Cajun Classic National Enduro

Thad DuVall wins Cajun Classic

Thad DuVall claimed his first national enduro win of the 2017 season at the Cajun Classic National Enduro in Forest Hills, Louisiana this weekend – round three of the 2017 Kenda AMA National Enduro Series presented by Moose Racing. 

• Thad DuVall claimed the overall winner Husqvarna.
• As runner-up, Steward Baylor maintains championship lead.
• Defending champ Russell Bobbitt finished third.
• Standout rider for Expert AA winner Thorn Devlin in fifth overall.
• Tayla Jones topped the Women’s classification.
• Torrential overnight rain ensured a mud race.

Torrential rains on Saturday night made for a muddy course on Sunday morning and forced the event to be shorted to four tests, but gave DuVall the perfect opportunity to utilise his mud riding skills. 

The West Virginia rider dominated the event, winning all four tests and taking the overall victory by a minute-and-ten-seconds over runner-up Steward Baylor. DuVall won the opening test of the day by seven seconds and then increased his lead with each successive test.

“I’ve been working really hard on a few things at home and I think it paid off this weekend,” said DuVall. “I’ve got a track at the house I’ve been practicing on and I feel like I was better in the tight woods because of the work I’ve been putting in on that track. The tests were gnarly and the rain really made things interesting. It was muddy and there were a lot of ruts and I like that kind of stuff, so everything worked out for me this weekend.”

 

Photo Credit: Shan Moore

 

Baylor extended his point lead in the series standings to 13 points with his runner-up finish. Like DuVall, the SRT Racing KTM rider was consistent, finishing second in each of the four tests.

“Thad was on rails and there was just no beating him today,” said Baylor. “I didn’t make too many bad mistakes considering the conditions, just a few minor things in each test. I got stuck a couple of times, but we haven’t have a mud race in a long time, so I guess I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be and we all know Thad is a killer mud rider.”

Baylor now has three national enduro podiums in a row, including a win at the series opener in South Carolina. 

Russell Bobbitt was third on his FMF KTM Factory Racing 250 XC-F, the Georgia rider making amends for his 10th place finish at the previous round. 

“It was definitely tough conditions and I’m happy to be back on the podium,” said Bobbitt. “I knew Kailub (Russell) and I were close on time going into the final test and I just kept pushing and I was able to finish ahead of him.”

Bobbitt actually fell in a couple of times in the final test, but still managed to beat out Kailub by 30 seconds for the final podium position. 

Kailub Russell finished fourth despite riding through the pain of a hard crash in test two.

“I felt good in the first test but I went over the bars in the second test and I just struggled after that,” said Russell. “I just wasn’t able to be as precise in the last two tests.”

 

Photo Credit: Shan Moore

 

Fifth went to Rekluse Expert-AA rider Thorn Devlin, who took advantage of an earlier row to lay down some fast times before the tests got two rutted. The AirGroup/Enduro Engineering Husqvarna rider was 21st in the first test, but came on strong in the final three tests, with times that put him sixth, fifth, and fifth. In the end, Devlin finished 40 seconds behind Russell and 30 seconds ahead of SRT Racing KTM’s Cory Buttrick, who was sixth overall. 

Seventh went to Alligator National Enduro winner Grant Baylor on his KR4/Arrive-n-Ride Husqvarna. Grant struggled in test three after losing his rear brakes right after the start and then later crashed and went over the bars, which left him 17th for the test. He was third, fifth and fourth in the remaining three tests.

Tyler Vore, another Rekluse Expert-AA rider, slipped into the top 10 in eight overall on his AirGroup/Enduro Engineering Husqvarna. Vore was making his first ride for the team as a fill-in rider for the injured Andrew DeLong. 

New Jersey’s Jesse Groemm was ninth on his Solid Performance KTM, while a third Rekluse Expert-AA rider, Chase Hayes, rounded out the top 10 on a KTM. 

After three rounds, Steward Baylor leads the series standings with 80 points, followed by Thad DuVall with 67 and Kailub Russell with 58. 

Australia’s Tayla Jones grabbed her third-straight win in Women’s Elite division, although the KR4 Husqvarna rider admitted that she struggled in the mud.

“I had a hard time with the deep ruts and I think I lost about 10 minutes in one of the tests,” Jones said. “It was a tough event but it was still a good day, but I think I need to practice riding in the mud, for sure.”  

Ashlee Applewhite finished second in the Women’s Elite division on a KTM, while Jessica Delee was third also on a KTM. 

The 2017 Kenda AMA National Enduro Series presented by Moose Racing resumes action with round four of the series on June 4th in Greensboro, Georgia for the Cherokee National Enduro. 

For more information on the series check out www.nationalenduro.com.

 

Photo Credit: Shan Moore

RESULTS

1. Thad DuVall (Hsq)

2. Steward Baylor (KTM)

3. Russell Bobbitt (KTM)

4. Kailub Russell (KTM)

5. Thorn Devlin (Hsq)

6. Cory Buttrick (KTM)

7. Grant Baylor (Hsq)

8. Tyler Vore (Hsq)

9. Jesse Groemm (KTM)

10. Chase Hayes (KTM)

2017 Nevada IOTMX

The 2017 Nevada International Old Timer Motocross was a lot of fun. The track was the most Vet/OT friendly track I have seen in years. That doesn't mean it was easy, 100% sand is never easy. There was something for everyone, safe jumps, sand whoops, fast straights and lots of passing lanes. There was one slow deep sand S turn that gave some riders fits and lots of passes got made there. It was great to see the Polka Dots MC out having a go at moto instead of their usual enduro rides. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and I never saw the ambulance move, which is always good. The weather was typical Fernley, cold, windy, warm, windy, cloudy, windy, sunny and windy. However, the wind never bothered you on the track. All in all a good weekend of racing!

New Deal For Musquin

Marvin Musquin & Red Bull KTM Ink Extension

New deal runs through 2019

April 29, 2017 By Michael Antonovich

INSTAGRAM | @marvinmusquin25

And another rider is locked in for future seasons. Just before riders took to the track for the 2017 East Rutherford SX, Red Bull KTM announced a contract extension with Marvin Musquin. The new deal will keep the rider and team together through 2019 and adds strength to their relationship. For those that might not know, Musquin first joined forces with KTM in 2009 during his first run at an MX2 World Championship title and has stayed with the brand through the move to the United States for 250 and 450 competition. Musquin won the 250 East Coast Region SX title in 2015 and has claimed two main event wins in the 450 class during the 2017 season, which has him ranked third overall in the point standings. This is a very important signing for the team, as Musquin’s current contract was set to expire at the end of this season.

It’s worth mentioning that the agreement brings some indication of what’s to come for Red Bull KTM next year. The contracts with two other current riders on their roster, Ryan Dungey and Trey Canard, are set to expire at the end of this season and there is uncertainty to what the future holds for the two top-level competitors.

The full press release from KTM reads in full below…

KTM Motorsports is pleased to announce that Marvin Musquin has signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team until the end of the 2019 racing season.

Marvin Musquin, who has given the Austrian brand many successful moments throughout his nine-year duration with KTM, is pleased to continue working alongside his orange family for another two years.

Musquin: “It’s a real pleasure to extend my contract with KTM. We’ve been through a lot together in the past nine years but we have also had great successes. I’m really excited to continue working on reaching my goals with their support.”

After winning the AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship on the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in 2015, Musquin moved up to the premier 450 division in 2016 where he most recently reached a milestone with his first-career victory in the 450SX Class aboard the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. The French native currently sits 3rd overall in the 450SX Championship Standings with two wins under his belt in 2017 and the team looks to continue that success into the AMA Pro Motocross Championship beginning on May 20.

Pit Beirer (KTM Motorsports Director): “I am extremely happy that we could re-sign Marvin for another two years as he has become a real friend and strong part of our KTM family. We are together now since 2010 and it has been an outstanding relation. Together we reached World Championship titles, AMA titles and this year we could celebrate our first 450 Supercross win. I am really proud to say that Marvin is a true KTM family member for another two years.”

Marvin Musquin - On the Cusp

Marvin Musquin talks about his goal of winning a Championship this year.

Giuseppe Luongo interview

Whenever I enter the offices of Youthstream president, Giuseppe Luongo, I always have a feeling I am going to find out something new and exciting. You won’t meet a more passionate person than Mr. Luongo, and his desire to make the MXGP series the best it can be is refreshing, especially for someone who has been promoting motocross events for more than 30 years.

At the Grand Prix of Europe, held at the Valkenswaard circuit, we got another opportunity to visit the legendary promoter, and ask him about the 2017 series so far, and what the future holds for us.

We asked about the calendar for 2018, and while we were asked not to give out any information on how next year’s version will look, we can tell you, there are some very exciting additions to the series, and everyone will be happy with the country that will more than likely open the championship.

MXlarge: First question, what did you think of those first four fly-away events and how the series started in general?

Luongo: My opinion was it was very good. We see an improvement from the existing GPs. Indonesia was a new GP, and unfortunately with the very bad weather, it’s part of the game. Motocross is a sport we run in all conditions and for sure bad weather isn’t pleasant. For the sport side the championships started well. There is very good competition between Gajser and Cairoli, but we have guys like Desalle, Paulin, Bobryshev and we wait for Herlings to come, because the Herlings we see now isn’t the Herlings we know, but it’s just a matter of time before he comes to where he belongs. He will fight every race for the podium. Argentina was fantastic and this place is beautiful, nice scenery and also very interesting soil, and it makes for good racing. I am satisfied.

MXLarge: Qatar was a question mark for next year. Do you know more about that event?

Luongo: We are still in negotiation with Qatar, and until today I don’t know if we continue with them or not, and we have another month before we know.

MXlarge: Indonesia I really enjoyed, because I love that different culture, and seeing how the people live. Also, the event itself, despite the weather was enjoyable to watch. How secure is that race for the future and will the event be on the same time of the year?

Luongo: Talking about Indonesia, many people talked about this event, but they talked with their mouths, without knowing what they talk about. We go to Indonesia, because the brands really support it. They sell six million bikes a year, and it’s a great growth of the sport. They actually ask us to run several races there, not just one of two, but several. Different places want to run a Grand Prix, so we have a lot of opportunities in that country. The calendar is already full, so we can do just one. It’s the third biggest country in Asia after China and India, so it has a lot of potential for our sport. Sure, we need to be there. Another point, is the fact about the weather. Indonesia is a place where it rains all year. Some moments it rains less and sometimes other. Its tropical. The worst months are in September until January, and the best months are July and August, but still in August you have 40% or 50% chance of rain, and in March maybe 50% or 60% chance of rain. We have to go there, but the chance of rain is big, and we can’t go there in August, because it is a really busy time in Europe for races.

MXlarge: So how can we make this event work with so much rain?

Luongo: We take a lot of experience from this event. We will work with the organizer to stay on the same island, but we will look for an area where there is less water. We looked at two spots, but a lot of water on the ground. We will build the area up and have better drainage. It will be a lot of work to do this, and the chance of rain is very good, but we will be prepared for it next year.

MXlarge: I wanted to ask you about the performance by Antonio (Cairoli) in Trentino. You are Italian, and I can’t imagine what it’s like to be in Italy and see your fellow countrymen celebrate such a ride. How was it for you?

Luongo: For me, it the racing that I am interested in. I never put the fact an Italian is winning. What Antonio did was fantastic and I think it was his best race ever and maybe for anyone. I don’t remember in all my career as a promoter anyone doing what he did. I don’t say this as an Italian, but as the promoter of MXGP. He showed how great our sport can be and what he did was unique. He found the way, because it wasn’t easy. Because of the level at the moment, it made what Antonio did even more special.

MXlarge: There is talk that track was hard to pass. What is your opinion on this?

Luongo: You know, I talked to a rider yesterday, about the fact it is hard to pass this year. Some say it’s the tracks, but in fact, the level between the MXGP riders is so close, that passing is really difficult. For Youthstream and myself, having a track where riders can pass is our goal. I have to sell this sport, the image of this sport, so the more passing the better. For me I am 200% and I always talk to my people to make a track where you can pass. The level is so high now, all the races, you can see 10 riders in one second, and 15 riders in two seconds. When it is like this, you can make all the ways to pass, but they have to take big risk because the difference in speed is so small. The rider in front always makes the best lines and for sure in Italy Antonio was the quickest, because he made up 15 seconds to Gajser, who was leading. When he arrived behind Tonus, it took him three laps to pass him. He then found the way to pass Tonus, but if he didn’t find this way, he wouldn’t have passed so many riders, and he wouldn’t have won the GP.

MXLarge: It is now official that Gaterback will be the facility for the USGP this year, which is great news. I also noticed since the deal with MXsports and Davey Coombs family was made, that we are seeing a lot more positive information on the MXGP series in America. David Bulmer is working for Vitalmx, Adam Wheeler continues to do nice stuff for Racerx, and Transworld and motoxaddicts, websites that have always given great coverage of the MXGP series seem to have worked really hard to improve their coverage. That’s great for the series, isn’t it?

Luongo: Yes, for sure. This is part of the goal. Davey does a good job in USA and we do a good job in the world championship. I think this partnership is the most logical thing and I think it will help both championships to grow. I think it’s best for everybody and I am very happy how the situation has developed and I think we should have done this before. I am very happy my son David, and Daniele Rizzi, and Davey and his family are working well together. It’s a good collaboration and I think we will see in the close future when we have this Grand Prix in Florida, it will be a good GP a really good atmosphere. We both want the sport to grow and we both want a good USGP. It’s not worth working against each other anymore.

MXLarge: You mentioned David, your son in the collaboration with MXsports. He has become more and more visible, and he is doing a good job. That leads me to ask, what is the future for Giuseppe Luongo in MXGP? Do you have a time frame for when David takes over and you step back?

Luongo: We don’t really know the future, and I don’t have a time frame. If I stay in good health, it isn’t a plan for me to retire. My plan is to be less present at the events. It’s a long time that I do this, it’s been 34 years, and I don’t enjoy going as much as I used to. I am always busy and I don’t have the time to watch the racing, because if I go outside to watch, a lot of people come and talk to me. If I am in the office I am always talking to people. I enjoy being at home or in my office back home, I enjoy watching the racing from there. I have my I-pad with the live timing, plus the MXGP.tv coverage, like this I can follow even better. My plan isn’t to step back, but my plan is to have David more present and me slowly to go to less events. I think our company, also the sport, it’s in a stable situation. Our company is financially good and the sport is good. This took a long time to get it like this, and it’s been a lot of hard work. David and Daniele (Rizzi), they are young, David 29 and Daniele 34 and they work well together, and they create a good group. David does the marketing and promotion, and Daniele more for the office work, the administration and management in the office. The two they permit that I have more time and I don’t have to take care of the day to day work. It’s also good to develop them, but I have a lot of experience, and the experience I have, it isn’t something you can buy. For sure the future for David and Daniele they will have more presence. All my knowledge and experience will be their service. Of course, a lot depends on my health. It isn’t the plan that I stop completely, but maybe it will be like that. It can be the day what I will feel, they don’t need me anymore.

MXlarge: There was rumours that possible problems with Assen and Russia this year. Any truth in those rumours?

Luongo: No, it’s just a rumour, both are no problem.

MXLarge: Last question, do you have any surprises for next year?

Luongo: We have a lot of news, but today I can’t tell you. I will tell you after we do this interview. It is the key moment to do the calendar (Giuseppe then pulled out a piece of paper, with a list of venues for the 2018 calendar). We have more than 25 requests, and we can’t have 25 rounds, we will have 20 races, plus Motocross of Nations. It should have been 20 this year, but San Marino didn’t go ahead, which took it back to 19. We are talking with new, very important countries, and that looks very close to an agreement. It will be something very big and something very important for our sport. I think, if we are a little lucky, we will have a very good calendar, with some substantial surprises.

Ray Archer image

High Point Raceway Gets Ready For 2017 National MX

Legendary High Point Raceway Receives Major Makeover

By Dan Lamb
April 26, 2017

Legendary High Point Raceway Receives Major Makeover in Preparation for 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship
Red Bull High Point National Hosts East Coast Opener on June 17

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. (April 26, 2017) – One of the most iconic venues in American motocross will feature a dramatically new look this season as legendary High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania, underwent arguably its biggest makeover in four decades. The famed track, which straddles the Mason-Dixon Line on the border of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, will host the East Coast opener of the 2017 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and Round 4 of the 12-race summer season with the Red Bull High Point National on June 17.

The High Point National recently celebrated its 40^th anniversary, providing a fitting milestone to make both competitive and visual enhancements to the sprawling layout. While various levels of change have occurred at High Point since it opened in 1976, this year’s changes will arguably have the biggest impact. The entire start gate has been moved for the first time, resulting in a longer start straight that will be fairer for all 40 riders on the gate, and also safer as the field roars into the first turn. Additionally, the updated track design will utilize High Point’s natural valley setting better than ever before. This will result in the introduction of several new obstacles to challenge the riders, more elevation changes, and enhanced viewing lines for the fans all around the race track.

“High Point Raceway has been in a constant state of evolution since it hosted its first AMA Motocross National back in 1977. However, with the recent 40thanniversary landmark we knew the timing was right to really do something special and begin a new era of competition at High Point with a virtually all-new layout,” said MX Sports Pro Racing President Davey Coombs, whose father Dave Coombs Sr. founded High Point Raceway, along with brother Jack and Carroll Holbert on the Holbert family farm. “We’re really excited to welcome the world’s fastest racers for the Red Bull High Point National on June 17 and watch them put the new design to the ultimate test. Moreover, we’re thrilled to elevate the experience of the thousands of fans that will fill the hillsides over Father’s Day weekend.”

The roots of the track layout that brought notoriety to High Point centered on a European-style layout loaded with hills and off-camber turns. The new design stays true to those roots, while adding more modern features to accommodate the power and speed of today’s motorcycles and exceptionally talented athletes.

Everts Talks

Everts on Cairoli – Interview

Legends of the sport are always proud, maybe even selfish men. Putting their career in the first place, ahead of anything else. Greatness doesn’t come easy, and all great sportsmen, give 100% in everything they do. For me as a fan, watching Stefan Everts, or Antonio Cairoli do what they do makes it worthwhile going to the motocross.

What Antonio Cairoli did in Trento a couple of weeks ago, it was one of those days when you are glad you follow this amazing sport. His come from behind victory made me remember another legendary performance by the GOAT of MXGP, Stefan Everts. Back in 2004 Everts had started badly in the Grand Prix of Namur. It was muddy, and conditions were going to make it tough to come through.

Anyone who knows Namur, knows it isn’t a track you can pass, even more so than Trentino two weeks ago.

Covered in mud, and fighting his way through the pack, Everts had found a line in the trees, a part of the track on one of the treacherous down-hill sections at the Citadel. One by one he picked off the riders in front, each lap getting one after the other in that section, until he had done enough to win the Grand Prix.

I can’t think of too many other moments when a rider did such a thing, which makes the Antonio Cairoli performance in Trentino all the more special.

We caught up with Everts and asked him about the AC222 performance, and how he feels about the Italian legends.

MXlarge: First, the Grand Prix at Trentino. The performance of Antonio, what a piece of brilliance. How did you see it?

Everts: You can see what a great racer he is, an intelligent rider. He saw that Strijbos made that pass and he picked it up straight away. Strijbos had passed Butron in the same place, and Antonio was right behind him. At that moment, he knew that is where it was going to happen. He set himself up I think as early as the finish line, to make that pass there.

MXLarge: I remember you having a similar thing at Namur back around 2004?

Everts: Yes, it reminded me of my passing in the mud at Namur, before the steep downhill. You know before you get to that spot, that you know you will get them, and it’s a fantastic feeling.

MXlarge: Namur, it was a special day, can you remember many special days like that, or other riders doing that. I mean not only coming through the pack, but have that special place to do it. I mean the riders he passed probably didn’t know he was going to pass there, because most of them didn’t see his previous passes in that spot.

Everts: Those type of days, they don’t happen that often in your career. I had a few super days, and I think this is one of his super days, where he can come from so far behind and nobody could do anything. He was also fast, first he had to catch them, then he had to pass them. I only really remember Namur as doing it in a single spot. I remember passing Demaria in the last turn of a race to win the GP.

MXLarge: When you think about yourself and Antonio, both having the two years of injury, and ok, the injuries you had were worse than what Antonio has had, but still, any injury that can slow you down, or put you out completely can ruin a complete season, or even a career. Coming back, everyone said you wouldn’t come from your injuries, and I still remember standing on top of the hill at Bellpuig in Spain as you crossed the finish line to win your first GP in a long time, and thinking, ok Stefan is back. How though is it to come back from two years of injury, as Antonio has also had in 2015 and 2016?

Everts: You know, it was not so tough. I knew what I had to change and what I had to do, and I did that and it did come good. It’s difficult to know how it is for Antonio. I know in the middle of the 1990s and I was working so hard and I couldn’t get it right, in those years against Albertyn, it’s very frustrating when you can’t find the answer. With that comeback in 2001 it worked out good, and when I was at my lowest point, probably in Grobbendonk on the Husky, I knew what I needed to do. It worked out for me and I came back strong.

MXlarge: You are the greatest of all time, statistics tell us that, but Antonio is tapping you on the shoulder, and his form is good. How is that, because you are a man of great pride, as is Antonio, but you are also a fan, so to watch him doing what he is doing, that must also be enjoyable, or not?

Everts: I enjoy watching Tony, he has been off for a few years due to injury or other problems. He is back, it’s like the old Cairoli, also in Qatar you could see it there. It’s good to have that competition from Tim, it’s going to be a tough battle this year, between those two, and he is working hard for it, and if he gets the record I can only congratulated him. It would hurt me a little of course, because I want to be the best ever, but records are there to be broken. You have to accept it, I have no problem if Tony is the guy to beat my record, because I have a lot of respect for him, and he has a lot of respect for what I did.

MXlarge: Talking about respect. I remember when you equalled the record of Joel Robert in Namur, I think in 2001, and Joel was on the podium with you. Obviously, you had known Joel since you were a little kid and he is also Belgian, so maybe that made it easier for him, but did that teach you a good lesson in how to react if it happened to you?

Everts: You know, you get older and you learn to deal with things and maybe some things are less important.

MXlarge: It is less important to you?

Everts: At the moment no, but we will see if it happens, how I will be. It’s still a long way for Tony to go, he is on eight, so he would need to win three to beat it, so there are some years to go before he could do it. But you never know.

Ray Archer image

Roczen – Injury Update

This past week, Team Honda HRC’s Ken Roczen returned to Vail, Colorado’s Steadman Clinic for the 11th and final surgery on his left arm, which was injured in a crash at Anaheim 2 on January 21. Over the course of several hours, Dr. Randall Viola inserted cadaver cartilage into Roczen’s elbow, a procedure that is expected to ultimately give the arm full range of motion. During the operation, Viola also spent time cleaning out scar tissue from the affected area. It’s estimated that Roczen’s arm should be able to bear weight within six to eight weeks.

With the long surgery process finally behind him, Roczen will soon be traveling to his native Germany on vacation, and he will continue to do physical therapy during that trip.

‘I’m really happy to have this last surgery out of the way,” Roczen said. “They got the cadaver piece earlier than expected, which is awesome because that was the last piece of the puzzle. Now I can really focus on recovery without having to worry about any other surgery. Other than that, things are going well. I’m excited to be going to Germany for the first time in a few years to vacation with family and take my fiancé for her first time. I’ll still be doing physical therapy while there and then will be hitting it hard when we’re back.”

GNCC Camp Coker

Russell charges to victory at GNCC Racing Camp Coker

Photo Credit: Ken Hill

Kailub Russell wins CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC as Josh Toth claims fifth XC2 250 Pro victory of the season.

The 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series presented by Maxxis, an AMA National Championship, continued today, April 23, with the second annual CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC. 

At the conclusion of the seven-lap race it was FMF/KTM Factory Racing's Kailub Russell who took home the win in Society Hill, South Carolina.

Rockstar Energy/Factory Husqvarna Racing's Josh Strang jumped out to the early lead grabbing his third $250 All Balls Racing Holeshot Award of the year. N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha's Ricky Russell accompanied Strang as they headed out of the first turn.

Strang's teammate, Thad Duvall, also got off to a favourable start and made his way to the lead position by the two-mile mark. Duvall continued charging where he began to pull a gap on Strang and R Russell.

R Russell made the pass for second on the Camp Coker motocross track, and by this time K Russell wasn't far behind the podium contenders. Strang would also lose another position in the sand rollers to K Russell who was moving through the pack quick. By the conclusion of the second lap K Russell sat in second while Duvall maintained control of the lead.

Duvall and K Russell maintained a consistent 20 second gap between themselves on the second lap, while R Russell found himself in a heated battle with Beta USA's Jordan Ashburn. Before long, SRT/KTM's Steward Baylor also found himself in the mix with R Russell and Ashburn.

R Russell succumbd to the pressure of Ashburn in the final second of the moto track. With a semi-clear path, Ashburn began to separate himself from Baylor who now rode in fourth.

K Russell began to gain on Duvall around the mid-way point of the race after the dup both stopped for a regular pit stop. With much of the focus on Duvall and K Russell, Baylor managed to slide his way into a podium position and begin to make up for lost time.

Once the two-lap board was out, Duvall and K Russell were rubbing plastic as they approached the pro pits. K Russell made the pass for the lead, but pulled in his pit for a splash of gas, while Duvall neglected to stop where he took back over the lead.

With only four miles remaining in the race, K Russell stole the lead away from Duvall. After leading the past six laps, Duvall didn't stop the fight until disaster struck and he ran out of gas on the motocross track. A KTM crew member was quick to help Duvall and he was back on-track before Baylor could catch up.

Duvall rode the next mile until approaching his team members who gave him another quick fill up to get him through the rest of the course. After following Duvall the whole race, K Russell crossed the finish line in a champion fashion, taking his fourth-straight overall win. Duvall and Baylor rounded out the overall podium.

As a result of a rule violation, the overall results from today are provisional and pending approval of additional evidence. R Russell had his best finish of the season where he finished just off the podium in fourth. After getting the holeshot, Strang rounded out the top-five overall.

"It was a good day, I just wasn't flowing at the beginning, those guys gapped me in the first lap and a half and once I got to second I knew I was going to have my work cut out for me, but I just put my head down and kept charging," said K Russell. "I went to work all day, chipped away at it and never gave up. Thad was riding well so it's going to be an interesting rest of the season for sure. These guys are keeping me on my toes and making me strive a little harder so it's time to raise the bar again and it's time to get better.”

XC2 — Toth remains unbeaten

The XC2 250 Pro division saw some of the closest racing action all day. In the end it would be the N-Fab/AmPro Yamaha rider Josh Toth taking his fifth win of the season.

Solid Performance KTM's Jesse Groemm made his way back to the podium in second, and Coastal Racing/Husqvarna's Craig Delong worked his way from outside the top ten to round out the overall podium in third.

XC3 — Thomas breaks Edmondson’s win streak

The FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class podium had a shake-up with Jason Thomas taking the top spot on the box. Thomas excelled under pressure from Coastal Racing/Husqvarna and current points leader Jack Edmondson who had to settle for second. SRT/KTM's Mark Heresco Jr. followed in third.

Cody Barnes finished 23rd overall along with his 250 A class win, a result that was good enough to earn him the top amateur honours.

The WXC class made a clean sweep for the overall podium in the 10 a.m. race. Rocky Mountain ATV*MC/KR4/Husqvarna's Tayla Jones remains undefeated with five wins. Fly Racing/Maxxis/Seat Concepts/KTM's Becca Sheets and Trail Jesters/KTM's Mackenzie Tricker rounded out the overall podium.

The first race of the day was the 8 a.m. youth division where Zack Davidson took his fifth-straight overall win after chasing down Peyton Whipkey who finished second. Super Mini Jr. (12-13) class winner Michael Beeler Jr. followed with third overall.

The 2017 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series resumes May 6 and 7 with the inaugural X-Factor GNCC in Peru, Indiana.

CST Tires Camp Coker Bullet GNCC, Round 5 of 13

XC1 Open Pro Event Results

1 Kailub Russell (KTM)

2 Thad Duvall (HSQ)

3 Steward Baylor (KTM)

4 Ricky Russell (YAM)

5 Josh Strang (HSQ)

6 Jordan Ashburn (BET)

7 Grant Baylor (HSQ)

8 Russell Bobbitt (KTM)

9 Ryan Sipes (HSQ)

10 Trevor Bollinger (HON)

Life Unlimited!

The great thing about International Old Timers motocross is the people it attracks. This group of grandfathers came from all over the west, Colorado, California, Washington and Wyoming. They came to have fun, see old friends and race the 2017 Nevada IOTMX National in Fernley, NV.. What better way for senior citizens to spend their weekends.