What is sure to be a highly anticipated annual event, if not already, the Red Bull Straight Rhythm is set for 3 p.m. (PST) tomorrow in Pomona, CA.
Straight Rhythm gives riders a chance to compete head-to-head in bracket-style competition on a Supercross style track that contains no turns. A strip of 3,000 foot track with speed checks, whoops and rhythm sections to lay to rest once and for all who the fastest rider is. Speed Checks are very small but steep jumps that take place of turns in a regular track and prevent the rider from excessive speed. The competing fields consist of 32 riders, 16 each in the Open class and 250 class.
The Open class is just that - Open. Fan favorite Travis Pastrana, who won the 2001 Supercross 125cc Championship, and has spent the better part of his career in freestyle Motocross is riding, for example, a 500cc 2-stroke. Every rider in this class can race what they choose, however, all except Pastrana have indicated their bike of choice is a 450 4-stroke. The following is the complete 16 rider list for the Open class:
- James Stewart
- Ryan Dungey
- Dean Wilson
- Brett Metcalfe
- Josh Grant
- Justin Brayton
- Malcolm Stewart
- Shane McElrath
- Kyle Partridge
- Kyle Chisholm
- Ryan Morais
- Jake Canada
- Josh Hill
- Josh Hansen
- Travis Pastrana
- Grant Langston
The 250 class of course can only ride a 250cc dirt bike. The following is the complete 16 rider list for the 250 class:
- Marvin Musquin
- Jessy Nelson
- Darryn Durham
- Zach Freeburg
- Justin Hill
- Nico Izzi
- Mike Leib
- Ryan Surratt
- Jarryd McNeil
- Jordon Smith
- Chris Blose
- Keith Tucker
- Cody Gilmore
- Tevin Tapia
- Austin Politelli
- Justin Bogle
Check out the animated track map:
Riders are not going into this blind. Practice started today so everyone could get a feel of the layout. Grandstands are set up along the track and tickets remain available or watch it live streamed. Straight Rhythm is at the Auto Club Raceway at the Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona, CA. Parking gates open at 12 p.m., event gates at 1:30 p.m. and racing begins at 3 p.m.
