Hofmaster and Six hold off the "New Guy". 

Megacross Shootout Series Kicks off 2010 season.............    

April 10, 2010

Rain and a touch of Snow on Thursday prior to the kick off of the 2010 Megacross season is becoming almost "normal''.  The start of this season kicks off the 19th at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Mendota, IL. The riders were excited to be actually seeing each other, hanging out and discussing the long winter, as the event has become as much a social event as a racing event.

Many things change, Megacross hasn't all that much, but the riders the true hero's of the racing circuit have all developed, matured and found adversaries to deal with, all on a little over a minute lap time track Saturday nights all summer long.  The A classes were pretty stacked with the normal fast guys like Hofmaster, Poulter, Zont, Whitney, Kelly, Six and they were there to welcome some new comers.  Max & Colin, have made that so important jump to the cream of the crop in the "Amateur" ranks.  Max, made the most impression this night.  Holeshotting the Open A class on his bright green KX, leading Hofmaster around for a few laps.  NOT so awful long ago, Ken is dad was sprinting around the Megacross track behind Max on his Cobra.  Rumor has it that his gymnastics teacher wasn't so impressed with Max this day as he may very well be back to a "one" sport kid again..............when are high school coaches ever going to understand they don't have a prayer when it comes to ultimatums and racing.  Racing always wins.  Max Malatia (17) is this riders whole name, and well we just know him as Max.  So after a few laps leading the Open A class Tommy Hofmaster (110) took an inside line and the 30 something year old wiley veteran wasn't to be denied this nights win.  We are sure Tommy remembers back in 1998 when he turned to the A class, and made a pretty similar splash on the racing scene........  How history always repeats it's self.   Ryan Poulter (27) sporting a new KTM 250 smoker wasn't going to let this "new guy" in the class off so easy and made the pass for 2nd.  

Scott Zont (923) and John Six had some pretty

 impressive rides in the 250 A class tonight. John holeshotted and was quickly attacked by the relentless Hofmaster's Yamaha poking his wheel inside at every opportunity.  Tommy tried putting that smoker under time and time again only to have Six's 4 stroke tractor out of the turns giving absolutely no advantage away. Scotty Zont wasn't to be left out of the fray. Staying on the heels of the front runners he put in one of the best rides in a long time on the Megacross track.  Poulter coming from a less then stellar start was picking through the pack and getting close to Zont.  Tommy on lap 5 pushes through another inside line only this time the 'push" was to much and down he goes.  Six is gone. Zont and Poulter swap spots, and now it's Ryan's turn to real in Six.  The 7 lap main wasn't long enough, who knows as Jonathon's laps seem to be quite consistent, Tommy remounts and charges to put a last corner pass on Zont, only to be countered and have to repass again to make it stick.  "A" class is the show, and if this season's opener is any prequel to the rest of the year, we all will sit in awe and enjoy the show.

Some other notable performances of the night.  Robbie Hyson (4) moves into the 125cc class, and front runners Matt Mellot and Tyler Knowlton from last year likely were a little surprised to see Robbie check out.  Robbie looks pretty good on that full sized yamaha.....

Alex Nagy and Logan Skaggs did a little bit of thier own "schooling" in the Supermini class. Nagy seemed to have little trouble putting away the class, Skaggs rode hard for a well earned 2nd.  Robbie Hyson took third.

Jordan Mackiewicz (19) has always been in the hunt in Supermini class and tonight was no exception. Joey Fortune (95) one of last years Iron man competitors  wasn't to be excluded either.  The thing that many SX riders may not know is that Joey is a very efficient off road racer.  After bangin out laps on the Megacross track Saturday night, the family loads up and takes the trip to Keithsburg, IL for one of the "ugliest" sand tracks you can race in Hare Scrambles.  The Sunday after tonight's race,  Joey won his class in the deep sand. Nothing like a warm up race the night before!  

Travis Wilkinson (199) hole shotting the 50cc 4-8 class and Radko Tomko rides hard for a second.  16 riders in the class made for some great racing. The little guys have a good time and the moms and dads try to keep track so they stay heading the right way. Cooper Bayliff, Anthony Grasson, and Micah Alleman rounded out the top 5 in that order.

Jason Wehrli topped the 4-Wheel A class with 12 entries, they fill up the race course fast. Action was intense as Kyle Hall and Justin Medine (129) held off a hard charging John Biddle for 4th. Hall took the 2nd with Medine third, and Biddle and Beetz 4th and 5th respectfully. 

 Ok for a little perspective..............

Many don't realize or likely take for granted the starting gate, ok so this is a race story but just seeing this one photo, and realizing that when those two guys in PA decided to build the "even break" starting gate, how many really knew the impact it would have over thirty years of racing.  Now unless you have "mastered" the art of jumping the gate like J-Law, the gate is a pretty simple idea, turned into an almost fool proof way for 'fair' starts.  It doesn't give any advantage, it don't care how many strokes you use, but it will drop you to last in a nano second if you think you can "beat it".  So much for that analogy.  One doesn't have to worry about the rubber band smacking them in the face or winding up around your front axle........

Racing was smooth and the night went off with out a glitch, well the one pole light decided to quit around 9pm, it was at least a light that wasn't crucial to continuing the race program.  Looking forward to a great season of racing and good competition at the Megacross events!