Blayne Thompson and Tatum Sik become Adelanto royalty with Mavericks Adelanto Grand Prix wins.
Story and Photos By Mark Kariya
The title King of Adelanto has traditionally been bestowed on the rider who takes the most class wins during the fabled race weekend in the high-desert California town of Adelanto, located about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
For the second annual Mavericks Adelanto Grand Prix put on by the So Cal Motorcycle Club at Mavericks Stadium, only the AMA Big 6 Grand Prix Series feature race counted. In that race, Fasthouse Yamaha’s Blayne Thompson earned the title and its accompanying royal crown and robe with a convincing win in the Pro class.
In addition, the race which kicked off the AMA District 37/MSR Big 6 Grand Prix Series awarded Maxxis Honda-mounted Tatum Sik the title Queen of Adelanto and all of the accoutrement that went with taking the new Women Pro class. THR Motorsports Yamaha’s Jeremy Newton, who only recently was talked into racing Adelanto for the first time, triumphed in the WCGP Pro II category so he can probably be considered the unofficial Prince of Adelanto.
For Thompson, the WCGP couldn’t have gone any better as he led from start to finish to record his first overall Pro victory.
“We got the start we were looking for last year and we finally got one [today],” he said. “We ended up leading the whole lap and the whole race, and that’s all we were looking for, starting the season out good. It was tough [leading the whole race] because I knew there were a lot of big hitters behind me. I knew they were going to try to come and get me, but I just made sure I rode my own [race] and stayed on two wheels so I ended up coming out with the win.”
Zip-Ty Racing Husqvarna’s Dalton Shirey continued his notable March through the Pro ranks by overcoming a poor start to claim second after battling arm pump and then missing his pit and having to back off to make sure he could make that extra lap without running out of fuel. (The next day, during the weekend-finale Heavyweight/Lightweight Intermediate and Expert race, Shirey turned the tables by passing Thompson on the second lap and pulling away for what many felt was his inevitable first Big 6 overall win on a 450.)
Like Shirey, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Kawasaki-mounted Robby Bell got a bad start but quickly sliced his way through the pack until he was in third.
“I think I got into third on the second or third lap and wanted to make a charge on Dalton and Blayne–they were like 30 seconds ahead of me,” Bell said. “But I just couldn’t quite close the gap. They were riding really, really well.”
Former Big 6 champ Eric Yorba had a good day, putting his FMF/Maxxis/RPM Racing KTM into fourth with Thousand Oaks Powersports Yamaha rider Michael del Fante fifth.
In WCGP Pro II, the eventual top three provided an entertaining battle up front that Newton eventually won, taking advantage of mistakes by his rivals. CST Tires teammates Mitch Anderson and Beau Baron had their times at the front but had to settle for second and third, respectively, on the podium.
“I came out not really expecting much, and I guess I can’t complain with a first,” Newton said.
As for the new Women Pro class, seven women showed up with former Women Expert champ Tatum Sik taking home the $264 winner’s share of the purse aboard her Maxxis Honda after trailing early leader Britney Gallegos who DNFed.
“It was a hell of a ride!” Sik exclaimed.
EnduroCross star Morgan Tanke proved fast enough in the fast desert portions to earn second on her American Beta 250 RR. Zip-Ty Racing Yamaha-mounted Gina Alvarez slotted into the final podium spot.
A total of 1660 riders provided an increase of 200 entries over last year’s inaugural event with officials reporting double the number of spectators, both signs of a successful rebirth to this popular race.
2016 AMA District 37/MSR Big 6 Grand Prix Series
Mavericks Adelanto Grand Prix
Mavericks Stadium
Adelanto, California
Results: January 16-17, 2016 (Round 1 of 8)
Hwt/Lwt
1. Dalton Shirey-Hus
2. Blayne Thomspon-Yam
3. Jesse Lundin-KTM
4. Mitch Anderson-KTM
5. Jordan Gamboa-KTM
WCGP Int/Exp/Pro
1. Blayne Thomspon-Yam (first WCGP Pro)
2. Dalton Shirey-Hus
3. Robby Bell-Kaw
4. Eric Yorba-KTM
5. Michael Del Fante-Yam
6. Justin Seeds-Kaw
7. Colton Udall-Hon
8. Justin Wallis-Bet
9. Mark Samuels-Hon
10. Trevor Stewart-Hon
11. Jeremy Newton-Yam (first WCGP Pro II)
WCGP Women Pro
1. Tatum Sik-Hon
2. Morgan Tanke-Bet
3. Gina Alvarez-Yam
4. Ryann Bradley-KTM
5. Shelby Ward-Kaw
6. Jacqueline Carrizosa-Yam
DNF. Britney Gallegos-KTM
WCGP Nov/Beg
1. Travis Frohlich-KTM
2. Steven Adams
3. Jay Morris-Suz
4. Nathan Frohlich-Hon
5. Hunter Oakley-Yam
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