Ricky Carmichael: “I’m Just Happy to Get That 99th Win And Hoping to Get 100”
Jun 12, 2007
Suzuki Racing
In the sands of Southwick’s Motocross 338, Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael celebrated the city’s proclaimed “Ricky Carmichael Day” by winning his third straight AMA Toyota Motocross race of the 2007 season on Sunday afternoon. The 15-time AMA Champion won both 30-minute motos handily to take the overall victory at the Massachusetts track.
This is Carmichael’s eighth consecutive win at Southwick and he joins Kent Howerton as the only other Suzuki rider to win three premier-class races in a row at this track. Additionally, this marks Carmichael’s 99th AMA motocross victory and his 147th AMA career win. The rider they call the Greatest of All Time is running an abbreviated racing schedule and will only race a few more MX events this year.
Ricky Carmichael:
“Today was really good. We struggled with some chassis setup until the last practice then we found a great setting and that’s what we raced with all day. It ended up being really good, especially in the second moto; the Suzuki was like a jewel. The bike was working phenomenal. Everything for Suzuki was great, and I’m just happy to get that 99th win and hoping to get 100. A lot of preparation went into the race, not so much speed as just a lot of motos. As much as I like the sand, let it be known it’s still hard work. James Stewart and I were on it again that first moto. I ate a lot of dirt, no doubt about it. In the second moto, I was really, really happy to get the holeshot because that’s the first one I’ve gotten in a long time. I didn’t get any in Supercross and I hadn’t gotten one in Motocross until today. Then, I just tried to put in some good laps on the RM-Z450. It was a very, very good race. Any time you beat someone of James’ caliber it’s very, very gratifying. It’s almost the end of the road… I’m looking forward to the end, no doubt. Still, you’ve got to give it your all, all the time and I hope that over the 10 years that I’ve been racing here that it’s been worth it for the fans. “
In the Motocross Lites class, Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ryan Dungey picked up his second podium of the season. The 17-year-old Minnesotan rode an impressive race on his Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 and finished on the podium in both 30-minute Lites motos to take third-overall for the day. Additionally, this strong result moves Dungey up to third-place overall in the series championship points. standings
Ryan Dungey:
“It was a great weekend, starting with practice. We made some changes to the Suzuki that I liked. In the first moto, I tried to charge hard during the whole moto and I was happy to get my Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 up on the podium. This is a big step up from the amateurs and I’m just trying to do the best I can and keep working hard. In the second moto, I got a great start on my Suzuki and got the holeshot and ran a good solid race. I’d like to thank my Makita Suzuki team and everybody who helped get me here. “
