AMA report.

New Jersey. Rd2 2007.

Rip it's Ben Carlson has maximum points after two rounds.

Aprilia Factory Rip It Racings Ben Carlson backed up his #1 in Supermoto Unlimited plate with a second win in New Jersey.

Atkins suffers mechanical issues in the Unlimited class, with Carlson placing top ten in the Supermoto (450cc) class.

Corona, California - 6/5/2007

Round 2 of the 2007 AMA Supermoto Championship at Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey saw Ben Carlson take the top step on the podium for a second time in two races. The competition foresaw Carlson’s speed through out practice as he consistently stayed in the top positions through practice and the heat races. The European-style track, laid out on a road course featuring elevation changes and fast-flowing corners with two tricky off-road sections, clearly suited the SXV 550.

“This was an awesome win,” said an enthusiastic Carlson after the race. “I felt so good this weekend – like nothing could go wrong! The bike was working well and I’m glad it was because the way conditions were changing, we needed a reliable bike set-up no matter what. I had a good start off of pole and just put my head down – I think some of the guys up front were more conservative than me because I put fast laps in right away, and it seemed like they were not as comfortable or something.” Not that the worsening track conditions didn’t affect Carlson, he had a couple of “moments” on the track that forced him to check-up towards the end of the race. “The second dirt section started to get a real severe dip on the last landing, with a fast left hard on the gas afterwards, the inconsistent grip was tough to manage and I slipped badly a couple times.” Further into the race with a lead over ten seconds another long slide in the rain dictated an easy pace at the end – Carlson still ahead by five seconds as the checkers fell and the skies continues to darken.

Team Owner Darryl Atkins suffered increasing electrical problems throughout the day. “I am really, really disappointed,” said the New Zealand Native. “We have been making progress with all the bikes – you can see that with Bennys’ – but somewhere in the system we must have developed a small electrical short because the bike started to suffer a miss off bottom late in the morning. The crew changed what they could, but the new rules do not allow us to change chassis, and the shortened schedule (courtesy of oncoming rains) simply did not leave us time to change the main harness.” Atkins was still able to make the race and collect points towards the important team championship. “We don’t make all this effort to finish fourteenth I assure our fans. It’s so much work to make it to the track, and every race we have a line of fans outside the rig interested in the team and the bikes. I’ll keep pushing no matter what – and I want to thank our fans for coming by to say hello.”

The skies opened up further with Carlson just able to dash from the Supermoto Unlimited podium ceremonies back to the Aprilia Factpry Rip It Energy Drink pits to find his 450 just finishing a tire swap to Dunlop full-rains – the right choice as it turns out. With both the green flag and the rain falling, the pack hurtled into the first turn for the Supermoto main event. Carlson was leery of the many riders who were on the wet track for the first time and held his line. “I saw some guys really dicing and thought there would be a pile-up for sure,” said the West bend Wisconsin native. “I don’t know how everybody made it through, but they did and I was sitting about 11th place.” As the race wore on the rain continued with a visible spray off of the tires and mud starting to cake the machines. Carlson soon started battling with Kawasaki-mounted Chris Fillmore swapping positions several times. With Carlson ultimately making a pass to take tenth position, the lead pack has strung out. “I saw that I had a big lead on the guy behind me, and every time I pushed the bike was not as happy, so I decided to keep a clean line and finish the race. Carlsons’ second top ten in as many 450 class races puts him seventh in the championship.

The team will now make the long haul back to its Corona, California base for more testing and development. With tracks on the schedule that will surely be tighter and more technical, bike set-up is critical and the competition will be close in both classes. The Aprilia Factory Rip It Energy Fuels race team will compete at the next round of the AMA Supermoto championship in Toole, Utah on June 23rd the same weekend as the AMA Superbike races. With so much racing in one spot there are sure to be more fans than ever at the new facility. For more information log on to www.amasupermoto.com.

 

About Rip It
Rip It energy fuel by National Beverage Corp. (AMEX: FIZ) is available in six exhilarating flavors, including two sugar-free varieties. Additionally, Rip It Chic is an exciting new energy fuel made by women for women in sleek, foil-covered cans in two delicious sugar-free flavors, Berry In-O-Scent and Sin-A-Man. Rip It powders in portable tubes provide energy – to go! www.nationalbeverage.com or www.ripitenergy.com.

About National Beverage
National Beverage Corp. (AMEX: FIZ) is a unique beverage company that innovates, develops and markets several of the country’s leading beverage products. Its brands include regional and national favorites: Shasta ®, Faygo®, Ritz®, Everfresh®, Mr. Pure®, LaCroix®, Rip It®, Rip It Chic™ and FREEK™. Visit www.nationalbeverage.com for more information about the company and its brands.

Note: Effective June 12, 2007, symbol will change to NASDAQ:FIZZ

AMA Supermoto 2007 Round 1.

History of the Backflip

Round 1 AMA report. 2006

Atkins and Aprilia team up.

www.amasupermoto.com

2005 AMA Final Report

AMA Round 2 2005 Report

Nasmoto Report

Atkins fourth at round 1 AMA 2005

Atkins team announcement.

Atkins Supercross report.

Atkins 2004 Supermoto bio

2004 Wrap up.

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