Hetrick, Haagsma,
Eller Podium at Spring Creek MX
Maxxis / Elka / Liquid
Wrench / Honda AMA ATV MX Report
2016
AMA ATV Motocross
Round 8 - Links
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Millville, MN (7/6/2016) - Maxxis/Elka/Liquid
Wrench/Honda’s Joel Hetrick put in another spectacular
ride, taking second overall at the eighth round
of the 2016 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship
at Spring Creek MX in Millville, MN. Joining Hetrick
on the podium was his teammate David Haagsma with
third overall for the second weekend in a row, and
Grayson Eller pushed through with impressive speed
and consistency for third overall in Open B, 450
B, and College 16-24.
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Maxxis/Elka/Liquid
Wrench/ Honda’s Joel Hetrick (2nd)
& David Haagsma (3rd) shared the podium
again at Spring Creek MX |
Hetrick started off the day on a promising note
by taking the ATVriders.com fastest qualifier
and backed it up with a first moto holeshot and
win. “The DASA powered Honda works awesome. I
pulled the first moto holeshot, it hooked up great.
The Hinson clutch, Maxxis tires, and Tireballs
got me out of the gate. Everything was just clicking,”
explained Hetrick.
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Joel Hetrick grabbed the Moto One
Holeshot & lead start to finish |
In the second moto, Hetrick put in another strong,
safe, and consistent ride to finish second. “Second
moto I battled with the roller section, but I
did what I could and played it safe today. I was
not too happy about second, but we kept the points
the same so it is not bad. Chad rode awesome and
he was really putting a hurting on me through
the rollers. I tried to pick it up on the other
side, but I just couldn’t do it today.”
Coming into Spring Creek, Hetrick had a tough
week, but it did not prevent him from giving it
everything he had. “Monday I had a stomach bug
and Tuesday I actually wrecked while riding, so
it was just an off week. I quit riding, regrouped,
and ended up doing pretty well at Spring Creek,”
said Hetrick.
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Joel
Hetrick finished 2nd in Moto Two for Second
Overall |
Due to a crash in the first round at Daytona,
Hetrick remains in second place in points, 22
behind Wienen, but remains optimistic and confident
heading into the last stretch of the season. “I
knew going into Daytona I was a fast rider, but
I went too fast and made a mistake when I landed
on John Natalie’s tire. That was my fault and
now I look back and realized I should have calmed
down and finished the race to get a podium. I
started out with just three points, so it was
definitely a bummer for me, but I am looking forward
now. After five wins in a row and two seconds,
I think we are starting to get more consistent.”
Maxxis/Elka’s David Haagsma and Grayson Eller
also had successful races, and Hetrick is supportive
and happy with the whole team. “I was very happy
for David Haagsma when I saw him up there. It
is great to have both team riders on the Pro podium
and Grayson Eller as well with his podiums. We
are all clicking together, and I am really happy
under the Maxxis/Elka tent.”
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David Haagma claimed back to back
podium finishes at Spring Creek MX |
Haagsma took his second podium finish in a row
with 3-3 moto finishes for third overall in the
Pro class. “First moto I was second or third off
the start and had a great race. I held Wienen
off for a couple laps, but he was able to get
by me in the whoops. The rest of the race I just
held my own pace and with two laps to go Rastrelli
had an issue, so I got third,” explained Haagsma.
In the second moto, Haagsma had a few good battles
with both Josh Upperman and Jeffrey Rastrelli
but came out on top for another third place finish.
“It was the best finishes of my life,” stated
Haagsma.
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Maxxis'
#422 David Haagma |
The track was challenging but Haagsma’s setup
was on point allowing him to perform as well as
he did. “I have to thank Doug (Roll). He is out
there looking at everything telling me what my
suspension is doing and helping me out. Also thanks
to Maxxis tires, DWT Wheels, and Sparks Racing
for the power. I had two top three starts and
that is big in these races. Everyone is fast and
you have to get out front fast. This track is
really rough and got brutal towards the end, so
I also need to thank Flex bars, and The Program
for getting me in shape,” said Haagsma.
Grayson Eller was the definition of consistent,
taking third place overall in all three classes
he entered: Open B, 450 B, and College 16-24.
Eller’s powerful Maxxis/Elka Honda was key to
his successful weekend by getting him starts he
needed. “I got my starts figured out this weekend
and that helped out a lot,” stated Eller.
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Grayson
Eller Finished 3rd overall in all three
classes ( Open B, 450 B, College 16-24)
at the Spring Creek MX |
In College, Eller picked good lines and made
passes through the challenging whoop section during
his heat race for first place. He then backed
it up with fourth in moto two for third overall.
“It makes me really excited to go to the next
round and see if I can do better. I like Unadilla,
it is always fun there.”
Eller’s third place finish in Open B helped him
to gain some valuable points and close in on third
in the championship race. “In another round I
might be able to secure that,” said Eller. If
so, he will be third place in points in all three
classes.
Maxxis/Elka team riders will be back at round
nine of the 2016 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship
at Unadilla MX in New Berlin, NY July 16-17.
2016 Race Team Sponsors
Maxxis, Liquid Wrench, Elka, Fly, Scott, SSi Decals, DWT, Hinson, Bel Ray, Sunstar, Works Connection, Sandridge Foods, Impact Solutions, Fourwerx, Alpinestar, DC Designs, Precision Racing Products
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