Austin Forkner accepts his National Championship.  Photo: Ken Hil
Austin Forkner accepts his National Championship.
Photo: Ken Hil

Words by: Chelsea Taylor – MXSports

The 2015 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship presented by AMSOIL crowned the first 21 National Champions on Friday as the second to last day of racing took place in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. The Loretta Lynn Ranch hosted another perfect day for racing as temperatures and track conditions were nothing short of ideal for the start of the final motos.

The first National title of 2015 was presented to Justin Cooper (1-1-1), who was challenged by Jacob Williamson (3-2-4) and Austin Dodd (2-9-3). Austin Forkner (1-1-2) proved he was a force to be reckoned with this week in 250 B, with major leads in almost every race he is the current title holder. Chase Sexton pushed for the lead but fell short with a 2-2-3 overall, and Michael Mosiman laid it down in the third moto but took third (4-4-1) overall.

It has been another Ricky Renner show again in the Junior (25+) division. In 2014 he won the class with a three moto podium sweep, and this year was no different with another 1-1-1 for the overall championship. Sebastian Tortelli didn’t just hand over the championship, he finished right behind Renner every moto.

In a crazy battle for the 250 A championship, focus and willpower proved to be the key. Mitchell Harrison (2-1-4) topped the box, Darian Sanayei (4-5-1) in second and Lorenzo Locurcio of Venezuela claims the third (7-8-3).

Cooling off in the creek.  Photo: Ken Hill
Cooling off in the creek.
Photo: Ken Hill

In 85cc (9-11) Limited, Jett Reynolds finished strong to claim the title with 1-1-1 scores. Caden Braswell (5-2-2) and Luke Kalaitzian (6-3-3) finished second and third. Marco Cannelia (1-3-4), Mitchel Falk (6-1-2) and Brock Papi (4-2-3) are the top riders in Schoolboy 1 (12-16) B/C.

In the inaugural Women All-Star (14+) division involved battles all week long, but it would be Mackenzie Tricker to take home two consecutive National titles with 1-2-2 finsihes. Brandy Richards (3-3-5) and Kirsten Raemisch (2-4-7) finish second and third. Gracie Van Horn (1-2-2), Annie Wernig (3-3-4) and Danielle Foot (4-5-3) followed the All-Star class positions on the podium.

450 B was dominated by yet again another podium sweep for Brandon Hartranft, and he was followed by Hawaii’s Kai Mukai (2-6-6) and Jared Jennings (5-9-5) in third.

Some days are good, some days are bad.  Photo: Ken Hill
Some days are good, some days are bad.
Photo: Ken Hill

At the beginning of the week things started off slow for Benny Bloss, but he quickly capitalized on his third place in the first moto of Open Pro Sport to reign triumphant with a 3-1-1, Marshal Weltin (1-3-2) and Mitchell Harrison (4-4-3) came away with the last podium position.

The Mini Sr. 2 (12-14) class consisted of great racing all week long. Today Pierce Brown clinched the title after putting up a fight against Carson Mumford, Ty Masterpool, Jarrett Frye, but in the end it would be Frye (1-4-3) in second and Mumford (5-3-4) in third. Garrett Marchbanks (2-1-1), Lance Kobusch (1-3-2) and Conner Mullennix (4-4-5) make up form the Mini Sr. 1 (12-16) top three.

The 51cc (7-8) Limited class was claimed by Casey Cochran (2-2-1) followed by Moon Gerrits (5-4-5) and Krystian Janik (7-6-2). Emile Lacher (1-1-1) made it a clean sweep in the 51cc (4-6) Special Limited class, followed by Barrett Keiffer (8-3-2) and Bryson Tolliver went 6-4-5 to capture the third overall for the week. In 51cc (4-6) Limited William Canaguier held on for the title with 1-2-1, toping Sam Garroutte (2-1-2) and Manual Dumais (3-4-4). In the final 51cc class the 51cc (4-6) Shaft Drive Limited Canyon Richards (1-1-1) held off Seth Dennis (3-2-2) and Preston Payne (7-8-3).

In the divisions, Maximus Vohland swept all three motos for the (10-11) Limited Championship. Ryder Difrancesco (1-1-2) fought hard until the end to take the 65 (7-9) Limited title.

In the age divisions it would be John Grewe with a podium sweep in Senior (45+), Barry Carsten right behind him (2-2-2) and Dag Boyesen rounding out the podium (3-4-6). The Masters (50+) took to the track for the last time and Earl May came out victorious (1-1-2), Rodney Smith in second (2-2-1) and Barry Mccarty playing consistent and taking home third (3-3-3).

Another sunny day at the Ranch made for great track conditions.  Photo: Ken Hill
Another sunny day at the Ranch made for great track conditions.
Photo: Ken Hill

There’s plenty of talent on the race track, but today the talent came out in the Yamaha/Moto Tees talent show. The stage was filled with singers, dancers, and musicians but it was Adi Malcom who was claimed the winner and took home the Yamaha generator.

The final day of racing will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, crowning the remainder of the National Champions. Live streaming coverage courtesy of RacerTV begins Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. CDT / 3:30 p.m. EST.

Archived coverage is now available from the first four days of racing on RacerTV.com, to view please click HERE.

Complete results from the 2014 National Championship can be found HERE and Live Timing & Scoring can be accessed HERE.

The 34th Annual Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA National Amateur Motocross Championship presented by AMSOIL is taking place now through Aug. 1 at Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. For more information, visit the series official website at www.mxsports.com or call (304) 284-0084.

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