Once again an annual rite of spring has happened as racers converged on the Comstock.

VIRGINIA CITY (April 30) – The 45th annual Virginia City Grand Prix is a sure sign of spring in Northwest Nevada. The Comstock Classic is a two-day affair and attracts riders from across the west.

Saturday is for the pros, experts and amateurs as they race a four-hour timed event. And for one rider it was a return to competition after suffering a crash last year that almost put him out of racing.

Tucker Larrieu speeds across a flat on his way to winning Saturday’s overall victory.

“It was actually the best VC course I’ve ever rode,” Tucker Larrieu said after taking the overall victory. “It was super sloppy the first lap but after that it kind of got pretty good. The hardest part of the whole course was definitely the lappers for sure as sometimes they just won’t get out of the away. But you make the best of it so I happy with how I rode.”

Jakobee Revislio got the 2-minute head start for Saturday.

As usual two “head start,” positions were auctioned off to benefit local Virginia City charities. Amateur Jakobee Reviglio got the two minute jump while Expert Donavyn Morris was let loose a minute before the rest of the field started.

Donavyn Morris had the 1-minute head start on Saturday.

Everyone but the two head starts line up in rows of 10 that are sent off in 10 second intervals. From there it’s a downhill run with a sharp left and right, down another hill and onto the course.

The pros go first followed by a mix of amateur and experts.

At first Larrieu was following Alex Dorsey down the hill but soon swept past him. Later Morris said he was in the clear, due to his head start, for about five miles until the fast guys caught and swept past him.

After completing the first 25-mile loop Larrieu had almost a minute lead over second place Travis Coy. Behind them Dorsey had slipped to third ahead of a charging Ty Tremaine and Zane Roberts.

Over the next four plus hours Larrieu kept extended his lead as he left everyone in his tracks. At the end did rode six laps for an elapsed time of 4:37:36.867 and had over seven minute lead.

Ty Tremain charged his way to 2nd overall on Saturday. Here he is at the start.

The battle for second was between two teammates when Tremaine caught Coy.

Check points reported a “bar to bar,” duel going on as both riders would sweep past them. In the end Tremaine, a local racer, took the runner up spot with Coy only a second behind him.

Travis Coy was third for a while then finished third overall on Saturday.

Tremaine’s elapsed time for his six laps was 4:44:52.291 while Coy’s time was 4:45:10.843.

Coming home fourth was the first amateur Walker Glass, who was the last rider to complete six laps. His time was 4:59:10.843 and he won the Amateur 250cc class.

Walker Glass (426) came from his starting position and raced his way to fourth overall on Saturday.

His victory capped a year of challenges for Tucker as he broke his back on June 28th of last year. His recovery was quick enough that he could resume riding three months ago but there were more challenges.

“I have to thank Craig Thompson, owner of SRT, as he loaned me the bike for the weekend because mine broke last wee so I was scrambling to get a bike together” Larrieu said. “I got it together on Friday, didn’t get to ride it until I raced and luckily it held together. I just rode my own race, tried to not make any mistakes and make the bike last.”

He added that he probably wouldn’t be where he is now without the help SRT has given him. And he also thanked Gil Grieve from Concours Auto Body, RMS, CMS, CD, TBT and Flex Bars.”

Next year Larrieu plans to compete in the entire Endurocross series as SRT will transport his bike back east. And he hope to include a couple of hard enduros like the Tennessee Knock Out and next year’s King of the Hammers.

After they finished Tremaine and Coy congratulated each other.

Asked about the duel for second Tremaine said, “It was two whole laps, it was a ton of fun, I was definitely underpowered on the 250F but we went back and fourth and it made for some really fun racing. This course was great, the beginning was awesome because it was super, super muddy so on the 250F it was a little lighter and I was able to stay on top and it worked out great.

“And once day got going it got hard packed and I knew I was going to have to charge the whole time cause I was underpowered for sure but I rode good, no crashes, Travis rode great, I don’t know who won but Tucker was hauling ass and everyone was.”

He too intends to compete in the upcoming Endurocross Series.

“I’m just training so hard going into August. I had a pretty successful season in the World Superenduros so coming into August I’m on a new program and I think it’s going to be a good year,” he said.

Then he thanked RPM, FMF, KTM, Carson Motorsports, Nature’s Bakery, Maxis, his family and everyone else that is helping or supporting his racing.

Then Coy said, “We had a good time, we went back and fourth for a couple of laps. You know Ty’s my teammate so it’s always fun battling him and we both ride smart next to each other. It would have been cool if we were battling for first or second but I guess Tucker checked out on us.

“The first lap was pretty slippery but by the time we caught lappers it was pretty tacky and packed in so it really wasn’t all that bad actually. It was a good day, the track was fun and I’m happy it’s over.”

Then he thanked his team, 650 Suspension, RPM, FMF, KTM, Motorcycle Super Store, IMS as well as his parents and friends.

Asked about next year Coy explained he’s pretty booked up between the WORCS and National Hare Scrambles but he’ll try to ride in as many District 36 events as he can.

Once again Sutro Canyon was not part of the course but the race is still a test of rider and machine. And the mud at first made it even more challenging.

Mud was a factor Saturday and here are two riders covered with it as they start their second lap.

There were 446 entries for the start and 308 finished although that total might change.

Since the event has gone on for almost five decades there have been fathers that were followed by their sons and sometimes daughters to compete. Back on the 11th row there was a father-son team as Josh Wilson lined up beside his son Austin.

At the finish Austin beat his father to finish 11th while the senior Wilson was 17th.

Once Saturday’s race was finished the Sunday racers, novice, women, bomber and vintage riders started to set up their camps.

For the pros, expert and amateur riders they’ll hear the siren call of the VCGP next year and return to the Comstock to compete in this classic race.

OTHER RACING NEWS

• NASCAR visited Talladega this weekend and three Nevada drivers were there.

In Saturday’s Xfinity race Brendan Gaughan started sixth and finished fifth. Then in Sunday Sprint Cup event Kyle Busch started 17th, finished second while older brother Kurt started 18th and ended up eighth.

If you enjoyed this article please “like,” it and share as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.

Subscribers have articles posted to their inbox as soon as they are on the site.

We have two sponsors and if you’re into the riding lifestyle or race a motorcycle please support Reno Motorsports as they support your sport. You can reach them at, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.

Karting is not only fun but probably the most cost effective way to start racing on four wheels. Here we are blessed with a full service kart shop, Nevada Kart Sport. If you have questions or might want to try this form of motorsport please go to, www.nevadakartsport.com.

RESULTS*

45th Annual Virginia City Grand Prix

Saturday, April 30

• Overall: 1. Tucker Larrieu, 2. Ty Tremaine, 3. Travis Coy, 4. Walker Glass, 5. Alex Dorsey, 6. Reece Honea, 7. Joey Fiasconaro, 8. Zane Roberts, 9. Kale Elworthy, 10. Jason Hurst, 11. Nathan Gibson, 12. J.T. Baker, 13. Michael      Berenbak, 14. Brad Hartsell, 15. A.J. Lehr, 16. David Hall, 17. Joe Shipman, 18. Daron Rahlves, 19. T.J. Erny Jr., 20 Zach Fitch, 21. Devin Hopping, 22. Sean Jones, 23. Willy Heiss, 24. Alec Conroy, 25. Calum Campbell, 26. Max Parker, 27. Shawn Hale, 28. Jake Osborne, 29. Lochlan Campbell, 30 Eric Hotaling, 31. Reese Barker, 32. Austin Wilson, 33. Steven Pirnik, 34. Travis Shute, 35. Paul Van Horsen, 36. Josh Poggi, 37. Titan McKibben, 38. Josh Wilson, 39 Stephen Helms, 40 Jake Himphill, 41. Rusty Schmidt, 42. Gabe Akins, 43. Jeff Klino, 44. Josh Hall, 45. Josh Klikna,      46. Ryan Jackson, 47. Daryl Cowley, 48. Steve Walkiewicz, 49. Dino Rosa, 50. Colin Clay.

• Classes:

+ 50+ (Ama.): 1. Rich Wilson, 2. Robert Cristando, 3. Tom Connor, 4. Ron Grove, 5. Gary Dyrr, 6. Jeff Campbell, 7. Frank Vasicek, 8. Steven Morgan, 9. Greg Tomsik, 10. Mike Ryan, 11. Mike Palladino, 12. Mike McDaniel, 13. John Brurnham, 14. Dean Blank, 15, Daniel Anderson, 16. Daniel Intoschi, 17. Colt White, 18. Rick Vandyk, 19. Mike Newman, 20. Terry Neymen.

+ Expert: 1. Gil Grieve, 2. Mark Debibo, 3. Rob Chavez, 4. Ron Facciano, 5. Joe Mitchell, 6. Pete  Wisner, 7. Dennis Hannel, 8. Richard Ramsey, 9. Mike Scott, 10. Russell Duarte, 11. Jeff Miller, 12. Jack Rose, 13. Rocky Tilander, 14. Marty Kennedy, 15. Mike Ornellas, 16. Joe Prosch, 17. Michael Dixon, 18. Dean Taylor, 19. Dave Mowery, 20. Micah      Kennedy.

40+:

+ Amateur: 1. Harvey Grant, 2. Paul Bergstrom, 3. Kirk Ridgley, 4. Steven Sanford, 5. David Croteau, 6. Jason Fontenot, 7. Mike Cullen, 8. Scott  Walton, 9. Steven Leutz, 10. Rich Doherty, 11. Jim Flynn, 12. Dylan Trent, 13. Eric Cranford, 14. Macrae Galss, 15. Mark Foti, 16. Joseph Smith, 17. Scott Martin, 18. Corey Hooper, 19. Mathew Meunier, 20. Chris Smith.

+ Expert: 1. Paul Van Horsen, 2. Titan McKibben, 3. Josh Wilson, 4. Nick Simon, 5. Brad Rosbach, 6. Johnny Ledbetter, 7. Randy Adams, 8. Troy      Burchby, 9. Steve Hintze, 10. Kurt Ashley, 11. Jack McCormick, 12. Alex      Lehu, 13. Jason Gonzales, 14. Leon Hannum, 15. Walt Lunn, 16. Randy Wood, 17. Leonard Baca, 18. Gerald Hale, 19. Kenny Couturier, 20. Jack Roberts.

30+:

+ Amateur: 1. Jake Himphill, 2. Justin Beach, 3. Fredrick Dexter, 4. John Davis, 5. Travis Kinny, 6. Nate Rasmussen, 7. Adam Binker, 8. Ryan Pedersen, 9. Jesse Richardson, 10. David Kertyz, 11. Augie Cervantes, 12. William Englebrick, 13. Ryan Wahler, 14. A.J. Holt, 15. Ryan McClenahan, 16. Shawn Gable, 17. Kolby Miller, 18. Paul McLoughlin, 19. Jeff Robinson, 20. Mike Norton.

+ Expert: 1. T.J. Erny Jr., 2. Devin Hopping, 3. Willy Heiss, 4. Josh Klikna, 5. Ryan Jackson, 6. Daryl Cowley, 7. Steve Walkiewicz, 8. Colin Clay, 9. Adam Thissen, 10. Joe Delucchi, 11. Jackson Esselman, 12. Ehsan Farkhonden, 13. Chris Kozlik, 14. Ryan Steele, 15. Joshua Huffman, 16. Josh Steward, 17. “Artichoke” Joe Di Vecchio.

Open:

+ Amateur: 1. Alec Conroy, 2. Eric Hotaling, 3. Dino Rosa, 4. Tyler Seehuetter, 5. Scott Englebrick, 6. Connor Nejedly, 7. Cody Walker, 8. Jarred Johnson, 9. Chris Martin, 10. Chancelor, Erwin, 11. Jeff Mize, 12. Tyler Bryant, 13. Dane Johnson, 14. Chris Burns, 15. Jacob Booth, 16. Justin Moyel, 17. Jeff Wilson, 18. Cody Lewis, 19. Trevor Frey, 20. Jared      Stoops.

+ Expert: 1. Max Parker, 2. Shawn Hale, 3. Reese Barker, 4. Travis Shute, 5. Josh Poggi, 6. Ross Clark, 7. Nick Gust, 8. Lucas Anthony, 9. Jacob Robik, 10. Dan Rankin, 11. Donavyn Morris, 12. Jamie Welch, 13. Jason      Stelzriede, 14. Robert McAdam, 15. Chris Conley, 16. Welsey Haskell, 17. Anthony Alaimo, 18. Reed Christensen, 19. Jerry Van Loo.

125cc:

+ Amateur: 1. Brian Cann, 2. Jonas Thissen, 3. Alek Simone.

+ Expert: 1. Lochlan Campbell, 2. Austin Wilson, 3. Stephen Garrez.

250cc:

+ Amateur: 1. Walker Glass, 2. Rusty Schmidt, 3. Gabe Akins, 4. Josh Hall, 5. Jordan Rumsey, 6. Luke Metcalf, 7. Drew Lehr, 8. Devin Osanna, 9. Billy Morning, 10. Edward Carata, 11. Dillon Boyson, 12. Nick Delucchi, 13. Michael Dixon, 14. Flynn James, 15. Tervor Delucchi, 16. Craig Roseberry, 17. Kendrick Martin, 18. Avery Dyrr, 19. Ryan Matthews, 20. Austin Harding.

+ Expert: 1. Zac Fitch, 2. Calum Campbell, 3. Andrew Mitchell, 4. James Garbo, 5. Tallon Newman, 6. Harrison Shannon, 7. James Turpen, 8. Clayton Lahr.

Cash: 1. Trucker, Larrieu, 2. Ty Tremaine, 3. Travis Coy, 4. Alex Dorsey, 5. Reece Honea, 6. Joey Fiasconaro, 7. Zane Roberts, 8. Kale Elworthy, 9. Jason Hurst, 10. Nathan Gibson, 11. J.T. Baker, 12. Michael Berenbak, 13. Brad Hartsell, 14. A.J. Lehr, 15. David Hall, 16. Joe Shipman, 17. Daron Rahlves, 18. Sean Jones, 19. Jake Osborne, 20. Steven Pirnik.

* – Due to space and time only partial results listed. For full results go to, www.vcgp.com.

*