Race brief ... from Tye Simmonds.

In his first Supercross attempt, Tye Simmonds (JDR/J-Star/KTM Racing Team) used the first practice to dial in his bike and reported that he felt very comfortable on his KTM 350 SX-F at the end of the session.

Simmonds says: "It was the second session where it set me back a bit. The track was rough and rutted and it was very hard to get a good time. I struggled in the second practice."

The third Supercross practice was the best for Simmonds who turned his fastest lap time. Simmonds qualified 22nd fastest in combined qualifying aboard the KTM.

"My goal tonight was to qualify into the main event and after practice I felt confident I could achieve that with lap times just outside the top twenty. I was 18th around the first corner, almost nearly last! But a large group of riders fell on the first lap and I was able to sneak by and move into 13th. I didn't realize I was in 10th on the last lap and I didn't push as hard as I should have."

Simmonds ended up finishing 10th in his Supercross heat just one spot shy of qualifying on the KTM.

Simmonds reported to the LCQ for the final attempt in making the main. He had a decent start inside the top five but unfortunately only had six laps to make his moves. He did move up in position but not enough on the KTM. He finished fourth in the LCQ, missing the final transfer spot by two positions.

Tye Simmonds says: "I have to keep reminding myself that this is my first U.S. Supercross as well as the teams and that it will take some time to adjust. My goal was to qualify tonight and I fell short of that but it will just make me work that much more for it in Phoenix."

US poster of Tye.  Photo courtesy of JDR Motorsports.

Team-mate Ryan Marmont had a more fortunate night in the SX Lites class. Marmont, who is known for his excellent starts in Australia, definitely continued his streak here. The night started well for him in his Lites heat where he had a 4th place start and held the position four out of six laps. On the fifth lap Red Bull/KTM Factory Racing Team rider Ken Roczen got by. Marmont made a mistake with one lap to go and got passed by a few other riders but eventually finished a solid 6th place to qualify into the main event.

As the gate dropped for the main event, Marmont got off to another great start rounding the first turn in 6th position. Marmont held that position for the first lap before dropping back to 11th by the end of the third lap.

Ryan Marmont (KTM Supercross Lites) says: "My weakness is my speed right now. My bike is great and my fitness is great but I need to pick up my speed and intensity to run the pace of these guys."

After a good run in the SX Lites class, Marmont eventually finished in 14th overall.

Ryan Marmont says: "My goal was to make the main tonight and work toward a top fifteen finish. So far I am two for two, so I am feeling pretty happy right now."

Next Event: Phoenix Supercross - 15 January 2011