As the American Motorcycle Association made its second stop at Waterford Hills Road Racing course in Independence Township earlier this month, Oxford resident Chris Fillmore was making a homecoming stop.
Fillmore, 20, riding in the Supermoto Championship, finished seventh in a field of 22 racers on his Kawasaki KX450F.
A redesigned course consisting of nearly 70 percent pavement and about 30 percent dirt in and around the track, was a better layout for the sophomore race.
‘They improved it from last year. I’m hoping they’ll open it for practice and get more people interested in supermoto,? Fillmore said.
‘The speeds were a little faster this year. They used most of the road course and it was a fast course. They opened up the track and got higher speeds.?
Fillmore and the other riders on the circuit spend their summers traveling from city to city during a season that runs from May-November. Riders get intermittent breaks in the series, such as a brief hiatus the group is on now until its next race.
Fillmore joined the circuit in 2003 at age 16. He enjoys racing near home, but admitted that although it’s nice to sleep in his own bed prior to the race, it can be troublesome procuring tickets for friends and family.
‘When you’re at home, you do (home) things and it’s a little bit distracting,? Fillmore said.
In addition to the course design, Fillmore was pleased with the overall venue setup, which gave the event a ‘homelike? feel.
‘It’s grassy and it’s got good elevation,? Fillmore said.
?(Fans) aren’t just standing in a parking lot all day long.?
Fillmore was born into a motorcycle-loving family and was taught by his father to ride the bikes by third grade. He began racing motorcycles at 12.
‘My dad always had a motorcycle and he raced when he was younger,? Fillmore explained.
Keep tabs on Fillmore and others this season at www.amasupermoto.com.