Joined Mar 2005
57 Posts | 0+
Algonquin, IL
Well sort of! It wasn't a pro national, but AMA Sports set up a Pro-Am event this past Monday at New Smyrna Speedway just south of Daytona to kick off Bike Week. Robert Loire and Mike Bergman decided it was time to get out of the Frozen Tundra of Wisconsin and start getting the Loire Racing Husabergs ready for the upcoming Pro season.
Unfortunately, the event was marred by a nasty practice crash on Sunday night that saw Doug Henry go down in some spilled coolant and slide out the the outer wall with his bike following behind. Doug was quickly Medi-vacced away to the hospital where they confirmed a broken back (very close to where he had broken it in 1995). He has undergone surgery, and is said to have some feeling in his hips. That is the latest status as of about 2 days ago.
Following that incident, the track was altered to limit the speed entering the banked corners, and the racing went off on Monday night. The premier race was a combine 450/Open class, so the guys got to square off against some of the best from both AMA classes including Factory Yamaha's Mark Burkhart and Factory KTM riders Kurt Nicole and John Lewis.
When the main event left the line Robert got an uncharacteristic poor start, and had to start working his way back forward. After some great battles on the very 1-lined track, Robert crossed the line in 4th, behind only Burkhart, Nicole, and up-and-coming east coast rider Jason Conlon. Mike Bergman also put in a good ride to bring his Berg across the line in 8th.
All-in-all it was a good spring tune-up to start getting ready for the season. A few of the Dixie Sales crew made it out to witness their first real top-level Supermoto event, and apparently left with good impressions.
Next up for the team is the Stateline Supermoto Challenge in Primm, NV on April 13-14th. This is by far the biggest stand-alone Supermoto event in North America which usually brings out all the top pros. If anyone is in the area, stop by the Husaberg pit and say hi.
Best Regards,
Colin Horn
Unfortunately, the event was marred by a nasty practice crash on Sunday night that saw Doug Henry go down in some spilled coolant and slide out the the outer wall with his bike following behind. Doug was quickly Medi-vacced away to the hospital where they confirmed a broken back (very close to where he had broken it in 1995). He has undergone surgery, and is said to have some feeling in his hips. That is the latest status as of about 2 days ago.
Following that incident, the track was altered to limit the speed entering the banked corners, and the racing went off on Monday night. The premier race was a combine 450/Open class, so the guys got to square off against some of the best from both AMA classes including Factory Yamaha's Mark Burkhart and Factory KTM riders Kurt Nicole and John Lewis.
When the main event left the line Robert got an uncharacteristic poor start, and had to start working his way back forward. After some great battles on the very 1-lined track, Robert crossed the line in 4th, behind only Burkhart, Nicole, and up-and-coming east coast rider Jason Conlon. Mike Bergman also put in a good ride to bring his Berg across the line in 8th.
All-in-all it was a good spring tune-up to start getting ready for the season. A few of the Dixie Sales crew made it out to witness their first real top-level Supermoto event, and apparently left with good impressions.
Next up for the team is the Stateline Supermoto Challenge in Primm, NV on April 13-14th. This is by far the biggest stand-alone Supermoto event in North America which usually brings out all the top pros. If anyone is in the area, stop by the Husaberg pit and say hi.
Best Regards,
Colin Horn
