Racers Brave Deep Vicksburg Silt in AZOP Junkyard GP

2020 AZOP Rowley White RV Series, Round 3

Written by: Miller Truby, All images © Miller Truby (May 2020)

It may only be March but things are already heating up in the 2020 AZOP Rowley White RV Series championship races! As spring weather rolled through the southwestern US, AZOP's desert racers headed for the unassuming small town of Vicksburg, Arizona to stage a race at a truly unique venue; a private junkyard! Presented by The Hideaway Grill and Roadhouse as well as MRT, the Junkyard GP was run on a track approximately 5 miles in length which first snaked through the abandoned cars and other collected detritus of the titular junkyard before heading out to the silt beds and even an old abandoned runway.

Weeks of work went into the creation of the manmade portions of the track and water was dumped onto the infield sections near the pits in an attempt to keep the dust down, both for those in attendance as well as the drivers on Interstate 10, which borders the northern edge of the property. While all the watering and prep time certainly helped, after two days with hundreds of contestants pounding around and plenty of hot sun and wind, the dust clouds raised by the soft Vicksburg soil were still epic. The full-size UTV classes had an especially tough time as the dust from the large field of entrants eventually limited visibility along the entire track.

The real story of the weekend was the silt. The second half of the course saw racers heading away from the pits and out into an open section of desert that appeared to be normal sandy soil. However after the first few races on Saturday this section of the course had been churned up enough to reveal a layer of incredibly fine powdery soil more than a foot deep. Once the heavier quads and UTV’s began to run through these sections the true nature of the course was revealed and racers began to adjust strategies to try to mitigate the total lack of visibility and potentially catastrophic damage to air filters and the engines they protect. Some chose to attack the silt in hopes of floating over the top while others drifted out as wide as possible looking for any available hard-packed dirt. Despite copious course markers and practice sessions racers still found it difficult to stay on track and keep their bearings through this section of the course with several ending up off track wandering in circles waiting for the dust to clear before being able to rejoin.

With mechanical attrition becoming a factor after Saturday’s races the decision was made on Sunday morning to shorten the course and skip the silt section. This effectively turned Sunday's bike and quad races into short-course style events with most of the racing taking place on man-made obstacles and corners, which made for great spectating for the fans in the pit areas. However as the big UTV's lined up for Sunday's final race the question was posed to the drivers whether they would prefer to run the longer course with the silt or whether they would prefer to run the shortened course and the pool of drivers overwhelmingly voted for the longer, tougher course. After a few minutes of extra prep to open the backside of the track the race was on and the silt was flying once again!

In the Big Bike races it was Brian Perry taking the win both days on his #14 Honda and getting the clean weekend sweep. Jesse Romer (#219) also had a great weekend, getting onto the podium both days with a 3rd and a 2nd, respectively. Defending Open B champion Tate Van Voorst (#415) walked away from his class both days and managed to pick up 3rd overall on Sunday. Perhaps most impressive was Jonathan Kirat (#4295) putting the whole field on notice for the second race in a row and finishing 5th overall on Saturday and 4th overall on Sunday despite this being only his third race ever on a 125 after moving up from the mini ranks at the beginning of the season.

Ron Suor (#102) also got a weekend sweep in the quad/atv races by outlasting the field and staying in clean air while nearly half of his competitors had to retire with mechanical issues on Saturday. The quads seemed to have an especially hard time with the deep silt as several riders ended up stranded with dead motors. Pro rider Nick Helton had problems early on and went so far as to run more than a mile back to his pit to retrieve a new air filter only to get back to the bike and find out that it still wouldn't start!

Hayden Thomas (#80) had an excellent weekend in the UTV races, picking up second place on Saturday and then taking the overall win on Sunday. John Nix (#900) got the overall win on Sunday and then placed 4th overall on Sunday.

As always AZOP would like to thank all of the sponsors, staff, volunteers, racers, and spectators for making this another successful and fun weekend of racing. For full race results, videos, and photos or to find out about upcoming events go to www.azopracing.com

Saturday Motorcycle Results

Big Bikes - Overall:

1. #14 Brian Perry
2. #225 Hunter Guiboa
3. #219 Jesse Romer

Open A:

1. #14 Brian Perry
2. #225 Hunter Guiboa

Open B:

1. #415 Tate Van Voorst
2. #724 Taylor Wilson
3. #800 Jacob Moraga

Open C:

1. #255 Matthew Romer
2. #814 Lewis Wright
3. #174 Tanner Lindley

125-250cc A:

1. #700 Anthony Luna

125-250cc B:

1. #4295 Jonathan Kirat
2. #170 Hunter Beltran

125-250cc C:

1. #727 Jaeqon Peterson
2. #694 Dylan Skaggs
3. #33 Hayden Gilbert

Vet 30+ A:

1. #219 Jesse Romer
2. #059 Bobby Lee

Vet 30+ B:

1. #209 Jerod Kunzweiler
2. #416 Chad MacCracken

Vet 30+ C:

1. #420 Kevin Rennaker
2. #230 Donald Breaux
3. #808 Robbie Willis Senior

40+ C:

1. #831 Stephan Lewis
2. #345 Kirk Daniels

Master 50+ B:

1. #351 Larry Gibson
2. #064 Ken Eldridge

Super Senior 60+:

1. #666 Chuck Stevenson

Mini Bikes - Overall:

1. #2 Tristin Andrade
2. #330 Caidyn Breaux
3. #71 Danny Carter

Mini 65cc B:

1. #994 Mason Milacki
2. #151 Jeron Kunzweiler

Mini 80-150cc A:

1. #750 Robbie Stephenson

Mini 80-150cc B:

1. #2 Tristin Andrade
2. #71 Danny Carter
3. #717 Abraham Rascon

Mini 80-150cc C:

1. #74 Blake Gilbert
2. #13 Eddy Panuco
3. #55 Kayla Duke

Women's C:

1. #330 Caidyn Breaux
2. #93 Ellie Koester
3. #191 Grace Vinagro

Pee Wee Bikes:

1. #308 Aayden Tracy
2. #9 Luke Johnson
3. #153 Ryder Yates

Pee Wee 50cc 4-6 years:

1. #214 Lariat Lawrence
2. #821 Audrina Andrade
3. #722 Riker Griffith

Pee Wee 50cc 7-8 years:

1. #301 Jayce Tracy
2. #1001 Maverick Willis
3. #918 Logan Ford

Pee Wee 65cc C:

1. #308 Aayden Tracy
2. #9 Luke Johnson
3. #153 Ryder Yates

Saturday Quad/ATC Results

Big Quads/ATCs - Overall:

1. #102 Ron Suor
2. #54 Todd Ellsworth
3. #106 Robert Dearth

Vet Pro:

1. #102 Ron Suor
2. #54 Todd Ellsworth
3. #21 Rick Ellsworth

Expert:

1. #106 Robert Dearth

Sportsman:

1. #555 Ransom Martinez
2. #172 Scott Yarber
3. #302 Noah Fisher

ATC:

1. #208 Ed Hicks
2. #71 Paul Airey

Mini Quads - Overall:

1. #57 Dakota Hibler
2. #84 Michael Owens
3. #333 Jayse Miller

250-400cc:

1. #57 Dakota Hibler
2. #48 Elizabeth George

Mini 91-300cc 10-15 Years:

1. #84 Michael Owens
2. #333 Jayse Miller
3. #17 Brayden Earlewine

71-150cc 8-11 Years:

1. #79 Alyssa Miller

Pee Wee Quads - Overall:

1. #200 Cutter Gehrts
2. #31 Kaiden Lee
3. #623 Cain Llamas

Pee Wee 50-79cc 4-6 Years:

1. #6 Emma Martinez
2. #89 Zane Gehrts

Pee Wee 80-150cc Beginner:

1. #200 Cutter Gehrts
2. #31 Kaiden Lee
3. #623 Cain Llamas

Saturday UTV Results

Big UTVs - Overall:

1. #900 John Nix
2. #80 Hayden Thomas
3. #2020 Jeremiah Scott

Pro Turbo:

1. #2020 Jeremiah Scott
2. #11 Paul Obrien
3. #903 Kody Winiecki

Pro NA:

1. #900 John Nix
2. #80 Hayden Thomas
3. #904 Chase De Sousa Dias

1000cc Turbo:

1. #1212 Tobias Gavin
2. #22 Glen Banta
3. #316 Chris Lindstrom

1000cc NA:

1. #504 Abe Martinez
2. #314 Katin Ladin
3. #15 Jayden Gerber

570cc UTVs - Overall:

1. #14 Ryan Bedoya
2. #1910 Grace Vinagro
3. #809 Jaxen Gibson

570cc Advanced:

1. #14 Ryan Bedoya
2. #1910 Grace Vinagro

570cc Beginner:

1. #809 Jaxen Gibson
2. #907 Alysse De Sousa Dias
3. #149 Jaxson Jauregui

570cc RS1:

1. #721 Victoria Leaming

170cc/250cc UTVs - Overall:

1. #55 Carson Greco
2. #94 Taylor Bedoya
3. #765 Presley Ladin

250cc:

1. #55 Carson Greco
2. #765 Presley Ladin
3. #116 Erik Alvidrez

170cc Modified:

1. #918 Izzy Ford

170cc Advanced:

1. #94 Taylor Bedoya
2. #979 Kenzey Graham
3. #866 Jaxon Leaming

170cc Beginner:

1. #86 Allison Furnell
2. #1866 Cameron Leaming
3. #153 Ryder Wilson

Sunday Motorcycle Results

Big Bikes - Overall:

1. #14 Brian Perry
2. #219 Jesse Romer
3. #415 Tate Van Voorst

Open A:

1. #14 Brian Perry

Open B:

1. #415 Tate Van Voorst
2. #724 Taylor Wilson
3. #317 Weston Atwater

Open C:

1. #174 Tanner Lindley
2. #255 Matthew Romer
3. #16 Ryan Roach

125-250cc A:

1. #700 Anthony Luna

125-250cc B:

1. #4295 Jonathan Kirat

125-250cc C:

1. #694 Dylan Skaggs
2. #727 Jaeqon Peterson
3. #555 Skyler Thomas

Vet 30+ A:

1. #219 Jesse Romer

Vet 30+ B:

1. #209 Jerod Kunzweiler

Vet 30+ C:

1. #420 Kevin Rennaker
2. #808 Robbie Willis

Senior 40+ A:

1. #56 Andrew Smallhouse

Senior 40+ C:

1. #831 Stephan Lewis

Master 50+ A:

1. #311 Richard Heyer

Master 50+ B:

1. #117 Kirtis Butler
2. #169 Gary Mortimer

Mini Bikes - Overall:

1. #177 Porter May
2. #330 Caidyn Breaux
3. #191 Grace Vinagro

Mini 80-150cc A:

1. #177 Porter May
2. #750 Robbie Stephenson

Mini 80-150cc B:

1. #188 John Smallhouse
2. #286 Travis McConnell
3. #71 Danny Carter

Mini 80-150cc C:

1. #74 Blake Gilbert
2. #13 Eddy Panuco
3. #949 Anthony Garcia

65cc B:

1. #151 Jeron Kunzweiler
2. #994 Mason Milacki

Women's C:

1. #330 Caidyn Breaux
2. #191 Grace Vinagro
3. #93 Ellie Koester

Pee Wee Bikes:

1. #308 Aayden Tracy
2. #153 Ryder Yates
3. #9 Luke Johnson

Pee Wee 50cc 4-6 years:

1. #203 Radley Konkright
2. #214 Lariat Lawrence
3. #722 Riker Griffith

Pee Wee 50cc 7-8 years:

1. #723 Hayden Griffith
2. #301 Jayce Tracy
3. #299 Cayden Kleck

Pee Wee 65cc C:

1. #308 Aayden Tracy
2. #153 Ryder Yates
3. #9 Luke Johnson

Sunday Quad/ATC Results

Big Quads/ATCs - Overall:

1. #102 Ron Suor
2. #54 Todd Ellsworth
3. #555 Ransom Martinez

Pro:

1. #808 Nick Helton

Vet Pro:

1. #102 Ron Suor
2. #54 Todd Ellsworth

Sportsman:

1. #555 Ransom Martinez
2. #302 Noah Fisher
3. #172 Scott Yarber

Mini Quads - Overall:

1. #84 Michael Owens
2. #17 Brayden Earlewine

Mini 91-300cc 10-15 Years:

1. #84 Michael Owens
2. #17 Brayden Earlewine

Pee Wee Quads - Overall:

1. #200 Cutter Gehrts
2. #31 Kaiden Lee
3. #187 Jose Llamas

Pee Wee 50-79cc 4-6 Years:

1. #6 Emma Martinez
2. #89 Zane Gehrts
3. #060 Aubrianna Laurenzan

Pee Wee 80-150cc Beginner:

1. #200 Cutter Gehrts
2. #31 Kaiden Lee
3. #187 Jose Llamas

Sunday UTV Results

Big UTVs - Overall:

1. #80 Hayden Thomas
2. #11 Paul Obrien
3. #904 Chase De Sousa Dias

Pro Turbo:

1. #11 Paul Obrien
2. #903 Kody Winiecki
3. #2020 Jeremiah Scott

Pro NA:

1. #80 Hayden Thomas
2. #904 Chase De Sousa Dias
3. #900 John Nix

1000cc Turbo:

1. #22 Glen Banta
2. #990 Kirk Sutherland
3. #316 Chris Lindstrom

1000cc NA:

1. #1986 Travis Nelson
2. #999 Bo Radavich
3. #314 Katin Ladin

570cc UTVs - Overall:

1. #721 Victoria Leaming
2. #1910 Grace Vinagro
3. #14 Ryan Bedoya

570cc RS1:

1. #721 Victoria Leaming

570cc Advanced:

1. #1910 Grace Vinagro
2. #14 Ryan Bedoya
3. #557 Lucas Johnson

570cc Beginner:

1. #566 Alexia Leaming
2. #149 Jaxson Jauregui
3. #907 Alysse De Sousa Dias

170cc/250cc UTVs - Overall:

1. #55 Carson Greco
2. #866 Jaxon Leaming
3. #94 Taylor Bedoya

250cc:

1. #55 Carson Greco
2. #116 Erik Alvidrez
3. #147 Braden Krah 170cc

Modified:

1. #918 Izzy Ford

170cc Advanced:

1. #866 Jaxon Leaming
2. #94 Taylor Bedoya
3. #979 Kenzey Graham

170cc Beginner:

1. #86 Allison Furnell
2. #210 Triton Lawrence
3. #1866 Cameron Leaming