The exciting and jam packed crowd went crazy at the Orange County Fairgrounds in a thrilling night of racing. Colton Haaker wins it all for round two of 2018 AMA EnduroCross Championship, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider outshined his close opponents, Husqvarna’s Trystan Hart and KTM’s Cody Web to stand atop in the podium.
The final lap went head-to-head between Hart and Webb throughout the course. The defending Champion, Webb was unable to regain his momentum at the endgame that trails him behind Hart in the finish line.
After the race, Colton Haaker said: “I started the day off with a full loop out in the hot-lap so that put me on the second for the heat race. So that wasn’t a good start, but I knew I was fast today and somehow, I got into the lead right away in the heat and won that. Then I won the bracket race in a good battle with Cody. In the main, I crashed on the first lap, but I was still calm and worked my way to the front. It was just one of those nights where I knew I could be patient because I had good speed. It’s great to get the win with my daughter here for her first ever race.”
The winner of fastest hot-lap time was Kyle Redmond with his SRT-Husqvarna and by just leading a narrow one against FMF KTM’s Cody Webb. Cooper Abbott set the third fastest, Ty Tremain set the fourth fastest with his Alta electric bike, and Trystan Hart completes the top five. Colton Haaker went down with 25th place overall and second in the heat races after he fell off a big crash.
Heat race win for Webb
Cody Webb maintains his momentum and keeps it going by winning the first of the two pro class heat races. Benjamin Herrera finished second, and Trystan Hart finished third. In the second heat, Haaker showed off his skill with an impressive performance heading to first despite starting off in the second row to lead it throughout the race. Colton Haaker and Cody Webb each earned a bonus championship point for their heat race wins, while Tremaine, Aaron, Wells, Palmer, and Redmond earned a qualifying spots.
In the bracket races, the top four from each heat races faced off in a one-on-one match header. Haaker and Webb respectively won against their opponent in every bracket advance and both faced-off in the final stage. Haaker won a close one to earn the additional point bonus for the main and a first gate advantage.
The main event
Ty Tremaine got the holeshot and continued his lead until the end of first lap. Webb later on, took over the point position. Haaker started off after crashing hard in the first lap. As the race goes on, Haaker gathered his pace and focused to make his way to second place by the fifth lap and a close counter with Webb on the next five laps. Colton Haaker made an epic pass on Cody Webb for the top position and pulls it away to the finish line after a 21-lap track. It’s the first win of the season for Colton Haaker.
Cody Webb was on his way to secure the second spot but Trystan Hart made a pass after Webb crashes and used it as an advantage to tug it off. Trystan Hart said: “I am so happy with how I rode. Once again, I got a bad start but then I got by Ty Tremaine to get into third and I could tell I was closing in on Cody, which is easier than having him chasing me. And then on that last lap, we both just sent it into those rocks and either one of us could have crashed but fortunately, I made it and Cody is okay.”
Failing to earn the top spot and went crashed on the final lap, Cody Webb still earned the final spot in the podium. Cody Webb said: “I didn’t even know that Trystan was closing on me until he was there and then I crashed on that last lap. So I am not happy with the result but will go get some physio on my shoulder this week to be more ready for Reno next weekend.”
Ty Tremaine set a best record finished for an electric powered motorcycle earning the fourth spot. Cristobal Guerrero finishes with fifth overall. Benjamin Herrera finished his second EnduroCross participation of his career finishing sixth overall.
2018 Costa Mesa, California AMA EnduroCross main event results:
- Colton Haaker, Husqvarna
- Trystan Hart, Husqvarna
- Cody Webb, KTM
- Ty Tremaine, Alta
- Cristobal Guerrero, Yamaha
- Benjamin Herrera, Beta
- Geoff Aaron, GasGas
- Kyle Redmond, Husqvarna
- Cooper Abbott, KTM
- Ty Cullins, Beta
- Noah Kepple, GasGas
- Dustin McCarthy, Yamaha
- Ryan Wells, KTM
- Wally Palmer, Husqvarna
Turner turns it around
In the women’s category, Shelby Turner comes out on top beating Kacy Martinez in a very intense final decisive lap. Despite the fatigue and leg issues, Turner still managed to finished first overall. Completing the podium was Morgan Tanke. nished third despite
Destry Abbott again won the Vet class on his KTM. Dan Hayakawa was not even close to pass him but still ended up second overall. Eric Schettler finishes completing the top three.
David Kamo wins it in the Open Amateur class. Rounded out the podium was William Riordan and Gavin McCarthy.
Cole Wilton sets a career best after winning and finished first in the Amateur B class. Nick Saia finishes with second and Ryan Gouveria finishes third overall.
Emanuel Angius respectively wins it for TrialsCross main event category. Coleman Johnson and Lior Ebiaz finished second and third.
In the local AMA District 37 classes, Tyler Smith took home the champion and Frederick Parr, and Sam Capt rounded out the podium.
EnduroCross 2018, round three will be in Reno, Nevada Saturday, September 22.
2018 Costa Mesa, California AMA EnduroCross main event results:
- Colton Haaker, Husqvarna
- Trystan Hart, Husqvarna
- Cody Webb, KTM
- Ty Tremaine, Alta
- Cristobal Guerrero, Yamaha
- Benjamin Herrera, Beta
- Geoff Aaron, GasGas
- Kyle Redmond, Husqvarna
- Cooper Abbott, KTM
- Ty Cullins, Beta
- Noah Kepple, GasGas
- Dustin McCarthy, Yamaha
- Ryan Wells, KTM
- Wally Palmer, Husqvarna