Budds Creek Amateur AMA ATV Motocross Race Report
- Updated: June 19, 2011
by Ken Hill
Travis Spader won a total of 8 races at Budds Creek
The legendary Budds Creek Motocross facility played host to round three of the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series, and it would be the stage from which Cody Gibson once again swept both Pro Am Production motos. Gibson riding aboard his Walsh Racecraft backed Suzuki LTR 450 has managed to secure wins in all three rounds thus far, and intends on keeping the winning alive all season long.
Gibson rocketed off the gate as the wide open run to turn one, mixed with the soft sandy soil, had him hard on the brakes as moto one was turned loose. Gibson would run out of track and connect hard with Dalton Millican as the pair battled for the holeshot. After a quick recovery, Gibson claimed the lead and pushed hard to put distance between himself and the raging pack of racers behind him. With clean track ahead of him, Gibson would put in another dominating ride as he took the checkered flag, ending the first moto.
Casey Martin would score second in the first moto after a solid effort on a very rough track. The condition of the track was more a factor at this round as the competition closed up and the action was intense. Nick Moser would be ripping the Budds Creek course apart as he tore into the Pro Am Production class ranks and had his best ride of the year thus far. Moser came across the finish line to claim third in the first moto.
Pro Am Production Podium
Moto two had Gibson up front once again, with Martin giving chase until his engine had issues and forced him out of the race. The rider on the move was Nick Moser, though, as he powered his way through the pack and found himself solidly in second place. William Lloyd would have an impressive ride this round as he claimed third in moto two. The podium was set with Gibson, Moser and Cody Suggs rising to the podium after the roost settled.
“I am pumped to be up here on the podium again, everyone said it would be hard for me to do well on a rough track and I wanted to prove a point today,” Gibson exclaimed from the podium.
With six moto wins in the matter of three rounds, Gibson has the points lead and the pressure of dominating this field of extremely talented racers gracing the Pro Am Production class. With Casey Martin having shown he is ready to battle and sans any mechanical issues, Gibson will be facing stiff competition as the season rolls on. The real threat may indeed come from Nick Moser who put in an incredible two motos of racing and looks fully capable of running for a podium position thanks to his increased training and new Honda 450R.
The Amateur racing was jam packed the entire weekend as the natural terrain layout of Budds Creek kept throwing curve balls to many who were not prepared for such a brutal track. The elevation changes, high humidity and naturally occurring obstacles on the track changed with each moto. Those who could adapt and get their set up close would celebrate great finishes as the classes continuously powered off the gate.
Brett Musick would have an exceptional weekend as he rode to a 1-1 sweep in 450 B, in addition to the 1-1 finish in Production B. Four class-wins and two overalls makes for one hard weekend of racing as Musick holds the points lead in both classes.
Travis Spader rode flawless in four classes, taking a total of eight wins this weekend marking what could be a record. Spader has been crushing the competition and this weekend’s rough track was just what Spader needed to leave Budds Creek with a ton of Can-Am contingency cash!
Maci Davenport beat out the boys in 90 Production (8-15)
The Women’s class was a real battle, as Adrienne Cooper would claim the top spot over a talented field of riders; however, it wouldn’t come easily. Cooper would take the moto one win, the moto two victory went to Nicole Gates after the pair battled hard the entire moto. The Women’s class has been incredibly competitive this year and Cooper will have some serious racing ahead of her as she goes after the class championship.
Maci Davenport was out front and had the win in the bag, until she cleared a step up and her axle nut backed off, leaving her parked alongside the track as her victory turned into defeat. Tears welled up as she watched her competition take her win. Not giving up, Davenport rallied back in 90 Production (8-15) to claim both moto wins becoming the first girl to win an overall in the boy dominated class at the national level.
The series point-battles are heating up as the ten-round tour heads to Walnut, Ill. for round four at the Sunset Ridge MX facility on May 19 and 20. For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.
