2006 ATVA MX Nationals Round #9 – Steel City - Amateur Race Coverage

[tamehart]

The weather man sure hit his mark this weekend. Clear skies and beautiful mid-80 degree weather welcomed Amateur and Professional ATV racers to the Steele City raceway. As the points races heat up, the ATVA season moves into round 9. With time winding down, riders are realizing the need for some good finishes to earn top ranks in their class.

[tamehart]

As the GNCC recesses during their summer break, Racer productions decided to bring out an extra water truck to keep up with the dust

[tamehart]

Sitting in a valley, the terrain offered only flat parking for those anxious riders that showed up early thursday. The track layout looked challanging before anyone even hit the track.

[tamehart]

One of the tougest set of jumps began with an uphill double followed by another double. This double "doubled" as a corner. A single into a table top ended the six pack. The intimidation of this corner/ set of jumps left many riders finding a fast route while singling through.

[tamehart]

Another set of jumps that had riders puzzled began between the two orange posts. The single into large table top allowed only the fastest riders to downside. A second single into smaller table top popped riders high but gave riders minimal distance to clearn the landing.

[tamehart]

The love and respect our sport has for each other is what makes our sport the number one sport in the world. Travis Spader sported a new jersey honoring Todd Vescovi #35.

TS is also sporting a new set up and has been looking faster than ever.

[tamehart]

Following a hard crash, a great friend of mine,Anthony Mastrocola lays in UPMC Presbyterian hospital with a broken back. After a hard spill, he was life flighted to the hospital and imediatley underwent surgery. The surgery went well, but it still remains unknown how he will recover, but if he puts half the heart into his recovery as he does to his racing, he will be fine. Saturday night we had dinner and Anthony was stoked having won both the Production C and 265C classes. He was ready to bring home an overall and surley deserved it. Anthony has also been putting in many work hours at Cernics to help build up and equip his new Suzuki 450 with the best equipment. Please keep Anthony in your prayers. I will keep everyone updated with any information that I get. If you would like contact information, please PM me.

This is a shot of Anthony down at the Budds Creek national.

[tamehart]

As this weekend marked the inaugural running of the ATVA Steel City national, the press was out in full force capturing all the action. David Schloss, from ATV-Insider magazine, brought along a stock Suzuki to run in the 4-Stroke Stock production class. David will be writing a story on the machine, and what better way to test it than put it in the exact mix it was created for. The original plan may have been an article, but when the gate dropped his mindset changed. A first place plaque and a great testing grounds sure made the trip worthwhile.

[tamehart]

Marc Barilla, ATV-Insider's main photographer and graphics design artist, was there to grab some photos for upcoming articles in their publication.

[tamehart]

As you may have seen in my previous reports, Wes Miller has had a film crew at each of the ATVA nationals filming for his new documentary series on the whole motocross series. Wes was working some awesome angles on Sunday.

[tamehart]

Quinn was there representing QUAD magazine. He rolled out a new lense this weekend to acheive some different perspective shots

[tamehart]

Kyle Dammann had a busy weekend. Kyle raced two classes along with filming video for ATVRiders.com and helping out in the Cernics parts trailer.

Cernics has entered the ATV racing scene full steam this year. They are supporting Suzuki riders Jason Luburgh and Jason Dunkelberger along with Walsh support rider Jeremy Lawson. Cernics also supports many amateur riders on both dirt bikes and ATVs.

[tamehart]

I seen Harlen in every corner that the riders were at. After ruling out teleporting, I think I discovered how he is able to snag all those great shots from different angles.

[tamehart]

John Natalie and Michelle Reiser are always willing to help out fellow riders in any way they can. They both donated signed jerseys to be raffeled off. The proceeds were donated to the ATV medical unit which is there at each race to help out and help prevent danger. This young lucky gun went home with both jerseys.

Despite his dislocated wrist, John was in great spirits all weekend. John was walking around the pits wishing amateur riders good luck. Once the pain restricted his riding during the race, John would left faster riders by but not without a thumbs up of encouragement.

[tamehart]

Riders were ready to hit this technical track with all they had and I was ready to capture all of it I could.

[tamehart]

16-24 Age Class

Kyle Dammann put together a 13-10 to finish 11th overall in the 16-24 class. Kyle was unable to make it to practice on friday, which made his job twice as hard.

[tamehart]

Tony Lucadelli made the decision to step up to the competition of the A Class and the 16-24 year old riders. After proving his ability at the Budds Creek national, Tony put together a good weekend against some of the fastest riders in the country, a 8th overall in the 16-24 year class and a 12th in the 4-stroke A class.

[tamehart]

Taylor Condarcure continues his ATVA National tour, competing in all 8 previous events. With a 14th overall finish, Taylor sits 10th in points in the 16-24 class.

[tamehart]

Michael Lehotay of Cambridge, OH had a great first moto, but a DNF in the second moto pulled his overall to 13th.

[tamehart]

Nick Denoble sported Wisconsin based Janssen Racing's pink graphics. Denoble was constent with a 4-4 for a 4th overall.

[tamehart]

Akraix freestyle rider, Austin Wilson had a good weekend with a 2nd place finish in the 16-24 class.

[tamehart]

Austin also took home a 5th place finish in the Production A class.

[tamehart]

The holeshot "KING", Brian King came out to prove once again that he has the skills to propel him well out front. Two moto wins made it an easy calculation to rule him the overall winner of the 16-24 class once again.

[tamehart]

The Uphill start put everyones holeshot ability to the test. Shumaker and King were the first to the corner. King was able to gain the advantage and take the lead.

[tamehart]

Brain King was able to once again conquer the class with two moto wins.

[tamehart]

Russsell Shumaker was unable to overtake the lead and marked up 2 second place finishes.

[tamehart]

Aaron Meyer battled hard with David Leichliter throughout the moto.

[tamehart]

At the end of the weekend, Meyer found himself settled into a 3rd place overall with 2-3 moto finishes.

[tamehart]

David Leichliter #407 had a great run in his first moto but had quad problems forcing a DNF resulting in a 15th overall position.

[tamehart]

James G. Silfies made the trip from Hatfield, PA to this weekends national race. Silfies put his Lost Creek Cycles YFZ in the 6th place position overall.

[tamehart]

Luke Beechy earned an 8th in the 4-Stroke A class and finished just outsite of the top ten in the Production A class.

[tamehart]

Like many others, Casey Martin used Nathan Commer's absence to gain some points on the 265A class leader. Casey brought home a 2nd place finish and a win in the Production A class aboard his Honda 450r.

[tamehart]

Kyle Bard jumped onto the tour at Round #5 aboard his Hetrick Racing YFZ. Laying down some solid finishes, Bard put on an impressive charge to the front in the final moto. A 9-4 earned him a 6th overall and moved him into 3rd place in points.

[tamehart]

Kyle was one of the few that were bold enough to use the face of the first table to throw them onto the second table. This became a key place to make passes for those that mastered the jump.

[tamehart]

Dane C. Heilman consistent 2nd place finishes earned him an overall win in the Open-A class.

[tamehart]

Tommy Tantillo squeezed out a 7th overall on his Honda.

[tamehart]

Brian Evans drove up from Florida to compete in the Production C class. Evans put up a 4-15 for a 13th overall finish.

[tamehart]

John Saar holds just a 5 point lead over Matt J Shapaka in the points race. A 3-4 earned Saar a 4th overall.

[tamehart]

Michael Salerno hails from Halifax, otherwise known as Walifax to the ATVA, put in a consistent weekend on the brutal Steel City course. A 7th in the 265c and a small mishap caused a 17th overall in the Production C class.

[tamehart]

The 265C class found Honda rider Matt J. Shapaka battling Yamaha rider Kenneth Rich. Both Ohio resisdents were battling for the second moto win. In the end the moto and overall win belonged to Matt.

[tamehart]

Wade Bethge is one of few riders to bring out the air cooled 400ex this weekend. With an 11 and 5 moto finishes, Wade proved that his quad is still competitive in the amateur ranks.

[tamehart]

Thomas J. Perfetto earned a 9th overall finish in the 265c class

[tamehart]

The womans A class found Angela Butler taking the win and gaining points on womens class leader, Heather Byrd.

[tamehart]

Michelle Reiser earned 3rd second place finish on the year. Each week Michelle is putting her Yamaha closer to the leader.

[tamehart]

Heather A. Gaul, a local D6 A class rider, showed everyone that she can mix it up with the fastest women in the country. Heather Mixed it up with Jamie Jones all weekend. Gaul ended her weekend with a 4th overall finish.

[tamehart]

The Jones are one of the fastest married couples in the world of motocross. Jamie has made her comeback to racing after having a beautiful child. Jamie put in a 3-5 weekend for a 5th overall.

[tamehart]

Jamie sits in 5th place in points just behind Jami Luburgh.

[tamehart]

Katelynn Dantonio drove down from Ohio this weekend to finish just outside of the top ten in the very fast womens sport class.

[tamehart]

Leslie Ragon competed this weekend aboard her Media Allstars Honda 450r. A 5th overall finish puts her 5th in the points race.

[tamehart]

Adrinne Cooper made the long haul from Simi Valley, CA to compete and defend her points lead.

[tamehart]

Adrinne was looking really fast. A small mishap in the first moto put her near the rear of the pack. Her hard charge brought her back up to 6th spot. A second moto win earned her a 4th overall.

[tamehart]

Briann Stout finished 3rd in both of her motos. With the mix up of the other women, Stouts consistent finishes scored her a second place overall.

[tamehart]

Quinton S. Barto rode his blaster to a 12th overall finish this weekend in the Youth Production Class.

[tamehart]

Niko Difonzo scored up a 6th and 11th place finish in his motos.

[tamehart]

Bobby Mazey recovered from a nasty crash headed up the step-ups. A good run in his LCQ earned him a spot in the final heat. A 4th place coupled with his LCQ finish put him in 8th overall.

[tamehart]

Austin Moser finished just ahead of Mazey with 4-8 and a 7th overall finish.

[tamehart]

Neal C. Mcgrath rolled up from Florida to try his skills at the Steel City national. Mcgrath squeezed in a 2nd overall finish to help sustain his points lead over Lindsay

[tamehart]

The Pro-Am Unlimited class seen another sign of the #5 machine of Shane Hitt. Shane went 1-2 to take the overall win.

[tamehart]

Tom Hager scored a moto two win, but with his 4th place finish in moto one he found himself with a 2nd overall.

[tamehart]

As I stood on the other side of the track, I seen a quad rise over the hill tire side. When Josh Upperman was absent from the leader position next time around, I started to head towards the accident. No sooner did I start walking and Josh come flying around the corner as if nothing happened. Josh wound up with a 10th overall in the Unlimited class, but scored another win in the Production class.

[tamehart]

Sage M. Baker had a strong second moto, but his first moto score of 14 pulled him down to a 12th overall.

[tamehart]

Dustin J. Royer put his Motorsport Honda in the top ten with a 7-10.

[tamehart]

The Pro-Am Production class seen the presence of a few pro riders which included; Kory Ellis, along with Hetrick's Matt White and Trent Kandel.

The battle was between Kory and Josh all throughout the day.

[tamehart]

Kory took the moto one win, but couldn't get by Upperman in moto two.

[tamehart]

Matt White took the win in his qualifier. A 3rd place finish in the final put him in 3rd overall.

[tamehart]

Cody Grant scored a top ten with a 5th and 11th finishes.

[tamehart]

Trent Kandel's luck wasn't on his side this weekend as he got tangled up multiple times throughout the weekend. Trent finished the production class in 13th overall

[tamehart]

Patrick Flanagan from Mount Hope, AL nailed down an 11th and 10th for a 15th overall

[tamehart]

Denton Boyer finished the first moto in 10th but was unable to finish in the final

[tamehart]

Racers from any class could get podium shots and interviews this weekend. This is what makes riders come back for more and is exactly what some riders yearn for.

[tamehart]

Zak Griffin has not been forgoten by anyone from the younger generation of pros to the current pros.

[catch22blaster]

Originally posted by tamehart
The 265C class found Honda rider Matt J. Shapaka battling Yamaha rider Kenneth Rich. Both Ohio resisdents were battling for the second moto win. In the end the moto and overall win belonged to Matt.

Nice pic. Let me ask you something do u think my suspension looks bottomed out in that pic or what. Wow I remember I hit the landing really hard and I was hitting the rev limiter the whole time until I landed on top of the landing.
U took some Great pics this past weekend. See you in Alabama

[Quad18star]

You got any pictures of #91 Jasmin Plante running the Pro-Am class??? It's been a few years since I've seen him racing due to his injuries .

[bc14]

Originally posted by tamehart
Zak Griffin has not been forgoten by anyone from the younger generation of pros to the current pros.
THAT IS BRANDY COTTAGE OF INDUSTRY,PA WEARING THE GRIFFIN SHIRT. "WE RAN ON THE SAME SPASTIC TEAM" BRANDY SAYS
SHE RUNS 90 PRODUCTION JR.
SHE TOOK TWO THIRDS AT STEEL CITY AND ENDED UP WITH HER FIRST 2ND OVERALL!!!!!THAT TOOK HER FROM 10TH TO 7TH IN OVERALL POINTS STANDINGS.

[quadracer707]

Originally posted by tamehart
Wade Bethge is one of few riders to bring out the air cooled 400ex this weekend. With an 11 and 5 moto finishes, Wade proved that his quad is still competitive in the amateur ranks.
Thank you Lost Creek for everything they did this weekend for me.Kevin & dunk were GREAT. Also thank you to #46 for lending me your air filter, but you left before i could retiurn it, I think he was racing pro am, also not to forget cernics for lending me out of a new pack a clamp to hold down the air filter. NO CHARGE. It is amazing how much people help in atv racing. Thanx tyler lenig for coming & supporting along with help from your quad. Hope to see you all at Unadilla. GO DUNK 19 LOST CREEK CYCLES