NEWTON, AL

J.D. Lister (007, above) and Justin Boyd turned in starring performances at round one of the Wiregrass Motocross Championship, held at Riverside Motocross Park. Panama City, Florida's Lister topped the MX Lites C and Schoolboy (12-16) classes. Mary Esther, Florida's Boyd was the top Mini racer of the day, posting wins in the 85cc Open and 85cc (12-15) classes.

The brand-new series features 16 rounds between Riverside and Roaring Hills MX Park. VP Racing Fuels and Nantze Springs Water are on board as sponsors for the series. Promoter Kevin Thompson has secured additional support from area businesses O'Reilly Auto Parts, Interstate Batteries and Hooters. A round of the Southern Breeze Series was also held on the day, which drew numerous riders from the Florida Panhandle.

With the bleachers filled with excited spectators, Famont, Michigan's Matt Powers grabbed the holeshot in the first Over 25/MX C/Collegeboy/Schoolboy (12-16) moto. He guided his YZ450F around the newly redesigned berms like he was riding a rail. Powers took the Over 25 win, over fellow Michigander and class competitor Sean Newman. Dustin Wiggins held a sizable cushion over Lister's Honda until he hooked his Yamaha over the top of a berm and went down. He instinctively grabbed the clutch, but he had trouble getting his machine dislodged. Just as Wiggins got under way, Lister shot past him for the Schoolboy win. Daleville, Alabama's Jesse Wagnon placed first in the MX C portion.

In moto two, all of the riders gave encore performances in their respective classes.

In the combined MX Lites C, MX Lites B and MX D race, Lister won both motos over a fast but crash-prone Wiggins. When he took the checkered flag on his final lap, Lister celebrated his perfect day by styling high above the finish-line tabletop. In the MX D segment, Shane Still (2-1) edged Travis Thompson (1-2) for the overall victory.

Boyd's award-winning ride in the large 85cc Open class included wins in both heats aboard his Yamaha. Fellow YZ rider Danny Shores (3-2) took second, ahead of Kaine Smith (5-3). Lone KTM rider Kenny Bradley bested Colby Bowen for fourth, 6-4 to 4-6.

With 3-2 moto finishes in the 85cc Beginner class as well, it appeared that Shores would play a supporting role in the overall standings. When neither moto winner could crack the top three in their other outing, Shores' consistent effort took center stage. A 1-4 tally gave Bowen second overall. Next in line were Honda pilots Smith (4-3) and Andrew Lewis (7-1).

Longtime Riverside competitor Don Bush was the leading man in the Over 40 class. For this event, Bush secured a one-race deal with 316 Racing and came through with a 1-1 sweep on his loaner Suzuki. The cast of characters behind him included three Enterprise, Alabama, riders: Bobby Adams, on a CRF450R; 1990 KX250-mounted Stephen Kurtiak; and army aviator Tim Whited. Jason Davis rounded out the top five.

Results

51 ENTRY: 1. Sage Lewis (Yamaha); 2. Nick Johnson (Honda).

51 (3-6) STK: 1. Sage Lewis (Yamaha); 2. Nick Johnson (KTM).

51 (7-8) STK: 1. Evan Bolton (KTM).

65 BEG: 1. Christian Beauchamp (Kaw; 2. Logan Bruce (KTM); 3. Chelby Bowen (Kawasaki).

65 (7-9): 1. Bristow Smith (KTM); 2. Christian Beauchamp (Kawasaki).

65 OPEN: 1. Bristow Smith (KTM); 2. Logan Bruce (KTM); 3. Chelby Bowen (Kawasaki).

65 ADV: 1. Mason Gonzales (Cob).

JR MINI: 1. Kenny Bradley (KTM); 2. Mitchell Reese (Suzuki).

85 OPEN: 1. Justin Boyd (Yamaha); 2. Danny Shores (Yamaha); 3. Kaine Smith (Honda); 4. Kenny Bradley (KTM); 5. Colby Bowen (Kawasaki).

85 BEG: 1. Danny Shores (Yamaha); 2. Colby Bowen (Kawasaki); 3. Kaine Smith (Honda); 4. Andrew Lewis (Honda); 5. Noah Johnson (Kawasaki).

85 (9-11): 1. Mason Gonzales (Cob); 2. Mitchell Reese (Suzuki).

85 (12-15): 1. Justin Boyd (Yamaha); 2. Kenny Bradley (KTM); 3. Korey Hatcher (Kawasaki).

MX LITES B: 1. Dustin Wiggins (Yamaha).

MX LITES C: 1. J.D. Lister (Honda).

MX LITES D: 1. Mason Biddle (Honda); 2. Michael David (Kawasaki); 3. Ethan Bruce (Honda): 4. Travis Thompson (Kawasaki); 5. Dalton Chavis (Kawasaki).

MX C: 1. Jesse Wagnon (Yamaha).

MX D: 1. Shane Still (Honda); 2. Travis Thompson (Kawasaki).

SCHBY (12-16): 1. J.D. Lister (Honda); 2. Ethan Bruce (Honda).

CLGBY: 1. Dustin Wiggins (Yamaha).

25+: 1. Matt Powers (Yamaha); 2. Sean Newman (Yamaha).

30+: 1. Matt Powers (Yamaha); 2. Sean Newman (Yamaha).

40+: 1. Don Bush (Suzuki); 2. Bobby Adams (Honda); 3. Stephen Kurtiak (Kawasaki); 4. Tim Whited (Yamaha); 5. Jason Davis (Yamaha).

50+: 1. Randy Conti (Honda); 2. Gene Cochran (KTM).