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MARSHALL CROWNED CHAMP AT THE ‘WICK

The final VFORCE Race Report of 2021 brings to a close a season that had some of the closest racing we have experienced in years and a FOX RACING J DAY OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP PRO Class title fight that went right down to the last moto of the year. Robbie Marshall and Simon Johnson went into Round 13 a few scant points apart and ended the season the same way as Marshall on his MotorBikes Plus/ Crow Hill MX/ Shift KTM would come home 2nd Overall on the day to claim his Second championship in this series. His first Title came on the same 2014 XC 300 that he won the 2014 championship with and proves how durable the Austrian brand is. Robbie is an amazing competitor and a deserving champion and at 32 years old knows there are great things to come for his closest rival in 2021 Trail Jesters KTM rider Simon Johnson. Marshall was quick to acknowledge what a tough fight Johnson gave him all season on the Evan’s Power sport Podium and if not for a little bad luck for Johnson the tables could have been turned.

Southwick Massachusetts has been holding Moto Cross races at the Legion Post 338 since the early 1970s when Bernie Yelin talked his Legion buddies into making a track. In those early years his son Gary became a top Expert rider in NESC MX and they decided it would be a good idea to bring an AMA National Moto Cross event to the sandy terrain of southwestern Massachusetts. The event was a success and the sand track has become world famous with some of the greatest riders on the planet aspiring to turn just a few laps on the rolling lay out through the trees where the whoops have been described as “Bigger than Volkswagens “. Every time I turn the corner onto Powder Mill Road I feel an excitement beyond description that I have felt since the first National I attended in 1976 that the “Flying Dutchman “ Pierre Karsmakers won. Much has changed in the AMA National Moto Cross series in that it has become the premier series in the world where some of the best riders from outside the US contend for the coveted title and many have their name engraved on AMA Number One Red Plates. But back then it was different. Pierre Karsmakers won pretty much every race he entered on any size motorcycle but the AMA would not crown him champion because he was from Holland and therefore not an American citizen. The moto cross riders of America owe Karsmakers a huge debt as he is the rider who taught so many young, fast Americans to be better Moto Cross racers and they fondly referred to him then as their “Dutch Uncle “. There have been many great races at the ‘ Wick over the years and the 2021 version of the FOX RACING J DAY OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP Finale will be one to remembered for years to come as the Factory KTM Team was in full attendance and Robbie Marshall would ride his 2014 KTM to an unfathomable finish at season’s start not be denied his title.

The Pro class was far from the only class that showcased excitement and great racing as the 8 o’clock horn sounded for the Fox Flag Drop and final Kenda Pee Wee Championship moto of the year. The course was turned around at this Southwick II GP but the riders were so used to the S turn start they normally run that they set sail and let it rip only to be Black Flagged and restarted with a bunch of brave parents forming a human fence to ensure the right direction on start number 2. Once the single 40 minute moto was underway it was Landon Hedquist leading the way as he continues to improve his racecraft. He gets plenty of track time as he belongs to the crew I like to call “the Iron Boys“ because of how they ride 40 minutes in this class and then hustle right back to the starting line for the very next moto of 30 minutes. With only a 10 minute break in between that is an Hour and Ten minutes riding and proves these young guns are tough as nails and he is one of several riders who do this every race weekend. Grant Meacham is another Iron Boy and he and Hedquist have been locked in a season long battle for class supremacy. Meacham would get a good start on his KTM and challenge for the lead a few laps in to claim the win on the day and be crowned the 2021 Kenda Pee Wee Champion. Hedquist on his Husqvarna and Albert Lucchetti on his KTM would round out the podium in Pee Wee Senior. Sawyer Langenback, a third generation racer from western Massachusetts, was the winner of round 13 and vice champion of the Bantam class on the season on a KTM. He was joined on the race rostrum by KTM pilot Brayden Fleet, the Huskys of Jack Ford and Crue Hopkins and the KTM of Destry Tucker. Class Champ Tucker Aldrich had a dominant season and was able to sit this one out. In Trail Rider action it was Christopher Artegian with another dominant performance that ended in an Undefeated Season on his Kawasaki. He was joined on the Evan’s Powersport Podium by another Kawboy series Vice Champion Ashtin Dumeer with third on the day and the season going to Suzuki speedster Ethan Taranto. The Squirt class went to Dylan Carlson on a KTM today but second place finisher Rockson Melise was your 2021 champ. Third at round 13 and in the championship was Nathan Salgado also on a KTM.

The Big Wheel class blasted out of the gate alongside the Mini A class and when they headed onto the fabled MX track it was Ryan Amancio on a KTM leading and though he had some competition from 2021 class champion Van Gosselin on a Ronnie’s Cycles Gas Gas, who was third at round 13, he would secure a double moto win enroute to second in the championship. The MotorBikes Plus Mini KTM Wrecking Crew of Aidan Sweeney, Kyle Rougeau and Landon Graveline were a force to be reckoned with as Sweeney finished 2nd Overall today and fourth in the championship. Rougeau was fourth on the day with a 2nd place moto finish in the first go round and filled out the championship podium. New Hampshire rider Landon Graveline was 6th Overall today and even after missing a few rounds finished 10th in the championship battle. Some of these riders have already moved up to a full sized bike and more will soon. Kamden Krause on his Gas Gas would score a double moto win for the second time in two weeks and be the Vice champion to Jiggs Fustini for the year in the Mini A class. Chase Eisnor would stand on the second step of the podium at round 13 and tie with Krause on points for the year but be awarded 3rd due to a tie breaker. Proving he is one to watch in the future 9 year old Colt “the Bolt “McQuarrie on his Freedom Cycle Yamaha finished third overall for the second week in a row in his new class Mini A and 6th in that championship. McQuarrie is the Grandson of speed demon Paul Wentworth and has racing in his DNA as his Mother Shelley and Father Jeff were both very competitive racers in their chosen fields of snowmobile and off road racing. Colton is the 2021 FOX RACING J DAY OFF ROAD Mini B Champion and top 4 in the GNCC series. Evan Worthington would scoop up the Mini B win on his KTM on his way to 2nd in the title fight. Cameron Bachand on a Yamaha would be 2nd and Ritchie Reeves would “Let the Good Times Roll“ and fill out the podium on a Kawasaki. Landon Nowak would be 4th at the Southwick II GP and 5th for the year. In one of the tightest battles for a championship the Mini C class had 5 points separating 3 riders at years end. Trail Rider Magazine cover boy Killian Chute would win the race today on a Husqvarna but reluctantly settle for 3rd in the championship. Steven Jacobson rode to second at the ‘Wick but would come up 4 points short to Husky pilot and 3rd on the day Kevin Sundquist who is your 2021 champ. 

The Girls class saw a new rider to our series score a double moto win , Aryssia Ingersoll on her KTM. Rhode Island’s Addison Harris brought it home 2nd at Southwick and 2nd for 2021 with Kendyl Gaetani 3rd today and for the year. Ruby Fustini is your 2021 Girls Champion.

The C class always packs some exciting racing and today was no different with Max Lempke winning the overall and the Championship in the 250 class and will finally be riding with the B riders in 2022. Leandro Ramirez and Joey Decosta finished 2nd and 3rd on the day and in the points battle. In the Open division it was newcomer Joshua Radwilowicz winning with Brendon Paquin second on the day and in the series and Trevor Poulin 3rd today. 2021 Class champ Connor Peasley finished 4th.

Julio Lubiana won the C Vet class today and clinched the year end championship. C Senior win went to Daniel Pais on a Gas Gas with the championship being won by Husqvarna rider Tom Simpson. With only one defeat on the season at round one to a series non-regular Nate Martel, the perennial Super Senior champ, took the win and title. Master of the Master’s class today was proud papa Rick Marshall and for the year the champ was Mike Hauser. After not riding the first 5 rounds in the Womens Amateur class Ruby Fustini went on a tear and won the last eight rounds to claim 3rd in the championship. 2nd today was 2021 class champ Destiny Artegian from Rhode Island.

In his only A Vet appearance of 2021 Jesse Teveris claimed the overall win while Kawboy Clint Angwin on his HK Powersports KXF took 2nd overall and a well deserved championship. Third on the day was MotorBikes Plus pilot BJ Lanigan who soared to 3rd overall on the 747 KTM today and 12th in the series in the A class as well as 11th in the B class with several wins before his promotion. Alex Silva dominated the A Sr class this year and won today and the title on his MHR KTM. Stephen Meacham would secure 3rd in the championship with a 2nd overall finish today with MotorBikes Plus/ Bullit Racing Chairman of the Board Grant Carter having some inspired rides in the 2nd half of the season and proving how hard it is to make up points with the system based on overall placings only and not moto finishes. Carter would lead most of the first moto and battle Silva to the finish and round out the Overall podium. Aaron Murdoch and Matt Graveline both on MBP rides would score 4th and 6th overall. Cody Greatbatch would win B Vet today but settle for second in points to newly crowned champ Andrew Lowell and 3rd on the day and in the points for the season Darren Saunders. In B Sr they finished the race just how they finished the season and all on KTMs – Anderson Braz, Agostinho Dias and Joselton Ramos. In the hotly contested JR B class Corbin Owens on the Eastern CT Builders Yamaha beat MotorBikes Plus rider Andrew Veit in round 13 and in the championship. We would only see Patrick Callahan a couple times this year but he brought it home in 3rd today on an MB Plus KTM. Great to see Evan Veit back on the bike again after a nearly 15 month layoff due to a bad injury and you know he was smiling, and so my friends was I.

It seems like the now once a year 125 PRO Challenge is always a big hit and today it was star studded with the double moto winner none other than Factory KTM Pilot Josh Toth. Supercross and National Moto Cross hero Jimmy DeCotis said to his buddies a week before, that if J Day Off Road had a 125 class he would race. Then the Bullit Racing crew informed him “Why Yes, Dear James there is a PRO 1-TWENTY-FIVE Class at the Finale”. Never one to back down from anything the Rippa was in, even though he has been off the bike for more than a year and only recently starting to play ride.  Jimmy D acquitted himself well with some decent starts and a top 5 finish. He was smiling and so again was I. You see Jimmy has a very special place in my heart as his Dad, Carl or as most called him before his passing way too early, Big Daddy, was a close friend of mine from our teen years when Carl was the first ever NESC 250 Amateur Champion. So you see the apple didn’t fall far from the tree for the second generation racer from the North Shore who I have known before he was born. Good to see you out there Kid! Speaking of kids, and fast ones, Nick Casey has been flying this year on his MHR KTM and showed he has some small bike skills with 2nd overall 125 PRO. But he had his hands full as the hardest working man in the FOX RACING J DAY OFF ROAD Championship and heavy crowd favorite Jason Connell hauled the mail all the way up from way dead last to third in the 1st moto and, with a better start in the 2nd go round, he treated his local fan club to a tremendous 3rd overall. The Peoples Champ and 5 time J Day Pro 125 champ Kyle Hangos scored 4th overall on the day.

In this same Moto are several classes including the Women’s Pro class where multi-time champ Savanah Kipp won the race and the championship again on the Community Off Road Sherco. Second on the day and in the championship was the New York speedster Marina Cancro who has a very bright future in our sport. Great to see Eden Netelkos back on the bike and 3rd today at Southwick. 6th on the day and 3rd in the title fight was Haley Bourdon. Andrew Enman made the trek from PA worth it with another A JR win and the season championship. Second for the day and in the championship was Shane Czelazewicz. After missing the second half of the season Jacob Pacheco came back strong for 3rd on the day with Peter Shaw still recovering from injury 7th today and 3rd in the championship on an MB Plus KTM. Matt Quinn scored the win in B 250 and 3rd in year end points with class champ Jacob Cady coming in 2nd overall. Dan Denmairis on his Bikers Edge entry would score 3rd at round 13 to secure 2nd for the year. B Open overall winner was also the 2021 champ on a Kawasaki as Bruce Carvalho who was followed home by Dylan Tremblay on the MB Plus KTM and Nicolas Higham on the 777 KTM. Matt Webb sealed his championship in B 200 with his 6th overall win of the year. Chris Bussolari claimed second in the title fight at Southwick with Patrick Callahan running back to back motos and coming home 3rd overall in both classes.

The 3rd largest rider turnout of 2021, with 872 riders, the racing was top notch and the huge crowd was buzzing with excitement for the stacked PRO Class race that featured 31 of the fastest hombres in the Northeast. All the New England states were represented in this fast field as well as New York and Pennsylvania. Both the newly crowned 2021 GNCC XC1 and XC2 Grand National Champions were in the house as well as the National Enduro title hopeful who has a real chance at the finale next week. Put that all together with a championship battle separated by a few measley points and you’ve got a pressure cooker that was about to blow off.

2018 FOX RACING J DAY OFF ROAD Champ Kyle Hangos on his Plaistow Powersports/ Federal Hill Home Theaters Yamaha ripped another classic Holeshot as he has so many times before to grab $100 from Precision OffRoad Racing but it wasn’t long before points leader Robbie Marshall passed him for the lead and tried to sprint away. His main threat for the title Simon Johnson on the Trail Jesters mount was mired in the back of the pack due to his bad start but true to form the relentless Vermonster put his head down and passed riders by the handful at times and made it back up to 5th by motos end to try to stay in the hunt. Marshall’s lead was short lived as the hometown hero Johnny Girroir, who was just crowned champ in the GNCC XC2 class, was rolling like a freight train and would not be stopped as he continued to build his lead throughout the race to win by a convincing 25 seconds over the brand new 2021 GNCC XC1 Champion Ben Kelley. His teammate Josh Toth would head straight down to the line from his 125 PRO win on the same Steve O sponsored 125 KTM and bring it home in 3rd. Robbie Marshall would keep his dream alive to capture a title 7 years after his first with a 4th place finish. Justin Cokinos brought it home in 6th and former series Vice champion Bubz Tasha returned from a serious injury to claim 7th. Hangos, Aaron Zielfelder and Cole Daniel rounded out the top ten.

Andrew Acton threw the last FOX FLAG DROP of the 2021 season and Nate Smith on a POR/MHR Husqvarna rocketed to the STS MOTORSPORTS GRAPHICS $100 Holeshot. Smith would relinquish his lead quickly to Marshall and again he set sail and run a torrid pace. The only rider to match that pace in the second moto was the XC1 Champ Kelley on his 450 Factory KTM and he would pull out all the stops as he was a man on a mission and that was the first place prize money. The crafty veteran Marshall did not battle straight up with Kelley but instead bided his time closely in 2nd as they enjoyed a very close race. As they crested the hill to start the final lap 1 second separated the 2 KTM riders, one on the newest most state of the art Factory machine and the other on a freshly built Gardner Racing 7 year old XC 300. I called out “White Flag Fever “ and the crowd went wild for Marshall and then Kelley as they knew as well as I do that Robbie is always game for a last lap battle and hungry for a win. In the end it wasn’t meant to be as Marshall made a couple self admitted costly mistakes pushing too hard and decided that winning a long sought after championship was more important than beating the National Champ on this day. The trusty 2014 XC 300 made it’s way to the finish in second and first in the championship. You see it knew it’s way to the top of the ultimate prize as it had been there 7 years before and did not let Robbie down. The celebration is still going on now I am sure.

Ben Kelley would relish in the victory before a huge hometown crowd. Marshall would stand on the 2nd step of the podium with his new Number One Championship Red Plate and Josh Toth would ride the wheels off Steve O’s 125 to claim the final podium spot. Jason Connell would delight the home crowd with a 4th in moto 2 and 6th overall.  Brandon Gregoire would round out the top 5 in moto 2. Simon Johnson was hurt again in moto 2 and his championship hopes were all but dashed when his bike wouldn’t fire quick enough. He did press on regardless as he always does to finish 6th in the moto and 4th overall today but more importantly he is the 2021 FOX RACING J DAY OFF ROAD Vice Champion and should be so very proud that he was the man who kept Robbie Marshall on his toes throughout this season. I know I am proud of him for never giving up and coming back from tough starts all season to some of his best finishes to date. 5th overall on the LOUD Fuel Company / Hutch Motorsports Husqvarna was Bubz Tasha. Rounding out the top ten overall were Hangos, Gregoire, Zielfelder and Williams. The most improved rider in the PRO class this year has to be Alex Higley on the Bullit Racing / MB Plus mount who was 24th overall at round 1 and 11th overall at round 13 with a couple top ten finishes near seasons end.

The championship was awarded to Marshall with Johnson second, 2020 champ Tegan Temple third, Nick Casey fourth, Kyle Hangos fifth, Cody Williams sixth, Nate Smith seventh, Cole Daniel 8th, Brendan Riordan 9th and Jason Connell 10th.

What a wonderful year of racing and thank you to VFORCE by Moto Tassinari for making this Race Report possible. We look forward to doing it again in 2022 and we really appreciate the racers for their competitiveness, sportsmanship and support of the FOX RACING J DAY OFF ROAD Championship.

Looking forward to seeing you all in 2022 and until then this is JJ saying see you at the next J DAY !

SOONER SMOOTHER STRONGER POWER@WWW.MOTOTASSINARI.COM