Windham Windfall
It's true. Kevin
Windham will be part of the AMSOIL/Chaparral/Honda
team in 2004. Windham's first race as part
of Team AMSOIL is scheduled for the Anaheim
1 supercross in January at Edison International
Field. K-dub has signed a contract with Honda
to ride for Factory Connection. The ink isn't
dry on the deal and the details aren't readily
available, but here's the bottom-line. This
could be the most refreshing thing to happen
to motocross in 2004 and the next big thing
for supercross.
AMSOIL INC. is currently discussing
with Team Owner Rick Zielfelder a contract
extension. AMSOIL was first on board with
Ziggy when he started the team five years
ago. Together, they've raised the bar on so
many levels. Mike LaRocco was the rock on
which the team was built. Riders have come
and gone, but LaRocco has remained rock solid.
All indications are LaRocco will remain with
the team for the foreseeable future. Discussions
are underway to determine when and where LaRocco
will compete in 2004 and beyond. Currently
the picture shows him racing supercross primarily
beginning with Anaheim and then doing selected
motocross events next summer.
Team AMSOIL is shaping up
like this. According to team manager J.C.
Waterhouse, Travis Preston will return from
knee surgery to race 125cc West along with
Chris Gosselaar. Billy Laninovich will be
added to the team to ride 125cc East with
Ryan Mills. Preston will then race 250cc East
event on a Honda CRF450 while the other guys
will race selected events on a Honda CRF250.
Michael Byrne will be leaving the team.
LaRocco finished the outdoor
nationals in fifth place. Windham was second
in the outdoor series after missing a lot
of time with a broken leg. The team should
have a huge 1-2 punch with these championship
caliber riders. When you add former 125 West
SX champion Preston and the experience of
Gosselaar, Team AMSOIL will have a potent
combination ready to take on all-comers. For
Honda, combine the AMSOIL guys with the undisputed
king Ricky Carmichael, and Big Red looks very
formidable
News Contact:
AMSOIL Racing Coordinator
AMSOIL Building
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 392-7101 ext. 220
racing@amsoil.com
All trademarks are property
of their respective owners.