Weird… Tacky but slick, monster whoops and mother nature. Oakland’s ingredients for unpredictable racing.
Weird… Tacky but slick, monster whoops and mother nature. Oakland’s ingredients for unpredictable racing.
Photos by: James Lissimore
Words by: Kevin Husted
SX Class
What a change of pace.
Two slick tracks out of four and James Stewart is the guy who steadily keeps it on two wheels to bring home the wins. A couple pretty good diggers in practice taught him all he needed to know about the evenings necessary throttle application. Nice and steady, the new Bubba?!?
Finally Reedy gets himself a good start, something he can work with anyway, and puts in a solid twenty laps. Twenty FULL laps which paid off with a spot on the second tier of the podium. Things are about to get even more interesting.
How in the world, at this level of professional motorsports racing, could anyone be thinking anything while rounding the last corner other than WIDE EFFING OPEN?? You noticed Dungey, landing from the finish line in LA while leading Stewart, looking over his shoulder to check Stewarts line so he could square off and thwart Stewies pass attempt. That’s an example of an advisable glance back; not the final corner of the race. Protect the inside and pin it. I was stupefied by the move. It was perfect in one situation only and that would include Round 17, Reed trailing Villopoto by 1 point for the title and Dungey and Reed to be team mates. Ridiculous.
RV had a rough night. A couple spills all but forced him to reassess his plans for the night, cash in fourth place points and look toward next week like Matthes looks at a bear claw.
Just as anticipated Metty filed away last weeks progress and built on it with a strong 5th in Oakland
Trey had a rough night with a terrible start in the main and considering the odd tacky/slick conditions, a last to 6th place charge is really damn good. It was real close to being 5th but that Metty sure is persistent.
SX Lites Class
We all knew it was coming. I’m glad Broc got his first win but even happier he asserted himself for it. As I said last week, Broc pretty much stole 2nd place from himself with his failed pass attempt on Tomac; this week that wasn’t gonna happen. In his heat he and Mo had a good little battle and Broc backed that up with more well timed, definitive, passes in the main to take and extend the lead. Is there a new sheriff in town or is this just further proof that Broc is the man when conditions get a touch “easterly”? Next week at A2 will Be a tangent point where I believe the series may be ultimately decided.
Hanny did the best he could which was pretty damn good for a southern California kid in the mud. If there were ever a question of Mitch’s influence let it be answered. In one off season Mitch has turned Hanny from a silly-crash prone, quick-to-pull-off excuse maker; to a fighting, resilient and consistent finisher. Wow.
Tomac-Attack. Just as expected, learning fast, gaining confidence and being consistent. Its how they grow ’em in Colorado(Hanny was just a slow learner).
Ken Rocz is a quick study for sure. Yes he’s still a little crashy but his speed is undeniable and his SX race craft is improving every week. He probably won’t keep it upright long enough to win this season but make no mistake, he IS the future.
We’ve got 12″ of snow forecasted for tomorrow so I’m going back to bed.
