|
Dirt Track Grand Championships: Wells makes bid for Horizon consideration
Story and photos by Dewanna and Curt Comer
Every year that Albion, N.Y., rider Ryan Wells has come to the AMA Racing Dirt Track Grand Championships, he has performed exceptionally on Du Quoin’s crushed limestone half-mile, and Wednesday’s race action was no exception. Wells, who has not yet turned 15, was allowed to file a Letter of Intent for the Horizon Award before his 15th birthday, as he often races across the border in Canada and is considering making the crossover to pro there soon.
Wells, backed by Phil and James Rispoli, Gary from Lightshoe and Luczak Racing, acknowledged his sweet spot is the half-mile, and he was happy to get to day three of this weeklong competition.
“On the TT and short track, I was just trying to get through them to get to the half-mile today because I was pretty confident that I could do good,” Wells said. “Riding with all the half-mile kids in Ohio made me really good on half-miles. I felt pretty good on the track. I mean, it was a little rough for everybody, but I just tried to get the holeshot, put my head down and tried to check out – so that’s basically how it went.”
Asked about what he likes about half-miles, Wells had this to say, “The fact that you come in and it’s just wide open. To pitch it sideways is just really fun!”
Wells won the 250cc Modified 2-Stroke, 251cc-500cc DTX, and the 450cc Modified classes. On the 450 Modified podium, Wells made this gesture to a late supporter: “Out of all three of these races, I’d like to dedicate this one to Loretta Rispoli. All those past years she was always there helping me in the pits and stuff – so this one was for her.”
Loretta was known as the ultimate “race mom,” a great supporter of many young racers and mom of James Rispoli.
Joe Bromley, who switched from “race dad” to his official road as the AMA’s director of racing during the awards ceremony, was insightful as he addressed the gathered crowd.
“It was a great day today,” he said. “Just a few twists and turns with the Horizon award. We were in the indoor short track, then on to the TT and now we’re on to the half-mile, and today was a Ryan Wells Day, and he’s one of the guys going for the Horizon Award.”
“Wells stepped up, so it’s going to be difficult on Friday to determine between Briar Bauman, Hayden Gillim and now Ryan Wells,” Bromley continued. “These three guys are really starting to shine. Wells was happy to get rid of the short track and the TT. Hayden Gillim wishes he still had another short track and TT, while Briar Bauman has been “Mr. Consistency.” So it’s going to be a fun run all the way to the end and we’re looking forward to presenting that.”
|
Following a restart, #57 Ryan Connelly as the first rider into turn one, but he wasn’t alone as Horizon Award contenders #94b Ryan Wells and #10 Briar Bauman were charging hard on the outside. By the second lap Wells and Bauman were pulling away from the pack. Hayden Gillim was running third in the early laps, to later be overtaken by several riders including Treinen who clawed his way up from the penalty line to a third place finish. From atop the podium Treinen joked, “Wish I could have started on the front row! It was fun trying to catch up.”
|
Points leader #1 Dan Shaw grabbed the early lead in the Super Senior 50+ class followed closely by #17k Randy Blackwell and #31m Jim Monegan. Blackwell used an outside pass in turns three and four to overtake the leader on lap three. Monegan later moved into the second position. Vince Holt applied pressure to Shaw, but had to settle for fourth.
|
|
Joseph Bromley got the holeshot in the 451cc Open Modified main. Briar Bauman quickly moved into the lead and checked out on the rest of the field. There was an intense battle for third between Bromley, #50f Brett Neville and #14 Austin Luczak. Neville and Luczak moved past Bromley and were side-by-side on the last lap setting up a drag race finish down the front stretch with Luczak getting the nod for second in what appeared like a photo finish.
|
Ryan Wells shows the high line coming into turn three.
|
|
The 250cc Modified Two Stroke Class saw New York’s Ryan Wells grabbing the holeshot and quickly checking out on the rest of the field, leaving #10b Austin Luczak, #110 Jaminson Minor to fight for the runner up position.
|
Points leader Steve Hill didn’t make the start in the Veteran 30+ class and when contenders left the starting line, it was #10 Tim Greig who got out to the quick lead. Challenging him was Matthew Sibbick who finished second followed by Dan Chisham in third.
|
|
The start of the 250cc DTX class saw #54 Daniel Bromley with the holeshot with #5 TJ Masset , #23 Jeffrey Lowery and #24f JR Addison in tow. Addison used the high line in one and two to overtake the lead on the first lap and then pulled away from the field. Jeffrey Lowery put in a solid ride to take second followed by TJ Masset in third.
|
Half-mile specialist JR Addison sailed to victories in both the 250cc DTX and 250cc Modified 4-Stroke classes.
|
|
#56 Keith Boulis with the lead from the start was followed by #25 Jeffrey Carver and JD Beach in the Pro Singles Class. On the last lap Carver made an inside pass on Boulis coming into turn three, Boulis went down, leaving Carver with the win while Beach finished second and Justin Minnaert rounded out the top three.
|
#11 Molly Terry with the hole shot in the 250cc Modified 4 Stroke class, with #24f JR Addison going around outside for the lead followed by #23 Jeffrey Lowery, #32 Colton Smith and #22 Brett Boulis.
|
|
In the Senior 40+ main #2 Vince Holt took the holeshot followed by Tim Greig, #44 Tony Wakins and #17k Randy Blackwell. Watkins made his way to the lead but was stalked by Blackwell and Holt and was eventually relegated to the third position with Blackwell taking the win.
|
The father/son duo of John and Eric Kolenda made up the Open Twins class on a Triumph and Yamaha respectively, treating all with side-by-side racing and the booming sounds of these vintage machines. Although Dad #15 was off the line first, it was son #15x with the win.
|
|
Registration…T-shirts anyone?
|
Vince Holt and crew pose with his BBRP / Brian Billings Racing Products sponsored bikes.
|
|
Email
Print;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)