HOT Action @ Crossroads MX Pro-AM

August 5 2007

By: James Pinckard

MASON IL

  HOT!!!!!!!!!! That is the first word I think of when I think about the Pro-AM event hosted by Crossroads MX. With temperatures banging on the 100 degree mark and twenty minute plus two laps moto’s this was a true test for all the riders. Working their way to a Pro License these riders were hammering. No matter what the weather the riders attacked the well prepared track with vengeance leaving the Crossroads fans and staff with a great show. With a Red Bull VIP tent, holeshot awards for each moto and awards for each class this was a great event.

In the first 125A Pro-Am moto it was Kawasaki rider David Redding who grabbed the holeshot with the pack hot on his heals. Kawasaki rider Alex Hotchkiss and Honda rider Justin Workman made quick work of Redding and moved to the front of the pack. With Hotchkiss out front Workman was working hard on getting that top spot while Travco, Pro Action Honda rider Ryan Tracy moved past Redding into third. With Tracy in place Workman made a great pass for the lead with his Honda on the gas! As the laps wore on Workman took an easy win with Hotchkiss second and Tracy third.

In the second moto Suzuki rider James Garrett grabbed the holeshot but Workman had his Honda wide open and blasted past for the lead early on the first lap and laid down a pace that was just out of reach for any other rider this day. Garrett tried all he could to match the pace of Workman but with Dave Oettel and Hotchkiss on the move his focus was soon was behind him. Hotchkiss worked past Oettel then hunted down Garrett and on the sixth lap past his way into second but by the time he got there Workman was gone taking the moto and overall win. Hotchkiss finished second and second overall with Garrett third and third overall.

With the biggest class of the day being the Pro-Am 250A you knew this was going to be a great race and class to watch. In the first moto R&R Powersports, 751 Products, FCR Suspension, Decal Works Owen Honda rider Jacob Lustig showed the way to the large pack with the holeshot. Kawasaki rider Zach Lawler cranked past Lustig and Decal Works Kawasaki rider David Oettel was next by Lustig with Yamaha rider Bryan Martinell in tow. Oettel made the pass for the lead in the whoops and looked to have things under control. In the pack Kawasaki rider Alex Hotchkiss fresh off a great ride in the 125A class was on the move working past Lusting into third on the third lap then past Martinell on the fourth lap and set out after Oettel. Out front Oettel was riding great but Hotchkiss would not give up and with the pressure on Oettel made a mistake and Hotchkiss made the past for the lead leaving Oettel with a whole new problem and that problem came in the form of Yamaha rider Martinell, who seemed to never be affected by the heat and made the past on Oettel with the two lap sign out. When the checkered flag flew Hotchkiss was first with Martinell second and Oettel third. In the second moto Action Cycles Suzuki rider Adam Wright took the whole shot award. Kawasaki rider Zach Lawler who finished fourth the first moto passed Wright and never looked back leading every lap and taking a very nice commanding moto win. Behind Lawler there were all kinds of action on the second lap R&R Suzuki rider Ted Rodgers moved to second with Yamaha rider Martinell in tow. Martinell moved past Rodgers into second on the seventh lap and things looked to be set for the moto but out of the very back of the pack came a familiar look the Kawasaki of Alex Hotchkiss. If anyone had the best ride of the day it had to be Hotchkiss. After getting a very bad start Hotchkiss was 13^th at the end of the first lap fifth on the fifth lap and third at the finish what a ride!!  When the moto scores were posted Martinell finished first overall, Hotchkiss was second and Lawler third.