E3 Spark Plugs News

Local favorite Alex Martin finished an impressive fifth overall at Spring Creek MX for Round 7 of the 250cc Lucas Oil AMA Pro-MX Championship at Millville, MN. Photo courtesy of www.racerxonline.com.

When mom and dad build a professional motorcycle track in your back yard, the world assumes you would have a distinct advantage when the Lucas Oil AMA Pro-MX Championship comes to town. Over the weekend, 250cc privateer Honda rider Alex Martin used his local knowledge of the track he grew up riding on to finish 7th and 5th respectively aboard his Eleven 10 Mods Honda for a fifth overall in Round 7 of Lite’s national championship. Although Martin agrees that he has a fondness for the sandy Millville soil at Spring Creek MX, the Minnesota native doesn’t really live there anymore. Like most professional motocross racers, most of his time is spent practicing year round in Georgia, Florida and southern California.

E3 motorcycle spark plugs fans continue to line the fences week after week as the AMA’s traveling circus brings the big top to their part of the country. Unfortunately for those who don’t like green, the Spring Creek MX National had little to offer as the Pro Circuit trio of Tyla Rattray, Dean Wilson and Blake “El Chupacabra” Baggett continued their 2011 domination of the Lites class. In both motos, the DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha of Kyle Cunningham nailed the holeshot but each time one of Mitch Peyton’s Kawasaki would snatch the lead away before the end of the first lap.

In the opening race of the 250 class, it was Scottish-born motocross rider Dean Wilson who passed Cunningham and would lead every lap on his way to the checkered flag. Teammates Tyla Rattray  and Blake Baggett finished second and third. Cunningham would take fourth ahead of Yamaha teammate Gareth Swanepoel who benefitted from Justin Barcia’s spectacular crash that saw the Honda star stagger off with a broken nose. In Moto 2, it would be Rattray who would pass Cunningham for the lead on lap one. Like Wilson, the South African never looked back on his way to the win. Tied in points, the overall win went to Rattray with Wilson in second followed by “El Chupacabra” in third.

By virtue of his second overall, Wilson heads west with a 16-point lead over Rattray and 21-point lead over Baggett. Teams and riders now travel to the far northwest for Round 8 of 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro-MX season at Washougal, WA on July 23rd. If you’re looking for a motorcycle spark plug that was Born to Burn, pick up a box of E3 spark plugs for your motocross bike, street bike or hauler. E3 high performance replacement plugs are available at your favorite discount or auto parts store; or shop online at an authorized E3 dealer.

Australian-born Chad Reed has been a dominate force for the past eight seasons in AMA outdoor MX. He recently became the first motocross rider ever awarded the status of knighthood. Congrats to Sir Chad. Photo courtesy of TwoTwo Motorsports.

Seldom do you think about triple-digit temperatures when you’re headed to southern Michigan for a race but it was that hot at last week’s Lucas Oil 450cc AMA Outdoor Pro National in Buchanan, MI. But, as hot as the temperature was, the action on the track was even hotter. Ryan Villopoto came to Red Bud in hopes of making up ground in the 2011 points race but the Kawasaki rider almost saw all hopes of a national championship slip away earlier in Moto One. After a decent start, a hard over-the-bars crash dropped Villopoto to last place while his main competitors pulled away at the front of the pack.

What happened next was what legendary rides are all about. Gasping to get his breathe back, Villopoto remounted and pointed at his Monster Energy Kawasaki in the direction of race leaders Davi Millsaps, Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey. By mid-moto, Reed and Dungey were working their way around the Yamaha of Millsaps while Villopoto had made his way to mid-pack and was closing in on the ill-running bike of his teammate Jake Weimer. Up front, Dungey was pressuring Reed through the sandy whoops and deep-rutted Red Bud turns. Villopoto’s championship hopes were renewed with a ninth overall in Moto 1 – a performance that earned him the Ricky Carmichael “Hard Charger Award”.

The start of Moto 2 saw the Monster Energy Kawasaki of Villopoto lead Dungey, Reed and KTM rider Mike Alessi through the first turn. This time there was no stopping the Washington-state rider as he established a quick a lead and never looked back. Dungey maintained his pursuit but was losing precious seconds each lap. The surprise move came when Alessi forced his way past Reed for third proving he is still a contender in 450cc class. Villopoto’s impressive ride was good enough for third overall while Dungey claimed second. A late race pass on Alessi would give Sir Chad his fourth overall victory of the season.

With Round 6 of the 2011 AMA Championship in the books, teams take a week off to prepare for Spring Creek National in Millville, MN. However, there is no rest for E3 motorcycle spark plugs racing fans as every weekend means there’s another opportunity to ride. If you’re looking to improve the performance of your street bike or off-road motorcycle, find out for yourself why E3 Spark Plugs are Born to Burn. You can purchase our high-performance plugs in parts and discount stores across the country; or visit an authorized online dealer to buy replacement plugs for your favorite bike.

Blake Baggett's nickname, "El Chupacabra", comes from the cryptid creature that looms in the shadows of South, Central and North America before unmercifully pouncing on its prey - similar to Baggett's late moto charge.

Over the July 4th weekend, Blake “El Chupacabra” Baggett piloted his Pro Circuit Kawasaki to a first moto win at the Red Bud MX track for Round 6 of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship. Geico Honda rider Justin Barcia grabbed the holeshot in Moto 1 and had pulled away from the pack before an endo in the deep Michigan sand handed the lead to Ryan Sipes on the DNA Shred Stix/Star racing Yamaha. E3 motorcycle spark plugs racing fans lined the fence to cheer as El Chupacabra and teammate Dean Wilson moved into 2nd and 3rd respectively in hot pursuit of Sipes.

By mid-moto, Baggett was closing on the lead, but Sipes would prove to be a worthy opponent. In a classic battle up the hills, down the hills and through the corners, Sipes and Baggett hit their marks lap after lap. Finally, the green machine of Baggett would slip by Sipes exiting a deep-rutted sandy corner. Current 250cc series points-leader, Wilson was in steady pursuit and passed the Yamaha of Sipes on his way to a second place in Moto 1. Fourth overall would go to Sipes’ teammate, Kyle Cunningham, followed by the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki of Tyla Rattray.

After his first moto crash, Justin Barcia was a no-show for the start of Moto 2. El Chupacabra got a great start and led Wilson, Tommy Hahn and Lance Vincent through turn one. The 100-degree temperature and deep Michigan sand would take its toll as several bikes sputtered to a stop in the mechanic’s area during the race. Unchallenged for most of Moto 2, Baggett would cruise to his fourth overall win of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship series. Wilson and Rattray would finish second and third respectively to claim the last spots on the overall podium.

The Fourth of July win moves Baggett to within 14 points of the Championship Series lead behind teammate Dean Wilson as El Chupacabra has shown little mercy since his early season glitches. Rattray fell to third just four points behind Baggett but maintains a 66-point lead over Geico Honda rider Eli Tomac. Tomac had burned the field in early-round practice for Red Bud but crashed hard in the second round and was unable to start the national event. 250cc riders and teams have a week off before heading next door to the Spring Creek National on July 16th at Millville, MN.

Volcom-sponsored Darryn Durham continued to impress 250cc AMA Pro Motocross fans with great starts and solid finishes at Thunder Valley MX over the weekend. Rumors have it that Durham has a factory offer aboard the Rockstar Makita Suzuki for Red Bud. Photo courtesy of www.volcom.com.

Pro Circuit Kawasaki has dominated the 250cc class of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in the opening four rounds of the 2011 series. As the gate dropped on the field at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood, CO, it looked for a moment like Team Green’s luck may have changed. When the field topped the hill, red bikes and blue bikes led the way through turn one. Geico Honda’s Justin Barcia grabbed the early lead in Round 5 ahead of the Volcom/FMF Honda of Darryn Durham and the DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamahas of Gareth Swanepoel and Kyle Cunningham.

Once the dust had settled on the challenging Colorado track, Scotsman Dean Wilson and his Pro Circuit teammate Blake Baggett had worked their way to the front of the field. But, the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki of series current points-leader Tyla Rattray and teammate Broc Tickle were still buried in the pack. Wilson was the first to pressure Barcia and took the lead. Refusing to be left behind, Baggett also charged by the ailing Honda rider into second place.

Barcia soon went down in a rutted corner allowing his teammate and local fan-favorite, Eli Tomac, to move into third as both had to watch Wilson and Baggett pull away to a commanding lead. The two Kawasaki riders hooked-up and put on a spectacular show for E3 spark plug racing fans with side-by-side racing through the corners, jumps and hilly straights. Baggett eventually took the lead and was first to the checkers in Moto 1 followed by Wilson, Tomac, Durham, and a pair of South African riders Tyla Rattray and Gareth Swanepoel.

As the 40-rider field topped the hill in Moto 2, Barcia again swept through turn one in the lead with Baggett in hot pursuit. Honda’s Lance Vincent and Yamaha’s Ryan Sipes were having a classic outdoor battle behind Baggett before Wilson and Tomac would slide by to claim second and third respectively at the finish. Baggett’s 1-1 finishes gave Pro Circuit their fifth win in five races. Wilson finished second overall and Tomac claimed the last step on the overall podium for Honda. Durham’s sixth place in the second moto was good for fourth overall followed by Rattray in fifth.

Wilson’s second place overall gives the Pro Circuit rider an eight-point lead over Rattray and a twenty-point lead over teammate Baggett.  Once again, the Lite’s riders have no time to rest as teams head east for next weekend’s event at Red Bud MX. If you’re headed to Buchanan, MI for Round 6, don’t forget to change your car, truck or motorcycle spark plugs, and remember E3 spark plugs were “Born to Burn”. Safe travel and visit our Facebook page to let us know your thoughts on the 2011 outdoor motocross season.

E3 racing fans may see Kevin Windham back in the saddle of the #14 Honda for the rest of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro-MX racing series due to Josh Grant's knee injury at Thunder Valley MX. Photo courtesy of Honda Racing.

E3 spark plugs racing fans can be found every weekend supporting their favorite race teams, drivers, riders and events – each devoted to finding the best racing from coast to coast. So far, the super hot action at this season’s Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship has kept motocross fans on their feet from the drop of the starting gate until the last rider crosses the checkered flag, making 2011 a candidate for the “Best MX Racing” in series history.

This weekend was no exception as race teams set up shop at Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, CO. The track that most teams love to hate is tucked into the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains about 20 minutes west of downtown Denver. At 6182-feet elevation, the thin Colorado air is a true test of endurance for both rider and machine. This year, the high-altitude stage was set for defending AMA 450cc national champion, Ryan Dungey to claim his first “overall” victory in Round 5 of the scheduled twelve-race season.

When the gate dropped for Moto 1, Lucas Oil Honda rider Christian Craig grabbed the early lead ahead of Two-Two Motorsports’ Chad Reed and the factory Kawasaki of Monster Energy’s Ryan Villopoto. A couple of laps later, Villopoto would fly past the lead duo and take a demanding lead on his way to the moto win. Rockstar Makita’s Ryan Dungey would dispose of Reed late in the moto to claim second place followed by Reed and the “fresh-out-of-retirement” Honda of Kevin Windham.

In Moto 2, Dungey picked up where he left off but this time took an early lead and pulled away from Villopoto and Reed who were left to fight it out for second and third place, respectively. When fan-favorite Kevin Windham announced at Budds Creek last weekend that he would be spending time at the lake, no one figured the longtime Honda star meant “Lake Wood” Colorado. But, the seventeen-year veteran showed up ready to race and posted 4-4 finishes for fourth overall on the day.

Dungey’s win was his first overall victory of the season and moved the Suzuki rider to within 21 points of series leader Reed and 14 points behind Villopoto with seven races remaining in the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX championship. Riders have no time rest in what may be the best MX racing season in decades as teams head east for a “Fourth of July” weekend shootout at Red Bud, MI. If you’re looking for fireworks for your favorite ride, pick up a box of E3 spark plugs at your local parts store, or online at an authorized E3 dealer. Our motorcycle spark plugs were “Born to Burn.”

South African motocross rider Gareth Swanepoel was top Yamaha in the AMA Pro MX Championship with a sixth overall in Round 4 at Budds Creek, MD. Photo courtesy of Yamaha Star Racing.

Monster Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson claimed the holeshot in Moto 1 of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX National Championship at Budds Creek MX over the weekend. Always close to the action E3 motorcycle racing fans lined the hilly Maryland track as Wilson’s teammates Tyla Rattray and Broc Tickle settled into second and third, respectively. At the halfway mark, Darryn Durham moved his privateer Honda into fourth ahead of Star Yamaha’s Kyle Cunningham. Wilson would lead from start to finish with the top three positions going to the “Green Team”.

The 2008 MX2 World Motocross Champion, Tyla Rattray, pulled the holeshot in the second Moto but his Kawasaki teammates were running outside the top five. Since GEICO Honda Lites rider Justin Barcia had just been diagnosed with mononucleosis last week, many race fans had doubts that this year’s supercross champion would even race the demanding Budds Creek track. But, the youngster surprised everyone with a second place start and finish in Moto 2. Wilson would eventually work his way into third for a second place overall on the day. Star Yamaha’s Gareth Swanepoel would finish a season-high fourth in the second race ahead of Barcia’s teammate Eli Tomac.

Once the dust settled, Rattray had claimed his second win of the season to take a four-point lead in the 250cc class over teammate Dean Wilson. Pro Circuit’s Blake Baggett, the only other double race winner this season, had a disappointing day finishing seventh at Budds Creek and dropped to third in the standings 30 points behind Rattray. The GEICO Honda tandem of Tomac and Barcia moved to fourth and fifth in the chase. The AMA Lites riders have zero time off as teams immediately head west to Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood, CO, for Round 5 of the 2011 Championship next weekend.

Honda Racing's Josh Grant had a successful return to the AMA Pro MX Championship this weekend with a tenth overall at Budds Creek, MD. Photo courtesy of www.joshgrant.com.

E3 motorcycle spark plug fans rolled out in record numbers for Round 4 of the 2011 National Championship held this weekend at Budds Creek MX track just south of Washington D.C. in Mechanicsville, MD. It is never a surprise to see the #800 plate of Mike Alessi’s factory KTM leading the 450cc class at any Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX race. This weekend’s event was no different as Alessi led the opening laps of Moto 1 followed closely by the red Honda of series points-leader Chad Reed.

On lap three of the 30 minute-plus event, Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto would slip past both Reed and Alessi to take over the top spot. Defending national champion Ryan Dungey picked up his mid-moto pace and quickly moved past Reed into second place. Villopoto would make an uncharacteristic mistake late in the race but rebounded in time to hold off a hard-charging Dungey who led Reed, Kevin Windham and Alessi to the finish line. American Honda Racing’s Josh Grant returned from early season supercross injuries to claim to a well-deserved eighth in Moto 1.

Surprise . . . surprise! Mike Alessi grabs the holeshot in Moto 2 but this time holds off Chad Reed until lap five when the Honda ace and Rockstar Makita’s Ryan Dungey both got by the big bore KTM. Villopoto would also pass Alessi on lap ten and held on for a 1-3 finish matching the championship points earned by overall race winner Chad Reed with his 3-1 finish. Dungey’s pair of 2-2 finishes were good enough for third overall and garnered the Suzuki rider one point less than Reed and Villopoto. Windham finished his duties as a Honda replacement rider with solid 4-4 finishes and fourth overall.

The action is certain to heat up next weekend as the Lucas Oil AMA MX teams head west to Colorado for Round 5 of 2011 outdoor championship at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood. Reed holds a slim 15-point lead over Villopoto with Dungey just 28 points to the rears. If you’re looking to make up ground on the road or in the dirt, visit our website and watch the Dyno Tech Shootout for E3 Spark Plugs. Find out for yourself why E3 motorcycle spark plugs are “Born to Burn”.

Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Blake Baggett had the most dominant performance of 2011 Lucas Oil AMA 250cc National Championship at Round 3 in Mechanicsville, MD, over the weekend. Photo courtesy of Hoppenworld.

Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Blake Baggett finally rode like a national championship contender with dominant 1-1 finishes in round 3 of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA MX National Championship held at Mount Morris, PA, over the weekend. The famed High Point Raceway is well known as one of the toughest, most challenging outdoor motocross tracks that the AMA pro riders visit each year. This year, midday rain showers turned the Pennsylvania hillside into a “Slip-N-Slide” with deep off-chamber ruts.

E3 motorcycle fans lined the fence for Moto One as local favorites Darryn Durham (Honda) and Ryan Sipes (Yamaha) stretched out to an early lead over Pro Circuit’s Dean Wilson, Tyla Rattray and eventual winner Baggett. Durham’s local knowledge of the High Point track paid big dividends as the privateer rider would keep the factory riders at bay for the opening thirty minutes. With two laps to go, the Kawasaki team would freight train Durham, moving Baggett to first followed home by Scotland’s Wilson and South African rider Rattray.

Durham’s hope for his first overall podium of his career went up in smoke when his mechanic had a last minute clutch change that caused the local Honda ace to lose his gate pick for Moto Two. Baggett would blast to the lead early in the second moto before dropping his Kawasaki in the mud. Teammate Rattray slipped and slid his way into first. Wilson would have to mount a charge through the pack while Honda’s Eli Tomac worked his way to a third place finish in the second 250cc race.

Baggett’s late race charge in both motos would leave E3 Spark Plugs race fans shouting for more as the Pro Circuit rider put on the most dominant ride of the 2011 MX Lites season. Rattray’s 3-2 finish was good enough for second overall on the day. Geico Honda rider Tomac would capture the final spot on the podium ahead of Dean Wilson in fourth. Only nine championship points separate the trio of Rattray, Wilson and Baggett as the 250cc riders head East for next weekend’s round 4 at Budds Creek MX in Mechanicsville, MD.

Red Bull KTM rider Mike Alessi grabbed the 450cc holeshot at Round 3 of the Lucas Oil AMA MX National Championship at High Point Raceway. Photo courtesy of www.alessiracing.com.

Over the weekend, E3 Motorcycle Spark Plug racing fans turned out in record numbers to line the Pennsylvania hillside for the first East Coast round of the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro MX Championship. Over the past thirty five years of outdoor motocross, High Point Raceway has become the measuring stick that determines which riders and teams are ready to make a run at the national championship title. This year, Kawasaki rider Ryan Villopoto would use Moto One to make a solid statement about his intentions to compete for the 450cc title.

Defending national champion Ryan Dungey grabbed an early lead but Villopoto wasted little time in passing the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider and pulling away to a huge lead. Current points leader Chad Reed had a bad start but would quickly begin picking off riders on his way to a fifth place finish in the opening moto. After recovering from early season injuries, Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi had an impressive ride at Mount Morris with a third in Moto One but was docked one position for jumping the gate at the start. Dungey would finish in second place with Yamaha’s Davi Millsaps in third.

Steep off-chamber turns, deep ruts and mud (lots of mud) would put a damper on Villopoto’s dominant performance in the day’s first race. To no one’s surprise, Mike Alessi’s big bore KTM pulled the holeshot in Moto Two but gave up the lead to a hard-charging Chad Reed. Villopoto and Dungey started working their way through the pack to a second and third place finish. Alessi would hold on for 4-4 finishes and fourth overall for the day. Dungey and Reed would round out the National podium with Villopoto claiming his first overall win of the season.

There is no rest for the weary as the Lucas Oil Pro MX Championship continues next weekend with Round 4 in Mechanicsville, MD, at the famed Budds Creek MX Park. With less than 35 points separating the top four riders in the 450cc class, E3 Spark Plug motorcycle race fans are expected to line the fences once again. If you’re looking for a spark plug that was “Born to Burn”, pick up an E3 replacement plug for your motorcycle at an authorized online dealer, or your favorite auto parts or discount store.

Shift Racing's Chad Reed captured his second win in as many races for Two-Two Motorsports at the Freestone MX AMA National over the Memorial Day weekend. Photo courtesy of Shift Racing.

The only thing hotter than the air in Texas this Memorial Day weekend was the on-track action at the Freestone MX track outside Wortham, TX. Last week’s 450 cc class winner at Hangtown, Chad Reed, wasted little time claiming the win in Moto 1 after passing the Lucas Oil TLD Honda of Christian Craig on lap eight. Reed’s main rival, Rockstar Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey, chased the Two-Two Motorsport’s rider to the line for second place followed by Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto in third for yet another “red-yellow-green” finish.

In Moto 2, Dungey charged to an early lead followed by Reed and last year’s runner-up in the Lucas Oil AMA MX Championship, Brett Metcalfe. Villopoto and the Joe Gibbs Yamaha of Davi Millsaps were working their way through the pack when a mistake cost Villopoto his chance for a win. Off-road motorcycle ace, Ricky Dietrich, showed the loyal Texas crowd why he’s racing motocross this season and held on to a fourth place overall finish in the second heat. Disaster struck late in the race when the motor on the leader’s power plant failed. With Dungey sitting dead in the water, Reed grabbed the top spot on the podium followed by Millsaps and Metcalfe.

Dungey’s misfortune dropped the defending 450 cc National Champion to eighth overall for the day and fourth in the 2011 points race. Davi Millsaps’s new training regimen paid big dividends this weekend with a second overall at Freestone MX which vaulted the hard charging Georgia rider to third place in championship standings. Villopoto’s 3-5 finishes on the day was good enough for the final step on the podium and moved the Monster Energy rider to second in points. Reed’s gifted win in the second Moto gave the determined Aussie a twenty-one point lead going into Round 3 of the AMA outdoor national championship at the famed High Point MX track in two weeks’ time.

If you’re looking for the winning edge, E3 motorcycle spark plugs were “Born to Burn”. Get the most out of your favorite ride on the street, in the dirt or on the snow. Stop by your local auto parts or hardware store today; or use an online authorized E3 dealer to have E3 spark plugs delivered directly to your door.