PRENTISS, MS

The season opener for Golden Pine Raceway, located in Prentiss, Mississippi, was held on March 27 and 28, and was headlined as the second annual AMA District 19 Championship. This event was also round two of the Gulf Coast Championship Series, which has a loyal following across southern Mississippi, Alabama, and the panhandle of Florida - not exactly a map of AMA District 19, and the results will tell you the same thing. The race was held in District 19, but racers from other AMA districts did their part to spoil the fun for many of the locals. And as one observer was heard to say, "This is a National motocross for amateurs." Truth be told, this does happen at many of the bigger amateur events each year, and this past weekend at Golden Pine Raceway was just such an example.

The A riders competed for their share of the $2,000 purse. They were forced to dog the track for close to 20 minutes in each moto in order to earn their take. "Mr. Arenacross" and Oklahoma native Johnny Marley (900, above) showed that his skills aren't limited to indoor racing, and also that a little age never hurts. In two of his four motos, Marley hounded his competitors into mistakes or mechanical difficulties and took the lead. He took top honors in all four motos. Heath Harrison had the speed to win the 450 Expert class, but a broken chain in moto one and an exploded rear wheel ended both of his motos too soon. Fellow Crimson Tider Hunter Mims also showed the speed to take a moto win, but he lost the front end late in the second moto of the 250 Expert class.

In typical fashion for the Intermediate ranks, the results were scattered. The young man with the speed to have a commanding day was Got Gear Motorsports-backed Mason Hume (120, above), but his fair share of bad luck kept him to one 450 Intermediate-class win and a win in the Four-Stroke class. Two other District 19 natives shared top honors in similar classes: Kirby Dodd, in the 250 Intermediate class, and Trey Davis, in the Schoolboy class.

The Louisiana contingent of District 19 made its presences known in several classes. Jonah Cormier (222, above) made the Cajun pride on hand proud by sweeping the largest classes of the day, the 250 Novice and 450 Novice classes.

In the Youth divisions, Mobile, Alabama, natives Trevor Dunn and Dillon Cook had some standout rides in the 85cc and Supermini classes. Mississippi riders held up well in the balance of the Youth classes. Winners included Isaac Dotson, in the 51cc (7-8) and 65cc (7-9) classes; 85cc (12-15) winner Scott McElroy; 51cc (4-6) winner James Yeager; Hagen Hill, in the 65cc Open class; 85cc Open victor Kyle Burgess; and Trevor Atkins, in the 65cc (10-11) class.

In the end, the 2010 edition of the District 19 Championship experienced some great racing on an immaculate prepped track, underneath some beautiful skies. The Amateur racers that made the journey have a big leg up on their competitors for the Loretta Lynn Regional Championship that will be held at Golden Pine Raceway on June 19 and 20. With only one more race prior to the Regional Championship, track time will be worth its weight in gold - or good ol' Mississippi sand, which holds just about the same value when you add water and dirt bikes.

Results

50 (4-6): 1. James Yeager (Pol); 2. Andre Martinez (KTM); 3. Ethan Moore (KTM).

50 (7-8): 1. Isaac Dotson (KTM); 2. Chandler Randall (KTM); 3. Kimble Jett (Cob).

65 (7-9): 1. Isaac Dotson (KTM); 2. Curtis Blackwood (KTM); 3. Bristow Smith (KTM).

65 (10-11): 1. Trevor Atkins (KTM); 2. Hagen Hill (KTM); 3. Collin McRaney (Kawasaki).

65 OPEN: 1. Hagen Hill (KTM); 2. Braeden Brantley (KTM); 3. Jacob Freeman (KTM).

85 (9-11): 1. Trevor Dunn (Kawasaki); 2. Jason Kepley (Kawasaki); 3. Hank Van (KTM).

85 (12-15): 1. Scott McElroy (Kawasaki); 2. Barron Bellard (KTM); 3. Landry Lyle (Kawasaki).

85 OPEN: 1. Kyle Burgess (Kawasaki); 2. Anthony Johnson (Yamaha); 3. Hank Van (KTM).

JR S/MINI (9-13): 1. Dillon Cook (Kawasaki); 2. Scott McElroy (Kawasaki); 3. Barron Bellard (KTM).

S/MINI (0-16): 1. Dillon Cook (Kawasaki); 2. Scott McElroy (Kawasaki); 3. Trevor Dunn (Kawasaki).

250 LITES NOV: 1. Jonah Cormier (Honda); 2. Wiley Kinggard (Kawasaki); 3. James Waldrop (Yamaha).

250 LITES INT: 1. Kirby Dodd (KTM); 2. Trey Davis (Kawasaki); 3. Carey Smith (Kawasaki).

250 LITES EX: 1. Johnny Marley (Yamaha); 2. Michael Mims (Yamaha); 3. Dustin Manuel (Kawasaki).

450 NOV: 1. Jonah Cormier (Honda); 2. Wiley Kinggard (Kawasaki); 3. Hayden Bordelon (KTM).

450 INT: 1. Mason Hume (Kawasaki); 2. Carey Smith (Kawasaki); 3. Trey Davis (Kawasaki).

450 EX: 1. Johnny Marley (Yamaha); 2. Michael Mims (Yamaha); 3. Dustin Manuel (Kawasaki).

4-STRK OPEN AM: 1. Mason Hume (Kawasaki); 2. Adam Cedillo (Yamaha); 3. Jordan Heathcock (Kawasaki).

WMN (14+): 1. Lauren Eager (Honda).

SCHBY (12-16): 1. Trey Davis (Kawasaki); 2. Forrest Smith (Yamaha); 3. Jonah Cormier (Honda).

CLGBY (17-24): 1. Carey Smith (Kawasaki); 2. Mason Hume (Kawasaki); 3. Kirby Dodd (KTM).

25+: 1. Colby Fitch (Kawasaki).

35+: 1. Ronald Skipper (Kawasaki).

40+: 1. Patrick Meche (KTM); 2. Ronald Skipper (Kawasaki); 3. Scott Vickers (Yamaha).