The Hidden Trails Pro Watercross National Tour headed to Charleston, WV to conclude the 2015 National Tour with the highly-anticipated National Championships. MotorActionMedia.com was on site, competing and covering the exciting action.
Racers from all over the world convened along the Kanawha river, nestled alongside the thriving town of Charleston in a prime spot for racing — Magic Island. Alongside a string of other exciting events, the racing action of the Hidden Trails Pro Watercross National Tour had audiences reeling. The cool mornings and warm afternoons were perfect for spectators as well as racers.
The pits opened at 6:00am sharp on Friday morning, and race rigs began pouring into the site. Massive trailers belonging to racers like Troy Snyder, Dean’s Team, Optima Racing, Team Jet X Powersports and more lined the packed street. On-lookers awed at the big rigs and the incredible machines that were on display.
Saturday morning crept upon the race site slowly, racers were quiet until the call for the riders’ meeting. The meeting began with a send off for Rob Greenwald; one of the tour’s longest participants. Among his friends and fellow racers, Greenwald gave a speech about his announced retirement, as the sixth round of the Hidden Trails Pro Watercross National Tour was set to be the final National Tour race of his career. After a tearful speech, the race officials went over rules, and the racers parted to prepare for an intense day of racing.
The event kicked off with the Pro Show. With 15+ minute motos for stacked classes like Pro Ski GP, Sport GP and the premiere Runabout classes, spectators were treated to fast-paced battles. The qualifying heat for Pro Ski GP was the first class in the gate on Saturday morning. This class was packed as the top ranks were close in the points. Riders like Dustin Motzouris, David Redinger, Brock Austin, Josh Block and Derrick Helm showed up to Charleston to make a final gamble for precious points. After a red flag start, the racers took off at a break-neck pace to the first buoy; a nearly 360 degree turn at the end of the sweep made for wicked carnage. Tim Judge Motorsports backed rider Jimmy Wilson made a surprise return to the Tour after a hiatus; and he would be the rider to come out of the start unscathed and take the lead. He would take the heat wire-to-wire for the victory while Brock Austin, Dustin Motzouris and Derrick Helm battled not far behind him.
In the main event, Wilson would again take the holeshot, and lead the race from start to finish as Brock Austin desperately raced to reel him in. Austin ended the race nearly in Wilson’s tray, but missed the opporutinity to make the pass, finishing in second. Kommander Industries teammates Dustin Motzouris and David Redinger battled throughout the entire race; but Motzouris was hindered by being extremely ill — Redinger would eventually make the pass on his teammate. Motzouris came into the final two rounds extremely exhausted from illness that has yet to be determined. Knowing he would struggle to fight through the race, Motzouris told MotorActionMedia.com that he raced smart — knowing he could win the Championship if he was careful. His strategy would prevail as he would win the Hidden Trails Pro Watercross National Tour championship in the Pro Ski GP class. Brock Austin would take second in the championship, and David Redinger would slip on to the podium in third place.
Pro Ski GP was one of the most electrifying races of the weekend – all of the racers were desperately fighting for positions — making for an insane display. Other racers like Derrick Helm, Jordan Carroll, Josh Block, David Cabrera, Mike Kelberer, Dave Davidson & more had the audiences on the edge of their seats.
The Pro Runabout classes were shocking for first time spectators, as the machines were tuned in for the final round; roaring through the tight track at incredible speeds.
The Pro Runabout Stock class was nearly dominated by Abdullah Alfadhel yet again, but a last moto shake up gave Brian Baldwin the win. His signature holler was heard across the river as he crossed the finish line. Although Baldwin took the final win, Alfadhel would edge him out in scoring and inevitably win the overall championship with 406 total points. Fellow Yamaha teammate Travis Zielasko would take second in the championship and Troy Snyder would take third.
The Pro Runabout Open class was a shake up as new faces like Trey Frame raced the final round — giving points leader Yamaha/Dean’s Team Abdullah Al-Fadhel a run for his money. Riders like Sea Doo/Jettribe Erminio Iantosca and the rookie Pro Jetlift/OzTec Dylan Osborn rubbed rails with these two while fighting for points. Alfadhel would come out on top in the points championship, and Iantosca would take second, and Troy Snyder would take third.
Sport GP featured one of it’s biggest line ups of the year in Charleston. Billy Dearman battled points leader Kelly Smith despite still hurting from injuries. Broward Motorsports rider Sam Nehme meant business this weekend in both Sport classes. He dominated nearly every moto from start to finish. But the points battle was between Dearman and Smith. Smith managed to edge out the competition for the weekend and take the points championship for Team Faith. Dearman would take second overall, and Nehme would take third.
The Sport Spec class was just as stacked. Sam Nehme put on another clinic in this division, sweeping the weekend with riders like Jeff Mcphail, Ken Waddle and Keith Dill not far behind. Nehme would also be crowned the Sport Spec points champion, with McPhail not far behind at 278 points in second place, and Ketih Dill taking third place.
The Juniors class was as exciting as ever. Both the 10-12 division and the 13-15 division were full of young talent. Matthew Richuk, Mckale Sievley, Jessie Glennon and Jaime Palmer swapped positions all weekend in the older division. And in the younger division Osric Llar, Haden Skellet, Taylor Skellet and Sammy Nehme battled one another to take the win for the weekend.
There was SO much action in Charleston we don’t want to bore you with another 2000 words…so be sure to check out the full results, TRACK BUZZ, our photo gallery and stay tuned for a MotorActionMedia.com video production of the event.
CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Photo gallery by MotorActionMedia.com contributors Anna Glennon & Jessie Glennon. ALL images are for sale. Contact MotorActionMedia.com for information & pricing by clicking here.
