Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/350192
IN THE WIND P32 the past four years. "I'm very thankful for the sup- port Dunlop has shown TwoTwo Motorsports and myself since 2010," said Reed. "Over the past four years, I have had the privilege to watch Dunlop develop cutting- edge products for my team and the industry. As an independent team owner I am forced to make hard decisions. I would sincerely like to extend my gratitude to the entire Dunlop team and wish them nothing but success moving for- ward. We are excited for the fu- ture of TwoTwo Motorsports and the impact we continue to make on the industry." Reed raced with Pirelli tires at the Spring Creek Raceway round in Millville, Minnesota, on Satur- day, the Australian finishing 15 th overall with 14-14 moto scores. Speculation is the move was motivated by the need to secure sponsorship money for the 2015 racing season. "Dunlop always encourages the expansion of our sport, es- pecially in the case of a spon- sor from outside the motorcycle industry who has the ability to put motorcycle racing in front of a larger audience," said Mike Buckley, senior vice president of sales, marketing and R&D. "Chad is a great competitor, and we wish him well for the 2014 season." Reed currently sits 10 th overall in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Moto- cross Series with a highest finish of seventh at RedBud. However, the Aussie won two rounds of this year's Supercross series and was having one of his best years in a while when he went down with a broken collarbone in San Diego. NOVRATIL TAKES LONG TRACK TITLE N ineteen-year-old Austin Novratil won the fourth AMA National Championship of his young speedway career when he scorched to victory in the 2014 AMA Long Track National Championship at Perris Auto Speedway, Califor- nia, on Saturday night. Novratil just edged Buck Blair as the two hit turn one first in a star-laden, six-rider Grand Final - a sudden death showdown that determined the title regardless of the earlier heats. Max Ruml, who had first gate pick as equal top heat scorer, elected the outside starting position but made a slow start and was only fifth as the riders entered the first turn. Novratil and Blair led the way while Ruml worked his way through the traffic, first get- ting by 55-year-old legend Eddie Castro and then 16-year-old sensation Broc Nicol to move up to third. Joint top scorer with Ruml in the heats, Ty- son Talkington, lost ground in the first two turns and went to the back of the field after a brilliant set up ride earlier. Meanwhile, Novratil continued to lead, but Blair mounted a late challenge in the final two turns. Novratil held the line and kept his cool to deny Blair of a much-desired title. Ruml was third from Nicol, Castro and Talkington. Steve Evans PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL FLANDERS Austin Novratil accepts his 2014 AMA Long Track National Championship number-one plate from the AMA's Steve Gotoski.