American Motorcyclist August 2018

Race Recaps

MotoTrials

Smage Dominates In Arkansas

Photo by Shan Moore

Nine-time AMA/NATC MotoTrials champion Pat Smage came closer to claiming his 10th career championship at the series’ Rounds 7 and 8 in Uniontown, Ark., June 16-17. The event’s high heat and humidity could not slow Smage, as he dropped only 3 points over the two-day event. Smage beat Daniel Blanc-Gonnet by 12 points in Round 7 and Karl Davis Jr. by 18 in Round 8. The 2018 AMA/NATC MotoTrials Championship
is scheduled to conclude in Donner, Calif.,
Sept. 1-2.

GNCC

After a lackluster performance at the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series, an AMA National Championship, in the previous round, KTM rider and defending champion Kailub Russell returned to his winning ways at the fourth Dunlop Tomahawk GNCC in Odessa, N.Y., June 10. It was a narrow victory for Russell, as he finished 0.8 seconds ahead of Honda rider Trevor Bollinger. Thad Duvall, who was the winner of the previous event, rounded out the podium in the XC1 Class. With the win, Russell extended his championship leads over Duvall to 24 points.

Photo by Shan Moore

Enduro

Sipes Wins, Baylor Injured At Jolly Mine Sprint Enduro

The Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series was given a bit of a shakeup when the series visited Wellston, Ohio, June 16-17. During the fifth round of the 2018 season, the Jolly Mine Sprint Enduro, Pro Class title contender Steward Baylor injured himself on the second day of competition. Husqvarna rider Ryan Sipes capitalized on Baylor’s injury to win the round and extend his championship lead to 20 points. Baylor’s performance before his injury allowed him to finish fourth in the event. KTM rider Grant Baylor took a second-place finish at the event, while Husqvarna rider Josh Strang rounded out the podium.