April 2nd, 2007  

Hibbert Clinches Top Qualifying Position and Top-Ten Finish at Texas Supercross: The Cross-Over Athlete is Turning Heads

Centreville, Miss. (April 2, 2007) – Motor City Power Sports/Monster Energy/Yamaha’s Tucker Hibbert had a breakthrough ride at the Texas Stadium Saturday night and proved that he is more than just an amazing snocross racer. Hibbert was the top qualifier for the Amp’d Mobile American Motorcyclist Association Supercross Lites Series main event and put in his second top-ten finish of the season.

Hibbert started his night of right by winning his heat race. He launched out of the gate and ripped through the first corner side-by-side with Matt Georke (#33 Boost Mobile/Yamaha of Troy). Hibbert took the lead in the second corner and rode mistake-free for the six-lap, 20-rider heat race to take home his career first heat race win; finishing 2.45 seconds ahead of factory Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey (#62 Makita Suzuki) and locking in the number one qualifying position for the main event.

Hibbert had an 18th place start in the 22-rider main event but with his newfound confidence, he put his head down and charged forward. He rode smart and consistent, passing riders on every lap. Fifteen laps wasn’t enough for Hibbert to get to the front of the pack but he still ended his night with an impressive tenth place finish and with the fifth fastest lap time.

Look for Hibbert to have another breakthrough performance at his next supercross event April 21 at the Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.

Tucker Hibbert – #76 Motor City Power Sports/Monster Energy/Yamaha
On his heat race win: “It was awesome to finally get a great start because it allowed me to ride the way I know how to ride rather than fighting from the back of the pack. At first, I didn’t know what to think. I was pumped to be up front but didn’t know what my speed was going to be like and didn’t know if someone would be right on my rear tire. After a couple laps, I realized that Dungey wasn’t catching me and I wasn’t making mistakes. I knew if I could keep from making a silly mistake, I could get the win. Seeing the checkered flag and crossing the finish line first was the best feeling I have ever had.”

On his main event performance: “It was awesome to be the fastest qualifier and to have the first gate pick for the main event. It gave me a lot of confidence. I ended up getting a bad start and it bummed me out because I knew I had a lot of speed. I put my head down and tried to make the best out of every lap because I knew I could run up-front. In the end, I was really happy with the way I rode. I felt strong the entire race. When I found out that I had the fifth fastest lap time of the night made me really confident because I was in traffic the entire race. I hope I turned some heads Saturday night. I want people to understand how serious I am about racing motorcycles and to look at me as more than a snocross racer.”

Tucker Hibbert – At-A-Glance
Known as one of the greatest snowmobile racers of all-time, 22 year-old Hibbert is slowly proving to the world that he is also an extremely talented motorcycle racer. He won three national snocross points chamionships his first three professional seasons and is a six-time EPSN’s Winter X Games medalist.

In February, he walked away from the World PowerSports Snowmobile Tour as the points leader in both the Pro Stock and Pro Open classes. Although he was a favorite to win both championship titles, the factory Monster Energy/Arctic Cat rider left the sport to compete in the Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Lites East Coast Series as a privateer. Backed by Motor City Power Sports, Monster Energy and Yamaha, Hibbert is driving to each race in a van along with his mechanic, Tim Easley, determined to make a career for himself in supercross.

Resources: www.tucker-hibbert.com