Words: Bayodome
Photos: Kinman
Stay tuned for more photos from the race!
Coming into the fifth round of the Monster Energy Supercross Season, there was a lot of anticipation about who would establish himself as the man to beat this year. With both James Stewart and Chad Reed out for at least the next few rounds, this series remains wide open. Yet this is also the chance for a select few riders to take the mental edge over the others. Dirt Wurx managed yet another amazingly prepared track despite incessant rains which continue to pelt California. So far, San Diego was the muddiest track the series has seen this year but that did not hamper the competition one bit.
Lites Qualifying
Max Anstie managed to pull his first holeshot of the season on his DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha but quickly lost ground in the first whoop section, making way for Phil Nicoletti and Lucas Oil/TLD/Honda’s Wil Hahn. The two lead riders quickly began separating themselves from the rest of the pack, with Anstie, MotoConcepts/Yamaha’s Travis Baker, and FMF/KTM’s PJ Larsen in tow. Hahn was definitely the faster of the two front riders, but was unable to finally make a pass stick until the penultimate lap, as the muddy conditions made for difficult line selections. Hahn came away with the win, and his great qualifying position should set him up very well for the main event.
The second heat had a much more stacked field, with Blake Wharton getting the best jump out of the gate. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Jake Weimer was not far behind however, and quickly overtook the lead in the second turn. Chris Gosselaar also snuck by at the same time, with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen in fourth place. As the laps ticked off, it was apparent that Weimer remains comfortable in the mud, being the only rider in the field completing a tricky single-double-triple-triple rhythm section before the second big triple jump. He used that section to gain lots of time on his competition and eventually take the win. Last week’s main event winner, Geico Powersports/Honda rider Trey Canard, did not have such luck. A terrible start forced him to work his way up from outside the top ten to an eventual seventh place finish.
Lites LCQ
Rockstar/Suzuki’s Hunter Hewitt grabbed the holeshot and rapidly established a comfortable lead while a battle ensued between Jake Canada, Sean Borkenhagen, and H. Dagod. Canada had the qualifying position for a moment, but Dagod passed him in the last corner although he crashed on the finish line landing, but still made the main.
Lites Main Event
Off the start, Trey Canard took the lead with Jake Weimer not far behind. But again, Weimer was one of the only riders doing a tricky combination section, and made an aggressive move on Canard, that took the Geico Powersports/Honda rider down in the process. With the pack quickly racing by, Blake Wharton took over the number two position followed very closely by Star Racing Yamaha’s Max Anstie. As the two youngsters battled, it was apparent that neither was willing to make any room for the other. Anstie finally made a classic stuff pass in the second corner after the triple that sent Wharton off the track and onto the slippery plastic covering. Perhaps it was the muddy conditions reminding him of his British roots that seemed to give Anstie confidence to continue pushing forward. He continually laid down the fastest laps of the night so far, but small mistakes allowed Weimer to maintain a comfortable lead.
Cole Seely found himself in third place for the first time this season but as the laps wore on, it began to look like his teammate, Wil Hahn, seemed ready to displace the number 200. Back up front, Anstie came within striking distance of Weimer, but lapped traffic got in the way, allowing Weimer to again pull a small lead.
On the final lap, all hell broke loose as Anstie fell in the second to last turn, dropping back to fourth, allowing both Lucas Oil/TLD/Honda riders to sneak by for the final two podium positions.
Notable mention goes to Trey Canard, who after his first lap fall back to 19th, fought hard all the way back up to sixth at the finish.
1) Jake Weimer
2) Cole Seely
3) Wil Hahn
4) Max Anstie
5) Broc Tickle
6) Trey Canard
7) Phil Nicoletti
8) PJ Larsen
9) Blake Wharton
10) Chris Gosselaar
11) Josh Hansen
12) Hunter Hewitt
13) Bobby Kiniry
14) Antonio Balbi
15) EricMcrummern
16) Jeff Alessi
17) Mike Horban
18) H. Dagod
19) Travis Baker
20) Ryan Clark
Western Regional AMA Supercross Lites Class Season Standings
1. Jake Weimer, Rupert, Idaho, Kawasaki, 122
2. Trey Canard, Shawnee, Okla., Honda, 96
3. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda, 94
4. Broc Tickle, Holly, Mich., Yamaha, 78
5. Cole Seely, Newbury Park, Calif., Honda, 76
6. Blake Wharton, Pilot Point, Texas, Honda, 71
7. Max Anstie, Hemet, Calif., Yamaha, 63
8. Josh Hansen, Elbert Colo., Kawasaki, 56
9. Jeff Alessi, Murrieta, Calif., Yamaha, 45
10. Ryan Morais, Murrieta, Calif., Suzuki, 42
TAGS: 5, Blake Wharton, cole seely, davi millsaps, ivan tedesco, jake weimer, josh hill, kevin windham, mud race, muddy, mudfest, Race Report, round five, ryan dungey, ryan villopoto, san diego, supercross, wil hahn
