| March 14, 2023
The Red Bull Day In The Dirt Down South at the Dade City MX is known as the fastest party on two wheels, on and off the track, and this year’s get-together, March 10-12, was no different.
The 2-Stroke race was one of the most popular of the weekend.
Story and Photos by Rob Koy
The weekend started with open practice on Friday morning and included the Pro Red Bull athlete session. The Reunion Race was first and brought out riders who had spent time on old and still existing tracks in Florida. The Pink Flamingo Dash for Glory Pit Bike race concluded the day of racing.
Saturday’s races started with the Vintage GP followed by the 2-Stroke And Still Smoking Race. The 2-Stroke GP was one of the most participated in races of the day, and the team races were also very popular.
Tyler Medaglia capped off the Day In The Dirt Down South with the win in the Coup de Grace race. Photos: Rob Koy
Luke Renzland won the Expert/Pro 29-Under GP, followed by local pro Ayden Shive. Carson Brown rounded out the podium with a third.
The Old Switcheroo Team GP race, where team members may share a bike or ride their own as they swap a wristband in the transition area each lap until the checkers, was up next. Tyler Bereman won for the Wrecking Crew team for Red Bull athletes, and Kody Renzland won the team Expert/Pro GP.
The Bossa Nova GP Team race is where three members of a team are on the track at the same time and are scored Motocross des Nation style, with the lowest combined score winning the race. Josh Grant took the overall win, while Tyler Medaglia came in second and Jess Pettis third.
Chance Hymas and Dylan Wright, who train at the Dog Pound right down the street at Jett Lawrence’s compound, went 9-10. They both admitted they just wanted to come out and experience the race and took it easy.
Josh Grant was the top overall rider in the Bossa Nova GP Team race.
The last race of the day was the Pro/Am GP where Jess Pettis won the 450cc Pro class, and Camille Chapeliere won the 250cc Expert/Pro race.
On Sunday, the Intermediate/Expert/Pro GP saw Tyler Madaglia take the 450cc Pro GP win and Chase Yentzer the 250 Pro GP.
The Moto-A GoGo Team Race was another full gate of riders, as one rider from each team lined up in the rows by the gate, while a teammate staged along the start straight, because after a lap they had to swap wristbands. Bereman ended up taking the win in the Moto Pros class.
Tyler Bereman led the way in the Old Switcheroo Team GP race.
The Coup de Grace Race was the most demanding event of the weekend. This is because the race is over when the checkered flag waves, but no one knows when that will be, since the length of the race is determined by the race officials: it could go from 30 minutes to four hours.
The traditional Le Mans start was used. Tyler Medaglia got the jump and led the whole race for what turned out to be nine laps. Luke Renzland was second, followed by RJ Wageman.
The Red Bull Day In The Dirt Down South Ironman award went to Dade City local and pro rider Ayden Shive, who raced a 2001 Honda CR250 in the required five races.
COUP DE GRACE
- Tyler Medaglia (GG)
- Luke Renzland (Hus)
- RJ Wageman (Yam)
- Ronnie Stewart (Hus)
- Daniel Jaramillo (GG)
