Malvern MX Area Qualifier Race Report

Monday, April 11, 2016 | 11:00 AM

Malvern Motocross Raceway in Northeastern Ohio played host this past weekend to not only the second Loretta Lynn Area Qualifier in the Mid-East region, but also to some extreme and adverse inclement weather conditions. High winds, pouring rains, low temperatures and snowfall wouldn’t prevent track owner Jason Rogers and the entire Malvern staff from providing riders and motocross families from all over the world with a phenomenally professional program. The track crew worked overtime preparing and maintaining the track for the severe weather, and the riders whom made the trek to Mr. Rogers Neighborhood were rewarded with surprisingly excellent track conditions come race time each day!

Brandon Hartranft competed in the 250A and Open Pro Sport classes, earning overall wins in both. 
Brandon Hartranft competed in the 250A and Open Pro Sport classes, earning overall wins in both.  Photo: Matt Snyder

Among those in attendance was New Jersey's Brandon Hartranft. Hartranft, whom won a national championship at the ranch last year in the 450B Limited class, was on hand this weekend competing in the A class divisions. With the support of Brandon Haas and DH1 Mods, the Yamaha rider swept both the 250A and Open Pro Sport classes. Hartranft appeared to be on top of his game, with his sights set on another national title this year. Hartranft was able to win each moto he lined up for, with only one rider was able to challenge him; Canadian rider Weston Wrozyna. He was able to keep Hartranft honest in one of the 250 A motos, and the Kawasaki pilot utilized that motivation to dominate the 250 All-star A/B competition.

Perhaps the most competitive competition of the weekend was found in the B divisions. KTM pilot Dylan Walsh unleashed his wrath and simply assaulted the soil of the Malvern course. Walsh, of New Zealand by way of Cairo Georgia, displayed his skills, which are demonstrated by riders from all across the world that travel to train and live year-round with other top prospects in the sport at Millsap’s Training Facility. Walsh was able to top all four intermediate classes with no problem, despite stacked competition from other MTF riders like Wilson Fleming, and national caliber speedsters such as DJ Christy, Vinny Luhovey and Ohio's own Klay Prager. Dylan Walsh will be, without a doubt, a national championship contender this year at Loretta's.

There were some great battles that took place at the Malvern MX Area Qualifier.
There were some great battles that took place at the Malvern MX Area Qualifier. Photo: Matt Snyder

Canadian Blair Nauta, controlled much of the C class competition, winning three of the four divisions. Ohio riders Iike Zach Peters of Lakeview and Sherrodsville's Jake Corpman were able to each score moto wins against Nauta, including Corpman's second moto charge to capture the overall win in 250C Limited.

It was the KTM's of New York's Julia Krzemien winning both Womens classes while the Benson sisters of Delaware dominated each of the Girls divisions. Another Jersey Boy, Jake Impens was the man to beat in the Collegeboy 16-24 class and he put his Honda on top of the podium. After contending for national titles at Loretta's over a decade ago, Kawasaki vet rider Jeffrey "Bo" Bowman hopes to return to Loretta's this year to contend for titles in both Junior 25 Plus and Vet 30 Plus. He ran away with each moto win at Malvern this past weekend and just as dominate was Michael Schaeffer who kept his KTM cleanly out front of the Senior 40 Plus and Senior 45 Plus competition. Also, Yamaha rider Dave Hand scored 1-1 moto tallies in the seasoned Masters 50 Plus class to punch his ticket to Baja Acres in Millington, Michigan for the Mid-East Regional on June 25th and 26th!

In youth racing action, West Virginia's Cole "Austin" Smith found himself atop the podium in both Schoolboy 1 (12-16) B/C, Schoolboy 2 (13-16) B/C and 125cc (12-16) B/C divisions, winning every moto he lined up for.

A little snow never hurt.
A little snow never hurt. Photo: Matt Snyder

Pennsylvania native and Kawasaki mounted rider, Seth Hammaker took home top both Super Mini class honors over crazy fast riders from Ohio like KTM Orange Brigade rider Trevor Maley, whom took gold over Canada's Cameron Wrozyna in the Mini Senior 1 (12-13) and Kawasaki pilot Jack Rogers the Mini Senior 2 (12-14) winner.

In younger mini cycle competition, Gavin Towers of Venetia, Pennsylvania was able to hold off a very quick and hard charging Bryce Shelly in the 85cc (9-12) class though Shelly was able to pilot his KTM to the front of the 85cc (9-11) competition taking the overall win and first prize back to his hometown of Telford, PA. After a strong second place showing behind Shelly, KTM rider Ryan Canaguier raced to 1-1 scores in the 65cc (10-11) Limited class. 

Maybe one of the most active and interesting classes happened in 65cc (7-11) where three riders battled for the front spot, swapping finish positions in both motos. Maryland's Mason Naecker went 1-2 for gold, Randall Myers of Pennsylvania went 3-1 for silver and Niles, Ohio speedster Gavin Putnam scored 2-3 moto tallies to round out the podium. These three KTM riders battled from gate drop to waving checkers!

Even the
Even the "little" guys were out there battling for a victory. Photo: Matt Snyder

Celebrating a birthday and a first place overall finish in the 51cc (4-6) Special LTD class was Fairmont, West Virginia's Seven Henderson, who almost had another overall win in the 51cc (4-6) Limited division after winning the first moto but coming up short in moto two behind Ontario, Canada's Brenner Lammens who went 2-1 for the first place finish. And in the youngest group of competition, Virginia's Landon Bilyea edged out Malvern regular Danny Haynes in the 51cc Shaft Drive Limited class on their "pee-dub-ya fiddies."

Found in the youth classes, no rider stood out to me more than Factory Cobra backed Luke Fauser. Fauser of Midland, Pennsylvania perfect on the weekend, winning every moto in both 51cc (7-8) Limited and 65cc (7-9) Limited in convincing fashion. But what was most impressive from this outstanding young man, was the sportsmanship that he showed. It was not only his performance on the track, but the positive attitude and respect for competition that he and his parents demonstrated odf the track that earned Luke the Crash-N-Burn Moto "Top Sport Award" for the weekend! Congratulations to Luke and to every rider on their way to Red Bud for the Mid-East Youth Regional at Red Bud in Buchanan, Michigan on June 4th and 5th!

The Rogers family pulled double, triple, and quadruple duties this weekend at their facilities events, and with all of their hard work and dedication both on the track and with the event itself, sons Chase and Zack Rogers qualified for Red Bud! Chase and Zack will compete in the 125cc (12-16) B/C class and Zack will also line up on the Schoolboy 1 (12-16) B/C & Schoolboy 2 (13-16) B/C gates.

The talent that was shown at Malvern MX for the Area Qualifier was nothing short of amazing.
The talent that was shown at Malvern MX for the Area Qualifier was nothing short of amazing. Photo: Matt Snyder

On behalf of the Malvern MX staff and everyone in the Northeastern Ohio motocross community, I, Bo "Crash-N-Burn" Fawcett would like to thank all who came out to the event and all who are moving on to regional qualifiers and to the 2016 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur Motocross National Championship at Loretta Lynn's in beautiful Hurricane Mills, Tennessee August 1st - 6th!

Follow me, Bo "Crash-N-Burn" Fawcett on Instagram and Twitter: @crashnburn_moto and check out GoPro video on my YouTube channel!

Event Photo Credit to Matt Snyder at www.alamode-studios.com

For more information on Malvern MX and motocross action around our area, log on to our website, www.racemalvern.com www.omxa.net and www.pitracer.com