Team Solitaire/MB1/Kingdom Honda Event Update
Anaheim, CA
January 19th, 2008

AMA Supercross returned to Anaheim, CA for round three of the 2008 series this past Saturday night. Conditions were much improved from the previous Anaheim outing, as we were greeted with clear skies and warm temperatures. To mix things up, Anaheim 2 was also a special “retro-themed" race, with the track based on the 1986 Anaheim layout. The stage was set for a great night of action as the sun set on the Southern California horizon.

Bob Kiniry was eager to hit the track and show what he was capable of. After setting the quickest lap time in his practice session, he was more than ready when the gate dropped on his heat race.

Heat Two: Bob launched out of the gate and his JR Boyd-tuned CRF 250R rocketed out to what looked like a clean holeshot. He ran a little hot into turn one and lost two positions before settling into third. He ran a solid race, giving up only two places to get the qualification nod by finishing in 5th position. On the main event.

Main Event: Bob repeated his great heat race start by nearly grabbing the Progressive Direct Main Event holeshot. He was just edged out but was sitting solid in second place over the first big double. In the next corner he lost a position to eventual winner Ryan Dungey and the to Jason Lawrence a few turns later. The battle up front was waging and Bob was right in the thick of it. For the next six laps it was tight racing up front, but Bob seemed to get stuck behind Kyle Cunningham for a few laps and lost sight of the leaders. Cunningham made a mistake around halfway allowing Bob to pass and find clear track ahead. With five laps to go he was in sixth, around five seconds behind Brett Metcalfe and Dan Reardon. For the final laps he was engaged in a battle with Justin Brayton, but Brayton made a mistake in the late stages of the race giving Bob his best finish of the season with sixth.

Ryan Clark: I was also extremely eager to get to riding this weekend. After two disappointing rounds, I really wanted to show that I am still capable of running a fast pace and battling for top ten finishes.

Heat Two: I had my trainer, Seiji Ishii, with me this weekend which was a huge help. I was more than ready when the gate dropped and launched out along side Mike Alessi to contend for the holeshot. I was outside of Mike, so I ended up high in turn one and rounded the corner in second position. I hate having to use the word unfortunately, but once again here it goes. Unfortunately, I had a very freak thing happen when my starting lock-down device actually stuck and would not release. I actually jumped the 60 foot double on the first lap with my forks locked down and managed not to crash. Once I realized what was going on, I pulled to the side, relinquishing my second place position, and tried unsuccessfully to disengage my starting device. I had to pull into the mechanic’s area to have my mechanic take the ring off completely before going back out on the track. I would move on to the LCQ.

LCQ: Since I missed a lap in the heat, I was dead last pick on the gate to the LCQ. I started far inside and emerged from the first corner in 18th position. I quickly moved through the field, but time would be of the essence in this short six lap race where only two riders advance. Vuillemin was out front early with Nathan Ramsey in the runner up position. I cleared into fifth with two laps to go and was riding with all I had. I passed Bryan Johnson on the final lap to clinch fourth place, six seconds behind Vuillemin in the lead. My night would come to a pre-mature end.

Summary: Bob really stepped up his riding this weekend, garnering excellent starts and fast, consistent laps. I was pleased with the way I rode this weekend, but obviously not too happy with my results. I need to continue to work on my starts this week and hopefully will not have any further freak mechanical issues.

Thank you to everyone for continuing to support the Team Solitaire/MB1/Kingdom Honda program. We will be back at it again this coming weekend at Pac-Bell Park in San Francisco, CA.

All the best,

Ryan Clark

Team Solitaire/MB1 Kingdom Honda is a privately owned professional Supercross and Motocross race team based in Phoenix, AZ. Our 2008 marketing partners include: MB1 Suspension, Kingdom Clothing, American Honda, FLY Racing, Dragon Optical, Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals, DRD Exhaust, Vortex, Factory Effex, ASV, Dunlop, WPS, Sidi, Rockwell Watches, DUS, OGIO, Applied, QTM/Brembo, RK Chain, EXCEL Rims, Hoy-Fox Toyota, Boyesen, Hinson, Ready Filter, CoachSeiji.com, Cycra Plastic, Sano Systems, AIMMD, Pivot Works, Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Champion Tool Storage, Crank Works, CP Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Ron Davis Racing Radiators, DC Auto Wraps, Leatt Brace, Mechanix Wear, Dirt Pro, JM Collision and Group D Manufacturing.