VFORCE RACE REPORT – HEMOND’S 1
BROUGHT TO YOU BY MOTO TASSINARI
MOTO TASSINARI IS THE PREMIER MANUFACTURER OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCING REED VALVES
DIVERSE DAY DOESN’T DETER CANNING
The first Moto of Round 8 of the FOX Racing J DAY Off Road Championship was run in what looked like dry conditions on the MX track but once you stepped into the woods you saw a semblance of a trail that was devastated by 7 inches of rain in 4 days and what looked like rivers running through the trees and seat deep mud with ruts that went on for miles….. and that my friends was as good as the conditions would get for the double day weekend that would serve as rounds 8 and 9. The second motos on the day would run in a deluge of water that fell from the sky and by late Saturday evening would total almost 3 more inches of rain. Chris Canning on the Factory Connection / MotorBikes Plus GAS GAS came into the weekend in the points lead and got a good start then made a move into the lead early and lead all 5 laps to take the checkered flag with an 8 second margin over a very determined Gavin Simon on the Edelman’s Sales Husqvarna who had a solid weekend and continues to keep his eye on the prize, the Overall FOX Racing J DAY Off Road Championship. Brandon Gregoire took the Factory Connection / LBR Racing Yamaha to third , while Bubz Tasha battled all moto with all the top guys to bring the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC / Loud Fuel Co KTM home in 4th and former National MX Champion Zach Osborne on the AM PRO Yamaha rounded out the top 5. In 6th was reigning J Day Champ Simon Johnson on the Plaistow PowerSports / AM PRO Yamaha , Seventh went to Cody Williams on the Bulit Racing / Factory Connection / MotorBikes Plus KTM, Eighth was Tyler Palmer from North Carolina on a POR Husqvarna, ninth went to Nick Casey on the MHR KTM and filling out the top ten was Nate Smith on the MHR / FXR Husqvarna.
Moto 2 started in straight down pouring rain that would take the bark off a tree and as the PRO Class slid through the first turn the top mudslinger was Gavin Simon pulling the Holeshot and lead the first lap on the Edelman’s Husky but he would succumb to the deplorable conditions and finish 5th in the moto but would be good enough for third overall and keep his Championship hopes very much alive. Canning would grab the lead on lap 2 and sail away for the win with a 17 second advantage at the line and the Overall victory over Brandon Gregoire who would go 3-2 for Second Overall. Simon Johnson would put up a good fight and climb through the pack for third in the moto and fifth overall and Bubz Tasha would be consistent going 4-4 for Fourth Overall. Cody Williams went 7-7 for 6th overall, Brayden Nolette took his V3 Kawi to 14-6 scores to claim 7th Overall, JD Mele now on a Yamaha took 8th Overall, Kyle Russo was 9th and Van Gosselin was 10th overall on a Ronnie’s Cycle KTM.
…..And now for the rest of the story
The woods sections were so difficult that most 30 minute motos were running almost one hour to finish the moto completely but the 40 minute Kenda Pee Wee Challenge went far above that as the small wheeled bikes had riders working overtime just to stay on the bike never mind complete a lap. Every rider got stuck several times a lap and unstuck from the helpful crowd and the running joke on the Red Bull Podium was “ How Many Times Did You Get Stuck “ to complete their moto. The rider who did not get stuck was Tucker Aldrich as he claimed the Senior class and the Overall win. Jaikan Johnson and Destry Tucker joined him on the podium. Ryder Minor won the Squirt division, Nathan Salgado took the Bantam class, Ryder Cyr conquered the Trail Rider class and Sophia Teixeira beat the Girls yet again.
Super Mini win went to Ryan Amancio as he continues to dominate two classes including A Junior in 2023. Mini A went to DJ Leblanc, Mini B was won by Bodie Preece, Mini C winner was Luke Trask and the Girls class went to Addie Harris who continues to dominate this class as well as Womens Amateur.
C Class Overall win went to Porter Breton followed by Max Rivera and Joe Werner.
Womens Pro class win went to Ruby Fustini who some of us forget is still only 15 years old and already has a J DAY Title that she is defending in this class.
Addie Harris took the Womens Amateur win, Frank Messina joined the J DAY tour again and beat the Super Seniors, the Masters class win went to Greg Urquhart, C Vet winner was Leandro Cardoso and C Senior saw a first time winner in my buddy Carlos Marquez.
PRO 125 winner was Gavin Simon on the Edelman’s Husqvarna followed by Tyler Palmer and Brandon Gregoire. Junior A winner Ryan Amancio is flying out there this year and actually finished 3rd Overall against the finest PRO riders in the Northeast.
B Overall winner Peter Shaw looks solid in his return from injury and finished 7th Overall on the day.
Senior A winner Will Hopkins looked strong on his Plaistow PowerSports Yamaha while Junior B winner Jiggs Fustini took the Trail Jesters KTM to the Overall class win against all comers. B Vet winner was Mark Gervais and B Senior was won by Elias Roberto.
Great racing always prevails in the PRO moto involving the A classes and Matt Obuchon took A Vet, Van Gosselin A 250, Kyle Russo A Open and Mike Adinolfi A 200.
Great racing under horrible conditions and great efforts from the Hemond’s crew and the J DAY wrecking crew to keep the track changing and the racing moving when the skies opened and starting dumping on us.
Until tomorrow this is JJ saying “ See You at the Next J DAY “