Moto News | NZ SX-Open | Winter Olympics | Peick Update

Moto News Weekly Wrap

November 27, 2018

Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax

What Went Down Last Weekend?

• New Zealand Supercross – SX-Open – Auckland
• Winter Olympics (Mini Os) – Gatorback Cycle Park – Alachua, FL
• Weston Peick In Bad Shape
• Husqvarna Announces AMA Team
• Max Whale Set for AFT
• A4DE Heads to Moruya in 2019
• What Racing is Left for 2018?

New Zealand Supercross – SX-Open – Auckland

Chad Reed and Dakota Alix have won the SX1 and SX2 classes respectively at the inaugural New Zealand SX-Open which was held in front of a heathy Auckland crowd at Mt Smart Stadium last Saturday night.

Reed managed three holeshots and three race wins to earn the overall win ahead of Hayden Mellross and Dean Wilson who had the inaugural FIM Oceania Championship in the bag until a fried clutch cost the Scot serious points in the final moto.

It was classic Reed who rode with a steely determination to win all three feature races to eventually win the FIM Oceania Championship.

Chad Reed

“Oh man, I’m so stoked to become the first ever FIM Oceania Supercross Champion! Coming back to NZ is always awesome, this crowd was amazing and for me, I’d love to be back and defend my title and supporting this championship. We had some epic battles in Sydney and tonight in Auckland and with that bit of rain in the morning I just rubbed my hands together and everything just came together today.”

Mellross scored a solid second overall ahead of the luckless Wilson who in end got the nod over Christian Craig, Justin Brayton, Luke Clout, Jackson Richardson. Jay Wilson. Lawson Bopping and Dylan Long.

After a solid third place at the AUS-X Open in Sydney Dan Reardon was also in the hunt for the championship until the Yamaha rider injured his ankle during qualifying before Brett Metcalfe hurt his wrist after crashing in the first moto.

In the SX2 class, it was American ace Dakota Alix who took the spoils form long retired but still fast Aussie Ryan Marmont with local Kiwi Josiah Natzke claiming the final podium spot.

With no Supercross series in New Zealand, it was a huge challenge for Natzke on the world-class track but the youngster was up to the challenge to finish as the fastest Kiwi for the event.

Josiah Natzke

“Us Kiwi’s don’t have Supercross so this event means a lot really, I think there were lots of people here tonight who don’t have anything to do with moto so it’s just good for the whole thing, it’s good for the riders, the young people coming here, there are heaps of young kids out here tonight, so it’s just mint for everyone.”

Kiwi ace Ben Townley put on a show for his home crowd, going bar-to-bar with rival Ronnie Mac to win the Boost Mobile International Showdown.

Ben Townley

“The showdown went to plan, Ronnie jumped the gun as I expected so I had to trail him all the way to the last corner, and was able to sneak up the inside and just pile drive him into the dirt and yeah that was it, he was on the floor and I was able to get the victory for the ANZACs. This event just goes to show that motorsport as a whole, there’s appeal for events of this calibre and I know there were Kiwi kids in the stands tonight dreaming of being the next Chad Reed in the future so the sport is bright for us, we just need to capitalise on the success of this event.”

SX1 Overall

1. Chad Reed – 75
2. Hayden Mellross – 58
3. Dean Wilson – 58
4. Christian Craig – 51
5. Justin Brayton – 50
6. Luke Clout – 50
7. Jackson Richardson – 41
8. Jay Wilson – 40
9. Lawson Bopping – 36
10. Dylan Long – 34
11. Rickie Girdwood – 25
12. Dylan Wills – 23
13. Joshua Kilvington – 23
14. Chris Camlleri – 14
15. Josh Hansen – 12
16. Blake Lilly – 9

SX2 Overall

1. Dakota Alix
2. Ryan Marmont
3. Josiah Natzke
4. Ethan Martens
5. Logan Blackburn

Winter Olympics (Mini Os) – Gatorback Cycle Park – Alachua, FL

The annual Winter Olympics/Mini Os at Garorback Cycle Park in Florida has been run over five days last week with some of the hottest young riders in America competing including Aussie Jett Lawrence who had his first hit out on American soil for the Amsoil Honda team. Below are the top three from all of the classes for the Supercross and Motocross events.

Supercross

Motocross

Weston Peick in Bad Shape

Road 2 Recovery has released further details regarding Weston Peick’s injuries sustained at the Paris Supercross over the weekend, which you can read in full below.

Encinitas, Calif. – AutoTrader/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing rider Weston Peick underwent an extensive first surgery late last night at the hospital he was transported to after is collision with another rider during opening night of the 2018 Paris Supercross.

Peick was heavily sedated to help relieve the extreme pain from his injuries and post-op surgeries. His first successful surgery was to fix the multiple nose, eye and other facial fractures including two breaks in his jaw and dual dislocation of the jaw bone from his skull. His injuries are extensive and very serious but the doctors have confirmed no brain or spinal damage has occurred, and he is expected to make a full recovery. Peick is now awake and under minor sedation to help offset the tremendous pain he is in.

His physicians are assessing his status and starting phase two of his treatment to determine the timeline for his second surgery.

Peick, his father Louie, fiancée Kelly, and mechanic Travis are with him as he recovers from his first surgery. Being so far away from home, the medical care they are accustom to, and the language barrier is making the recovery process a bit more difficult on everyone.

Staying in France for the second surgery will be a long and expensive process. It is the only option for him, as air transfer is not a safe option yet, due to the trauma he sustained to his face. Peick is expected to undergo his second surgery within seven days from now with a hopeful US transfer date of ten days post-opt making that an expected home arrival around early December. Once he is medically released, both his Paris doctors and US surgeons are expecting him to require medical assisted air transport to safely fly. The total cost to transport him back home to the states is projected around $104,000.00, this is not including the bills from his projected three weeks in the hospital.

The extended international hospital stay, two surgeries, and medically necessary assisted air transfer are accumulating towering medical bills that Peick’s international and US insurance policies will not cover 100% of. Longtime supporter of Road 2 Recovery, Peick is now in need of our support. Road 2 Recovery’s board members have approved a grant to contribute to the funds needed to get Weston back home. The medical bills are projected to be far greater than his insurance and the R2R grant can cover. A R2R-Fund has been set up to get him back home. You can help support Weston by making a tax deductible donation to this link https://road2recovery.com/cause-view/weston-peick/. All funds raised will go towards his substantial medical bills and the medical air transport.

The Peick family’s main goal is to get Weston back home to the States as safely as possible so he can get back to doing what he loves most, racing. Weston’s road back to racing will be a long and difficult one; but one that will be achievable with the support from family, friends, and fans. Any contribution towards Peick’s R2R-Fund is greatly apricated and will go a long way. He and his family are very grateful for all the love, prayer and positive thoughts everyone has sent his way.

[UPDATE: NOVEMBER 25]

Weston Peick is recovering nicely at Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière after a seven hour surgery to address his multiple facial fractures that concluded late yesterday evening. This surgery went longer than expected due to the extensive trauma to and around his eyes and nose. According to Peick’s doctors his second surgery was a success. They were able to repair all the damage he sustained and expect to remove his tracheostomy tube as early as Tuesday, November 27th. With a possible release date as early as Friday, November 30th if he meets all release requirements.

Due to the successfully second surgery that had no complications and the proficient surgically staff, once the tracheostomy tube is removed Peick will be cleared for non-medical assisted air transport. He will be required to have non-assisted commercial air transport but that will be a fraction of the expected cost.

Peick will have a long road to a full recovery once he’s back in California. According to his Paris surgeons, the damage he sustained to his right eye will require treatment from a specialist and he will need another less invasive nose surgery once the swelling has gone down.

Peick has had some of the best care possible during this trying time mainly due to the fast response of Eric Peronnard and everyone involved with the Paris Supercross. Louie Peick, Weston’s father and fiancé Kelly would like to thank everyone that has donated to his cause and have sent positive messages and prayers. With this support for Weston, its one less thing that they will have to focus on.

Husqvarna Announces AMA Team

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna has announced its 2019 off-road racing factory team and it includes GNCC contender Thad DuVall, EnduroCross Champion Colton Haaker and GNCC rising star Trevor Bollinger.

The surprise is seeing the familiar name of Andrew Short on the list. Short, the long-time veteran of AMA Supercross and Motocross, now has a career in international rally racing. This year, he’ll continue doing those rally races but also compete domestically in the WORCS (World Off-Road Championship Series).

Andrew Short

“I am really excited to join the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team and to race the WORCS series. I think it’s something that has become a big passion of mine. The off-road community is unique and how they approach racing is really cool. With my motocross background and continuing to race rally, I feel like off-road is a great combination of the two and I am hoping to find a lot of success doing it!”

Haaker recently won his second career AMA EnduroCross Championship and will return to defend that title next year, as well as try to take another FIM SuperEnduro Championship in Europe.

Colton Haaker

“I am looking forward to 2019 and continuing to win races as well as championships,” says Haaker. “In the later part of 2018, I had a comeback season and was able to regain the Endurocross championship, that was lost the year prior. My goal is to continue the success and put my Rockstar Energy Husqvarna FX 350 up front where it belongs!”

DuVall won four races in GNCC this year and has finished second in points to Kailub Russell the last two seasons.

Thad DuVall

“I am super pumped to get the 2019 season started and am looking forward to another awesome ride on my FX 350. I have had a great two years running up front, but it is time for a championship.”

Bollinger won the GNCC XC2 Championship two years ago and finished fourth in XC1 points this season.

Trevor Bollinger

“I am excited to be riding for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. It is a real honor to be working with such a professional group and I look forward to a great 2019 season.”

Max Whale Set for AFT

17-year-old Max Whale from Coondoo QLD, has secured a ride with Weirbach Racing for the 2019 AFT Singles Championship on the all new Kawasaki KX450.

Max Whale

“I am really excited to join Weirbach Racing for the 2019 season, I’m looking forward to working with a great group of guys with plenty of experience. My goals for 2019 are to run in the top 5 consistently and to reach the top step of the podium at a national race. I’m thrilled to be riding the 2019 Kawasaki KX450; this is the best KX I’ve ever ridden. With a year underneath my belt in the AFT series I’m ready to build on that experience and keep progressing.”

The team is busy building, preparing and testing motorcycles over the winter months, with its sights aimed at a successful 2019 season.

Weirbach Racing is run by Ted Weirbach and his father Dick Weirbach. Dick is a veteran of the flat track scene for better than 35 years. He ran as a novice in the late 60’s and owned a Bultaco motorcycle shop for eight years. Weirbach racing was founded in 2000 and is committed to the success and development of up and coming professional riders.

In 2009, the inaugural year of the AMA Pro Singles Championship, Weirbach Racing’s James “the Rocket” Rispoli took second place overall and in 2011 Mikey Martin won the Pro Singles Championship. Other notables to ride for Dick & Ted are Briar Bauman, Bronson Bauman, Henry Wiles, Sammy Halbert, Aaron King, Jesse Janisch, and Davey Durelle and Rob Pearson.

A4DE Heads to Moruya in 2019

Rolling into 2019 after an outstanding 2018 ISDE, Motorcycling Australia has revealed that the 41st edition of the Australian Four Day Enduro will return to the far South Coast of New South Wales, in Moruya from the 1^st to the 4^th of May and will be hosted by the MNSW Enduro Committee and Far South Coast Motorcycle Club.

It’s not since 2006 that the A4DE has been held in the Bateman’s Bay area, where Mogo played host to an action packed four days that was hailed as one of the best editions of A4DE in years. Following on from an emotional 40th anniversary earlier in 2018, next year’s edition is set to be bigger and better than ever, as reflected in Australia’s success over in Chile for the 2018 ISDE.

Bringing the World Trophy and Women’s World Trophy back “down under” was no small feat, and included the likes of Daniel Milner, Daniel Sanders, Lyndon Snodgrass and Jessica Gardiner who will all feature as competitors at Moruya. The 2019 edition of the A4DE will showcase the current world class talent residing in Australia, whilst also providing the perfect platform on which new contenders can experience the second largest off-road sanctioned event internationally.

Conceived in 1978, the A4DE is renowned for its fierce competition nationwide, and the Moruya location will provide a picturesque backdrop for the highly anticipated event! Parc ferme will be located at the Moruya Showgrounds. The event will include excellent spectator vantage points, plus easy access from the township.

What Racing is Left for 2018?

So, Chad wraps up another title while the annual Mini Os is done and dusted for another year BUT there is still a couple of races to go for 2018 – see the list of the remaining events for 2018 below:

• Australasia
  • New Zealand Supercross Championships:
    • Dec 1 – South Waikato
    • Dec 15 – Southland
• America
  • 2018 Day in the Dirt – Nov. 24-26 – Glen Helen, CA
• Europe
  • Geneva Supercross – Nov. 30/Dec. 1 – Switzerland
  • French Sand Championship
    • Dec 2 – Rd3 – Saint Leger de Balson
    • Dec 9 – Rd4 – Hossegor
    • Jan 6 – Rd5 – Grayan-et-L’Hopital
    • Jan 27 – Rd6 – Le Touquet