Arizona Cycle Park Area Qualifier Race Report

Thursday, February 15, 2018 | 9:30 AM

It was the 14th year Arizona Cycle Park has hosted the Southwest Area qualifier to kick off the road to the Loretta Lynn Amateur National Championship. You already know the big names that have made their mark in the amateur classes and made it to the pro ranks, but these qualifying races give you a chance to see who the up and comers might be. It was two days of racing under the Arizonan sun.

There were many out-of-state visitors but the Arizona contingent held their own. Scottsdale Arizona riders like Slater Colby represented with sweeping the 250A class with two moto wins and a strong second place finish in the Open Pro Sport while Jeremy Fappani swept his 65cc (10-11) Limited class. Julien Beumer hails from Lake Havasu City and he won his 85cc (9-11) Limited class over Tucson resident Noah Gordon. It was Vail AZ’s Jenna Jansen that led the way with a two moto sweep in the Girls (11-16) class while Carrie Killebrew did the same in the Women (12+) Amateur class.

Dilan Schwartz from Alpine CA has raced ACP ever since he was on mini bikes and he gets faster every year. It was Sunday’s racing where he put his past ACP experience to good use. He won the 250 B class with 2-1 scores and swept Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C.

Another couple of Cali hot shoes were Brayden Lessler and Carson Mumford. They battled in the same classes both Saturday and Sunday with Lessler getting the moto sweep in 450 B and the win in 250 B Limited. Mumford was able to better Lessler in Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C.

Other notable Arizona riders making their way to the regional were Gavin Burt, Niko Colby, Alex Nelson, Colby Rice, Jetti Pifer, Edgar Foedish, and George Trace.

Two days of racing for riders from not only Arizona and California but also Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Minnesota, and even Hawaii to get the right to get to the regional qualifier. And if you are fast enough, a ticket to a track in Hurricane Hills TN.