Rupert X Ruport: Storming San Diego

I knew it had been a lengthy time since I had attended a Monster Energy Supercross race in this coastal “village,” as the last time I was here - James Stewart and Michael Byrne were clearing a “250’s ONLY” triple jump on their 125s. Byrner on a Honda, Bubba on his very nasty KX125. I enjoy San Diego, the pretty flowers everywhere, the nervous drop of your airliner deep into downtown from the mountains, the hillside breweries and the many, many confusing loops of highways and byways, linking So. Cal. and the beaches and the Inland Empire, the mountains and the desert, the trailers and the condos…

So, this was round six of your Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, with the next round being in Arlington (Dallas), Texas and, the kick-off of the “East” rounds of the races, where we get to see a new cast of 250cc class racers, some different stadiums, a variety of dirt substances and, the renewal of this fantastic 450 class battle, where any one of five or six candidates can, potentially, be on the podium on any given week. Speaking of Texas, the next round of the West 250 series will be in Houston, in April - so, apparently, Texas is both an eastern and western state. Yeehaaa, pardner.

‘Twas  the second 450 timed practice and I was walking back to the pits from stadium, just behind JS7’s mom and RV’s dad – Mrs. Stewart being very happy with Bubba setting fast time and, Mr. Villopoto – not so much and, this was a theme for the night as Bubba would hold off Ryan for his first win of the season  - while the bigger story being the scary, last-lap wreck of Chad Reed and a hospital trip for the popular Team TwoTwo star.

In the 250 class – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Justin Hill picked up his first Supercross win, ever – as the younger brother of Josh Hill (11^th on the night in the 450 class) led Jason Anderson and Malcolm Stewart (older brother James won later this night on his RMZ450) across the fiery finish line, much to the delight of the packed Qualcomm stadium and the TV viewers at home…pretty cool sibling dealio for both the Hills and the Stewarts in this family friendly sport...

Another Stewart I saw in the pits was the famous Ivan “The Ironman” Stewart, famous off-road truck racer. My camera missed him, dammit.

I could hear the Supercross announcers all thru the day and night. I’m not sure if it was the nature of the stadium’s acoustics, quieter bikes, my new hearing-aids or louder microphones – but we dig it.

Outside of the top-ten in the 250 class, there’s a whole lot of privateers I’ve never heard of – and that’s okay, the sport needs fresh faces, everybody wants to be on the cover of the magazines, or the webazines…

It was the military being honored at this San Diego Supercross, with many Marines and U.S. Navy sailors from the nearby Naval Base and Camp Pendleton in attendance – perhaps a few from NAS/ MCAS Miramar, as well.

The Coronado Brewing Company was closed, but we were able to check out the Green Flash brewery and the massive Stone Brewery and its tasty, lavish biergarten.

Bummer with Trey Canard and Davi Millsaps being out, this 450 class would be even more thrilling, if that was possible…

You could have thrown an 87-foot Persian rug over RV and JS for most of the 20 laps, at SD.

The track was very difficult, especially the right side of the course , which would make an Endurocross racer scowl…

Having  Kevin Windham  to help with announcing and perform his acrobatic/ aerobatic “transfer” launches is a treat for everyone, weird to see him out there in early 450 practice though…

Apparently my hotel’s policy is to pick up and drop you anywhere within a six-mile radius, yet not at the Qualcomm Stadium, but three miles away. Thanks to privateer Michael Akaydin for bringing me home.

Lots of hopped up Honda Groms and Ruckussss’ss about the pits…

BUD Racing had their rider, Valentin Teillet and a few of their wares displayed, pitside…

Dean Wilson had trainer Ryno Hughes at his side, there were a couple of whoop-monster dudes rolling about and a privateer named Oswald #643 had Miley Cyrus graphics (again) on his well-appointed machine…

The race-fuels are smelling especially spicy of late, yet when it burns it doesn’t match the quaint nose-friendly elegance of the two-smoke daze…yeah, I went there…

Thanks to 100% goggles for lunch. Yummy, Italian.

I only bought one beer for $ 9.75. Okay, one more bigger one later – for $12. Shhhh.

Chad Reed, may you be well – and props to Ken Roczen for coming back and checking on him.

ANOTHER fifth ( 5^th) place for Weston Peick ? Okay, if you won’t give him a big rig, at least give him the Heisman.

On to Arlington we go….