Rockstar Makita Suzuki Southwick Report
Monday, August 29, 2011 | 9:30 AM
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SOUTHWICK, MA– Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki truly gave it their all at round 10 of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championships on Saturday. The Rockstar Energy Drink Southwick National in Southwick, MA took place in the throes of Hurricane Irene, making the already mentally and physically demanding track a muddy, rutted quagmire. Despite these conditions, Brett Metcalfe scored his first-ever AMA Pro Motocross overall win on his Yoshimura-equipped Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450, while teammate Ryan Dungey joined him on the podium in third place overall.
At the start of the first moto, there was a light drizzle and Dungey got the holeshot, but Metcalfe was right behind him in second place. Throughout the next 30 minutes, Metcalfe battled for a podium position and wound up finishing in third. By the time the second 450 moto started, the rain was coming down hard and the sandy course was soaked. Despite this, Metcalfe was consistent and smooth on his Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 and finished in second place. The combined results handed him his first overall win.
“Getting this win is definitely the highlight of my motocross career,” said Metcalfe. “It’s been eight years of racing in the U.S. and trying to get a win, so this is incredible. It’s great to be back on the podium again, for both motos and the overall. Thanks to the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team for a great bike in the RM-Z450 and to my family and everyone who’s helped make this happen. Hard work, motivation and dedication – Stay at it and it happens. Now, there are two more rounds left and I want to take the momentum from this win into Steel City next weekend. I did really well there last year and I feel like that track really suits me. We really have things dialed in with the bike now – I’m real comfortable, so it’s really time to attack and try to go for the win again.”
Teammate Dungey also demonstrated hard work, motivation and dedication at Southwick. After getting the holeshot in the first moto, Dungey rode flawlessly for the entire race and easily took the win. In the second moto, however, Dungey had to start after the gate had already dropped and he was almost a lap back. In spite of this, he put his head down and piloted the Rockstar Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 through the field. After starting in 39th place, Dungey managed to finish a remarkable seventh in the moto and third overall for the day.
"I have so many mixed emotions right now,” said Dungey. “At one point, I didn’t even think I was going to be able to ride, but then the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team came through. At that point, I knew it was just a matter of salvaging points. I don’t want anybody to take anything away from my team. It’s because of them and their hard work that we finished in seventh and were able to pull third overall. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have been out there at all. But there are four races left and winning the championship isn’t impossible. So now, I’m just focusing on being prepared for Steel City next weekend and getting as many points as possible. I really like the track at Steel City – I’ve had good rides and success there in the past few years and it will be good to get back there and keep pushing for this title.”
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki team’s next event is the 11th round of the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championship on Saturday, September 3rd, at the Steel City National in Delmont, PA.
Southwick 450 Class Overall Results:
3. Ryan Dungey
5. Mike Alessi
6. Jake Weimer
8. John Dowd
9. Les Smith
10. Kyle Chisholm
2011 Motocross 450 Class Standings:
1. Ryan Villopoto – 431
2. Ryan Dungey – 423
3. Chad Reed – 366
4. Brett Metcalfe – 304
5. Mike Alessi – 243
6. Jake Weimer – 221
7. Andrew Short – 196
8. Kevin Windham – 193
9. Davi Millsaps – 173
10. Justin Brayton – 163
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What garbage propaganda, bull s#*t from Rockstar Makita Suzuki....You all need to publicly thank Ryan Dungey for pulling your reputation out of the gutter. He, alone, rode like a true champion to garner a 7th under the most extreme of motocross conditions. No excuses, the organization owes its rider alot of public praise.
Congrats to Metty for his first win!!!!!!!!! Southwick owed him, and he came and took it from her. Well done.
The gas at Freestone, and this "deficient part" debacle just cost the best rider in the USA his just deserved title. If he pulls it off (which he just may) it will be in despite of the factory support, not because of it.
Amen brother!!!! Just think back last year in supercross when in the end, the points of one DNF cost him the title. Now fast forward to the present and we are seeing the same thing happen!! I can imagine when he says "bc of the team effort", he is really thinking "2 races and Im out of this nightmare!". No credit taken away though. Hes a beast and wont be denied when he puts his head down. RESPECT!!
Lets not forget both factory Honda's took a dump in Moto 1. Southwick is hard on equipment, especially with the talent of these guys.It is indeed the curse of the 4 stroke, its not IF their gonna Grenade it's WHEN. Ryan tossed a chain during Supercross due to his own mistake, really cant blame that on the bike.
@Tc....ya, I purposely made no comment about the supercross sprocket issue as it is very easily a racing incident.
But my "beef" is the "corporate wording" above of the Southwick event. Rockstar Makita Suzuki made ZERO mention of the phenominal, heroic 35 minute sprint from 3/4 of a lap headstart to the entire 450 field. NOT ONE MENTION!!!!!!!! There is not a two way respect as it should of been within this organization.
I am sure Ryan will run away from Suzuki as soon as he can. He will take his mechanic, as this does not reflect on him. He has no control over deficient parts. The organization is "one-sided" and unfortunately they are one-sided to themselves and don't know how to credit their prized racer when credit is due!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have SCREWED Roger DeCoster twice now. I am sure Ryan has seen that and will not continue with ungrateful employers.........
I agree 110% with GOLFYODA above! US Suzuki alone owes a huge hunk of their reputation on the ability of THE BEST our sport has to offer! NO other rider under such adversity could have had this much against him and lose just a single point in the outdoor points chase. I've been in this scene since 1973 and there has never been such a come back as Dungey pulled off on Saturday.And, I got to witness it! PAY UP SUZUKI !!! Or lose Ryan and Goose to a team that understands their ability and worth and is willing to pay them for [it.] Other stars have shined for "a moment in time" but, unlike most other professionals in any sport that's fan driven, Ryan's GENUINE up-close and fuzzy nature with masses, such as that with the likes of K-Dub and possibly Canard, fan loyalty will certainly cross lines should Dungey depart Rockstar/Suzuki. Listen up guys! Many of us already dumped our YZ's when JS7 began his reign of disrespect to our sport and his fan base...and not to mention...playing law enforcement officer on the highways of Central Florida, getting caught, and than RUNNING from REAL law enforcement officers! (Talk about the pinnacle of pin-headed maneuvers!) Our sports needs REAL role models and the top runners are showing their TRUE worth both on and off the track in this years outdoor season.
Hey, i agree with Greg and Golfyoda. Suzuki is lookin bad for their bike mishaps of this last season, and we all know that corporate marketing is always gonna put the best spin on a story regardless of fact. Remember Honda let not only Mcgrath, but Carmichael go as well,( how many championships did they win after the fact).Dungey deserves his accolades for sure. Ryan and his family are great people, known of them since way back when racing the D23 scene.But Carmichael never had a bike issue on a Suzuki, and I dont recall Reed having 1 either just saying the bikes are gonna break, regardless of brand. Hell i have a Honda but like my Budddies 2011 zook better.