The second day of the 2012 World Mini Grand Prix brought a close to the first motos of the week and set the stage for the championship battles. Though Thursday’s winds were much less vicious than the day prior and helped the track retain moisture, decent gusts occasionally flowed through the hillside. With all 450 and 250 A races scheduled for the day, as well as numerous youth and specialty classes, the action on the track was consistent and exciting.
Dillan Epstein swept all four of the 250 and 450 Pro motos in convincing fashion, as the Thousand Oaks, CA, native held off the advances from Blake Savage and Austin Burns. Jeremy Martin’s day was mired by crashes, but the Star/Valli/Rockstar/Yamaha managed to control the damage by speeding around the Mesquite circuit. Martin and Esptein’s Saturday meetings will determine the overall results.
The most thrilling battle of the day was in the Supermini Through 16 division, with three racers exchanging the lead numerous times. The battle, which included Blake Slagle, Brandy Richards, and eventual winner Justin Hoeft, was spoiled with Slagle and Richards’ machines suffered mechanical issues and both were forced to DNF. This allowed Andrew Pierce, who was reeling in the lead pack, to move into second place.
One of the most eclectic motos of the day was the 125 Two Stroke Non-Pro class, as Dakota Alix led wire-to-wire over rivals Chase Marquier and Tristan Charboneau aboard his Red Bull KTM.
Friday’s forecast calls for rain, which will undoubtedly bring yet another element to the already challenging week. Sand had previously been added to the layout, and many state the added material will allow the track to remain raceable despite the precipitation.
TAGS: a class, amateur racing, austin burns, blake savage, dakota alix, dillan epstein, jeremy martin, mesquite, supermini, world mini, world mini grand prix
