Markwardt, Mackiewicz, Sexton  conquer Megacross Opener.

4-30-11

 by trackman Photos by Brett and Danielle.  Results Here

Megacross finally squeaked a race off to start the it's19th season.  Just under 300 riders took that chance on the weather and headed out  to see what kind of changes were made.  Most liked the changes and improvements to the track.   One thing that didn't change, racing intensity....... 

The A classes were a little thin but not in talent. Kevin Markwardt and Tom Hofmaster (110)kept each other running hard til the late laps of the 250 Main when Tom folded over his front tire and crashed hard.  They battled most of the night and Kevin was making pass attempts at about every corner.  Tom ended up going to get checked out and was done for the night. Kevin won both the Open A and 250 A races this evening.  Brian White took second and Chad Johnson third.

Jordan Mackiewicz (19) on his RCR Kawasaki  was on fire this night.  Winning 85 Sr, and Super Mini he was railing.  In the 85 sr Brian Krohn (9) did his best to keep Jordan honest and rode very well taking the second. Troy Mead, Sam Shamie duked it out for 3rd and 4th.  Jimmy Epifanio rounded out the top 5.

Super Mini seen the same repeat performance as Jordan seemed to be in mid-season form. Kyle Nelson did his best to compete but fell short to second place.  Brian Krohn coming off an injury last year has found his speed and did a great job filling the last place on the podium.  Sam Shamie (445) kept rolling "4's" this evening and took home fourth place yet again.  Jimmy Epifanio took the 5th position in this class as well.

Chase Sexton (486) was another one of the multiple class winners of the evening.  85Jr and 85cc 9-13 gave this Yamaha rider a show case for his abilities.  Chase (3rd place 65cc at last years Loretta Lynn's AMA National championship) has moved to the 85cc machines and is doing quite well as he travels to many races and gets set up for this years championship run.  Seth Beutke and Noah Taylor did battle for the second position in 85Jr class with Seth taking the nod.  Shawn Thompson moved up this year also to the 85cc class and seems to be pretty comfortable with the bigger machine.  Tyler Evensen revisited Megacross this year and rode well to finish 5th.

Women's class was the old guard and new guard.  April Roper (15) rode a complete night for the win, but Kayla Miller on her big bike made that night real interesting.  April has been pretty dominant over the last few years and Kayla is the girl that races and rides all the time.  Kayla last year rode a 100cc machine and was being out horse powered on every straight.  This night she dogged April lap after lap.  In the end April kept the win in tact, but one can see that Kayla is hungry and will make April and the rest of the ladies recognize her abilities.  Kim Chandler (20) was doing her best, but that rain dance never materialized!  See Kim likes the mud and well it showed last season her Hare Scramble skills with the many mud races that were run. Tonight she has some trouble in the corners keeping the speed up and staying smooth, but she to will give April and Kayla competition as the season progresses.  Alyssa Haling took advantage of the dual & race battle between Danielle Wilkinson (74) and Ashley Burke, she ended up 4th with Danielle 5th and Ashley Burke 6th.

Other notable wins this night was Jeff Eversen in the 30+B/C class. Jason Kloptowsky winning the 30A class.  Justin Kelly winning the 25+ class. 

How about that 50cc 4-8 class 13 riders running a good pace for many their first time racing. Radko Tomko (163) returned to win the class this year and he had Both steering stem nuts this time!  Dad finally must have got one in! Hunter Gudyka, Kevin Huddleston and Brett Aimone had a great battle to the checkers.  It was Brett's first race at Megacross and he did really well. Local rider Luke Jackson (454) took home the 5th and was riding his cobra on the edge!

Megacross is racing next the 28th of May.  Great way to start off the Holiday weekend with a crisp, evening of racing at the Tri-County Fairgrounds.  Thumper class is running this race and a new "motojunkies" grudge match at Megacross will happen this night.  Bunch of old slow and not so slow guys duking it out for bragging rights on their post board.  Megacross is only a race track.  No one practices on the track ever, it's a great evening of well organized racing with big A class purses and unique amateur class awards.  Don't forget Iron Man......it's the ultimate series to see who is the most diverse and talented rider in different types of racing.............