Maxxis EnduroCross Series Recap
Taddy Blazusiak Wins Round Three – David Knight Wins The Championship
Las Vegas, NV. November 20, 2007. A capacity sold-out crowd witnessed an incredible race as KTM’s newest off-road star, Taddy Blazusiak, passed series leader David Knight on the white flag lap to take the victory at round three of the AMA/Maxxis National EnduroCross Series inside the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Knight, who was only one race away from winning the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute’s $50,000 Triple Crown bonus, easily won his heat race and transferred directly to the main event. Blazusiak was leading his heat race when his rear tire came apart and he had to transfer to the main by winning his semi. Both riders set identical times in practice – 46.4 seconds per lap, but it was Colton Haaker aboard his Montesa Trials bike who set the fastest lap time of the day at 45.2 seconds. Colton went on to win his heat race later that evening as did Geoff Aaron aboard his Christini AWD/KTM. Mika Ahola and Nick Brozovich both won their semi races, transferring to the evening’s main event.
The Last Chance Qualifier – where only the winner would continue on to the main - had the crowd on their feet as Damon Huffman quickly took the lead. John Dowd got by Huffman and then Cody Webb, on a Sherco Trials bike, got by Dowd. On the last lap, Dowd put on a charge but tangled with Webb in the last turn and Huffman went by both riders to take the checkered flag.
The stage was set for the main event. Blazusiak was already a crowd favorite with his unique style of attacking the EnduroCross track with Knight the odds on favorite to win. It wasn’t long before Knight was in the lead as Blazusiak plowed through the field into the second position. Mika Ahola was also working his way through the field as was Colton Haaker who set the fastest lap time on the race at 45.949 seconds. It was on lap seven when the arena nearly shook apart as Blazusiak passed Knight right before the white flag and the fans went crazy. With only one lap to go, Knight made the wise decision to hang back and win the championship. Mika Ahola finished third while Haaker put in an impressive ride and finished fourth.
The Baja Designs/NiteRider night race was also a big hit with the fans. With the Orleans Arena completely dark, the riders who did not transfer out of the LCQ had the opportunity to race the EnduroCross track in the dark with headlamps and helmet lights. Wally Palmer took the overall with Justin Williamson finishing second and Bobby Prochnau taking third.
Maxxis EnduroCross Main Event Results: Las Vegas – Round Three
1. Taddy Blazusiak
2. David Knight
3. Mika Ahola
4. Colton Haaker
5. Nick Brozovich
6. Geoff Aaron
7. Destry Abbott
8. Damon Huffman
9. Mike Lafferty
10. Nate Kanney
AMA/Maxxis National EnduroCross Series – Top Ten Leaders
1. David Knight 94 points
2. Damon Huffman 68 points
3. Nick Brozovich 66 points
4. Taddy Blazusiak 50 points
5. Keith Wineland 40 points
6. Mika Ahola 40 points
7. Mike Lafferty 37 points
8. Colton Haaker 36 points
9. Dave Pearson 36 points
10. Geoff Aaron 30 points
2008 AMA/Maxxis National EnduroCross Series Schedule
Saturday July 5th Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday August 16th Guthrie, Oklahoma
Saturday September 13th Florence, South Carolina
Saturday September 27th Denver, Colorado
Saturday October 4th Columbus, Ohio
Saturday November 15th Las Vegas, Nevada
