Houston Supercross Round 7

Hooters – Cumberland - Moto XXX Tamer Racing Race Report - Houston, TX – February 16, 2008

Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas was the site of this past weekends seventh round of the AMA Monster Energy Supercross series and even though the weather outside was less than ideal fans still packed the house in anticipation of some close racing.

This weekend the Hooters - Moto XXX Tamer race team welcomed back Lites rider Ryan Grantom after a fractured collar bone in Phoenix had him sidelined for the past five weeks. Grantom, along with Supercross class riders Antonio Balbi Jr. and Eric Sorby all rode well throughout practice and made the transfer to the evening program.

Ryan Grantom was the first Hooters - Moto XXX Tamer rider on the track as he lined up for the first Lites class heat race. Grantom got a decent start in his first race back and settled into a quick pace. The Texan tried to work his way through the pack but the track proved hard to pass on as Grantom would cross the line 13th and be forced to ride the last chance qualifier.

Antonio Balbi Jr. was next to the line when the first Supercross class heat race took to the track. Balbi got a top 10 start and proceeded to log some quick laps. Everything was going well and Balbi was within qualifying position until a mistake on the sixth lap saw Balbi drop a couple of positions. Fortunately Antonio was able to hang on to ninth place and secure his spot on the line for the main event.

The second Supercross class heat race saw Eric Sorby get off the line with a mid-pack sSorby was able to put down some quick laps and make it passed a few riders but would only be able to garner an 11th place finish. Two spots short of qualifying.

Ryan Grantom lined up for the Lites last chance qualifier needing to finish within the top four to advance. Grantom got an excellent start rounding the first turn in third place. The first few laps were uneventful as Grantom put down consistent laps. With only two laps remaining a tight pass by Jeff Northrop saw Grantom make a small mistake and allow another rider past. Grantom quickly got back on the gas but time ran out and Ryan would finish one spot short of the main event. He would, however, make a trip to the podium where he accepted the Asterisk Medic Card and earning valuable television exposure for the team and sponsors.

Eric Sorby was in the final qualifying race of the evening but the race did not start as well as Sorby would have liked. A missed shift going down the start straight forced Sorby to enter the first turn in near last place. Sorby quickly made it passed a few riders and into 10th place when a group of riders went down right in front of him. Fortunately Sorby was able to miss the pile-up and move inthird place. With time running out Sorby rode hard but would fall one spot short of the main event with a third place finish. Sorby also made a trip to the podium where he was awarded the Racer XGas Card for his finish making it a first for one team to get two gas cards at the same event.

When the Supercross main event loaded the gate Antonio Balbi Jr. lined up just to the right of the dog house. The gate dropped and the Hooters/Moto XXX Tamer rider got off the line well and rounded the first turn around 10th. Balbi rode smart through the crowded first few laps holding onto his 10th place until a slight bobble on the slick track dropped him to 14th. When the half way mark came out Balbi was still hanging on to 14th with a couple of riders within striking distance. But with three laps remaining another mistake saw Balbi fall to 18th place, ultimately where he would finish.

This next weekend the series heads further east to Atlanta, Georgia for the eighth round of the series and the kickoff of the eastern region Lites class series. In addition to Eric Sorby and AntoBalbi Jr. in the Supercross class, the Moto XXX Tamer team welcomes Vernon McKiddie (#129) and Mitch Dougherty (#597) to the team for the east coast rounds. Both riders are excited to get back racing so be sure to make it by the truck this weekend to meet the new riders and get some autographs. See you there!

Moto XXX Tamer Racing is proudly supported by:

Hooters, Cumberland, Moto XXX, Tamer Racing, Perfex Corp, Akrapovic, American Honda
Motor Co., Race Tech Suspension, Pirelli Tires, Wiseco, Sidi Boots, Boyesen, O’Neal MX, Motion Pro, Ti Lube, Moto XXX Performance, Honda Genuine Parts, Pro Honda Oils & Chemicals, Enjoy Graphics, Deluge Sport, Vortex Sprockets and Bars, JD Jetting, Excel A60 Wheel Sets, RK Chains, Tamer Billet Starting Devices, Mock Racing, ARC Levers, Honda Rider’s Club of America, Cometic Gaskets, Crower Power, Group D Pit Wear, Interlakes Sport Center, KG Clutch Factory, Polisport Plastics, Ready Filter, VP Fuels, Vortex Ignitions, Scott USA, Ogio, Carbon Fiber Works, Clutch Wipes Hand Cleaner, Metaltek, SDG USA, BUD Racing

For more information contact Moto XXX please visit www.motoxxx.com or call (951) 359-6999, Tamer Motorsports www.tamerracing.com or call (402) 440-7083