Maxxis/Elka’s Joel Hetrick Dominates Monster Mountain
Maxxis /Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda AMA ATV MX Report

Tallassee, AL (6/8/2016) - Maxxis /Elka / Liquid Wrench / Honda’s Joel Hetrick clinched his fourth straight overall Pro win at round six of the 2016 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship at Monster Mountain MX Park in Tallassee, AL. Hetrick captured both moto wins and gained six points in the race for the championship. David Haagsma snagged a top five Pro class finish and Grayson Eller took second place in College and Open B.

Joel Hetrick won both Pro motos to earn his fourth consecutive win this season

Hetrick put in some incredible motos, working his way up through the pack despite starts further back then he would have liked. “I had some pretty lousy holeshots, but that was on my end. It was pretty hectic races. The first moto Chad made a little bobble and I got around him. I led every lap after that,” explained Hetrick.

Maxxis' Joel Hetrick charged his way to the front in Moto One to take the win

Moto two went much the same with Hetrick working his way up and taking over the lead to go 1-1 for first overall. It was a very exciting moto for Hetrick and the spectators.  “Chad and I were battling for three or four laps, and then I just saw an opportunity for the inside line. He left the door open and his line kind of came down into my line. He tipped up and I got the good end of the stick on that. It was a racing incident, and hopefully he sees it the same way and there is no tension. We will go into the next round and keep this fight alive.”

Hetrick felt great aboard his Maxxis Honda all weekend. “It was a good weekend for me. The bike was working great and I felt really good on the track. I had some killer speed and felt tough to beat. It was a great win for me, and an awesome way to keep the momentum going.”

ELKA's Joel Hetrick currently sits second in the Pro ATV Motocross Championship Points

After this big 1-1 win, Hetrick gained six points and could not be happier to make progress on Wienen’s points lead. “The overall wins are great, but we were not gaining any points and now we are finally doing it. I know I can 1-1 win more races down the road. These next few are going to be tough, we just have to put the work in.”

Looking ahead to Sunset Ridge, Hetrick has added confidence and is ready to put his Elka suspension to test on the notoriously rough track. “Jay Gobel has been working on our shocks so much. It’s a new set up that I am very excited to go to Sunset Ridge with. I should have no problems running up front and making a good battle for both motos there. I am on a four win streak now, and I would like to make it five so that’s what I plan to do,” stated Hetrick.

David Haagsma also had an impressive ride at Monster Mountain. Haagsma took fifth overall with 5-4 moto finishes, respectively. When asked what the key to breaking the top five was, Haagsma stated, “Good weather and decent starts, I just felt good.”

David Haagsma finished 5-4 to finished fifth overall at ATV MX Round 6

Moto one Haagsma had to put his head down and work through the pack, fighting for his fifth place position. “I made a mistake in the second corner. I was around eighth, passed a couple people and had a good battle with Gennusa.

The second moto went even better for Haagsma. He used smart riding to take over the fourth place position in the moto and fifth overall. “I had a spot right before the Pro section no one was really taking. I took it and used it to pass three or four people. I got behind Natalie and just could not make up enough ground on him.”

Breaking into the top five for the first time since Daytona was huge for Haagmsa. “It gets the confidence back, and with better starts, I could have had a podium ride. The bike worked great. The power was there and the Maxxis tires were hooking up. I felt very comfortable, all the testing we have been doing has been working out.”

Amateur rider, Grayson Eller had an equally exciting weekend. Eller took second in College, second in Open B, and fourth in 450 B.

Grayson Eller finished second in College and Open B Classes

“In College I got the holeshot in moto one and thought alright lets see how long I can hold it. I pounded out laps and ended up having the heat race win,” said Eller. Due to the rain on Sunday, the second moto was cancelled. Cody Ford ended up having faster lap times in the other heat race, so Eller landed second overall despite winning his heat. “It was a great confidence boost. That is always what we are looking for half way through the season,” stated Eller.

Grayson Eller sits second in the College (16-24) class

This was Eller’s third straight podium finish in College and he sits just one point away from the championship point’s lead behind Cody Ford.

Topping off the College class performance, Eller took his season best finish in Open B with second overall as well. As he looked forward to the next race Eller stated, “I have been slowly making my way up so I will be ready, I am just hoping for a dry weekend.”

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