AVDRA 2023 RACE 2 RECAP
Thanks to all AVDRA racers that attended the 2nd 2023 race event at MOTOLAND this past Sunday. We appreciate you racing with AVDRA and race results will be posted in the coming few days.
In contrast to the first race in January, when we competed with motorcycle swap meets and modern motocross events held the same day, we experienced a small improvement in attendance this month. Participating in the February event we had 63 riders and 95 entries.
The weather also cooperated quite well, temps were cold (low of 46 degF) during signup, but warmed up nicely (high of 75 degF) by the time racing started at 10AM...a bright sunny day and zero precipitation. Perfect.
Racing is all about the track we run...and we had some issues with watering in January. The track was slick and about 1/3 of the track had been flooded by January rain and was unrideable, so we had to run an abbreviated circuit. This month, AVDRA racers enjoyed the full vintage track layout...although the track was still slick in spots and rutted in others, but was an improvement from the first event. We are getting closer to getting the right blend of clawing and watering.
Race day also felt like we were getting back to normal...we all went to the January event with alot of unknowns. Would we see old faces, would we gain new members, would racers like the track, did we forget anything in the months of preparation...? Our 2nd event we all got a chance to breath easy again, things looked and felt like we were back to normal. Just walking the pits, there was a freshly restored DKW brought to the track for its first ride by Robert Fifield, Sue Pearson was in her neon yellow vest with camera ready to take some great images of the day, Dave Ecker raced his Hodaka 100 and Sammy Condon rode her Husky 125, while father Jeff Condon spectated.
Competitive Motorsports and Taco Santo were both on-site selling their wares, so if you forgot your goggles or were hungry after racing, they had you covered. AZ Southland Flatrack was also present; Randy "Circus Bear" Arrington displayed a Yamaha TT500 flat tracker to promote Arizona Flatrack and spark some interest in the knobby-tire classes.
Three women raced this month, Amy Granatowski on her KTM, Jennifer Adams-Hutson riding a Kawasaki and JoHanna Huber on her Honda. And the kids class contained five riders. Aiden Tanner and Archer Granatowski rode Mini 65, both riding KTM. Jack Ryan Stotler, Ryder Gurney and Adler Granatowski rode Mini 50, riding a Cobra, KTM and Husqvarna respectively...watching the small racers makes every spectator smile.
The most noteworthy race of the day was the "Modern Open Age Expert" class where MOTOLAND owner and his son diced for both their motos. Yamaha riding Mike Swarick finishing 1st overall. While step-son Angel Marrufo on his Honda finished less than a bike length behind in the 2nd moto, after winning the first moto by three bike lengths.
And the Vintage 60+ intermediate class was also quite good. Plenty of passing back and forth and tight racing from start to finish. Eventual winner was Suzuki mounted Scott Johnston, followed closely by Chris Reed on his Kawasaki KX400 and Jon Bren on his Montesa VR250.
While there were a few spills during the day, we ran a safe program with no serious incidents noted and we completed racing just before 1PM.
We hope everyone enjoyed the day and again, thanks for racing with AVDRA. We do appreciate your support and hope to see you at the Duel in the Desert next month.
