RK Excel America

Washougal Motocross Park in Washougal, Washington was the site of round eight of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team had a rough go at this event.

Ben Townley was running fourth in the first moto when he suffered a crash in the whoops before the end of the opening lap. Ben was very sore and did not race the second moto. Fortunately, nothing is broken. Ben suffered a bruised shoulder and is still quite sore from the crash, but says that he expects to be 100% for Unadilla.

“Yeah, Washougal wasn’t so good for me,” said Townley. “My shoulder is sore but I’ll rehabilitate it over the next two weeks and I will be ready for Unadilla.”

Cole Seely had a tough day as well. Cole rounded the first turn in moto 1 and took a rock directly in the nose. He broke his nose in three places and had to retire for the day. Cole is doing phenomenally well, and not only does he plan on being ready for Unadilla, he’s still planning on racing at the X-Games in the “speed and style” event this Saturday.

Also returning to the action at Unadilla will be the number 49 of Wil Hahn. After a great start to the season, Wil suffered a shoulder injury during practice before the Lakewood National.

The team is in Los Angeles right now getting ready for X Games 16. Tara Gieger will be racing Women’s SX, and Cole Seely will be racing Speed and Style.

The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda race team would like to thank all of the companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years. They include Lucas Oil, American Honda, Red Bull, PPG, Wings for Life, Alpinestars, Avia, Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, Epic Action Video Cam, Leatt Brace, McQueen Racing, Oakley, Pacific Collision, Pro Circuit, Rossignol, Santa Cruz, Selle Italia, Skullcandy, All Sport Dynamics, Cycra, Fasthouse, Flexfit, Hinson Clutch, Hot Wheels, Kahne Racing, Light Speed, Muc-Off, N Style, Nameplate, ODI, Primm, QTM, Renthal, RK Chain, Excel, Twin Air, Vasser Racing and VP Racing.

Follow the Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team at www.troyleedesigns.com

Ben Townley had another impressive weekend that put him on the podium at the end of the day. Tarah Gieger backed the teams premier class finish up with a podium of her own in the WMX class and Cole Seely had a tough day but salvaged some points in both of his Motos.

In the first 450 race Townley Started second but it wouldn’t take him long to move into the lead. After a brief battle with Andrew Short he moved into the point position and looked to have things under control. Late in the race Dungey closed in and the two riders began an epic back-and-forth that was easily the best racing of the summer so far. The two riders passed each other at least six times until a rare mistake from Dungey gave Ben some breathing room. On the last lap Ben made a small mistake entering a turn and went down, stalling the bike in the process. The fall cost Ben the moto win and dropped him to fourth. In moto two Townley started fourth but once again quickly sliced his way to second behind Dungey. Ben shadowed the points leader for several laps until he came under fire from Chad Reed. Reed eventually slipped by and Townley settled into a comfortable third. Bens third in the moto would give him third overall, his second podium finish in as many weekends.

“I am so gutted about that first moto,” said Townley about his last-lap crash. “I gave That one away. The good news is that we are making progress every weekend and I feel better and better with each week that goes by. The team has been working really hard and it’s good to start getting some results. I really want to win in Millville.”

Tarah Gieger added another podium finish to her credentials this weekend. Tarah put in solid, steady rides in both motos to get third and third overall.

“Im pumped to be on the podium,” said Gieger. “I need to find a little more speed to run with Ashley and Jess but I feel like Im getting closer. This track was fun and the fans here are unreal. I can’t wait until Millville.”

Cole Seely suffered bad starts and some bad luck and found himself working from the back of the pack in both motos. In moto one he worked into thirteenth and in the second he came up to fifteenth after a couple falls.

“This definitely wasn’t the result I was hoping for but I feel like I rode pretty well,” said Seely. “I have been making progress during the week and I know what I need to do to be ready for the next round. If i can get a start I want to get into the top five at the next race.”

The TLD Team will take a much deserved weekend off and then set their sights on the Spring Creek facility in Millville, Minnesota.

The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda race team would like to thank all of the companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years. They include Lucas Oil, American Honda, Red Bull, PPG, Wings for Life, Alpinestars, Avia, Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, Epic Action Video Cam, Leatt Brace, McQueen Racing, Oakley, Pacific Collision, Pro Circuit, Rossignol, Santa Cruz, Selle Italia, Skullcandy, All Sport Dynamics, Cycra, Fasthouse, Flexfit, Hinson Clutch, Hot Wheels, Kahne Racing, Light Speed, Muc-Off, N Style, Nameplate, ODI, Primm, QTM, Renthal, RK Chain, Excel, Twin Air, Vasser Racing and VP Racing.

Follow the Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team at www.troyleedesigns.com

The hot and humid weather at Budds Creek Raceway didn’t stop Ben Townley and Wil Hahn from having impressive rides at round four of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Even team rookie, Cole Seely, logged his best overall finish outdoors with an eleventh place.

Ben Townley opened the day with a solid ride in moto one of the 450 class. After working his way up to fourth position, Townley looked to have a firm grasp of the position. Then, with only a few laps to go, something went wrong. Townley began to slow and would lose time and positions due to a malfunctioning fuel pump. The fluke incident dropped Ben from fourth to fourteenth by the time the race was over. He came out firing in moto two and again charged towards the front, this time settling into the third spot. Josh Grant would challenge for the position late in the race but Ben held on to put his TLD/ Lucas Oil/ Honda ride up on the podium and earn the Muscle Milk Recovery Ride of the Day award.

“It feels good to end the day on the podium,” said Townley. “I’ve not been able to put two solid motos together yet, riding the way I know how to ride and that is frustrating. Today was just one of those things that happens sometimes in racing. I feel like I was in good position to be on the podium overall but it will have to wait. Colorado will be tough but if we can have a good week I think we can accomplish our goal there.”

Wil Hahn continues his hot streak off the gate by running near the front in the first 250 moto. He proved that he is fit enough and fast enough to run at the front by holding fifth position down in the first moto. The second moto was even more impressive as Wibur pulled a big holeshot and led the first several laps of the race. He would drop to fourth by hold off Christophe Pourcel for fourth in the moto, an impressive ride for the Texan. Wil’s 5-4 motos landed him fifth overall on the day.

Cole Seely struggled with his endurance in the heat but still went 13-11 for eleventh overall on the day. The talented rider is still learning what it takes to compete at the absolute highest level of motocross racing.

You can come meet the team at round five of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Denver, Colorado this weekend.

The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda race team would like to thank all of the companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years. They include Lucas Oil, American Honda, Red Bull, PPG, Wings for Life, Alpinestars, Avia, Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, Epic Action Video Cam, Leatt Brace, McQueen Racing, Oakley, Pacific Collision, Pro Circuit, Rossignol, Santa Cruz, Selle Italia, Skullcandy, All Sport Dynamics, Cycra, Fasthouse, Flexfit, Hinson Clutch, Hot Wheels, Kahne Racing, Light Speed, Muc-Off, N Style, Nameplate, ODI, Primm, QTM, Renthal, RK Chain, Excel, Twin Air, Vasser Racing and VP Racing.

Follow the Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team at www.troyleedesigns.com

The Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team battled tough conditions in the mountains of West Virginia last weekend. Ben Townley put in two solid efforts to post a fourth overall on the day while his 250 class teammates would have a more difficult time of it, ending the weekend in eleventh and seventeenth respectively.

Townley started just outside the top five in the opening moto and gradually moved his way into fourth position. Despite the strong finish, Ben never felt comfortable on the bike and expected much more from himself in moto two. Unfortunately he would start the second moto outside the top twenty and have to move forward. And he did just that, passing riders two and three at a time on his impressive march to the front. A stall and a tip-over in a corner would slow his progress but Ben still made it to sixth position, good enough for fourth overall.

“I was really unhappy with the way I rode in the first moto,” said Townley. “I never got in a rhythm and I just didn’t ride like I know how to ride. The second moto I definitely showed my speed again but the couple mistakes I made are just unacceptable. We knew we would be getting the polish back as the season went on but it’s getting to be time to put it all together. We came up with some good ideas to work on this week with bike setup and I think we’ll be ready to go for it next weekend.”

Wil Hahn was once again the top finishing 250 rider on the team. Wil battled hard both motos, scoring 12-8 finishes for eleventh overall. His teammate, Cole Seely, had a difficult day that he would rather forget about. In moto one his roll-off system was damaged by a rock on the opening lap and it forced him to pit for goggles the second lap around. In moto two Cole was in good position and ran into the back of a downed rider, holding him up for quite a while. He charged back to 14th that moto and set some of the quickest lap times in the class in the process.

All three riders are already looking forward to Budds Creek next weekend. The famous circuit is a favorite among the team riders and all of them have high expectations going into the Maryland round.

The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda race team would like to thank all of the companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years. They include Lucas Oil, American Honda, Red Bull, PPG, Wings for Life, Alpinestars, Avia, Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, Epic Action Video Cam, Leatt Brace, McQueen Racing, Oakley, Pacific Collision, Pro Circuit, Rossignol, Santa Cruz, Selle Italia, Skullcandy, All Sport Dynamics, Cycra, Fasthouse, Flexfit, Hinson Clutch, Hot Wheels, Kahne Racing, Light Speed, Muc-Off, N Style, Nameplate, ODI, Primm, QTM, Renthal, RK Chain, Excel, Twin Air, Vasser Racing and VP Racing.

Tarah Gieger joins the Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda Race Team

To Compete in the 2010 Lucas Oil Women’s Motocross Championship

Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ Honda welcomes their newest rider to their 2010 Motocross racing team roster with the addition of top-ranked female racer Tarah Gieger. She will be competing in all eight stops of the Lucas Oil Women’s Motocross Championships on her #18 Honda CRF250R, starting May 22 at the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Tarah will be joining the TLD squad which includes former World Champion and 250 Supercross champion Ben Townley, Wil Hahn, Cole Seely and Christian Craig.

“I am super excited to be on the Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Red Bull team,” said Gieger. “Everyone on the team and at the shop has been very supportive of me being on the team. The bikes are awesome, and I know they will be very competitive.”

One of the most recognizable names in women’s motocross, Tarah Gieger’s success can be measured in podiums and accomplishments. Since her pro debut in 2003, Tarah has won at every major contest and, in 2008, took home the gold medal at the X Games, the very first Women’s Moto X event. Her past achievements include 2nd Overall in 2007 AMA/WMA series, taking 1st Place at the famous AMA Loretta Lynn’s Championship in 2006 and 2007 and as well becoming the first female in history to compete in the Red Bull Motocross of Nations in 2007, representing Puerto Rico. Injuries prevented her from competing for a majority of the 2009 season, but she is now back, healthier and more focused than ever on winning a championship.

“I’m really excited to have Tarah on the team,” added David ‘Ping’ Pingree, TLD team manager, “For me, racing is racing and if she’s running up front it’s going to be fun. I think she’ll be in the hunt to win every weekend with the Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda team on her side.”

“I am also glad to see that several teams are taking on female riders,” said Gieger. “It just helps validate our series. We have been racing in our own series for some time, and now we are able to get the support that the men have enjoyed. It’s going to be refreshing pitting with a real team, especially one that is as well respected as the TLD team. I am looking forward to the upcoming season and want to thank everyone that helped make this a reality.”

Besides her racing, Tarah will also be the face of Troy Lee Designs Women’s motocross and casual product line, as she will be featured through the brand’s advertisements, in-store displays and select events.

The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda race team would like to thank all of the companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years. They include Lucas Oil, American Honda, Red Bull, PPG, Wings for Life, Alpinestars, Avia, Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, Epic Action Video Cam, Leatt Brace, McQueen Racing, Oakley, Pacific Collision, Pro Circuit, Rossignol, Santa Cruz, Selle Italia, Skullcandy, All Sport Dynamics, Cycra, Fasthouse, Flexfit, Hinson Clutch, Hot Wheels, Kahne Racing, Light Speed, Muc-Off, N Style, Nameplate, ODI, Primm, QTM, Renthal, RK Chain, Excel, Twin Air, Vasser Racing and VP Racing.

Follow the Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team at www.troyleedesigns.com. Check out video of Tarah riding her TLD/Lucas Oil/Honda CRF250R at http://www.youtube.com/user/troyleedesigns

Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda Riders Fill The Podium at San Diego

Cole Seely 2nd, Wil Hahn 3rd in Supercross Lites

Once again, Wil Hahn, Cole Seely and the entire Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ Honda team proved they are a force to be reckoned with. “There’s really only one place to go from here,” was the comment Troy Lee, team owner, made after last Saturday night’s race inside Qualcomm Stadium at round 5 of AMA Supercross Series in San Diego, California. His riders fought hard for second and third place podium finishes, running some of the quickest lap times of the night in the process. The entire crew is now narrowing its focus on getting a win before the season ends.

Wil Hahn started the night off right by making his move into the lead on lap three and easily riding to victory, claiming his first heat race win of the season. His teammate Cole Seely went down early in the heat, a victim of the slimy track conditions early in the night. He was up quickly and worked his way into seventh by the end. It wasn’t where he wanted to be but it would put him into the final.

The main event saw both of the Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ Honda riders round turn one side-by-side near seventh and eighth positions. Seely sprinted his way towards the front and found himself in third in the early stages of the race. At one point Cole was looking to set up a pass second while Wil was steadily making his way to the Cole’s back tire. With two laps to go the teammates began an epic duel that would prove to be the most exciting part of the race. They passed each other back and forth several times, making contact in the process as they wrestled for position. Hahn made a last ditch effort in the last turn but it was Seely getting the nod for second by a scant five one-hundredths of a second at the line. With both team riders on the podium [a feat not accomplished by any other lites team this year] it was a milestone night for the team.

“This doesn’t even feel real right now,” said an elated Seely. “I’ve been working so hard and just wanting to get on the box so I am just pumped to be standing here in second. The whole team has worked so hard so it feels great that it’s paying off for all of us.”

Wil Hahn was not quite as happy with his night. “Man, I just didn’t get the start I wanted and then I honestly feel like I didn’t ride that well tonight,” Hahn explained. “I just don’t like feeling like I left anything on the track and that’s the way I feel right now. Still, to be standing on the podium at the end of a bad night isn’t too bad I guess. I moved closer to second in the standings and I know what I need to do for next weekend.”

The Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ Honda team now heads back to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA for the sixth round of the series. This race will be dedicated to those living with Breast Cancer. Troy Lee Designs will be doing their part to help raise awareness by wearing special “pink” gear and partnering with Keep A Breast Foundation. Both Wil and Cole will once again be battling for the podium and one step closer to a race win.

The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda race team would like to thank all of the companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years. They include Lucas Oil, American Honda, Red Bull, PPG, Wings for Life, Alpinestars, Avia, Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, Epic Action Video Cam, Leatt Brace, McQueen Racing, Oakley, Pacific Collision, Pro Circuit, Rossignol, Santa Cruz, Selle Italia, Skullcandy, All Sport Dynamics, Cycra, Fasthouse, Flexfit, Hinson Clutch, Hot Wheels, Kahne Racing, Light Speed, Muc-Off, N Style, Nameplate, ODI, Primm, QTM, Renthal, RK Chain, Excel, Twin Air, Vasser Racing and VP Racing.

Follow the Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team at www.troyleedesigns.com

Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda Hits the Podium at Anaheim 2

Wil Hahn 2nd, Cole Seely 5th in Supercross Lites

Saturday was a big night for Wil Hahn, Cole Seely and the entire Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ Honda team at round 3 of AMA Supercross Series in Anaheim, California. Hahn matched his career best finish with a second place in the main Lites event, Seely posted his best finish ever with a fifth and the race marked the first time the race team has been on the podium in AMA Supercross competition. Hahn’s finish also puts him in a tie for second place in the championship chase.

For the scrappy racer known as “Wilbur,” Anaheim was a huge confidence booster. His speed has never been questioned but until Saturday night he hadn’t pulled all the pieces together for a podium finish. After a solid third place in his heat race, Wil focused on getting a good start in the main event. After rounding the first turn in fourth he quickly shot into second behind race winner Jake Weimer. He rode an almost flawless race to the checkered flag.

“This feels so great,” said Hahn after spraying his champagne. “Everyone on this team has put in a lot of work and this makes it all worth it. I wanted to get on the podium so bad and it feels like I’ve got that monkey off my back now. Hopefully we can just keep finishing up here for the rest of the year.”

Cole Seely also impressed at Anaheim. The young rider just keeps getting better in this, his sophomore Supercross season. Cole finished second in his heat and was looking to improve upon his sixth place finish from last weekend in Phoenix. He started near mid-pack but quickly worked his way forward. By the halfway point in the race he found himself in fifth position, a career best. He settled into a good pace and once again achieved his goal of improving his best finish. Can he get a fourth in San Francisco next weekend? Don’t bet against him.

“I’m really happy with the way I rode tonight,” said Cole. “I keep setting new goals for myself and I keep reaching them; it’s pretty cool. I’m just going to keep working hard and hopefully I can get up on the podium with Wil before long.”

Making the night even more special was the presence of new team rider Ben Townley, having just flown in after winning the New Zealand Supercross title. Ben fits right in with the team and having him there Saturday was fitting. The team heads to San Francisco this weekend for round four in the AMA Supercross series.

The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda race team would like to thank all of the companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years. They include Lucas Oil, American Honda, Red Bull, PPG, Wings for Life, Alpinestars, Avia, Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, Epic Action Video Cam, Leatt Brace, McQueen Racing, Oakley, Pacific Collision, Pro Circuit, Rossignol, Santa Cruz, Selle Italia, Skullcandy, All Sport Dynamics, Cycra, Fasthouse, Flexfit, Hinson Clutch, Hot Wheels, Kahne Racing, Light Speed, Muc-Off, N Style, Nameplate, ODI, Primm, QTM, Renthal, RK Chain, Excel, Twin Air, Vasser Racing and VP Racing.

Follow the Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team at www.troyleedesigns.com

Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda gains momentum at Phoenix

Wil Hahn finishes 4th & Cole Seely 6th in SX Lites

Round Two of the 2010 AMA Supercross Series rolled into Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ, and Team Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda again showed they are a team to be reckoned with.

Wil Hahn, #49, continues to be the biggest surprise of the 250 class this year. After finishing a close second in his heat race, Wil charged all race long to wind up fourth at the checkers. Hahn actually made the pass for third on the last lap but couldn’t make it stick. He’ll have to wait one more week to put his TLD/Lucas Oil/Honda up on the podium. Wil posted the quickest lap in the main event until lap 14 when Jake Weimer just edged him out.

“I feel so good out there,” said Wil. “I’m a little bummed out at myself for not closing the deal on that pass with one lap to go though. The bike is working great and the whole team is working hard so we’ll get there. I’m already looking forward to next weekend.”

Posting up the best finish of his young career was Hahn’s teammate, #200 Cole Seely. Cole finished right behind Wil in his heat for third and was confident going to the line for the main event. When the gate dropped for the main event Cole’s quiet confidence became obvious. He headed straight to the front and even passed his teammate Hahn at one point while running fourth. Seely would tighten up slightly and drop to sixth by the end of the race. It was a very big step for the talented young rider.

“I’m really happy with the way things went tonight. I’ve never been in the top ten and that the first goal I set for myself. Now that I’ve reached that, I want to be in the top five next weekend. I ran right there for a good part of tonight’s main so I know I can do it. I’m stoked right now.”

Team rider Christian Craig, who suffered a back injury late last year during testing, is still recovering but was again on hand at the races to sign autographs and support the team. If you would like to donate to the Christian Craig Recovery Fund, visit: www.road2recovery.com

The Troy Lee Designs/ Lucas Oil/ Honda team rolls back into Anaheim this weekend for the third round of the AMA Supercross series with only one thing on their mind: Podium.

The Troy Lee Designs Lucas Oil Honda race team would like to thank all of the companies that have supported our racing efforts over the years. They include Lucas Oil, American Honda, Red Bull, PPG, Wings for Life, Alpinestars, Avia, Couts Heating and Cooling, Dunlop, Epic Action Video Cam, Leatt Brace, McQueen Racing, Oakley, Pacific Collision, Pro Circuit, Rossignol, Santa Cruz, Selle Italia, Skullcandy, All Sport Dynamics, Cycra, Fasthouse, Flexfit, Hinson Clutch, Hot Wheels, Kahne Racing, Light Speed, Muc-Off, N Style, Nameplate, ODI, Primm, QTM, Renthal, RK Chain, Excel, Twin Air, Vasser Racing and VP Racing.

Follow the Troy Lee Designs / Lucas Oil / Honda team at www.troyleedesigns.com.