2005 6hrs of ATV America - Macon, Ga

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Well here it is rd #2 of the 6hr of ATV America series located in Macon, GA. The event was held at Paradise Park located about 60 miles south of Atlanta. The track was a good mix of MX and natural terrain changes mixed in with some one lined trails with tight tree sections. So basically it had something for every rider.

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The turnout had 17 teams ready to race for their respective class championships along with battling for the overall win.

One of the Pro teams in attendance was the Cannondaleriders.Com entry being a 450cc Cannondale piloted by Ken Campbell, Doug Flinner, and Josh Schultheis

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Jorge Curtas was ready to pilot his 450r in the Ironman class. Basically it was all him for 6hrs of riding.

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The Kawasaki V-Force of Team Atv Nation was prepped and ready to go. They were riding in the 30+ class which had 4 teams all battling for the free entry into the 12 hr event.

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Who says 250r's are dead. The Media Allstars team was racing this 250r in the Pro class.

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This is the 450r of Team Country Boys Racing. They made the trip from Newville, PA. They were competing in the biggest class of the day the B class which had 7 entries.

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There was even a Yamaha Warrior in the mix. I wasn't too shure as to which team this was. So if you know which team it is feel free to chime in!

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And of course C&D Racing's entry into the race. The 468cc Cannondale.

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Tire selction was a big question for us as the terrain at the track had good mixes of hard pack, clay, and sand. We chose the new Maxxis I-Razor mounted on a pair of Hiper Rims.

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All the racers met up for the riders meeting where the rules of the event were explained and different areas of caution were pointed out. One thing that was brought to our attention was that there may be area that have wash outs. A rider had to be careful especially in the fast sections as a washout could potentially take a rider of his quad. After the riders meeting a prayer was said and the start of the race was about to commance.

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All the machines lined up for the Lemans style start.

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At the gun shot all the riders took of running for their machines.

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They quickly mounted their machines.......

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And took off into the first corner. Team Peacemaker took the holeshot on their Yamaha YFZ.

**VIDEO** Start **VIDEO** (Quicktime Format) (http://www.atvriders.com/videos/2005/ATVamerica/GA6hrStart.mov)

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And the rest of the pack quickly followed.

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The riders went around the top of the course and disappeared into the woods. Everyone waited anxiously to see who would be the first machine exiting the woods.

First out of the woods was Doug Flinner riding for Cannondaleriders.Com

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Followed closely by Chad Kirby Riding for C&D Racing. That is right on the first lap 2 Cannondales held the first and second spot of the race.

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They quickly entered the MX section of the race course and were racing for the check point. The 2 riders had built a decent lead on the rest of the field.

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Donnie Banks of Team Bulldog came out of the woods in 4th place riding a 400ex. The unusual story behind this team is that Donnie apparently asked another rider at the track to ride with him. They quickly scrounged him up some gear and Donnie had a team mate. Zak Griffin whose father was racing in the 30+ class. That is why I love this sport everyone was so willing to help out all day with whatever they could all someone had to do was ask.

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Just before the checkpoint Chad Kirby from C&D Racing made the Pass on Doug Flinner from Cannondaleriders.Com to take first place. That is how the first lap ened with C&D in 1st and Cannondaleriders in second followed by Team Peacemaker.

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Coming into the checkpoint!

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Karl Lehman for Country Boys racing had their 450r screaming at the end of the first lap!

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This Yamaha was heading down the straight after completing the first lap!

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I am pretty sure this is Team Two Guys which made the trip from Baltimore, Md. There were alot of teams from out of town at the event.

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Team WWC Racing coming in.

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Alot of teams had to pit just after the first lap due to the sticky Georgia mud. Team WWC had charging issues with their YFZ which were quickly remedied.

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Team Media Allstars sucked water into their machine and quickly got to work correcting the problem and getting back under way.

The trick to these 6 hr events is to work quickly and keep going.

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The Cannondaleriders.Com Team held the lead through the 4th lap.

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Team Mojo Racing was running what appeared to be a bone stock 05 z400 and moving pretty good on it too.

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Randy Brandy took over for C&D Racing and quickly regained the overall lead on the 5th lap.

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Heading to the back section of the track!

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Check out the mud caked on the quad after only 5 laps. This became an issue for alot of teams as the radiators of these quads became clogged and starting to overheat due to the reduced air flow. It was paramount to have a pressure washer so you could remove the mud quickly.

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Here comes that 400ex of Team Bulldog again. They really had that machine moving out there.

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A good pit would consist of changing riders making any necessary repairs and of course refueling.

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Coutry Boys Racing was hard on the gas keeping themselves in the hunt for a top three overall finish all day.

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Team ATV Nations V-Force was hauling out there and it really looked like they were having a blast out there.

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On the 11th lap a prolonged pit for C&D racing cost them the overall spot, but they quickly started working through the pack moving back into 3rd with a pass of Team Peace Maker.

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Normally at the 6hr events they have transponders which allow you to just ride through the checkpoint with out stopping. This year they had you stopping to be scanned with barcodes mounted to your helmet.

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At about 20 laps into the race Team Media Allstars had almost a 2 lap lead on the entire field when a malfunction in their rear swing arm caused them to change the whole thing out. They did this fast enough to not even lose one lap.

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Team AtvNations V-Force was still running strong in 2nd place in the 30+ group.

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Team MWR ran consistant all day fiishing 2nd in the B class and 5th overall riding the honda 450r.

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The real battle was heating up as C&D Racing and Team Country Boys were switching places back and forth over the last five laps. The 2 teams would come through the checkpoint on top of one another. The overall was already decided with Team Media Allstars having enough of a lead that a stripped front sprocket still wouldn't cost them the overall.

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The battle for second place overall would come down to the last lap with Karl Lehman (Country Boys Racing) and Randy Brandt C&D Racing battling all the way into the checkpoint with Randy trying a darin pass at the last step up jump that came up a little short.

2nd place overall and 1st place in the B class would go to Country Boys Racing.

**VIDEO**Battle to the Finish **VIDEO** (Quicktime Format) (http://www.atvriders.com/videos/2005/ATVamerica/GA6hFinish.mov)

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3rd place overall and 1st in the +30 class would go to C&D Racing

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2nd place in the ironman class Jorge Curtas (on left) and 1st place Eric Theim ( on right) recieving their awards for a long day. These guys ran 20 laps for Jorge and 24 laps for Eric over 6 hrs.

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First place in the +30 class would go to C&D Racing. From left to right was Randy Brandt, Chad Kirby, and myself Ronald Dernoski.

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1st place in the B Class went to Country Boys Racing. I was a little jealous when they got ******** model Ryleigh Sands to pose with them for their photo.

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Team Fredneck would take first in the A Class and 4th overall.

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3rd in the Pro Class was Cannondaleriders.Com. These guys were in the top 4 until an overheating issue late in the race cost them.

Pictured is Josh Schultheis (left) and Kenny Campbell.

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2nd place in the Pro Class and 6th Overall would go to Team Peacemaker.

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And 1st place in the Pro Class and 1st Overall would go to Team media Allstars. BRAD SKELTON, CASEY THOMPSON, PATTON THOMPSON. I will have video of the race for the 2nd place video posted shortly so hcek back and oh yeah next 6hr event is May 21st in Kahoka, MO at Midwest Motorsports Park.

Hope you enjoyed the coverage!:D

[Admin]

Awesome Report, Derno:devil:

[Silverfox@C&DRacing]

I didn't get to read all of it but good job with the coverage

BTW Ron you look to clean, did you race :devil: :blah: I know you waited untill the mud was gone.:D

[PrairieFrisbee]

Derno...great pics...just to follow up on the story about Team Bulldog Racing...Zak is my Son..here is the rest of the story...Zak ran 20 of the 29 laps Team Bulldog ran..Donnie had to leave around 3pm..leaving Zak to finish it out for the last two hours..he did..maintained thier posistion in 3rd place in the B-class...not bad for a 15 year old kid who has raced only local Hare scambles and runs GNC on his Blaster..he put in over a 100 miles..and was a whupped dog on the way home......the funny part is...they finished 7th overall...ahead of my team ATVNATION...who finished 8th overall..lol...gotta love it..

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I was just there for moral support. You really think they would let me race!

[sharkinthepool]

Wow! I expected to see Laz and crew there!?

[ATVdyno]

Nice coverage and the live video is awesome

[rippin2]

look at htose CDALES..wow great job guys...but mine is for mx so hopefully wen im 18 ill be in gnc and rippin it...great coverage