STQRA Round 3 Race Coverage - Breaux Bridge, LA

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The South Texas Quad Racing Association’s 2006 Southern Challenge Series took on some Cajun flair in Round 3, held recently at Gravity Alley MX in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

STQRA held the April 8-9 event outside of Texas in an effort to bring an extra race to former members of the Louisiana based Deep South Quad Racing Association. With many of their homes destroyed in last year’s hurricanes, the DSQRA was forced to dissolve. However, the lack of a local series had apparently not slowed those riders down, because they sure brought it on during race day!

Quad motocross riders from Louisiana and Mississippi joined those from South Texas in a fast and furious battle to the finish in race after race throughout the day on Sunday, with many of those locals, including national Pro-AM racer Chris Brian, taking the checkered flags.

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Riders started arriving at the track Friday evening, and by Saturday morning it appeared the race would be a success. Track officials had worked into the night, and the track looked great as the first riders went out for practice.Within no time, the dust was flying.

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After practice came early race signup on Saturday.

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Then tech inspection

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After that, many moved to the drag strip for some fun. In Round 2, the STQRA held barrel races after Saturday's practice as an activity for those camping, and everyone enjoyed it so much they decided to do it again at Gravity Alley. They were excited to see an available drag strip! In these races, riders two at a time, drag toward two barrels, go around them, then race back. The elimination races continue until only two are left in each class, then those two race for the win.

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STQRA President Dee Manshack, who is also owner of Rage ATV Racing and John Natalie JR’s mechanic and engine builder, gets in on the fun.

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After the barrel races, many people gathered at Team Fury’s camp for a group crawfish boil. A line of tables covered with spicy crawfish, potatoes, corn, mushrooms, celery and more quickly became surrounded. Parents, grandparents and kids of all ages talked, joked and laughed while sharing the meal. What a great way to end the day!

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Race day started early the next morning with a riders meeting after sign-up and tech.

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Then came a couple of laps of practice for each class.

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Young riders wait for their turn to go out on the track.