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View Full Version : Koontz Mega Series ~Kelly Mountain Race Coverage



Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:32 AM
Paul Koontz has been doing his own thing for many years now, bringing off road enthusiasts together for racing and off road action events through his Koontz Mega Series. Offering XC , MX , Hill climbs, Dirt Drags and more, this promoter works hard to keep our sport alive and growing!

For mor einformation and schedules, please check out their website www.koontzadventures.com


The afternoon atv race draws in several of the top names in XC racing, several of which are local to the region and cut their teeth on the Koontz tracks. Pro GNCC racer Adam McGill was on hand to stay sharp for the nationals and with $500 on tap to the overall winner, would be doing hs best to walk away from Kelly Mountain with a roll of green in his pocket!

Afternoon Gallery (http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=2903736)

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:35 AM
Chris Bithell was also ready to get in some great practice and the cash at stake may make for a nice incentive to dig a bit deeper on this rough track!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:38 AM
With rainfall the previous night, precautions were taken by Brent Sturdivant to help stave off the oncoming mud. Although the field sections were in great shape, there would be several sections that were deep mud. Brent knows this track and his crew knows how to get the quad ready to make it to the end.

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:41 AM
Racers get final words from family and friends as race time approached

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:42 AM
Some riders take a moment to get mentally prepared, and this course was going to test man and machine!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:45 AM
The start kicked off with an uphill run into a left hand turn, and McGill was outfront with Sturdivant charging hard behind him.

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:47 AM
A Class heads off for 90 minutes of racing action as they head into another turn and a wide open run to the woods.

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:48 AM
More classes were turned loose as the sound of the A class could be heard in the creek bottom, and it did not sound good!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:49 AM
The first mile or two of this track is fun, but it leads to a creek where you are run up stream and then have a few options to exit, all nasty steep, rutted and wet! The next class heads through the first turn

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:54 AM
Paul Koontz lives and breathes XC racing, and has been one of the largest supporters of getting our youth into this sport. His series has always offered classes for the youngest of riders, and he also has a Youth Production 13-15 year old class.

While this is excellent for riders and those interested in a place to start, a few of the courses offer a bit more challenge then alot of new riders can handle when the weather doesnt cooperate, and not just in Youth Production! Many adult riders called it a day after being beaten hard by the course long before the checkered flag waved.

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:57 AM
With the last row on the track, I started making my way to where everyone else was headed, the ditch crossing!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 08:59 AM
I could hear two quads as they worked in and out of the field section, making their way to the ditch area. I could see McGill was still in the lead, but Sturdivant was giving chase. The sound of the engines grew silent as they approached the deepest hole of the day, and now with both riders together, it would come down to who could get through first.

Brent was the winner this lap and McGill found himself in second

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:03 AM
The pair raced out of sight, re-entering the field and passing my position, but it was McGill back in the lead!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:05 AM
Bithell was in second as the ditch crossing had played to his advantage

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:05 AM
Sturdivant was now in the 3rd spot and making his Maxpower engine scream as he hunted down the leaders

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:07 AM
The field sections had already seen alot of abuse from the Bike races held earlier in the day and were full of kickers and braking bumps

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:08 AM
As the riders cleared my spot, I headed off to get some shots of the mudfest that was taking place.

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:10 AM
Even on the first lap, lines were starting to open all along the ditch as riders become stuck in the mud

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:12 AM
The racers biggest friend on this day would once again be the many willing fans and spectators who dove in to lend a hand!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:13 AM
The big Utilities were having fun I think!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:15 AM
Bithell came to the section on lap two, in the lead! He showed exactly why the belongs on Pro row as he tackled the obstacle with no assistance required!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:16 AM
McGill followed his line and was back to running down the leader

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:17 AM
Brent was still holding 3rd as he climbs out of the hole

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:18 AM
The sun was dancing in and out of the clouds, and at one point I honestly thought it might rain, which is NOT what was needed:p

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:19 AM
Just ahead of the main ditch were a few smaller ones, and some riders tempted fate as there were no spectators near them for help if they got stuck

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:21 AM
On the otherside of the facility, the riders worked up the creek and looked for the best line out

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:22 AM
At my shooting location...all teamwork

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:23 AM
I have to thank my son Cody for a few of these shots as he did a good job of getting some pictures from the creek

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:24 AM
Cody reported that at some points during the race, quads were literaly going in every direction trying to get out of the creek

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:25 AM
Back on my side, more teamwork!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:26 AM
A rider takes a moment and sizes up which line he wants to take

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:27 AM
Bithell cruising in the lead and heading for a way out

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:28 AM
A mudflea points out lines to oncoming riders

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:29 AM
Youth GNCC 90 Mod points leader Kyle Riley stands in a rut as he waits for the riders to approach

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:30 AM
Bithell out front and riding smooth!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:31 AM
McGill, riding faster then I could dream of and having mucho fun in the process:p

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:34 AM
Back to the creek for more slick and wet racing

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:36 AM
I was able to cut off the leaders with a short sprint (ok, not really a sprint but a fast jog, I havent sprinted in some time..lol)

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:37 AM
McGill, probably wondering how I got from place to place without my pitbike:p

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:37 AM
Brent still holding 3rd

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:39 AM
Thick mud coated riders doing everything they can to hang on!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:40 AM
The sun would pop out and bake that nice crusty mud finish to everything!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:42 AM
Then a cloud would turn everything flat once again. I wouldnt have wanted tinted googles at this race, infact many riders had to dispose of them as they were useless in some cases.

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:44 AM
A racers father and a spectator, a doctor of all things, walked over and started chatting with me. Before i knew it the leaders were streaking in my direction. McGill was looking for smoother track as he now controlled the lead as he passed by me withing inches at full throttle!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:45 AM
Bithell now had his work cut out for him, with McGill in the lead on a track he knows well, this would take some doing if he wanted the win and that $500

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:46 AM
Brent was taking advantage of every thing he had, power, suspension and expierence

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:48 AM
Joshua Dains called it a day after 3 laps, stating the track was so rough he just wasnt having any fun:p that did not keep him from cheering on his friends!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:49 AM
Ummm...I wonder what his skid plate was made from:chinese:

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:50 AM
Even with a hard course to deal with, riders still had enough energy to give me a thumbs up as the race started to wind down

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:51 AM
With 2 laps to go, I made my way to the finish line area to see how it would all play out

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:52 AM
Riders racing for position as the laps count down

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:53 AM
McGill made an entrance into the scoring area, and showed that he was still out front and had the hammer down

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:54 AM
Sturdivant came charging in behind him, and presumably had passed Bithell for the second spot

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:55 AM
I found a nice comfy spot and planted myself to wait out the finish as more riders came in for one more chance to move up in position.

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:57 AM
Adam McGill raced back into the scoring area and took the win at Kelly Mountain!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:57 AM
Brent Sturdivant would have to settle for the second spot after a good hard ride!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 09:59 AM
McGill being interviewed after the race.....

"I went faster then everybody else" pretty much sums it up!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 10:00 AM
Brent had a rough last lap, coming in contact with what he described were cut saplings across a section of track, causing him to take a tumble on the last lap. All is good however, and he will be ready to rumble next weend!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 10:02 AM
I was catching bits and pieces from the announcer about Bithell, but couldnt make out what had happened to him. After the race, and while interviewing the winners, Bithell walked up and explained he had clipped a guide wire to a telephone pole!!!

Tough break for a great rider, and it would have been interesting to see the battle on the last lap between the top three.

Pappy
05-20-2007, 10:07 AM
That wraps up what I got for ya'll! We had a great time and are looking forward to hitting several more Koontz events as the seaosn is now in full swing, I hope to see you there!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 11:37 AM
If you were wondering why Chris Bithell was a bit muddy before the ATV race, it could have something to do with him running a bike in an earlier race!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 11:39 AM
he looked to be doing quite well!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 11:44 AM
Cross training works wonders from what I am told!

Pappy
05-20-2007, 11:52 AM
The bikes were differnt to shoot then the quads, but i reckon i did ok

WOODSRACER349
05-20-2007, 01:07 PM
If you did happen to run onto any of my pics if you will just email them to me Pappy. Thanks

WoodsRacer349@yahoo.com

cletusEX
05-20-2007, 01:45 PM
Looks like a good time! Great pics. I was all set to leave Friday afternoon but the weather forecast and lengthy to do list trumped racing.:p But I'm sure standing on a ladder rescreening a porch all weekend was just as fun as racing.

ATV403
05-20-2007, 04:56 PM
Originally posted by Pappy
Joshua Dains called it a day after 3 laps, stating the track was so rough he just wasnt having any fun:p that did not keep him from cheering on his friends!
Joshuah did 3 tough laps on the motorcycle. I bet he would have done real well on the quad.

161xchonda
05-20-2007, 07:26 PM
I would of done real good on the quad. The one section of track was just too rutted out and sloppy to have any fun on, on a bike. I think I am going to have to stick to 4 wheels instead of 2. Although I will probably do the bike this weekend at high point at the moto-x-crountry and hopefully more Koontz races this year. The bike might be the machine of choice if the quad is not running.

Pappy
05-21-2007, 12:03 PM
Originally posted by cletusEX
Looks like a good time! Great pics. I was all set to leave Friday afternoon but the weather forecast and lengthy to do list trumped racing.:p But I'm sure standing on a ladder rescreening a porch all weekend was just as fun as racing.

excuses excuses!


hey, we are staying friday at BPG, then jetting saturday early to masontown...you in?

cletusEX
05-21-2007, 02:59 PM
Originally posted by Pappy
excuses excuses!


hey, we are staying friday at BPG, then jetting saturday early to masontown...you in?

I would love too but my older brother is coming in from Michigan this weekend with his family. So there probably won't be any riding or racing this weekend either.

PowerMadd789XC
05-21-2007, 03:34 PM
hey awsome coverage pappy and good job to everyone, u should take pics at a MID ATLANTIC sometime, mcgills always there, keep up the good work .lata.

WOODSRACER349
05-21-2007, 09:54 PM
I'll see ya at MT Top Pappy! I should have the Rekluse in tomorrow night if all goes well! So with some seat time each night through out the rest of the week, maybe I can do half way decent this weekend. We'll see though.:p This old age is gettin to me so its hard to tell how Im gonna react to it lol. BTW, You'll have to hook a brother up with some BK stickers this weekend cause LTE wasnt able to add them into my graphics and I had alot of compliments on your work and I'd like to support you on the behalf of doing such a awesome job as always!:D