VIRGINIA CITY, NV (April 27) – The 48th annual Virginia Grand Prix was a time of changes for this storied event. Starting was different,the course was different, a new class added and the event honored it’s lost announcer.
Saturday is when the Pros, Experts and Amateurs race. It’s the fastest day with a four-hour time period between when the green and the checkered flag waves.
Asked abut the changes VCMC president Curt Chapman said, “This year we are making a lot of changes in the club, new leadership and we’re taking the race to the next era we’re calling it. We’ve got some interesting new classes we’re racing particularly on Sunday we’ve added classes. Today we have the pros and we’ve added a Vet Pro for the 35 and over and this has driven us up to 61 pro entries at the moment which is a record number, that’s amazing.
Another change is that each lap ends in a very different place. So this means the pits are really miles away from the start and finish area.
“So up here in town we have the ability to race on C Street for the first time ever. So we’ve created a new enduro section here that will challenge the riders for sure and please the spectators and fans as they watch the craziest here on C street and down on E Street, we have another section down there”, he said.
In previous years the start faced to the south but now it is across the intersection, facing north and beside the Bucket of Blood bar. Riders line up in rows of 10 for their start.
Once again they’ll take a sharp turn and head downhill for the course. This time, after everyone has started, the street will be divided and each lap ends with riders coming up the hill, going through the enduro section, past timing and then back down the hill.
As usual two head start positions were auctioned off to raise funds for a local charity. James Garbo from Austin, Texas bid high enough to the a 2-minute head start while Keith Lovejoy from Eatonville, Washington got a 1-minute head start.
Sitting on the front row was last year’s winner Ross Neely sporting the #1 on his bike.
After the head start riders were sent on their way the rows of pros were launched. The Pros are launched first and the last in the new Vet Pro class was six time VCGP winner Shane Esposito.
Once he started the remainder of the 430-rider field was sent off.
At the end of the first lap Ty Tremaine was leading Zane Roberts but behind eventual winner Dante Oliveire was closing fast. The race was a three-way duel but Oliveira soon was on point.
This is where a rider’s corrected time came into play.
Leader Oliveira came from the third row and started 30 seconds behind Zane Roberts and Neely, who started in the first row. This meant he had 30 seconds to make up but in the end finished two minutes in front of them so he was clearly in the lead.
However if Roberts had been able to cut the lead to less than 30 seconds he would have won on corrected time. Since the pros are so fast this usually isn’t ever a problem.
Setting a pace in the low 40-minute times the top six would complete six laps at the end of the race. Heading those that completed five laps was 7th placed Austin Serpa followed by Nick Stover.
At the four hour make the flagman waits until the first rider completing the time arrives and gets the checked flag although the leaders usually are somewhere on their last lap. This time Jimmy McNeil was the first to receive the checkered flag.
“This is my first time, my buddy Ross Neely talked me into it,” he said. “I’d like to thank EJ’s Doors, my mom and dad, Pete and Ross Neely for getting me out here and God for letting me get home safe.”
Austin Serpa was the first pro to finish five laps.
“This is my first Virginia City Grand Prix,” he said. “The course was different, not used to what I’m racing. Really rocky but about lap two or three everything started moving to the side and there was one main line, blue grooved and pretty smooth.”
James Garbo, who had the two-minute head start wound up 93rd and said, “Tthis is my first in the last few years though. The course was a lot of fun, really good, technical and fast. That head start helped for sure keeping the dust out.”
Then he thanked Moto Parts Unlimited, Highland Lakes Roofing, Public Metal Supply, Momentum Solar, Garbo’s Lobster Truck and all my family and friends that got me here.”
Finally first overall Dante Oliveira reached the finish line with about a two-minute lead.
On the podium he said, “Thank you and I’ll be back next year.”
After brief remarks he thanked his parents and those that have helped him.
One local rider expected to be a contender was Ty Tremaine but an encounter with a lapper ended his day. However Zane Roberts from Minden was second overall while last year’s winner Ross Neely came home third ahead of fourth place Austin Walton.
Looking further down the list Matt Veerkamp was the first Pro Vet to complete the required time and he ended up ninth overall. Coming home in 24th place was Josh Cook the first Expert while three places behind that in 27th was the first Amateur Chuch Raya.
Unlike previous years after the podium celebrations ended there was one more race to go.
• The weekend was dedicated to Bob “Moto Mouth” Cavakis, who announced the VCGP for over four decades. In fact before the race started his family and others had a toast to his memory.
Cavakis always promoted and encouraged the youngest riders and many adults now were part of his Moto Mouth Mini Team in their younger days.
To honor his memory there was a special race at 4 p.m. that day.
Before things got started VCMC president Chapman said, “This afternoon at 4 p.m. we’re having a inaugural Moto Mouth Mini Grand Prix in honor of Bob Cavakis, who was our 45-year announcer who sadly passed away this October. So we’re honoring him with a race of youth, which was one his passions as he always looked after young people.”
The course used the route that brought riders up a hill to the pits to the pits then lead them down to the full racing course. This meant the kids would be racing on a mile and a half course full of hills and tight turns.
The Pee Wee race was 30-minutes long and in the end Walker Vandover-Segale, in the 7- to 9-year-old class, was the overall winner. His cousin Payden Segale won the 4- to 6-year-old class and finished third overall.
Next came the older kids on 65cc bikes and their race was 45-minutes long. When the dust settled Brian Mundt was the winner and he rides in the 65cc Amateur class.
Next was 65 Expert rider Jesse Miller while the 65cc Novice winner was fourth overall Ryder Allen.
Considering the reception looks like this race, honoring Cavakis might be a regular part of the VCGP.
Now the course has been cleared, C Street is now open and after a bit of time the planning will begin for the 49th annual VCGP. It’s a race any off road racer wants to win and many will answer the siren call of event.
REPORTER’S NOTE: There is a small photo gallery after the results. Word Press has a new editorial system to I’m hoping everything works okay. My apologies if it doesn’t as might take a bit work any bugs out.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Once again hope everyone will check out Teresa’s Garage Radio Show. It is on Tuesday afternoons from 2 until 3 p.m. and covers all things automotive.
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Two of them are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports. 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.
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Phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
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Brian Saul is the new owner, a car enthusiast himself he’s committed to continuing the shop’s history of quality work. The change comes as Gil Grieve, the previous owner has retired.
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Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&Company for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports.
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RESULTS
48th Annual Virginia Grand Prix – Saturday, April 27.
Complete results will be posted on www.vcgp.com.
Overal : + (6-Laps): 1. Dante Oliveira, (Pro Open) (4:30:38.949), 2.Zane Roberts, 3. Ross Neely, 4. Austin Walton, 5. Blayne Thompson, 6. Dalton Shirey.+ (5-Laps): 7. Austin Serpa, 8. Nick Stover, 9. Matt Veerkamp, (Pro Vet), 10. Brody Honea, 11. Willy Heiss, 12. Seven Diaz, 13. Corey Fletcher, 14. Daron Rahlves, 15. Chad Heishman, 16. Dallas Serpa, 17. Kyle Tichenor, 18. Sean Jones, 19. Austin Wilson, 20.Mark Tilley, 21. Jacob Kinkel, 22. Austin Sanguinetti, 23. Connor Kilmartin, 24. Josh Cook, (30+ Exp.), 25. David Kertz, 26. C.J. Carndall, 27. Chuch Raya, (Ama. 30+), 28. A.J. Brumit-Salices, (Ama. Open), 29. Keith Rose, 30. Gab Atkins, 31. Chase Rosenquist, 32. Kelly Gelhaus, (40+ Exp.) 33. Ryan Endres, 34. Geoff Buscho, 35. Robert Brumit, (50+ Exp.) 36. Jake Himphill, 37. John Brain, 38. Tyler Seehuetter, (Exp. Open), 39. Redmon Herrera, (Ama. 250), 40. Russell Tonjum, 41. Bronson Lee, (Exp. 250),42. Eric Loer, 43. Keith Lovejoy, 44. Robert Fischer, 45. Colton Ascariz 46. Corin Fator, 47. Brian Nute, 48. Shane Logan, 49. Ross Clark, 50. Jeremiah Goulett, (Ama. 40+), 51. Dan Marshall, 52. Steven Poor, 53. Weston Furia, 54. Andy Webber, (Ama. 50+) 55. Rob Chavez, 56. Paul Van Horsen, 57. Nick Gust, 58. Jason McCune, 59. Dan Thompson, 60. Curtis Bradley, 61. Troy Burchby, 62. Kevin Mundt, 63. Josh Poggi, 64. Andrew Mitchell, 65. Alex Carpineta, 66. Robert Callhan, 67. Randy Lawlor, 68. Mike Cullen, 69. Leonard Baca, 70. Patrick Hodgi+ (4-Laps): 71. Cole Burdick, 72. Jim Aveggio, 73. Kurt Ashley, 74. Mason Terray, 75. Zach Hannum, 76. Terry Scheetz, 77. Michael Worrall, 78. Patrick Downey, 79. Wiles Stapp, 80. John Patterson, 81. Todd Berger, 82. John Hoverman, 83. Kyle Konell, 84. Dustin Burrell, 85. David Croteau, 86. Kevin Peloso, 87. Ryan Hamel, 88. Ron Facciano, 89. Daniel Contreras, 90. Anthony Saxelby, 91. Sea Gilvert, 92. Favran Navvarrete, 93. James Garbo, 94. Seth Pruett, 95. Casey Segale, 96. Tom Sheard, 97. T.J. Jones, 98. Frank Bushman, 99. Thomas Dickerson,
100. Trevor Delucchi, 101. Robert Funk, 102. Jordan Dawver, 103. Jesse Richardson, 104. Loran Hall, 105. Ryan Herbert, 106. Jeremiah Jenkins, 107. Richard Ramsay, 108. Jeff Kline, 109. Leon Hannum, 110. Paul Yarborough, 111. Logan Boe, 112. James Houchin, 113. Josh Plotner, 114. Greg Schlichte, 115. Greg Pheasent, 116. Reid Davlantis, 117. Kevin Johnson, 118. Jeff Orr, 119. Kenny Couturier, 120. Thomas Parachon, 121. John Hall, 122. Mark Pearce, 123. Lucas Kassity, 124. Ronnie Schoff, 125. Caleb Bonneville, 126. Matthew Malinowski, 127. Mike Scott, 128. Jeff Robinson, 129. Steve Medien, 130. Jesse Meyer, ( 125 Ama), 131. Dustin Vance, 132. Jermiah Woodruff, 133. Jordan Guess, 134. Dave Herman, 135. Tyson Rasmussen, 136. Garrett Coleman, 137. Jason Shakespeare, 138. Sean Finerty, 139. Evan Smith, 140. Aric Morgan, 141. Jerry Harmon, 142. Augie Cervantes, 143. Justin Small, 144. Tony Lorenzo, 145. Fredrick Dexter, 146. Peter Knight, 147. Ryan Hodgins, 148. Rocky Tilander, 149. Jake Walker, 150. Jamey Gregg,
151. Isaac Marx, 152. Stuart Davidson, 153. Anthony Guebara, 154. Ryan Gibbs, 155. Michael Mitcalf, 156. Nick Delucchi, 157. Eddie Meyer, 158. Dave Phillips, 159. Spencer Lotten, 160. Anthony Brent Fryer, 161. Ron Grove, 162. Daniel Petersen, 163. Anthony De La Fuente, 164. Trent Alameda, 165. Greg Fawcett, 166. Marc Stephenson, 167. Bob Baron, 168. Gerritt Henningsen, 169. Nicholas Montiel, 170. Jake Barfuss, 171. Davin Stephenson, 172. Dmitrly Yegoshin, 173. Frederick Poli, 174. Robert Roehlk, 175. Ryan Miker, 176. Dam Guarnieri, 177. Steven Daniell, 178. Chris Roehlk, 179. Ryan Walker, 180. Bian Morgan, 181. Matthew Simpson, 182. Finn Orwig, 183. Jeff Sullivan, 184. Brian La Belle, 185. Jason Cartee, 186. Jeff Englebrick, 187. Jason Gonzales, 188. Nicholas Peterson, 189. Jason Bush, 190 Kyle Bentley, 191. Nicholas Fontanez, 192. Adam Carpineta, 193. Mark Funke, 194. Skip Thompson, 195. Brandon Franks, 196. Ty Wedekind, 197. Donny Schmidt, 198. Daniel Ludtke, 199. Gregory Hicks, 200. Denny Soltis, 201. Tom Connor, 202. Preston Pheasant, 203. JoshEisen.
+ (3-Laps): 204. Bryan Smith, 205. Brian Halland, 206. Stephen O’Brien, 207. Robert Frank, 208. Aaron McCormick, 209. Alonso Naveran, 210. Ryan Albert, 211. Mikey Majors, 212. Justin Roehlk, 213. Hirnkley Erwin, 214. Travis Lee, 215. Richard Sommer, 216. Keat Fleckner, 217. Kraig Warford, 218. Eric Hjul, 219. Conner Funke, 220. James Rogers, 221. Chris McCamman, 222. Matt Pedroni, 223. Mike Durflinger St., 224. Bark De Bibo, 225. Don Cambell, 226. James Allens, 227. Trevor Moore, 228. Chardles Coleman, 229. Daron Jaco, 230. Michael Barbarigos, 231. Seamus Busby, Jr., 232. Seamus Busby, 233. Johannes Fischll, 234. Scott Hodges, 235. Bill Maclaughlin, 236. Yancy Watson, 237. Sean Maloney, 238. Reese Scheetz, 239. Chris Ponsock, 240. Bryan Guzman, 241. Jared Stuber, 242. Logan Wonderley, 243. Patrick Mullen, 244. Jimmy McWeill, 245. Mike Smith, 246. John Buergler, 247. Mike Ryan, 248. Matthew Gaut, 249. Mtt Hirsch, 250. Scott McCraken, 251. “Artichoke” Joe DeVecchio, 252. Craig Roseberry, 253. John Hughes.
(The remaining riders in the 430 rider field are classed as DNFs.)
• Moto Mouth Mini Grand Prix:
+ Mini Bike Overall: 1. Brian Mundt, (65 Ama), 2. Jesse Miller, (65 Exp), 3. Jacob Engelke, 4. Ryder Allen (65 Nov), 5. Henry Young, 6. Gatlin Knight, 7. Noah Lotes, 8. Liam Rammussen, 9. Roen Gower, (4-Stroke), 10. Casey Pinther, 11. Hannah Engelke, 12. Cole Hough, 13. Logan Johnson, 14. Chryste Ponsock, 15. Ruger Prosser, 16. Jarred Smith, 17. Jason Vincent.+
Pee Wee Overall: 1. Walker Vandover Segale (7-9), 2. Trevor Barkdull, 3. Payden Segale (4-6), 4. Paxton Beck, 5. Elijan Cox, 6. Vaughan Brennan, 7. Blake Cox, 8. Lilly Trotter, 9. Maxwell Wichwere, 10. Levi Loer, 11. Tate Thompson, 12. Abby Gower, 13. Max Trotter, 14. Miles Kzlik, 15. Warren Munet
PHOTO GALLERY:
While Dante Oliveira might not have led the first lap he soon claimed the point and won by a margin of around two minutes. 
While a crash while passing a lapper ended his race Ty Tremaine led the first lap. The final pro racer to start was #61, six time VCGP winner Shane Esposito. Before the Virginia Grand Prix starts 430 riders lined up on C Street in rows of 10. 
Last year’s VCGP pro winner Ross Neely ended up third overall. The 65cc winner was Brian Mundt. 
Last of the 430 riders start the VCGP 
Keith Lovejoy got the 1 minute head start. James Garbo came all the way from the Austin, Texas area. He bought the “0” number and got a two minute head start. At the end he finished up 93rd after completing four laps. 
The Enduro Section on C Street wasn’t friendly to all the riders. Walker Vandover-Segale won the Pee Wee section of the Moto Mouth Mini Grand Prix. 
In the Pee Wee race Payden Segale was third overall but won the 4 to 6 class. 
65cc Expert winner was second overall, Jesse Miller. 
Zane Roberts was second overall in Saturday’s race. 
The first row of Pro riders take off. 
First Pro Vet was ninth place Matt Veerkamp. 
First Expert finisher was 24th place Josh Cook. 
First amateur was 27th place Chuch Raya
There is a spelling error in the Peewee Overall 7-9 2nd place It says (Travor Bakduee) it’s supposed to be Trevor Barkdull.
Thanks I’ll correct it. The result sheet had it wrong. Sorry.