Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda: Daytona Round 10 Supercross 2015

Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda -- Round 10 of the AMA Monster Energy Supercross series was yet another landmark event in the series with expectations running on overdrive for Team Honda. As expected star riders of Team Honda HRC Factory bikes took up the challenge with guns-a-blazing to notch-up three rankings within the top six. Eli Tomac turbo booster of GEICO Honda completed the night’s rounds finishing up at the checkered flag as runner up while Cole Seely, top performing rookie of this season secured an impressive fourth place. Coming close at a solid sixth place was Trey Canard, bouncing from a first-turn crash and displaying his partiality to being consistent and fast at every round.

Meanwhile Seely continued to prove his ability to be a domineering factor at the final round by creating a solid start which gave him leeway to move into third position by lap two. Still the night did not turn out to be a bed of roses for Seely as he had an up-close and personal encounter with the track after hitting with another rider on second lap. Loss of precious seconds saw the talented Californian rider placed at seventh place. The setback also resulted in Seely dogging his way for rest of the night to somehow finish at an esteemed fourth place. For Canard the night was a tad tougher as he too had a collision with another rider on first lap forcing him to re-join the team in second-to-last position. Though he went down bad, Canard’s sheer determinacy saw him clawing his way back to cross the checkered flag at sixth of the top six contenders.

Highlights

On the heels of Atlanta race, Team Honda HRC Factory bike riders proceeded to Florida to take part in Pre-Daytona testing on a private track near Tampa Bay. The track is said to have similar features of Daytona. Daytona is a track that has always demanded intense physical exertion from riders. Remarking about the round 10 series, Brent Presnell Honda mechanic said, ‘this is a very unique race requiring us to change settings to suit conditions and it is different from all other races across the Supercross Season’. He added that riders needed to find a balance in setting up so they could hit steep and technical jumps without a hitch while facing the rough and rutted corners and straight-ways.

Friday before race night saw Team Honda HRC riders and GEICO Honda riders taking part in a pre-event press conference. They also had the chance of testing part of the track before they faced it on the grand race following night. Cole Seely remarked, ‘It is always a plus in getting time on track before race night and it is especially good to have the chance at Daytona. We have made some bike changes and it was good to be testing them out and make sure everything is in working order before the race’.

Daytona is considered by many riders as the toughest track demanding extreme physical strain on the entire Supercross circuit. It also has longest lap times and a hybrid design which invoke a cross between motocross and Supercross. Trey Canard mentioned about the track saying, ‘It is really special when you think of long list of great riders scoring previous wins at Daytona. It is the dream of every rider to add their name as well to this important history book and it is really a tough race. ‘The laps are long, track is hard and the race is really where only the fittest will survive’ he added.

Canard’s appearance at top place of the charts during qualifying rounds marks the third entry for this season. He qualified on quickest laps in timed practices. His show-case performance during second session saw him grabbing top spot marking time at 1:04:036. Eli Tomac, GEICO Honda star rider came at third quickest place with a timing of 1:05:48 and Seely at 1:05:766 who finished at sixth place.

Two fan groups received special access to speak with Team Honda members at Daytona as they participated in rig tours. The first group consisted of Daytona International Speedway promotional winners and the second was made of winners from Road 2 Recovery fan experience organized by eBay.

A significant feather in the cap for TEAM Honda HRC riders was their fastest lap times secured at both heat races. Seely turned up an impressive 1:05:798 on heat one while Canard topped the speed at 1:04:436 in the second. At a timing of 1:06:506 it was also the second quickest lap in the main event for Team Honda with Seely becoming the owner of this statistic.

Team Honda will face round 11 of AMA Supercross next at Indianapolis on March 14. Team Honda riders are expected to take part in the touted Westfield Powersports Supercross Soiree to be held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Honda convergence at Daytona

Since 1971 AMA Supercross riders have faced the challenges of Daytona International Speedway Track. This is the 24th year in which Honda has sponsored the racing event. Daytona has a fruitful and happy history for Team Honda riders as many other great Honda riders have secured wins at previous races. From 1982 to 1992 Honda brand enjoyed exclusive undefeated status in premier class races also notching an 11 year consecutive win to become the only manufacturer to capture Daytona podium for fantastic four times.