Cycle News Staff | October 4, 2022
For motocross racers in the Northeast, October has always meant one thing. The Race of Champions at Englishtown’s Raceway Park. The 2022 event, September 30-October 2, marked the 46th annual running of the event that has seen some of motocross racing’s finest racers come to do battle on what is one of the most challenging tracks in the Northeast. This year the track was exceptionally difficult as the remains of Hurricane Ian brought winds and rain throughout the weekend of racing, making some motos just survival.
Ricci Randanella demonstrated his wet-weather riding skills en route to the Open Pro-Expert win during the Race of Champions by Kawasaki at Englishtown in New Jersey. Photos: Scott Lukaitis
More than 1000 racers came to compete, and they were treated to two very different days of racing. There were two full days of racing on Friday and Saturday for youth and amateur racing, as well as the vet classes. The big winners during the amateur portion included Drew Adams, Dakota Kessler, Canyon Richards, Seth Kready and Justus Pearston, each with multiple class overall wins.
Sunday’s racing was set aside for the Pro Expert classes (250 and Open) and intermission races for amateur and minibike riders. The weather played a big part, eventually canceling the Fast Fifties moto and forcing the organizers to make each pro class a single format moto. Unrelenting rain left standing water throughout the track.
Hurricane Ian left its mark at Englishtown.
In the Open Pro-Expert class, Kawasaki-mounted Ricci Randanela grabbed the holeshot and checked out. He avoided the deep water, kept his bike running and goggles clean en route to victory. Dakota Kessler and Jeremy Smith went 2-3.
Chase Yentzer was the 250cc Pro-Expert-class winner.
In the Pro-Expert 250cc class, Barx Suzuki’s Chase Yentzer jumped out to an early lead and stayed there for the win. Suzuki rider Cory Carsten charged through the wet and mud to take second, with Bryce Shelly taking third.
The 2022 Ironman Classic, sponsored by Fun Center Powersports, went to Kawasaki Team Green’s Drew Adams. His prize for winning was a brand new KX250.
Drew Adams was the Ironman division winner.
In the other special intermission races, New York’s Travis Johnsmeyer won the 65cc Kessler Cup, and New Jersey’s own Canyon Richards won the 85cc Top Gun Mini Cycle Shootout. Clayton Stockstill took the 125cc All-Stars moto victory.
Scott Lukaitis
250 Pro-Expert
- Chase Yentzer (Suz)
- Cory Carsten (Suz)
- Bryce Shelly (Yam)
- Ryder Fox (Yam)
- Ian Kearon (Yam)
Open Pro-Expert
- Ricci Randanella (Kaw)
- Dakota Kessler (Yam)
- Jeremy Smith (Kaw)
- Cory Carsten (Suz)
- Luis Jose Duran (Hus)
Click here for more amateur motocross racing news.
