2007 GNCC Series Round #1 - The Triton - Youth Coverage

[Pappy]

The first round of 2007 is now in the books, and I must say, after spending some time in sunny Florida that I can see why most make the first two rounds into a vacation of sorts. With many of the participants traveling in from areas where snow and bitter cold are the norm, the 70 degree sunshine surely wouldnt do them any harm!


The "Triton" was held on the Corrigan Ranch in beautiful Vero Beach, FL. A mere rap on the gas from the warm sandy beaches where riding boots and tear offs were replaced with shorts and sun tan lotion. 2007 was about to get underway in fine style.

Sunday morning the weather looked ominous. Dark clouds were waking folks up and quick adjustments were made just incase these young riders were suddenly faced with wet race conditions.

Youth Race gallery (http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=2728562)

[Pappy]

The machines that were unveiled for this season are spectacular! The racing scene has embraced the mini quads and there is not much being sparred in turning them into mini racers that at first glance resemble the atv's sitting on Pro row!

[Pappy]

Walking the pits at daybreak found last minute prep work being preformed as the 8 am start time drew nearer.

[Pappy]

Reaching the end of one of the rows, I spotted Kyle Riley milling about his camp awaiting the kick off to the season. Kyle ended up finishing out 2006 obtaining the 14th spot in the Youth series.

It was coming down to a judgement call on which quad Kyle would be taking to the line, but being the rain looked to hold off, the Cobra was going to be his mount for the opening round saving his race prepped TRX90 for Georgia.

[Pappy]

The sky lightened as the start time grew closer, and the ranks of the Youth division quickly filled the starting area.

[Pappy]

Riley sat patiently aboard his Cobra as I snapped this picture. I have been watching this talented young racer do his thing since he was 8 years old, and once he is on the line he tends to get focused intensely on what the next hour will bring.

[Pappy]

Ty Seivard's 90 was looking sharp as he sits on the front row ready to do battle

[Pappy]

Words of encouragement, support and some last minute race strategy find their way through the line

[Pappy]

To say the first turn was wide is an understatement! Taking a vantage point that should have allowed me to have a decent angle at the start proved difficult as the sound of screaming mini's rounded the turn all holding the throttle as they drifted outside busting open the 2007 season in a hasty fashion as 90 Modified 11-15 railed the first turn!

Matthew Harris (#15) was off like a shot followed to the outside by the Cobra mounted rider.

[Pappy]

Harris was gone...not out front but GONE! The little 2 stroke was echoing through the second turn as the rest of the field gave chase.

[Pappy]

90 Modified (8-10) was the next row to get the 10 seconds call and when the flag dropped, Logan Merriman was in the hunt for the lead as they headed for the woods

[Pappy]

90 Limited (11-15) had a battle brewing right from the start as Hunter Kilby edges out Cheyanne Shadron and Jodi Stracham as they head for turn two

[Pappy]

90 Limited (8-10) had Dusty Schmitt working his way to the front as the first turn became a memory

[Pappy]

Kody Tickle heading after the leaders

[Pappy]

70 CVT (6-11)

Junior Austad and Charlie Welch clear the first turn as the last row of mini racers kick off our new season!

[Pappy]

The future of our sport, Caleb Johnston, showing it is the size of the fight in the dog that makes this thing tick!

[Pappy]

Sadie Welch sets her sights on the Florida track and heads off to chase down her brother!

[Pappy]

Matthew Harris brought the field in for the first lap, but the gap was close enough that any mistake on his part and we would have a new leader. Riley was running in 3rd, and was setting his sights on Harris

[Pappy]

Jesi Stracham was holding the 4th spot as she put her TRX through it's paces

[Pappy]

Andrew Thorson and Tyler Seiverd check up before dropping down in a ditch

[Pappy]

A rider puts it on its top after miscalculating how fast the sand will dictate where you go!

[Pappy]

Help is usually a few feet away if needed

[Pappy]

The laps started adding up and we all waited to hear who was in the lead

[Pappy]

Harris came in to be scored and headed back out retaining the lead

[Pappy]

Matthew Close was sitting in second and was looking like a mini pro

[Pappy]

Riley in third but was now close enough to start challanging the two front runners

[Pappy]

Jodi Stracham pits as she keeps an eye on the riders coming into scoring

[Pappy]

Logan Fluherty completes another lap and heads back out looking to gain a spot or two

[Pappy]

The track claimed two victims as they are towed safely off the course and back to the pits

[Pappy]

Dustin Adams works his way out of the scoring area

[Pappy]

When the front runners checked in, Riley was in the lead as he headed back out for the final lap. Dad was pacing so much I thought he might wear a rut in the soft sand

[Pappy]

His anxiety was not an event he would share alone, as family friends and racing buddies soon joined him. Pro rider Brent Sturdivant and his dad stand in support as the minutes ticked by

[Pappy]

Finally, Riley was spotted working the last few sections heading for his first ever overall win!

[Pappy]

This was a well deserved win, and not the last we will see of young Kyle on the podium this season!

[Pappy]

Jay Shadron took the class win in 90 Mod 8-10

[Pappy]

90 Limited 11-15 had Hunter Kilby grabbing his class win!

[Pappy]

Ryan Earley took home 1st place in 90 Limited 8-10

[Pappy]

Junior Austad will leave Florida with a big plaque showing he took 1st in 70cc CVT 6-11

[Pappy]

That about wraps up what I have. It was great seeing everyone, and we will be looking forward to round#2

[Meek]

Nice picks Pappy

[Nick's #1 Fan]

Pappy,
Great youth coverage. The pictures of the kids are great. I look forward to reading about more events.

:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[czrider263]

That is some sweet racing.

[Pappy]

Admin usually has some video clips to post, but I dont have his skills:p This is the best i could do

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g162/400ex127/th_FLAYouth.jpg (http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g162/400ex127/?action=view&current=FLAYouth.flv)

[hr15]

Great coverage,thanks for looking after the kids!

[mcatvme]

Misc pics http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o89/mcatvme/DSC00117.jpg

[mcatvme]

Touchdown http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o89/mcatvme/DSC00119.jpg

[mcatvme]

Matt Close(12) and Klye Riley(14) http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o89/mcatvme/DSC00120.jpg

[mcatvme]

Matt Close(12) http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o89/mcatvme/DSC00128.jpg

[mcatvme]

Tyler Sievard(32) http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o89/mcatvme/DSC00124.jpg

[mcatvme]

Austin Findley(17) http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o89/mcatvme/DSC00122.jpg

[mcatvme]

Hello good looking???? http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o89/mcatvme/DSC00110.jpg