[American Motorcyclist Association] - AMSOIL AMA Amateur National Arenacross Champion

[Ninjette Newsbot]

The fastest amateur AMA Arenacross riders converged on Las Vegas’ South Point Arena on Sunday for a full slate of action for the 15th Annual AMSOIL AMA Amateur National Arenacross Championships (ANAC). This yearly showcase of amateur talent featured competition across 29 classes of all ages and skill levels, with 28 winners ultimately being crowned AMA National Champions and several others receiving highly coveted distinctions.

Following a day of practice on Friday, the entire field of 464 riders entered Sunday prepared and ready to do battle on the track inside South Point Arena. Heat Races commenced in the morning, setting the field for an afternoon of Main Events that would ultimately determine who would be crowned the winner of each class.

Each of the competitors at ANAC earned their spot to race for a national championship by competing at Amateur Day during one of the 12 rounds of AMSOIL Arenacross, featuring Ricky Carmichael’s Road to Supercross. Riders were eligible to qualify from one of four different amateur regions –South, East, West and Central.

Of the 29 classes that were in action at ANAC, several drew greater attention from those in attendance. The AMSOIL Dominator Supermini class provided a chance for the top three finishers to secure their spot in the Supermini class at this October’s Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas. In the end, Texas rider Zane Merrett emerged victorious to win the national championship aboard his Kawasaki, outlasting Tanner Ward, of Canada, and Jack Rogers, of Maryland.

Additionally, the Expert class was closely watched as California rider Johnnie Buller grabbed the national title aboard a Suzuki, with Kentucky riders Dylan Rouse and Donald Alford rounding out the podium. In the Pro Sport division, Texas rider Brandon Glenn, who enjoyed a solid season of competition during the AMSOIL Arenacross season on a KTM, captured the national championship. Buller and Rouse followed to complete the podium.

At the conclusion of a loaded afternoon of Main Events, an additional 25 riders were crowned AMA National Champions following victorious outings in their respective classes. In addition to his AMSOIL Dominator Supermini triumph, Merrett capped of a memorable and successful day of racing by also securing the AMA National Championship in three additional classes – Senior Mini, Supermini 1, and Supermini 2. In addition to Merrett, three other riders claimed multiple national titles – Jordan Torres (50cc 4-8 & 50cc 7-8), Steve Thinger (Over 30, Over 35, & Over 40), and Justin Cooper (AX Lites Intermediate, Schoolboy 1, & 2 Stroke B/C).

Some of AMSOIL Arenacross’ most recognizable names were in attendance on Sunday to support their amateur counterparts, including reigning four-time AMSOIL Arenacross Champion Tyler Bowers and groundbreaking rider Vicki Golden.

2014 ANAC Champions
* Non-national championship class

50cc (4-8): Jordan Torres – Watsonville, California – Cobra

50cc (4-6): Hayden Bodo – Farmington, New Mexico – Cobra

50cc (7-8): Jordan Torres – Watsonville, California – Cobra

65cc (10-11): Talon Hawkins – Temecula, California – KTM

65cc (7-9): Syrus Butts – Goshen, Utah – KTM

AX Intermediate: Damon Back – Roosevelt, Utah – KTM

AX Lites Intermediate: Justin Cooper – Cold Spring Harbor, New York – Yamaha

AX Lites Novice: Zach Thinger – Roseville, California – Kawasaki

AX Novice: Caleb Schmidt – Willcox, Arizona – Honda

* Beginner: Charles Knox – Pylesville, Maryland – KTM

Collegeboy (16-24): Dylan Rouse – Florence, Kentucky – Honda

Expert: Johnnie Buller – Dinuba, California – Suzuki

Girls (7-13): Jordan Jarvis – Clayton, North Carolina – Yamaha

Junior Mini (7-11): Jeremy Ryan – Santa Bella, California – KTM

Over 25: BJ Smith – Mayfield, New York – Honda

Over 30: Steve Thinger – Roseville, California – Kawasaki

Over 35: Steve Thinger – Roseville, California – Kawasaki

Over 40: Steve Thinger – Roseville, California – Kawasaki

Pit Bike: Tyler Zuech – Morgan, Utah

Pro Sport: Brandon Glenn – Mesquite, Texas – KTM

Schoolboy 1 (12-16): Justin Cooper – Cold Spring Harbor, New York – Yamaha

Schoolboy 2 (13-16): Jake McKinney – Hamersville, Ohio – Honda

Senior Mini: Zane Merrett – Crowley, Texas – Kawasaki

Supermini 1 (9-15): Zane Merrett – Crowley, Texas – Kawasaki

Supermini 2 (13-16): Zane Merrett – Crowley, Texas – Kawasaki

Women: Amanda Brown – Pasadena, Maryland – Honda

2 Stroke B/C: Justin Cooper – Cold Spring Harbor, New York – Yamaha

AMSOIL Dominator Supermini: Zane Merrett – Crowley, Texas – Kawasaki

Arenacross.com 50cc (4-8): Tucker Nelson – Garnett, Kansas – KTM





Click here for full story...