Haaker Goes Two-For-Two with South Dakota Win

Round two of the 2016 AMA EnduroCross Championship Series headed outside for the first time on the regular schedule with a track built in the center of Brandon, South Dakota’s Badlands Motor Speedway and Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker rolled to a convincing main event win. Haaker didn’t lead from the start, however—that was Rockstar Husqvarna teammate Mike Brown—but he quickly found himself battling for the top spots and eventually checking out for the win. Defending Champion Cody Webb fought for a second place finish on his KTM with Brown coming in third on the night. Five-time EnduroCross Champion Taddy Blazusiak pulled off with a thumb injury after going down on the first obstacle in the main.

Before the main event Taddy Blazusiak started the night show off with serious momentum and earned the first heat win in dramatic fashion with a heated, last lap passing spree with Colton Haaker. Mike Brown won his heat race, as did eventual runner-up Webb, each gaining valuable championship points (one awarded per heat race win) for the series. These single points may seem small, but they proved critical in 2015’s point’s battle and this year looks to be just as close. Also, Webb won the evening Hot Laps—one lap sprint for another bonus point between the top six riders in championship points—giving him a two-point head start on the night.

In the main event, Brown shot out of the gate (positioned on the banked straight of the speedway), grabbing the $500 Nexen Tire Holeshot award. The multi-time AMA champion rode hard to stay up front but RPM KTM Team Maxxis’ Ty Tremaine latched on in second position with Factory FMF KTM’s Cody Webb in third. SRT-backed Cory Graffunder chased in fourth and Colton Haaker came out of the first few turns in fifth. Quickly, Webb made it around Tremaine and started to focus on gaining ground on Brown. In just a few laps the top battle turned into a Brown-Webb-Haaker mêlée with a nice dose of Tremaine thrown in to keep it interesting.

Webb got around Brown three laps in. By lap five, Haaker moved by Brown and was sitting in second. Just then Webb washed out the front end in a simple corner and Haaker moved easily into the lead.  Webb would lose positions to Brown and Tremaine.

From there, Tremaine rode strong, holding off the charging Webb for laps. And this is where the real battles lived for the rest of the main. Webb, Tremaine and Brown paced each other and battled for the entirety of the second half of the race, each getting the upper hand when the others would make a mistake or fade from fatigue.

Meanwhile, Haaker was checking out up front—riding with aggression but keeping his efforts mistake free. By lap 10, he had a speedway-long lead over the field and seemed un-catchable.

In the final laps, Webb finally made his pass for third place stick over Tremaine and was on Brown. A last-lap pass got him into second with Brown finishing in third.

The win gives Haaker a four-point lead in the series after winning the first two rounds over Webb with Brown in third ten more points back.

“I didn’t get the best jump off the start but I stayed calm in fifth or sixth and tried to stay calm and not make dumb mistakes like I did in the heat race,” said Haaker. “A couple laps in I was in a good position in second when Cody went down. From there I felt solid, ran out a few laps that were fast and kept it together to cruise out for the win.”

Webb rode with speed all evening but when the Main Event came, the mistakes kept him from the win, “I was leading and it felt like I was making little mistakes while I tried to get in my rhythm but just washed out the front end and put myself into fourth, Webb said. “I don’t know how many times I tipped over in the woodpile but to come out with second is obviously good. Haaker was able to click off laps and get out there. I have the speed but I just need to put it together.”

Mike Brown grabbed the Holeshot and jumped on the podium for the first time in 2016. “The start was the main thing tonight to get in front of some guys and get through the rocks every lap. When you get the start it always gives you an extra boost,” said Brown. “I know I don’t have 15 fast laps in me as I haven’t been riding much so I’m happy with myself after the third week of riding in seven months.”

Ty Tremaine held on to finish fourth with another fast youngster busting into the top five—Noah Kepple. Canadian Trystan hart rode hard to sixth and Cory Graffunder held on for seventh. Nick Thompson, Max Gerston and Ty Cullins rounded out the top ten.

Husqvarna’s Mike Brown rounded out the top five. Beta’s Kyle Redmond finished sixth. Ty Tremaine finished seventh on his RPM KTM. Geoff Aaron took eighth on his Gas Gas. Cory Graffunder was ninth on his SRT KTM and Noah Kepple rounded out the top ten on his KTM.

2016 Atlanta AMA EnduroCross Results

  1. Colton Haaker, Husqvarna

  2. Cody Webb, KTM

  3. Mike Brown, Husqvarna

  4. Ty Tremaine, KTM

  5. Noah Kepple, KTM

  6. Tyrstan Hart, Husqvarna

  7. Cory Graffunder, KTM

  8. Nick Thompson, KTM

  9. Max Gerston, Beta

  10. Ty Cullins, Beta

  11. Geoff Aaron, Gas Gas

  12. Kevin Rookstool, Suz

  13. Taddy Blazusiak, KTM

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Colton Haaker

Colton Haaker rode a solid main event, battling to the front and checking out to take the win in South Dakota. Photo: Ian Reid

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Cody Webb

Cody Webb recovered from mistakes to take a second place finish Photo: Ian Reid

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Mike Brown

Mike Brown (3) took the holeshot in South Dakota and led early, finishing third. Photo: Ian Reid

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Pro Podium

Haaker (center) is now tow-for-two in EnduroCross main events in 2016 with Webb (left) and Brown (right) filling the podium. Photo: Ian Reid

Morgan Tanke took the exciting Women’s Class win over Morgan Tanke and Rachel Gutish.

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Women's podium

Morgan Tanke won the Women’s main in an action-packed final. Shelby Turner (left), round one’s winner, held on for second and Rachel Gutish (right) finished third. Photo: Ian Reid

EnduroCross events also include three support classes. Spenser Wilton took the win in the amateur class over Giuliano Rolandi and Cody Miller. In the Vet class, David Stirm took the main event win over Dan Hayakawa and Wayne Dickert.

The series will pack 8 races into twelve weeks with round three returning to Salt Lake City, Utah and the Vivint Smart Home Arena next weekend (September 10th) Tickets are available and pit access is always free. Get your tickets at: www.EnduroCross.com/buy-tickets/

The insane EnduroCross obstacles provide a great show and exciting racing for race fans. So if you have never been to an AMA EnduroCross in person, you need to put one on your calendar for 2016.

And if you want to tackle an EnduroCross course yourself, there are classes for Amateur, Vet, Women and TrialsCross riders. All of those support class main events run as part of the night show so it is your chance to compete in front of a large crowd. And there is nothing more challenging than tackling an EnduroCross course.

Racers can enter here: https://secure.tracksideonlineresults.com/mmsx_ex/

As an added bonus for pre-registering, racers will receive a $10 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC.

All eight rounds of the 2016 AMA EnduroCross series will air on the CBS Sports Network for the second consecutive year. For CBS Sports Network information, please visit www.cbssportsnetwork.com

2016 AMA EnduroCross Championship Schedule

August 27, 2016 – Duluth, Georgia – Infinite Energy Center

September 3, 2016 – Brandon, South Dakota – Badlands Motor Speedway

September 10, 2016 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Vivint Smart Home Arena

September 24, 2016 – Scottsdale, Arizona – WestWorld – Intl Off-Road & UTV Expo

October 1, 2016 – Denver, Colorado – National Western Events Center

October 22, 2016 – Everett, Washington – XFINITY Arena

November 5, 2016 – Nampa, Idaho – Ford Idaho Center

November 18-19, 2016 – Ontario, California – Citizens Business Bank Arena

EnduroCross 2016 Sponsors V3

EnduroCross 2016 Sponsors V3

EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of extreme off road racing into a Supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole…and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in! Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet.

ENDUROCROSS is a registered trademark of The Enthusiast Network.

For rules and race information visit www.EnduroCross.com or email endurocross@sorc.com

TEN: The Enthusiast Network is the world’s premier network of enthusiast brands, such as MOTOR TREND, AUTOMOBILE, HOT ROD, SURFER, TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING, and GRINDTV. With more than 50 publications, 60 websites, 50 events, 1,000 branded products, the world’s largest automotive VOD channel, and the world’s largest action/adventure sports media platform, TEN inspires enthusiasts to pursue their passions. For more information, visit http://www.enthusiastnetwork.com.

Round two of the 2016 AMA EnduroCross Championship Series headed outside for the first time on the regular schedule with a track built in the center of Brandon, South Dakota’s Badlands Motor Speedway and Husqvarna’s Colton Haaker rolled to a convincing main event win. Haaker didn’t lead from the start, however—that was Rockstar Husqvarna teammate Mike Brown—but he quickly found himself battling for the top spots and eventually checking out for the win. Defending Champion Cody Webb fought for a second place finish on his KTM with Brown coming in third on the night. Five-time EnduroCross Champion Taddy Blazusiak pulled off with a thumb injury after going down on the first obstacle in the main.

Before the main event Taddy Blazusiak started the night show off with serious momentum and earned the first heat win in dramatic fashion with a heated, last lap passing spree with Colton Haaker. Mike Brown won his heat race, as did eventual runner-up Webb, each gaining valuable championship points (one awarded per heat race win) for the series. These single points may seem small, but they proved critical in 2015’s point’s battle and this year looks to be just as close. Also, Webb won the evening Hot Laps—one lap sprint for another bonus point between the top six riders in championship points—giving him a two-point head start on the night.

In the main event, Brown shot out of the gate (positioned on the banked straight of the speedway), grabbing the $500 Nexen Tire Holeshot award. The multi-time AMA champion rode hard to stay up front but RPM KTM Team Maxxis’ Ty Tremaine latched on in second position with Factory FMF KTM’s Cody Webb in third. SRT-backed Cory Graffunder chased in fourth and Colton Haaker came out of the first few turns in fifth. Quickly, Webb made it around Tremaine and started to focus on gaining ground on Brown. In just a few laps the top battle turned into a Brown-Webb-Haaker mêlée with a nice dose of Tremaine thrown in to keep it interesting.

Webb got around Brown three laps in. By lap five, Haaker moved by Brown and was sitting in second. Just then Webb washed out the front end in a simple corner and Haaker moved easily into the lead.  Webb would lose positions to Brown and Tremaine.

From there, Tremaine rode strong, holding off the charging Webb for laps. And this is where the real battles lived for the rest of the main. Webb, Tremaine and Brown paced each other and battled for the entirety of the second half of the race, each getting the upper hand when the others would make a mistake or fade from fatigue.

Meanwhile, Haaker was checking out up front—riding with aggression but keeping his efforts mistake free. By lap 10, he had a speedway-long lead over the field and seemed un-catchable.

In the final laps, Webb finally made his pass for third place stick over Tremaine and was on Brown. A last-lap pass got him into second with Brown finishing in third.

The win gives Haaker a four-point lead in the series after winning the first two rounds over Webb with Brown in third ten more points back.

“I didn’t get the best jump off the start but I stayed calm in fifth or sixth and tried to stay calm and not make dumb mistakes like I did in the heat race,” said Haaker. “A couple laps in I was in a good position in second when Cody went down. From there I felt solid, ran out a few laps that were fast and kept it together to cruise out for the win.”

Webb rode with speed all evening but when the Main Event came, the mistakes kept him from the win, “I was leading and it felt like I was making little mistakes while I tried to get in my rhythm but just washed out the front end and put myself into fourth, Webb said. “I don’t know how many times I tipped over in the woodpile but to come out with second is obviously good. Haaker was able to click off laps and get out there. I have the speed but I just need to put it together.”

Mike Brown grabbed the Holeshot and jumped on the podium for the first time in 2016. “The start was the main thing tonight to get in front of some guys and get through the rocks every lap. When you get the start it always gives you an extra boost,” said Brown. “I know I don’t have 15 fast laps in me as I haven’t been riding much so I’m happy with myself after the third week of riding in seven months.”

Ty Tremaine held on to finish fourth with another fast youngster busting into the top five—Noah Kepple. Canadian Trystan hart rode hard to sixth and Cory Graffunder held on for seventh. Nick Thompson, Max Gerston and Ty Cullins rounded out the top ten.

Husqvarna’s Mike Brown rounded out the top five. Beta’s Kyle Redmond finished sixth. Ty Tremaine finished seventh on his RPM KTM. Geoff Aaron took eighth on his Gas Gas. Cory Graffunder was ninth on his SRT KTM and Noah Kepple rounded out the top ten on his KTM.

2016 Atlanta AMA EnduroCross Results

  1. Colton Haaker, Husqvarna

  2. Cody Webb, KTM

  3. Mike Brown, Husqvarna

  4. Ty Tremaine, KTM

  5. Noah Kepple, KTM

  6. Tyrstan Hart, Husqvarna

  7. Cory Graffunder, KTM

  8. Nick Thompson, KTM

  9. Max Gerston, Beta

  10. Ty Cullins, Beta

  11. Geoff Aaron, Gas Gas

  12. Kevin Rookstool, Suz

  13. Taddy Blazusiak, KTM

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Colton Haaker

Colton Haaker rode a solid main event, battling to the front and checking out to take the win in South Dakota. Photo: Ian Reid

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Cody Webb

Cody Webb recovered from mistakes to take a second place finish Photo: Ian Reid

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Mike Brown

Mike Brown (3) took the holeshot in South Dakota and led early, finishing third. Photo: Ian Reid

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Pro Podium

Haaker (center) is now tow-for-two in EnduroCross main events in 2016 with Webb (left) and Brown (right) filling the podium. Photo: Ian Reid

Morgan Tanke took the exciting Women’s Class win over Morgan Tanke and Rachel Gutish.

EnduroCross 2016 South Dakota Women's podium

Morgan Tanke won the Women’s main in an action-packed final. Shelby Turner (left), round one’s winner, held on for second and Rachel Gutish (right) finished third. Photo: Ian Reid

EnduroCross events also include three support classes. Spenser Wilton took the win in the amateur class over Giuliano Rolandi and Cody Miller. In the Vet class, David Stirm took the main event win over Dan Hayakawa and Wayne Dickert.

The series will pack 8 races into twelve weeks with round three returning to Salt Lake City, Utah and the Vivint Smart Home Arena next weekend (September 10th) Tickets are available and pit access is always free. Get your tickets at: www.EnduroCross.com/buy-tickets/

The insane EnduroCross obstacles provide a great show and exciting racing for race fans. So if you have never been to an AMA EnduroCross in person, you need to put one on your calendar for 2016.

And if you want to tackle an EnduroCross course yourself, there are classes for Amateur, Vet, Women and TrialsCross riders. All of those support class main events run as part of the night show so it is your chance to compete in front of a large crowd. And there is nothing more challenging than tackling an EnduroCross course.

Racers can enter here: https://secure.tracksideonlineresults.com/mmsx_ex/

As an added bonus for pre-registering, racers will receive a $10 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC.

All eight rounds of the 2016 AMA EnduroCross series will air on the CBS Sports Network for the second consecutive year. For CBS Sports Network information, please visit www.cbssportsnetwork.com

2016 AMA EnduroCross Championship Schedule

August 27, 2016 – Duluth, Georgia – Infinite Energy Center

September 3, 2016 – Brandon, South Dakota – Badlands Motor Speedway

September 10, 2016 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Vivint Smart Home Arena

September 24, 2016 – Scottsdale, Arizona – WestWorld – Intl Off-Road & UTV Expo

October 1, 2016 – Denver, Colorado – National Western Events Center

October 22, 2016 – Everett, Washington – XFINITY Arena

November 5, 2016 – Nampa, Idaho – Ford Idaho Center

November 18-19, 2016 – Ontario, California – Citizens Business Bank Arena

EnduroCross 2016 Sponsors V3

EnduroCross 2016 Sponsors V3

EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of extreme off road racing into a Supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole…and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in! Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet.

ENDUROCROSS is a registered trademark of The Enthusiast Network.

For rules and race information visit www.EnduroCross.com or email endurocross@sorc.com

TEN: The Enthusiast Network is the world’s premier network of enthusiast brands, such as MOTOR TREND, AUTOMOBILE, HOT ROD, SURFER, TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING, and GRINDTV. With more than 50 publications, 60 websites, 50 events, 1,000 branded products, the world’s largest automotive VOD channel, and the world’s largest action/adventure sports media platform, TEN inspires enthusiasts to pursue their passions. For more information, visit http://www.enthusiastnetwork.com.


Source: New feed

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest