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The Third Annual Stateline Supermoto Challenge was held behind Buffalo Bills Hotel and Casino in Primm, Nevada. The event was home to over 900 total entries and proved to be a great racing weekend. There were plenty of classes to choose from, including Stock, Amateur, Pro, and there was even a Rhino class.
After a long morning of qualifiers on the first day we started to move into main events. The stock class was up first, and our own Associate Editor Nick Nelson was starting out on the inside second row. The first turn had been a mess all day and Nick’s plan was to take the first turn easy then kick it into high gear. His plan worked—everyone piled up on the first turn and he was able to make his way out and found himself towards the front of the pack. By the second lap he was in third place and closing on second. This was his first race back after injuries in 2006, and you could tell fatigue was setting in by the 5th lap. He tried to hold his position but Jeremiah Staggs and Tommy Brittain were pushing hard. Tyler Vogel crossed the finish line in first, while Russel McWhorter came in a close second, and Jeremiah Staggs took third. Nick finished in fifth place just behind Tommy Brittain.
After watching the adult mini class, the quad amateurs were up next. This class had trouble with the first turn earlier in the day that resulted in a red flag. 30 quads would be starting the race and only 24 would finish. The first turn was a mess again, Cody Mitchell, and Russell McWhorter emerged from the mess in the lead. It stayed that way for the remainder of the race. Russel McWhorter was unable to grab the lead again and ended up with his second, second place finish of the day. Cody Mitchell took first, and Lloyd Wren rounded out the top three.
The day would end with the Rhino main event. The Rhino turnout was surprisingly low—last year the event hosted four times the amount racers. There were three Rhinos for the qualifier, and only two for the main. Ian Dent took the holeshot and David Spang wasn’t far behind. The dirt track action was impressive, especially when watching the heavy side-by-sides take flight! David Spang was never able to catch up, and took second place.
Sunday was filed with heats for the motorcycle main events and we would be forced to wait for the quad pro class until late in the afternoon. Dark gray skies moved in around lunchtime, and the clouds opened up. Bikes where flying all over the track, with a number of wrecks. Racing was suspended until the rain let up. By 2:00 p.m. the rain had diminished and racing resumed. After a full day of waiting the quad pro class lined up on the track. Anticipation filed the air as the motors revved up. The flag dropped and supermoto veteran Nic Grunland took the holeshot and never looked back! Frank Batista was hot on his tracks for most the race, until Daryl Rath snuck by. Nic crossed the finish line on two-wheels, with Daryl Rath a split second behind and Frank Batista took third.
Nic Grunland had mentored racers on Thursday for a Quad Supermoto School. Most of his students placed in top positions in their respective classes (although it seems he managed to keep a few secrets to himself). Word also has it that the AMA Supermoto Series will be allowing quads to compete this year. So if you didn’t get a chance to check out this race, look for more quad supermoto action throughout the year!
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