Hondas Sweep Muddy San Diego Supercross
By Jordan Powell
Photos by Brendan Lutes and Casey Davis
Rain and high winds invaded San Diego, California, but it definitely did not put a damper on the racing in Southern California. For Geico Powersport Honda’s Eli Tomac, it was a night he has been waiting for ever since the beginning of the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross series. Looking like a seasoned veteran more than a fresh Supercross rookie, Tomac grabbed the holeshot and never looked back. In the 450 main event, Two Two Motorsports’ Chad Reed also led from start to finish. In winning, Reed gave TwoTwo Motorsports its first-ever win, and he also took over first on the all-time win list in San Diego. entering the event, Reed was tied with the King of Supercross, Jeremy McGrath, with five San Diego wins each. This was reed’s sixth win in San Diego.
SUPERCROSS LITES
When the gates dropped in the Lites main event, Geico Powersport Honda’s Eli Tomac ripped around the corner first and grabbed the $1000 Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen was hot on his rear tire into the first turn, but he was unable to make a move on the hard charging Honda rider. After the first couple of laps, Tomac’s teammate Jimmy Decotis started to apply some pressure on Hanny, and he finally capitalized on the Kawi rider. While the teammates ran in first and second, a Pro Circuit train with Hansen, Tyla Rattray, and Heat One winner Broc Tickle held onto the top five.
Tomac continued to gain tremendous ground on the field, and at the halfway point, he had about an eight second lead. His teammate, however, made a mistake and dropped back to fifth. Hansen also started to fall back in the field, and Rattray, Tickle, and Cole Seely made it into the top four, respectively. As the laps counted down, it was apparent that no one had what it took to catch Eli, who was pulling away on every lap. When the checkers flew, Tomac took his first career Supercross Lites Main Event win. There was a battle for second and third, but it was Rattray who took second, Tickle with a third, and Seely in fourth.
Results
1. Eli Tomac (Hon)
2. Tyla Rattray (Kaw)
3. Broc Tickle (Kaw)
4. Cole Seely (Hon)
5. Jimmy Decotis (Hon)
6. Josh Hansen (Kaw)
7. Ken Roczen (KTM)
8. Ben Evans (Kaw)
9. Ryan Morais (Suz)
10. Kyle Cunningham (Yam)
11. Antonio Balbi (Kaw)
12. Martin Davalos (Suz)
13. Ryan Smith (Suz)
14. Tommy Weeck (Hon)
15. Nick Paluzzi (Yam)
16. Casey Hinson (KTM)
17. Scott Champion (Kaw)
18. Travis Bright (Hon)
19. Dakota Tedder (Kaw)
20. Kyle Beaton (Kaw)
WESTERN REGIONAL SUPERCROSS LITES SERIES POINT STANDINGS (After 6 of 8 rounds)
1. Josh Hansen (128/3 wins)
2. Broc Tickle (125/1)
3. Eli Tomac (116/1)
4. Ryan Morais (96)
5. Cole Seely (88/1)
6. Ken Roczen (83)
7. Tyla Rattray (80)
8. Martin davalos (69)
9. James Decotis (67)
10. Kyle Cunningham (60)
