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July 13th 2008 Barnegat New Jersey
Over 300 racers show-up for round #4 of the
Atlantic Grand Prix series and GNCC fast guy Thomas Wright Wins thr Quad race and ISDE Gold Medalist Wally Palmer Wins the Bike Race!
Photos by Chris Bohnyak cbohnyak@aol.com
Barnegat NJ- July 13 2008 Round 4 of the Atlantic Grand Prix series was a race weekend to remember. Race organizer Dale Freitas spent a good part of the last month securing the required permits to pull the July 13th event off, There were town council meetings, meetings with the fire company and meetings with the New Jersey Pineland Commission, there were also slew of newspaper interviews and the logistics of coordinating everything including getting permission to use the property as well as all the important stuff like, trophies, sponsors, insurance as well as laying out the course and making everything come together so that the riders would have another high quality AGP event.
Starting Wednesday the AGP trail bosses had the big tractors out preparing the course. Trail workers had the monumental task of putting in thousands of PVC course markers so that miles of Moose Racing ribbon and Moose Racing markers cold be put up so riders stayed on the course. When asked Saturday evening how things were going.. On of the the trail bosses said “I think we have every spot covered and no one should wonder off this course!”
Come Sunday morning the day of the race, the sky was clear with temps in the low 70s. Race time temps were expected to be close to 90 degrees with no rain expected. Soil conditions were again dry and the open areas had the potential of becoming dusty. The Pinewood Estates Volunteer fire company did there best at hosing down the main road, parking area, scoring area and starting area.
The morning Peewee event started at 8:45 and ran for 30 minutes. Winning that PeeWee Minicycle event was 50-110EL (10-12) racer Austin Higbee out of Ceaderville NJ followed by Kolin Rutan in second. In the 50-110EL (10-12) class we had Cortney Abrams in 1st followed by Karly Morgan in 2nd and Lea Concepcion in 3rd. Winning the 50-110EL (10-12) class was Austin Higbee out of Ceaderville NJ followed by Kolin Rutan in second. In the 50-110EL (10-12) class we had Cortney Abrams in 1st, followed by Karly Morgan in 2nd and Lea Concepcion in 3rd. Winning the Quad event in the 70cc (6-11) class was Aj Garreffi out of Woodbine, NJ followed by Lea Concepcion out of Toms River, NJ. In the Quad 50cc Stock you had Julian Coffing out of Toms River, NJ taking 1st.
The next race was the Youth Minicycle race which started at 10:00am and that race was a 60 minute event. Those racing that event included AGP and GNCC regulars like Gregory Schneider, Dylan Frey, Ethan Walter, Henry Ferreira and Hunter Lucas. Close to 30 future AGP champions showed up for that race and many of the parents were seen going over last minute race strategy with their kids just prior to the green flag dropping. With a wave of the green flag the racers were off and quickly position himself as the race leader was Gregory Schneider, running second was Dylan Frey and in third Steve Hodgson JR. In Super Mini 12-13 you had Ethan Walter, and Hunter Lucas as the dust settled down after the start the racers began their long 60 minute battle on the 5 mile course. A few racers dropped out early due to mechanical issues but as the race wore on the five leaders positioned themselves for victory and when the checker flag came out the first to the scoring barrel was Gregory Schneider, 2nd was Dylan Frey followed by Ethan Walter, Henry Ferreira, Hunter Lucas and Steve Hodgson JR.
The next race was the Youth Quad race which started at 11:00 am and that race was a 45 minute event. Those racing that event included AGP and GNCC regulars like Nicholas Majors, Brian Thorson, Dennis Baker, Andrew Thorson and Adam Yaple Close to 20 future AGP champions showed up for that race and many of the parents were seen going over last minute race strategy with their kids just prior to the green flag dropping. With a wave of the green flag the racers were off and quickly position himself as the race leader was Nicholas Majors on a Hendrick racing Cobra 65, running second out of Levittown PA was Brian Thorson on a Honda TRX90 and in third Dennis Baker also on a Hendrick Racing Honda TRX90 , Andrew Thorson and Adam Yaple were right in there and as the dust settled down after the start the racers began their long 45 minute battle with the 5 mile course. A few racers dropped out early due to mechanical issues but as the race wore on the five leaders positioned themselves for victory and when the checker flag came out the race leader was Nicholas Majors followed by Brian Thorson, Dennis Baker, Andrew Thorson and Adam Yaple.
The Adult Bike race was another great race with many of the regions fastest riders. Those making the trek to Barnegat were GNCC and ISDE Gold Medalist Wally Palmer and Pro Motocrosser GNCC Pro Racer Joel Dengler, Vet Pro Motocrosser and part of Raceway Park’s Mafia James Kapiton also showed up to defend his last AGP victory, Racing Pro for his first time at an AGP event was Atco New Jersey’s racer Joey Mangioin, In A-Open you had David Szymansky, Eric Lund and Kennth Randall vying for a top 10 overall position. Throw in up and coming riders like Dakota Letsinger and Erig Edar and anything is possible.
Race organizer Dale Freitas started the pre race run-down on the starting line thanking all those that made the event possible and they included Can-Am ATVs, Moose Racing, Husqvarna Motorcycles, Mt Holly Yamaha Honda, Surf & Turf Powersports, Mt Holly Kawasaki Suzuki, Trick Racing, Cycle World of Cherry Hill, Montgomeryville Cycle Center, East Hanover Honda Yamaha, Hamilton Yamaha, Southern Ocean Cycle Center, Central Jersey Husqvarna Cycles, ProPilot Suspension, Suffolk Redi Mix, Silvi Group, Shoreline Materials, New Jersey Off-Highway Vehicle Association, Trapanis Motorcycle Supply, Moto X Support and North American Warhorse. Also thanked in a big way was the township of Barnegat, the Pinewood Estates Volunteer Fire Company, the Barnegat Volunteer Fire Company and the Barnegat Emergency Squad all of who this event was done for as a fund raiser for.
At about the one hour and 25 minute mark the checker flag came out and the race win went to Wally Palmer who held on to the lead for all five laps of the race. 2nd overall went to Joel Dengler who hadn’t been on a bike in 5 month. In 3rd overall was to David Szymansky and in 4th overall you had Dakota Letsinger. Eric Eder grabbed 5th overall and Joey Mangioin snagging 6th overall.
The Adult Quad race was another great spectacle with many of the regions fastest AGP and GNCC regulars. Those making the trek to Barnegat were Rob Hurtz, Ralph Johnson, Steven Stracka, Sean Neidlinger, Tom Wright, Tom Hartman, Rob Houghkirk and Howard Cawley. In the A class you had Woman’s GNCC racer Stephanie Verkade who was racing today in the Junior A class along with James Eaton another up and coming GNCC star from New Jersey. Other notable A racers included Clementon New Jersey’s Steve Newcomb and Forrest Hill Maryland’s James Wilson as well as AGP resident jokester Lou Russo who said he had a score to settle with the AGP promoter. Lining up behind the Pros were another 100 or so Quads all chomping at the bit to be the first one into the first corner of the 1 hour and 30 minute event.
Dale Freitas then gave a final race rundown on what to expect out on the revised 7 mile course. From the expression on many of the riders faces you could see the uneasiness as they knew it was going to be another challenging AGP event with the best rider winning their respected classes. As the starter moved to the start hill the first row of riders all stood up and placed their right foot on their kick starters. The 10 second warning was giving and within seconds the roar of the first wave of big 4 strokes came to life and the race was on.
At about the one hour and 34 minute mark the checker flag came out and the race win went to Tom Wright who held on to the lead for all six laps of the race. 2nd overall went to Sean Neidlinger. In 3rd overall was to Steve Stracka and in 4th overall you had James Eaton. Steve Newcomb grabbed 5th overall and James Wilson out of Forest Hills Maryland snagging 6th overall.
Pro rider payouts for both Quads and Motorcycles was great as always at AGP events. 1st Pro won $300, 2nd Pro won $200 and 3rd Pro won $100. A-class riders also did real well with each A-class rider nabbing $100 for a class win $75 for 2nd and $50 for third. All A, B and C class payouts were based on the AMA formula of 1 payout for every 3 riders in class. B and C class riders got really cool 12x15 Plaques from Gear Designs who are the same people that produce the GNCC awards.
ATV attendance was around 128 riders for the day and dirt bike attendance for the day was at around 175 riders. Total gate proceeds that went to Barnegat community based non-profits and charities was close to $7000 for the weekend... So again you and the AGP series made off-road racing respectable once again.
In closing I want to remind everyone that riding on private property in Barnegat NJ without written permission is punishable with up to a $1000 fine, We only have permission to be on this property the that this event is taken place and anyone that come back onto this property is only going to jeopardize it for everyone, please respect the neighbors and only use this property when there an event and please use and exhaust system that complies with the AMA 99 dBA limit.
Hope to see you all on August 17th in Barnegat.
Round 3 Results from Sunday July 13th 2008 event
Adult Motorcycle Event Classes: Click Here!
Adult Motorcycle Event Overall: Click Here!
Adult Motorcycle Event Laps: Click Here!
Adult Quad Event Classes: Click Here!
Adult Quad Event Overall: Click Here!
Adult Quad Event Laps: Click Here!
Youth Minicycle Event Class: Click Here!
Youth Minicycle Event Overall: Click Here!
Youth Minicycle Event Laps: Click Here!
Youth Quad EventClass: Click Here!
Youth Quad Event Overall: Click Here!
Youth Quad Event Laps: Click Here!
Youth PeeWee EventClass: Click Here!
Youth PeeWee Event Overall: Click Here!
Youth PeeWee Event Laps: Click Here!
Atlantic Grand Prix 2008 Points
2008 Adult Motorcycle Points: Click here
2008 Adult Quad Points: Click here
2008 Youth Minicycle Points: Click here
2008 Youth Quad Points: Click here
2008 Youth PeeWee Points: Click here
The photographer taken pictures was Chris Bohnyak and he has images for sale! Contact him by email and give him your rider number and he'll pull th\e images: cbohnyak@aol.com
Also Niki from the QuadBuilder.com was out taken pictures of the Quad race and to view those images click here: Niki's Barnegat Quad Images
Thanks again for all your support.
Dale Freitas
Director of the Atlantic Grand Prix Series
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