Russell Soaks Sunny Florida

By Debbie Allen

Vero Beach, Florida held its debut run for the first round of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series. Simply stated, this ten thousand acre, privately owned paradise was breathtakingly beautiful. Not only would most riders venture to give it a two thumbs up, but they would also add that it was the best track that Florida has had to offer, ever. Everyone enjoyed everything: the sand, the course, and best yet, a new chance to gain some ground on a previous year’s effort.

Off the start of the afternoon race, the amateurs looked spit shined and ready, anxious to start a brand new season with brand new goals. Kailub Russell [37] put in the best amateur ride. His class left the start on the fifth line, but that didn’t stop him from being the first to the finish. Racing in the 200 A class, he got a fifth place start and found the lead once he got into the first wood’s section. From there with support from KTM Satellite Team / KTM Hard Parts / Enduro Engineering, he just put his head down and rolled with the punches.

The West Virginia native was awesome for his first time out in the Florida sand. He said, “I didn’t realize I was passing everybody else. I was just charging as hard as I could for the first four laps. Racing for three hours in the sand is tough, so I kind of got tired those last few laps. I knew I was in the lead, but I didn’t know I was leading everyone in the A classes.” He said he wanted to try Florida, but who knew he’d ride like he owned it. He was the fastest amateur, finishing in twenty-fifth place in overall.

 Lawrence Mahoney and Jeffrey Bowman were the next riders to get to the finish line. They were the hot shots in the 250 A class and rode a very impressive race.

Lucky for Andrew Matusek, 4-Stroke A Lite’s star rider, had a few fans tucked away deep in the swamp section. His Andrews backed Kawasaki was seat deep in the muck until they grabbed a hold on it and reamed it out. Right then, he went from the front runner of the A classes to the sixth. In spite and still smiling, he was happy to win his class.

“I thought it was going to be a good line,” said Matusek, “but I learned pretty quickly that I was wrong. I do appreciate those people helping me get it out. It took us about six minutes, and I was off and running still in first place.”

Last year’s Youth riders were out to prove their racing abilities with KTM backing them along the way. Out front and fast was Cory Buttrick, rounding ut the top ten for amateurs. Jordan Ashburn was another former Youth rider with a prized future. He was the top B rider, winning the 250 B class.

“I crashed once and hit one of those Palmetto bushes,” said Ashburn. “That wasn’t too fun, but I had a good time today. I loved the track and racing with John Ayres. I believe he got the holeshot, and I followed him for about five miles. I got around him and just started to race as hard as I could.”

 In the morning race, Scott Plessinger was the dominant leader. After getting the holeshot, he held onto the lead for most of the race. He said, “A few Yamahas got around me for a while, but I ended up getting back around them.”

Those Yamahas were ridden by Duane Conner and Kevin Foley. They finished out the podium, racing in the Industry class.

For more of Debbie's photos, click here.

Results: GNCC Racing Parts Unlimited Triton
Vero Beach Florida
March 6

Afternoon Race

Top Ten Amateurs: 1. Kailub Russell (KTM); 2. Lawrence Mahoney (KTM); 3. Jeffrey Bowman (Hon); 4. Robert Phillips( 5. Eric Bailey (Hon); 6. Andrew Matusek (Kaw); 7. Travis Hullfish (Kaw); 8. Jordan Sain (Yam); 9. Phil Smith (KTM);10. Corey Buttrick (KTM).

Open A: 1. Travis Hullfish (Kaw); 2. Kevin Hoge (Suz); 3. Brett Zofchak (Kaw); 4. Chad Sanner (Kaw); 5. Matt Lyons (KTM).

250 A: 1. Lawrence Mahoney (KTM); 2. Jeffrey Bowman (Hon); 3. Eric Bailey (Hon); 4. Jordan Sain (Yam); 5. Phil Smith (KTM).

200 A: 1. Kailib Russell (KTM); 2. Robert Norwood (KTM); 3. Andrew Delong (KTM); 4. Travis Coy (KTM); 5. Wesley Keller (KTM).

4 Stroke A Lite: 1. Andrew Matusek (Kaw); 2. Jonathan Davis (KTM); 3. Scottie Rich (Kaw); 4. Corey MacDonald (Yam); 5. Ian Sherwood (KTM).

Vet A (30+): 1. Scott Phelps (Suz); 2. Brooks Hamilton (KTM; 3. Jeff Staples (Kaw); 4. Kenny Judd (Yam); 5. Scott Palmieri (Yam).

Senior A (40+): 1. Robert Phillips (KTM); 2. Patrick Barton (Yam); 3. Jon McCabe (Suz); 4. Dennis Baldwin (Yam); 5. Dennis Decker (Suz).

Open B: 1. Cody Robison (Yam); 2. Kasey Moore (Hon); 3. Bret Zaro (KTM); 4. Kody Anderson (Kaw); 5. Chad Montgomery (Yam).

250 B: 1. Jordan Ashburn (KTM); 2. John Ayers (KTM); 3. Trevor Bristol (Yam); 4. Brandon Phillips (Kaw); 5. Eric Lease (Kaw).

4 Stroke B Lites: 1. Logan Fleisher (Kaw); 2. Cameron Maley (Hon); 3. Isaac Faine (KTM); 4. Nathaniel Martin (Kaw); 5. Scott Hunt (Yam).

Vet B (30+): 1. Todd Palmer (Kaw); 2. John Sheffey (Yam); 3. Eric Braun (Hon); 4. Todd Vess (Suz); 5. Douglas Brodeur (Hon).

Senior B (40+): 1. Brett Williams (Kaw); 2. Dana Gaines (Kaw); 3. Al Matarazzo (Hon); 4. Edward Higgins (Suz); 5. Mike Mason (Yam).

Morning Race

Overall: 1. Scott Plessinger (KTM); 2. Duane Conner (Yam); 3. Kevin Foley (Yam); 4. Doug Blackwell (KTM); 5. B obby Moriarty (Yam); 6. Ricky Scaggs(Hon); 7. Shawn Clark (Kaw); 8. Chance Hazelline (Hon); 9. Marcus Pedrero (KTM); 10. Richard Burleson

Industry: 1. Scott Plessinger (KTM); 2. Duane Conner (Yam); 3. Kevin Foley (Yam); 4. Doug Blackwell (KTM); 5. Bobby Moriarty (Yam).

Super Senior A: 1. Randy Mastin (Yam); 2. Kim Mahancke (Suz); 3. Rickey Wheeler (Hon); 4. Paul Michels (KTM); 5. Mark Adams (KTM).

Woman: 1. Amanda Mastin (Yam); 2. Casey Campbell (Hon); 3. Kacy Martinez (Hon); 4. Kelsey O’Donnell (Hon).

Vet C (30+): 1. Henry Komosa (Suz); 2. Wes Edenfield (Kaw); 3. Jeff Pilloa (Yam); 4. Kenneth Griffin (Yam); 5. William Phillips (KTM).

Vet C (35+): 1. Ricky Lee (Yam); 2. Sonny Morabito (KTM); 3. Robert Talley (Hon); 4. Alan Edwards (Suz); 5. Joseph Keister (Yam).

Senior C (40 +): 1. Roger Reid (KTM); 2. Kent Prager (Hon); 3. John Cramer (KTM); 4. Billy Morris (KTM); 5. Mike Schobert (Suz).

Senior A (45+): 1. Randy Hale (Yam); 2. Dana Rice (Yam); 3. Scott Dubic (KTM); 4. Tim Boryk (KTM); 5. Michael Lyon (KTM).

Super Senior B/C (50+): 1. William King (Hon); 2. Gerald Gresham (Yam); 3. Steve Brunton (KTM); 4. Vergle Young (KTM); 5. Michael Stephens (Suz).

Masters (55+): 1. Ronald Less (KTM); 2. Alain Desrosiers (Suz); 3. John Thomas (Hon); 4. William Lingafelter (Yam); 5. Scott Wofersberger (Hsq).

250 C: 1. Ben Hobbs (KTM); 2. Ted Mullins (Yam); 3. Dwightr Fehlauer (Yam); 4. Regis Plante (Yam); 5. Corey Krohn (Yam).

200 C: 1. Ryan Belue (KTM); 2. Jordan Mapes (KTM); 3. Cyle Lowe (KTM); 4. Lee Rowland (KTM); 5. Tyler Bergen (Yam).

4 Stroke C Lights: 1. Chance Hazelline (Hon); 2. Brent Stanley (Hon); 3. Chase Monsrud (Kaw); 4. Jeremiah Spence (Kaw); 5. Christopher Sprayberry (Yam).

4 Stroke C Open : 1. Dustin Rice (Yam); 2. Daniel Sirois (KTM): 3. Kelly McDonald (KTM); 4. Michael Kyser (Kaw); 5. Jacques Michael (KTM).

Sportsman: 1. Shawn Clark (Kaw); 2. Brian Koster (Hon); 3. Jeff Petrosky (Kaw); 4. David Box (Hon); 5. Lukas Delaney (KTM).

Sportsman 1 : 1. Ricky Skaggs (Hon); 2. Marcus Pedrero (KTM); 3. Maynard Patterson (Suz); 4. Jeffrey Welch (Kaw); 5. Richard Desrosiers (Yam).