May 19, 2012

Thunder in the sand summer 2008

Thunder Moto
Blessing Cashes in on Wildwood Beach
By Scott Lukaitis / Photo by Lukaitisphoto.com
WILDWOOD NJ, MAY 31ST & JUN 1st

The sounds of the Atlantic Ocean and the thunderous boom of four-stroke engines combine for an event like no other. The Thunder in the Sand promoted by New Jersey Thunder Motorsports took place over the last weekend of May at Wildwood New Jersey.
The unique race is held twice a year once in the spring and once in the fall. Held over a period of two days with one moto in each class held on each day the relaxed events schedule allows for plenty of time to soak up the New Jersey sun. The Mark Hufnagle designed track is built right on the beach in the sand. With no other dirt brought in the shifting sand of the Jersey shore make for a challenging and exciting track for all.
The 250 and 450 “A” classes were the premier classes for the weekend. A large cash payout meant for a profitable weekend for the winner. The first class of the weekend was the 250 class, for up to 250c two and four strokes, Adam Blessing was the class of the field. Riding a borrowed Suzuki RM250 the Fox / Dragon Optical backed rider jumped out to an early lead and never looked back taking the victory. No Fear / Von Zipper backed Dave Ginolfi was second and Yamaha mounted Eric Balawejder was third. The three riders would repeat their moto scores in moto 2 and finish in the same order overall.
The 450 class saw Blessing on his more familiar Honda but the results were much the same. Blessing was again the winner of both motos with Ginolfi second in both motos. In the first moto LDR / Moose backed Chris Chomko put his Honda in third and Kawasaki rider Evan Forosisky in fourth. Those two riders would swap position in moto 2 thus giving Forosisky the final step on the podium.
Chomko was not left off the podium however as he used 1-1 moto scores to take the 25+ Expert class payday. Second behind Chomko was 30+ Expert class winner Brian Carroll and third overall was Honda rider Tristian Huey.
With classes for the youngest to the oldest and all bike sizes a great weekend was had. Even the torrential rain and threat of a tornado on Saturday afternoon didn’t hamper the great weekend. Make your plans now for the fall event held on the weekend of October 10th and 11th. Check out their website at www.thundermoto.com for more information.

RPMX Story 8/12/07

Old Bridge Township’s Raceway Park
Kessler, Rojas Claim E-Town Victories
By Scott Lukaitis Photo by Lukaitis Photo.com
ENGLISHTOWN, NJ AUG 12

The dog days of summer are upon us and motocross is in full swing at Raceway Park. The hot summer days make for a battle of the elements as well as a battle of man and machine. Gone are the days of loamy moist track condition instead they are replaced by hard packed dusty conditions. The Mickey Kessler prepared track held up well despite the 90 degree temperatures and in turn those in attendance were treated to excellent racing in all classes.
The first 125 “Lites” Expert moto saw Fox/ Dragon backed Honda rider Adam Blessing get the early lead over the rest of the field. Trailing Blessing hot on his heels were riders Ronnie Stewart, Mt Holly KTM rider Ryan Gainey, Suzuki mounted Henry Rojas and Goodfellow’s Honda rider Onorino Fascelli. Working through the moto Blessing continued to lead but Kessler was on a roll eventually working past Fascelli and Gainey into third. By motos end it was Blessing with the victory followed by Rojas and Fascelli who got back around Gainey and Kessler for third.
In the second “Lites” moto Kessler grabbed the early lead nailing down the holeshot followed by Stewart and Blessing. Honda mounted Bryan Wallace was catching up to the leading trio and would eventually start knocking on the door of Blessing. Stewart got by Kessler and tried to run away but Kessler would get back by and hold on to the lead until the end taking the victory followed across the line by Stewart and Wallace. Kessler’s 5-1 motos would get him the overall for the day followed by Blessing’s 1-5 and Onorino Fascelli in third 3-4.
The first 250 “Motocross” Expert moto Blessing got the holeshot followed by Kessler and Fascelli with Kessler going by them all on the way up the staircase and into the lead. Just one lap in Stewart worked his way past Blessing and set off to catch Kessler. Stewart got by Kessler and set off to take the moto win. He was followed across the line by Rojas who worked his way through a fast pack of Experts to take second and Kessler held on for third.
The second moto saw Stewart grab the early lead followed by Rojas, Fascelli and Kessler. Stewart began to stretch out his lead as Rojas and Fascelli began to scrap for position. Gainey was in fourth watching the race in front of him unfold. While out front cruising to his second moto win of the day Stewart put his leg down wrong in a corner and had to pull off the track in extreme pain injuring his ankle and could not continue. Rojas was handed the moto win and overall win with his 2-1 motos. Fascelli’s 4-2 netted him second overall and Bryan Wallace’s 5-4 gave him third overall. The next event at Raceway Park will be the 15th annual Vet and Vintage Reunion on September 1st.

LL Qualifier Coverage

More coverage of the Loretta Lynn’s Qualifier at Raceway Park.

Videos from Matt Wozney of MXPTV.

Matt Curiel Helmet Cam

Bobby Piazza Helmet Cam

LL Qualifier Video

Video on Vurb Moto by Ethan Ruff

LL Qualifier Video

Photos by Lukaitis Photos

LL Qualifier Photos

Photos by Jake Buly

LL Qualifier Photos

 

More coverage by MXPTV

Good News for NJ Motocross Racers

Good news for the NJ motocross community. It looks like the Millville track is finally moving forward. Check out this recent newspaper article.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120109/NEWS01/301090013/1006

RPMX Story 3/25/07

Old Bridge Township’s Raceway Park
Zupko Wins One for Dad
By Scott Lukaitis/ Photo by Lukaitisphoto.com
ENGLISHTOWN, NJ, MAR.25

For many, above all, family is the most important thing in someone’s life. There is the biological family and then there are those people who are close enough friends to be considered family. The motocross community is viewed by many to be that type of family. We are a tight knit group of people always ready to reach out and help one of our own. At no time is this more evident than when a sudden death takes one of our family. On March 17th the motocross community lost a great man, Richard Zupko Sr. passed away. Mr Zupko died suddenly of a heart attack to the shock of his family and friends. Mr. Zupko was a great supporter of motocross racing in New Jersey and along with his son Richie they ran Powerline Motocross Park back in the 90’s. He was always there with a smile and a kind word, Mr. Zupko will be greatly missed.


When it came time to pay respect to a lost friend the line stretched out of the funeral parlor and around the block with many waiting for several hours to get in and say their final goodbye.
His son Richie has been a successful racer during his motocross career but the most emotional win of his life came on Sunday March 25th. It came in 30+ Expert class racing. The first moto saw Richie fighting a great battle dicing with Kawasaki rider Darren Edsall and Honda pilot Jerry Seip. He would eventually settle into the lead and go on to take the victory. During half-time in between motos the Raceway Park family took the opportunity to say goodbye to Mr. Zupko. A lap of honor took place in which all the riders and staff lined up on the starting gate and rode around the track single file. Each rider paid a $10 entry fee with all of the money going to the American Heart Association in Mr Zupko’s name. At one point the line stretched almost al the way around the racetrack. It was a fitting way to say goodbye. When Richie took the holeshot at the start of the second 30+ Expert moto everyone knew it would be his for the taking. Despite attempts by Seip and Edsall to keep him in sight the moto and overall win would be Richie’s . With family and close friends nearby celebrating his victory Richie was clearly emotional winning that one for his dad.
Godspeed Rich Zupko Sr.

Time Machine… Raceway Park Supermoto 2007

When the AMA was looking for a Northeast point to take its 2007 National series, Englishtown was the most logical choice. The facility was the perfect venue and their brand new road course would be the site of the inaugural event. But for a Supermoto to be exciting there has to be a dirt section as well. So practice track designer Carl Anderson was called in to create two exciting motocross style jump sections that received rave reviews from the competitors. Since the series is still in its infancy the pits are an open style with no extra ticket required to get up close and personal with the men (and woman) and their machines. The series is contested by all of the major manufacturers and the entry list reads like a who’s who of motorcycle racing. From motocrossers like David Pingree and Jeff Ward, freestylers like Carey Hart, World Gp riders like Kurt Nicoll and the man behind Troy Lee Designs, Troy Lee himself this sport has it all.

Troy Lee Racing

Sunday’s event was lightly attended due to the rain in the forecast for the afternoon but those who came to the race saw excellent competition in all three professional classes.
Hot Wheels Supermoto Lites
Graves Motorsports Yamaha’s Brandon Currie took the class win after taking the pole in his qualifier. He grabbed the early lead running Troy Lee Designs Honda rider wide in the first turn and never looked back. If he did get the chance to see behind him his goggles would have been full of Pingree who kept the Yamaha rider in his sights ready to make the move when Currie would make a mistake. That mistake never came and Currie went on to take the win with Pingree in second and Monster Kawasaki rider Matt Abbott in third.

Brandon Currie

M&R Supermoto Unlimited
Factory Aprilia Rip It Energy Racing’s Ben Carlson was the class of the Unlimited field taking the advantage from the pole and stretching his lead to a multi second advantage before backing it down to a close race by the end. Factory HMC KTM teammates Kurt Nicoll and Johnny Lewis rounded out the top three.

Ben Carlson

 

AMA Supermoto Premier Class
Although the forecasted rain held off for most of the day, by the time the premier class got started there was a light but steady drizzle coming down. Troy Lee Designs Honda rider Cassidy Anderson grabbed the early lead only to throw it away in the first slippery dirt section. Anderson’s teammate Jeff Ward and Graves Motorsports Yamaha mounted Mark Burkhart showed the rest of the field that this was to be their race eventually pulling out to a 20+ second lead. Ward and Burkhart battled each other tooth and nail as the track conditions deteriorated. Burkhart would go on to take the victory 4+ seconds over Ward with factory KTM rider Troy Herfoss rounding out the podium.

Mark Burkhardt

It looks like Supermoto racing is here to stay in the Northeast. With tight racing and exciting action it appears to be around for awhile. Check it out next time it’s around.

NJ at the Nationals…Southwick Edition

Several NJ based motocrossers raced at the National motocross event this past weekend in Southwick MA. Here’s how they did.

Frankie Lettieri

Frankie Lettieri

Frankie Lettieri-37th fastest in qualifying. 2:02.176 23rd overall with 29-18 moto finishes.

Dakota Kessler

Dakota Kessler

Dakota Kessler- 13th fastest in qualifying. 1:59.423 27th overall with 21-23 moto finishes

Bryan Wallace

Bryan Wallace

Bryan Wallace-24th fastest in qualifying. 2:00.681 29th overall with 31-21 moto finishes

Joey Peters

Joey Peters

Joey Peters-48th fastest in qualifying. 2:02.958

Anthony Roth

Anthony Roth

Anthony Roth-62nd fastest in qualifying. 2:04.542

Onorino Fascelli

Onorino Fascelli

Onorino Fascelli- 66th fastest in qualifying. 2:04.795

Ronnie Stewart

Ronnie Stewart

Ronnie Stewart- 68th fastest in qualifying. 2:05.136

Chris Duymich

Chris Duymich

Chris Duymich-81st fastest in qualifying. 2:10.376

 

NJ at the Nationals…Unadilla Edition

Several NJ based racers made the trek to New Berlin NY for the Unadilla MX National. Here’s how they did.

Photos by Scott Lukaitis www.lukaitisphoto.com

250 class:

Dakota Kessler

Dakota Kessler

Dakota Kessler-

Qualified as 40th fastest in morning qualifiers.(2.18.934)

Finished 30-32 for 35th overall.

Bryan Wallace

Bryan Wallace

Bryan Wallace -

Qualified as 60th fastest in morning qualifiers. (2.21.795)

Frankie Lettieri

Frankie Lettieri

Frankie Lettieri-

Qualified as 64th fastest in morning qualifiers. (2.22.929)

Juan Paul Sanchez

Juan Paul Sanchez

Juan Paul Sanchez-

Qualified as 81st fastest in morning qualifiers.(2.28.867)

450 class:

Joey Peters

Joey Peters

Joey Peters-

Qualified as 41st fastest in morning qualifiers. (2.15.679)

Anthony Roth

Anthony Roth

Anthony Roth-

Qualified as 76th fastest in morning qualifiers. (2.22.330)

Mic Sowa

Mic Sowa

Mic Sowa-

Qualified as 88th fastest in morning qualifiers. (2.35.329)

 

 

 

LLqualifier story 2007

Old Bridge Twp. Raceway Park
Loretta Lynn’s Area Qualifier
A Tale of 2 Days
By Scott Lukaitis/ photo by Lukaitisphoto.com
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. APR 14/15, 2007

Two words say it all. Loretta Lynn’s. The road to the amateur nationals at Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch in August begins many months before. If you want to race against the 42 best riders in your class you must start in March and April and do well in the local area qualifiers from there you go on to the regional and finally the big show.

Adam Blessing

Adam Blessing

One the weekend of April 14th and 15th for the first time in its 32 year history Raceway Park played host to an area qualifier. With the weather forecast for 2 entirely different days riders were going to have to contend with all that nature could throw out them.

Frankie Lettieri

Frankie Lettieri

Saturday’s program went off under sunny skies and cool temperatures but the racing was anything but cool. Several riders make the long trip to New Jersey in search of their National Championship. Dade City Florida Honda rider Oscar Diaz showed impressive speed by finishing fourth in the MX Lites “A” class and winning the Motocross “A” class. Also taking the long trip were the Medaglia brothers Tyler and Jeremy from Ontario Canada. Jeremy won both the Motocross and MX Lites “B” stock classes on his Yamaha while Suzuki mounted Tyler was the winner of the “A” Lites class and the non-qualifying Open A class.

Tyler Megdalia

Tyler Megdalia

Sunday’s weather was the complete opposite. Overnight a powerful Nor’Easter blew in bringing with it torrential rains and winds with gusts up to 50 miles an hour. The storm which encompassed the entire east coast caused widespread flooding and even temporarily closed one of the roads leaving the track. But motocross runs rain or shine and although not all classes had enough to run several classes braved the conditions and ran the moto. Due to the track and weather conditions a one moto format was run and practice was cancelled. Riders were given a hot lap to check the track out before their moto. The track was shortened due to safety concerns and racing was started. One of the best races of the muddy afternoon was the MX Lites “C” Modified in which Kawasaki mounted Zak Klaptosky made a last ditch pass on leader and fellow Kawasaki rider Kyle Thompson to take the victory. Local Suzuki rider Frank Lettieri was a double class winner on Sunday taking the victory in both the Super Mini 12-15 and MX Lites Schoolboy 14-16 class.

Anthony Roth

Anthony Roth

Good luck to all of those riders who made the cut and will go on to the Regional.

Thunder in the Sand Wildwood Photos

Lukaitis Photos from Wildwood’s annual Thunder in the Sand. Photos are available printed in various sizes and styles.

Low-Res downloads for social media sharing are available for only $1.99.

Check them all out at Wildwood Thunder in the Sand Photos

Photos are listed in alphabetical order by rider last name.