BUTTONWILLOW, CA Closing the book on the 2008 Supermoto scene in California, the Northern boys met up with the Southern clan on December 13 and 14 to do battle one last time at the final round of the STTARS Series on the one-mile plus North Loop at Buttonwillow. This was the first time the series had taken to the big track since 2004, and the praise for the fast and long track was overwhelming.

One of more spectacular feuds of the weekend took place in the Vet Over 40 division. It was here that Supermoto legend Rick Pearce, former So Cal 1980s pro motocrosser-turned-supermoto racer Roger Hensley, and Supermoto USA's own Brok McAllister took to the tarmac. When the smoke cleared from the tailpipe of Pearce's mighty 500cc two-stroke beast, the checkers flew in his favor. However, it was not without a fight.

Hensley piloted his CHM Exhaust-propelled 2009 CRF450R into the lead for a good portion of the race, but the 100mph back straight favored the power of the mighty 500. It was touch-and-go the entire race until Pearce snatched the victory from Hensley's paw. With one lap to go, Hensley was riding like a boy chasing an ice cream truck, but the taste of victory melted away when it was all over. McAllister, riding in third, had a front-row view of the battle, but he never got close enough to throw any punches. Hensley may not have won this battle, but he won the war, taking the STTARS number-one plate in the class for 2008.

In the Unlimited class, a slew of top AMA Pros jumped at the chance to ride the wide-open North Loop track. Heading into the fight, it looked like Josh Chisum was the man to beat, following his solid performance during the AMA pro season aboard a KTM 505 in the Unlimited division. But in the end, it was Petaluma, California's Tyler O'Hara who garnered splendor for the Nor Cal crew.

Tyler O'Hara (129) led the gaggle of riders into the dirt section at the start, followed by Justin Ross (319), Josh Chisum and Casey Yarrow. Ross made a few early charges, but O'Hara was in the zone and pulled away, leaving Ross to tangle with Chisum. The two rode nose to tail for several laps until "Chiz" made his way into second. Ross would eventually pull out of the race with bike issues, which left the door open for Nor Cal rider Casey Yarrow to nab third.

Young Nicky Reimer topped the Mini Junior division, over Andrew Lee and Simon Hall.

The Open Novice class saw local Bakersfield rider Ryan Hauser claim the victory. Nor Cal rider Michael Smith was runner-up, with Art Kawaguchi filling out the box.

When the young bucks were back on the track to go at it in the 160cc division, Gage McAllister bested the likes of River McDougall and Mark Anolik.

As for other notable 2008 STTARS titles, Darrin Gauvin took the crown in the Open Intermediate class, Dustin Hoffman (not the actor) nailed down the 250cc championship, Sean McDougall was crowned the fastest old guy in the Vet 30 division, and Hesperia, California's Tyler O'Hara captured the Mini 160cc number-one plate.

Results

MINI 160: 1. Gage McAllister (Honda); 2. River McDougall (Kawasaki); 3. Mark Anolik (Honda); 4. Bronson Pearce (Honda); 5. Andrew Lee (KTM).

MINI 125: 1. River McDougall (Kawasaki); 2. Austin Pecoraro (KTM); 3. Nicky Reimer (KTM); 4. Andrew Lee (Cob); 5. Ben Anolik (Honda).

MINI JR: 1. Nicky Reimer (KTM); 2. Andrew Lee (Cob); 3. Simon Hall (KTM); 4. Anthony Garcia (Yamaha); 5. Casey Yarrow II (Honda).

250: 1. Dustin Hoffman (Kawasaki); 2. Jeff Sanderson (TM); 3. Michael Smith (Yamaha); 4. Tyler (South) O'Hara (Honda); 5. Gage McAllister (Honda).

450: 1. Tyler O'Hara (Yamaha); 2. Dustin Hoffman (Honda); 3. Brandon Case (Honda); 4. Josh Jackson (Honda); 5. Joey Hrenko (Kawasaki).

U/L: 1. Tyler O'Hara (Yamaha); 2. Josh Chisum (KTM); 3. Casey Yarrow (Yamaha); 4. Brandon Case (Honda); 5. Josh Jackson (Honda).

OPEN BEG: 1. Paul Birchfield (KTM); 2. Edgar Weiss (KTM); 3. Steven Diaz (Yamaha); 4. Paul Cates (Honda); 5. Robert Ponce (KTM).

OPEN NOV: 1. Ryan Hauser (Honda); 2. Michael Smith (Yamaha); 3. Art Kawaguchi (Honda); 4. David Sidoti (KTM); 5. John Levy (Honda).

OPEN INT: 1. Joey Hrenko (Kawasaki); 2. Neal Ratner (Honda); 3. Ryan Hauser (Honda); 4. Palmer Lancaster (Honda); 5. Jeff Sanderson (TM).

VET 30+: 1. Scott Hoffman (C-A); 2. Sean McDougall (Honda); 3. Joey Hrenko (Kawasaki); 4. Palmer Lancaster (Honda); 5. Darrin Gauvin (Honda).

VET 40+: 1. Rick Pearce (Honda); 2. Roger Hensley (Honda); 3. Brok McAllister (Honda); 4. Lee Daniels (Yamaha); 5. Art Kawaguchi (Honda).

AM TEAM: 1. Andre Barbosa/James Hall (South); 2. Paul Birchfield/Ryan Hauser (South); 3. Paul Cates/Robert Ponce (South); 4. David Sidoti/Matt Sidoti (South); 5. Russ Case/Ben French (North).

EX TEAM: 1. Dustin Hoffman/Roger Hensley (South); 2. Michael Birchfield/Josh Jackson (North); 3. Damon Padonly/Brandon Case (North); 4. Palmer Lancaster/Jeff Sanderson (South).