CORONA, Calif. (August 25, 2011) - Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders head to MX-338 in Southwick, Mass. for the 10th round of the AMA Motocross Championship series after enjoying a weekend off. Coming off his first win of the season, Dean Wilson carries the momentum and the points lead into Southwick. Teammate Blake Baggett sits 25 points back, but proven capable of putting his Pro Circuit-backed Kawasaki KX250F on top of the podium, while last year’s race winner Tyla Rattray and Broc Tickle will be looking to bounce back from tough results at Unadilla.
While Wilson enters the weekend with a single moto points lead, he won’t be backing down from his chance to get his second overall win of the season. He’s been training on the sand tracks in the Florida heat, making sure he is prepared for the rigorous conditions the track in Southwick often presents.
“I’ve been working really hard to make sure I’ve done everything I can to be ready for this weekend,” said Wilson. “Southwick is usually really physically demanding and I know it’s going to be one of the tougher races we do. I think I’ve done what I need to prepare and I’m looking forward to the race.”
Baggett put himself back into second in the championship standings after two good come-from-behind rides at the last round. Now he has his sights set on his teammate as he will put it all out of the line to be able to make up 25 points over the next three races.
“It seems like a lot of points, but I now that anything can happen in motocross racing so I’ll give it everything I have over the next six motos,” said Baggett. “I know that I can win races and that’s all I can try to do for now.”
Last year, Rattray became a dad as he raced the national in Southwick, winning the race for his newborn daughter. With her first birthday, Rattray would love to win for his daughter once again.
“It was a bittersweet race last year because I wasn’t able to be there for her birth, but was able to win for her at the race,” said Rattray. “I really like the track because you really have to be strong and able to push yourself through the sand ruts. I know my bike will be great so it will be up to me to get on top of the podium for Brooke.”
After a tough weekend at Unadilla, Tickle is looking to bounce back big to prove he is capable of top-five speed. He’s been able to grab fifth overall, but is ready to break through the top-five.
“I know that I have the speed to be top five, but something always seems to happen when I’m out there,” said Tickle. “I am just looking to get a clean race in and hopefully I can prove that I can be up there with the top guys.”
The AMA Motocross Championship series heads to MX-338 in Southwick, Mass for Round 10. After nine rounds, Wilson remains in the lead with 396 points, while Baggett moved into second with 371 points. Rattray moved into third with 353, while Tickle is now in seventh with 195 points.
