Redux Beverages/Brawndo Honda Race Recap presented by Rockwell Watches
US Open of Supercross
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas, NV
October 9/10, 2008

The US Open of Supercross is an event unlike any other. Held within the confines of the MGM Grand Garden Arena, a venue built to host boxing matches not Supercross battles, the race has an up-close and personal feel that cannot be replicated in a big stadium. With the smaller confines comes close racing, and there was no shortage of it over the two-day event dubbed “the richest Supercross race in the world”. Team Redux Beverages/Brawndo Honda was on hand, vying for its share of the purse and glory. Team captain Ryan Clark was joined by Jake Marsack, a 22-year-old Michigan native who would be auditioning for a coveted spot on the 2009 Brawndo Honda squad.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Right out of the gate Marsack hit the ground running. After a huge holeshot in the first heat race of the night, he would battle it out with the best in the sport for eight intense laps. In the end, Jake would slip to fourth, one place shy of a main event transfer.

Ryan Clark was up next in heat two, but was unable to replicate Jake’s start. After battling back from eighth, Ryan snuck into fifth position and would go on to the Semi.

Jake was back on the track in the semi, but this time would have his work cut out for him. He battle up from mid-pack, slicing through riders and banging bars all the way to the end. Jake would finish an impressive second, but again fall short of the transfer with only the winner moving on.

Ryan was in the second semi, and the sparks were flying from the drop of the gate. He moved into fourth on the first lap, and was in the thick of a battle for the lead that involved Kyle Chisholm, Dan Reardon and Kyle Partridge. At the halfway point, the leaders came together, allowing Chisholm into the lead. Ryan moved into third momentarily, but Reardon pushed him high in the next turn. At the finish he was fourth and out of qualification.

The LCQ was a winner take all four lap slug fest. Marsack looked to have another great start but crashed in the first turn to end his night early. Clark was hindered by the wreckage and mid-pack at best. He made a few quick passes in the whoops and moved into fourth place by the finish. Jake remounted and finished, but was way back after the first turn crash.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Ryan and Jake were both in the first heat race on Saturday, and both managed mid-pack starts. Jake was on fire, though, slashing through the field quickly and getting into fifth within two short laps. At the end, Josh Hill snuck by Marsack while Clark moved up a few positions to finish seventh.

The semi qualifier was again a winner take all affair, and Ryan and Jake needed good starts to get the job done. There was a lot of bumping in the first turn, with Jake ending up on the ground again and Clark emerging in fourth. A few turns in, Clark went for an aggressive pass but ended up bobbling and losing valuable positions. Clark would rebound to finish fifth, while Marsack would not be able to claw back from the huge deficit.

It was down to the LCQ again, a four lap sprint where only the victor would move on. Marsack was on the far outside but still got through the first corner clean with a good start. Clark, on the other hand, got caught up in the first turn carnage and put himself at a huge deficit from the get-go. Jake rode to finish out second behind Dan Reardon. Clark moved up slowly but was never in contention for the transfer position.

The Open was a lot of fun and a great event to participate in. A great job for the whole crew, and especially Jake Marsack for stepping in and riding on such short notice. We look forward to getting down to business, preparing for the 2009 AMA Supercross Series opener in Anaheim. Be sure to check www.teamsolitaire.com for testing updates, rider blogs, photos, video and much more.

Team Solitaire/MB1 Racing is a privately owned professional Supercross and Motocross race team based in Phoenix, AZ. Our 2008 marketing partners include: Redux Beverages, Brawndo: The Thirst Mutilator, MB1 Suspension, Kingdom Clothing, American Honda, FLY Racing, Dragon Optical, Pro Honda Oils and Chemicals, Factory Effex, DRD Exhaust, Vortex, ASV, Dunlop, WPS, Sidi, Rockwell Watches, DUS, OGIO, Applied, QTM/Brembo, RK Chain, EXCEL Rims, HoyFox.com, Boyesen, Hinson, Ready Filter, CoachSeiji.com, Cycra Plastic, Element Sports, Sano Systems, AIMMD, Pivot Works, Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Champion Tool Storage, Crank Works, CP Pistons, Cometic Gaskets, Ron Davis Racing Radiators, NGK Spark Plugs, Flyin' Kolors, DC Auto Wraps, Leatt Brace, Dirt Pro, Parkway Chiropractic, Mechanix Wear, JM Collision, Team Hawg Racing and Group D Manufacturing.