Jim Bull's - Outdoorz Magazine: Round # 5 - Sprint Cross Country Series SXCS

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Round # 5 - Sprint Cross Country Series SXCS

Boyers Farm Romney, WV was the site for Rd 5 of the SXCS. This round, like round 4, was marketed as a Sprint Cross which is also known as a Sprint Enduro. SXCS has hosted a variety of events in 2019.

Their opening round was the famous Hangover Hare Scramble which drew over 500 racers. The Sprint Enduros generally do not bring in the masses as a full on Enduro or a full on Hare Scramble. They are more of a hybrid that is slowly catching on. This weekends event challenged the C and B riders to 6 special tests that included Grass Track, Cross Country, Woods Loops and Hill Climbs. Basically the best of everything in one day.

Trail Pros, the track designers, did an incredible job. I just happened to pre ride most of the trails on Saturday just to dust off some cobwebs and had an absolute blast. No I didn’t race it LOL. My talents are more in the admin areas. Even those are as questionable as my riding.

In the morning the youth would break in the soil with 7 Special Tests. Originally advertised as 6 but the kids insisted in a 7th test due too the intense fun. With not a single objection off they went. 12-13 Super mini racer Ranger “Danger” Emmons would immediately start cutting the grass track like a weekday landscaper besting series favorite Kenito #22 by 13 seconds.

Hoping to make a comeback in test 2 woods section, Kenito would make a day ending wrong turn at a downed ribbon putting him onto the adult course and losing a minute: 40. Regardless Ranger would continue with excellent laps times and would hold the lead this day. Kenito would settle for 2nd in class and 2nd for the day. 3rd Overall went to 7-11 85 racer Carter “Pretzel” Przemelewski.

In the Juniors it was Mason Tsakanikas who would charge from test to test taking no prisoners. 2nd would go to Luke “Use the Force” Boyer. Keeping them on their toes and applying the pressure was Tanner Emmons. Was a great day at the Emmons ranch as Maddy Emmons would also take a 1st in 65 novice as well as the overall on a shortened youth course followed by Kasey Gribble and Landyn Dalmasso.

In the main event it was the “Brothers Ross” taking the top 2 podium positions after all 8 Special Tests. “Ride on Motos” Luke and Jake Ross would race in the dust and then the rain as the weather would shift from completely dry and dusty to rain and grease by test 7. Nick Mellinger was holding on to 2nd place most of the day but 3rd place overall (1st in 250A) Jake Ross had his bike set up for mud and when the rain came he had some of the fastest lap times of the day that would allow him to pass Mellinger by test 7. In the end it was Luke Ross, Jake Ross and Nick Mellinger for the overall.