When it comes to racing his Kawasaki motorcycle in supermoto races, Oxford resident Chris Fillmore not only gets his thrill from the competition, but the speed.
‘You really get to see who’s fastest,? he said.
Fillmore’s speed will truly be put to the test July 7 and 8 when he competes in the American Motorcycle Association’s Supermoto pro race at the Waterford Hills Road Racing track in Clarkston.
Supermoto combines three of the most common disciplines of motorcycle racing ? road racing (pavement), motocross (dirt jumps) and flat track (compacted dirt).
‘Supermoto was designed to bring the dirt racer, the motocross guy and the road race guy together,? he said.
It became so popular in Europe that the AMA decided to launch its own series.
Fillmore, 20, has been racing motorcycles since he was 12-years-old, and has traveled the country’and the world? to compete in different races for the Monster Energy/Litz Racing/Kawasaki team with two other teammates.
‘I’ve been all over,? he said.
He received his professional racing license in 2003 and has raced in over 40 successful competitions since then. Last year, Fillmore was even named 3rd in the nation for supermoto racing for the second year in a row.
The 2005 graduate of Bloomfield Hills Lahser High School also recently received his first invitation to the EXPN hosted X Games in Los Angeles this August, where he will compete against other supermoto enthusiasts from across the nation.
The X Games are designed for those who participate in ‘extreme? sports like skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding. Even though Fillmore enjoys the racing atmosphere, he said they can be ‘a little nerve-racking.?
‘You always get nervous no matter what,? he said. ‘But when you get to the (starting) line, all that kind of stops.?
The AMA Supermoto will take place on Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8. Amateur racing will take place on Saturday, while the pros take to the track on Sunday.
Advanced tickets are available for $25 and kids under 8 are free. There will also be a free-style show and other attractions at this family-oriented event.
Waterford Hills is located at 4770 Waterford Rd. Call (866) 416-6999 for more information or visit their website at www.detroitsupermoto.com.