Wisconsin (5/25/2009) -
In the typical Wisconsin fashion, Round #1
of the Badger State Quad Championship series
in Wittenberg, WI was cancelled due to weather.
Round #2 at Gravity Park USA in Chilton, WI
would bring drier weather but the day would
include winds gusting up to 35 mph along with
little bit chilly temps.
The windy conditions didn’t chase away
all the riders. The die hard riders came out
itching to get some good long waited laps
in. The Pro-Am Production class would see
familiar faces from 2008 to include those
familiar to the national scene; Steve Runkel,
Cody Janssen, Eric Wenzel, Matt Gassner, and
Adam Warren. Troy Enderby, Joey Tomazevic,
and Brandon Laabs would join the battle to
claim the title of Wisconsin’s premier
Quad MX series. Up for grabs with that title
is a set of Fox Float Evols courtesy of Great
Lakes Quad Racing Action www.glqra.com and
Fox Shox, and also $500 courtesy of Who’s
Next Fight Gear out of Fond du Lac, WI. The
overall winner has the potential of taking
home $3350 in cash and prizes.
Even though Cody Janssen and Eric Wenzel
would be racing on a familiar track, Steve
Runkel came to show them they were going to
have to work for that win. The night would
start out with the Production A class taking
the line with 11 riders. Steve Runkel would
launch out of the gate and assume the lead
with Janssen and Wenzel close behind. Runkel
would maintain his lead through the entire
race with Janssen easily holding on to 2nd.
Eric Wenzel would fade to the last position
however due to mechanical issues with his
rear brake. With Wenzel fading to the back
of the pack Matt Gassner would move up and
take 3rd. Moto 2 would be more of the same
except Eric Enderby would secure 3rd in front
of Matt Gassner giving him 3rd overall and
Matt Gassner finishing 4th overall.
The Pro-Am Production class would be a slightly
different story. Moto 1 with it being 10 mins
+1 lap appeared to be going to the same as
the Prodution A class. Cody Janssen was able
to lead for a couple laps but would eventually
be over taken by Steve Runkel. Matt Gassner
would come in 3rd. However, Moto 2 being 15
mins +1 lap would tell the tale of who could
maintain their position. There was a lot of
close racing action but the biggest upset
would come to Steve Runkel as his quad would
come to a stop early in the race and he would
have to watch as Cody Janssen would move to
the front of the pack and secure the overall
for the night with a 2,1 finish. Eric Wenzel
would have more bad luck with a faulty rear
brake but would race anyway to salvage as
many points as possible for the overall. Matt
Gassner would secure 2nd with a 3,2 finish
and Troy Enderby 3rd with a 5,3. Steve Runkel
would have to settle with 5th overall with
a 1,8 finish.
Nationally known racer #38 Factory Sam Rowe
looks to have a challenge on his hands for
2009 in the Junior class with Tanner Timblin
securing 1st on the night. Nick Crowell would
also appear to be the “B” class
rider to beat for 2009 by securing overall
wins in the Production B and Open B/C classes.
Next round of action is on May 30th in Hayward,
WI. Look for some good race action as this
will be round 1 of the North vs. South challenge
of the IRACE series and the Badge State Quad
Championship series. Visit www.WATVMX.com
for more information and upcoming races.
