Hat tip to Dale Malasek for bringing out the 2010 Gas Gas models at the recent OMA race in Indiana. Dale held a trials school during the weekend and really had the most dominate pit set-up. When we talk crossover - a way to generate new riders in the sport, Dale stood tall this past week. Well done. Full report here.
A crowd of 6000 plus thousands more on tv and you tube got to see trials riders (Taddy 1st place Geoff, Haaker and Pat in the top ten) They also got to see real trials bikes with decent lap times (for amatuers and such an open track) IT SHOULD, but probably wont cause several enduro riders to buy at least an old trials bike and grab some basic skills. It might be helpful if a table with a big sign was put in the pits that said trials info with info from the importers with a dealer list and a club directory with a contact number for each club. Maybe something profiling the trials riders in the Pro Endurocross they are about to see.
The cons
It is taking away from trials a bit while Taddy and Geoff were at the end of their careers. Haaker no longer rides trials and RonIII and Pat who both are putting trials first trials first are taken away from the sport a bit.
It really sucks that Phil was left out of your story. It's a shame Phil gets overshadowed by Pat, as Phil battled his ass off all night, too. He came in second in his semi race and is still in the top 20 in points. 15th to be exact.
Overshadowing another win by Cody Webb. From the NATC website: Will Ibsen was injured in Section 11, and was transported to a local hospital. Please join us in our prayers and thoughts for his well-being and a speedy recovery.
They're already billing this as an epic event. What a race. Photo finish between Taddy and Rick D. Little Ryan Sandoval won the trialscross class. He's not so little anymore. I remember him when he was knee high to a grass-hopped. Harry Oswald was leading his LCQ and ran out of gas. Actually his gas petcock was turned off. Dustin Headwall had troubles all day. Crashed bad in the water pit and stalled on the rock pile. Poor kids.
Colton was leading the main event at one point. The announcer mentioned Colton added 20 pounds of muscle over the winter. One wonders if it was his lip muscles? His dad tells a different story.
Aaron was smooth as ever. Phil, not so much. Phil endo'd head first into the tires, giving himself a mild concussion and bending his unbendable bars. He found enough to battle three more races, coming in second in the night race behind Bobby Prochnau. That race is one crazy mutha.
Phil and I will have our newest member to the 551 Films/Uncle Circe Racing Team joining us the rest of the EnduroCross series. The newly crowned National Trials Champ. Pat will be mounted on a KTM XC 200.
Here's your top 20 going into Oklahoma, next round in a couple of weeks.
AMA GEICO POWERSPORTS ENDUROCROSS SERIES POINT STANDINGS, ROUND #1
1 Taddy Blazusiak
2 Ricky Dietrich
3 Mike Brown
4 Geoff Aaron
5 Kyle Redmond
6 Colton Haaker
7 Cory Graffunder
8 Jamie Lanza
9 Damon Huffman
10 Destry Abbott
11 Matt Crouch
12 Nick Brozovich
13 Antoine Meo
14 Bobby Prochnau
15 Dave Pearson
16 Rory Mead
17 Eric Rodgers
18 Phil Smage
19 Jason Raines
20 Jacob Argubright
Excellent video of the races. At the 6:47 mark you can see Phil's crash in slow-mo.
I just got word Cody took it to Patrick today in New York. Patrick was mounted on a 4-stroke Sherco. Well done, Cody. On the senior side, Papa Smage took first. Congats, Noel, on your senior class championship.
The shoot out looks like a great idea. Nothing like a crowd and pressure to top off a great day. I just hope they have energy.
rcracer said...> I think they are trying something differant to see how people like it. I don't think any money is involved
So, it sounds to me like the organizers and promoter are pimping out the quote/unquote "Pros" to entertain the paying masses and not rewarding them for their services. That's about par for the course.
How ya doin Craig, when you comin this neck of the woods again?
Its alot quieter without you about!
You better be doing good. I look foreword to the day we can snatch the Champagne out of the kids hands and take the sweet podium swig again. Before they turn 21 and can swig it themselves.
Northernnorm's Address
in USA Trials
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2009 Senior National Champion Noel Smage
W3669 Rt3/Bray Road
Elkhorn, WIsconsin 53121