I won the Vet Novice race on Saturday and finished 8th in the Moto-a-Go-Go with partner Jason McCune

MOTOCROSS - Vet X Fall Series
By Steve Emter
Photo By Steve Emter (Photo © Cycle News, Inc. 2006)
Vet X Crowns Series Champions 12/4/2005

GORMAN, CA

Vet X wrapped up its second year at I-5 MX with more than 200 riders braving the cold morning temperatures to give the Fall Extreme Prize Series a big sendoff. The year-end prizes that the riders have had their eyes on all year included a new RM-Z450, which was won by Mitchell Bailey. Other prizes that were raffled off to the members based on tickets given at race signup throughout the year included a Cannondale bicycle (which was won by Bill Pochirowski), a pit bike (which was won by David McCown), and a Shady Advertising canopy (which was won by Steve Emter).

Fresh off the Day In The Dirt races held previously at the facility, the I-5 track had undergone many changes since previous Vet X races, including the addition of new jumps, new infield sections, and the big uphill in the back corner of the track. The layout gave the riders fresh challenges, and the uphill brought excitement into the races.

The 36-42 Novice class championship was claimed by David Blomgren, over runner-up Eishi Kajita. Blomgren was third overall on the day, but he had accumulated enough points to take the championship. The top two riders for the day were Johnny Benskin, with 2-1 finishes, and runner-up Joe Sutter, with 1-3 finishes.

MOTOCROSS - Vet X Spring Series
By Steve Emter
Photo By Steve Emter (Photo © Cycle News, Inc. 2006)
Costa Charges for the Win 6/5/2005

GORMAN, CA

The Vet X Spring Series wrapped up at I-5 MX in Gorman with round six, which provided plenty of action. After great weather graced the first four rounds, the final two rounds showed signs of spring, with winds that gradually increased through the day, adding a natural challenge for the riders. The I-5 track was groomed to perfection, with the long, flowing layout offering plenty of passing opportunities. As the wind increased, the track crew had a hard time keeping the track wet, and it developed dry, packed conditions as the day rolled on.

The 36-42 Novice class charged off the concrete gate and into the first turn, with Honda-mounted Phil Alderton (1) charging for the holeshot. Eishi Kajita hit the first turn right behind Alderton, and by the end of the first lap he’d taken the lead, with Alderton dropping off the pace. Behind them were Alba Action Sports-backed Rob Costa, HMS Capital-backed Mark Thies, and Kevin Glenn.

By lap three, the riders had sorted themselves out and had established a running order, with Kajita in the lead, Thies in second and Costa in third. Thies was pushing Kajita most of the moto, finishing two seconds behind, while Costa came in another eight seconds later.

The second moto of the class was just as exciting, with the lead positions being mixed up. The first-lap lead went to Jon Harpole, who was closely chased by Costa and Alderton. On the third lap, Costa and a hard-charging Ron Caldwell got by Harpole for the top two positions. Costa was able to hold on to the lead until the end, but the battle between Harpole and Caldwell was not over; Harpole repassed Caldwell to claim second. Caldwell was third for the moto.

The overall win went to Costa (3-1), second went to Harpole (5-2), and third went to Kajita (1-7). The series championship went to Glenn, with Costa second and a very consistent Caldwell third.