HERFOSS UPSETS BURKHART, DREW TAKES HIS SECOND VICTORY AND CURRIE STILL ON TOP

Round two of the 2008 XTRM/AMA Supermoto National Championship made its way to Stafford Motor Speedway for the Doug Henry New England Supermoto GP in Connecticut.

All of the main players made the trek back east to see who will be top dog in the series. While two of the three classes had repeat winners, there was an upset in the 450 class with Factory KTM/HMC rider Troy Herfoss taking the convincing win over reigning 450 champion Mark Burkhart aboard his Graves Yamaha YZ450F.

The weather was clear but rain leading into the event soaked the dirt, which created deep ruts in the sandy soil. This proved to be a very challenging section of the track even though track crews attempted to smooth out the ruts between races.

450 / Supermoto

As the first of two heat races left the gate, it was evident that Graves Yamaha’s Mark Burkhart just may have met his match at Stafford Motor Speedway. Herfoss let Burkhart know he meant business and could taste his first 450 overall victory. Herfoss took the first heat win over Burkhart and Litz Racing/Mountain Motorsports/Honda/XXX Racing Fuel rider Robbie Horton. Incidentally, Horton came into round two with some added confidence after earning a Silver medal at the X Games just a week prior.

Heat two in the 450 class saw Herfoss’ teammate and fellow KTM/HMC rider, Chris Fillmore, atop the leader board besting Troy Lee Designs/Honda/Red Bull’s Cassidy Anderson and All Access/GP Husqvarna’s Micky Dymond.

With both heats under wraps, it set the tone for the main event. At this point it was anyone’s race to win or lose, although KTM/HMC riders possibly had the advantage by winning both heat races and earning the first and second gate spots for the main event.

Anderson shot out into the lead at the start with the rest of the field in tow. Anderson made a slight bobble, which opened the door for Herfoss to take over the lead. Horton also seized the moment and displaced Anderson back to third. It was not a great weekend for Team TLD. Anderson, who eventually finished seventh, said he was fighting bike setup issues all day and was just not able to get the rear tire to stick while exiting corners.

Up front, Herfoss quickly pulled a gap over the field as Burkhart and Fillmore raced their way from fourth and fifth on the first lap. There was a brief battle with Horton for second and third before both Burkhart and Fillmore would secure the passes. With a clear track ahead, most figured the reigning champ, Burkhart, would eventually run Herfoss down like a dog during the 18-lap main event. The only problem, nobody informed Herfoss and he sped away and kept putting time between himself and Burkhart. This was his race to win or lose. Back in ’07 at Stafford, Herfoss was also the fastest rider until he threw it away in the dirt while leading. This year it was probably on his mind yet he was able to solider on and keep it on two wheels to the checkered flag.

This marked the first overall victory for Herfoss in the 450 class and a long overdue 450 victory for team KTM/HMC. This win tightened up the race for the championship with a two-point margin between Burkhart and Herfoss. Fillmore sits back in third but trails the leader by nine points.

250 / Lites Action

For Graves Yamaha’s Brandon Currie it was business as usual, although this time, RJ Performance backed Matt Burton would make him honest. After dominating the opening round, it looked like nobody had anything for the number-one plate of Currie. Burton had other plans and was bound and determined to de-throne the champ or at least give him a fight.

As the sea of quarter-liter machines raced to the first turn, it was Burton’s KTM out front with Currie and Team DNA Energy Drink/AxiomTV/Shea Racing-backed Johnny Lewis in tow. Burton made a run for the lead for several laps before a bold pass in the dirt displaced him back to second. Burton wasn’t about to give in and kept the pressure on and even made a few unsuccessful attempts to re-take the lead. Lappers would ultimately stymie his final charge.

The true battle for position took place for the third and final podium position. Lewis was going at it with Litz Racing/Mountain Motorsports/Honda/XXX Racing Fuel rider Matt Abbott for third but the man to watch ended up being Mach 1 Motorsports/ MDK-sponsored Danny Casey. Casey slid out early in the race but remounted with vigor. For the remainder of the race, Casey put his head down and mounted a charge with only three laps to go to take the final spot on the box. His first conquest was Robert Loire followed by Matt Abbott. On the last lap, Casey spotted Lewis up front and with one turn to go, a lapper held up Lewis for a split second which allowed Casey to make the pass with the checkered in sight.

Unlimited

In the Unlimited class, this must be Steve Drew’s year. For the second time, Drew has put his Rockstar/Hart & Huntington/Mach 1 Motorsports KTM into victory circle. KTM/HMC rider Kurt Nicoll, his biggest rival during round one, was not in the picture for round two after injuring his hand during the X Games the week prior.

At the start, Drew took the helm with All Access/GP Husqvarna’s Micky Dymond right there on his tail. In fact Dymond dogged Drew for most of the race and was on his rear fender several times. In the end, Dymond made a costly mistake that not only blew his chances for the win but also making the podium. First Dymond dumped it going into the dirt on the last lap but immediately stalled the bike the very next turn. Dymond was unable to re-fire his machine and fell way back in the field.

With Dymond kicking, this opened the door for Factory Aprilia Rip It Energy Fuel Racing rider Darryl Atkins to cash in on second place. Atkins, who crashed at the start during round one and was still nursing a sore hand, logged in a solid ride for second. Privateer rider Josh Chisum put in another solid performance to take third for the weekend and currently trails Drew by 10 points in the hunt for the championship.

Godspeed Anthony Hart

Amidst the racing for the weekend, we lost a member of the racing community. Rockstar/Hart & Huntington rider Anthony Hart crashed during practice and succumbed to his injuries. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hart family and the team. Before races began, the H&H team talked about pulling out but it was reported that Kenny Watson, the team’s manager, got a call from Anthony’s father, Tom Hart who encouraged them to continue and that it would have been what Tony wanted, no matter what. Hart was 21 years old. Drew went on to win the main event and crossed the finish line and looked up at the sky with joy.

Next Event

Round three of the series will make its way to Shawano, Wisconsin on August 24. For more information click here.