin mountain air saps the motorcycles horsepower and riders energy like no other track on the national circuit.
WMX
Bel-Ray backed Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson is the current point’s leader in the WMX class. She has one win and three 2nd place finishes so far this season. Widely regarded as one of the top female racers in the world Patterson is looking for excellent moto finishes this weekend to extend her points lead.
250 Class
Bel-Ray backed Team Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki left the previous round in Texas with 4 top 20 results including an excellent 2nd moto podium finish for Blake Wharton. The challenging Thunder Valley altitude is most noticeable on the 250 machines as they struggle to find horsepower in the thin mountain air. A good start is imperative for a good finish this weekend and all 4 team riders will be aiming for that all important holeshot.
Elite
Following an excellent 2nd moto 9th place finish in Texas, Bel-Ray privateer Derek Anderson comes to his home track in Colorado, looking to back it up with another top 10 finish this weekend. Anderson has been traveling the nationals with another Bel-Ray backed privateer, Tucker Saye, and together they have been part of an internet television show. The Driven to Ride Series has shown the trial and tribulations of a privateer’s life on the road. Another Bel-Ray privateer traveling the series is New Jersey’s Dakota Kessler. Kessler has been the star of the LCQ’s the last 2 weekends to put his Honda into the main event.
World Motocross
Returning from the South American rounds of the series, the world motocross competitors travel to the European continent this weekend. The picturesque St. Jean D’Angely circuit in western France will host Round 6 of the 16 round series.
MX1
Following his remarkable ride to first overall in the previous round in Brazil, Bel-Ray backed Team CP377 racer Christophe Pourcel returns to his home country with momentum on his side. The talented racer is currently third place overall in the standings by virtue of his 7 top 5 finishes in the last 8 motos. Pourcel is sure to be a favorite when the gate drops this weekend. Fresh off his French Championship win just a week ago, Sebastein Pourcel is also looking to shine in front of his home country fans. Although he has been struggled to a 23rd place overall finish in Brazil, his championship should give him the necessary confidence to perform this weekend.
MX2
The Bel-Ray backed Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit team of Tommy Searle and Joel Roelants return from their South America trip with fine results. Roelants’ finished 4th overall in Mexico and 5th overall in Brazil, while Searle was 2nd overall in Mexico and 1st overall in Brazil with victories in both motos. Searle is exceptionally fast on the French circuit and is considered to be the favorite this weekend. If not for a devastating 31st place finish in the first moto in Italy, Searle might be the championship leader. Teammate Roelants is currently 4th place in the championship standings despite not scoring points in either moto in Italy.
ATV Motocross
The 2012 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series continues this weekend in Oakland, Kentucky. After the first 4 rounds of the series, Bel-Ray backed Baldwin Motorsports racer Josh Upperman is ranked 4th place in the standings after 4 top 5 finishes thus far this season. For the first time in the sport's history, the racing will take place under the lights and the Ballance MotoX Facility will be prepared for this historic event. Upperman is hoping that his holeshot ability will propel him to the front of the field and a podium spot this weekend.
Follow Bel-Ray racers in action all season long on www.belray.com and www.belrayracing.com.
Bel Ray Company Inc was founded in 1946 and is a privately held, woman owned business serving the lubrication needs of powersports, industrial and mining customers worldwide. Bel-Ray is recognized as the leader in the specialty lubricants industry for setting high standards of quality and performance with products formulated for the motorcycle, automotive, aviation, energy, food, marine, military, mining, OEM, Industrial steel, and textile industries.
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