TQRA 2010 Summer Series Wrap Up
- Updated: October 3, 2010
By Austin Wilson
Valley Moto MX track owner, Chris Garvin and family hosted the grand finale to the successful Texahoma Quad Racing Association Summer Series.
It is not uncommon to hear a spectator, rider, or parent say the TQRA mini riders of today are tomorrow’s professionals. This could not have been more true watching the big rigs of Thomas Brown and Chase Snapp roll into the Valley Moto facility in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma.
Yesterday’s TQRA mini riders like Hunter and Cody Miller, Corey and Chase Snapp, Johnny Hale and Thomas Brown have made quite a name for themselves in the national ranks, but returned to their old stomping grounds to duke it out against one another like they did when they were just starting out in the sport.
TQRA’s 2010 Summer Series conclusion at Valley Moto offered quad racing as intense as the Texas/Oklahoma heat. While first place may have been secure in some of the classes, there were still a several racers battling for the runner up spots.
Texas/Oklahoma Pro Reunion Day
The highpoint of the day was definitely the Pro Am and Expert Classes. Points leader in both classes, Hunter Miller had some serious competition but welcomed it and proved that he still has what it takes to hang with some of the fastest riders at the Nationals.
A blue Yamaha with the number 84 on it pulled all four moto holeshots, but only one of those moto holeshots belonged to owner Thomas Brown. You see, Thomas was nice enough to loan his practice Yamaha to Chase Snapp. It seems Chase liked his loaner quite well.
The first moto in the Pro Am class saw Thomas Brown take the lead and the eventual moto win. Chase Snapp was in hot pursuit of Thomas, but couldn’t get close enough to make a pass. Meanwhile, Cody Miller rode impressively in third, what’s more impressive is he held off older brother Hunter without a seat in later laps. Up and coming Rosin Shinn rounded out the top five respectively.
In moto two of the Pro Am class Chase Snapp took the holeshot and held on for the moto and overall win. Overall runner up went to Thomas Brown, Cody Miller, Hunter Miller and Rosin Shinn. Hunter Miller secured the 2010 TQRA Pro-AM Title.
As the hot sun beat down, Expert Class riders pulled into their gate positions. Chase Snapp hammered down and pushed Thomas Brown’s practice quad to its limits. Brown made a move on Snapp during the first lap and passed into the lead. Brown didn’t look back as he rode off to the easy moto win. During lap four of the first moto Snapp had some mechanical problems which ended his hopes of taking home honors in both Pro Am and Expert classes.
In the second moto Rosin Shinn stayed persistent and rode a clean moto to finish with a fantastic third place, giving him a second overall. Hunter Miller just needed to finish the race to secure the 2010 TQRA Expert Series Title but he finished moto two making a statement – finishing second behind Brown. In the end Thomas Brown took the overall win, Rosin Shinn was second, Cody Miller in third, Hunter Miller fourth and William Lawson Jr took fifth overall.
Cory Robins
Amateur Ranks
Open Quad Class brought in riders from various classes. Austen Dinger took the overall showing he meant business after taking both holeshots. Colton Cluck took a moto one second place finish, his personal best. Quad newcomer, Cole Supernaw made his transition from a two-wheeled bike to four, nicely walking away with a 9th and 4th which gave him a 6th overall. One is to wonder if he’ll continue racing a quad and be back for the TQRA 2011 Summer Series.
Burnt up clutches and hurt riders took a toll on the Mini Mod class. With only one 90 Mod in the line up, classes were combined. Ashleigh Offutt took the overall win in the Co-Ed Youth class riding her 300EX. Shawn Michael Rodges took second on his 300EX and Cory Gonzalez showed how to ride the 90 Modified and took the final podium spot in third. Straight stretches were won by the 300s but precise turning and jumping enabled 90 Mod riders to make up ground.
Cody and Bryce Ford, (the younger version of the Miller Brother), already wrapped up their classes for the series. However, this didn’t stop them from going out of the gates hard and racing with all they had. Cody Ford experienced a nasty get off prior to the finish line jump during lap one in the Sr. Mini second moto. Moto 2 win and overall went to #23 Joe Gossett. With only one race between the Mini Sr. and Supermini, Cody caught his breath and jumped on his Supermini bike. Alex Pafford took the Holeshot in the Supermini Class, however Cody Ford walked away with the overall win. Younger brother Bryce took the overall in Pee Wee Sr., Mini Stock, and Mini Jr. Sean Michael Carter earned bragging rights to his first ever TQRA holeshot in the Pee Wee Sr. class.
Southern Farm League
TQRA has produced three Pro am Production National Champions in Cody Miller, Chase Snapp and Thomas Brown. The Texas and Oklahoma local series has also brought up former National Pro contenders Hunter Miller and Johnny Hale.
For more on the the TQRA check out their website at www.tqra.com
