“We are very excited to be partnering with such a premium name in the motorcycle industry.   Munn Racing KTM is a great fit with Moto Innovations as we share the same vision of winning races,” says Tom Crain, owner of Moto Innovations and inventor of Ankle Savers®.  Moto Innovations designs, manufactures and distributes the Ankle Savers® foot pegs and has been involved in both amateur and professional racing for several years.

Team owner Chip Munn is honored to officially announce Lance Vincent and Sean Hackley, Jr. to our 2012 team.  Our riders will be contesting both the AMA Supercross Lites Championship and AMA Pro Motocross 250cc National Championship Series aboard KTM 250SXF race machines.

“Munn Racing KTM and Moto Innovations are focused on building a really solid team with strong alliances.  The timing is right to step up and make a bold statement and signing Lance Vincent is that statement,” said Chip Munn. “Vincent is fast, talented and motivated; a very hot property and serious threat to podium or win every time the gate drops.” Vincent finished 8th overall in the AMA East Supercross Lites in 2011 and looks to exceed that mark this season. Sean Hackley, Jr. is a tough competitor and is not afraid to let it all hang out. Sean has shown prowess as the next superstar, but due to set backs and injuries has not yet emerged. We believe in Sean and he will make his mark like never before.

Signing these diamonds in the rough gives us the opportunity to really distinguish Munn Racing Moto Innovations KTM to be a serious threat for the AMA Monster Energy Supercross Lites title in 2012.

“We are excited for the upcoming 2012 AMA Monster Energy Supercross season,” said Chip Munn. “The KTM 250SXF has a powerful history and with EBR Performance taking the helm in our motor and suspension department we are confident we can get out front and stay there”.

To get the latest news and updates from Munn Racing Moto Innovations KTM including sponsor inquiries, marketing plans and features, go to www.mxsuccess.com/ktm_munn.

Moto Innovations, LLC is most recognized under the brand Ankle-Savers®. The  company designed this revolutionary new foot peg to provide the rider protection by aiding in the prevention of the hyper-flexion of the ankle.

Sure, when he is at an event, he is working – always busy making sure that the checklist has been cleared and that Johnny is ready for a great race (the above picture from Atlanta shows John making some last minute adjustments just before practice).  John knows what it takes – after all he raced MX from 1971-1979, and again from 1992-1994.  He even chalked up a NMA National Championship in the 80cc Stock class in Springfield, MO back in 1976.  So, John is no stranger to what it takes to make it to the top, but as a Dad it can be difficult to let your son go without you (especially when you love the sport).  Sure, it may be a bit of a relief to know he doesn’t have to “foot the bill” for all the racing expenses anymore (thanks to all of Johnny’s sponsors who support him in addition to the Moto Innovations EBR Performance Team Sakai Race Team), but ultimately as a Dad, John would prefer to be at Johnny’s side during this time in his life.

So what is John doing while Johnny is away? Well, in and around his job at Got Gear Motorsports (www.gotgearmotorsports.com), John is working on getting additional sponsors for Johnny, maintaining a Facebook fan page and even spending some time with the media.  In a tribute to Father’s Day, John is appearing on MX Talk Radio (www.mxtalkradio.com) on June 21st to share his experiences as an MX dad.  You can bet that John is honored and excited to be able to share with the MX community his stories of Johnny’s path to becoming a pro – and he has plenty to be proud of!

As Johnny continues to push forward with the next round at Thunder Valley Motocross in Lakewood, CO, John will be working every angle to assure that Johnny reaches his dreams.  On race day, John will have cell phone in hand and laptop primed to live timing and scoring and video feeds, and no one will be cheering any louder for the 140 Honda.  Over the next few rounds, John will likely get to make the trip to some of the races and again go into full “pit dad mode”.  After all, just a day in the life of a MX Dad!

Moto Innovations is known for the Ankle-Saver® Foot Peg, an innovative product designed around the athlete’s safety.  The newest of the three partners, Moto Innovations has experienced growth in the industry over the past year and is positioned to continue to expand within all areas of off road biking.  “After traveling with our riders to the East Coast rounds of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, we were certain that continuing this path of competition was right for us,” says Tom Crain of Moto Innovations. “We are excited to partner with EBR and Team Sakai, both who bring with them many years of experience.”

EBR Performance (www.ebrperformance.com) is known as the ULTIMATE MOTOCROSS RACE SHOP in the Central United States.  With numerous championships under their belt, along with a long list of top five national finishes, EBR brings this race team unmatched trackside support. Established in 1997, EBR has a long history of expertise in motocross engine and suspension modifications.  Owner Josh Rogers is excited to support the race team as they strive for top finishes in the 2011 season.

Team Sakai Racing’s motto is “helping the young guns achieve their goals” and Mike Burgess lives this motto with his support of up and coming athletes.  The Burgess family has been a name in the industry since the 1960’s.  “I see this opportunity as a long term commitment for Team Sakai Racing,” said Burgess.  “Our plan is to focus our efforts with Moto Innovations and EBR Performance to give these athletes the best opportunity to succeed.”

Riding for Moto Innovations, EBR Performance, Team Sakai Racing for the 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Series will be Lance Vincent #245 (Youngsville, LA) and Johnny Moore #140 (Madison, MS). Vincent joins the team following a stellar Supercross season. With the support of Kilbarger Racing, Rich and the crew at Rockwell, Shaun Hall at High Desert Services and HHR’s (Honda of Houston Racing) Naveen, Shaun, Dave and team, Vincent finished the East Coast series in 8^th overall, and grabbed an 7^th place finish in the main and another 7^th place finish in the East/West Shootout in Vegas on May 7^th. Moore traveled with Moto Innovations with additional support from long time sponsor, Got Gear Motosports, throughout the East Coast rounds of SX, and has shown tremendous growth throughout the season.  He finished the season with a main event showing in Vegas, and is prepared for an exciting season of outdoor racing.

To hear from the riders themselves, tune in to MX Talk Radio (www.mxtalkradio) on Tuesday, May 10^th (10 pm EST), where they will sit down with Steve Flanders and the MX Talk Radio crew to chat about the team and upcoming plans.

The picture below was captured by Vital MX’s GuyB (www.vitalmx.com) and shows very clearly what a tough day it was for Gared.  What is most notable about this picture is that Gared rode this out – yes, that’s right, he SAVED it.

In an email from Gared, he commented that it was the Ankle-Saver^® Foot Pegs that made the difference. “Things didn’t go too well in SLC. I had bike problems with my engine all day!! I didn’t make the main, but here is a picture of me from practice. I almost crashed but as you can see my feet are on the extra part of the peg proving that your pegs are really awesome!!”

Just another fine example of why Ankle-Savers^® are an important part to have on the bike. Look for the Moto Innovations team at the last round of SX in Las Vegas on May 7^th, and stay tuned for exciting information about the outdoor national series coming soon!

JMo grabs the holeshot in the Indy LCQ

The pegs make a nice fit for riders in any venue – providing the right support and comfort on all obstacles.  The feedback from the pros is that you never really notice the pegs, until of course you need to notice them.  Come up short, and the pegs are there to prevent injury.  Find the need to get back a little further on the bike, and the aft portion of the peg lets you do just that!  To date, several riders in the series are sporting the pegs.  In addition to Moore and Lowry, you will see Ankle-Savers^® on the bikes of Teddy Parks 247, Alex Ray 314, Kyle Gills 521, Hunter Clements 93 and AJ Cantanzaro 330.  Not to forget those West Coast guys – there’s Gared Steinke 726 and Preston Mull 565.

Cantanzaro sporting his new pegs

Lowry and Moore head out for practice in Indy

4 rounds left of East Coast SX and the Ankle-Savers^® will be at all except Toronto.  This gives riders plenty more opportunities to see the pegs on the track before we head outdoors.  If you are attending a SX in the near future, look for the Moto Innovations team in the pits, and watch for the Ankle-Savers^® pegs on the track!

Johnny Moore #140 (Madison, MS) and Jake Lowry #231 (Brandon, MS) will represent Moto Innovations and will be sporting their Ankle-Saver^® foot pegs at East Coast rounds beginning on February 11 in Houston.  Branden Miller #991 (Fisherville, TN) will join the team at limited events as the series progresses.  All three athletes have experience qualifying and racing at the Pro level in past years, and each brings an aspect to the team that will help guarantee success.  Moore exhibits a work ethic that is second to none, taking training and competition very seriously in order to achieve his goals.  Lowry’s character and dedication to the sport gives him an edge when preparing for events.  Miller has an unshakable focus and strong leadership skills that will add to the team dynamic in a positive manner.  With impressive amateur careers behind them, these three riders look forward to an eventful 2011.

“Both Johnny and Jake have been working extremely hard to prepare for the East Coast rounds of SX, and we are pleased to have them represent our company and brand,” says Robert Hudson of Moto Innovations.  Tom Crain of Moto Innovations adds, “We are excited to get on the road.  Johnny and Jake are sure to perform well, and having Branden join us on occasion will be an added plus.”  This will be Moto Innovation’s first full season of competition at the professional level, although all three riders have been competing with Ankle-Savers^® on their bikes for more than a year.  In preparation for the SX season, the team will be competing in the Arenacross Tour beginning January 8^th in Jackson, MS.

For information about sponsorship and support, visit our page on Hookit.com (http://www.hookit.com/members/motoinnovations/).  View our Team Page here on the website for more information about these talented athletes.