Former SX/MX Champ Jeff Ward Flat Hauls on a Supermotard Bike
I saw a race this weekend. No, not the AMA Superbike race at California Speedway, although I saw that too. The race I’m talking about was more intense, more exciting, and a hell of a lot more competitive. It also featured a few riders you may have heard of: Kevin Schwantz (1993 500GP World Champion), Jeff Ward (winner of 7 AMA supercross and motocross titles), Jeremy McGrath (winningest Supercross rider in history) Mike Metzger (the Godfather of freestyle MX, X Games gold medalist), and Mr. Daytona Scott Russell.
I’m talking about the STTARS supermotard race, which was held in the pit parking lot of California speedway on a tight, go-kart style course. Not only was the motard event the racing highlight of the weekend, it was an interesting preview to the AMA Red Bull Supermotard championship, which kicks off in July during the Laguna Seca WSB weekend. McGrath is rumored to be planning to contest the entire season alongside Scott Russel on factory KTMs, riding against freestyle superstar Metzger, road racer Doug Chandler, and a long list of motard specialists from the US and overseas.
Supermotard is hugely popular in Europe, and has the potential to match or exceed that popularity in the US. The racing is wild and exciting, and it seems to attract plenty of stars from other disciplines. In Europe, invitational supermotard events have attracted such racing luminaries as Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa, and Ben Bostrom. Last year’s AMA Superbike champion and current Honda MotoGP racer Nicky Hayden even tried his hand at supermotard last year. The draw of these big names attracts existing race fans, while the exciting nature of the sport should pull in plenty of new spectators.
If you have any interest at all in any form of motorcycle racing, you owe it to yourself to check out a supermotard race. Keep an eye on AMAproracing.com for the AMA Red Bull Supermotard Championship schedule, and get to a live event or check out the television coverage on OLN.
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| Jeff Ward (#3x) | Jeff Ward (#3x) |
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| Jeff Ward (#3x) | Jeff Ward (#3x) |
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| Mike Metzger (#875) | Kevin Schwantz (#34) |
