Carmichael and Grant Fastest at Millville

Shan Moore | August 12, 2006

Ricky Carmichael looks like a good bet to take his seventh outdoor win of the year after posting the fastest time during today’s practice session in preparation for round nine of the AMA Motocross Championships, to be held tomorrow at Spring Creek MX Park, near Millville, Minnesota.

Carmichael put his Makita Suzuki at the top of the time sheets with a fastest lap of 2:21.657 seconds, around the perfectly-groomed Spring Creek course. James Stewart was next on his factory Kawasaki with a time of 2:22.765, nearly a second off of Carmichael’s pace, while Team Honda’s Kevin posted a 2:23.629 for the third-fastest time of the day.

Sobe/Samsung/Mobile/Honda’s Josh Grant had the fastest time among the Lites-division riders with a 2:25.618, which was also the fourth-fastest time overall. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto was next with a 2:26.185, while Unbound Energy/Moto XXX’s Tim Ferry continues to impress and had the sixth-best overall time with a 2:27.082.

World MX2-class contender, Tyla Rattray, of South Africa, took advantage of a break in the FIM schedule to compete at Millville on a KTM. Rattray, was impressed with the Spring Creek course and got up to speed during the final practice session, posting a fastest lap of 2:27.760.

Of the riders making their pro debuts at Millville, Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey was the fastest in practice, turning a best time of 2:29.690. Newly-signed Team Yamaha rider Josh Hill lap the course with a best time of 2:31.480.

Another rider making his pro debut, though as a privateer, was Honda rider Broc Tickle. Tickle is riding the Motocross class and took second in his qualifier behind Team Solitaire’s Justin Buckelew.

Shan Moore | Contributing Editor

Moore covers all facets of off-road racing for Cycle News – from AMA Supercross and Motocross to GNCC and National Hare Scrambles events.