Derek Costella leading the 10" wheel expert class.
When you think of Vegas, you think of bright lights, slot machines, blackjack tables and showgirls. Well picture this... a finely manicured mini supercross track built inside a Las Vegas Casino. The Orleans Casino & Arena was home to the fifth Annual AMA/Maxxis MiniMotoSX Friday night, and the racing was as tight as the technical mini-SX track.
After four years of awarding championships to two separate winners in the 10" wheel and 12" wheel expert classes, a rider has finally swept both, claiming two championships in one night of racing. BBR rider Derek Costella, made his third time a charm by managing both wins in one night in front of nearly 6,000+ fans in attendance for his hometown crowd at The Orleans Arena.
The night show at Mini Moto is one main event race in several classes, after two days of qualifiers in the arena. From kids to women to vets, all classes get to race in front of the crowd, leading up to the two premiere classes of the night - the 10" wheel and 12" wheel expert classes.
A rambunctious halftime show brought out the Nitro Circus crew, who took to the track riding double, riding backwards, riding half naked, and doing anything that looked dangerous. Ronnie Renner gave the crowd a little taste of his break dancing skills while another Nitro Circus rider attempted to do a backflip off of a berm.
12" wheel expert holeshot
The gate dropped for the 10" Expert class and Las Vegas local Derek Costella stormed away with the holeshot. Costella held the lead all the way to the podium. Michael Blose put his Red Barron factory bike on the podium in second, and Ryan Abrigio got his BBR onto the final step of the podium.
In the 12" expert class Costella took the holeshot and kept his lead until the checkered flag. Halfway into the race, Costella was lapping riders. Just behind #1 Derek Costella, #74 Ryan Abrigo came flying into 2nd place, and third was nabbed by Frenchman Mike Valade.
After the night of racing was over the champagne flew and Mini Moto SX had its first dual champion. Costella said after the race, "Everyone's so fast out there, it just comes down to the start, who can stay on the bike and get through the lappers first. Everyone in that class in in the main event for a reason. It's really hard to make it into the main event. There's even a lot of fast guys who could have won the main that didn't even make it, and I just got the start and stayed on my bike. It all just fell into place."
Abrigo was disappointed. "I wish I could have won it. I came here to win, but I've been here a lot of times for BBR and it's awesome to be on the podium. I hadn't done that yet. Made a couple little mistakes on the first lap in that 110 class. I have to minimize that and hopefully win it next year."
Although Abrigo had not captured the championship, he was enthusiastic for his return to next year's MiniMotoSX.
Through an intrepreter, Mike Valade said fresh off the podium, "I am very happy. I had a good start and worked up to third place. I'm looking forward to next year."
Eric Perronard, one of the creators of the event, was as happy as the night's winners, "We had so much fun. Not as much fun as the Nitro Circus guys, but pretty close. The racing was unbelievable and best of all we barely had any injuries, just a couple bruises and stuff, and that's the main thing. A full house, no injuries, good racing, and everybody in a good mood. Voila."
Be sure to tune in June 14th for coverage of the 2008 Maxxis MiniMotoSX airing on Versus Channel. For more info on the 2009 MiniMotoSX, check out http://www.MiniMotoSX.com.