by Aaron Hansel
Practice Report: Oakland
Saturday, January 28, 2012 | 8:10 PM
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Practice Report
Villopoto and Musquin Fastest in Oakland
The Lowdown on Practice in Oakland
Another afternoon of Monster Energy AMA Supercross has come and gone here in Oakland, and as usual, some familiar names rose to the top.
The first Lites A qualifier was pretty uneventful. Halfway through the Lites session, Eli Tomac turned a 56.818, a time that only Tomac himself would best. Tomac looked good, and as the end of the session drew near, Tomac started throwing out some big whips. He finished the session on top with a 55.569, followed by Zach Osborne (55.983), Marvin Musquin (56.056), Dean Wilson (56.331), Ryan Sipes (56.577), Nico Izzi (56.684), Cole Seely (56.910) and Tyla Rattray (57.293).
When the Lites A riders took to the dirt for their second qualifier, it looked like we were going to see a repeat of the first session. Tomac quickly laid down the fastest lap, with Osborne setting the second fastest time. Then, Musquin turned up the heat with a 55.303, prompting Tomac to respond with a 55.209. Not to be outdone, Musquin busted out a smoking fast 54.727, which would end up being the fastest lap of the session. Osborne was second fastest with a 54.821, then Tomac (54.923), Wilson (55.292), Seely (55.614), Sipes (55.758), Jason Anderson (55.811) and Izzi (55.961). Interestingly enough, the fastest two riders of this session are the only two guys that haven’t won main events yet this year.
In the 450 ranks, Ryan Villopoto was fast early on with a 55.706, but seven laps into the session James Stewart took over with a 55.459. Davi Millsaps held down the second fastest time for a while, but dropped several spots at the end of the qualifier. Stewart’s 55.459 was fastest, followed by Ryan Villopoto (55.706), Ryan Dungey (56.012), Davi Millsaps (56.043), Chad Reed (56.060), Justin Brayton (56.134), Jake Weimer (56.467), Kevin Windham (56.487), Brett Metcalfe (56.850), Andrew Short (56.902) and Kyle Chisholm (56.990). Check out the times between Dungey and Chisholm, they’re all in the 56-second range.
The second qualifier saw RV dominate the leader board. Stewart was close behind for the first part of the session, but when Villopoto’s lap times plummeted into the low 54s, Stewart was unable to follow. Stewart pulled off at one point to speak with his mechanic briefly, but made no adjustments to his bike. When it was over, Villopoto’s 54.177 was the fastest lap, then Dungey (54.518), Stewart (54.899), Windham (54.921), Millsaps (55.079), and Reed (55.308).
The track is pretty basic without much to separate the top guys from one another, and the dirt is looking amazing; nice and tacky without any mud or dust. The combination of these two factors should create some great head-to-head racing and aggressive passing. Be sure to stay tuned to Racer X Online, and follow us on Twitter, @racerxonline, for live updates from tonight’s race.
Another afternoon of Monster Energy AMA Supercross has come and gone here in Oakland, and as usual, some familiar names have risen to the top.
The first Lites A qualifier was pretty uneventful. Halfway through the Lites session, Eli Tomac turned a 56.818, a time that only Tomac himself would best. Tomac looked good, and as the end of the session drew near, Tomac started throwing out some big whips. He finished the session on top with a 55.569, followed by Zach Osborne (55.983), Marvin Musquin (56.056), Dean Wilson (56.331), Ryan Sipes (56.577), Nico Izzi (56.684), Cole Seely (56.910) and Tyla Rattray (57.293).
When the Lites A riders took to the dirt for their second qualifier, it looked like we were going to see a repeat of the first session. Tomac quickly laid down the fastest lap, with Osborne setting the second fastest time. Then, Musquin turned up the heat with a 55.303, prompting Tomac to respond with a 55.209. Not to be outdone, Musquin busted out a smoking fast 54.727, which would end up being the fastest lap of the session. Osborne was second fastest with a 54.821, then Tomac (54.923), Wilson (55.292), Seely (55.614), Sipes (55.758), Jason Anderson (55.811) and Izzi (55.961). Interestingly enough, the fastest two Lites riders of qualifying haven’t won a main event yet this year.
Tomac was third fastest overall
Photo: Corndog
In the 450 ranks, Ryan Villopoto was fast early on with a 55.706, but seven laps into the session James Stewart took over with a 55.459. Davi Millsaps held down the second fastest time for a while, but dropped several spots at the end of the qualifier. Stewart’s 55.459 was fastest, followed by Ryan Villopoto (55.706), Ryan Dungey (56.012), Davi Millsaps (56.043), Chad Reed (56.060), Justin Brayton (56.134), Jake Weimer (56.467), Kevin Windham (56.487), Brett Metcalfe (56.850), Andrew Short (56.902) and Kyle Chisholm (56.990). Check out the times between Dungey and Chisholm, they’re all in the 56-second range.
The second qualifier saw RV dominate the leader board. Stewart was close behind for the first part of the session, but when Villopoto’s lap times plummeted into the low 54s, Stewart was unable to follow. Stewart pulled off at one point to speak briefly with his mechanic, but made no adjustments to his bike. When it was over, Villopoto’s 54.177 was the fastest lap, then Dungey (54.518), Stewart (54.899), Windham (54.921), Millsaps (55.079), and Reed (55.308).
So far, RV is the fastest man in Oakland
Photo: Corndog
The track is pretty basic without much to separate the top guys from one another, and the dirt is looking amazing; nice and tacky without any mud or dust. The combination of these two factors should create some great head-to-head racing and aggressive passing. Be sure to stay tuned to Racer X Online, and follow us on Twitter, @racerxonline, for live updates from tonight’s race.
Photo: Corndog
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musquin and osborne are the only 2 lites riders that haven't won a main event this year? where have I been?
red plate coming back to rv tonight
Can we stop using RV,CR,JS and RD ect. as nicknames?? It's really boring, instead of RV what about something like the "flyin tomato"??? That just came up off the top of head, its not that great but something please!
How bout' Justin "stinky leg" Bogle for his one footed whips?? Just sayin
Bubba's doin it tonight!
god i miss live broadcasting, oh yeah, and HHHHHOOOOOLLLLLEEEEESSSSSHHHHHOOOOOTTTTT!!!!!
haha, my computer didn't show the other comments until i hit submit, hahahahaha
Bubba´s doing what tonight? Finishing third?
even if he did win tonight, it won't mean anything. He didn't win practice.
How about 4 different 450 winners in as many races tonight? When was the last time that happened, if ever? Just a matter of time before JS gets a start . . . here's to hoping for a battle tonight, for all the podium spots.
he had a start last weekend
Tonight will be the first repeat winner. Who will it be? What are the chances Villopoto gets another bad start? That bike looks strange with the white backgrounds.
Why in the hell are we going to see ONLY 30 MINUTES OF THE 450'S on cbs.. WHY..........????????This is bullchit ......The 250's are being shown on sunday,ON speed channel 2 to 3 pm pacific time zone.... .........?????????????????????
Hoping we're in for a great night of racing. Maybe two new winners too? Sure wish it was live though!
Nah, tonight will be the fourth winner of the series!! Maybe!! If it is a repeat i hope it's "THE DUNGE"....go RD!! Hey chromknob, it doesn't matter who wins practice, that has been proven over and over again!! Who will get the start (and JS didn't really get the start last weekend either) who will screw up tonight?? I wunda, wunda, wunda who??
@Mishoeye- "Just a thought feel free to belittle me know.."? It is now and not know. But you are on the right track, maybe bring back the semi finals. There is way to much idle time at these races, so consider yourself "belittled". lol
KW FOR THE WIN, AMA needs some drama
Will the races be on live streaming podcast/webcst tonight and if so, where?
I can't help from feeling that Bubbles will be on a mission tonight, to win one for Tex.
kw looks TO GOOD TONIGHT
I'm pretty neutral on RV,or wait,what did the guy above say we should call him now, The Flying Tomato?? Anyway, i'm gonna give it up to the guy, and correct me if i'm wrong, but that dude went out and on the last 3 laps of practice laid down progressively faster laps, he bested himself each of the last three!! Giving credit where credit is due (which some on here just can't seem to do) and saying that is about the most impressive and badass thing i have ever seen in a SX practice!!! Ok, now back to Flying Tomato neutrality!!
went out and on the last 3 laps of practice laid down progressively faster laps
God, I hope he gets a great start.
I personally LOVE RV's white backgrounds, i think he should run them the rest of the season!!!Haha......Go RD5!!!
supercross lites are on fuel tv tomorow night at like 5 cali time
Thats IF you have fuel tv..he he he, speed tv is free for me on direct tv..not fuel...
Stewart fan or not, I would love to see him get a win for Tex.
I know its a little early to make any predictions but I think that we will see Stewart end his contract with JGR and be on either a honda or suzuki next year.
Marvin is learning this SX thing. He doesn't look comfortable mixing it up yet.... but if he got a holeshot... dunno.
ref-man, it's called sarcasm you F$#%^& moron. That's the excuse stupid people use every week when the rider they gay-ron-teed would win didn't. "Yeah but he was the fastest qualifier" or "but he had the fastest lap in traffic" or the best one "if he had gotten the start" . You just used the last one idiot. It's funny how dungey's win was tempered by the fact it was ONLY weimer behind him, yet a second place start behind the same guy a week later isn't "getting the start". It was a better start than the guys that passed him and beat him. Let me guess, that wasn't straight up either. I hear stewart is having a hard time adjusting to the different thread used to sew his seat cover or something to that affect. I really don't care who wins, it's more entertaining to read the "but ifs" for whoever doesn't.
a 52.87 just went down in 250
tomac a 52.8 , c'mon man.
that was flying
Bubba is def gonna do it all tonight! Set good times in practice, do decent in the heats, get in the way of some of the guys with way better bikes, get his gear all dirty rollling across the ground in the main, and finish fourth or fifth to all the top dogs, who are actually riding bikes that are capable of going at those fast speeds. McGrath once said, "I never went after a deal for money, I wanted the best equipment, and I knew with that the money would come". Looks like Stew didn't hear that podcast with matthes.
THE KINGS CROWN IS SAFE WITH HOMIE RIDING THAT TURD!
Reed said it best last week, "You can only polish a turd so much"
SO TRUE!
KW is looking good folks
Flying Tomato ..., YES!
Grand AM Sports Car (Rookie) Racer Travis Pastrana's team is running in the top 20 at the ROLEX 24 @ Daytona -with 16 hours left to go!
What (motor) sport is there that T.P. cannot go out and impress everyone and deflate some veterans hopes almost immediately?
Guy is pretty d@mn amazing. Hang in there, T.P.!
Hey chromknob.....suck on that fella!! Didn't get the start and STILL GOT UP IN TO THE LEAD
....AND HELD OFF RV AND PASSED REED AND WONNN!! OOOH YA...F&*^%NG MORON!!
Oh, one more thing chromknobjob....it looks like he got that goofy seat thread thing figured out too doesn't it?? dbag!!
REF-man, the only dbag here is you for putting race result comments on a practice report thread you effin ahole. Once again it is Stewart fans like you that alienate everyone else.
he got the same start he had last week, dimwit.