Steel City: Kawasaki Racing event report

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Scores Double Podium at Steel City

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders Christophe Pourcel and Tyla Rattray solidified their positions in the championship standings with podium efforts at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Penn. Pourcel charged forward in both motos, finishing 2-2 and second overall while Rattray went 3-4 and finished third overall. Dean Wilson found trouble in the first moto, but rebounded with a third place finish in the second moto, putting his ninth overall. In the 450 class, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Nick Wey just missed the top 10 finishing 11th overall. Newcomer Billy MacKenzie finished 14th in the first moto and then was injured in a crash at the start of the second moto. In the WMX class, Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Sara Price rode strong to finish fifth overall.

Points Lead
Pourcel lead the 250 class championship standings by seven points as the series heads to its final two motos at Pala Raceway this weekend. Pourcel battled for the lead throughout the first moto, swapping the top spot multiple times before finishing second. In the final moto of the day, the French rider had to work his way to the front and though he was right on the rear fender of the leader, he couldn't make the pass.

"There was a lot of good racing today," said Pourcel. "I was giving it everything I had and we had a good battle going for the lead. I did everything I could today and I have the points lead for the last race. I want this championship and I'm going to go out and try to win both motos at Pala."

Strong Finish
Rattray's summer has seemed to mimic his riding style in the motos. After a slow start, the South African rider has come on strong and now has a firm hold on third place in the championship standings. Rattray was near the front in both motos at Steel City and earned his __ podium of the season.

"Early in the year I wasn't running a fast enough pace at the beginning of the motos," said Rattray. "That is something I've been working very hard on and now it seems to be paying off. This has been a good season and I want to finish it with a win at Pala."

Prize Fighter
Wey put in one of the toughest rides of his career in the first moto at Steel City. Early in the race a rock hit him just below his left eyes, damaging his goggle lens and cutting him enough to require stitches. Of course that didn't hold the DeWitt, Mich. native back as he rode through poor vision and pain to finish 13th in the moto. Wey fought hard in the second moto to get into the top-10 overall but came home one position short.

"Today was tough," said Wey. "The rock hit me pretty good and it was tough to see as everything start swelling. I just kept riding and gave it my best. When you're racing it doesn't really hurt, but as soon as I got back to the pits it was pretty painful."

Victory Lap
Former Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Timmy Ferry was on hand at Steel City to do one final lap after announcing his retirement earlier this season. Ferry was welcomed warmly by the motocross fans, receiving high fives and thunderous applause as he circled the track one last time. "Red Dog" also had a surprise in store for fans, as he secretly packed a helmet and gear for his son Evan. The youngest Ferry joined his father on the special lap making the first of what many are hoping is the next Ferry to cheer for.

Billy Mac
MacKenzie was planning on racing the AMA final round at Pala after finishing second in the Australian motocross series this summer on board the factory Kawasaki team. With space under the tent at Monster Energy Kawasaki, the team welcomed the Scottish rider at Steel City and he didn't disappoint after setting the fourth fastest lap in qualifying. In the first moto he got a good start and rode in the top ten for most of the race. The second moto didn't go as well as he was caught up in a crash in the first turn.

"I'm disappointed for sure," said MacKenzie. "The fist moto went really well and I was feeling good on the bike. I had no where to go in the second moto and I hit pretty hard, breaking my collarbone."

Keeping Her Head Up
With little energy coming into the race as she recovered from and illness she has suffered all summer, Price kept her head up as she gave all she had and came out with a finish inside the top-five.

"It's been pretty tough being sick and not being able to ride very much," said Price. "My goal coming in was to just do my best. I was pretty weak by the second moto so I just tried to keep it on two wheels and come out with a decent amount of points."

Rookie Year
With just two events remaining in his freshman season, Wilson was looking to make a push and remain third in the series standings. After getting a good start in the first moto, he crashed on the first lap and went to the back of the field. He crashed again later in the moto, and was only able to salvage a 17th place result. In the second moto, the Scottish rider rocketed to the holeshot and led early before dropping back to third at the finish.

"I'm bummed with myself right now," said Wilson. "In the first moto, I think I was just pushing to hard early in the race and that is why I crashed on the first lap. My goal all year has to been to finish in the top three and I think I was just trying too hard."

Happy Birthday
Price celebrated her 18th birthday while traveling to the penultimate round of the WMX class. Her birthday wish was to get over her illness so she can finish the season strong.

"I really want to finish out the season with a good finish," said Price. "It's frustrating to be sick with something that can only be fixed with rest. I'm looking forward to Pala and I hope I can finish the season with a podium finish."

Final Curtain
The 2010 motocross season comes to an end this coming weekend at Pala Raceway in Southern California with Pourcel looking to earn his first AMA Motocross championship and the rest of the riders looking to improve their positions in the standings. To guarantee the title, Pourcel needs to finish second or better in both motos.

-source: kawasaki