The rain held out today, and the track was in perfect condition for practice at the sixth round of the AMA National Motocross Series in Unadilla, New York.
As usual Team Makita Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael (4) wasted little time in putting down the fastest lap of the day. He turned in a time of 2:09.246 minutes in the first practice session on the fast Unadilla course. Second quickest was Team Kawasaki’s James Stewart (259) with a time of 2:11.197 minutes. All throughout the day Stewart remained competitive with the seemingly untouchable Carmichael. In third was Team Yamaha’s Chad Reed with a fast lap was 2:11.927 minutes. At the last round Reed did not make the podium due to a DNF in the first moto.
Last round’s runner-up finisher Team Amsoil/Chaparral/Honda’s Kevin Windham was fourth quickest with a best time of 2:12.323 minutes.
If Carmichael wins tomorrow it will be his sixth straight victory of the season and will extend his overall win streak to 21. The victory could also extend his points lead over Reed. Currently Carmichael has a 69-point lead over the Yamaha rider.
In the 125 class, last round’s winner Team Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Grant Langston was the fastest. He turned in a best time of 2:13.026 minutes. Second quickest was new Team Cernics/Suzuki-recruit Jason Lawrence with a time of 2:14.331 minutes. Even more impressive is the fact that Lawrence clocked the time in the more crowded un-seeded rider practice session. Third quickest in the class was Langston’s teammate Ivan Tedesco. The New Mexico native’s best time was 2:14.463 minutes. As for current points leader Jim’s Motorcycle Sales/Honda rider Mike Brown, he was slightly off the pace of the leaders. His best time was 2:15.312 minutes.
In other interesting news, there are no longer anymore two-strokes in the 125 class. The final holdout, Team Boost Mobile/Yamaha of Troy’s Brett Metcalfe, decided to make the big switch to a 250 four-stroke.
To celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary Team Yamaha had all of their riders and mechanics decked out in retro yellow and black team apparel and gear. Both Reed and David Vuillemin had their bikes done up in the old-school colors.
Tomorrow the forecast is calling for scattered thunderstorms, raising the possibility of a muddy race by the time the gate drops.
