RD#8 MDRA at Budds Creek
Last Updated on Thursday, 15 July 2010 13:21 Wednesday, 14 July 2010 03:06
Hello race fans and friends. This week the MDRA was at none other than the Budds Creek facility in southern MD where we saw some of the best racing of the year, as well as the weekend had a surprise national rider show his hand at the local level - Texas' own Sean Hackley #157. Sean gave the Open A class a try for some track time and I am sure to help keep sharp for the up coming national event in Milleville, MN next weekend. Sean's a veteran national rider with solid skills. And I am sure any of the locals like Schmelyun and Archer would love to upset the national rider. Sean took moto one but crashed hard in turn two of moto two. He was seen leaving the facility splinted up and heading for X-rays after catching his front wheel on another riders rear wheel. I spoke to Sean briefly after the wreck and though optimistic he looked to be in some pain with limited range of motion in his left arm. I hope the #157 is back in action ASAP. Sean was not the only news from the MDRA round this week. The track itself was amazing and maybe the best news period?. Maybe the best I have seen the place, ever! I know some steady rain fell on Saturday and made a bit of a mess of things for us racers to practice. But Sunday couldn't have been any better. Maybe a touch hot, but hey, it is July?! And it also helped a lot that Jonathon was on his a game doing a great job all day longtaking cae of the track. I love this place for the same reasons many of you do, it's a national track that so many legends turned laps on and so can I still turn laps on the same track. Lets get to some highlights of the weekend and see how things went down......
Twigg's/919 designs rider John Bowlin #858 is taking this year very seriously. John's taking ago at the very tough 35+ class this year in TN. With names like Walker, Johnson, Evans and more. It's a bigger task than most know. These top several 35+ cats can still put in some solid laps. If you have fallowed the #858 for the last year or so, it's an easy spot to see that John has been working hard on his A game, and it's working! Good luck John in TN.
CycleTech/TLD #33 rider Jerod Stoner came out of the woods to give the MDRA race at Budds Creek a try. Jerod usually makes it out to a few MX races a year. Though his true home is in the woods. Where he seriously fly's! He has some MX skills and when he shows up to do it, he does it very well still, considering. His 5-6-6 in the 250's and a 6-4-4 in the 450's were better than half the field. And its no secret that the #33's work is all done on the KTM 250SX. Nice Job #33, hope to see you again soon.
State College's own Seth Galloway #36 almost snuck by me this week. Showing up in new gear and on a new bike! Seth is trying out the likes of a YZ125 right now. I personally think it's a push. The two bangers make you a better rider in my views. But it's a tough deal to balance going back and forth from the YZ125 and the RMZ250. Seth's results were not up to his usual self yet. But give him some time on the thing, and I bet he's right back in front in no time.
Here we have another Twigg/919 ride in Jacob Grove #456. I do think that this one's got the best shot at a national title as well. With a regional moto victory behind him. He knows the pace needed to win. He runs with a lot of A riders in the CB 14-24 class and last weekend was no different. Jacob and Davey Dicsiullo #172 swapped moto wins with Grove coming out on top in moto two. And the #172 was railing it all weekend, Davey actually threw a moto victory away in the 450A class, going down two turns from the finish. Both guys rode great this week. But Grove has his eyes on a title in TN. And I think he can do it too. Good luck #456!!
The 65 7-11 C class had some 25 riders in the class this past week at Budds Creek, proving two things - the kids love the Budds Creek facility and the MDRA does a masterful job with the youth classes. No other series I now of keeps the kids at the for front like the MDRA does. And for kids just starting out, that's a great thing. The following the MDRA had with it's youth riders is second to none. The turn outs are always big and the talent is also always deep. A true testament to the work put in for the youth classes by the MDRA. When you have a tested and proven product, it rings home with many parents. Who make the trip no matter where the MDRA is racing. These kids are tomorrows future C, B and A riders. And they all do a great job as well.
Maple Shade, NJ's Melinda Giberson #663 is a solid staple in the women's classes all over the country really. But most notably she races right here in the D6 and MDRA series. She is a consistent rider and always a threat for the title by years end. She makes her weekly attack on the women's class on a MSR/MCC backed YZ125. Here Melinda gets a good start on the YZ125 and tries to make the most of it taking the inside over the # 347 of Lauren Plate's KTM. Melinda took her MSR/MCC backed ride to a 4-3-4 on the day. Scoring some of the oh so important series points. Melinda rides really well, and improves year after year. Go get'em girl!!
We have Woodboro, MD's own Gage Stine #10 here just rippen threw that soft loamy soil at Budds Creek MX park. Gage rides the very tough and fast 50cc 7-8 year old class. Again almost half a gate of riders in this class. Gage has got some great form here, head over the bars and on the gas charging having fun and really that's all any parent can ask for. To give it there all that day and just have fun. Most of the kids this age are all friends with one another and you'll find them playing after the motos over just any place. Somehting that always make me smile and wish I could go back in time too. Where mom and dad take care of it all. The kids just get on them and go........the simple life. Keep up the great rides Gage.
This Delta, PA native, Mark Hushon Jr #29 is a regular as well in the MDRA. And you will usually find this RM85 with the #29 on it at the front of the pack and pulling away. Mark is surely on his A game almost any time I see him. Mark's got great form, solid speed and confidence. Three of the best things any kid can have going for them. Marks a really fun kid to watch ride. Usually by moto's end Mark will throw out an "old school" no footer split, much like the 1990's KX #4 factory rider of the" Dogger", Ron Lechine. I am not sure Mark has any idea who the The" dogger " is, but he's got that no footer split down like he learned it from the man himself. Mark was a perfect 1-1-1 in the 9-11 B class on this day.
I dont think anyone could complain a bit with Sunday's race track. It was in tip top shape for the MDRA races. Jonathon Beasley really out did himself this time. With great track prep and maintenance all day long, the track was simply awesome to just look at. The track was so nice it had me tempted to make some laps on it myself. But I had to resist, though very tough to do when the track looked this good. This was the second or last, of the MDRA races at Budds Creek for the 2010 season. But already I am wishing 2011 would get here. I hope everyone had safe trip back home form the southern Maryland track. This week finds the MDRA with back to back events. DGMX is this coming weekend, and you will again, find the EastMX truck on site for both days. I can not say enough about the MDRA and the tracks involved. The series sponsors and our own sposnors are who make this all possible to even happen. Without the MDRA, AMS, EVO, GAP racing, Scott goggles, Yamaha, Tucker Rocky, MSR, Answer and Pro Taper this could not all happen. And of course you the racer, fan, family and more are at the core of what we do. Thank you Budds Creek for a great weekend of racing. I hope to see all of you at DGMX this weekend, 7-17 and 7-18, for round #9 of the MDRA series.
Unadilla Loretta Lynn Regional
Last Updated on Friday, 25 June 2010 13:34 Thursday, 24 June 2010 05:04
Hello everyone. This past week was no ordinary week for me. To start it off with, I am about 12 hours away from surgery to plate up my broken callor bone suffered from a crash preparing for the LLR about three weeks ago now. Yeah it's been a rough three weeks or so now. But I did not let it stop me once I could get the pain under control. I spent last weekend at the Loretta Lynn Regional up in New York at none other than the most famous ( arguably ) motorcross track of all time, Unadilla! And WOW!!! Just coming up on the place gave me goose bumps. Thinking of all the famous racers, races, wrecks, wins and so much more that has happened over 30 plus years at this incredible place. As the fog lifted late Friday morning you could almost hear the names Hannah, Keller, O'show, Bailey, Stanton and more just ringing in your ears. Images I saw as a kid in Motorcorss Action and other publications still flashed back in my head like it was just yesterday.
Though this weekend saw no Pro AMA National, no USGP nor an MXDN race ( sorry, old school here on the MXoN?). But the Loretta Lynn North East Regional opened the gates to this great place for the Amateurs to give it a go. And trust me, they did!! Some 700 riders turned laps Friday on this famous track and it showed it!! This track was as rough and gnarly as I have ever seen it. Brutal, is what was said by most. Extremely rough and rutted and you better be on your game, becuase Unadilla's track was no joke. I may miss a guy or two in this article, I was helping my friends try to make the show as well. But the guys I mention, truly put on some of their best races ever, in the toughest track you'll ever ride. One former national rider was heard saying "they don't make like this back home boys, this is no joke!" And the best of the best rose to the top, and those who could not ride the tough conditions. Suffered greatly. I surely have to thank Jill Robinson from the Unadilla facility for letting us cover this event. The Unadilla track was so eagerly awaited on, some guys just paid the fees to practice on it Friday. And I do have to say the Unadilla staff did not let the track get as gnarly on the weekend. Lap times I saw on Friday were pretty tapped out at 2:05's, 2:06's. While Saturday saw they dip down under 1:55's. That's almost 12 seconds difference a lap. I heard at one point the fastest laps of the weekend where both Team Green's Spangler and 39 year old Keith Johnson had the field covered with the three best lap times all weekend. In the 1:54's steadily I might add. Okay, enough of my useless bable. Here's some highlights from guys who did an amazing job last week and set for the big show in TN.
Team Green's Lowell Spangler #427 would not be out done this weekend, no matter what he had to do, Hole shot, bad start or on the ground. No matter what Lowell threw down and was not here to just get in, he was here to win everything! And he did just that winning four overalls! He was riding maybe the best I have seen to date. Not to mention in tough ass rough national type conditions. Something that will only help the young PA native in the near future as he moves up to that level real soon. Great job Lowell, this is your year in TN. my friend.
We also were represented very well in the C classes. MDRA regular Sean Baxley #312 showed up in NY. to whoop some, and secure his spot down at Loretta's. And Sean did just that plus some. Sean was simply on the gas. Much like Lowell's rides, Sean was not going to take no for an answer. I watched on moto where I was not sure he was going to make the pass for the lead and or win. And Sean took some new lines, started jumping a section most were not. And just like that Sean as all over the leader. When he got in the back section he went wide and made the pass over the big double in the back. Sean too, looked the best I have seem and with momentum like this, he will be tought to beat. Good luck Sean, I got my eye on you in 2010!
That is KB5/Twigg rider Jeremy Cook #360 with a great start over the Team Green ride of Keith Johnson #6. Evan's, Conlon, Camacho Parson's, Kopp, and more are all in tow. This is real tough class here. While Johnson and Evans where a notch above the rest, Cook rode great for a top 5. NY.'s Evo Camacho #88 was a solid 3-3-3. The Team green riders Johnson and Evans battled when they got together. In what I saw, only Evan's has a chance at matching Johnson's pace. The #6 of Johnson is running top 20 Pro National Pace still. And that is amazing for the veteran rider, and really really fast too.
The #9 of Mike Treadwell is another Ace in the hole so to speak for the Team Green crew. The #9 was rumored to be not at a 100% this week. But in the 40+ class he was as golden as mother gooses eggs! No one had nothing for the #9 Team Green rider in this class. And Mike was also top 5 in the 35+ class, even with not being 100%. Mike will be a factor in TN. for sure. So keep your eye on the #9 KXF450.
New Jersey's own Nick Desidario #57 threw down some serious motos up in NY. He went a perfect 1-1-1 in the 450B stock class and was top 6 in the 250 B class. Nick's been fighting a viral infection of some kind for sometime, either way for not being 100%, Nick was on the gas! Here he shows his best side for his lady fans, oh and trust me, he has them! I hope Nick can get healthy enough for six 20 minute plus 2 motos in what we all know will be brutal heat and humid temps. Great job Nick and good luck my NJ. fellow racer. Yohe, Condon, and Good also made the big dance in one class or another as well.
Just as somethings never stay the same, some things also never change! The Gravity Cavity jump is one that you can go find pics of before the 1980's, 1990's and yet even today. This and the screw you section where crowd and rider favorites for many many years. And you can also make passes on both sections if you know how. In my days guys seemed to jst launch it father then most. Now it's the almighty scrub! Who can keep the gas on all the way yet scrub is lowest and get back to the ground first?! That's today's methods and they seem to work wonders, not to mention look cool! Seeing this jump alone, made me just want jump out there and tare it up. As much as I was into being here, I was just as bummed to not be able to ride the legendary facility. Now I can say Friday, I am glad I missed. I am sure some guys beat them selves to much Friday to give it their all on Saturday and Sunday. It was that rough and tough on Friday.
The Unadilla track is simply legendary and for the racers who made the event and trip. They had a once in about a decade chance to ride the place. And I know anyone who made the trip, took home something that will last them life time. As a local area reporter, I have to mention Steven Good, Tyler Condon, Dakota Yohe, Broc Schmelyun, and Dylan Slusser all made the show and some of the guys even won some motos. Good luck guys and see you in TN.
The weekend was nothing shot of historic in my book. So many top fast guys form all of the country and out side the country as well. Evo Camacho is a Colombian native, here by via NY. for now. And I saw some Canadians as well on the track this weekend. The weather was a bit on the hot side. More so Sunday, but it was a great weekend for a race. Keep an eye on some of the guys I mentioned. I do think a few of them can can have break out years in 2010. Good luck to all the riders you finished top 7 and top 5. EastMX will see you all again in TN. Keep the rubber side down folks......











