Irvine, Calif. – Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green riders converged at Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. for the 2011 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships and commanded 12 championships, 14 runner-up spots, and 14 third-place finishes. The week kicked off in usual fashion, with hundreds of families arriving at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch to setup their campsites for the week-long event. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Team Green hosted several special events throughout the week, including a family dinner, a country-western concert, and a short film debut. The weather was hot and humid as expected, but a thunderstorm that rolled in Thursday night cooled things down and changed the track dynamic. Despite the ever-changing track and challenging three-moto format, Team Green riders won the majority of their classes, with a few riders sweeping their class aboard Kawasaki KX™85 and KX™450F’s.

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Man on a Mission
Adam Cianciarulo came out to Loretta’s on a mission, determined to best his previous year’s performance, which he did with authority. He grabbed six out of six holeshots aboard his Kawasaki KX™100, winning championships in both the Supermini 1 and Supermini 2 classes. Teammate Nick Gaines proved his toughest competitor in the Supermini 2 class, taking the win in the second moto. Cianciarulo answered back in the final moto, grabbing the win to secure his second overall championship of the week. Cianciarulo’s outstanding performance on the track earned him the Youth Motocross Rider of the Year award which was presented during Saturday’s awards ceremony.

“I felt like I really redeemed myself this year at Loretta’s,” said Cianciarulo. “I got great starts all week and was able to get championships in both Supermini classes, which felt really great. I had a great time at Loretta’s, but I am looking forward to spending some time off with my family before we head to the Winter Olympics in November.”

Super Smooth
Justin Hill has been racking up several championships throughout the year, on both his KX450F and KX™250F, proving to be one of the fastest amateur racers in the nation. Lined up against the nation’s best at Loretta’s, Hill performed like a true champ. He was typically the fastest off the line and set the bar around the challenging course, riding smooth and consistent. His impressive performance netted a championship in the 250 B Stock class and a moto win in the Schoolboy 2 (13-16) B/C class as well.

Southern Comfort
Thomas Covington has been showing impressive speed all season. Proving he can excel anywhere he lines up, he has cultivated championships at over 9,000 feet above sea level at Mammoth MX and in the blistering heat of Ponca City, Okla. No stranger to the heat and humidity of the southern states, Covington excelled at Loretta’s, winning the championship in the 250 B Modified class.

Battle Tested
Keith Johnson is a seasoned veteran who is no stranger to the podium at Loretta Lynn’s. Wherever Johnson competes, he poses a serious threat to taking over the top step of the podium. He proved his winning ways yet again, grabbing holeshots and gapping the field to take the championship in the Senior 40+ class and runner-up in the Vet 35+ class to Kawasaki mounted Clark Stiles.

Green Machine
Blake Green is a serious title contender, anywhere he lines up. This young, but seasoned racer has had a successful season grabbing wins at several amateur national events around the nation. Green came to Loretta’s and proved why he is rated as one of the top amateurs in the nation, securing the championship in the 85 (12-14) Stock class.

Raw Speed
Austin Forkner may appear to be your average 12 year old off the track, but as soon as he climbs aboard his KX85 he is all business. In the 85 (12-14) Modified class, Forkner rode with unmatched consistency. In all three motos, he never finished off the podium and took home a handful of medals along with the overall championship. Forkner came close to grabbing a second championship in the 85 (12-14) Stock class, but a flat tire deflated his chances of leaving with a championship sword in both hands.

30th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green hosted several special events throughout the week at Loretta’s. From a family dinner to a free concert with country-western super-star Craig Morgan, Team Green kept the crowds entertained all week. On Wednesday, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and Dean Wilson arrived to sign autographs for fans and take the new 2012 KX450F and KX250F out for a few laps on the historic track. On Thursday night, Team Green premiered the film “Grassroots” to a theater packed with fans covered in green glow-sticks.

Good to Be Green
After a week of racing against the nation’s best athletes, Team Green riders took home an impressive 12 championships. From the mini bikes to the Vet classes, Kawasaki bikes seemed to find their way out front, rain or shine. Green’s championship title the 85 (12-14) Stock class was made sweeter with teammates Mark Worth and Darian Sanayei earning medals as well. In the classes they competed, Kawasaki riders won more championships than any other manufacturer in the industry, once again proving it’s good to be green.

“We have a talented group of riders which really showed this week,” said Team Green Supervisor Ryan Holliday. “Loretta’s is a tough event, with three motos in each class, but everyone rode really well over the course of the week. Pretty much all of our guys ended up with a top-three overall in at least one class. Kawasaki finished with 12 championships and even swept a couple podiums in the process. Under the tent, Team Green support staff kept pretty busy and helped keep alive the Loretta’s dream for a lot of customers throughout the week. This was Team Green’s 30th anniversary and we did a lot of cool things to celebrate, like the “Grassroots” movie premiere, which went over really well. A lot of people came by Greenville and gave us really positive feedback about the movie throughout the rest of the week. Overall this was a great event for Kawasaki.”

Results
AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship
Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch
August 2-6, 2011

Championships
Adam Cianciarulo – Supermini 2 (13-16)
Adam Cianciarulo – Supermini 1 (12-15)
Justin Hill – 250 B Stock
Thomas Covington – 250 B Modified
Keith Johnson – Senior 40+
Blake Green – 85 (12-14) Stock
Austin Forkner – 85 (12-14) Modified
Clark Stiles – Junior 25+
Clark Stiles – Vet 35+
Dylan Rouse – 450 C
Ryan Surratt – 250 C Modified
Hunter Hankle – YB (9-14) Group 2

Second-Place Finishes
James Evans – Junior 25+
Matt Tedder Sr. – Masters 50+
Lance Kobusch – 65 (7-9) Stock
Tanner Stack – 85 (9-11) Modified
Zach Bell – 250 B Stock
Jacob Hayes – 450 A
Keith Johnson – Vet 35+
Darian Sanayei – 85 (12-14) Stock
Blake Savage – 250 B Modified
Blake Savage – 450 B Modified
Jon Ames – 85 (12-14) Modified
Trey Lopez – YB (9-14) Group 1
Max Harris – 250 C Stock
Scott Fredericksen – Senior 45+

Third-Place Finishes
Carter Halpain – 85 (9-11) Modified
Tanner Stack – 85 (9-11) Stock
Mark Worth– 85 (12-14) Modified
Cody Silver – 450 B Stock
Kerry Wisdom – Senior 45+
Donald Bonnicksen – Masters 50+
Austin Politelli – Open Pro Sport
Brice Klippel – 250 C Modified
Conner Elliot – 450 B Modified
James Povolny – Vet 35+
Gaylon Dickson – Senior 40+
Leah Cantrell –Women (14+)
Jared Wiggins – YB (12-15) Group 1
Rowdy Soland – YB (12-15) Group 2