Maxxis / Elka’s Joel Hetrick Second at Underground MX
Maxxis / Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda ATV MX Team Report

Maxxis / Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda’s Joel Hetrick finished 2nd Overall at Undeground MX

Joel Hetrick claimed the ATVriders.com Fastest Qualifier Award

“I could not do much, I had to take a week off completely. I knew I could go fast, but I did not know how long I could go fast for. Pulling the fastest qualifier was pretty big for me. It showed I was still one of the fastest guys on the track,” said Hetrick.

The track became extremely rough and treacherous, which challenged Hetrick and the knee injury even further, but he pushed through both Pro motos to secure a second place finish overall.

Joel Hetrick played it smart in the mud & finished 3rd in the second moto to finish 2nd overall

“I came out second in the first moto. I pulled on Wienen a little bit, but I got winded at the end. I just did what I could. The second moto we got some gnarly rain. I tore my goggles off and finished in third, I knew that was all I needed for second overall.”

Hetrick surprised everyone, including himself, with what he was capable of while working through the injury in his knee. The flawless setup on his Maxxis/Elka/Liquid Wrench/Honda was key to his success.

“I had no expectation to win or even be on the box this weekend because the doctor said I would not even be riding, but the Maxxis tires hooked up great with the DASA motor pulling strong off each start. The whole bike was just working great this weekend.”

The last time Haagsma was at Undergound MX was during the ATV Pro Challenge two years ago when he took the overall win. Unfortunately, luck was not on Haagsma’s side this race. Due to circumstances beyond his control he was not able to earn the finish he hoped for and finished eighteenth overall.

David Haagsma ran into issues in both motos at Undeground MX, which kept him from contending for a podium finish

“I qualified sixth and the first moto I had a top five start, and while I was catching fourth, I had a mishap that took me out of the race in the final laps of the moto.”

Muddy conditions during the second moto did not help Haagmsa with a last place gate pick. “I had to go all the way outside. I got a decent jump, but going into the first hairpin turn I got into a pile up. By the time we got going again they were almost lapping us. I knew the race was pretty much over, but I was just hoping I could get a few points.”

Maxxis/Elka’s amateur team rider, Grayson Eller, took an impressive top five finish in College 16-24. Eller’s consistent fifth place moto finishes earned him fifth place overall.

Maxxis' Grayson Eller scored a top five in College 16-24 & finished 6th overall in 450 B

“My starts were not the best so I was working my way up both motos. The first moto I actually got up to third, but I started drifting back. The track was super challenging, but it was still so much fun.”

Eller also competed in 450 B in which he took sixth place overall. Eller has a positive outlook on the weekend, but is still striving to improve in the upcoming rounds.

“It was not the best start, but we can still work up from there and keep our heads up for the rest of the year. You can’t win and can’t lose a championship on the first round”

The Maxxis/Elka/Liquid Wrench/Honda team will return to the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship at Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, TN April 23-24.

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