Round 6 GNC-MX Nationals
Photos by Digital 219
Jones Wins Again in Virginia
May 5, 2006 – Jeremiah Jones (#2) made it two motocross wins a row with a victory at the Birch Creek track in Danville, Virginia, April 29-30, riding his all new Suzuki LT-R450.
Jones
(left) was defiantly the man on a mission to show everyone he was going to be
the man to beat.
Track owner Rusty Reynolds and his crew were busy over the winter making many changes to the track and adding more parking for racers and spectators.
For the first moto in this sixth round of the ATVA ITP/Moose Grand national Championship Motocross Series, John Natalie (#13) and Joe Haavisto (#75) didn't get their coveted top pick on the starting gate because of pit infractions.
Blasting
off the line and scrambling for the first turn holeshot were Tim Farr (#4) and
Joe Byrd (#7) side by side. That is, until the very last moment, when Byrd
grabbed the lead.
Hot behind Byrd and Farr were Jason Luburgh (#8), Travis Spader (#30) and Dustin Wimmer (#191). Doug Gust (#55) was all the way back in 18th place.
Going over a jump, Matt White (#32) and Chad Wienen (#44) tangled. White dropped out with a dislocated shoulder.
Luburgh had mechanical problems with his ATV that he couldn't get fixed on Friday. So he had no choice but to ride his sister's YFZ450. To everyone’s surprise, Luburgh moved into a commanding first-place position.
Jones came from back in the pack and charged up to challenge Byrd. Jones took second place. Wimmer passed Byrd as well.
One
of the closest, hardest-fought races of the series involved Luburgh (leading,
left), Jones and Wimmer. Each one of the three would take the lead, sometimes
only for seconds, then everything would change.
The first moto ended with everyone cheering as Luburgh came across the line in first followed by Jones, Wimmer and Gust. Gust had charged from 18th place to fourth.
The
second moto started out with a lot of excitement. This time it was Josh Creamer
(#270) and Natalie battling for the holeshot, with Natalie taking the lead.
Creamer, Haavisto, Pat Brown (#199) and Jeremy Lawson (#16) followed.
Jones, back in the pack, quickly focused on moving up to challenge Natalie and take the lead. Jones opened up one of the biggest leads of the year, followed by Natalie, Gust, Haavisto and Wimmer at the checkered flag.
Jones, Gust and Wimmer were on the podium thanking their fans and sponsors, but that would change.
On one of the last few laps of the moto a number of riders launched off the face of the triple, with a yellow flag waving.
After
consulting with track officials, Natalie, Gust, Wimmer and Haavisto were docked
two positions for the infraction. All four quickly filed appeals with ATVA and
will be making their case soon.
Currently the winners are first place, Jones, second Byrd and Gust third.