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View Full Version : OMA Nationals, Boyer PA RD#7



Pappy
09-09-2007, 09:57 AM
**I will move this thread once I figure out what section it should be in**


The OMA race was held in Boyers, Pa at a location that once hosted a GNCC. Seeing how small the parking area was showed me just how much the national series has grown over the past few years! This race combined series as both the OMA and AWCRS joined forces ad drew in some of the nations fastest XC riders.

Pro AM sensation Brandon Sommers has been steadily ripping his way up the ladder in the GNCC's and next year he will take his place on Pro row. Many feel he has the skills to go after a championship right from his rookie season, me being one of them!

Photo Gallery (http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/store.aspx?p=37929)

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:00 AM
Pro Andy Lagzdins is in a tight points battle for the series championship in the OMA series. Andy is a vetran of many battles aboard a quad and bike, and it is always a blast seeing him ride.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:03 AM
Jeremy Rice showed everyone at the last GNCC that the new KTM is a runner. Seeing him dial in the stock machine would be an added treat for this event

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:05 AM
LTE Racings Jeffery Pickens was ready to go as the start drew near.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:11 AM
Laz Sommers checks on his riders prior to the start. Laz and Brandon were teaching me about coffee before the race, I have to look up coffee press and espresso now...lol

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:15 AM
Dave Simmons is a machine. I wonder if the people outside the racing world know just how hard core this guy is on a quad.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:19 AM
Chris Bithell has been running upfront in the XC1 Pro class all season in the GNCC series. Fine tuning his craft at locals makes him all the more dangerous when it counts

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:24 AM
Before long it was time to get crackin'. the rows were assembled and an hour and 45 minute race +1 lap would test every rider and machine. The heat, humidity and dust would prove to be more then some wanted to contend with.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:28 AM
An uphill start lead to a left hand turn marred with small scrub brush and saplings. Many riders checked out the second turn as it posed more concern.

Brandon sommers grabbed the holeshot and rocketed through teh first turn, with Chris Bithell and Jeremy Rice in hot pursuit!

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:30 AM
The next class to hit the track was off, and it was Dave Simmons and Angel Atwell battling for the holeshot

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:33 AM
Atwell bested Simmons as the pair exited turn two

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:35 AM
Like so much of this region, extreme dry conditions set the stage for dust....dust ...and more dust. Catching the first few riders per class was all that could be expected.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:38 AM
Cody was just out of frame to the upper right of ths picture holding a flash unit for me. he has a few nicks and bruises as the rocks sure got to flying:p

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:43 AM
The first lap was complete, and I could hear the leader heading my way. As the course worked it's way up and down this ridge, it was a geuss as to who it would be first to pop into view. Brandon Sommers came rocketing into sight, kicking up enough dust to make everyone with allergies run for the hill's...except me:p

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:46 AM
Bithell was hot on Sommers heels as he sucked up Brandons dust trail

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:47 AM
The stage was set as the pair raced out of sight. It would be 15 minute sor so before they reappeared from the woods

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:52 AM
Johnny Gallaghar came ripping by in the 4th spot

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:55 AM
Rob Zimmerman and Andy Lagzdins are battling for series points, and with the talent at this event, a good finish could go along way towards a leg up for one or the other

Pappy
09-09-2007, 10:57 AM
Atwell came blowing past and finally the dust in this section was unbearable and it was time to move

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:00 AM
Jim Pinkston's son was looking great out there!

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:02 AM
Find an area without dust was proving difficult

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:08 AM
The running order upfront was remaining unchanged, and I walked around trying to keep tabs on the race. Rice was charging hard and the KTM sure looked to be working well.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:24 AM
Pickens was working his way to the front as he picked off lappers

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:27 AM
During the parade lap, riders got a look at the one creek crossing. With water levels low, it would take 4 or 5 laps of racing to get it messy. By the time i got down there , a few riders were already having issues

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:29 AM
There were 3 or 4 lines available, all posing challenges but nothing un-doable.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:31 AM
In years past, this area has been almost impassable. Today wouldnt provide such action for me to capture, but I figured it was not dusty and I might be able to capture some images that these riders hadn't been privy to.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:33 AM
John Gallagher Sr. works his Polaris through the mud. The water sure had to offer some relief from the high heat and humidity

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:34 AM
The big Ute's made short work of the creek

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:36 AM
A few riders had hit this crossing and really broke up the center. When Johnny G gave it a go, he sent some big rocks flying!

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:37 AM
Jodi Stracham was the lone entry in the Womans class, and she looked to be having alot of fun!

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:40 AM
Ken Robey pounds the creek bank as he heads off to complete another lap. Robey finished the day in 2nd in the Utility class.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:47 AM
Steam cloud Jeremy Rice as he sailed across the ruts and mud

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:53 AM
Andy came into the creek and when he couldn't get up one way, he did a donut spraying spectators:p Finally he found the line most were using and away he went

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:54 AM
Zimmerman giving chase to Andy

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:56 AM
Angel Atwell was looking great, and her season is just getting better and better. Traci cecco had best be putting in the needed seat time beacuse Atwell isn't slowing down for anyone!

Pappy
09-09-2007, 11:59 AM
Coming off the far bank, the water ;level was lowest if teh riders went straight or to their right. The thought of drowing out a machine sucks, but for many, the deeper water was better then trying to get up the now rut choked bank.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:01 PM
If cameras werent so damn expensive, I would have jumped in there to cool off and get some more shots:p

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:05 PM
For the most part, this section was tame but it provided me a welcome break for the dust storm I knew was cooking just 1/4 mile away in the pit and field sections

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:06 PM
Jim Pinkston rode great, for not riding since June! He took 2nd in the VET class.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:07 PM
Bithell came flying through, with the lead. Pickens was now in second as the dou sped off

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:09 PM
I was wondering where Sommers was, after having the lead. Lappers could be coming into play on this tight course as passing areas were slim.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:11 PM
Johnny G wasted no time this lap as he found the line everyone was using and sent his Cernics Suzuki on a course to rip this section a new ***!

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:26 PM
Sommers came through and i learned later on that he had thrown a chain. dave Simmons also busted his sprocket and chain and it put him out of the race:(

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:28 PM
Two hours of racing had me standing at the finish line awaiting the victor. Chris Bithell comes popping, claiming the win!

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:30 PM
Bithell gives his acount of the race.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:32 PM
Jeff pickens finished in the #2 spot, and earned it! He rode a good solid race.

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:33 PM
Sommers had to be a bit disappointed. It's not often you see him out of contention due to an issue with his machine. Brandon finished 3rd

Pappy
09-09-2007, 12:36 PM
Andy Lagzins looked whooped, but I would bet he would have been willing to go out and run it all over again;) Andy finished in 5th today.

Pro Class Results (Top 5)
1.Bithell
2.Pickens
3.Sommers
4.Gallagher
5.Lagzdins

Thats it folks. I had a blast getting all the action and I apologize for rolling out immediatley following the race but this was just the start of my day! See everyone again soon!

renae
09-09-2007, 07:32 PM
Those are great. You were saying you were not sure were to put these. If you go under race coverage and go down to other atv racing events sub-forum there is a AWRCS spot.