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New Season, Same Old Davey Durelle!
Colorado State Ice Racing Championship
Round 2 : Rainbow Falls
Woodland Park, CO. | January 28, 2007
By George Pennington
After two weeks of weather related delays, and finally, a cold, snowy beginning at round one of the Harry’s Roamers M/C promoted ’07 Colorado State Championship Ice racing season, Mother Winter finally relented and offered up ideal racing conditions for the nearly 250 entrants who made their way to round two. Grateful for a break from the cabin fever racers have been feeling this winter in Colorado, the racing was fast and aggressive with lots of spills, but fortunately, no winter chills to entertain the spectators.
Leading the charge into turn one of the 301+ Pro Studded Class, Davey Durelle set a pace which was to be unmatched as he led a freight train of riders jostling for position behind. Initially followed by Steve Brown, it took only a lap for Kelly Larkin to get past Brown, but it wasn’t clear sailing as Ryan Malloy also made his way first past Brown then right on by Larkin to assume the second position. Back behind the Malloy, Larkin duel, another Molloy, this one named Joey, was now putting the pressure on Larkin for third. Having gotten by Brown cleanly, Joey quickly got past Larkin and began to pressure Ryan. It only lasted a lap though, as Joey overstepping the limits of traction, spun himself off the track and out of the race. In order to avoid going down with Joey, Ryan was forced to run wide, opening the door for Larkin to retake the second position, but it was short lived as Ryan again ran him down to retake the position at the finish line. Durelle maintained the point to the finish to take the win and the cash.
Kelly Wright rode his Honda to an uncontested win in the 0-300 A Class although Eric Stradly kept him honest for the first five laps. A spin out on the final lap gave Wright the gap he needed to secure the win while also allowing Yamaha mounted Sid Shoemaker into the runner-up spot. Recovering from a mid-race crash, Alan Manka remounted to assume the third position.
The 301+ A’s provided some of the wildest racing of the day, with lots of tire bumping, bar banging and more than a couple of spills that eventually caused the event to be red flagged and concluded as more than half the required laps had been run. Hanging on for the win was Honda mounted Will Willits. Leading after the first lap, Willits succumbed to the aptly nicknamed Er-Wreck Nichols, who, shortly after pressuring his way into the lead, tossed it away hard, handing the lead and the win back to Willits. The action was no less exciting behind the lead duo as Duane Williams, John Pennington Sr. and Eric Srtadley argued over third. Contact between Pennington and Williams in turn two resulted in Williams popping up, out of the racing line and into Stradley. With a wheel ahead, Stradley held the advantage and stayed up while Williams corkscrewed his Yamaha into the ice. Recovering quickly, Williams was up, rejoining the race and becoming the beneficiary of a subsequent multi-bike crash that took out a number of riders, catapulting him into the fourth position at the abbreviated finish. Pennington held on for second while Stradley rounded out the podium.
One of the more interesting classes is the 3rd Wheel Class, and not as in ATC third wheel, but more like a sidecar without the monkey and running on bare tires. A haven for short travel vintage machines, it also favors big four-strokes such as the BSA raced by Sean Nesshoeffer to today’s win. Brady Dimmick pulled the Main Event holeshot with his ’85 250cc Husky, but two much speed into turn one had him sliding outside the line and out of contention, leaving the door wide open for Nesshoeffer and the rest of the class. It wasn’t an easy win for Nesshoeffer as he spent most of the race battling with the TT500 of Scott Walz for the runner up spot. Kamsey Durelle, also BSA mounted led most of the race before a miscue allowed both Nesshoeffer and Walz by, relegating him to third for the day.
ATC’s put on an exciting race, and lest you think they’re dead…..well perhaps they’re all just at the Ice Races, as a full gate of ten showed up today! Lot’s of bumping, and due to the lack of Nerf Bars, as their four wheeled cousin’s benefit from, lots of tire contact is the norm in this class.
Gary Steinberger and his Yamaha Tri-Z led most of the way, fending off the advances all race long of Andy Marcovich and Rink Smith. Bumping and brawling in every corner, Steinberger held them off to the final lap, where Marcovich, having not been successful from the inside, rolled outside and carried the delicate balance of momentum, drive and traction around Steinberger for the win. Ted Marcvier worked his way up from behind to overcome Smith and Mike Tollett for the final podium position.
The Amateur Quads worked hard for their brass today as 12 of them took to the track for the main event. First out of the gate and leading the pack was the Yamaha of Dannan Wagner. Wagner was gifted a wide gap as Johnny Hardrick nearly highsided in turn two and utilized the whole track in his efforts to get back on course, slowing up everyone behind. The incident allowed Adam Kimlek and John Vinson through to battle over second. After some back and forth action, Hardrick works his way back to the third position, behind Kimlek briefly before again getting sideways in turn two and handing the position back to Vinson. Vinson took great advantage of the opportunity by tucking in behind, then overtaking Kimlek for second. Vinson held on for third while Ryan Kilday also got by Hardrick to take fourth. Wagner rode uncontested to the win.
RESULTS:
301+ Pro Stud: 1. Davey Durelle; 2. Ryan Malloy; 3. Kelly Larkin; 4. Steve Brown; 5. Jason Curran
0-300 Pro Stud: 1. Joey Malloy; 2. Steve Brown
301+ A: 1. Will Willits; 2. John Pennington Sr.; 3. Eric Stradley; 4. Duane Williams; 5. John Pennington Jr.
0-300 A: 1. Kelly Wright; 2. Sid Shoemaker; 3. Alan Manka; 4. Eric Stradley
Master A: 1. Kelly Wright; 2. John Pennington Sr.: 3. Bob Burch; 4. Ricky Manka; 5. Dave Stock
Master Bare: 1. Tom “Flintstone” Flint; 2. Davey Durelle; 3. Mark Hanks; 4. Dan Hoier; 5. Peter Perez
Bare Tire A: 1. Dave Hersperger; 2. Peter Perez; 3. Mark Hanks; 4. Adam “Pickle” Vlasicak; 5. Dan Hoier
Mini A: Ian Gann; 2. Nathan Haney; 3. Maverick Spann; 4. Gregory Guthrie
301+ B: 1. Jay Struss; 2. Kamsey Durelle; 3. David Ure; 4. Bethanne Peters; 5. Bodie Packham
0-300 B: 1. Bob Spann; 2. Robby Burch; 3. Justin Flater; 4. Reena Manka; 5. Levi Jones
Bare Tire B: 1. Larry Lehmon; 2. Craig Shultz; 3. John Lingate; 4. Edward Schmidt
Mini B: 1. Melissa Steinberger; 2. Riley Hash; 3. Paul Jenness; 4. Brenna Peters
Vintage Open: 1. Kelly Wright; 2. Ricky Manka; 3. Will Willits; 4. Reena Manka; 5. David Ure
3rd Wheel Sr.: 1. Peter Perez; 2. Tom “Flintstone” Flint; 3. Dave Carriker; 4. Larry O’Neil; 5. Mike Frislie
3rd Wheel Jr.: 1. Sean Nesshoefer; 2. Scott Walz; 3. Kamsey Durelle; 4. Bill O’Neil; 5. Brady Dimmick
Pee Wee: 1. Sean Wacker; 2. Zach Jenness; 3. Shawn McCray; 4. Trevor Williams
Pro Quad: 1. Clint Raymond; 2. Chad Hazleton; 3. Erik Laxson; 4. Craig Kilday; 5. Mark Wellauer
Pro 2x4: 1. Mike Tollett; 2. Tom Flint; 3. Gary Steinberger; 4. Rink Smith; 5. Alan Smith
Mini Quad A: 1. Tyler Schneider; 2. Tori Raymond; 3. Kira Gipson; 4. Billy Smith; 5. Quincy Gill
2x4 A: 1. Jerry Capesious; 2. Scott Walz; 3. Stormin’ Norman Meyer; 4. Brady Dimmick; 5. Jeremy Lowdermilk
2x4 B: Mark Mackel; 2. Ted Allard; 3. Garrett O’Neil; 4. Jules Flint; 5. Ryan Schwartzkopf
4x4 Stud: 1. Johnny Hardrick; 2. Mel Kruse; 3. Brian Anderson; 4. Brandon Hargrove; 5. Garth Butler
4x4: Mel Kruse; 2. Mark Mackel; 3. Nancy Kruse; 4. Craig Anderson; 5. Johnny Hardrick
2x4 C: 1. Glen ‘Junk in the Trunk” Davenport; 2. Nick Stehler; 3. Anthony Medina; 4. Richard Medina; 5. Billy Carlton
Amateur Quad: 1. Dannan Wagner; 2. John Vinson; 3. Adam Kimlek; 4. Ryan Kilday
Novice Bare: 1. Maverick Spann; 2. Nick Hoier; 3. Michael Neal; 4. Mark Mackel; 5. Steve hash
Mini Quad B: 1. Conner Lowdermilk; 2. Morgan Lamm; 3. Eric Dech; 4. Lilly Anna
Mini Quad C: 1. Evan Griego; 2. Lilly Anna; 3. Megan baker; 4. Zachary baker; 5. Tory Brand
ATC: 1. Anthony Marcovich; 2. Gary Steinberger; 3. Ted Marcvier; 4. Juan Valdez; 5. Mike Tollet