Recap for the 27th Annual Dual in the Desert

Thanks to all AVDRA and AHRMA racers that attended the 27th Annual "Dual in the Desert" vintage and post-vintage motocross race event at Motoland on March 4 & 5th, 2023. We appreciate you racing with us and race results will be posted in the coming few days.

Participating in this years "Dual in the Desert" we had 69 riders and 108 entries on Saturday for the vintage classes. And Sunday we had 59 riders and 92 entries participating in the post-vintage / modern catagories.

The weather also cooperated quite well, temps were chilly in the morning (low of 45 degF) during signup, but warmed up nicely (high of 72 degF) by the time racing was underway...both Saturday and Sunday were bright sunny days with zero precipitation.

However, we did experience some rain earlier in the week. Showers on Wednesday evening left the pits with standing water, which lasted all weekend. And the track was slick in spots and rutted in other areas, even as the majority of the track had dried. The course was also lengthened from the AVDRA events earlier this year. The 18 turn course was lapped in just under 2 minutes by the fastest riders....!!! It was a long course.

AVDRA Director Jim Rike kicked-off the event with the Riders Meeting, and introduced Terry McPhillips, AHRMA Off-Road Director, who briefly talked AHRMA topics and thanked attendees. And while most every vintage racer knows Dave Boydstun from years promoting AVDRA and AHRMA events, Jim mentioned Dave was celebrated as this years Legend of Motocross.

Once again, congratulations to Dave Boydstun...job well done.

When the Riders Meeting adjourned, sighting laps begun... Several riders found their first laps frustrating due to the inconsistencies, ruts and wet parts of the course....and trying to maintain a reasonable pace. That all said, AVDRA practice will be referred to as "sighting laps". Hopefully this subliminal suggestion will help riders use the time to look at the track, and not put themselves or another rider at risk from enjoying the event before racing event starts.

Race 1 left the gate just before 10AM and the 27th Dual in the Desert was underway...!!!

Saturday's Vintage racing included some great racing. The Premier Open Twins grabbed attention as they thundered around the desert course. Matt Parsons made the trip from California to compete on his Triumph, and earned himself 1st Place. 2nd place was Washington resident Al Anderberg on his Norton, and 3rd place was Colorado's David Wilson on his Rickman.

The 70+ Intermediate class also had 7 riders...1st place was Jim Broersma from Colorado, riding his Bultaco. 2nd place was Craig Mojeske from Las Vegas on his CZ and 3rd place was Dean Harrison on his Yamaha, making the trip "all the way" from Casa Grande AZ. Allen Niehues from California on his Honda, Robert Lisey from Ohio on his Yamaha, Joe Berfeld on his Maico from Wyoming and Luke Sayer on his BSA from California completed the field. Great job guys.

Sunday's 50+ Expert class was also one of the more noteworthy races of the weekend...as Randy Webber and ISDT multi-gold medal winner Fred Hoess went back and forth the entire moto. Randy pulled the hole-shot and led for almost 2 laps before Hoess made the pass in the Southeast corner of the track. Once Fred got around, he gapped Randy for a lap, before Randy put on a charge and came back to pass Hoess in almost the same spot. Fred Hoess made a couple mistakes and Randy was able to build a few second lead, but...on the last lap, Hoess was charging hard and tried several times to make the pass. At the checkered, Prescott AZ resident Randy Webber held on to the win by a very slim margin.

The 2nd moto was similar to the first, Webber and Hoess left the field in the dust and circulated the track by themselves until 2 laps to go. At that point, Randy bobbled a bit and Hoess was able to break away. Hoess continued pushing to the very end where he enjoyed a 5 second lead over Webber. Randy ended up with 2nd overall. Some great racing, with two of the weekends fastest riders.

Saturday evening included the Series Awards Ceremony and a celebration of the motocross career of Dave Boydstun. Dave was presented with a plaque and signed banner from AVDRA Members, in appreciation of three decades of dedication, making Arizona vintage motocross what it is today. Attendees enjoyed KKoD prepared hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, chili beans, cake and soda as Season Awards were distributed...and Barry McBride "roasted" Mr. Boydstun. A good time was had by all...

We also enjoyed several vendors this weekend. Taco Santo was on-site preparing food, so if you were hungry after racing, they had you covered. Also, Jason of Photo 13 Media attended and does an outstanding job taking photographs and professionally printing on a "Dual" themed border. Dave Clayton of DC-T's was also on site, selling Dual in the Desert event tee-shirts. And Motorcycles and Coffee had a tent with their motorcycle themed mugs, stickers and tee-shirts. We appreciate their attendance and support, adding professionalism to our event.

While there were a few spills during the weekend, overall we ran another safe program with no serious incidents.

We hope everyone enjoyed the 2023 "Dual in the Desert"...and again, thanks for racing with AVDRA and AHRMA. And special thanks for you racers that made the trip from afar. Walking the pits their were license plates from all over the Country. We do appreciate your support and hope to see you at future events.