Suzuki’s RM ARMY goes to battle at the Loretta Lynn’s AMA National Championship

Suzuki’s RM ARMY goes to battle at the Loretta Lynn’s AMA National Championship

2019 RM-Z250 has strong amateur season

The RM ARMY came out swinging at the 2019 Loretta Lynn’s AMA Amateur National Championship in Hurricane Mills, TN. Riding RM85’s, RM-Z250’s, and RM-Z450’s, the squadron of Suzuki racer’s put in strong results showing the hard work and preparation the entire RM Army Team has put in.

Taking on the challenges  in front of them, the BarX Motorsports Suzuki Team led the way with four of the five team members reaching the top step of the podium throughout the weekend and finishing with one championship, and four overall podium finishes.

McClellan Hile overcame a tough moto two to win the Collegeboy (18-24) Championship with 1-2-1 moto scores on his RM-Z450. His first championship at the ranch was a nice send off into the pro ranks. "I’m so excited to come away as National Champion! The entire BarX Suzuki Team has worked so hard and I’m glad I was able to deliver for them, my family and supporters, and prove to myself I can do this!" exclaimed McClellan.

Dilan Schwartz was on a mission and clearly wanted to be at the front of the pack every time he hit the track on his RM-Z250. In the ultra-competitive 250 B class, Dilan went into the final moto tied for the Championship lead. After passing his way into first, Schwartz caught his ankle, re-injuring the ligaments he had injured earlier in the season causing him to nurse his way to the checkers landing him in 3rd overall with a 2-1-7 moto tally.

Preston Killroy turned a lot of heads with his impressive rides and smooth effortless style. In 250 B Limited, Preston came from behind in moto one to make a last lap pass for 2nd place. Moto two saw him take a massive hole-shot on the stock RM-Z250 and lead from start to finish. Going into the final moto tied for the lead, it came down to a two rider battle which lasted every lap and went down to the last corner where a bobble cost Killroy a shot at the title. Still ending up 2nd overall in 250 B and 3rd Overall in Schoolboy 2, Preston served notice he is one to watch in the future.

In the 450 B division, BarX Suzuki rider Austin Black tangled with another rider in moto one leaving him out of contention for the overall. With last gate pick for the next moto, Austin, with one of the most go for broke styles out there, gave everything he had to reach the podium in the final two moto’s with the final being a moto win.

In the Pro division, Lance Kobusch put his RM-Z250 in the top five overall with a 5th in 250 Pro Sport and a 9th in Open Pro Sport.

In the younger divisions, the 85cc 10-12 class saw a handful of young talent. Casey Cochran rode hard in each moto fighting his way up into a podium position each time out. The Florida resident finished 3rd overall with a 3-3-3 moto tally. Julien Beaumer improved each time out going 6-5-4 for 5th overall.

Other notable rides came from Derek Leatherman who took the championship in the 250 C Limited division. Derek raced to 1-2-3 moto scores to take the championship on his stock RM-Z250 and also came away with 3rd overall in the 250 C division.

Long standing RM Army member Barry Carsten came away with multiple holeshots and two overall podium finishes. A 2nd overall with 2-2-2 moto scores in Masters 50+ and going 4-3-3 for 3rd overall in Senior 40+.

"I’m beyond proud of the entire team and how well each of them represented the RM Army," said Chris Wheeler, Suzuki MX Manager. "The BarX Team absolutely crushed it, with four of the five BarX Suzuki riders winning moto’s, and consistently landing on the podium. It shows the work they’ve put in and how much they’ve grown as a team."  Wheeler continued, "the ECSTAR Elite Team showed some real fight this week as well on the RM85’s and it was exciting to see yellow up front again on all size bikes!"

Next stop for the Suzuki RM Army will be Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Monster Energy Cup in October and then begin preparation for the 2020 Racing Season.