ChiliTown MX Area Qualifier Recap

Tuesday, May 3, 2016 | 2:15 PM

Since opening in 2011 ChilliTown MX has played host to many large scale events but this past weekend’s Mid-East Area Qualifier for Loretta Lynn’s Championship race proved to be one to remember. The weekend started out with open practice on Friday where more than 300 riders came to try their hand at the new track layout and see what new and exciting changes had been made to the facility. 

Aside from the regular faces at ChilliTown MX we had quite the showing of new riders that took part in the three day event. With nearly 700 entries from 28 different states ChilliTown MX was able to cap off their first ever Loretta Lynn Area Qualifier as huge success.

ChiliTown MX track ready to go for the Area Qualifier.
ChiliTown MX track ready to go for the Area Qualifier. Photo: Courtesy of ChiliTown MX

The talent pool was deep in this showing as names such as Lance Kobusch, Matthew LeBlanc, Jarrett Frye, TJ Albright, Brock Papi, Nicholas Roman, Luke Neese and Egan Mastin battled on the 1.1 mile track. 

One of the most notable classes was the 85cc 9-12 class. Matthew LeBlanc out of Louisiana and Nicholas Romano from New York got out to a fast start and separated from the pack where they put on a clinic on how to get around the track. LeBlanc was able to squeak out the win in both motos to take the overall. 

In another action packed race Florida’s own Brock Papi and Luke Neese from North Carolina banged bars while putting on a show in the Schoolboy 2 class. Papi was able to hold off Neese in both motos to secure the overall win.

It was a very successfull weekend for the riders at ChiliTown MX.
It was a very successfull weekend for the riders at ChiliTown MX. Photo: Courtesy of ChiliTown MX

Missouri native Lance Kobusch and Jarrett Frye of Maryland arguably gave the crowd the best show of the weekend in the Super Mini 1 class where they turned lap times that rivaled those in the 250A class. Kobusch and Frye were able to get out to a fast start and separate from the pack where they put on a clinic on how to get around the track. In the end Kobusch was able to squeak out the win in moto 1 but Frye would have the last word in moto 2 with the win and eventual overall. 

All in all it was a very successful weekend for the folks of ChilliTown MX in their first ever showing in Mid-East qualifier. The racers and their families have flooded the social media sites with positive reviews on the track, facility, staff and all of the extras that ChilliTown has to offer that only proved that “It’s not just a race, it’s an event!”

Check out the video below from the 2016 Chilitown MX LL Area Qualifier featuring Papi, Albright and Neese.