E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs fans lined the track for the final 250cc round of the 2010 AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro National Championship this weekend at Pala Raceway Park just west of San Diego, CA. With back-to-back moto wins at Steel City MX the week before, Oklahoma’s Trey Canard had pulled within seven points of series point’s leader Christophe Pourcel. The Frenchman had high hopes for this year’s AMA finale having lost the 2009 Lites title to Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey after an unexpected mechanical failure sidelined his Pro Circuit Kawasaki in the penultimate race of the season.
Geico Powersports Honda's Trey Canard dominated the second half of the 2010 AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro National Championship to claim his first outdoor title in the 250cc Lites class with a third place overall finish at Pala Raceway Park. Photo courtesy of www.treycanard.com.
At the starting gate for Moto One, both Pourcel and Canard both knew they needed to beat each other to ensure their shot at winning the Lucas Oil AMA MX Lites National Championship. Pro Circuit rookie Dean Wilson grabbed the holeshot ahead of Troy Lee Designs Honda rider Cole Seely and teammate Tyla Rattray. Pourcel and Canard would pass Seely. Canard would out brake Pourcel through a corner but crashed on the exit virtually assuring Pourcel would win the championship. But, with a twist of fate, a few laps later Pourcel was picking himself off the ground with a dislocated shoulder that would end his day and all hope for a championship.
The Lucas Oil race fans and most of the talented AMA 250cc riders were still dazed by the events of the first moto when the gate dropped on the final race of the day. Canadian Dean Wilson would again take the lead and would again lead from start to finish claiming his second overall win of the 2010 national season. A cautious Canard would settle in behind South African rider Tyla Rattray safely following the Kawasaki home for third overall and third on the day. Wilson’s overall was the rookie’s second victory of the year matching his teammates Pourcel and Rattray who also won twice this season.
After the race, an exuberant Canard climbed the podium to receive the coveted #1 number plate for winning the 2010 AMA Lucas Oil MX Pro Championship in the 250cc Lites class. Unfortunately, for 250cc fans, Canard will not defend his Lites’ title as the Honda rider has already announced plans to move up and challenge for the 450cc crown in 2011. E3 race fans are eager to see if Canard can compete with Suzuki’s Dungey in the premier MX class. If you are looking for championship performance from your street or dirt bike, insist upon E3 Motorcycle Spark Plugs. E3 delivers the Energy, Efficiency and Ecology needed for today’s high performance 4-stroke engines.
2010 LUCAS OIL AMA MOTOCROSS PRO MX CHAMPIONSHIP
AMA 250cc MX – Pala National MX (Round 12)
1) Dean Wilson, Canada, Kawasaki (1-1)
2) Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki (2-2)
3) Trey Canard, Shawnee, OK., Honda (4-3)
4) Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO, Honda (8-4)
5) Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, GA, Honda (6-5)
6) Cole Seely, Newbury Park, CA, Honda (3-12)
7) Wil Hahn, Rupert, Decatur, TX, Honda (7-7)
8) Broc Tickle, Holly, MI, Yamaha (5-9)
9) Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha (14-6)
10) Les Smith, York, SC, Honda (13-11)
AMA 250CC MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1) Trey Canard, Shawnee, OK, Honda 474
2) Tyla Rattray, South Africa, Kawasaki -28
3) Christophe Pourcel, France, Kawasaki -31
4) Dean Wilson, Canada, Kawasaki -37
5) Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, GA, Honda -126
6) Eli Tomac, Cortez, CO, Honda -147
7) Broc Tickle, Holly, MI Yamaha -187
8) Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, TX, Honda -189
9) Martin Davalos, Ecuador, Yamaha -223
10) Wil Hahn, Rupert, Decatur, TX, Honda -261
