Round 1 of AZOP’s 2019 Championship series races through Wickenburg, Arizona
2019 AZOP Series, Round 1, Vulture Mine, January 19-20, 2019
This a race report provided by AZOP/Written and Photographed By Jonathan Barrett…
The brutal Arizona desert held nothing back as the Arizona Offroad Promotions/ Rowley White RV Racing Series opened its season in the Vulture Mine area south of Wickenburg.
Sponsored by Ridenow Powersports and Sinister Fabrication, the race was held in memory of Todd Peterson, a longtime checkpoint volunteer and close family member to all within AZOP over the years.
The Minis had a five-mile course through winding hills and steep inclines, and the Big Bikes had a 30-mile loop of multiple sand washes, long stretches of whoops and even a waterfall to traverse. With the morning sun cresting the mountains, the PeeWee Bikes lined up on the start line.
PeeWee Bikes
Cooper Skersick continued his dominance from last season in a new class on his new Husqvarna 65, taking first overall with three more laps completed than second-placed Chase James in 65cc C PeeWee. In the 50cc 7-8 Year-Old class, Ryder Yates took first in front of Lane Oden.
In the 50cc 4-6 Year-Old class, Brayden Almendarez took a strong first place ahead of Asher Galindo and Courtney Curley. The PeeWees had a fast flowing one-mile loop that kept the speeds high and riders on their toes.
Mini Bikes
The Mini Bikes came out to conquer the five-mile loop, with the two fastest riders—Travis Boyd and Porter May—battling all race across five laps, with Boyd taking the win by 2 seconds in the 80-150cc A class. Chase Boyd took the win in the 80-150cc B class, and the stacked 80-150cc C class had Jaxon Steele on top with Danny Baca and Demarco Dugi hot in tow.
The Women’s C class had Nikki Earlewine take the win ahead of Emilee Carter, both putting in strong performances.
In 65cc A, Marley Kuhn took the win ahead of Preston James, who had an early crash that took him out of the race. Class 65cc B had Owen Wesley, Ethan Chanella and Brendan Chandler taking the top three spots. Top 10 are the following: Travis Boys, Porter May, Jaxon Steele, Danny Baca, Demarco Dugi, Clayton Hixon, Colson Skersick, Talan Raper, Marley Kuhn and Danny Carter.
Big Bikes
The first race of the weekend for the adults were the Big Bikes. Taking off two by two, the Pros took to the front of the line. In the Pro class, it was the Scootin’ Newton Racing Suzuki RMZ450 of Jeremy Newton battling with Mauri Herrera for two laps, until a mechanical failure took Herrera out and left Newton to cruise to the finish. Before he crossed the line, he had a bad crash on the waterfall that made the bike land on him, burning his arm with the exhaust pipe. Newton would take first in Pro and first overall.
Class 125-250 A had Kaden Vermilyea take the win, with Colton Edwards taking the win in 125-250 B. Class 125-250 C had a huge class, with Tres Couch, Josh Peterson and Taylor Wilson taking the podium in a class of 14. Open A saw Quanah Smith, Luke Vermilyea and Brian Perry take the podium, with the Blud Lubricants/ Go Ride Mountain Yamaha 250 of Austin Alexander putting up a strong ride and leading for two laps until a mechanical failure took out his third gear, ending his race.
Open B saw Aaron Cordova, Dylan Manning and Daniel Cordova take the top three spots in another class of fourteen. Open C had Matthew Cutchen, Jacob Moraga and Juan Robles on the box. Vet 30+A was won by Jon Froust and Vet 30+B had Nick McDonnell take the win. Vet 30+C was taken by Juan Luna, followed by Manuel Fernando and Keith Tobin. Senior 40+C had Francisco Teran take home the win, and the young guns of Master 50+B and Super Senior 60+ were taken by Ron Simpson and Richard Genovese.
Top 10 are as follows: Jeremy Newton, Kaden Vermilyea, Quanah Smith, Luke Vermilyea, Brian Perry, Tres Couch, Jon Froust, Aaron Cordova, Dylan Manning and Richard Genovese. The course proved extremely tough as the 100 mile race wore on the riders and machines.
The Vulture Mine Hare Scramble was a great location to start the long AZOP season this year, with a great turnout by all and plenty of action laid down on the track. The next race is the Blythe Grand Prix February 9-10 in Blythe, California at Shorty’s Sports Park. Thanks to all the sponsors that make this possible.
For more information on AZOP, visit AZOPracing.com.
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