Racer Productions, producers of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, is pleased to announce that Pirelli has signed up to deliver a max contingency payout of $53,820 for the 2010 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series.

"The 2010 season marks our third year offering a direct contingency program as a sponsor of the GNCC series," said Josh Whitmire, Off Road Manager, Pirelli Tire. "Through our direct contingency program we are able to give back to the riders that support our brand. We look forward to another great season and look forward to seeing the GNCC family in Florida."

Pirelli pays contingency to a variety of pro, amateur and youth bike classes. For the XC1 and XC2 Pro Lites Class, Pirelli rewards the 1st place finisher $100, followed by $75 for 2nd and $50 for 3rd.

To check out all the 2010 Can-Am Grand National Cross Contingency Programs, go to http://www.gnccracing.com/pages/2010-gncc-contingency-programs.

The 2010 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series kicks off on February 27- March 2 as part of Daytona Bike Week at the Westgate River Ranch Resort in River Ranch, Florida, with the Parts Unlimited River Ranch GNCC. ATVs race on Sunday, February 28, and bikes race on Tuesday, March 2.

For more information, check out the official series website at www.GNCCRacing.com or call 304-284-0084.

About GNCC Racing
The Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series is America's premier off-road racing series. Founded in 1979, the 13-round championship is produced exclusively by Racer Productions. Cross country racing is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world. The grueling three-hour GNCC races lead as many as 1,800 riders through tracks ranging in length from eight to 12 miles, competing for more than $3 million in prizes. With varied terrain, including hills, woods, mud, dirt, rocks and motocross sections, GNCC events are tests of both survival and speed. Weekly Television coverage begins each Sunday on Versus starting April 25. For more information, please visit www.gnccracing.com.

Desert Southwest Insurance is now pleased to offer the XSI insurance program. XSI was founded by Extreme and Action Sports Athletes who understand the importance of insurance. With XSI offered by Desert Southwest Insurance Brokers you are covered 24/7 whether you are participating in a sport of walking down the street. XSI pays you directly for your injuries.

Xtreme Sports Insurance (XSI) offers supplemental accident insurance to anyone who participates in action or extreme sports. You are covered 24/7 with XSI whether you fall off your skateboard, crash at the track or break your ankle walking down stairs. Unlike traditional health insurance that typically only covers routine medical expenses, XSI provides a cushion to help you offset expenses that really add up. Injuries are expensive, but they don t have to set you back. XSI can assist you with supplemental insurance that reimburses you with cash for incidentals such as co-pays, emergency room stays, broken bones and physical therapy. XSI will even reimburse you for lost wages from taking time off work.

What Does XSI Cover?
XSI covers out-of-pocket medical expenses if you are injured or have an accident. Need to get that fractured leg fixed? Hobbling around on some crutches? With a plan from XSI, we ll pay you a pre-determined amount for specific injuries.

Who buys XSI?
Anyone who participates in any beginner, intermediate or expert level of sports is covered by XSI. We cover nearly all sports imaginable from motocross, snowboarding to football. This includes children, adults, families, coaches, associations, groups, employees, professionals, weekend warriors and vacationers.

Please visit Moto Insurance Now at http://www.MotoInsuranceNow.com/ for more information and to get a quote.

In front of a packed crowd of 60,019, the 2010 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, season made its East Coast debut from Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium. The premier AMA Supercross class entered the evening with a tie atop the standings between Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., and San Manuel Yamaha's Josh Hill, of Carlsbad, Calif. When the checkered flag flew tonight, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., stood atop the podium for his third win of the season. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Christophe Pourcel, of Groveland, Fla., grabbed the victory in the opening round of the AMA Arenacross Lites Eastern Regional Championship.

Honda Red Bull Racing's Davi Millsaps, of Murrieta, Calif., kicked-off the 20-lap AMA Supercross main event by grabbing the Spike Holeshot Award with GEICO Powersports Honda's Kevin Windham, of Centreville, Miss., and Villopoto following in second and third, respectively. Millsaps and Windham would engage in a back-and-forth battle for the lead over the first couple laps before Windham made a pass stick on lap two. Villopoto would proceed to work his way to the front along with Dungey, as both riders moved by Millsaps. As the race hit the halfway mark, Villopoto battled with Windham, making the winning pass on lap 11 while Dungey took second the next lap. The trio would finish in that order - Villopoto, Dungey and Windham.

"Going out of the last chance I had the outside gate," said Villopoto, who failed to finish his heat race after a crash and had to qualify for the main event through the last chance qualifier. "I was second to last to line up (for the main event) and I really just can't thank the guys at Monster Energy Kawasaki enough. It was the fastest bike out there and I was able to get a good holeshot.

"Starting on the outside there killed me," he continued. "I was able to make something of it, which was awesome."

Villopoto's second straight win and third victory in the last four races moves him into a tie at the top of the standings with Dungey.

GEICO Powersports Honda's Justin Barcia, of Ochlocknee, Ga., raced to the AMA Arenacross Lites Spike Holeshot Award with Pourcel and Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Austin Stroupe, of Lincolnton, N.C., in tow. Pourcel quickly moved into the lead and never looked back, leading all 15 laps of the main event. Barcia kept the reigning class champion honest, but fell on lap three, dropping several positions. Pourcel crossed the line 5.22 seconds ahead of Stroupe in the runner-up spot to open up an early points lead while Barcia recovered to finish third for his first-career podium in his series debut.

"I just felt pretty good on my Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki," said Pourcel. "Everything was ok today for me so I am just really happy to win the race tonight. The track was pretty tight tonight and I needed to win the race so coming into the main event I just gave my best (effort)."

The Monster Energy Supercross series heads to Atlanta, Ga. next Saturday, February 27, for its eighth race of the season at the Georgia Dome.

AMA Supercross Class Results: Indianapolis
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
5. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
6. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Honda
7. Grant Langston, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
8. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki
9. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
10. Jason Lawrence, Carlsbad, Calif., Yamaha

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 145
2. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 145
3. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 135
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 114
5. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 106
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 105
7. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 97
8. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 74
9. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 69
10. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki, 61

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results: Indianapolis
1. Christophe Pourcel, Groveland, Fla., Kawasaki
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Suzuki
3. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda
4. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha
5. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda
6. Dean Wilson, San Jacinto, Calif., Kawasaki
7. Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Yamaha
8. Nico Izzi, Albany, Ga., Yamaha
9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha
10. Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki

Eastern Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Christophe Pourcel, Groveland, Fla., Kawasaki, 25
2. Austin Stroupe, Lincolnton, N.C., Suzuki, 22
3. Justin Barcia, Ochlocknee, Ga., Honda, 20
4. Ryan Sipes, Vine Grove, Ky., Yamaha, 18
5. Brett Metcalfe, Lake Elsinore, Calif., Honda, 16
6. Dean Wilson, San Jacinto, Calif., Kawasaki, 15
7. Kyle Regal, Kemp, Texas, Yamaha, 14
8. Nico Izzi, Albany, Ga., Yamaha, 13
9. Martin Davalos, Cairo, Ga., Yamaha, 12
10. Troy Adams, Homosassa, Fla., Suzuki, 11

Monster Energy/Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, of Poulsbo, Wash., won tonight's Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, at Angel Stadium in front of 34,227 fans. GEICO Powersports Honda's Trey Canard, of Shawnee, Okla., won his second Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class main event of the season.

Villopoto led the field through turn one, winning the Spike Holeshot Award. San Manuel Yamaha's Josh Hill, of Yoncalla, Ore., was in second and Honda Red Bull Racing's Davi Millsaps, of Tallahassee, Fla., was in third to start the AMA Supercross class main event. Rockstar/Makita/Suzuki's Ryan Dungey, of Belle Plaine, Minn., moved into fifth place by the end of lap one.

GEICO Powersports Honda's Kevin Windham, of Centerville, Miss., passed Millsaps for third place on lap seven then Dungey moved around Millsaps on the following lap, but spun out after the finish line, giving Millsaps the fourth-place position. Eventually, Dungey earned back fourth place, where he finished. Hill finished second and Windham finished third.

Dungey and Hill are now tied in the AMA Supercross class points standings at 123 points apiece.

"This is a good spot to be in as we head to Indianapolis next week," said Villopoto. "I am looking forward to next weekend's race, and I have put myself in a good position."

Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda's Wil Hahn, of Decatur, Texas, won the Spike Holeshot Award to open the Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites class main event with Canard and points leader Jake Weimer, who rides for the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team, following in second and third respectively.

Canard made his pass on Hahn near the end of lap one and rode flawlessly to his second victory of the year. On lap three, Weimer, of Rupert, Idaho, also passed Hahn but crashed shortly after securing second place. Weimer re-entered the race in 20th position. DNA Shred Stix/Division 7/Yamaha's Brock Tickle, of Holly, Mich., moved into second place on lap four, where he finished. Hahn held on for third place.

"Getting this win tonight was huge for me," said Canard. "I needed this week after my rough night last weekend in San Diego. We worked hard during the week to come into this race prepared."

Weimer charged through the pack to finish in eighth place and holds down a 14-point lead in the AMA Supercross Lites class.

AMA Supercross Class Results: Anaheim 3
1. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha
3. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda
4. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki
5. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
7. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Yamaha
8. Michael Byrne, Atlanta, Ga., Yamaha
9. Dan Reardon, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha
10. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki

AMA Supercross Class Season Standings
1. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., Suzuki, 123
2. Josh Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., Yamaha, 123
3. Ryan Villopoto, Poulsbo, Wash., Kawasaki, 120
4. Davi Millsaps, Murrieta, Calif., Honda, 98
5. Ivan Tedesco, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 87
6. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 87
7. Kevin Windham, Centerville, Miss., Honda, 86
8. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda, 69
9. Nick Wey, Murrieta, Calif., Kawasaki, 61
10. Tommy Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Suzuki, 56

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Results: Anaheim 3
1. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda
2. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
4. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda
5. P.J. Larsen, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
6. Phil Nicoletti, Bethel, N.Y., KTM
7. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha
8. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki
9. Antonio Balbi, Riverside, Calif., Kawasaki
10. Jeff Alessi, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha

Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 135
2. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 121
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 114
4. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 100
5. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 89
6. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda, 76
7. Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Yamaha, 63
8. Josh Hansen, Elbert Colo., Kawasaki, 60
9. Phil Nicoletti, Bethel, N.Y., KTM, 56
10. Jeff Alessi, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 56

Words and Photos: Kristen Beat

Two words, mud and bath. Despite a strong effort by Feld to ensure a dry track, the rain seeped through. Thanks to the rainy day schedule the riders had 15 minutes to qualify. This served to identify the riders who were quickly able to adapt. One man who refused to let the rain get him down was Nick Wey.

How do you feel on the Monster Energy Kawasaki team?
I feel good, the feeling is good. I definitely like it over here.

Were there any problems related to you changing teams mid-season?
Yeah, I mean it wouldn't be possible for me to fill in for Chad when he's hurt, if it weren't for my current team. There are quite a few conflicting sponsors, I wouldn't be able to be over here if Babbits weren't so supportive., but it makes sense for me to be over here because I already rode Kawi.

Do you feel like the bikes you are on now are better than the ones you were on before?
Well for sure, when I am on the bike it has helped me step my game up a lot. I have learned a lot about the bike settings so once I get back to my original team I can make them a lot stronger.

Nick Wey is a rider who is always able to keep his cool, or so it seems. What could have been a dramatic shift in teams has actually resulted in his past team receiving more PR than ever before. Wey definitely has gotten used to the new bikes and style of working over at the Monster Kawsaki rig.

What are your thoughts on eventually going back to your old team?
I mean I will go back when Chad is healthy, and I think I can take with me a lot. Hopefully I can strengthen my bond with the Kawasaki team over here, and we'll see what happens next year.

The structure of a team is vital in its success. Managers, owners, mechanics, they all play a huge role in whether or not a team will be able to take home a championship. I had the chance to catch up with none other than Roger DeCoster.

What are your thoughts on the season so far?
Ryan is doing very well, except last week. The good thing is he came out without injury and he is still leading the points. This is good for us, and hopefully he can keep it that way.

What happened last week?
He cross rutted, his foot cam off the peg, he flew off the bike, he overshot the jump by a mile... There were a few things.

Do you have faith that Ryan will be able to correct his errors and maintain the points lead?
Well it's a long season, we are only four races in. I think he can do as good as anybody else, and hopefully he can stay injury free for the season.

There is a definite emphasis placed upon staying 'healthy'. The teams want a rider who is both physically and mentally capable of staying on top of their game. Ryan Dungey has shown a great deal of growing up in the past year, and despite a few bad races he manages to keep a level head and positive perspective.

How is your season going so far?
The season has been good, I got to a good start in the 450 class. I have had my first win, but I had a couple little falls in San Fran. I came here and had to limit the damage. Overall I am just really having a good time learning, I can't say I haven't enjoyed it. I've made some big steps in my career.

Another rookie who has struggled the last few races is Blake Wharton. Wharton has been really hitting the pavement and working hard this season. Due to some bad luck and competitive racing fate hasn't handed him a win yet. Yet, being the key word. Wharton is unbelievably fast and a very smart conservative rider when choosing his lines. Although, as we all know racing is racing and when it comes down to it sometimes you have to ride with your elbows out. Geico Powersports Honda is the perfect example of a well-orchestrated team, and it will be interesting to see how Wharton, along with Windham and Canard finish out this year. Wharton explained a little bit about what has been going on.

Tell me about your season
It's been a little up and down. The first two rounds have been good for me, the second two rounds haven't been so good. There are definitely things I have to change.There are things I am working on. Tonight the track is tough, I need to get a good start and get out front.

You mentioned getting a good start, do you practice starts during the week?
We do starts and the more you do the better you are but the hard thing is putting it out on the race track.

Easier said than done, is usually the case. Riders work all week long to come out and race. What will actually transpire into a win, depends on the amount of heart they put into their race, not to mention the sheer power of the bike. One particular rider, Max Anstie proved this to be the case. Anstie fell on the final lap of the lites race, and finished 4th overall. After finishing the race he dropped the bike trackside and with shaking knees threw his goggles down. Anstie's bike just can't keep up with the pro-circuit Kawasaki's. This is obvious, Star Yamaha has put together a great team, although you can only go so far with so much power. This may not be fair, but its racing, and it's devastating when you see the tears of frustration in a riders eyes. Check back next week for the details from Max Anstie.