BATTLE IN THE DESERT

CORONA, CA (May 19, 2018)

Round 2 of the AMA Supermoto Championship headed to the desert of Tucson, Arizona to race the .78 mile Musselman Honda Circuit. The circuit is a rider favorite boasting high speed straights and a lengthy off-road section. Temperatures were only slightly uncomfortable in the low 90’s, but it was the wind that proved a challenge by the end of the weekend.

The ADVSupermoto Youth Series returned to the track with Christian Knox taking the win. Christian traveled all the way from Wallace, California to take his first win in the series. Christian may be a mere 8 years old but his race career began with flat track at the wee age of 3. Young Knox took the overall win on a 2005 Honda CR85 he received from former GNC2 flat track champion Mikey Martin.

In the Amateur National class it was Ryder Smyth Racing team owner Joe Agley grabbing the hole shot in Moto 1. Agley was only able to hold his lead for so long before being passed by Jake Wilson. As Wilson stalled entering the off-road, this allowed 805 Supermoto’s Parker Pitman and Mad Cow Racing’s Kevin Wehr to squeeze by. Wehr would make his way to the front and go on to take the moto win. Wehr was followed by Jacob Wilson for second and Max Lassiter for third.

Moto 2 it was points leader Kevin Wehr with the hole shot and giving him an early lead over Team Lassiter racer Max Lassiter. Wehr and Lassiter battled for the first 5 laps with Max gaining ground each lap in the off-road section. But on the 5th lap, however, the wind caused Lassiter to jump at an undesirable angle; his foot hit the ground first, before going down completely at the re-entry point of the asphalt. Lassiter ultimately suffered a fractured tibia and fibula bringing out the red flag and ending the moto. Mad-Cow Racing’s Kevin Wehr took the overall win extending his points lead, Jacob Wilson and Hadley Melton rounded out the podium in the Amateur National class.

The Pro LItes class was a great show to watch at the first round of AMA Supermoto in Idaho and that trend continued in the desert. Tausan Racing’s Brady Tausan earned his first pole position of the season ahead of visiting Austrian racer, and the only female competitor in the field, Laura Hollbacher. In Moto 1 it was Tausan getting the hole shot over Payne, Hollbacher and points leader Austin Pecoraro. Racing was wheel to wheel on lap 1 exiting the off-road section before Pecoraro tucked the front hard on the asphalt bringing out a red flag. Pecoraro would slowly remount and join the field. On the restart it was Last Minute Racing defending Pro Lites Champion Christian Payne with the early lead over Hollbacher and Pecoraro with a blistering start from the back row. They would go on to finish Moto 1 in that order: Payne, Hollbacher and Percoraro.

In Moto 2 it was Austria’s Laura Hollbacher with the hole shot over Payne and Tausan. Hollbacher would lead nearly half the 15-minute moto before eventually being passed in the off-road section by Payne. Tausan would also make his way around Hollbacher only to suffer a flat rear tire with less than 5 minutes remaining. Payne went on to win the moto and overall going 1-1 followed by Laura Hollbacher. Flat track regular and Supermoto newcomer Hunter Brooks would grab his first podium finish of the season in 3rd.

The Open Pro class hosted yet another international rider from Austria, brother of Pro Lites racer Laura, Lukas Hollbacher. Hollbacher would immediately show his speed by qualifying 1.6 seconds faster than the field. In Moto 1 it would be Hollbacher taking the hole shot, gaining an early lead over 4 time AMA Supermoto Champion Gage McAllister and American Flat Track singles competitor Shane Narbonne. The field was wheel to wheel entering the off-road section and subsequently this is where Hollbacher shined; Hollbacher pulled a several bike length lead in the dirt before returning to the asphalt. Hollabacher would go on to win by some 16 seconds over McAllister. Narbonne, Reimer and Pearce round out the top 5.

In Moto 2 it was again Hollbacher grabbing the hole shot over McAllister. A repeat of Moto 1 would ensue with Hollbacher taking the overall win. Ryder Smyth Racing’s Gage McAllister and Shane Narbonne round out the podium. McAllister extended his points lead in the Open Pro class over Bakersfield’s Bronson Pearce and Tri-County Powersports rider Nick Reimer.

The series continues with in Austin, Texas for a double header round at the Republic of Texas Rally on June 7-8.

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About DRT Racing

DRT Racing was formed by the Mock brothers in 2014. Fueled by their passion for motorcycles, they bridged the gap between industry brands and riders worldwide. After years of hard work and dedication to the sport, DRT Racing established themselves as the promoter for the AMA Supermoto National Championship Series. DRT Racing will put supermoto in the spotlight worldwide with the new 3 year National Supermoto sanctioning with the AMA. The series crowns both professional and amateur champions and features four classes: the Pro Open class, the Pro Lites class, the Amateur National class and the new Kids program. For more information about the AMA Supermoto National Championship Series, follow IG: @drtracinginc or visit www.amasupermotonational.com or www.drtracinginc.com 

About Supermoto

Supermoto originated in the U.S. in the late 70s as a made-for-TV “Superbikers” show. Supermoto is a cross-discipline event in which road racers, dirt-trackers and motocrossers compete on a unique track that combines pavement and dirt, resulting in a very competitive race track. The races feature jumps, high speeds and back-it-in sliding. Tracks can range from football stadiums to closed-course streets to parking lots and more.