Quickies
* Want to help out some Christian racers in need of a little support? Check out the new sponsorship promotion at www.teamfaith.com. It's too long to explain here, but the concept is pretty cool!
* EVS Sports recently announced the hiring of arenacross specialist Tommy Hofmaster, who will fill the role of Athlete Marketing Manager for the Wisconsin-based protective wear company. Congrats, Tommy!
* Glenn Kearney has signed with Husqvarna for the 2009 GNCC season. With Wyatt Seals as his mechanic, we think that the speedy Aussie has a good shot at improving on his two podium finishes from last year. Go get 'em, mate!
Top Story
Huffman Wins EnduroCross Final, Dietrich Takes Championship
After six brutal rounds of racing, Team Monster Energy Kawasaki came out on top of the AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Championship Series presented by Lucas Oil. Damon Huffman broke out of the gate at the Las Vegas finale like a man possessed, taking his Kawasaki on a flawless tear around the track to score the final win of the year. Behind him, Team Green star Ricky Dietrich took the runner-up spot and, more importantly, the AMA championship. Red Bull KTM racer Taddy Blazusiak had a tough time with the course and ended up getting pushed out of third by an inspired Geoff Aaron, who was more than comfortable running the pace on his Christini two-wheel-drive KTM two-stroke.
The final round was a nail-biter from the beginning, as a massive turnout of domestic and international off-road stars showed up to try to knock the Kawasakis out of the top spot. World Enduro Champ Mika Ahola, trials hero Patrick Smage, Canadian Bobby Prochnau, Ty Davis, Sbastien Tortelli, Kurt Caselli, Jamie Lanza, Destry Abbott, Nathan Woods, Wally Palmer and Nathan Kanney all battled for points-paying spots on the evening. Lucas Oil talent Colton Haaker was forced to sit out the event due to an injury suffered at the World Indoor Enduro in Spain, but he was on hand to sign autographs nevertheless.
Although the series is over, fans and racers alike are already looking to 2009 for more EnduroCross action. With six rounds planned for the to-be-announced schedule and a solid lineup of support classes, it's not too late to start training to make your own run at an EnduroCross championship! Check out www.endurocross.com for more info as it becomes available.
Final AMA/Maxxis Enduro Cross Series Point Standings
1. Ricky Dietrich (136 points)
2. Damon Huffman (131)
3. Taddy Blazusiak (99)
4. Geoff Aaron (96)
5. Colton Haaker (86)
6. Nick Brozovich (76)
7. Bobby Prochnau (65)
8. Jamie Lanza (64)
9. Ty Davis (59)
10. Phil Smage (41)
Hooked
Loyal Dirt Rider reader Jerry Bufka sent us this photo from the Red Bud Outdoor National. We normally don't have space in the magazine for reader-submitted photos, but this one was too good. This photo depicts a diaper-clad little fellow at the exact moment of his infection with the incurable two-wheeled bug. We'd bet our last bottle of two-stroke oil that each of us-and 99 percent of you-had a moment similar to this at one point or another.
One Industries Gets Into Gear
One Industries began with stickers, jumped into helmets and is now suited up to make a stab at the gear market. Going in at the highest level with Makita Rockstar Suzuki rider Ryan Dungey as their premier athlete, the fashion-conscious designers gave us a set of their new stuff to try out and sent us off for a ride. Well, it is gear and if you're familiar with anything on the high end of the price scale, then you will be very familiar with the One Defcon suit. Technical in the venting and trick on the materials list, this gear should start popping up shortly at the track and on the shelves of dealers everywhere. For a better look at the stuff, check out the video we have online at www.dirtrider.com.