Am-Pro FMF Yamaha Yadkinville Race Report
by: Jason Weigandt
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 | 12:00 AM
Round 8 of the GNCC Series was held in Yadkin Valley, North Carolina, which is usually known for wine production. But on June 22nd, it was known for the huge dust cloud over the town produced by off-road racers . As the sun beat down, the racers lined up for what was going to be a long day at the office. Team Am-Pro Yamaha suited up and opted for the express lane as 5 participating teammates went to work.
As the start of the XC1 Pro class sped off the line, Team Am-Pro Yamaha's Jason Raines was top 3 coming around turn one. Charging hard but reading the trail ahead in brail, Jason crashed on the first lap leaving him in 7th coming through the barrels. Suzuki's Jimmy Jarrett had gotten around him during the crash but Jason quickly passed him back as well as KTM's Kurt Caselli placing him in 6th place for lap 2. At the start of lap three Jason was charging hard and found a good pace and that pace aloud him to pass Paul Whibley who was stuck in a mud hole. Jason hit the 4 mile marker and could hear Paul not far behind him, all it took was one stall of the bike and Jason was now back in 6th behind the #6 Suzuki rider. After the gas stop on lap, Jason also got around KTM's Nathan Kanney who was also stuck in the mud, but that was short lived, as on lap 5 Kanney snuck back around leaving Jason in 7th for the lap and overall for the day.
Teammate Thaddeus Duvall had his work cut out for him when he had a mid pack start. Thad came around the finish line barrels on his first lap ninth place and wanting that top place position that Kailub Russell was occupying. So forge ahead and eat the dust is what he did. Thad passed 5 of the fastest "Young Guns" in the field putting him in third place coming into the barrels for the second lap. Duvall cruised on past one more rider to enter into striking distance of first place rider who was now Jason Thomas. On the fourth lap Thad had made an horrible mistake and crashed so hard that he didn't remember the rest of the race when he got back to the truck. The crash allowed KTM's Justin Williamson to get around him, placing Thad in 3rd for laps 4 and 5. Still suffering from the crash, Andrew's Yamaha Monster Energy rider Dustin Gibson found his way around Thad leaving him in 4th place for the day, but still 27 points ahead of 2nd in the overall series points.
Joseph Scherer started out the day in the top 6 coming around the barrels for the first lap but that was not where he stayed. Joe went on the battle for the lead and by lap 4 he completed his mission and took that to the finish, winning the Open A class for the day. He is just 8 points shy of first place for the overall series lead.
Ryan Belue's ride from start to finish was well fought and well rode. Ryan tore his way to the front right off the start and never looked back, leading the whole way and adding another win for the series. Ryan is currently leading the 4-Stroke B Lites by 45 points.
Barry Hawk also came out to not only show his support for his teammates but to get a warm up and ride the morning race in Yadkin Valley. He won the Sportsman (12-35) class and the overall win in the morning race program. He had great time racing against the morning race competition.
Walker Fowler got the "go ahead" from the Dr.'s to race quads but not the two wheel version. Walker won the Schoolboy class on Saturday and stayed to support his team mates on Sunday.
So it turns out the dust was not a factor for Team Am-Pro Yamaha, they all worked very hard and had the results to prove it, they appreciate all the support from the fans and sponsors to keep them charging hard.
Results
Jason Raines-7th-XC 1
Thad Duvall-4th-XC 2
Joseph Scherer-1st-Open A
Ryan Belue-1st-4 Stroke B Lites
Barry Hawk-1st-Overall morning racer
Walker Fowler-DNS-4 Stroke A Lites
Points Standings after 8 of 13 Rounds
Jason Raines-8th-XC1 Class
Barry Hawk-14th XC1 Class
Thad Duvall-1st-XC2 Class
Joseph Scherer-2nd-Open A Class
Ryan Belue-1st-4 Stroke B Lites Class
As the start of the XC1 Pro class sped off the line, Team Am-Pro Yamaha's Jason Raines was top 3 coming around turn one. Charging hard but reading the trail ahead in brail, Jason crashed on the first lap leaving him in 7th coming through the barrels. Suzuki's Jimmy Jarrett had gotten around him during the crash but Jason quickly passed him back as well as KTM's Kurt Caselli placing him in 6th place for lap 2. At the start of lap three Jason was charging hard and found a good pace and that pace aloud him to pass Paul Whibley who was stuck in a mud hole. Jason hit the 4 mile marker and could hear Paul not far behind him, all it took was one stall of the bike and Jason was now back in 6th behind the #6 Suzuki rider. After the gas stop on lap, Jason also got around KTM's Nathan Kanney who was also stuck in the mud, but that was short lived, as on lap 5 Kanney snuck back around leaving Jason in 7th for the lap and overall for the day.
Teammate Thaddeus Duvall had his work cut out for him when he had a mid pack start. Thad came around the finish line barrels on his first lap ninth place and wanting that top place position that Kailub Russell was occupying. So forge ahead and eat the dust is what he did. Thad passed 5 of the fastest "Young Guns" in the field putting him in third place coming into the barrels for the second lap. Duvall cruised on past one more rider to enter into striking distance of first place rider who was now Jason Thomas. On the fourth lap Thad had made an horrible mistake and crashed so hard that he didn't remember the rest of the race when he got back to the truck. The crash allowed KTM's Justin Williamson to get around him, placing Thad in 3rd for laps 4 and 5. Still suffering from the crash, Andrew's Yamaha Monster Energy rider Dustin Gibson found his way around Thad leaving him in 4th place for the day, but still 27 points ahead of 2nd in the overall series points.
Joseph Scherer started out the day in the top 6 coming around the barrels for the first lap but that was not where he stayed. Joe went on the battle for the lead and by lap 4 he completed his mission and took that to the finish, winning the Open A class for the day. He is just 8 points shy of first place for the overall series lead.
Ryan Belue's ride from start to finish was well fought and well rode. Ryan tore his way to the front right off the start and never looked back, leading the whole way and adding another win for the series. Ryan is currently leading the 4-Stroke B Lites by 45 points.
Barry Hawk also came out to not only show his support for his teammates but to get a warm up and ride the morning race in Yadkin Valley. He won the Sportsman (12-35) class and the overall win in the morning race program. He had great time racing against the morning race competition.
Walker Fowler got the "go ahead" from the Dr.'s to race quads but not the two wheel version. Walker won the Schoolboy class on Saturday and stayed to support his team mates on Sunday.
So it turns out the dust was not a factor for Team Am-Pro Yamaha, they all worked very hard and had the results to prove it, they appreciate all the support from the fans and sponsors to keep them charging hard.
Results
Jason Raines-7th-XC 1
Thad Duvall-4th-XC 2
Joseph Scherer-1st-Open A
Ryan Belue-1st-4 Stroke B Lites
Barry Hawk-1st-Overall morning racer
Walker Fowler-DNS-4 Stroke A Lites
Points Standings after 8 of 13 Rounds
Jason Raines-8th-XC1 Class
Barry Hawk-14th XC1 Class
Thad Duvall-1st-XC2 Class
Joseph Scherer-2nd-Open A Class
Ryan Belue-1st-4 Stroke B Lites Class