RK Excel America

With 49,082 fans packing the new Dallas Stadium, Honda of Troy Racing was set to do battle.

#36 Durham and the #505 Lipanovich lined up for the first heat of the night. Lipanovich was consumed by a first turn pile-up and would not have a chance to show his speed until the LCQ. Durham avoided the crash and netted a 6th place start. Our goal for Durham this week was to ride smart and put the #36 bike in the main event. Darryn rode a great qualifier and made a few passes qualifying a very solid 4th.

#412 Kilbarger and #92 Willard were in the second heat and started their night on the right foot with Kilbarger firing out of the gate nearly getting the holeshot. Settling into second place, on lap 2 Levi had a slight miscue and found himself on the ground. He got up and was able to secure a 9th place finish in the heat and a spot in the main event. Willard was not as lucky on the start but put his head down for a 7th place heat finish and his spot in the main.

In the LCQ Sean Lipanovich found a stacked field which included Baggett, Metcalfe, Cunningham, and Friese. With only 2 spots to advance to the main the #505 knew that a good start was crucial if he was going to advance. So when the gate dropped the #505 dropped the hammer and when the pack rounded the first turn he found himself in the lead. Sean put all of the last 2 weeks lessons to work for him and rode a smart race. He protected his lines and seemed to have found the race speed he was looking for, holding off Baggett and Cunningham for 2 ½ laps. At the 2 ½ lap mark Sean misjudged a rutted corner and found himself in the tuff blocks and off the track. When he re-entered the track he was out of qualifying position but relieved to see that the race had been red flagged and the race would be restarted. Now all he was going to have to do was pull another holeshot – LOL. That is exactly what he did, this time battling with Metcalfe for the start. Metcalfe took the lead and Lipanovich was under heavy pressure from Cunningham. After crossing the finish line for lap one, Sean took the left hand turn and set himself up for the technical rhythm section with Cunningham following closely. Sean moved left off of the jump face and came into contact with Cunningham-slamming Sean to the ground and dashing his hopes for a spot in the main event. Even though Sean was denied a chance in the main event this week Sean saw that his riding is progressing leaps and bounds and has found the speed on the track he has been looking for.

With 3 H.O.T. riders in the Main Event this week good things were expected from the crew. When the gate dropped it was Kilbarger again that emerged at the lead of the pack – way out from the outside. Now that is horsepower! As he began to round the first turn Austin Stroupe got hit from the inside, standing him upright and unable to make the turn. Stroupe hit Levi square in the side and sent the #412 spiraling off the track and down to the concrete (the attached pictures tell the story). In the fall Kilbarger tried to catch himself with his previously injured leg. This would put an end to his night. Claimed in the crash were approximately 12 of the 20 riders in the main including the #36 of Durham. The only Troy rider to escape the carnage was #92 Michael Willard who found himself in an amazing 5th place. The lead pack of 5 jumped out to a clean and clear track. Now it was up to Willard to ride his race and not think about the guys charging from behind him. Durham remounted near the back of the pack and never was able to get his wheels under him. On lap 2 he had a minor tip over in the sand section and then once again in one of the long rhythm sections which would end his night with a mild concussion. Now all the Teams hope lay on the shoulders of #92 Willard. As the laps wore on Willard held his own battling with Stroupe and Lemoine for the 5th place spot. On lap 12 of 15, Michael got pushed to the outside of the track and Stroupe and Lemoine raced by. With 2 laps to go he began to feel the pressure from the former champion Pourcel. The pressure from the good start was more than he could handle and he locked up early in the race. For the #92 this was a battle of attrition and by the races end it was all he could do to ride off the track. An 8th place finish is Michael Willard’s best Supercross finish to date but it was not a finish that he was proud of, feeling like he let this one slip through his fingers. He will be back next week looking to redeem himself and prove to himself that he belongs at the front of the pack.

With the injuries to Kilbarger and Durham it is unsure at this time when we will see them back in action. Levi Kilbarger is being evaluated by the specialist that previously treated his broken femur. Thankfully the x-rays show no breaks; however, his leg is tender sore and it is not certain whether he will be able to get back on the track in Jacksonville. The team has determined it may be in Darryn’s best interest to take a week off after suffering two minor concussions in consecutive race weekends. With a break after Jacksonville, the time off could do him some good.

The Honda of Troy/Kilbarger Racing Team would like to acknowledge the sponsors who make this effort possible.

Honda of Troy, Kilbarger Racing LLC, Eleven 10 Mods, WAR – We All Ride, Fox Racing Shox, Cycra Racing, Motorex, TAG Metals, Yoshimura, Motion Pro, Renegade Race Fuel, Faction Mx, N-Style, Dunlop, DP Brake Pads, QTM, G2 Ergonomics, ARC, Boyesen, Light Speed, Hinson, RK/Excel, Ride Eng., Hammerhead, Straight Shot Air Filters, Bell Helmets, Hot Hedz Designs, Von Zipper, Total Image AutoSport, Kicker, ICW, Rocks Racing Services, Injectioneering, IMS Foot Pegs, Franklin Equipment, and Gabriel Logan

HOT Daytona Race Report
The Daytona Experience

Heat Race

All 4 H.O.T. riders easily qualified for the night program but were all placed into the same heat race. Extensive testing in the week leading up to Daytona proved to be time well spent when the #505 Sean Lipanovich ripped the hole shot in the first heat, followed closely by teammate #36 Darryn Durham. One lap 1 Durham made a pass for the lead and held on for 4 laps. Levi Kilbarger #412 and Michael Willard #92 did not fair as lucky but battled hard for a spot in the main. Throughout the qualifier, Darryn showed the speed and tenacity necessary and when the checkered flag flew he found himself in 2nd place behind Austin Stroupe. Kilbarger and Willard qualified 8th and 9th respectively, securing the last 2 qualifying positions. Lipanovich was claimed by his team mates in the closing lap and did not advance to the main event.

Lites Main Event

Durham came off the gate mid pack and battled Nico Izzi the majority of the moto before claiming an impressive 8th place overall. Kilbarger worked his way up to 14th before dropping back to 20th after facing some minor health issues that have been plaguing him all week. Willard struggled to find a rhythm and ended the race in 19th place. He is looking forward to returning to Canada, where he formerly held the Lites National Championship, for the upcoming Toronto Round.

This week we have been invited to be the feature Team in the Toronto Press Day so we are looking forward to getting an early look at the track and getting everyone involved with our program some additional exposure.

The Honda of Troy/Kilbarger Racing Team would like to acknowledge the sponsors who make this effort possible.

Honda of Troy, Kilbarger Racing LLC, Eleven 10 Mods, WAR – We All Ride, Fox Racing Shox, Cycra Racing, Motorex, TAG Metals, Yoshimura, Motion Pro, Renegade Race Fuel, Faction Mx, N-Style, Dunlop, DP Brake Pads, QTM, G2 Ergonomics, ARC, Boyesen, Light Speed, Hinson, RK/Excel, Ride Eng., Hammerhead, Straight Shot Air Filters, Bell Helmets, Hot Hedz Designs, Von Zipper, Total Image AutoSport, Kicker, ICW, Rocks Racing Services, Injectioneering, IMS Foot Pegs, Franklin Equipment, and Gabriel Logan

Honda of Troy/Kilbarger Racing LLC.
HOT Atlanta Race Report
Kilbarger / Willard Raise the Bar

#412 Levi Kilbarger continues to be the Teams top performer. Levi made qualifying easy for himself by getting a decent start in the second heat race and riding to a solid 7th place and a direct transfer to the main event. In the Main, Levi and his Honda of Troy / Kilbarger Racing CR250F surged out of the gate and netted another mid pack start and at the end of lap 1 he found himself in 10th place. Kilbarger was ready for battle in this very deep field of Lites riders and a battle was what he was in for. In the early stages of the race, Cunningham gained ground and got by but Levi put his head down and put on a charge of his own. Passing #32 on lap 5 and never looking back. In the late stages of the race Kilbarger set his sights on the 8th place position of Jake Moss. Levi closed a 6.3 second gap to under a second and on the last lap he came up just short of passing the talented Moss. This weekend’s race in Atlanta has given him even more focus and confidence allowing Levi to put previous injuries further and further behind him. Look for the #412 to be making a run on the top 5 in the next few weeks.

#92 Michael Willard found qualifying a bit more challenging this week. Michael was in the first heat and he began the night with a poor start. He put a determined assault on the field of lites riders; however, he came up one spot short of qualifying-sending him to the dreaded LCQ. Willard has suffered from poor starts this season and the Last Chance Qualifier is not where he was hoping to be but the #92 Honda would not be denied of the holeshot. He ripped the perfect start and rode a flawless race securing the LCQ win and giving him and his sponsors some great Television coverage in the mean time. The Main Event start was not as strong and Michael had his work cut out for him. He made several savvy passes and at the end of lap one he was in 16th place. As the race wore on, Michael picked up on a few fast and very technical lines and when the checkered flag flew he found himself in a respectful 13th place. Michael is working hard this week on setting up his bike for the challenges of the Daytona Track and he is very much looking forward to bettering himself and his finishes each week.

#36 Darryn Durham- Saying these last two weeks have been frustrating for Darryn would be a major understatement. Darryn has showed the speed, qualifying in the top 10 both weeks in the timed sessions. Darryn’s bike has been strong, his riding has been good but his decisions on the track have caused him to get a late start on obtaining his share of East Coast Lites points. In the next few weeks, expect Darryn to put it together and be back at the front of the pack where he belongs and deserves to be. This week Darryn qualified in the timed session 8th overall and going into the second heat things were looking good. In the second heat, Darryn got an average start and began working his way to the front. He was the only rider in his heat jumping the 80 foot quad jump. One over aggressive pass attempt put him off the track, directly on the tuff blocks, and at the back of the pack. The short LCQ didn’t go his way and once again he was watching from the stands.

#505 Sean Lipanovich is making strides every week and in Atlanta he put the #505 in his first night program. Sean is a strong starter and in the first heat race he nabbed an impressive 4th place off the gate. A few bobbles by other riders claimed Sean and put him back in 8th place. Holding his own for several laps, Sean was looking like he was going to transfer into the Main when a miscue sent him off the track and down. By the time Sean remounted he was headed to the LCQ. In the Last Chance Qualifier, Sean didn’t get the best of starts and the race showed him no mercy. Sean is making huge strides each week and it is only a matter of time before you see Sean in the Main of a Supercross.

The Team is staying down at MTF this week, testing and working on set-ups for the weeks to come. With our race effort we are making strides each and every week learning, adjusting and improving.

The Honda of Troy/Kilbarger Racing Team would like to acknowledge the sponsors who make this effort possible.

Honda of Troy, Kilbarger Racing LLC, Eleven 10 Mods, WAR – We All Ride, Fox Racing Shox, Cycra Racing, Motorex, TAG Metals, Yoshimura, Motion Pro, Renegade Race Fuel, Faction Mx, N-Style, Dunlop, DP Brake Pads, QTM, G2 Ergonomics, ARC, Boyesen, Light Speed, Hinson, RK/Excel, Ride Eng., Hammerhead, Straight Shot Air Filters, Bell Helmets, Hot Hedz Designs, Von Zipper, Total Image AutoSport, Kicker, ICW, Rocks Racing Services, Injectioneering, IMS Foot Pegs, Franklin Equipment, and Gabriel Logan

The Honda of Troy Team would like to send out thanks to the fans and industry for the warm reception and encouragement at the first 2010 East Coast Lites Supercross Event. The Indianapolis Race proved to be a successful launching point and valuable learning experience for the debuting team. Team member enthusiasm and commitment are guaranteed to yield improved results at the upcoming Atlanta Supercross.

Levi Kilbarger – 412- Levi laid down solid lap times for Honda of Troy throughout the day qualifiers and evening heat races netting him an easy road to the Lites Main Event. He fought through an uncharacteristic mid pack start and battled all moto long in the deep field of lites riders, progressing to a 13th place finish and securing an important 8 points in the East Supercross Lites Class Series opener.

Michael Willard – 92 – Michael put in impressive lap times during each session and found himself the fastest qualifier in the unseeded practice sessions. During Heat Race #1, an average start forced Michael to battle Brett Metcalfe and take a 4th place finish advancing him to the Main Event. The Lites Main Event started off extremely tough when he found himself in 20th place on the first lap. A slippery, one-lined track hampered his ability to advance to the front eventually earning him a 16th place overall finish.

Darryn Durham – 36 – Darryn appeared confident all day in qualifying, entering the night program with a top 10 time. His disappointment was evident when during the first heat race he was claimed in a first turn pile up and was forced to fight his way through the pack. At the end of the short 6 laps, he found himself in 10th place – one spot out of the night program – which placed him into the dreaded last chance qualifier. With only two transfer spots open in the LCQ, Darryn’s Eleven 10 Mods motor got him out the gate quickly into a fourth place start but a lack of track options proved difficult to overcome and resulted in a 3rd place finish, knocking him out of the Main Event.

Sean Lipanovich – 505 – Sean came out strong during the day by dialing in the track and proving his skill set is well suited to Supercross racing. With Indianapolis being his professional racing debut, he obtained consistently competitive lap times but in a stacked field of East Coast Lites riders, Sean found himself two spots out of qualifying for the night program.

The Honda of Troy/Kilbarger Racing Team would like to acknowledge the sponsors who make this effort possible.

Honda of Troy, Kilbarger Racing LLC, Eleven 10 Mods, WAR – We All Ride, Fox Racing Shox, Cycra Racing, Motorex, TAG Metals, Yoshimura, Motion Pro, Renegade Race Fuel, Faction Mx, N-Style, Dunlop, DP Brake Pads, QTM, G2 Ergonomics, ARC, Boyesen, Light Speed, Hinson, RK/Excel, Ride Eng., Hammerhead, Straight Shot Air Filters, Bell Helmets, Hot Hedz Designs, Von Zipper, Total Image AutoSport, Kicker, ICW, Rocks Racing Services, Injectioneering, IMS Foot Pegs, Franklin Equipment, and Gabriel Logan