VIRGINIA CITY, NV (Oct 23) — This weekend the Virginia City Grand Prix celebrated it’s 50th or Golden Anniversary. Saturday’s weather was almost perfect for the Pros, Experts and Amateurs, especially since it had rained the night before.
It’s a long race as four hours after the first row starts the checkered flag comes out. This means that many times the leader isn’t even close to the finish line when that happens.
Before the start two head start numbers are auctioned off, this time #00 got a two minute head start while #0 got a 60 or one minute advantage. Riders are lined up in rows of 10 and they are launched about 15 seconds apart from C Street where they head downhill and make a turn onto the course.
After the dust settled overall winner J.T. Baker, who did six laps for a time of 4:34:45, took a deep breath and said, “It was good, long, I just got super (takes a deep breath.)…. I was done the last couple of laps. I was just milking it in but it was good. I was second for most of the whole loop (1st lap) until a guy blew a corner then I led for a while but I just couldn’t find the flow.
“When Brody Honea caught me I just let him by, wanted to follow him and see his line. He ended up having something happen to his clutch but it was good.”
Then he thanked sponsors, Fast House, Shoei Helmets, MPC, KTM and Pro Taper Bars. Asked if he’s coming back next year Baker said, “yea.”
First on the course was the #00 of Conner Burns, who ended up 19th overall at the end. Josh Poggi, who got the one-minute head start wound up 92nd overall.
First on point was Nick Stover, who got the hole shot. Soon he was replaced by Irving Powers.
Then Baker took over until a charging VC native Brody Honea grabbed the lead. Unfortunately Honea’s day ended with clutch problems but he was able to get back to the pits.
Now Baker took over again and would never be headed. At the end runner up Justin Bonita posted a time of 4:37:33 or three minutes behind Baker while Stover had a time of 4:40:32.
The first six placed riders did six laps while most either completed five or four laps.
There were a few women racing on Saturday and Dominique Fort finished 131st overall winning the Women’s Expert class. If there was a rider, who is an institution at the VCGP it’s Artichoke Joe Divecchio.
He has raced in every event and since starting to race on both Saturday and Sunday would have competed in 56 VCGP races at the end of this weekend.
After finishing he said, “The race went pretty good today on the second lap, the first lap was pretty rough. I had a challenge on some of the rocks and once you got a line going through there it start working out pretty good. It’s up hills and down hills came down really good.
“A little powdery out there right now hoping for rain tonight for tomorrow. Hopefully won’t have too many bottle necks tomorrow.”
Of course the next question, since he’s been racing here for a half century is how this year’s course compares to previous ones.
He answered, “I would give this course a 6. It’s not bad, it’s well put together the only thing is it’s a little speedy out there, they could have put more single track in it but they brought back some of the old down hills, which was a lot of fun, haven’t seen it for a while. And I want to thank Jack Putnam for making the downhill years ago.”
The VCGP is a tough race a real test of man/women and machine. 370 started 259 finished while 111 were classed as a DNF.
Later in the afternoon it was time for the Moto Mouth Mini Grand Prix. This one is for the younger set and honors long time announcer Bob “Moto Mouth” Cavakis, who always promoted racing for the younger set.
The course was set up down the hill from the fairgrounds where many people parked their trailers and motor homes. In the end Wyatt Mirell won the Pee Wee race while Dustin Carmo was the Mini Minis winner.
• While Saturday had good weather Sunday well was wet. Rains moved in to Northern Nevada and riders had to contend with slippery and muddy conditions. This race has the checkered come out three hours after the start and features many classes.
This time the first five riders completed four laps and winner Andrew Keefe, who won the Open Novice class had an elapsed time of 3:52:54. Runner up Colby Atkins had an elapsed time of 3:54:43 just about a minute ahead of third place, and 250 Novice winner, Carson Burns.
In the Masters 60 to 69 sixth place Ron Lawson had a time of 3:08:48 and he covered three laps. The Women’s Am/Nov winner was Darcy Johnson, who ended up 42nd ahead of the Bomber Am/Nov winner Darren Charles. Looking down the list in 66th place was the ageless Pete Prichard who races in the 70+ Ultra Masters divisions and Artichoke Joe Divecchio ended up 132nd overall.
On Sunday 231 riders started but 136 finished while 95 were classed as DNF.
Now the Comstock is silent as winter closes in but next April it will echo with the sounds of motorcycles. That’s when racers will answer the siren call of the 51st Virginia City Grand Prix.
REPORTER’S NOTE: I have included partial and class finishes after the sponsor list. For full results please go to www.moto-tally.com or www.vcgp.com for full results. The Mini race results are on the Face Book page.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. In northwest Nevada, it can be heard over the air at 1060 AM.
There is also a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm or it can be seen live on Face Book. The show is focused on all things automotive, trends, new developments and trivia.
SPONSOR LIST:
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We now have six very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue. And let them know you heard about them through this site.
• One sponsor is G.I.S.L Land Services that, while having a global client base it has a Western U.S.A. Focus. Among the services offered are Surface and Mineral Title Reviews and Cartographic Services.
Owner Greg Ekins is a long time off road motorcycle racer competing in the MRANN Series as well as the AMA National Hare and Hound series. The website is www.gislandservices.com.
• Next sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
The shop services older and new transmissions and now has a section for high performance units and those used in towing. Phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
• Racing photographer Melissa Coker is another sponsor. If you raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake Raceway or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
Besides photos, she produces hero cards and memory books. Her website is www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
• Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop. Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street.
Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
The next shop is Moto-Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they are a full service shop plus the showroom has about any thing a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
• Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno, is another sponsor. The shop does quality collision repair for cars and trucks.
Owner Brian Saul is a car enthusiast himself and is committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
• Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&CO for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. Wednesday evenings, starting around 5 p.m. is Bike Night, good time to meet fellow riders and have a great dinner.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or car enthusiasts? This site is a great way to expose your services to those communities. Sponsorships are very reasonable and one can contact us either through the comment section of this site or on our Face Book page.
RESULTS: 50th Virginia City Grand Prix*:
* Partial results.
• Saturday, Oct. 23 (Adults):
Overall: 1. J.T. Baker, Open Pro, (4:34:45), 2. Justin Bonita, 3. Nick Stover, 4. Irving Powers, 5. Daron Rahives, Vet Pro, 6. Ross Neely, 7. Willy Heiss, 8. Stephen Tichenor, 9. Patrick Garrahan, 10. Joe Shipman, 11. Sean Jones, 12. Dustin Burrell, 13. Austin Wilson, 14. Joshua Cook, 15. Austin Sanquinetti, 16. Ryan Fauci, 30+ Exp, 17. Janten Reber, 18. (#00) Conner Burns, 250 Exp., 19. Kody Moutafidis, 20. Eric Gillen, 40+ Exp., 21. James McMurray, 22. Greg Smith, 23. Austin Tavares, 24. Trenton Hall, 25. Jason Snetsinger, 26. Geoffrey Buscho, 27. Dylan Phillips, 28. Jacob De Vries, 29. Tyler Seehuetter, 30. Mikael Spears, 37. Tyler DeRieux, 250 am, 41. Rich Facciano, 50+ Exp., 52. Logan Lammer, Open Ama, 55. Athony Saxelby, 50+ Ama, 64. Tony Lorenze, 40+ Ama, 76. Paul Silva, 30+ Ama, 83. Reed Christensen, Open Ama, 86. Corbin Sheard, 250 Ama, 92. (#0) Josh Poggi, 93. Lane Lorenzo, 125 Ama, 131. Dominique Fort, Woman Exp., 256. Artichoke Joe Divecchio, 59+ Exp.
• Mini Moto Mouth Grand Prix:
+ Pee Wees:
Overall: 1.Wyatt Mirell, 7-9, 2. Maverick Parke, 3. Teigen Biddle, 4.Otto Clark, 5. Max Trotter, 6. Caleb Brumit-Salaices, 4-6, 7. Stetson Starr, 8. Levi Loer, 9. Max Clay, 10. Violet Clay, 11. Parker Coons, 12. Cameron Coons, 13. Logan Seehuetter.
DNF: Nora Robinson.
• Mini Moto, Mini Minis:
+ Overall: 1. Dustin Carmo, Mini Nov, 2. Henry Hutchins, Mini Ama, 3. Landen Ruano, 4. Walker VanDover, 5. Vaughn Brannan, Mini Exp, 6. Kaeson Shipman, 7. Quinn Connors, 8. Payeton Segale, 9. Cash Connors, 10. Chase Ruano, 11. Zachary David, 12. Weston Starr, 13. Devan Tichenor, 14. Payslee Starr, 15. Justin Spencer, 16. Jayden Alden, 17. Lilly Trotter, 18. Hunter Welton.
DNF: Breighdon Swenson, Hunter Ramsey, Isaac Bryant.
CXL: Kanoa Pollette.
• Sunday, Oct. 24*:
* Partial Results:
Overall: 1. Andrew Keefe, Open Nov., 2. Colby Atkins, 3. Carson Burns, 250 Nov., 4. Zane Wells, 125 Nov., 5. Brody Mussano, 6. Ron Lawson, MAS 60-69, 7. Brian Spiersch, 8. Trevor Fey, 9. Matt Thompson, 40+ Nov., 10. Robert Dawson, 11. Relle Cole, 12. Simon Lupori, 13. Ron Turner, 50+ Nov., 14. Steve Dore, 30+ Nov., 15. Mike Johnson,16. Bob Baron, 17. Troy Burk, 18. Logan Smith, 19. Conner Heywood, 20. Paul Abellon, 21. Owen Schenk, 22. Blake Hoffmann, 23. Ryan Downing, 24. Adam De Vargas, 25. Steven Mitchell, 26. Tyler Edmondson, 27. Craig Ingersoll, 28. Mike Waters, 29. Kelly Gilman, 30. Johnny Woytek, 42.Darcy Johnson, Wom Am/Nov, 43.Darren Charles, Bomb Am/Nov, 66. Peter Prichard, Ultra Mas 70+, Peter Prichard, Ultra Mas 70+, 130 Artichoke Joe Divecchio, Mas 60-69.
