Friday Night Lights 2011
- Updated: July 8, 2011
Photos by KD Photography
Friday June 24th marked the first round of the FNL ATV Summer series presented by Triumph Motorsports, and sponsored by DWT, Moto Works, Elka, Leatt, ODI, Blingstar, FLY, Fasst Co, Dio Vonti, Bomb Squad, LSR, STI and ATV Scene.
The Sun was shining while a cool breeze welcomed a flock of new and regular ATV racers out to compete on a not so-ordinary Friday evening.
“We could not ask for a better turn out for the first round of the series,” said Triumph Motorsports Anthony Martin. Martin, FNL’s co-promoter, added, “West Coast ATV racers need a fun local series and this is definitely it. Fun new and exciting things like this series are so important to an industry like ours, without them our sport could eventually deteriorate again. I encourage riders, especially newcomers to the sport, to come out and check this new Friday night series out.”
Friday Night Lights, Camera, Action!
Racers, like Jose Mendoza of Turlock, CA, traveled as far as seven hours to try some motocross racing under the lights. And there were no shortage of top Pro racers on hand for the FNL series opener. Having racers like Jeremie Warnia, Dillon Zimmerman, Jason Fife, Darrell Patton, Chase Thomas, Davi Haagsma and others on hand assured that there would be some good battles to watch.
Warnia took the holeshot in the first moto and stayed out front. Moto two was a little different with Haagsma taking the holeshot and leading for a few laps. Warnia worked his way around Haagsma for a 1-1 Pro moto finish. Haagsma, and Zimmermann finished 2 and 3. The Pro Am class saw Daniel Ramirez, Dylan Dixon, Daniel Palacios finishing 1, 2, 3 in both motos.
Amateur racing was just as much a hit as the pro classes. Spectators enjoyed plenty of bar banging action without the sun-baked dust that’s usually associated with Southern California motocross racing that typically happens at high noon on Saturdays and Sundays. The opening round of Friday Night Lights brought out first timers like Ralph Rodriguez, a local ATV racer out of Corona, CA. “I had a blast. This is a great new series, I think it will catch on quick,” said Ralph. It was nice to see that the FNL Series has already attracted brand new riders to the great sport of ATV racing.
Track conditions and the atmosphere at Milestone MX Ranch in Riverside, CA was outstanding, just as promised.
For those of you in Southern California that did not get a chance to make it out for the first round, there are three more rounds this year; July 15th, July 29th and August 12th. Remember, besides the low-keyed fun atmosphere that Friday night motocross racing at Milestone offers, there is $2000 worth of prizes up for grabs in the Amateur classes.
Triumph Motorsports’ Anthony Martin, (promoting the quad portion of the series) summed up the opener with this, “Working with Scott Burns of Milestone has been a pleasure. There will be some changes next time like parking and more ATV practice, so stayed tuned for bigger and better things for ATVers as the series progresses. We’re looking forward to making changes as needed to grow this series to the needs and wants of the quad guys and girls that support it.”
Round 1 Results
QUAD 450 PRO
1. Jeremie Warnia 25
2. David Haagsma 22
3. Dillon Zimmerman 20
4. Jason Fife 18
5. Chase Thomas 16
6. Darrel Patton 15
7. Greg Smith 14
QUAD 450 PRO-AM
1. Daniel Ramirez 25
2. Dylan Dixon 22
3. Daniel Palacios 20
4. Gilbert Flores 18
5. Tyler Horick 16
6. Jorge Guevvevo 15
7. Keith Carlson 14
QUAD 450 INT
1. Kaeli Flaczinski 25
2. Jose Mendoza 22
3. James Livingston 20
QUAD 450 NOV
1. Brandon Edwards 25
2. Joey Berg 22
3. Seth Fargher 20
4. Justin Christensen 18
5. Nick Walker 16
6. Steven Estrada 15
7. Jose Navarro 14
QUAD 450 BEG
1. Roger Robels 25
2. Raul Saleh 22
3. Ralph Rodriguez 20
4. Jerry Maldonado 18
5. Angel Mendoza 16
QUAD VET 30+
1. Hector Urias 25
QUAD OPEN
1. Gerardo Hernandez 25
2. Edgar Martinez 22
3. Rick Perez 20
4. Javier Palacios 18
