Dare DeMartile, Kevin Moranz Selected for 2018 SMDR Privateer Awards
On Saturday, August 18, 2018, at the Budds Creek National, the Southern Maryland Dirt Riders Club selected and awarded two aspiring, young professional motocross racers (one racing 250cc, one racing 450cc) for our 12th annual Kevin Crine #574 Memorial Privateer Award. Each winner received $1,000 cash and a commemorative plaque for their efforts. The funds were raised through donations by club members and benefit auctions held throughout the year.
Dare DeMartile of Lincoln, California, was selected for the 450 award, and the winner of the 250 award was Kevin Moranz of Topeka, Kansas. Both men are making great strides to make professional motocross a career while also conducting themselves in line with the legacy of Kevin Crine.
Dare DeMartile is currently 28th in points and had his highest finish of his career at Budds Creek, going 20-19 for 20th overall and scoring three championship points. Riding under the Teddy Parks Privateer Journey tent and traveling with his dad as his mechanic, Dare has qualified at every round and scored points in 11 of 22 motos.
Kevin Moranz is 37th in points and went 28-25 for 28th overall at Budds Creek. Driving the series in a sprinter van with just himself and his 17-year-old mechanic, Kevin has qualified and raced at almost every round and scored points in two motos.
The Southern Maryland Dirt Riders recognize the challenge for privateers to get off “Privateer Island” to the big rigs and nice bikes that draw the attention of fans and sponsors. They remain dedicated to supporting the privateer to help young talent get to the next step of their careers. Since the inception of the Privateer Award in 2004, the Southern Maryland Dirt Riders Club has raised and awarded over $35,000 to struggling journeymen professional racers.
