Press Release

Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael Wins Thunder Valley MX!

--Next up, Washougal MX Park in Washougal, WA, July 30, 2006--

Round 7 – AMA Toyota Motocross Championship Series 
Lakewood, CO Thunder Valley MX Park

July 23, 2006

Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Ricky Carmichael won his sixth AMA Toyota Motocross race in a row this season when he took the overall victory at Lakewood, Colorado’s Thunder Valley MX Park on Sunday afternoon. As usual, the defending AMA Motocross Champion won both of his 30-minute Motocross-class motos. This win extended the 2006 Amp’d Mobile Supercross Champion’s points lead in the title chase and it is also Carmichael’s 141st combined AMA Supercross/Motocross career victory.

Ricky Carmichael:
“It’s always tough coming here to Thunder Valley. There are a bunch of elements you have to contend with. Number one is the elevation, obviously, and that takes a toll on you and the bike, as far as power goes. And obviously fitness is a factor and I have to give it up to my trainer, Aldon Baker. But it’s still fun to come to a new venue and the track is good. There are several different lines and it’s a good race track overall.”

In the Motocross Lites class, Team Makita Suzuki Racing’s Broc Hepler improved his performance significantly. The young rider charged hard on his Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 in both 30-minute motos to take second position in Colorado. This impressive finish moved Hepler from 13th position overall into eighth position in the points chase.

Broc Hepler:
“I got a poor start in the first moto, but I was catching the guys in front of me at the end. I felt pretty good and the Makita Suzuki RM-Z250 was running good so I started picking up my time and my last lap was my fastest. In the second moto, I got a good start. It was the best start I’ve had all year and then I took the lead. Unfortunately, Ryan (Villopoto) faster through some of the rutted sections and he got past me, but I was able to keep second.”

Ricky Carmichael, Team Makita Suzuki Racing RM-Z450, #4

1st Place – Moto 1, 1st Place – Moto 2

1st Place – Thunder Valley Overall

1st Place -- Overall

Broc Hepler, Team Makita Suzuki Racing RM-Z250, #60

4th Place – Moto 1, 2nd Place – Moto 2

2nd Place – Thunder Valley Overall

8th Place – Overall

Motocross Top 10 Finishers Overall:


  1. Ricky Carmichael, Team Makita Suzuki Racing
  2. Davi Millsaps, Honda
  3. James Stewart, Kawasaki
  4. Kevin Windham, Honda
  5. Travis Preston, Honda
  6. Tim Ferry, Yamaha
  7. Michael Byrne, Kawasaki
  8. Chad Reed, Yamaha
  9. Josh Summey, Honda
  10. David Vuillemin, Yamaha

Motocross Lites Top 10 Finishers Overall:


  1. Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki
  2. Broc Hepler, Team Makita Suzuki Racing
  3. Mike Alessi, KTM
  4. Andrew McFarlane, Yamaha
  5. Martine Davalos, Yamaha
  6. Nathan Ramsey, KTM
  7. Andrew Short, Honda
  8. Danny Smith, Honda
  9. Josh Grant, Honda
  10. Steve Boniface, Honda
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