10 Things to Watch for at Pala
Friday, September 9, 2011 | 3:20 PM
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PrintAuthors: Jason Weigandt and Chase Stallo
10. LIVE MOTOS: The final round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship from Pala Raceway will feature four hours of bar-to-bar racing with first moto coverage beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern on FUEL TV and Allisports.com. Then make sure to turn over to SPEED at 7 p.m. Eastern to catch back-to-back live coverage of the second motos, beginning with the 250 Class.9. MARVELOUS MARVIN: Red Bull KTM's Marvin Musquin came into the 2011 season being touted as the next great French import, on a level with names like Pourcel, Tortelli, and Bayle. But after an injury-plagued 2011 season in which Musquin missed the entire SX series and the majority of the motocross season, many were wondering if he could contend in America—and even questioning his position on Team France for the Motocross of Nations. But after a 3-3 performance for his first career podium, many of those questions were laid to rest. With the Pala season finale on the horizon, can Musquin continue to prove the doubters wrong and cap off the season with a victory?
Can Musquin claim victory at the final round of series?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
8. THE ROUGH: Pala has only been on the national tour for a year but it’s already developed a reputation with the riders as rough and tough. It presents a good mix of big jumps on the flats and rugged up-and-downhills out back. The soil can be deceiving, too, as the sandy sections can really bog an engine down and make routine leaps tough for a 250 (ask Pourcel). Some riders can boast that they practice here a lot, and that seemed to help Dean Wilson last year as he dominated both 250 motos. But the track shapes up much differently for the National weekend. In a final advertised as one where anything can happen, this is certainly the track where it can.
7. A STREAK ON THE LINE: We continue to stress this, but with the display Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki put on this year in the 250 Class, how could you not? If one of the team’s four thoroughbreds—Dean Wilson, Tyla Rattray, Blake Baggett, or Broc Tickle—can pull out the overall at Pala, it will mark the first time a team has swept all twelve rounds of the 125/250 Class in Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross. Honda did it in 1974, but that was the inaugural year of the class and many manufacturers didn’t field teams—nor did they race twelve rounds. Can Pro Circuit pull off the unimaginable? Or will Tomac, Musquin, Cunningham, and the rest of the contenders spoil the PC party?
6. WMX CHAMP: Ashley Fiolek is on the verge of her third WMX title in four years as a pro, powered by the same consistency that netted her the first two crowns. Jessica Patterson has shown dominant speed at times but has also hit the ground a bunch, while Ashley has been nearly flawless. She carries a 22-point lead into the final two motos on Saturday.
Will Fiolek wrap up another title at Pala?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
5. BATTLE FOR FOURTH: We know the Pro Circuit boys have dominated the top three spots in points. Behind them is a close battle for next-best, with Eli Tomac currently seven points up on Kyle Cunningham; Gareth Swanepoel is 20 points back. We’ve seen ups and downs from all three this year, so a 20-point swing isn’t impossible in any direction.
4. THE MATH: If Ryan Dungey goes 1-1, Ryan Villopoto needs a 3-4 to hold the points lead and win the title. The more likely title-losing scenario would be something crazy happening, like Villopoto crashing out (a la Christophe Pourcel last year). That’s not likely, but it’s more likely two plain old bad motos. Overall, Villopoto has simply put himself in a great position … but you just never know.
3. SPOILER’S ROLE: What would it take for Villopoto to do worse than a 3-4? Obviously, some other riders would have to step up. Justin Barcia, Chad Reed, and Brett Metcalfe have all shown podium speed, so those are the likely ones to mix it up—especially Metty, who can help his Suzuki teammate Dungey with a big ride.
Can Villopoto hold off Dungey?
Photo: Andrew Fredrickson
2. MXoN PREVIEW: We haven’t seen Blake Baggett’s El Chupacabra act since the first moto at Washougal, and many are wondering if he’ll be able to find that speed again by next weekend’s Motocross of Nations. Pala could provide a clue. He’ll have to take on Wilson, though, both here and next weekend in the MX2 class. Also, if things get really heated in the 450 Class, the Ryans are going to have to mend those fences by the time they get to France. They’re supposed to be teammates!
1. UP FOR GRABS: The 250 Championship was wrapped up last weekend at Steel City by Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Dean Wilson, but two titles are still on the line at Pala. Villopoto and Dungey still have some unfinished business to tend to, while in WMX class, longtime rivals Jessica Patterson and Ashley Fiolek are battling to be the “fastest women in motocross.” It will take some help from Fiolek and Villopoto for Patterson and Dungey to have a shot at the title, but we all remember what took place here last year.
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In my years of racing experience, the riders that usually get good starts are the riders that believe they can win! It's just an opinion but the top 10 guys are usually the only ones that tend to get the best starts because they believe they can win or they believe they belong there. The bottom 30 guys on that starting line probably dont BELIEVE that they can win. Therefore usually dont try that hard to win a holeshot. After years and years of watching the AMA nationals and even supercrosses, these bottom riders usually back off on the start to let the faster riders take to the front of the start. Its just my theory!
Been a great season all round, hats off the Villopoto and Dungey, you both are warriors, champions, and gentlemen, riders that we all can be proud of and look up to . Hope to see these two class acts out front for years to come, racing hard and clean showing the new guns Canard, Barcia, Wilson how its done. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication, GOOD LUCK TO BOTH!
Great year, Hope they are all safe tomorrow. Then go kick some World ASS next weekend!!!
Looking forward to Pala tomorrow, I panhandled enough money to buy a ticket. All I need now is a ride! lol No, I will be there and looking to see what rabbit is pulled out of the hat between the 3 classes racing. After the MXdN it's going to be dull until A1. Luckily its cooled down a bit here in So Cal, so it should be good.
HJ - Good observation, however you think it has anything to do with the motorcycle those top 10 guys are on? That is partial reason you the same 5 or 6 guys up front every time....1, 2, 22, 17, 800, 24 all have some pretty good machinery under their legs, so the average joe smoe has a disadvantage from the get go....sometimes in SX, with shorter starts you will see a no-namer get up there...but usually its the top guys on the factory or sub-factory bikes....
Good day of racing lies ahead...I still think RD and RV will distance themselves from the pack in moto 1....Moto 2 will be played the same unless RV takes moto 1 and just cruises...my guess is RV goes for it.....if you play it safe you make mistakes...
Killer I disagree, the bike may be the difference between the top guys but between the top 3 and the rest it is another level of ability
Great season!!! expecting to see Villopoto follow Dungey around tomorrow but hope not. Mabey he is mad about the MXoN #, and will just smoke him again. Lets go Baggett we need you! Pumped for MXoN and Monster Cup and silly season too. MX forever
And in late-breaking news, Rockstar Makita Suzuki is putting all their eggs in one basket, and have hired Jeff Alessi to perform his patented look back-move to the left routine. A hypnotist has been heard whispering the words "green bike" & "red plate with a #2."
Boy, has anyone noticed how the post have changed since you have to log in now to post? No Nazi/Irish Mike or nothing , nice job Racer X.
@bd200- I was wondering how long it would take for someone to bring that up. It's been like a ghost town in here. I have to admit Nazi/Irish Mike was quite the moto circus clown and hater!
They can sign up too. It's not too complicated. I thought I would be sent a verification code via email.
So easy, even a caveman can do it!
I hope they keep the clowns out/off of here. Tomorrow will be a epic close to a great season. I am a Reed fan, but i cant and don't dislike either Ryan!!!! Be safe and defend the good old USA!!! And lets not forget to honor those who sacraficed so much on 9/11/01, God bless!!
Whats wrong with Blake Baggett.Its that stupid nickname.It has jenxed him.Great name Weeg.You've jenxed the fastest rider
I agree, good to be rid of the haters, but cudo's to all for sticking together with all of the hilarious comments. I kinda thought it was fun as he wasn't the sharpest tack in the box, easy for us to get the best of him. Good job everyone for sure. So- somewhere along the line someone made a comparison of Justin Barcia and Jeff Spicoli. I had the oportunity to watch "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" a couple nights ago and was like "yeah good comparison." Uncanny they do resemble each other- not bashing either one- like em both, but I got a good chuckle from it, thanks-whoever it was!
I did not even know they changed it. But I did notice it was a little quite on here.
IMO Sean Penn is a D-BAG A-Hole. But that movie was funny.
Yes since Racer X changed it it has been a much better chat site. I think those of us that never noticed the change are the ones that did not cause any prblm.
@ bucky394 I went back and read your post thanks and I dont have any prblm with 4 wheelers just would not race one. Had may of fun hours playon them though. I miss my Honda ATC 70 that was my favorite pit bike!
9. Many were wondering if he could contend in America—and even questioning his position on Team France for the Motocross of Nations.
What I have noticed about us great American's. "Maybe it is the human race all together" We seem to right people off if they are having a string of bad luck. That is exactly what Marvin was having. He has never gotten to show us his true potential. Now that he is better and no bikes are upper cutting him in the jaw. He Is starting to get in the swing of things.
Let me assure all of you on here,new sign up or not I will call a spade a spade,a moron a moron,idot a idiot etc.@BD200 I assure you Sauerkraut Mike can sign up just like you did.I bet money that he works for KTM,Redbull or WhitePower.I'm sure he works in the industry.He's just having fun on here stiring up the crybabies.I bet he is a great guy.Some of ya'll need to sign up at CreamPuff racing and pat each other on the back.@CXMark are you going to take Tons of Fun with you today?
oh the spodeness of it all. It has been a great season.
@Bucky... That was me buddy!!.... As soon as Barcia grew his hair out i thought he looked like a long haired hesher stoner ....so Spicoli fits...plus, he is kind of goofy looking ttoo
Races on in an hour RV has the fasted time in practice...