Villopoto Crowned 2007 AMA Motocross Lites Champion-
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Townley Takes Final Round Victory
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Ryan Villopoto was crowned the AMA Motocross Lites championship on Sunday at Glen Helen Raceway capping off an amazing season that saw Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders win all three major titles in the AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross Lites classes.
Villopoto, who claimed sole possession of the points’ lead at Steel City, took control of his own destiny with a dominant win in the first moto and then followed that up with a championship-winning second place finish in moto two. He finished second place overall and secured enough points to clinch his second-consecutive AMA Motocross Lites title.
“This year has been amazing,†said Villopoto. “The racing has been so close with Ben and there just wasn’t any room for slip-ups. You really had to bring your “A†game every single moto. It was a long hard fight and I have to say that Ben is an extremely talented rider and I am fortunate for being able to race against him.â€
Teammate Ben Townley, who trailed by 19 points heading into the final round, fell short of erasing his large point deficit but still turned in a fine ride en route to a 2-1 moto finish and the overall win, his sixth of the season. Townley finished second overall on the season.
“It’s hard to swallow losing a championship, but I have to admit that I have had a great year,†said Townley. “I have had a whole season without any injuries, a supercross title and an outdoor season that went all the way to the wire. It has been an awesome experience with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team and I feel like I couldn’t have been in a better place.â€
Brett Metcalfe put in two strong rides landing his Kawasaki KX250F on the podium in both motos with a 3-3 for third overall, which earned him seventh overall in the final standings despite missing five rounds of racing. Rookie Austin Stroupe, had yet another impressive day, finishing fifth overall (10-4) in his third-ever professional race.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Chris Gosselaar did not race at Glen Helen Raceway as he is still recovering from a crash sustained at Steel City.
In the AMA Motocross division, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Timmy Ferry, who trailed the points leader by 13 points entering the season finale, was unable to separate his Kawasaki KX450F from the field and settled for a 4-4 finish on the day, which earned him fourth overall and fourth in the season standings.
“It’s been since 2001 that I have completed both entire series’,†said Ferry. “With that said, my main goal was to do all the races and be healthy at the end. I met that goal. I also wanted to finish both series’ in the top five and I did that too. Overall, I met the goals I set out for, but was a bit disappointed because after supercross I felt that I was capable of more in the outdoors. â€
Teammate James Stewart who did not race the last few rounds, finished out the series in seventh place in the final standings, including an overall victory in Colorado.
MotoSport Kawasaki’s Kyle Chisholm put in two solid motos (14-8) to finish 10th overall in the AMA Motocross Lites while teammate Steve Boniface took 13th overall.
RACE RESULTS
AMA Motocross Championship Series
Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, Calif.
September 9, 2007
AMA Motocross (Moto Finishes)
1. Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 1-3
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 2-2
3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 5-1
4. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 4-4
5. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 3-6
6. Joshua Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 8-5
7. Michael Brown, Johnson City, Honda, 6-7
8. Gavin Gracyk, Blissfield, Ohio, Honda, 9-11
9. Kyle Mace, Hesperia, Calif., Kawasaki, 13-12
10. Ryan Clark, Waddell, Ariz., Honda, 10-15
AMA Motocross Class Final Point Standings
1. Grant Langston, Clermont, Fla., Yamaha, 439
2. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., KTM, 423
3. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 421
4. TIMMY FERRY, LARGO, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 417
5. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda, 363
6. Ricky Carmichael, Tallahassee, Fla., Suzuki, 291
7. JAMES STEWART, HAINES CITY, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 290
8. Michael Byrne, Newnan, Ga., Suzuki, 230
9. Gavin Gracyk, Blissfield, Ohio, Honda, 218
10. Ivan Tedesco, Montgomery, Texas, Suzuki, 198
AMA Motocross Lites (Moto Finishes)
1. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 2-1
2. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 1-2
3. BRETT METCALFE, MURRIETA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 3-3
4. Broc Hepler, Kittanning, Pa., Yamaha, 5-5
5. AUSTIN STROUPE, LINCOLNTON, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 10-4
6. Martin Davalos, Cario, Ga., KTM, 7-6
7. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 6-7
8. Trey Canard, Elk City, Okla., Honda, 4-12
9. Nico Izzi, Saint Clair, Mich., Suzuki, 8-11
10. KYLE CHISHOLM, SEMINOLE, FLA., MOTOSPORT KAWASAKI, 14-8
AMA Motocross Lites Final Point Standings
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO, POULSBO, WASH., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 544
2. BEN TOWNLEY, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 525
3. Josh Grant, Riverside, Calif., Honda, 346
4. Jason Lawrence, Murrieta, Ga., Yamaha, 277
5. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 267
6. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Honda, 255
7. BRETT METCALFE, MURRIETA, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY/PRO CIRCUIT/KAWASAKI, 242
8. Thomas Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 220
9. Martin Davalos, Cario, Ga., KTM, 203
10. Broc Tickle, Cary, N.C., Yamaha, 201
Related posts:
- KAWASAKI AMA MOTOCROSS LITES RIDERS TAKE TOP FOUR SPOTS AT STEEL CITY
- Langston Wins AMA Toyota Motocross Championship
- Villopoto Takes Win Number Five in Toronto
- Stewart Still Perfect Halfway Through AMA Toyota Motocross Championship
- Ryan Villopoto Injured – Could Be Out for the Rest of 2009 Outdoor Season
