Redux Beverages/Brawndo Honda Event Update - presented by Kingdom Crown
Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington
April 27th, 2008

Clark 12th, Kiniry 20th in Seattle Supercross

With the series nearing its end and Championships on the line, the energy heading into the 16th round of the 2008 AMA Supercross Series in Seattle, WA was electric. Bob Kiniry, who has been quietly recovering from minor knee surgery to repair his meniscus, was ready to get back on the track. Seattle marked the final round of the West Region “Lites” Series, and Bob was looking to put an exclamation point on an already stellar series. The sunny weather was a welcomed change to the dreary, rainy and muddy conditions that have become the norm for this event.

Bob Kiniry was ready for battle in Seattle (hey, that rhymed). He had two great timed qualification sessions early in the day, and was more than ready when the gate descended on the second “Lites” Heat Race.

Kiniry was slow off the gate, but took advantage of a small opening around the inside of turn one and catapulted himself into third place. He challenged for second place, held by Dan Reardon, all the while fighting off the advances of Justin Brayton and series point leader Jason Lawrence. On lap three, Bob moved into second place, but had Lawrence, and now Austin Stroupe breathing heavily down his neck. On the final lap, both riders were able to take the measure of Kiniry, who would settle in for an impressive fourth place finish.

Bob had a great pick on the gate for the main event start, and took full advantage of his position by pulling his first Progressive Direct Main Event Holeshot on his JR Boyd- tuned Honda CRF 250R. After leading briefly exiting turn one, Ryan Dungey took over the lead with Bob in tow. Bob was locked in battle with Justin Brayton, Jason Lawrence and Dungey. Dungey inched away, but Bob took the measure of Brayton in the whoops and pulled a small gap. Things were looking good for another Kiniry podium, but that all changed at the halfway point. In the whoops, Bob cross-rutted and shot off the track and to the hard stadium floor. He remounted, albeit quite slowly, and re-entered the race. His mid-race miscue would cost him big, relegating him to 20th position in the main event.

Ryan Clark was looking to get himself back on track after missing the main event (but unfortunately not the stadium wall) last weekend in St. Louis. He felt comfortable and quick on the track, posting the second fastest qualification time in his division, and 15th overall.

Ryan’s start in the first “Supercross” class heat race was around 12th. From there, he picked up a few positions in the first lap on the rocky, obstacle riddled course. By lap five of the eight-lap qualifier, Ryan was running in ninth with David Vuillemin chomping at his heels. He was able to open up some breathing room on DV and crossed the finish line in the ninth and final transfer position.

Ryan was lined up pretty far outside on the gate for the main event start, but that didn’t stop him from rocketing out of the gate and charging for the first turn. For a moment it seemed that Redux Beverages/Brawndo Honda would sweep the main event holeshots at Seattle, but Ryan got pushed up into the tuff-blox marking the course and had to check up. He would emerge just outside the top ten, but quickly move into ninth. After a few laps, Ryan was jockeying for position, moving up to seventh, then back to ninth, then back to seventh again. He made a few mistakes, unable to consistently jump through the technical rhythm section. At the conclusion of 20 laps, Ryan crossed the finish line in 12th position.

Summary: Bob Kiniry was on fire in Seattle. He had the speed to run with the leaders, and, despite his mid-race mistake, we are very pleased with his performance. Look for Bob to be a threat to win races in the very near future. Bob finished out 10th in the West Region “Lites” Point Standings with one podium and several top ten finishes. Ryan rode well en route to 12th, and is looking to finish out with a top ten at the final round in Las Vegas. Next weekend is the East/West Shootout of the “Lites” class, so we will have both Bob Kiniry and Kyle Partridge on hand to represent.

Other Notes:

With both “Lites” riders slated to ride next weekend, Las Vegas will mark the debut of “The Intern” Eric Gass to professional racing. Eric will spin wrenches for Kyle Partridge in addition to his regular duties of making coffee and cleaning the bathroom.

Redux Beverages, Brawndo and Team Solitaire/MB1 Racing will be hosting an after party in Las Vegas on Saturday night after the race at the Empire Ballroom on the Las Vegas strip. If you are planning on attending the race, don’t miss the after-party. Check our website for more information this week.

The team participated in an autograph session at Lynnwood Cycle Barn on Friday evening. The event was great, and we met some very cool new fans. The Brawndo girls were on hand, and there was plenty of lime-green electrolyte-packed goodness for everyone.

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