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Photos by Blue Groove Photos
Darin Ogden wins North Carolina Extreme Dirt Track Battle
August 31, 2005 – Pro rider Darin Ogden (#2) of Dillionvale, Ohio, was extremely fast and smooth as he captured his first win this season at the fourth round of the FMF Extreme Dirt Track ATVA Nationals at Dixieland Speedway in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
Another
large crowd of spectators showed up at the fast and exciting Dixieland Speedway.
The Pro class was divided into three different qualifying heats.
In the first heat, Keith Little (#12) couldn't contain his excitement and jumped the light, causing a restart. Little started from the penalty line. Shane Hitt (#5) pulled the hole shot and led until he was forced to pull over with mechanical problems.
Then Nathan Dallas (#45) led. Little moved up through the pack to challenged Dallas and made the pass on the last lap.
In
the second heat, Ogden (left) pulled the hole shot, followed by Tim Farr (#4).
The two would battle lap after lap as Ogden held on to the lead.
In the third heat, Brad Covington (#22) jumped out front first. He was chased by Scott Morris (#43) and Daryl Rath (#67). Covington was able to build up a lead as Morris and Rath were battling behind him.
The crowd eagerly watched an evening of Extreme Dirt Track Racing in anticipation of the Pro main event that would be the last race of the evening.
The
tension was building as each Pro rider picked a spot on the starting line. Little
(right) signaled to the starter that he was requesting two minutes to check
on an oil leak that had developed as he pulled to the line. Little didn't complete
the repairs in the allotted time and was sent to the penalty line again.
When the light went green it was Ogden first into the turn followed by Farr, Covington, Morris and Harold Goodman (#708).
Ogden
would stay in front with Farr challenging in every corner (left). On the long
straights Farr would show Ogden a wheel, but Ogden held his line. The two would
distance themselves from the rest of the group, with Covington following a few
seconds behind.
Goodman in fifth would do everything he could to pass Morris in fourth, who was riding his best race this year.
Little came off the penalty line and was working his way to the front, but it wasn't meant to be. Oil leaking from the countershaft seal brought him to a halt.
At the checkered flag it was Ogden in first with a seven-second lead over Farr in second and Covington in third.
With Ogden’s win, this will make the make the challenge for the National Championship that much closer.