43rd Annual Hangtown Classic
photo by Carlosmacho
If any motocross race ever deserved the term classic, the 2011 Hangtown event is the one. Following what most riders and fans thought was the best Supercross season ever, the outdoor motocross season holds even more promise for great racing with lots of close competition. This years Hangtown delivered a great show, very competitive racing and great crowd.
In the days leading up to Hangtown it is always cool to see the team trucks arrive in the Sierra foothills with their cargo of immaculately prepared motorcycles and pristine work environments. Friday evening, before the race you could feel the excitement and the confidence of all the major teams as Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda all had riders who were healthy and ready. Speaking to Mike Webb, the Suzuki team manager the evening before the event he expressed excitement for the outdoor season to begin and to be shaking of the long winter rain cold we have been experiencing. The fact that he has a very competitive team with Ryan Dungy and Brett Metcalf didn’t hurt.
Saturday morning practice saw the return to form of Mike Alessi (riding a 450 KTM instead of last years 350) as he posted the fastest lap during timed practice. Unfortunately during the second morning practice he got cross rutted going over a large table top jump and hit the ground, knocking himself out. This is his second concussion this month so even though he returned in the afternoon for an interview it appears his chances of winning the title are gone. Hopefully he can return to form later in the season.
The first 450 moto saw Team Honda’s ace substitute rider Kevin Windham out front and laying down some smooth laps. He led for about ten minutes before he began to fade eventually finishing in sixth. Chasing Windham were Suzuki’s Metcalf and Dungy. Metcalf fell on about lap three and Chad Reed and Ryan Villopoto slid in behind Dungy and the finishing order was set with Dungy winning followed by Reed and Villopoto. While the finishing order was not to surprising the closeness of the racing was.
The second 450 moto started with Villopoto leading but Reed and Dungy in tow. Dungy and Reed both got past Villopoto who faded to a distant third. Windham was in forth and stayed there for the entire moto. He was never close enough to really challenge for third but well ahead of fifth. At the half way point it appeared Dungy was going to go 1-1 but Reed kept the pressure on and was able to slip by and they preceded to put on a great show. Dungy shadowed Reed to the end, finishing second. Reed took the win and the overall but they left Hangtown tied on points and setting the stage for a very competitive season.
The 250 class was even more competitive then the 450 class. Pro Circuit has a strong team as does Factory Connection. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend was James Stewarts younger brother Malcolm grabbing the holeshot in moto one and running up front. He eventually faded to 20th and the moto moved toward a great battle between Ely Tomac and Dean Wilson. For most of the moto they rode cleanly but aggressively, but late in the moto Blake Bagget who fell early came by Tomac for second.
In the second moto Factory Connection’s Justin Barcia holeshot and lead for several laps. He was actually pulling a little bit of gap when he appeared to hit a hay bale and went over the bars. At this point Pro Circuit’s Tyla Rattray took the lead and appeared to have the race in hand. Wilson who was in second fell in the same area as Barcia and Bagget moved past into second. With Pro Circuit running 1, 2, 3 you might think they would hold position, but Bagget was on a mission and kept the pressure on Rattray eventually making a clean pass in a rough rocker section. Bagget’s 2-1 gave him the overall and Pro Circuit took a well earned 1, 2, and 3 in the final finishing order.
For Geezer cross fanatics this Hangtown had to go down as one of the best. The closest racing at any National I have seen since the 70’s, coupled with a big crowd and great California weather (finally) has me looking forward to next year.