Shan Moore | March 12, 2024
Hundreds of amateur racers get to show their stuff at Daytona
The 65cc (7-9) class leaves the startline during the Ricky Carmichael Supercross at Daytona International Speedway.
By Shan Moore | Photography by Rob Koy
The largest amateur supercross race in the world, the annual Monster Energy Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross, now in its 15th year, returned to Daytona International Speedway. More than 1400 entries were filled out, and many racers came from all over the globe to display their skills on the Ricky Carmichael-designed course, some hoping to get in line for next year’s available factory rides. Except for the WMX class, the RCSX race sold out in a day and a half. On Tuesday, 471 Vintage-class riders took to the track.
A hard rain Saturday night forced the promotors to skip the heat race format in most of the races except for the 250 A Road to Supercross Futures and to only race final events. In the classes where there were two divisions, two champions would be crowned.
Drew Adams was the star of the show by winning the 250 A Road To The Futures and Open A divisions.
Sunday and Monday consisted of main events for the RCSX race, while the Daytona Vintage Supercross (DVSX) filled out Tuesday’s program, featuring classes from Vintage (thru 1974) to Revolution (thru 2008). In addition, AMA ATV Pro and Pro Sport Racing thrilled fans once again on Tuesday.
Perhaps the weekend’s premier event was the 250 A Road to Supercross Futures, a steppingstone to the big leagues designed to develop elite-level athletes while preparing them to make the next step into racing the world’s fastest professional riders.
GasGas-rider Landin Pepperd grabbed the holeshot to lead the first few turns of the Futures race, followed by Team Green Kawasaki’s Drew Adams and Orange Brigade KTM’s Noah Stevens. One of the pre-race favorites, Team Green Online Kawasaki’s Reven Gordon, was mired back in the pack, just outside of 10th.
“I got a good lead, which I haven’t done that in a long time,” said Pepperd. “Then, late in the moto, I lost the front in the sand and went down, and that cost me the race.”
Hannah Hodges dominated the WMX class.
During the first few laps, Pepperd built a sizable lead ahead of Gordon, Adams (who had quickly moved up to third), Logan Riggins, and Stevens. Riggins went down a few turns later and dropped outside the top five as Adams cut under Gordon to take second.
Adams slowly started to cut into Pepperd’s lead as the two riders widened their lead over the pack. On lap seven, Adams moved to Pepperd’s rear and made a lunge for the lead but was held off by Adams.
Carson Wood was the Supermini 2 (13-16) winner.
Under the intense pressure, however, Pepperd went down a few turns later, handing Adams a huge lead. Stevens now took over second, followed by Jordan Renfro (KTM) and Pepperd.
At the finish, the order was Adams, Stevens, Pepperd, Hamden Hudson and Reven Gordon.
“I had a pretty bad start,” said Adams. “I just tried to be smooth but aggressive, and once I worked my way up to second, Adams was really ripping, and I thought I was in first, but he was so far ahead I just couldn’t see him. Finally, I put down a good charge, and he, unfortunately, went down, and I got the win. I just tried to keep my head down and work the lappers the best I can.”
Adams also returned to the starting line to win the Open A division over Reven Gordon and Noah Stevens.
Tristan Prueitt took the Supermini 1 (12-15) Group 2 Championship.
In the WMX (Pro Women’s class), Hannah Hodges (Husqvarna) took the championship with Sophia Phelps (Kawasaki) and Jamie Astudillo (KTM) in second and third, respectively. Hodges grabbed the lead from the start and pulled away to a five-second lead at the finish, while Phelps (Kawasaki) and Astudillo battled for second, with Phelps edging out Astudillo by less than two seconds for the runner-up honors.
“I knew the lappers were going to be tough, and the ruts were gnarly this year,” said Hodges. “I’m excited to be here. All my bikes are broken. I got married last week, and I haven’t ridden since Kings Cup, but I’ve always loved this place and like racing here.”
One of the riders who won multiple championships was Tony Lorusso of New Hampshire (Yamaha). Lorusso always walks away from the RCSX race with some gold and this weekend he won three classes: Masters 50+ Group 1, Senior (40+) and Senior (45+) B/C.
The B classes were stacked and super competitive. Not a single B rider won more than one championship, which means next year’s rookie Pro riders are either going to be a competitive bunch or a bust!
Adams (center), Noah Stevens (right) and Landin Pepperd (left) made up the Futures podium.
Other riders winning two titles included Austin Keller, who topped the 65cc (10-11) and 85cc (10-12) Group 2 classes, as well as Tristan Prueitt, who won the Supermini 1 (12-15) Group 2 and Mini Sr 2 (13-15) divisions.
Jesse Wessel (Yamaha) grabbed the holeshot and opened a surprising lead in the College 18-14 class, while KTM riders Michael Corcoran and Noah Stevens battled for second. On the final lap, Hudson threw down a memorable lap that saw him move from fifth to first, passing Corcoran in the final turn for the win.
The Schoolboy 2 (12-17) was a good race, with Caden Dudney and Diesel Thomas (KTM) running 1-2 at the start. Luke Fauser (KTM) briefly took the lead before Hudson began his amazing run to the front.
Highly touted Canyon Richards, of the Yamaha Brigade, won the 450B class. CN
250 A ROAD TO SX FUTURES
- Drew Adams (Kaw)
- Noah Stevens (KTM)
- Landin Pepperd (GG)
- Hamden Hudson (Yam)
- Reven Gordon (Kaw)
OPEN A
- Drew Adams (Kaw)
- Reven Gordon (Kaw)
- Noah Stevens (KTM)
- Cory Carsten (Suz)
- Logan Riggins (KTM)
