2009 XTRM AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Podium for HMC KTM Rider Mark Burkhart

Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California hosted the opening round of the 2009 XTRM AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Series.

AMA Supermoto Champion Mark Burkhart debuted his Monster Energy HMC Burkhart Racing KTM at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California
AMA Supermoto Champion Mark Burkhart debuted his Monster Energy HMC Burkhart Racing KTM at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California

Team Monster Energy HMC Burkhart Racing KTM Rider Mark Burkhart takes third place at Fontana, California
Team Monster Energy HMC Burkhart Racing KTM Rider Mark Burkhart takes third place at Fontana, California
Former AMA Supermoto Champion Mark Burkhart aligned with Mitch Hansen and the championship winning HMC team. Together, Team Monster Energy HMC Burkhart Racing KTM was formed. “I’ve known Mark for a long time,” said Mitch Hansen. “Our team riders fell prey to his racing talent for many years. It was a good idea to team up and things are working well.”
Mark Burkhart rode his precision tuned Uli Toporsch prepped HMC KTM with K&N air and oil filters at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California
Mark Burkhart rode his precision tuned Uli Toporsch prepped HMC KTM with K&N air and oil filters at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California

Round two fo the 2009 XTRM AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Series resumes May 16-17 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California
Round two fo the 2009 XTRM AMA Pro Supermoto Championship Series resumes May 16-17 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California

United, the new team made the trek from Wisconsin to California for the race at Auto Club Speedway. “With Burkhart’s talent and the precision tuned Uli Toporsch prepped HMC KTM we were ready,” said Hansen. “We made a lethal cocktail going into the opening round. I’ve used K&N air and oil filters for years. The product is reliable and the air and oil filters are phenomenal. We get excellent filtration and protection on the track.”

Initially, rain dampened Burkhart’s parade early on race day. Fortunately the sky cleared and the track started to dry out during timed qualifying. Burkhart put in the best time and took the pole position for the main over Jeff Ward and Burkhart’s former teammate, Brandon Currie.

In the Main event, Ward bested Burkhart at the start of the race. However, it did not take long for Burkhart to make a pass and work his way into the lead. Ward did not give up. “He stayed very close to Mark’s tail,” said Hansen. “Or, at least close enough to regain the lead if any mistake was made.”

That happened during a slow speed turn when Burkhart went down and fell back in the pack. “He charged the afterburners and gained as many points as he could,” said Hansen. “Mark soldiered on and put his head down and powered through. He started picking off positions.”

Burkhart was the fastest rider on the track but unlucky after going down in the lead. By the time he made his way to third place, the 20 lap main event ended.

Burkhart is in the points chase and a contender for the 2009 number one seat. The team goal is for Burkhart to re-capture the title he earned in 2007.

Round two of the series will resume on May 16-17 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. “Our plan is take it all at Infineon,” said Hansen. “We have all the pieces of the puzzle. We have the equipment, we have the rider. The only thing we need is luck and everything should work out.”

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