KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak took his third EnduroCross main event win in a row tonight over 10 time National Trials champion, Geoff Aaron. Aaron was riding a two wheel drive Christini KTM. Zip-Ty Husquvarna mounted Cory Graffunder rounded out the podium for his second EnduroCross main event in a row.
KTM's three-time EnduroCross main event winner, Taddy Blazusiak set the fastest lap time during qualifying.
The day started with Taddy Blazusiak setting the fastest lap time during the afternoon qualifying session, which puts the riders on the track by themselves for a single hot lap to determine heat race starting positions. Mike Brown on the Muscle Milk backed KTM took second followed by Geoff Aaron, Lucas Oil backed Colton Haaker and Cory Graffunder.
After several exciting qualifying races filled the eleven rider main event, it was Aaron that touched the first 35 inch sequoia ahead of the pack to collect the $500 Girardi wealth management holeshot award but he immediately got stock on that same log and was forced to work his way back into a podium position. Graffunder, the Canadian off-road warrior stayed very close to Blazusiak for the first half of the main and seemed to be faster in some sections and quickly closed in any time Taddy made any kind of bobble. Graffunder ultimately made his own mistake and stalled his bike to allow Aaron past for second. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Damon Huffman worked his way into forth position after a tough first lap that found him near the back of the pack. Colton Haaker rounded out the top five.
Shane Watts, the former GNCC champion made a valiant effort to at EnduroCross but ultimately missed making the main while Ricky Dietrich, the 2009 EnduroCross champion sat out this event to allow his broken foot to recover.
Florence, SC Geico AMA EnduroCross Expert Main Event Results:
1. Taddy Blazusiak -
KTM
2. Geoff Aaron Christini - KTM
3. Cory Graffunder - Husqvarna
4. Damon Huffman -
Kawasaki
5. Colton Haaker - Kawasaki
6. Jamie Lanza - Kawasaki
7. Kyle Redmund - Yamaha
8. Mike Brown - KTM
9. Jason Raines -
Yamaha
10. Gary Sutherlin - Husqvarna
11. Eric Rodgers - Yamaha
Columbus, Ohio will host round four of the 2009 GEICO EnduroCross series on Saturday, October 3rd. Tickets are available at
www.endurocross.com.
All six rounds of the 2009 Geico AMA EnduroCross will air on the Lucas Motosports Hour on the Versus Network starting in October. For more information and air times, check
www.motorsportshour.com.
EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of off road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole… and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in! Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor version of extreme off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet. The GEICO Powersports AMA EnduroCross series, presented by E3 Spark Plugs, will be captured by the Versus Network, to be aired on the popular grassroots racing program; The Lucas Motorsports Hour. With its excitement and unpredictability, the EnduroCross championship has always down to the wire and this year will be no different as the series starts and finishes at Vegas’ Orleans Arena! Don’t miss your chance to see GEICO Powersports AMA Endurocross “Live” - and be sure to log-on to
www.Versus.com for local airing dates/times for the Lucas Motorsports Hour.
Courtesy of Husqvarna
The third time was a charm as Cory Graffunder put his Zip-Ty Racing TC250 Husqvarna on the podium for the second straight race. The Canadian import kept a cool head and used hot skills to battle his way to the podium. After finishing 7th in the opening round of the EnduroCross series, the talented young racer finished third in Round 2 in his debut as a Husqvarna team rider and reprised his role at Round 3, battling with the winner right down to the wire.
"I was battling with Taddy Blazusiak for the first half of the race and then I stalled it," admits Graffunder. "I took off again, but just couldn't quite catch Taddy again... wait until the next race!"
This week's very tight and technical Florence track suited Graffunder well. Starting the day as 5th fastest qualifier, he aced his heat race which transferred him right to the night's 11 rider main event. Graffunder started strong and stayed very close to Blazusiak, the reigning EnduroCross champ (and undefeated through the first three rounds). In some sections Graffunder actually made gains on the champ until a lapped rider tangle caused him to kill his engine. As a result Geoff Aaron managed to get around Cory and with time running against him, Geoff held on for runner up slot. Cory's podium finish moved him up to 3rd overall in the points standings.
Rounding out the top 10 was Graffunder's fellow Zip-Ty Racing Gary Sutherlin who has shown marked improvement. Like his teammate, Sutherlin's great heat race performance moved him to the night's big show, his first of main event appearance of the 2009 series. Sutherlin rode smoothly bettering his opponents and race ending rock, stone, and water filled obstacles that spelled disaster for so many others. Sutherlin currently sits in 12th position in the points standings.
