Archive for August, 2010
Rally Car competition at X Games 16 was absolute insanity! Some of the pre-race favorites found themselves out of luck and out of the competition. Travis Pastrana made a good decision this year to compete in both Rally and Freestyle competitions. Pastrana’s Subaru never ran well enough for him to be competitive, so at least he was able to achieve gold with his motocross helmets on.
Tanner Foust and his Rockstar Ford Fiesta stole the show in X Games Rally. Tanner Foust won Gold over Silver Medalist Brian Deegan. The confusing configuration of the race course caused many of the competitors to be disqualified for going on to the wrong course. Many others crashed or had mechanical issues. Pastrana, ’09 Gold Medalist Kenny Brack, and Ken Block all had early problems or crashes taking them out of competition. Travis Hanson rolled his Subaru during competition in his quarter final loss to add to the excitement of the night.
In the finals it was Foust and Deegan in a tight race until Deegan was red-flagged for a course violation. Next year we will hope for a better track design as well as better mechanical performance. Many racers including Pastrana tried to get a little extra horsepower out of their vehicles causing reliability problems in the race. Better luck next year X Games.
AMA Flat Track Series headed to Northern California this past weekend for a big show on the old half mile. Calistoga Speedway has been hosting sprint car and midget races since 1937. The speedway is set in the center of town and surrounded by relaxing shops and services. What a great location for a race!
The Calistoga race was the first flat track event in Northern California since 1999 at the Sacramento Mile. The AMA brought its talented group of riders in the Pro Grand National Twins Class for some awesome high speed racing. Steven Bonsey and his Harley Davidson won the event by 1.176 seconds in the 25 lap main event. This was Bonsey’s first win in only 4 starts. Point leader Joe Kopp took 7th in the event that had all leather and no motocross apparel on the riders. At speeds of 100 plus mph, leather sounds much better than breathable fabric of a motocross jersey. Lots of respect for these riders. Next event is in Hagerstown, MD this coming weekend.
The singles race was stopped twice for major crashes. Brad Baker took the win over Jeffery Carver.
X Games 16 best trick competition had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. 3 time X Games Gold Medalist Kyle Loza did not participate in best trick due to a wrist injury.
In the highest of highs Cam Sinclair from Australia completed a successful double back flip to win the Gold. Sinclair had suffered serious injuries 3 years ago attempting this same trick. It was a personal victory for Sinclair as well as a Gold Medal. Sinclair is the only other rider to complete the double back flip in X Games competition besides Travis Pastrana.
Paris Rosen experienced the lowest of lows. Rosen attempted a front flip and failed. Rosen did not get the needed rotation from the start of the trick. However Rosen did not give up and began the rotation late. Rosen landed on his back and the bike landed almost completely on top of him. Rosen then slid another 20ft on his stomach and head. Rosen suffered a number of injuries including a concussion, and lacerated liver. The good news is that Rosen has no permanent damage and was able to move all his extremities. In this kind of crash dirt bike gear and motorcycle body armor can only do so much. We all wish Rosen the best of luck through his recovery.
The Best Whip competition at this year’s X Games was incredible. It was one of those events that you just could not look away from. The exciting format saw 6 riders make continuous rounds for fan votes. Votes were posted by fans through text messages.
Th Gold Medal went to Todd Potter. Potter and many other riders threw their bikes through the air practically backwards and then recovered for the landing. The action was amazing. Jarryd McNeil got the Silver Medal. All riders put on an amazing show. Motocross Helmets were flying through the air and riders put on one of the best shows of the entire X Games.
The Step Up competition at the X Games eliminated the competition quickly. Riders Matt Buyten and Ronnie Renner were the only 2 riders that could keep up the quickly rising bar.
Matt Buyten and his very colorful dirt bike gear won the competition and a gold medal at a height of 33.6 feet. Matt was the only rider to get over the bar at this height. Buyten completed the jump on his third attempt. Renner and Buyten were the only two riders to attempt 33.6. Both riders failed to make the jump on their first 2 attempts. Since both riders failed, the competition went to a single elimination round. If both riders had missed again at 33.6 feet, the bar would have actually been lowered to determine a winner. However Buyten was able to clear 33.6 and Renner failed.
Buyten took the Gold and Renner the Silver. This is an amazing competition and a must see event for all motocross fans.
Los Angeles was hopping this weekend with a number of off road competitions for action sports athletes. Although the action is about to wrap up, there is much to cover.
Please check out offroadaccessoryreview. com for updates on all events including Friday’s Step Up and Saturday’s Freestyle MX.
Travis Pastrana chose to throw his motocross boots in the mix for Freestyle and Speed and Style competitions while still running Rally and Super Rally. Look for updates on all Motorsports Competition results from the X Games.