May 19, 2012

Thunder in the sand summer 2008

April 25, 2012 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under 2008, 2012, Archives, Features, Race Reports

Flashback Photo…Matt Boni 2008

October 21, 2011 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

Unadilla 2008

Photo by Scott Lukaitis

Matt Boni

Matt Boni

Filed Under 2008, Features, Flashback, New York, Photos Tagged With Matt Boni

Flashback Photo…Ryan Dungey 2008

October 14, 2011 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

Flashback photo Ryan Dungey 2008

Photo by Scott Lukaitis

Ryan Dungey 2008

Ryan Dungey 2008

Filed Under 2008, Features, Flashback, New York, Photos Tagged With Ryan Dungey

Photo of the Week…Josh Hill

August 6, 2011 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

Josh Hill Unadilla 2008

Josh Hill

Photo by Scott Lukaitis

Filed Under 2008, Features, Photo of the Week, Photos Tagged With josh hill

Flashback Photo 2008…Kevin Rogers

June 24, 2011 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

Kevin Rogers 2008

Kevin Rogers 2008-Image courtesy Lukaitis Photo

Filed Under 2008, 2011, Photos, Raceway News Flashback Tagged With kevin rogers

Loretta Lynns Qualifier 2008

May 12, 2011 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

Old Bridge Township’s Raceway Park
Drake Dominates Area Qualifier
By Scott Lukaitis/ Photo by Lukaitisphoto.com
ENGLISHTOWN, NJ, APR 12-13

 

The second annual Loretta Lynn’s area qualifier took place at Old Bridge Township’s Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey this past weekend. Torrential rains on Friday night gave way to foggy conditions as the first day of racing got under way. The fog would eventually burn off giving way to bright sunshine and temperatures in the upper 70′s making for a great day of racing. The hard rain left the loamy track rutted and difficult for all those in attendance hoping for an invitation to the Regional Qualifiers and eventually on to the big show, the AMA Amateur National Championships this August in Tennessee. Sunday’s weather was much different as a cold front pushed in dropping the temperatures and increasing the cloud cover. The predicted rains held off allowing for another great day of racing action.

Sunny Drake

Sunny DRake

Domination was the word for the weekend, as several riders went on to win all of the motos they entered.

At just 16 years old, Fulton New York Honda mounted Sunny Drake was the dominant “B” class rider of the weekend. Drake won every moto he entered, taking the victories in the Motocross and Motocross Lites stock and modified classes. Despite a dead last start in one moto, Drake showed he will be the man to beat at this year’s Regional winning in dominant fashion. Drake’s come from behind victory was especially impressive due to the level of competition competing. His time at MTF must be paying off.

Dominick Gustella

Dominick Guestella

Another dominant rider this weekend was Suzuki rider Dominick Guastella. Matching Drake’s “B” class victories, Guastella dominated the “C” class riders, taking control of each of his motos as well winning the Motocross and Motocross Lites Stock and Modified classes.

Dakota Kessler

Saturday’s racing witnessed local rider Dakota Kessler dominate the A class action taking all four of his moto victories. Dakota’s dad, Mickey, was a well known pro rider back in the 70′s and Dakota seems to be following in his Dad’s footsteps. The young Honda mounted Kessler put on a riding clinic, showing the competitive Expert field the way around his home track. While on Sunday Kessler was again a top contender. In the second MX Lites A/Pro Sport class, Kawasaki rider Paul Lamb got the best of him. Lamb got an early lead and held off the moto long charge, taking the slim victory over Kessler and eliminating Kessler’s perfect weekend.

Suzuki support rider Darian Robinson was the winner of the 85 (9-11) stock and modified classes by winning all 4 of his weekend’s motos.

Good luck to all those moving on to the regionals.

Filed Under 2008, Time Machine Tagged With dakota kessler, sunny drake

Time Machine…Unadilla 2008

April 14, 2011 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

AMA Toyota Motocross Championship presented by FMF
Unadilla, New Berlin, NY
Round 8 of 12 – July 20th, 2008

Unadilla Race Report
Words and Photos by Scott Lukaitis

When the AMA national tour rolled into the farms of Upstate New York there was one thing on everyone’s minds. Can anyone stop the Kawasaki duo of Ryan Villopoto and James Stewart. Villopto has won all but one moto this season in MX Lites competition whereas James Stewart has been perfect in Motocross competition.

James Stewart

James Stewart photo by Scott Lukaitis

The track staff at Unadilla prepared a challenging course for the riders including softer loam and somewhat less rocky conditions and even mixed it up with a new giant tabletop section and a relocated finish line. This time the riders would fly out of the famous “Gravity Cavity” towards the checkered flag.

 

Saturday’s qualifying took place under sunny skies and humid conditions to set the 40 man gates in both championship classes. Saturday’s sun gave way to rain in the evening but as Sunday dawned grey the track conditions were shaping up to be excellent.

Under sunny skies, MX Lites moto number one saw the Makita/ Rockstar/ Suzuki of Ryan Dungey out front with MDK/ KTM rider Martin Davalos, Monster Energy/ Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto and the rest of the 40 rider field in tow. Villopoto would waste no time getting out front and start to check out on the field. Dungey tucked in behind the leading Kawasaki and the 2 riders would start to gap the field. Joining Davalos in giving chase was the Geico Powersports Honda of Josh Grant and BBRMX’s Kyle Cunningham. Davalos would be the first to drop out as mechanical woes halted the KTM riders charge. This left Grant and Cunningham to do battle. Nearing the end of the moto, with Villopoto and Dungey gone, Grant and Cunnigham’s battle would be joined by Grant’s teammate Trey Canard, Villopoto’s teammate Brett Metcalfe, and MDK/ KTM’s Matt Goerke all joining the battle royale. Villopoto would take the moto win followed by Dungey and Josh Hill held on to win the battle for third.

Ryan Villopoto

Ryan Villopoto photo by Scott Lukaitis

MX Lites Moto One Results:

1. Ryan Villopoto (KAW)
2. Ryan Dungey (SUZ)
3. Josh Grant (HON)
4. Kyle Cunningham (HON)
5. Trey Canard (HON)
6. Brett Metcalfe (KAW)
7. Matt Goerke (KTM)
8. Nico Izzi (SUZ)
9. Jake Weimer (HON)
10. Jake Moss (YAM)

In the first Motocross class moto Monster Energy Kawasaki rider James Stewart grabbed the holeshot and it wall all over for the rest of the field. The race would be for second. Rockstar/ Makita Suzuki rider Michael Bryne settled into second and would run there the entire moto. The battle fo third between Yamaha rider Josh Hill and Red Bull Honda’s Andrew Short would last until a bobble by Hill would allow Short some breathing room. That breath would be short lived as Stewart’s Kawasaki teammate Timmy Ferry worked his way into a position to challenge Short for the final step on the podium. Stewart went on for the win, with Byrne in second and Ferry got around Short to round out the podium.

James Stewart

James Stewart photo by Scott Lukaitis

 

 

Motocross Moto One Results:

1. James Stewart (KAW)
2. Michael Byrne (SUZ)
3. Tim Ferry (KAW)
4. Andrew Short (HON)
5. Cody Cooper (SUZ)
6. Joshua Hill (YAM)
7. Sean Hamblin (YAM)
8. Antonio Balbi (HON)
9. Chris Blose (HON)
10. Nick Wey (KTM)

Jumping out with the holeshot in MX Lites moto number two was the Motorsport Outlet Kawasaki of Tommy Hahn. Villopoto and Dungey would be quickly by Hahn and set off to battle on their own. First with Dungey leading then with Villopoto out fronty until the Red flag was waving putting a stop to the moto. In what may have been the first of it’s kind, in AMA professional motocross racing, a race was stopped due to the dangerous lightning in the immediate area. All of the riders went back to their respective pits and after a short “rain delay” the gate was loaded again. Since the race was less than 1/2 completed the entire moto would be restart. This time it was Dungey out front and attempting to run away. But lady luck was not on Dungey’s side as he went down trying to avoid a lapped rider. This was all that Villopoto needed as the Kawasaki rider motored on. Even the high winds and driving rain that whipped up late in the moto couldn’t stop the defending national champion. Dungey would hold on for second and Martin Davalos made up for his first moto DNF to round out the top step of the podium.

Photo by Scott Lukaitis

Photo by Scott Lukaitis

 

 

MX Lites Moto Two Results:

1. Ryan Villopoto (KAW)
2. Ryan Dungey (SUZ)
3. Martin Davalos (KTM)
4. Brett Metcalfe (KAW)
5. Nico Izzi (SUZ)
6. Ryan Sipes (KTM)
7. Thomas Hahn (KAW)
8. Jake Moss (YAM)
9. Matt Goerke (KTM)
10. Kyle Chisholm (KAW)

MX Lites Overall Results:

1. Ryan Villopoto 1-1
2. Ryan Dungey 2-2
3. Brett Metcalfe 6-4
4. Nico Izzi 8-5
5. Josh Grant 3-12
6. Matt Goerke 7-9
7. Jake Moss 10-8
8. Trey Canard 5-13
9. Ryan Sipes 13-6
10. Martin Davalos 29-3

With the rain from the lites moto not letting up and more coming the second motocross class moto blasted off the line. This time it was the Suzuki City/ Rockstar Energy Suzuki of New Zealand’s Cody Cooper out front of the mud covered field. With Stewart out front Cooper was turning in consistantly quicker lap times than the race leader and he was starting to close the gap. Then Stewart went down. This might have been the break that Cooper needed to stop the streak. But Stewart was back up quickly and although Cooper closed the gap he never really challenged the series points leader. Stewart went on to grab the victory and break his “Unadilla Curse”. Cooper held on for second place and fellow Suzuki rider Michael Bryne survived the worsening conditions to take the final podium spot.

Cody Cooper

Cody Cooper photo by Scott Lukaitis

 

 

Motocross Moto Two Results:

1. James Stewart (KAW)
2. Cody Cooper (SUZ)
3. Michael Byrne (SUZ)
4. Antonio Balbi (HON)
5. Matt Boni (HON)
6. Tim Ferry (KAW)
7. Sean Hamblin (YAM)
8. Jack Carpenter (HON)
9. Jacob Morrison (KAW)
10. Jimmy Albertson (HON)

Motocross Overall Results:
1. James Stewart 1-1
2. Michael Byrne 2-3
3. Cody Cooper 5-2
4. Tim Ferry 3-6
5. Antonio Balbi 8-4
6. Sean Hamblin 7-7
7. Andrew Short 4-14
8. Matt Boni 14-5
9. Jimmy Albertson 12-10
10. Nick Wey 10-12

After 8 rounds of racing Ryan Villopoto holds a comfortable 109 point lead over Dungey in his quest for a third consecutive MX Lites National Title and in Motocross class racing Stewart’s perfect 400 point score puts him 120 points ahead of teammate Timmy Ferry in his chace for the #1 plate.

As another year closes on Unadilla it looks like not even “Mother Nature” can stop the guys on Green.

Filed Under 2008, 2011, Race Reports Tagged With unadilla

Results Flashback 10/19/08

March 17, 2011 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

Raceway Park
10/19/2008
125 2 Stroke: 1. Britton Feulner (Hon); 2. Adam Scicchitano (Suz); 3. Hunter Stempel (Suz); 4. Jacob Hartranft (Yam); 5. Justin Francisco (Hon);

25+ Amateur “B”: 1. Victor Palmieri (Hon); 2. Ryan Golding (Hon); 3. Ed Graham (Suz); 4. Richard Jacobs (Kaw); 5. Ethan Waybright (Hon);

25+ Expert “A”: 1. Barry Carsten (Suz); 2. Jeremy Cook (Hon); 3. Jason Harper (Suz); 4. Robert Quinn (Yam); 5. Daniel Grimm (Suz);

25+ Novice “C”: 1. Steven Jose (Yam); 2. Wellington Souza (Suz); 3. Emiliano Penazzi (Kaw); 4. Mike Fumia (Yam); 5. Kevin Mcnichol (Yam);

250 Amatuer “B”: 1. Nick Desiderio (Suz); 2. Sal Calamita (Hon); 3. Frank Lettieri (Suz); 4. Seth Rarick (Ktm); 5. Kyle Sidle (Suz);

250 Novice “C”: 1. Christopher Duymich (Hon); 2. Gavin Keblish (Hon); 3. Jake Scott (Hon); 4. Frank Robie (Suz); 5. Michael Nuzzo (Kaw);

250 Pro/Expert “A”: 1. Dakota Kessler (Hon); 2. John Dowd (Suz); 3. James Decotis (Suz); 4. Ronnie Stewart (Suz); 5. Michael Stryker (Suz);

30+ Amateur “B”: 1. Victor Palmieri (Hon); 2. Richard Pataky (Kaw); 3. Ethan Waybright (Hon); 4. Ed Graham (Suz); 5. Marcello Vasquez (Hon);

30+ Novice “C”: 1. James Pizzo (Kaw); 2. Benji Dalton (Kaw); 3. Steven Jose (Yam); 4. Emiliano Penazzi (Kaw); 5. Jim Smith (Yam);

30+ Vet Expert “A”: 1. John Dowd (Suz); 2. Barry Carsten (Suz); 3. Larry Harper (Suz); 4. Brian Smith (Kaw); 5. Ken Blackwell (Hon);

40+ Senior Amateur “B”: 1. Chris Traina (Yam); 2. Paul Capparelli (Hon); 3. Michael Lewis (Hon); 4. John Thompson (Hon); 5. Marc Ondy (Suz);

40+ Senior Expert “A”: 1. Barry Carsten (Suz); 2. Jerry Seip (Hon); 3. Victor Schepisi (Hon); 4. Chris Prenderville (Suz); 5. Ken Blackwell (Hon);

40+ Senior Novice “C”: 1. James Pizzo (Kaw); 2. John Beers (Hon); 3. Marvin Suydam (Hon); 4. Jim Smith (Yam); 5. Antonio Calvo (Kaw);

45+: 1. Jerry Seip (Hon); 2. Joseph Fritz (Hon); 3. Edward Olsen (Hon); 4. Chris Suydam (Hon); 5. Robert Chayka (Yam);

50cc 4-6 Stock: 1. Bryton Carroll (Oth); 2. Danny Congdon (Cob); 3. Jordan Jarvis (Cob); 4. Colin Paciga (Oth); 5. Kyle Savvas (Cob);
50cc 4-8 Oil?auto/Shifter: 1. Ryder Fox (Ktm); 2. Jordan Jarvis (Cob); 3. Danny Congdon (Cob); 4. Lawrence Fellippello (Ktm); 5. Ayden Nyland (Ktm);

50cc 7-8 Stock: 1. David Milana (Cob); 2. Tyler Kozik (Oth); 3. George Doherty (Cob); 4. Devin Kusmider (Ktm); 5. Zachary Butkiewicz (Cob);

65cc 10-11: 1. Justin Cooper (Ktm); 2. Andrew Maroney (Ktm); 3. Miguel Correia (Suz); 4. Schae Thomas (Kaw); 5. Joseph Galbraith (Ktm);

65cc 7-9: 1. Brandon Hartranft (Ktm); 2. David Milana (Cob); 3. Joe Tait (Oth); 4. Sean Gillies (Ktm); 5. Justin Tompkins (Ktm);

85cc 12-15: 1. Keith Pierce (Suz); 2. Brett Cooper (Yam); 3. Michael Pettit (Suz); 4. Jacob Hartranft (Yam); 5. Kevin Hicks Jr (Suz);

85cc 12-16 (Super Mini): 1. Jesse Pierce (Suz); 2. Michael Pettit (Suz); 3. Keith Pierce (Suz); 4. Jason Chavez (Hon); 5. Christopher Dasilva (Hon);

85cc 9-11: 1. Jared Jennings (Kaw); 2. Luke Palonicola (Kaw); 3. Justin Cooper (Ktm); 4. Wilson Fleming (Ktm); 5. Vincent Murphy (Kaw);

85cc 9-13 (Jr Mini): 1. Luke Palonicola (Kaw); 2. Jared Jennings (Kaw); 3. Brandon Hartranft (Ktm); 4. Vincent Murphy (Kaw); 5. Tyler Betsch (Suz);

College Boy (14-24 years): 1. Anthony Roth (Hon); 2. Michael Sowa (Kaw); 3. Tyler Wozney (Suz); 4. Kevin Hudson (Hon); 5. Kevin Rogers (Yam);

Open Amateur “B”: 1. Frank Lettieri (Suz); 2. Nick Desiderio (Suz); 3. Seth Rarick (Ktm); 4. Tyler Wozney (Suz); 5. Tyler Golding (Hon);

Open Expert “A”: 1. John Dowd (Suz); 2. James Decotis (Suz); 3. Adam Blessing (Hon); 4. Dakota Kessler (Hon); 5. Ronnie Stewart (Suz);

Open Novice “C”: 1. Christopher Duymich (Hon); 2. Jake Scott (Hon); 3. Gavin Keblish (Hon); 4. Lee Wallace (Hon); 5. Patrick Desantis (Suz);

Schoolboy (12-16 years) 2-str: 1. Aaron Lampi (Suz); 2. Tyler Loud (Yam); 3. Hunter Stempel (Suz); 4. Brad Williams (Yam); 5. Adam Scicchitano (Suz);

SChoolboy (14-16 years) 4-str: 1. Nick Desiderio (Suz); 2. Sal Calamita (Hon); 3. Frank Lettieri (Suz); 4. Dominick Guastella (Suz); 5. Kyle Sidle (Suz);

Women (12+up): 1. Samantha Fritz (Hon); 2. Sonia Williams (Hon); 3. Rachel Engdahl (Suz); 4. Gabrielle Paradise (Kaw); 5. Bree Young (Hon);

Filed Under 2008, 2011, Results Tagged With Results

Results Flashback RPMX peewee pitbike 7/12/08

March 10, 2011 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

Raceway Park

07/12/2008

12-15 12″ Open Midsize (PB): 1. Tj Scelzo (Kaw); 2. Garrett Schwippert (Yam); 3. Evan Barnikow (Cob); 4. Brian Ruggierio (Hon); 5. Jason Chavez (Oth);

16+ 10″ Mod (max 90cc) (PB): 1. Morgan Holbrook (Hon);

16+ 10″ Open (PB): 1. Eric Jennings (Oth); 2. Mike Bergholz (Hon); 3. Frank Burger (Hon); 4. Justin Hrusovsky (Hon); 5. Ken Oborne (Oth);

16+ 12″ Open Midsize (PB): 1. Jason Mcbride (Oth); 2. Jt Milne (Hon); 3. Eric Jennings (Oth); 4. Anthony Mazziotto Jr (Oth); 5. Joe Tierno (Pit);

16+ 12″ Stock Midsize (PB): 1. Anthony Mazziotto Jr (Oth); 2. John Kelly (Suz); 3. Joe Tierno (Pit); 4. Michael Amato (Oth); 5. Dakota Kessler (Kaw);

16+ 14/16″ Open (PB): 1. Kevin Nadler (Hon); 2. John Kelly (Suz); 3. Christopher Clayton (Hon); 4. Jt Milne (Hon);

4-6 50 Oil Injected (PW): 1. Ayden Nyland (Ktm); 2. Deegan Harper (Ktm); 3. Dominic Amilcare (Suz);

4-6 50 Stock (PW): 1. Bryton Carroll (Oth); 2. Ayden Nyland (Ktm); 3. Jake Szigeti (Oth); 4. Dominic Amilcare (Suz);

4-6 XR/CRF/TTR 50 (PW): 1. Brandon Paasch (Hon);

4-8 50cc Class (QUAD): 1. Brandon Grace (Oth); Jake Szigeti (Oth); 3. Brittney Szigeti (Oth); 4. Jamie Astudillo (Oth); 5. Daniel Linke (Oth);

4-8 OPEN 50cc (any 50cc bike): 1. Bryton Carroll (Oth); 2. Jorge Liberio (Cob); 3. Trent Masterson (Ktm); 4. Ryan Trevelise (Ktm); 5. Jamis Perrotta (Ktm);

6-11 70cc Class (QUAD): 1. Brandon Grace (Oth); 2. Joseph Cavaliere (Oth); 3. Jamie Astudillo (Oth); 4. Dale Raven (Oth); 5. Andrew Jacobs (Suz);

7-11 12″ Open Midsize (PB): 1. Clayton Cusson (Kaw); 2. Anthony Mazziotto (Oth); 3. Gavin West (Hon); 4. Jake Mckenna (Hon);

7-15 14/16″ Open (PB): 1. Tyler Schmidt (Hon); 2. Anthony Neglia (Yam); 3. Brian Ruggierio (Hon); 4. James Koukoulas (Hon); 5. Robert Smith (Hon);

7-8 50 Oil Injected (PW): 1. Trent Masterson (Ktm); 2. Giavanna Harper (Oth); 3. Dante Vitale (Suz);

7-8 50 Stock (PW): 1. Ryan Trevelise (Ktm); 2. Trent Masterson (Ktm); 3. Joseph Mancini (Oth); 4. Jorge Liberio (Cob); 5. Frank Cilano (Ktm);

7-8 XR/CRF/TTR 50 (PW): 1. Joseph Mancini (Oth); 2. Tyler Carr (Hon); 3. Kevin Peer (Yam); 4. Anthony Mazziotto (Oth); 5. Troy Milne (Ktm);

8-15 90cc Class (QUAD): 1. Travis Wotring (Oth); 2. Ryan Perkowski (Hon); 3. Chrissy Geiger (Oth); 4. Eric Greene (Oth); 5. Justin Barnikow (Cob);

9-15 10″ Mod (Max 90cc) (PB): 1. Tj Scelzo (Kaw); 2. Dan Geiger (Hon); 3. Cody Mcmanns (Hon);

Filed Under 2008, 2011, Results Tagged With Results

Then and Now…Davi Millsaps

March 5, 2011 By Scott Lukaitis Leave a Comment

Then and now, Davi Millsaps

2006

2011

Filed Under 2008, 2011, Photos Tagged With davi millsaps
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