RENO NV (MAY 18) — The first StadiumGP rocked the Reno Rodeo Arena this weekend. On Thursday was qualifying followed by a concert, then Friday and Saturday were both race days. There were a variety of classes but the Pros raced for $10,000 on Friday an $10,000 on Saturday.
Saturday evening, after the opening ceremonies, things started rolling with the three classes of Futures. These were racers 17 and under. Peyton Maas won in Class 1 while Lucas Evans won Class 2. Class 3 had the most riders and Justin Henry won that class.
When the first Open Pro heat began Luke Kalaitzian won the first heat. In the heat races the top 6 transferred into the main.
Next on the schedule was the Open Stacyc race. These are the youngest riders, in fact one of them was only 4-years-old. They rode on a shortened course to the cheers of the fans and Nikolaj Evens won the event.
Then it was time for Class 1 of the Open Big Bikes where the riders were 18+ years old. .
Part of the course exited the arena, wound its way through the horse stalls then entered the arena going over was described as a ski jump.
Chase Cannizzaero took off and had a huge lead as he won the overall and Class 1. After that it was time for the Pee Wees to take the track.
These youngest riders race single speed 50cc motorcycles and it’s where the next generation get their racing spurs.
In the 4 to 6 Class Jude Fye won that class and in the 7 to 8 class Stetson Starr was the victor. I believe he also was the overall winner.
Next up was the second or Division 2 of the Open Pro heats. The winner was Austin Politelli, who won the Pro feature on Friday night.
There was only one class for the women and Rachel Porter from Loyalton won. The runner up was Kylah Krupa from Sparks while third place was Kari Pomerleau, who came all the way from Greenville, South Carolina.
Class 3 in the Open Big Bike class was next. Winning that race was Richie Whitney while Colton Scudder ended up second.
There were three classes of Veterans who were 38 or older. Went the race started Class 1 rider Eric Gillen led and would win the overall. Behind him at first Tim Rasmussen, who won Class 2. The Class 3 winner was Andrew Belote
When the third Open Pro heat began Austin Walton took off and was never headed. Jordan Torres was the runner up while Layton Smail finished third.
Next was the 85cc, 7-11 and Big Wheel Class. This is the last small bike class before these young racers move into the Big Bike classes.
Not a big field but Wade Clark got a huge lead and was never headed. Behind him Landen Ruano won the Big Wheel Class.
Now it was time for a crowd favorite the Three-Wheel Class. There was an open lap crash just before the riders left the Arena, fortunately except for some bruising the rider appeared to be all right.
Up front Wrangell Gubler was in command and scored his second victory of the weekend. Finishing second was Chad Valker, who came all the way from Waverly, TN.
For those racing in the Open Pro LCQ it was time to give it their all or go home. Only the top 2 would transfer into the main. After the checkered waved the Pro field was set.
While the Pros were getting ready for the big race for the night there was the Adventure Bike/Street Bike race. These bikes are large and street legal. When the checkered flag waved Mario Murillo won.
Next was the Open Big Bikes running their Class 2. In the end Matthew Dufur was the victor,
While the other races were usually 10 minutes long for the Pros it was 15 minutes plus one lap. On the start Sparks rider Austin Walton took off with everyone trailing in his dust.
Behind him Friday’s pro winner Austin Politrelli was giving chase and holding off Luke Kalaitzian. Lap after lap they tore around the course and eventually had to deal with lappers in the narrow, windy section outside of the arena.
Eventually Walton scored the victory so he gets the winner’s trophy and check. Since Politelli, who was first and second both nights and had the most points, he was awarded the championship belt buckle.
After the race Walton said, “I started to pump up there at the end and it was definitely a challenging track, compared to what is was the last three days. All in all I felt better and the track got better tonight.
“It was a challenge as my suspension is working but almost too good. It was a good night and I was happy.”
Then he thanked the whole factory Rock Star Huskvarna Team, Thanked his dad and brother for helping as mechanics. Can’t thank my whole family, girl and those that supported me.
• When Friday’s Open Pro feature began Luke Kalaitzian briefly was on point until we went over. This handed the lead to Austin Politelli.
There would be no catching Politelli as he roared around the arena and flew through the narrow part of the course. For his part Kalaitzian put on a charge from the back and finished in the runner-up spot with Jordan Torres in third.
Asked about the race Politelli said, “It was a good time but not the best start I wanted but it was a rubber band start to I did the best I could. Lap traffic was pretty bad but I’ve been a lapper many times in my life and I know how it goes.
“I’ve never road anything like that before (Grand Prix section), was an experience for me but I had a blast.”
Then he thanked his family, Active Gear, California Coast Plumbers, Bert Mechanical, BC Goggle and everyone that supported him.
There were many other winners of course and Wrangell Gubler topped the 3-Wheel Class. In the Pee Wes Caleb Salaices was the 7-8 winner while the 4-8 victor was Ace Veerkamp.
Moving up to the 85cc Class Wade Clark won in 7-11 while Landen Ruano was the Big Wheel winner. In the Futures, where the riders are 17 and Under, the Class 1 winner was James Larsen, Class 2 was on by Wyatt Rankin and the Class 3 victor was Justin Henry.
The Open Big Bike Class is for riders that are 18 and over. Three locals scored where the Class 1 winner was Chase Cannizzaro, Class 2 was won by Andrew Williams and Trevin Perkins was the Class 3 winner.
There was a Pit Bike race on Friday and Bryson Olson won that feature. The 38 and Older riders rode in the Vet Classes; Eric Gillen won Class 1 while Johnathon
Ayers was the Class 2 winner and Class 3 was won by Richard Parise.
There was a Pit Bike race but those results were put in Saturday’s results.
There was a Woman’s race and the top three were Hayley Paronish, Taylor Kemp and Lainey Garrett.
There was a decent crowd of fans on Friday night and an even larger group of fans Saturday. With this promising turn out the even should be even better next year.
REPORTER’S NOTE: There is a photo gallery at the end of this article but if one wants some great photos please go to www.jessiewhitephotography.com. While I take photos for my articles he and his team have some great individual photos of the riders that competed.
- For the complete results please check www.resultsmx.com/repracing/class.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Starting at 5 p.m. the Sparks A&W has its weekly cruise in. Location is across the street from Reed High School.
• Davey’s American Racing is found on Face Book. His focus is on western oval tracks as well as national series.
He recently started his broadcasts so to check Face Book around 6 p.m. Wednesday.
SPONSOR LIST:
• If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
Subscribers have articles posted to their inbox as soon as they are up on the site.
We now have six very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as
SPONSOR LIST:
• If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
Subscribers have articles posted to their inbox as soon as they are up on the site.
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.
• Our newest sponsor is State Farm agent Kelby Schoorl, who was a racer in his younger days. He has some supplemental insurance that racers might be interested in checking out.
There is medical that covers visits to the ER, ambulance rides and if a person has to stay in a hospital. In addition trailers as well as tools and tools in shops can be covered with additional policies.
If Kelby isn’t available the other guys at his office will be very happy to explain what they can offer both to racers and those enjoying motorized recreation.
Office hours are from 9 until 5: 30 Monday through Friday, appointments are needed on Saturday. The phone number is 775-827-2255 or at his website, www.kelby@insuringreno.com.
• One of our sponsors is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 890 Gentry Way.
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.
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.
PHOTO GALLERY FROM SATURDAY:
