Ozarks Cross Country Racing Series Round #3 - Mountain View, MO February 7, 2008

by Shellie Robertson

Brandon Sommers Riding Smooth

One week prior to Round 3 of the OXC, Mountain View, Missouri was hit with a major ice storm. Five and a half inches of sleet/ice with an additional 2 inches of snow piled the Ozarks. That did not stop nearly 150 riders from packing their snow boots and hitting the trail. The track was covered in snow and ice, and with temperatures reaching near 70 on race day meant only one thing….MUD (which seems to be a Missouri specialty).

As racers from 10 states pulled into the pit area, everyone was anxious to see who would take home the $1000 prize money awarded to the first place Pro rider. Among the Pro riders were familiar names from the GNCC Series: Brandon Sommers, Donald Ockerman, Jeff Pickens, David Crane and Missouri’s own Duane Johnson and Kyle Martin.

Donald Ockerman Charging on his ATV

The track was similar to last year with the addition of multiple lines available to benefit or hinder you depending on your skills and/or luck. The 6 plus mile track included spectator favorites “Rock Candy” a steep uphill climb and “Skid Mark” a downhill slide, along with bottomless mudpits and major ruts by the end of the day.

The morning class took to the track first with 20 youth and women riders. Brian Wolfe won the morning Pee-Wee Pro class followed by point leader Travis Gromowski and Crystal Diebolt in third after a major battle with multiple lead changes. Preston Robertson was able to maintain a tight lead in the Pee-Wee Intermediate class until he tangled with a tree on the last lap, which allowed Keaton House to take the victory.

Seventeen Pro racers lined up in the afternoon to tackle the five-lap race and a chance to win the $1000 prize money. When the OXC Racing Trophy Girls dropped the 15-second card, it was Duane Johnson on his Teixeira Technologies and Dirtworks prepped 2007 Honda 450R, who gained the Fastrax Motorsports hole-shot award and moved to the front of the pack.

After the end of lap one, it looked like it could be anyone’s race when the Pro riders came in with only a 10 second difference between first and sixth place. It was Brandon Sommers on his GT Thunder prepped Yamaha who took control of the lead with Donald Ockerman in second and Duane Johnson in third, followed by Kyle Martin, David Crane and Jeff Pickens. The battle continued into the second lap with Ockerman taking over the lead on his brand new 2009 Yamaha YFZ450R sponsored by GT Thunder, Johnson moved into second, followed by Martin, Crane, Sommers, and Pickens. It was during the last remaining laps where choosing the right line and getting through the lappers really played into the equation as to who would advance or maintain their position.

Ockerman - YFZ450R Burnout

After a fierce battle with placements constantly switching back and forth among the riders, it was Illinois’ Donald Ockerman who took the checkered flag with only a 3 second lead over Sommers. David Crane on his KTM took the third spot on the podium. Rounding out the top six overall finishers were Duane Johnson placing fourth, and Jeff Pickens in fifth just ahead of Kyle Martin. What an exciting finish to a hard fought race.

Round four takes riders to Summersville, Missouri on March 7, 2009. Go to www.oxcracing.com for additional information.

OXC ATV Racing Results - Top 10 Overall

1. Donald Ockerman Pro Yamaha

2. Brandon Sommers Pro Yamaha

3. David Crane Pro KTM

4. Duane Johnson Pro Honda

5. Jeff Pickens Pro Yamaha

6. Kyle Martin Pro Honda

7. Todd Senger Pro Honda

8. Carson Coffman Pro Honda

9. Josh Roberts Pro KTM

10. Josh Eaton Pro Honda

www.oxcracing.com

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