ATVMX Round 9 Coverage: Briarcliff MX

Round 9 saw perfect conditions.

Briarcliff Motocross was on a mission as they played host to the next to final round of the 2024 ATV Motocross National Championship, an AMA National Championship, Season. Giving the racers a favorable track and the fans an incredible show is the goal of most facilities however the intensity that went int this round was being seen and felt as the parking soon became scarce. Row after row of vehicles filled the soon Brough things to capacity and when the racing was done, nearly 5000+ spectators had found their way to this track to watch things go down, not only with the pro class but with the Legends race that would see the biggest names in this style of racing once again behind the bars and on the pegs as they brought back to life careers that were ended long ago.

While the Legends race may have been the crowning jewel of this events attraction, it was also the place where Phoenix Racing Yamaha’s Joel Hetrick could put to rest his fifth championship season. With so much on the line, you’d think the pressure would show, however there was nothing but big smiles as several generations of racers mingled with each other as well as the incredible fan base that showed up to watch it all go down.

It didn’t take long for the timed qualifier to be on the gate and the sight of seeing the current crop of pro riders being watched closely by the legends of our sport was something to see. In a matter of a few laps those in attendance were being treated to the very fastest riders in the world as they quickly sorted out the track. Hetrick was being watched intensely as he exited the track and was soon pushing his quad off the track before whatever issue had risen was tamed and back out, he went and secured the fastest qualifier position.

Moto one was hitting the gate and the fever in the pits and the crowd were filled with emotion. For Hetrick, two solid motos would put him where he needed to be and allow him to be presented with his number one plate for the fifth time in his career. The gate dropped and it wasn’t Hetrick grabbing the holeshot as Ford Brothers Racing/FXR/SSi Decals/CST’s Bryce Ford hammered the first turn with a hard charging Hetrick on his grab bar. Hetrick had all the patience in the world but soon made the pass for the lead and remained out front as he took the moto win. Ford would keep him in check but never got close enough to try to retake the lead. Ford was looking great and wasn’t going to make any costly mistakes as he raced across the finish taking second. The top two were doing what we’ve seen allot this season as Westland Motorsports/JH Racing/Goldspeed Tires’ Brandon Hoag remained in the third spot. Hoag has had a season filled with highs and lows however in this moto he was looking very strong and rounded out the top three with a third as the racers returned to their pits to get things dialed in and wait for the second moto.

With the fanfare taking everyone over, the second moto was soon being called to the line. It felt like it was minutes passed as so much was going on in the pits as the energy level was through the roof. One more moto would lay to rest all of the hard work Hetrick and his team had endured to reach this point.

Moto two would see near a repeat as the first with Ford charging to claim the holeshot with Hetrick again right behind him. Ford appeared that he was going to fend off Hetrick as the pair shadowed their way away from the others and it was possible that Hetrick may play this moto safe. That’s not his style and soon Hetrick was in clean air with the lead, and it was Fords time to watch the champion go to work. The moto would end without any real issues, unless you were Ford who found himself with a mechanical issue that allowed Hetrick to breathe easier for the final laps. Ford wasn’t the only one to have issues as Hoag also fell to a mechanical as well.

Behind the leaders the battle was a bit more intense as JH Racing/Pep Performance/Shiffer Powersports’ Westley Wolfe tried to better his moto one fourth, however ML2 Motorsports/Walsh Race Craft/Maxxis/Yamaha’s Max Lindquist was in his way at mid-point. Wolfe was riding hard and clean and has made it quite apparent he has the speed and talent; he just needs a good start so he can get upfront and battle from the opening laps. With Hoag and Ford effectively out, the door was opened as Lindquist took full advantage and found himself in second with Wolfe in third. The moto would close in that order as Lindquist was where he needed to be to earn a podium position as Wolfe rolled to a stop earning third in moto two. Wolfe would earn second overall on the day, while Lindquist went 6-2 for third overall.

A returning GennUSA Racing/SSi Decals/Kenda/Action Off-Road’s Nick Gennusa would bring home a solid fourth after taking a few rounds off to heal an injury. The hard charging New Jersey native would look at the negative post-race but inside he was thrilled with a 4th overall finishing position and very happy to be back in the mix.

Rounding out the top five would be Ford. Ford had to be upset after what looked like a great set of motos that were trashed due to an issue. Ford will bounce back, and Loretta Lynn’s could see him uncorked as he reaches for a win this season.

The race was stellar indeed and filled with so much excitement and emotion that one could not escape. With one round remaining, the pressure that’s been building up in Hetrick who faces another record that needs to be handled, the perfect season. His win here ties the record with Wienen Motorsports/Maxxis/SSi Decals/Fly Racing/Yamaha’s Chad Wienen, and we all look forward to the final round to see if he can indeed hammer out two more moto wins to be the top of the crop which may never be equaled!

For more information on the ATV Motocross National Championship, visit the series official website at www.atvmotocross.com

Briarcliff MX Results and Points Standings
Nashport, Ohio
Round 9 of 10
Saturday, July 27, 2024

AMA Pro Class Event Results:

1. Joel Hetrick (1-1)
2. Westley Wolfe (4-3)
3. Max Lindquist (6-2)
4. Nicholas Gennusa (5-5)
5. Bryce Ford (2-11)
6. Jeffrey Rastrelli (8-4)
7. Mason Jackson (7-6)
8. Brandon Hoag (3-14)
9. Joseph Chambers (9-7)
10. Kevin Saar (10-9)

AMA Pro Class Results Standings

1. Joel Hetrick (425)
2. Bryce Ford (350)
3. Brandon Hoag (314)
4. Max Lindquist (299)
5. Mason Jackson (231)
6. Kevin Saar (220)
7. Joseph Chambers (209)
8. Westley Wolfe (208)
9. Cody Ford (186)
10. Adam Ulrich (170)