In my mind Mammoth is the most beautiful race of the year. There is something special about Mammoth. When the gate drops it is very competitive; however, once racing is over it is a very chill atmosphere. Families are everywhere and there are always a lot of smiling faces. This year we were fortunate enough to head up to Mammoth Motocross with a team representing PanicREV. Normally it is John and myself making the long haul alone; however, this year we had Jeff Jetton, Reid David, and Brian Wilkinson joining us for the trip. I am very grateful we were all able to take the time away from work and make this trip happen. It wont be one any of us soon forget. With that said, Brian wrote some racing highlight from Mammoth. I hope you all enjoy it. Keep checking back for more Mammoth news.
Max Anstie powered his KTM to two overall 
victories on his big bikes. He and Nick Paluzzi battled it out in the schoolboy class, but Anstie had just a little more speed and consistency than Paluzzi, which led him to the checkered flag first. Anstie also held off the pack of 250 Intermediate riders. Being his first Intermediate race on a 250F, Anstie was very pleased with his first place finish. Max is on a good program and it has definitely been paying off lately. Anstie has a busy schedule ahead of him. He will head overseas to do some racing abroad before returning back to the states for Ponca & Loretta's.
PanicRev team rider Travis Baker had a 
successful weekend, aside from one bad main in the 450 Intermediate class. While leading the moto, Travis went down and was stuck under the bike for a period of time. When Baker was finally able to re-mount and get going, it was too late. Travis put this race behind him and came back looking forward to finish atop the podium. Saturday, Baker would take second overall in the 250 intermediate main. He had to work his way up through the pack from about 8 th place, and by the time he did, Anstie had checked out. Baker also took the 450 open class victory.
Weston Peick had a very successful week at the mountain. Peick showed strong consistency on both the 250 and the 450. Weston would finish first in the 450 intermediate class, second in the 450 open class, and third in the 250 intermediate class. 1-2-3 finishes on the weekend had Peick in good spirits. Peick has been working hard, and he hopes to achieve the same success home from Ponca and Loretta's later this year.
What more is there to say about Darryn Durham!? He was the most consistent rider this year at Mammoth. He would go undefeated in all three of his main event races. With 1-1-1 finishes in all three pro classes, Darryn was definitely the king of the mountain this year. Atop of his great finishes, Durham does it all with style and ease. Darryn was throwing huge nac-nac's and heelclickers every opportunity that he had! He put on great rides this week, but an even better show for all of the motocross fans! Congratulations Darryn!
Ben Lamay seemed to have bad luck this year. Mammoth has always seemed to be Lamay's track, and he has had success here in the past. Lamay was plagued with bike problems this week. After blowing up his bike in the first moto, Ben hopped on a Yamaha dual sport and took the the track. Honking his horn, throwing out some tricks, and waving to the fans, Ben had a very light-hearted approach to his bad luck.
Bryce Vallee suffered one of the gnarliest crashes of the weekend. Right off the start, coming down the first downhill, Bryce went tumbling head over heels. He would end up half way down the hill when it was all over. With such great heart, Bryce just wanted to finish out the race. He got back on his bike, put his head down, and even while in pain, took to the track. He finished his moto out, iced up his knee, and shook it off. Bryce also rode the Open Intermediate class, but on a 250F. Most of the class were riding 450's, but not Bryce! He took his Pro-Tec Yamaha 250F to the ninth place overall. He put in an amazing ride on the 250F. Hats off to Bryce Vallee!
“Made in the UK ” can be seen on the buttpatch of “Scuba” Steven Clarke. Steven hails from overseas, but stays and trains at MTF here in the states. MTF is known to be one of the best places to train for motocross, and riders like Steven Clarke can back that up. With a second place finish in the 250 pro and a fourth overall in the open pro class, Clarke had a strong showing this weekend as well. “Scuba” will head back to MTF where he will continue training and preparing for Loretta Lynn's!
Vicky Golden came out swinging in moto one. She would take the early lead in the moto, but was chased by Sarah Price and Alexah Pearson. Vicky never looked back, and took the moto win. Vicky came up to Mammoth with just one friend of hers, Ericka. No mechanic, no team, just pure heart and devotion. Even after popping her shoulder out of place more than one time, Vicky finished up second overall in the women's class.
Sarah Price has been on a roll this year, and she conquered the mountain as well. Price would take the women's overall with 2-1 finishes. She had tough competition throughout the week, but Price rode smart, and ended up with the overall win.
Nick Paluzzi has been training hard with Buddy Antunez, and it has been showing as of late. Paluzzi was seen in the front of the schoolboy pack battling with Max Anstie. Paluzzi showed flashes of great speed and determination. With a little more consistency, Paluzzi should see more podium finishes in the near future.
Nick Brozovich was another one that had a gnarly get off going down the Mammoth hill early in the week. Everyone, including Nick, thought he was done for the week; however, Nick bounced back and put in some very impressive motos! In the end Nick came home with a 5th place finish in the Open Int Class and 4th place finish in the 450 Int Class. Nick was charging and on the gas all week. The young WORCS rider has a bight future ahead of him!
Taylor Bittner showed that he can ride a 450 very well. Taylor took second behind Peick in 450 intermediate and third overall in the open intermediate class.
For full results from Mammoth click here
