The American AX Report: Columbia, MO
Columbia, MO – A crowd full of avid fans were on hand inside the Boone County Fairgrounds Arena Friday and Saturday night to kick off the first of three rounds of the Motorhead Sports American Arenacross Series. Fans were treated to tremendous battles between top pro riders and future stars.
Friday Night
Nothing special from Double Vision Racing’s Aaron Gulley early Friday night. His teammate and brother Adam Gulley grabbed the holeshot in the first 250 Pro moto, but Kyle Hussey quickly took the lead in the following whoops section and rode ten laps unchallenged for the moto win.
Then the gate dropped for the main, Adam Gulley grabbed the holeshot again, but Bubba Pauli seized the victory. Pauli found his way around Gulley on the first lap. Gulley was scratching and clawing at Pauli’s rear fender, but a bobble near the end of the race secured Pauli’s win in the 250 Pro on night one.
“I worked my way around Adam Gulley, and from there I just rode the race. It was a smooth and comfortable ride and I hung on for the win. The track is awesome out here and can’t wait to do some more of the events,” said Pauli.
In the 450 Pro Friday night, Aaron Gulley began to show his vibrancies. In the heat and main, he grabbed the early lead out of the gate and pulled away.
“The track is really slick so I tried to just stay out front, stay smooth, and tried to ride it hard,” said Gulley. “I got a pretty good lead and just rode a steady smooth race and came out front so it was a pretty good night.”
In other notables, fresh from the C class, in his first B class race and his first arenacross race, TK Kolb of Jefferson City, MO won the 250B main. Kolb applied early pressure on Shei Eaton’s lead, but Shei began to pull away. However, Kolb took advantage of a costly mistake Shei made in a corner and rode his bike to the checkered flag.
“I just stayed up the whole time and managed to stay in front,” said Kolb. “ I was a little nervous to move up for my first arenacross into B (class), but I figured since I will be doing it next spring in B class, I might as well move up now just to get use to the competition and how everyone rides.”
Saturday Night
The second of two nights of action for the first round sponsored by Mid-America Harley Davison of the American Arenacross Series on Saturday night from the Boone County Fair Grounds was an evening of world-class competition amongst the fastest riders in the Midwest. Double Vision’s Aaron Gulley earned a double victory by winning both 250 and 450 Pro classes.
In the first 450 Pro heat, Double Vision’s Adam Gulley grabbed the holeshot and checked out virtually unchallenged.
Scott Gebken took the holeshot in the second heat but it did not last long; drama ensured as Aaron Gulley made his move for the lead. In an aggressive attempt, Gulley tried to block pass Gebken in the bowl turn after the catapult jump. The risky move proved costly for both riders as they went down together. Kyle Hussey inherited the lead. Gulley got up and kept Hussey honest, but Hussey never faltered.
In the 450 Pro final, it was all Aaron Gulley. Aaron Gulley captured the holeshot and sailed for 10 laps to the checkers with Hussey in tow.
Kyle Hussey and Aaron Gulley both won their respective heat races in the 250 Pro. Both riders picked up the holeshot, checked out and prepared for their matchup in the main.
In the 450 Pro main, it was Aaron Gulley from start to finish. Gulley took the lead and never saw pressure from the rest of the field. While riding in second, Adam Gulley came into turn two hot after the whoops section, overshot the berm and had a scary crash on the hard surface. Seemingly, he got up unscathed from the fall and settled in for third behind Kyle Hussey.
The Motohead Events Arenacross Championship Series continues on January 6 and 7, with Round 2 from Ozark Empire Fair Grounds in Springfield, MO. Two highflying nights of motorized adrenaline, pumping action kicks off on Friday night and continues on Saturday. Amazing riders compete on a jump infested arena floor, soaring over 60 ft in the air. From the 50cc kids, to the Pro’s straight off the AMA Supercross circuit, these guy’s will leave you gasping in amazement.
The American Arenacross Series is supported by Contingency Level: Lucas Oil, Fly, FMF, Acerbis, Sunstar, Rekluse, Hwy 65 MX, Glory Hog and Western Power Sports.
Team Motorhead level: Wild Cat Rental, Oscars Barbeque, Ron's Racing Collectibles, Taylor Insurance, Jenkins CPA, Transport Graphics, Branson Motorcycle Ralley, Perfect Health Chiropractic, Bobcat, Mid America Sheet Metal, Race Brothers, Incredible Pizza, 417 Powersports, Monster Energy, Mid America Harley Davidson, Maxey Cycle, Grassroots BMW & Husqvarna.
Friday Night Results
450 Pro Main
1. Aaron Gulley
2. Kyle Hussey
3. Adam Gulley
4. Scott Gebken
5. Brandon Roland
6. Josh Mast
7. Theodore Pauli
8. Logan Anderson
9. Mark Weishaar
10. Will Guthrie
11. Cody Anderson
250 Pro Main
1. Theodore Pauli
2. Adam Gulley
3. Aaron Gulley
4. Kyle Hussey
5. Brandon Roland
6. Mark Weishaar
7. Scott Gebken
8. Cody Anderson
Saturday Night Results
250 Pro
1. Aaron Gulley
2. Kyle Hussey
3. Adam Gulley
4. Theodor Pauli
5. Scott Gebken
6. Brandon Roland
7. Joey Crain
8. Dylan Thormure
9. Alex Malott
10. Mark Weishaar
450 Pro
1. Adam Gulley
2. Theodore Pauli
3. Aaron Gulley
4. Kyle Hussey
5. Brandon Roland
6. Mark Weisheer
7. Joey Crain
8. Scott Gebken
9. Lucas Anderson
10. Bud Guthrie