BENNY IN 'BAMA: SOLIS WINS FIRST-EVER
RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP RACE

Leeds, Alabama (April 20, 2008) -- Benny Solis, Jr., from North Hollywood, Calif., won a thrilling 11-lap race with Argentine rider Leandro Mercado at Barber Motorsports Park on Sunday. The two riders battled for position all race, with Solis winning out to take the first-ever victory in the North American version of the Red Bull Rookies Cup. Hayden Gillim, from Owensboro, Ky., earned third place after several on-track dramas elevated his fight to the finish worthy of a podium.

13-year-old Solis took the lead from Mercado, 16 years old, on the first lap, but the Argentine thwarted any attempts at a breakaway. Mercado shadowed Solis for the entire event (and even took the lead on a couple of occasions) and both riders broke into the 1:33-range with their lap times, breaking the existing track 125cc record in the process. Mercado's bid for a final lap challenge came up short when he clipped the trackside grass at turn 12.

"I got a good start and I was just pushing it, riding as hard as I could," said Solis. "I didn't know how fast we were going lap time-wise, but I think we were both giving it all we had. I'm really happy to be able to win our first Red Bull Rookies Cup race and do the burnout in front of all the fans."

"I was excited and pleased to be in the race today and it was good fun going for the lead," said Mercado, who carried the flag of Argentina on the podium. "I tried very hard and ran just onto the grass at turn 12. I got back on-track without incident but Benny was the winner. I'd like to thank him for the battle today."

Hayden Gillim took third place after Joey Pascarella and Tomas Puerta crashed late in the race in separate incidents while battling for the final podium spot. "I just tried to go fast but stay steady out there. It feels good to get a podium in our first race and I'd like to thank all the riders for making it a good competition."

Toriano Wilson took fourth place despite a bad start. Wilson made his strong challenge through the pack to earn valuable points. "Unfortunately, I started in third gear," said the 14-year old Bermuda native.

A five-rider pack of Corey Rech of Liverpool, New York: Austin DeHaven of Los Angeles, Calif.; Huntley Nash of Marietta, Ga.; Austin Medrano of Mustang, Okla.; and Cameron Gish of Shingle Springs, Calif.; fought for a spot in the top five. Rech, who turned 16 last week, took the spot as he was able to earn a slight gap on the others late.

Jesse Stevens of Lawrenceville, Ga., proved his toughness by racing with a lacerated hand from a Saturday crash. "It hurt pretty bad, but I wanted to try to do my best this week." He finished 19th.

Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup - Race Results - Barber Motorsports Park
1. 35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California
2. 36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina
3. 69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky
4. 26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda
5. 34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York
6. 56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California
7. 75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia
8. 7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma
9. 31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California
10. 11 Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina
11. 9 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky
12. 32 Jake Gagne, Ramona California
13. 66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia
14. 74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California
15. 82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil
16. 94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin
17. 3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York
18. 22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas
19. 13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia
20. 23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York
21. 12 Tomas Puerta, Medellin Colombia
22. 25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California
DNS. 50 Emerson Conner, Burlington, Ontario

Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup - Points Standings (after Round 1)
1. 35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California 25 points
2. 36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina 20
3. 69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 16
4. 26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda 13
5. 34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York 11
6. 56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California 10
7. 75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia 9
8. 7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma 8
9. 31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California 7
10. 11 Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina 6
11. 9 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 5
12. 32 Jake Gagne, Ramona California 4
13. 66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia 3
14. 74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California 2
15. 82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil 1
T16. 94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin 0
T16. 3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York 0
T16. 22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas 0
T16. 13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia 0
T16. 23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York 0
T16. 12 Tomas Puerta, Medellin, Colombia 0
T16. 25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California 0
T16. 50 Emerson Conner, Burlington, Ontario 0

For more information on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, please visit
www.redbullrookiescup.com/ and  www.redbullusa.com/rookiescup

SOLIS EARNS FIRST RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP POLE

Leeds, Alabama (April 19, 2008) -- The first-ever Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup race weekend got off to a fabulous start at sunny Barber Motorsports Park on Saturday. Benny Solis, Jr., of North Hollywood, Calif., won the first-ever pole position for the class. Joining the 13-year-old on the front row are fellow Rookies Leandro Mercado, Joey Pascarella, and Toriano Wilson.

Solis, Jr., was less than one-tenth of a second quicker than his closest competition, setting the mark of 1:34.616 on his KTM RC 125 as the checkered flag flew. "I got a tow from two of my friends and I just put my head down and did the best I could," said Benny. "This is the first race so I was really excited to see my number on top of the scoring pylon."

Leandro Mercado of Argentina nearly caught Solis and finished with a lap of 1:34.726. 16-year-old "Tati" said, "It was hard to get in the rhythm of qualifying. I overshot a couple of corners, but towards the end I got it down. I hope to do the same tomorrow in the race."

Joey Pascarella of Vacaville, Calif., was third quickest. 15-year-old Pascarella was the fastest in the morning practice session and added a strong qualifying performance as well. "I picked up the pace towards the end and went as hard as I could. I had a little problem with the bike slipping around, but apart from that, everything was perfect. I was giving the best I could and the other guys were so fast … I was hoping to get on the front row and I did."

Toriano Wilson has been very quick in testing and the Bermuda native was less than 0.3 seconds behind pole position, making for a fast front row. He earned his starting spot with the help of a drafting partner, he said. "I was slowing down and trying to find a tow and I saw Benny. I tried to keep up with him but he was very fast," said Toriano, 14-years old.

The second row of the grid is equally filled with talented riders. Tomas Puerta of Medellin, Colombia; Hayden Gillim of Owensboro, Ky.; Corey Rech of Liverpool, NY; and Austin DeHaven of Los Angeles, Calif., earned the fourth through eighth starting spots.

Jesse Stevens of Lawrenceville, Ga., crashed early in the morning practice and did not ride in qualifying, but hopes to race on Sunday.

Rider Coach Kevin Schwantz was impressed by the Rookies on Saturday. "Benny put in his fastest lap on the final time around as the checkered flag came out. I think it shows it wasn't decided to the very end and it was quite exciting. I think it shows what the Rookies Cup is all about," he said. "Hopefully we'll have a good race and everyone thinks we will."

The Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup 11-lap race begins Sunday at 11:00 a.m. local time.

Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup - Qualifying Times - Barber Motorsports Park
1. 35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California 1:34.616
2. 36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina 1:34.700
3. 25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California 1:34.726
4. 26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda 1:34.895
5. 2 Tomas Puerta, Medellin Colombia 1:35.355
6. 69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:36.020
7. 34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York 1:36.224
8. 56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California 1:36.265
9. 74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California 1:36.278
10. 31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California 1:36.330
11. 11 Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina 1:36.654
12. 75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia 1:36.817
13. 3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York 1:37.147
14. 95 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:37.325
15. 7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma 1:37.399
16. 32 Jake Gagne, Ramona California 1:37.618
17. 50 Emerson Conner, Burlington, Ontario 1:37.690
18. 82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil 1:37.701
19. 22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas 1:37.720
20. 66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia 1:38.106
21. 94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin 1:38.106
22. 23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York 1:39.210
23. 13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia No time

For more information on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, please visit
www.redbullrookiescup.com/ and  www.redbullusa.com/rookiescup

RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP BEGINS AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK

Leeds, Alabama (April 17, 2008) -- The inaugural Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup race will be held this Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park outside of Birmingham, Ala. Practice for the 11-lap final begins on Saturday.

Through preseason testing, several riders have shown a fast pace, but there is no clear-cut favorite for the race. 23 riders will enter the event on KTM RC 125 machines mounted with Dunlop tires.

Cameron Gish from Shingle Springs, Calif., has improved throughout testing and was ninth-quickest in the last test. "I'm a little nervous, but really looking forward to racing," said Gish, 13. "I feel ready. There are a lot of guys going good, and the first race might be a little wild. We've had three tests, and it's given us time to get everything dialed. Racing in front of all the fans is going to be a new thing for me, and it adds a lot of fun to it."

Liverpool, NY's Corey Rech has made improvements, as well. The 15-year-old is known around the Rookies paddock as a racer with a serious approach to the Rookies Cup, but one who is always friendly and willing to talk racing with his cohorts. "I've been training for this weekend, and I am glad it's finally here," said Rech. "Testing has been a lot of fun, and I've been going on some long bicycle rides to get my endurance up."

"I'm super-excited, and I can't wait," said Jake "Squirrel" Morman, a 13-year-old from Loganville, Ga. "I'm ready to get a couple of laps in. The mock race we had the other day was great, and I can't wait to do it for real in front of thousands of fans. We're pretty close on lap times, so I think there will be a lot of bumping out there."

"We are absolutely ready to race," said Rider Coach Kevin Schwantz. "We have a wide variety in the experience levels here in the Rookies Cup, but all the racers have worked hard to get up to speed, and we've seen a lot of improvement. We're ready to go racing for real now, and we'll see things upped to another level with that. It's going to be an entertaining show, and I hope it's as much fun for the fans as it is for us."

The 2.38-mile (3.83 km), 16-turn Barber Motorsports Park circuit is a fitting venue to begin the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup. One of the most picturesque tracks in America, BMP is a circuit all the Rookies know well. The circuit on the banks of the scenic Cahaba River hosted the Official Selection Event last fall and has hosted two tests for the Rookies.


Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Line-Up

3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York
7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma
11 Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina
12 Tomas Puerta, Medellin, Colombia
13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia
22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas
23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York
25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California
26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda
31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California
32 Jake Gagne, Ramona, California
34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York
35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California
36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina
50 Emerson Conner, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California
66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia
69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky
74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California
75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia
82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil
94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin
95 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky

For more information on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, please visit
www.redbullrookiescup.com/ and  www.redbullusa.com/rookiescup

PUERTA AND GILLIM IMPRESS IN RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES
CUP TEST AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK

Leeds, Alabama (April 15, 2008) -- The final day of preseason testing for the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup wrapped up at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Ala., on Tuesday. 15-year-old Tomas Puerta of Medellin, Colombia, turned in the fastest lap at the test and 13-year-old Hayden Gillim of Owensboro, Ky., won the exciting 15-lap mock race.

Puerta turned in his fastest lap of the weekend (1:35.113) in the simulated race, one that saw a six-rider pack fight for the front. Those top six riders were all within 0.7 seconds on the timing charts, but the smooth Colombian racer emerged as the quickest. "The competition was very tough out there, so I am quite happy to have earned the fastest lap of the test," said Puerta. "Getting to ride this track in close quarters with my fellow racers was a lot of fun, and I can't wait to do it for real this weekend. I'm happy with the progress I am making with my riding."

Gillim crossed the line before any other rider in the simulated race. After an early red flag caused a restart, Gillim got a good jump off the line and ran near the front for all 15 laps. "We were out there just having fun," said Gillim. "We had a good time out there, seeing what we can do and making some crazy passes. I don't know how serious everyone was but the lap times were pretty quick. I'd like to do this again next Sunday, but I think some of these guys might be looking for a different result."

Rookies Benny Solis of North Hollywood, Calif., Leandro Mercado of Argentina, Joey Pascarella of Vacaville, Calif., and Toriano Wilson of Bermuda joined Gillim and Puerta in the lead pack of the simulated race.

13-year-old Solis finished second, but said he was looking for race strategy rather than a super-fast time. "I was trying not to show too much out there," said Solis. "I dropped back from first to sixth a couple of times because I didn't want to show all my lines."

"It makes me excited for this weekend," said Mercado, age 16. "There are lots of kids in the lead group who are very fast, and it's tough to keep your position. I think the fans will like our race here on Sunday."

"It was a blast," said 15-year-old Pascarella, who took fifth place. "I don't know how serious everyone was about winning but the guys out there were trading it up quite a bit."

Wilson ran with the lead group much of the session but crashed when his footpeg ground out on the track surface. He remounted to take 12th spot in the simulated race.

Jesse Stevens of Lawrenceville, GA, finished sixth, while Emerson Connor of Burlington, Ontario, Canada, was seventh and just under half a second behind Stevens. Jake Gagne (Ramona, Calif.), Cameron Gish (Shingle Springs, Calif.), and Frankie Lee Gillim (Owensboro, Ky.) rounded out the top ten.

16-year-old Otavio Lucchini proved his toughness this test. Otavio crashed in the morning session, bringing out the red flag. The Brazilian highsided near turn six and was sore after his crash, but was determined to continue testing. Otavio, who hails from Sao Paulo and is the tallest of the Rookies, has gained momentum in the previous tests and has moved steadily up the time charts of late. Unfortunately, he crashed again in the simulated race but says he will be ready to go this weekend.

In the morning session, Solis (1:37.584) was the quickest, followed by Frankie Lee Gillim and Puerta. Travis Wyman and Austin DeHaven rounded out the top five.

"I was a little disappointed by the number of crashes we had out there today," said Rider Coach Kevin Schwantz. "One thing I do like is that the racers are willing to mix it up and are learning from each other. I'm pleased with the progress everyone is making, and I want to see the entire field within a three-second gap. I think we're ready to race this weekend."

The Rookies will race in support of the AMA Superbike event this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.

Simulated Race Results - Barber Motorsports Park, Tuesday April 15, 2008

1. 69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky
2. 35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California
3. 36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina
4. 12 Tomas Puerta, Medellin Colombia
5. 25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California
6. 13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia
7. 50 Emerson Conner, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
8. 32 Jake Gagne, Ramona California
9. 31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California
10. 95 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky
11. 11 Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina
12. 26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda
13. 74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California
14. 22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas
15. 75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia
16. 23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York
17. 3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York
18. 94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin
19. 34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York
20. 66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia
21. 82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil
22. 56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California
23. 7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma

Fastest Laps - Barber Motorsports Park, Tuesday April 15, 2008

1. 12 Tomas Puerta, Medellin Colombia 1:35.113
2. 69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:35.237
3. 35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California 1:35.248
4. 25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California 1:35.250
5. 36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina 1:35.293
6. 26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda 1:35.808
7. 50 Emerson Conner, Burlington, Ontario 1:36.877
8. 34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York 1:36.946
9. 31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California 1:37.037
10. 74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California 1:37.328
11. 13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia 1:37.332
12. 56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California 1:37.374
13. 66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia 1:37.806
14. 95 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:37.859
15. 3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York 1:38.039
16. 11 Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina 1:37.896
17. 32 Jake Gagne, Ramona California 1:38.039
18. 94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin 1:38.052
19. 22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas 1:38.283
20. 82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil 1:38.746
21. 75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia 1:39.945
22. 7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma 1:40.203
23. 23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York 1:40.759

For more information on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, please visit
www.redbullrookiescup.com/ and  www.redbullusa.com/rookiescup

"SWEET HOME ALABAMA" FOR RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP TESTING

The Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup began the final preseason test at Barber Motorsports Park on Monday. The 23 Rookies will race their first event of the year this weekend alongside the AMA Superbike series at the track.

Bermuda's Toriano Wilson was once again quickest on the day. The 14-year-old set a time of 1:36.982 in the afternoon to top the charts on the first of a two-day test. 13-year-old Hayden Gillim of Owensboro, Ky. was second quickest in a closely packed field. Gillim's time of 1:37.024 just nipped 15-year-old Joey Pascarella of Vacaville, Calif. Pascarella's best time was 1:37.040, which he also set in the afternoon.

The day's activities included a practice session and a 30-minute simulated qualifying session. The morning weather was unseasonably cool in the Birmingham area and testing commenced on schedule, even though it rained before the first practice began. The mechanics mounted rain-spec Dunlops on the KTM RC125 machines and the Rookies got their first taste of 2008 wet-weather riding.

A handful of riders went down in the difficult conditions experienced during the 30-minute morning session but no Rookie was seriously injured in a fall. A quick lap during the first testing session was one in the 1:42 to 1:45 range, compared with best times near 1:34 at the previous Barber Motorsports Park test's simulated race. Pascarella was the quickest rider in the morning with a time of 1:42.217. 15-year-old Corey Rech of Liverpool, NY, and Wilson followed Pascarella. 13-year-old Austin DeHaven of Los Angeles, Calif., and Emerson Connor also finished in the top five in the difficult conditions.

The afternoon's simulated 30-minute qualifying session began in clear, breezy weather, but rain began to fall with just a couple of minutes left. The checkered flag came out early as all the bikes had slick Dunlops mounted.

Wilson was the quickest rider at each of the two previous Rookies Cup preseason tests, although he's had close competition each time out. Once again, he put the Bermudan flag atop the timing sheets.

"I'm speechless!" said Toriano at the end of the day. "I thought one of the other riders might have set a quicker time than me but I was glad to be on top once again. I had to push to set the quickest time, but then I wanted to save my bike for tomorrow, so I eased off at the very end. I can't wait to come back and try it again."

"The weather didn't really affect us too much," said second place Gillim of the rain that fell late in the day and caused the session to be flagged a couple of laps early. "Most of the riders use a similar line, so we kept things pretty dry out there to the very end. I was riding with Joey Pascarella, and we were having a lot of fun. I feel good about being second on the day and, tomorrow, I'll see if I can improve one more spot."

Pascarella was pleased with his Monday, one that saw him quickest in the morning and third in the afternoon. "Everyone wants to be first fastest, but the main thing for me is I am trying to improve on worn tires. I was up to third-fastest this time after being ninth the last time we were on the older tires, so there's some improvement. I just put my head down and did the best I could. I didn't have any problems after my crash this morning, which was just the front-end washing out."

Austin DeHaven was fourth-quickest in the afternoon, crossing the line with a best lap of 1:37.372. DeHaven and fifth-fastest Tomas Puerta of Colombia led a group of riders in the 1:37 range, including Leandro Mercado, Benny Solis, and Bryce Prince.
Hard luck Rookies included Corey Rech and Frankie Lee Gillim. The riders bumped early in the afternoon session. Rech was unable to set a time while Gillim missed much of the 30 minutes while in the pits for repairs. The test will continue on Tuesday.
"I thought the guys did a good job today," said Rookies Cup Rider Coach Kevin Schwantz. "It was helpful for the Rookies to ride in some tough conditions because that's the way races are sometimes -- maybe even this weekend. I was happy with how tight the times were. Less than four seconds covered the entire field. All the Rookies seem to be learning and everyone's going faster and faster."

Debuting at the test on Monday was the Red Bull Rookie’s Cup Energy Station. The two-story structure with a staff of 12 is set up to feed the entire Red Bull Rookies Cup contingent three meals per day. It takes nine people three days to put the structure together, and it requires five tractor trailers to transport it from circuit to circuit.
The end-result is a full-service kitchen, a place to get out of the elements and grab a cold Red Bull, or a chance to play foosball, air hockey, and video games.

"We've got our own private place here at the track, a place to get something to eat or go upstairs and listen to some music or watch something on the screens for a minute," said 16-year-old Jesse Stevens from Lawrenceville, Georgia. "For me, music is a way I manage stress at the track and I think the Energy Station is a very cool thing for us."

Results – Barber Motorsports Park , Monday, April 14, 2008
1. 26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda 1:36.982
2. 69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:37.024
3. 25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California 1:37.040
4. 56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California 1:37.374
5. 12 Tomas Puerta, Medellin, Colombia 1:37.572
6. 36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina 1:37.582
7. 35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California 1:37.658
8. 74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California 1:37.986
9. 3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York 1:38.436
10. 32 Jake Gagne, Ramona, California 1:38.504
11. 82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil 1:38.748
12. 22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas 1:39.556
13. 13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia 1:39.805
14. 50 Emerson Conner, Burlington, Ontario 1:40.227
15. 75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia 1:40.297
16. 7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma 1:40.340
17. 94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin 1:40.452
18. 31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California 1:40.518
19. 66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia 1:40.652
20. 11 Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina 1:40.672
21. 95 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:40.706
22. 23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York 1:40.759
23. 34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York No Time

For more information on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, please visit
www.redbullrookiescup.com/ and  www.redbullusa.com/rookiescup

At the state of the art Barber Motorsports Park it was a much different test than our fist test at Laguna because all the kids had been to Barber which was where we had the selection test last September.

We started with the kids in two-groups until after lunch when we put them all out together. Our thought is that they will all be racing together out there so we should get them all out there together and get accustomed to it. In the two afternoon sessions, both Mark Cernicky and Steve Atlas rode my bike. In the first afternoon session we had more scratched-up motorcycles and scuffed-up leathers than we had in our previous two and a half days of testing. After that there were a lot of long stares at their coach so I sat them down and gave them a quick speech.. Even when the bikes aren't exactly right, you have to be able to compensate whether it's tires or suspension. Great racers are the guys who can overcome adversity. After this quick discussion the last session of the day ran without incident.

I continue to ask the kids to make the best notes they possibly can about their testing, lap-by-lap-by-lap or at the end of the day make sure to write down everything that sticks in their head.

Day two started off at 7am with a meeting with the riders and their parents and this was also where I informed them of their sponsorship opportunity to wear a Kevin Schwantz School patch on their leathers and a schwantzschool.com decal on their visor for $1,000.00 for the season. Hopefully this will offset some of their expenses throughout the season. After that, at 7:30am, we did a track walk. It was 25 degrees that morning, for a low so the first half of the track walk was very cold! Having said that, the track walk was a great opportunity for the kids who don't speak English to have their translators ask questions. I try and make it a point to ask all the kids if they have any other questions but I think the language barrier makes it difficult for the foreign speaking kids. We started riding at 9:30am. I rode with the kids the first session and then turned my bike over to Mark Gardiner for the second session. In the last two sessions of the day we just practiced.. the sighting lap and warm-up lap and starts, which we did three-times in one session. In the last session we did a simulated race. They pulled out from the truck and did a sighting lap and warm-up lap and came around to stage. We then did a 15-lap race. All the kids did an amazing job, we had three pull into pit lane to have their mechanics remove tape from the radiator because the temperature had gone above the recommended 65 degrees. To be that excited about racing for the first time, even though it was only mock-race, the maturity the kids showed was just amazing.

All in all the test went exceptionally well. The spread in timing from top to bottom is getting closer and closer all the time. If their coach has his way about things, the spread will be in the three second range.

Good job kids…From your new sponsor!

Story By Mark Gardiner.

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WILSON QUICKEST AT RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP TEST IN ALABAMA

Leeds, Alabama (March 25, 2008) -- The Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup completed its second preseason test on Tuesday at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Alabama. Toriano Wilson of Bermuda logged the quickest time, followed by Joey Pascarella of Vacaville, California. Leandro Mercado of Cordoba, Argentina was third quickest.

For the 23 Red Bull Rookies, the morning began with a track walk before the day's four sessions. The day ended with a simulated race in anticipation of next month's inaugural race at Barber Motorsports Park. That session featured an exciting five-rider battle for the lead that saw a different leader on each pass.

Wilson was second across the line in the simulated race and was also quickest at the first test at Laguna Seca. He set quick time on his last lap of the two days and was the only rider to break the into the 1:34 mark. "I'm really happy. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do the fastest race time," said Wilson, age 14. "It's just practice, so I can't get too excited about it but it was fun. I set the time at the end of the simulated race. Number 36 (Leandro Mercado) was going to the front and he pulled me along a bit. I'm happy, my dad is happy, and my cousin who came to the test from Bermuda is very happy."

"I set my best time in the simulated race," said Pascarella, 15-years-old. "I wasn't really expecting that, to be honest. I dug pretty deep to set that time, and also Corey Rech helped pull me along a little bit, too. I worked on my body position on the bike this week to help lower my lap times. I think that has helped a lot. One of my goals was to end the test in the top three and I feel good about how everything has gone."

16-year-old Leandro Mercado crossed the line first in the simulated race and was third quickest at the test. "I really like the motorcycle and I feel better each time I get on the bike," said Mercado. "I was able to improve my times over the two days by getting better in my weaker parts of the track. Kevin (Schwantz) was able to give me some hints and then I got more confidence. It was a good experience to cross the line first in the simulated race. It was really good training for us."

Corey Rech of Liverpool, New York was fourth fastest (1:35.063) during the two days of testing. North Hollywood, California's Benny Solis followed with a best time of 1:35.201. Also in the top-10 were Hayden Gillim, Tomas Puerta, Huntley Nash, Bryce Prince and Jesse Stevens.

Riders coach Kevin Schwantz was pleased with the results. "It was a great end to the two days," said the 1993 World Champion. "All the kids were out there racing each other, doing their best and what I like better is they are all around talking about it and sharing with each other and learning. The gap covering the entire field is down to five seconds and I think we can shave another second off that. I think the riders are learning from each other and that's important. I'm pleased with how things are going so far."

The next event for the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup is another pre-race test at Barber Motorsports Park, April 14-15, followed by the first race of the season at Barber during the AMA Superbike weekend, April 18-20.

Test Times From Barber Motorsports Park

1. 26 Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda 1:34.808
2. 25 Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California 1:35.048
3. 36 Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina 1:35.060
4. 34 Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York 1:35.063
5. 35 Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California 1:35.201
6. 69 Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:35.307
7. 12 Tomas Puerta, Medellin Colombia 1:35.385
8. 75 Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia 1:36.293
9. 74 Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California 1:36.302
10. 13 Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia 1:36.434
11. 7 Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma 1:36.575
12. 95 Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:36.600
13. 56 Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California 1:36.696
14. 3 Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York 1:36.706
15. 66 Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia 1:36.979
16. 94 Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin 1:37.464
17. 32 Jake Gagne, Ramona, California 1:37.654
18. 31 Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California 1:38.076
19. 50 Emerson Conner, Burlington, Ontario, Canada 1:38.410
20. 82 Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil 1:38.829
21. 23 Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York 1:38.849
22. 11 Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina 1:38.981
23. 22 Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas 1:39.122

For more information on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, please visit
www.redbullrookiescup.com/ and  www.redbullusa.com/rookiescup

SOLIS FASTEST ON DAY ONE OF RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP TESTING
AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK 

Leeds, Alabama (March 24, 2008)  -- The second 2008 Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup test began on Monday at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama, near Birmingham. Benny Solis of North Hollywood, California was quickest on the first day of a two-day event. Colombia's Tomas Puerta came up less than one tenth of a second behind Solis after dueling for Monday's quickest time. Bryce Prince from Bakersfield, California was third fastest on the day. 

Solis (age 13) and Puerta (age 15) were riding in close quarters during Monday's final session, passing each other at various points on the track -- including on the brakes in turn one. Each rider felt dicing for position pushed each other to even lower lap times, even though Solis fell down in turn two the lap after setting his best mark of the day. "I was a bit surprised because Tomas and I were going back and forth, lap after lap. He was showing me some of the fast lines and braking points and I was helping him out some, too. Every tenth helped since Bryce was close to us in third spot. I crashed on my very last lap but my time held up for the fastest of the day," said Solis. "I'm okay, though, and ready to go back out there tomorrow." Solis set the mark of 1:36.179 on his KTM RC125. 

Puerta's best time was 1:36.223. The Colombian said he was pleased with his performance. "Benny and I rode together and we helped each other out. It was fun for me to ride with him," he said. "I was happy with the training from Kevin Schwantz and want to thank the mechanics for working so hard. My bike worked well today and I was able to lower my lap times." 

Fifteen-year-old Bryce Prince steadily improved his times in the final session and had four laps in the 1:36-range in a row, including his best time of 1:36.302. "Today was a good day for me," said Prince. "I was happy and felt good on the bike, very confident. My mechanic and I worked with the suspension and got it handling well for the track. I think the experience of riding at the Selection Event really helped me, especially with the wind." 

The second test of the year (after last month's Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca event) was held at the same site as last fall's Selection Event, so all of the Red Bull Rookies had ridden the 16-turn, 2.3-mile (3.7 km) circuit before. The morning weather was in the 40s when the riders first took to the track under the tutelage of Rookies Cup riding coach and 1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz around 9:30 AM, and the weather remained cool for the rest of the day. 

Sixteen-year-old Leandro Mercado (Argentina) and fourteen-year-old Toriano Wilson (Bermuda) also finished in the top five on the day. 

Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup rider coach Kevin Schwantz felt there was room for improvement on a day where several riders crashed. "I was pleased with how the guys rode, for the most part," said Schwantz. "We had a few bikes tip over but we've been on the tires for a few sessions now and we had cold and wind. It was important for the guys to feel what it's like to ride in conditions like this because race conditions aren't always perfect. We'll see how the guys do tomorrow, and I'm encouraged with how well everyone is doing. Everyone needs to stay upright because more laps leads to more confidence."

RED BULL AMA U.S. ROOKIES CUP - BARBER TEST DAY 1 

Monday's test times: 

1. Benny Solis, North Hollywood, California 1:36.179
2. Tomas Puerta, Medellin Colombia 1:36.223
3. Bryce Prince, Bakersfield, California 1:36.302
4. Leandro Mercado, Cordoba, Argentina 1:36.531
5. Toriano Wilson, St. Davids, Bermuda 1:36.643
6. Corey Rech, Liverpool, New York 1:36.652
7. Hayden Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:37.035
8. Jesse Stevens, Lawrenceville, Georgia 1:37.559
9. Joey Pascarella, Vacaville, California 1:37.725
10. Frankie Lee Gillim, Owensboro, Kentucky 1:37.804
11. Huntley Nash, Marietta, Georgia 1:37.960
12. Austin DeHaven, Los Angeles, California 1:38.274
13. Travis Wyman, Macedon, New York 1:38.366
14. Jacob Cunningham, Kimberly, Wisconsin 1:38.843
15. Jake Gagne, Ramona California 1:39.128
16. Cameron Gish, Shingle Springs, California 1:39.438
17. Austin Medrano, Mustang, Oklahoma 1:39.656
18. Corey Alexander, Ossining, New York 1:39.858
19. Emerson Conner, Burlington, Ontario 1:40.223
20. Jake Morman, Loganville, Georgia 1:40.632
21. Garet Tomlinson, Aledo, Texas 1:41.532
22. Otavio Lucchini, Jundiai, SP, Brazil, 1:42.313
23. Luciano Ribodino, San Francisco, Argentina 1:42.418

For more information on the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup, please visit
www.redbullrookiescup.com/ and  www.redbullusa.com/rookiescup