With two rounds down, the next stop for the series lands in Gainesville, Florida. Racers and fans were welcomed to this years ATVA Gatorback National race with warm weather and plenty of sunshine; perfect weekend’s escape for northern races. With the combination of great weather and a packed house of racers, good racing was insured. This thread will contain a few highlights from the weekend of Amateur racers.
Track conditions made set-up a key role in staying up front in each class. Tacky straight-aways followed by blue grooved corners kept riders in the game. Only light breezes of wind made the Florida sun even hotter for those traveling from snow covered area. The wind did, however, kick up in a short live squall in the rider pit area.
The mini tornado ripped through the trailers tossing around EZ-Ups and throwing around loose items.
As the youth hit the track, so did my jaw. Some of these kids just had me in aw as they hit more jumps than some of the amateur riders. The popular Cobra made its presence as a popular choice for many of the young racers.
Joel Hetrick arrived in Florida to make a comeback in the 90cc Modified (8-15) class after his 5th place finish in Texas. Joel began the year with a win in California and came to Florida with the same determination. Hetrick conquered the class this weekend with first place finishes across the board. With a win in Florida, Joel sits at the top of his class for the overall series points.
#28 Jeffray Rastrelli soared his way to a second place finish in the 90cc Modified class. With a first place finish in Texas and a second in Florida, Jeffray has proved he can be a top contender in the class. While he sits in 4th place in the modified class, he has made his way to a second place score in the 90cc Production Sr. class with an overall win this weekend at the Gatorback.
Glen Massung III made the long trip from Trafford, PA to compete along side Hetrick and Rastrelli in the 90cc Modified class. Glen finished out the weekend with a 3rd place finish. He sits in second place overall just ahead of Jake Brattain. Jake placed 2nd in his first moto, although was unable to make it to the starting gate for his second leaving him with an 18th place finish for the weekend.
The 70cc Shifter class win belonged to Cam Covil of Webster, FL. Cam turned the table on the leaders of the class with his win and sits in a good position for a championship if he continues with the rest of the series.
Brandon Tittle proved this weekend that he is ready to race, entering 3 classes. Brandon beat out Cam Covil in the 70cc shifter class with a moto 2 win, although his moto 1 finish of 8th place settled him into a 3rd place overall. Tittle took 2nd place overall in the 90cc Prodution Jr. Class and finished out his weekend with a first place overall in the 70cc Production class.
Dillon Starks was on top of his game in Texas with a first place overall in the 70c Shifer class. Starks returned to Florida with hopes of a follow up. A 7th place finish in his first moto pulled down his overall from his moto 2 3rd place finish.