Press Release | February 23, 2018
Race Report | 2018 AZOP Series, Round 2, Vulture Mine Hare Scrambles
This is a race report submitted by AZOP…
Story and Photos by Jonathan Barrett
Wickenburg, AZ (February 23, 2018) – The Vulture Mine Hare Scrambles—round two of the 2018 AZOP series—had a fantastic turnout this year for all types of racing on February 11, 2018. The race was held in the Vulture Mountains near Wickenburg, Arizona, and had 52 UTVs, 74 dirt bikes and 29 ATVs show up to contend the longest and most challenging race of the season.
On the two-wheeled side of the races, the number-188 Blud Lubricants Honda of Wyatt Perry got off to a strong start and held a 44-second lead over the number 009 of Miguel Cordovez coming into the timing gate of lap one, with the number-15 Yamaha of Jeremy Newton bringing up third.
After another 30 miles, Wyatt Perry still had a lead of 20 seconds over the now second-placed Jeremy Newton and a 2 1/2-minute lead over the number-223 of Luis Kortright in third. On the final lap, Perry was running strong up until mile 24, where he ran out of gas due to a miscalculation of not getting fuel in the previous pit stop. Perry was able to get fuel on the course, but not before falling to sixth, as the competitors made quick work of the lead he had.
Overall, it was Jeremy Newton with the win, followed by Luis Kortright, and Juan Cordovez taking third. Other winners include Patrick Wells taking Open A on his Yamaha, Jon Froust taking Open B on his Honda, and Jeff Ekstrom taking Open C on his Kawasaki.
Last, but certainly not least, the junior racers on both two wheels and four came out strong for their chance at desert racing on smaller tracks. The 65cc Mini Bike class, which represents the younger racers, had Casey Weatherford on the top spot of the podium with a 3-minute lead over Chase Boyd and a 9-minute lead over Hunter Sixkiller.
Tate Van Voorst took the overall win as well as the win in the 80-150cc A class, with Keegan Hardy 30 seconds behind overall and winning his 80-150cc B class. The 80-150cc C class ended with Trevor Supalla taking the top spot and third overall, followed by William Robinson (fifth overall) and Travis Lash (ninth overall).
The Peewee Bikes, whose ages range from 4- to 6-years old, showed that the young guns of off-road racing are a force to be reckoned with. Marley Kuhn won the 65cc C class, followed by Ryker Jirsa and Bryce Petrie. The 50cc 4-6 Year-Old class had Abraham Hassan and Courtney Curley on the podium. In the 50-70cc 7-8 Year-Old class, Kaycee Curley, Chase Dugan and Cooper Skersick rounded out the podium, respectively.
The Vulture Mine Off-Road Challenge is the hardest and longest race of AZOP’s season, and it proved to be so. Whether on two wheels or four, the rugged terrain and long distances made the best of the best shine. Next race for AZOP is the Q-Town Grand Prix in Quartzite, Arizona, scheduled for March 10-11.
Official AZOP 2018 Vulture Mine Hare Scrambles Race Video
For more information, visit www.azopracing.com