Posted May 22, 2006

Sean Neidlinger Wins Third Round of the Atlantic Grand Prix Series

Sean Neidlinger showed he had what it takes to win the third round of the Atlantic Grand Prix on May 14 in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. The hare-and-hound race was all about quads, and organizers revised the 7.5 mile course on the side of Moosic Mountain based on input from the riders. The majority of the rock sections were removed and passing lanes were added.

Sunday's race day was quite a challenge, with threatening skies and a Saturday night rainfall that left the course a little on the wet side. Talk in the pits ranged from impassable creek crossings to nasty muddy up hills, but it was just talk.

Minutes before the race, Grand National Cross Country star Chris Borich called and said that he wouldn't attend because of a family emergency. That left Flagtown, New Jersey, resident Neidlinger in a position for a possible win.

When the green flag dropped it was a three-way battle between Neidlinger, Scott Samuel who rides out of Medway, Massachusetts, and Rob Hertz from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania. But after a couple of turns it was Scott Samuel who grabbed the lead. He would then hold on to that position for the next two laps, but would later give it up to a hard charging Neidlinger. Rob Hertz then moved into the second position and Scott Samuel would finish in the third position after two hours of racing.

In the morning race, Timothy McAndrew on a Utility Unlimited Quad pulled the holeshot and held that position for 15 miles. But hard-charging Women's Division rider and GNCC star Stephanie Verkade (right) came from a last row start to grab the lead and go and take the overall win. Second overall went to Christopher Peipher out of Kulpmont, Pennsylvania, also on a Utility Unlimited Quad.

In the Youth Quad race, the course was shortened to a little over a mile in length, which consisted of a new woods section as well as a small hill just next to the start area. GNCC youth rider Austin Findley grabbed the holeshot and held down that position the entire duration of the 45-minute, 15-mile race. Second went to Polaris rider Dalton Dernoski.

In the 8-15 90cc Limited Class, Sarah Marsh (right) beat out Dylan Kralle after his quad pulled in water with only 13 minutes left in the race.

All and all it was a great day of racing. With 13 more races on the 2006 Atlantic Grand Prix schedule, it’s still too early to say who the winner will be at the end of the season. The next race is the fourth round on Memorial Day weekend at NA Warhorse in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, followed by the fifth round at Thunder Ridge MX park in New Berlin, New York, June 17-18.

For more information about the Atlantic Grand Prix series go to www.atlanticgrandprix.com.

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