Articles - Race Reports

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This weeks first article has to be dedicated to the extremely stacked and talented field in the Pro-Am classes at the 10th round of the MDRA Series at the great facility in western Pa. PVR. We saw racers from TX. and all over the east cost as well. Most are gearing up for next weeks finally Lucas Oil Pro National at Steel City. And what better place to get fine tuned than the Pro-Am race at PVR?. Both the 250 and 450 A classes were all but full gates. With almost 69 entries between the two. And with no doubt, the best of the best made there way to the PVR facility to show off their skills and get all the points, cash and contingency they surely earned  on this day. If you missed this race, you missed one great race that had the entire pits gather to watch all four motos. The motos were dropped off a bit to just 15 minutes, last years were 20, but it did not made difference on this day for the win at least. Though from second on back, was anyone's game? Guys Like Shuckhart, Schmelyun, Cook, Toth, Ritter, Durham, and more all had a spell in that spot but none of them had anything for the #27 ride of Lowell Spangler. Some others Like Michael McDade and Dustin Kendall seemed to have great speed, but never started at the front to square up with the #27 bike. And when they worked to the front, the #27 and others were checked out. But some great rides were put in all day. Like that of AMS/VPE rider Broc Schmelyun #21 got a horrible start and was even down at one point to mount a 30th to 5th ride. At that point Broc may have been the fastest man on the track, but you won't win these classes starting 30th or falling down. Really great rides, by many great kids. Here's some shots of the action at the MDRA/ Pro-Am race from PVR.

Dylan Slusser is getting a little pre-race tuning before his 15 minute moto starts. The Cernic's/MSR Pro Action rider made the leap to the A classes in 2009. And while he had some good rides, he was inconsistent on the KXF machine. Dylan's got some talent and speed. But making the move to the A class you quickly find out, it's not all fun and games no more. These cats are serious, in shape, and ready to do what it takes to make it to the next level. Is Dylan? I think he will be just fine in time.

This race marked the return of Fly/Twigg's/919 pro rider Dustin Kendall. I helped Dustin out a bit way back in April when he took a wicked spill at Tomahawk MX's MDRA race with an end result of a broken femur! That would take most people out for the entire year. Dustin's a bit rusty and not in the shape he says he wants to be in. But Dustin put in some solid, no crash, no thrills rides. He rode smart, consistent, and with in his abilities just yet. And was firmly in the top 10 both motos. Nice start back Dustin.

The #27 Team Green rider Lowell Spangler was untouchable on this day. Even with heavy competition, Lowell proved why he is one of the best we have here in D-6 and nationally! Lowell is one of the few guys that can start at the back, and make his way, not just to the front of the pack, but back to the point position in almost any case. This day he did both. He grabbed the lead early in the first 250A race and was almost 20 seconds out, over Shuckhart's #41 Tom Clark's RM250 by moto's end. He came from mid pack to the lead as well this day. And here he eye's up the X machine of national rider Ben Ritter, usually #395. Lowell's 1-1-1 is just proof, he is on top of his game and if anyone wants to dethrone him. You'll have to work a little bit harder.

Here is a shot of some fast guys, just doing all they can to make it to the front ASAP!. There is no time to waste  when the field is stacked this deep. The leaders get away very quick if your not Bubba-esk on lap one. Here we have Slusser #56, Schmelyun #21, and Sidle's#15 all chasing OH.'s Nicholas Hardacre's #785 in the 250 A class. All three would get around the OH. native but running in this class was as tough as it can get locally.

Here is another Lucas Oil National rider #434 Michael McDade showing his skills at the PVR Pro-Am race. While a 4th in moto one of the 250A class was great ride put in. He was not able to finish it up in moto two were he ended with a DNF. Michael was one rider I was hoping would get off the gate with the #27 machine of Spangler. McDade looked to have the speed and talent to give Lowell  a run. But even with a sub par start here or there, Lowell put his head down and left even McDade behind.

This is how close it was 5 laps into the moto. Ritter, Toth and Schmelyun locked up in a tight a battle for about 5th spot.  And a very respectable 5th spot!! None of these racers here are slow by any means. And Toth and Schmeylun are young up and comers with lots of time and room to grow. Ritter is the veteran rider here, with past national and arena cross history. And the speed he runs, no wonder why?.

These concrete gates have many in a love/hate relationship. You better have 3 things?! A brush for one, and someone to run it, and a plan! Some heat the tire, which just kills it in no time?! Some use a fine a line of clutch and throttle and seem do just fine with it. And other use a higher gear and lug the bike off the concrete and the clutch it. Here we have a one of the women's best riders in Kelsey Green getting Levi Garrett Toth's pad ready to launch. Levi did pretty well all day, what's Kels cut out of those wins and top 5's for the help? (lol) Kelsey could be back on a bike in October if all go's right. I did stay for the 250A top 10. 450's will fallow ASAP. All great rides by fast guys, nice work.

The Pro-Am races were all great! Loads of talent and some really greats rides put in like Lowell's two overalls. Broc's  ride up to the top five after falling. The PVR track looked rough and and rutted. It is changed up a bit since last year. Jeff Cernic has done some great work all over the facility and it really does show. With parking and the track changes. That I think  will be better for sure. But it is a another track that would benefit greatly with hey bails out in practice. Making the multi-line changes needed. Some areas maybe one lined that should not be. You have to give the props to Lowell Spangler who never makes excuses nor needs too. He is always at the front by motos end. Lowell's LL's trip did not reflect his true speed. Wilson was top dog down south, but after that Lowell was capable.

I will be doing a regular MDRA update ASAP. I thought the Pro-Am race was deep and so good it deserved it's own page. All the guys in the top 10 had to ride great just to get in the top this week.  A pleasure to just watch!

250A

1        Spangler   1-1-1

2      Shuckhart  2-3-2

3     Schmelyun 5-2-3

4        G. Toth    4-5-4

5    S. Durham  3-8-5

6         Ritter     7-6-6

7         Phillips    6-7-7

8         Cook    8-10-8

9        Millican   10-9-9

10       Tedder 12-14-10