OMRRA season opener takes Junior racing to a new level of nail biting
Apr 28, 2006, By Jennifer Lenz, Copyright 2006, MiniGPX
Club: OMRRA
Date: April 23, 2006
Location: MAC Kart Track, McMinnville, OR
Website: Club Website
Next Race: May 20-21, PIR, Portland, OR
Some VERY close and exciting, heart pounding competition in the Jr GP Open & Jr GP races between MiniGPX & Smokin' Pocketbikes sponsored rider, #45 Peter Lenz, this his 2nd year and #69 TJ, the 2005 OMRRA Pocketbike Jr Champion.
Jr GP Open was a very tight race lead mostly by Peter but with TJ swapping for first position a few times. In lap 9 of the 10 lap race, Peter, pushing his machine, crashed allowing TJ to make a clean break to take first. Peter was able to catch up to 3rd place finisher, Mario Alvarez Jr. (2005 USMGP National Jr Champion) right at the line, giving Peter a second place win.
Jr. GP began in similar fashion, with Peter leading much of the race, but swapping positions a few times with TJ who was on his tail the whole race. In lap 10, as the boys were fast approaching the last 2 corners, a lapper became an obstacle - Peter in front, TJ's nose at his tail. The final turn is when the 3 boys met. The lapper was running the medium-low line so Peter took the outside line around the lapper at the sametime TJ took the inside, causing the lapper to run wide pinching off Peter's high line pass. The checker was about 200 feet away. Though Peter came out of the corner first, TJ was able to maintain his drive while Peter checked up. Splitting the lapper the boys tucked heads and raced to the checker. The finish was so close that there was a disagreement among officials as to the finish. This resulted in both boys given first places finishes and points. If this weekend holds a light to what is to come, then this season proves to be a very exciting and close race. Get those cameras out! We might just be having photo finishes each raceday!
Senior Rider, #38, Chris Mael gives an overview of the Senior Classes:
In senior racing, there was also exciting action. There were very few crashes but unforunately, there were a lot of mechanical failures. But the weather was great and there was lots of track time on a beautiful track.
Jim Niebuhr returned this season, Randy was fast as ever and had his beautiful trailer in tow, Mitch was crazy fast, Jamie was shockingly fast for how little time he has on his bike, and Ryan dragged his shoes so much it's surprising that his toes aren’t sticking out. Robert ran a consistent weekend and Steve was doing great too. #68, Shawn Hill didn’t ride this race so he could help others get riding and there was much on the track that wouldn’t have happened without his support.
Results
Junior Novice
1st #24 Justin Carey
2nd #96 Tanna
3rd #9 Grant Beegle
4th #42 Jaden Carey
Junior Cag
1st #7 Carly Benton
2nd #66 Nathan Agmata
3rd #13 Ivy Day
DNF #8 Riley Basher
Junior Production
1st #45 Peter Lenz
2nd #75 Nico Fotes
3rd #66 Nathan Agmata
Junior GP
1st #45 Peter Lenz
1st #69 TJ
3rd #46 Mario Alvarez, Jr
4th #75 Nico Fotes
5th #66 Nathan Agmata
Junior GP Open
1st #69 TJ
2nd #45 Peter Lenz
3rd #46 Mario Alvarez, Jr
4th #6 Bennie Taylor
Senior Super Production
1st #55 Robert Linse
2nd #95 Mitch Fotes
3rd #38 Chris Mael
4th #27 Jamie Kelso
5th #20 Steve Kuhnle
6th #00 Ryan Devine
DNF #12 Jim Niebuhr
DNF #56 Randy Agmata
Senior Open
1st #38 Chris Mael
2nd #55 Robert Linse
3rd #56 Randy Agmata
4th #95 Mitch Fotes
5th #27 Jamie Kelso
6th #00 Ryan Devine
7th #20 Steve Kuhnle
DNF #12 Jim Niebuhr
