A Look Back at the Amateur Motocross Scene in 2006
By Matt Wozney
OK, 2006 is about to go into the history books. So, what happened in 2006 in amateur mototocross?
Here is part 1 in a series of “revvviews” in which will focus on each district or riding organization that I have been closely following in 2006.
District 34
(Walden, Ace, Diamondback, Claverack, South Woods)
The Metropolitan Sports Committee/AMA District 34 Series wrapped up another great year of racing. But was also surrounded with controversy through pretty much the whole year. South Woods almost fell into track extinction in the beginning of the year but with the hard work of the South Woods club and the Holiday Mountain Ski Area, an agreement was made and South Woods was back to normal with it’s huge sandy uphills and washed out sections. Walden Motocross club president Jack Stroupe was no longer president of the club as Mr. Janiero took over the Walden track. The quad racing debate went up a notch in 2006 but recently, Diamondback has decided to keep the quads at their facility. But most recently is how every District 34 track, except Walden, has pulled out of the AMA and thus, being under MSC’s wing for 2007. Enough politics. Let’s see what racers from D34 really had a great year.
-District 34′s next big name rider looks to be Honda’s own Justin Barcia. “The Frog” took home a title at Loretta Lynn’s and pretty much top 5′s in all his classes at all the amateur national races. Barcia is also Honda’s poster boy for the new CRF150 and has already been seen in Honda’s CRF150 commercial televised around the nation. With some races under his belt on the 125cc machine, expect him to tear up the Schoolboy class very soon and also on the new CRF150s in the 85cc 14-15 classes. Each year has been bigger and better for Justin. His positive and fun attitude off the track makes him a fan favorite like he is. But his 110% focus on the track is just as greater.
-Phil Nicoletti had a bad year in 2005 with injuries and not making it to LL. In 2006, he made the jump to the A class and instantly, he was topping the Northeast’s top pro racers like Barry Carsten, Casey Clark and many others. Like Barcia, Nicoletti shows a great positive attitude off the track but whew, get him on a CRF250 or 450 and watch in awe as he does a section like no one has ever done. With podium finishes at LL in the A class and lately, been making visits to California testing with Honda, Nicoletti definately has a future on the pro level. He is destined to have a ride under a rig. Rumors have been out that he has been talking with the Amsoil/Factory Connection team this year. But we all know he is definately capable to be on that level.
-The B Classes always have a cornicorpia of talent every year. This year saw lots of the racers pointing out very quickly to the A class near the middle of the year. One of those racers was Robby Johnson. Robby has been around D34 for awhile as a few years ago, he was one of the top D34 mini racers out there until he took a year break. He wasn’t noticed right away but his speed was never lost. Robby came back to the B class on his CRF250 and pointed out really quick to the A class and at the end of the year, he finished with a couple of wins. Kyle Wills made his 1st year on the 125cc machines a really impressive one. After looking like bigfoot on his KTM 85 last year, Kyle finally got aboard an 125cc machine and definately showed the speed he was capable of handling. Kyle was another racer from D34 who made their way to the Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch in early August.
-The Pro talent coming out of D34 was better shown this year. Jay Weller qualified for 42 rider field numerous times in 2006. Coming off all “super-sized” in 2005, Jay went down to Florida to train with Bill Hussey and thus, has been on a fitness craze and shed over 20 pounds this past winter. Jay also got a Wonder Warthog Racing nod for getting the most improved privateer award this year at one of the rounds of the national series. Jay came back stronger, more fit, and ready to make his way on to the pro scene. Ron Rothkranz got his feet wet into the pro scene this year at Southwick, Unadilla, and other nationals on the east coast. He’s another racer working his way up through the pro ranks. Davey Sterritt, known for his amazing AX skills, had a great year in AX. A number of trips to the main event each night made Davey’s AX season that much more better. Once the outdoors started up, Davey gave it all he had and showed tons of effort. But for the 06-07 AX season, it has came to be a rocky start for Davey as he injured himself bad at his track testing for AX. He has already missed a number of rounds but hopes to get healed up quick and back into an arena near you! Mike Stryker keeps on staying with Suzuki and he definately showed a lot of speed on his Cernic’s/Fox Racing RM machines. Keeping the 2 stroke faith alive, Stryker rode his RM125 to the max all over the track and owned the Schoolboy class in every D34 race. In the A classes, Stryker finished very well on his under-powered machine against “those 4 strokers”. Mike also made the treck to Loretta’s in the Schoolboy classes in 2006. Mike Leavitt didn’t quite have a year he was expecting. His top moments came out of the pit bike racing scene and was a Thumpstar factory rider for some time before they closed their doors. After his mother passing away last year, Mike has been trying to get his life back in his favorite rut, thanks to his new motocross school he has started up. He has been working closely with riders that include Alex Gillespie and Ben Rio. He continues to finish on the podium at Transworld’s Masters of Mini pit bike racing series events lately.
-The mini racers were topped with lots of taltent in D34. In the 50cc class, Jared Jennings already has himself a ride through Cobra and has also competed in numerous amateur nationals. He took top honors at Branson in mid October this year plus with some awesome rides at Loretta’s. Keep an eye on this kid. He could be the next Justin Barcia years down the road. Josh Lambert, Jerry Rutledge, and Dylan Kolb have also turned it up a notch this year locally. These three riders were very consistent throughout the D34 season and showed lots of speed this year! In the 65cc class, Kevin Tompkins definately upped it up a few gears on his KTM 65. Adding a D34 title for 2006 in the 10-11 class and the 85cc 7-11 class, Kevin has impressed me this year on his speed. He is also going higher by launching some obstacles that the other 65cc competitiors aren’t even attempting. Scott Carpenter, both on his 65 and 85, had a great year as well. Making the trip to Loretta’s in 85cc 7-11 and also the Amateur AX World Finals in Vegas, “Lil Carp” is looking very fast and even though he’s a small dude, he can still tear it up quicker than anyone in his class. In the 85cc classes, Jason Brooks looked like the only racer to get somewhat close to the unreal speed of Justin Barcia in 2006. His quick speed was definately an eye opener at the local D34 races this year. Luke Renzland is another name making its way around. Luke made another trip to the double L this year and finishing a solid 6th place overall finish. Luke and his trainer have been working very close lately and the hard work is definately showing in his riding. The Janiero Racing crew of Dominick Guastella, Frank Robie, and Joey Janiero looked very quick again in 2006. This crew was topping the Senior and Super Mini classes all year in D34. Also, Chris Mowery is another racer stepping it up in 2006. He is in the top 10 locally and has been riding a lot and a lot and looks more focused on his riding for next year. Shane Veach was consistent as well in 2006 in D34 and showed a much more faster pace this year.
-Now for the ladies. D34′s Women’s class has grown significantly in the past 10 years. But in 2006, Haley Burke had another awesome year in the Women’s class. With multiple wins in D34 and a spot on the gate at Loretta’s this year, Haley has used her Gary Bailey training to her advantage and has definately improved her speed in 2006. Showing more dominance this year was Marissa Markelon. Her amazing focus and speed on the track keeps adding time on the stopwatch back to second each race. Like Haley, Marissa was also battling with the top 42 racers in the nation at Loretta Lynn’s this year. Keep your eye on Marissa in years to come. She has a definate shot at the gate of a WMA Pro National in the near future. Samantha Fritz had a great year as well. With numerous trips to the 250 C class and battling with an all-dude field, Samantha has broaden her racing experience into different classes to get an edge on the Women’s class. With her family running the show at Hurricane Hills now, Samantha gets unlimited track time now and is pretty much the fastest female at Hurricane Hills!
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned to part 2 of the 2006 Year in Revvvview!
(Note: If I’m forgetting someone obvious, shoot me an email at wozwickhg@yahoo.com!)