Rory Mead Dominates Action Sports GP

Action Sports Grand Prix Series
Round 3: Action Sports Moto Park

Story and Photos by David L. Patton Jr.
ATHENS, OH, JUNE 16, 2012

Rory Mead put together two flawless rides on his way to a pair of overall wins at round three of the 2012 Action Sports Grand Prix Series, presented by Hatfield-McCoy Trails and Ohio Motorcycle. Mead, who hails from New Zealand and is now living in Athens, Ohio, came to the USA last year to compete in the GNCC National Series, and this season he has blasted his way into fourth place in the nation’s premier off-road series. Mead was not fazed by the 90-degree heat or pressure from one of Ohio’s top National Enduro riders, Zach Klamfoth.

Klamfoth has been nearly unbeatable at the Action Sports Moto Park, and he was the only rider to challenge Mead, but he wasn’t able to hold him off. Klamfoth took the Lightweight A-class win to extend his lead in the series and was runner-up to Mead in the Open A class, adding to his points lead in that class.

Jackson, Ohio’s Jeff Miller continued his amazing win streak in the Over 50 class. Miller has pushed his Pro-Tune Suspension/ JM Cycles Yamaha to nine straight wins, dating back to the second race of the 2011 series. Miller has yet to lose a grand prix at the Moto Park.

“If we talk about the streak, Mark Hyde or Tim Shephard or someone will come down just to stop the streak,” Miller joked when told how many wins he had racked up.

Before the first session took to the 4-plus-mile course, additional classes were added and the rows reorganized, and this led to a minor issue, as Rory Mead took his “Open-class” bike to the front row with the other A-class riders, when he should have been three rows back. When the Lightweight A class left the line, Mead was right on Klamfoth’s rear wheel. Klamfoth set a fast pace as both riders struggled with the conditions.

“It was loose on top, but it was hard-pack and slippery underneath,” said Klamfoth.

Mead also had trouble with the course.

“I struggled with the track,” he reported. “It is slippery and loamy; I have been riding hard-pack and rocks lately.”

On his WMR KTM/ Fly Racing-sponsored KTM, Mead took the lead on the second lap, and he then began to pull away as Klamfoth battled the course.

“I was holding the bars so tight because I couldn’t trust the berms to hold, and my arms pumped up for the rest of the race,” Klamfoth recounted.

Mead pulled out a lead of nearly two minutes, so he held on to take the overall win, despite the minute-and-a-half starting-time correction for being on the wrong row.

“It was all right racing with Zach,” Mead said. “I don’t really know any of the guys here, but it has been a good day so far.”

Klamfoth took the Lightweight A-class win and came in second overall, ahead of Chris McGomery, who had some bad luck of his own.

“I was having a good race, right behind Zach and not far behind Rory,” McGomery said. “Then I hit a lapped rider and crashed and broke my front-brake lever and tore half of my throttle grip off. That ruined that race.”

In the Open A class, Klamfoth, on the Jay Downhour-FCR Suspension/ Wheelsports KTM, shot off the line first, with Mead back in fourth. By the end of the first lap, though, Mead held the lead.

“I got the holeshot, but Rory caught me on the downhill,” Klamfoth said after the race.

Mead attacked the course and opened up a gap.

“My bike was set up for rocks and technical stuff, so it didn’t work so well in the first one,” Mead said. “I made some bike changes and it was better this time, and the track is wore in better.”

Klamfoth tried to reel in Mead, but miscues hurt his charge.

“I was a lot looser, riding better, but I fell twice trying to push it, riding too aggressively and going backwards because of the crashes,” Klamfoth said.

Mead rolled to another win.

“It has been a warm day, but I am used to it now; it’s not this hot in New Zealand,” Mead said. “It was a good day, coming out here to race.”

Klamfoth pushed the Rekluse/ Fly Racing/ Western Powersports-backed KTM to the finish for second, and McGomery took third.

“Racing with Rory Mead – who is one of the fastest guys in the world – and Zach is definitely cool,” said a smiling McGomery, who would take the win in the 16-24 class later in the day.

Race fans also got a good look at Ohio’s off-road future, as Tristan Landrum, Tristian Stumbo, Jordan Burkholder and Levi Keller all put in impressive rides, battling more experienced riders on bigger bikes. The young riders kept their throttles pinned throughout the hour-long races and never backed down. They will be winning GNCC races in the near future.

Hunter Dalrymple hammered the ATV A class after an early battle with Mitch Miller. Although Miller was able to clear the tabletop before the scoring barrels to hold Hunter off for a lap, Dalrymple then took control on his Treadway Suzuki and Honda-backed CRF.

“I couldn’t get around him on that first lap, but I was able to pass him up the big hill,” Dalrymple said. “My Honda outran his Yamaha. Then I just tried to stay smooth. It was hot and dusty, but it was a lot of fun.”

Miller claimed second place.

The next event at Actions Sports will be the 2012 AHRMA Vintage and Post-Vintage National Motocross and Cross Country on June 23 and 24. Call 740/594-MOTO (6686) or go to actionsportsracing.com for more information.

Action Sports Moto Park
Athens, Ohio
Results: June 16, 2012 (Round 3)

LIGHTWEIGHT A: 1. Zach Klamfoth (KTM); 2. Chris McGomery (Yam); 3. Mike Ross (KTM); 4. Roland Diamond (KTM); 5. Jason Ross (Yam).

OPEN A: 1. Rory Mead (KTM); 2. Zach Klamfoth (KTM); 3. Chris McGomery (Yam); 4. Jason Ross (KTM); 5. Levi Keller (Yam).

OPEN A (Morning Session): 1. Rory Mead (KTM); 2. Isaac Walton (Kaw).

50 (4-6): 1. Cole McKibben (KTM); 2. Kenton Brown (KTM); 3. Chase Patton (Yam).

50 (7-8): 1. Blaceton Moore (KTM); 2. Carter Fouts (KTM).

65 (7-11): 1. Tyler Silvia (KTM); 2. Timmy Harris (KTM); 3. Christopher D. Tedrow (KTM); 4. Logan Riley (KTM); 5. Chase Ingalls (Kaw).

MINI JR 85 (7-11): 1. Tyler Martin (Kaw); 2. Samuel Parsons (Yam).

MINI SR 85 (12-15): 1. Zack Zizzo (Hon); 2. Ben Stephenson (Kaw); 3. Justin Draper (Yam); 4. Derek Schmach (Kaw).

85 NOV (7-15): 1. Stevie Osborne (Kaw).

SUPERMINI (12-16): 1. Jarrett Stephenson (Hon); 2. Nick Story (KTM); 3. Kyle Hellyer (Hon); 4. Gaven Burt (Hon); 5. Austin Mayberry (Hon).

4-STROKE LIGHTWEIGHT B/C: 1. Nick Dickens (Yam); 2. Taylor Russell (KTM); 3. Peyton Randolph (Hsq).

LIGHTWEIGHT NOV C: 1. Devan Byer (KTM); 2. Cole Shifflet (Yam); 3. Isaiah Andrews (Yam); 4. Brandon Skeens (Hon); 5. Zack Ellrigsworth (Hon).

125/200 B: 1. Tristan Landrum (KTM); 2. Tristian Stumbo (KTM); 3. Jordan Burkholder (Suz); 4. Seth James (Yam); 5. Justin Sipos (KTM).

250 B: 1. Mike Crane (KTM); 2. Jeremiah Downhour (Suz); 3. Shade Huntley (Yam); 4. Josh Eagle (Hon); 5. Chris Monk (Yam).

4-STROKE HEAVYWEIGHT B: 1. Chris Haffer (Hon); 2. Steve Thaxton (KTM); 3. Cory Atwood (Yam).

HEAVYWEIGHT NOV C: 1. Jared Mills (Yam); 2. Blaine Smith (Kaw); 3. Seth Hite (Yam); 4. Andrew Fraley (Yam); 5. Zack Ellingsworth (Hon).

HEAVYWEIGHT B: 1. Christopher Haffer (Hon); 2. David Smith (Yam).

OPEN: 1. Joseph Rumble (Yam); 2. Brian Rickard (KTM); 3. Jarred Mills (Yam); 4. Zach Walton (Kaw); 5. Chas Patton (Kaw).

OPEN B/C (Afternoon Session): 1. Tristian Stumbo (Yam).

WOMEN 65-150: 1. Dawn Silvia (KTM); 2. Whitney Martin (KTM); 3. Kari Halizak (Hon).

WOMEN 125+: 1. Dawn Silvia (KTM); 2. Whitney Martin (KTM); 3. Kelli Sheibley (Kaw).

SCHOOLBOY (12-16) BW: 1. Tristan Landrum (KTM); 2. Jordan Burkholder (Suz); 3. Devan Byer (KTM); 4. Jarrett Stephenson (Yam).

SCHOOLBOY 2 (12-16) 250 4-STROKE: 1. Levi Keller (Yam); 2. Ryon McManus (KTM).

14-24: 1. Chris McGomery (Yam); 2. Joseph Rumble (Yam); 3. Brent Thornhill (Yam); 4. Justin Sipos (KTM); 5. Seth James (Yam).

25+: 1. Shade Huntley (Yam); 2. Nick Dickens (Yam); 3. Brandon Skeens (Hon); 4. Anthony Kaercher (Hon); 5. Seth Hite (KTM).

30+: 1. Josh D. Eagle (Hon); 2. Johnny Stewart (Hon); 3. Steve Young (Kaw); 4. Steve Forester (Hon); 5. Cory Atwood (Yam).

40+: 1. Keith Gwinn (Yam); 2. Steve Thaxton (KTM); 3. Larry Silvia (KTM); 4. David Smith (Yam); 5. John Kreps (Suz).

50+: 1. Jeff Miller (Yam); 2. Andrew Chapman (Yam); 3. Brad Burt (Hon); 4. Harry Cyrus (Hsq); 5. Mark Kaho (Yam).

GOLDEN MASTERS (58+): 1. Rick Oxley (KTM); 2. Tom Parfitt (KTM); 3. Ric Myers (Hon).

DECADE: 1. Anthony Kaercher (Hon); 2. Mike Freas (Hon); 3. Tanner Nelson (Hon); 4. Jason Andrews (Hon); 5. Mark Kaho (Yam).

ATV Division

ATV A: 1. Hunter Dalrymple (Hon); 2. Mitch Miller (Yam); 3. Jesse Brunton (Hon); 4. Sean Archer (Suz).

ATV B: 1. Adam McGomery (Yam).

ATV C: 1. Lane Riggs (Hon); 2. Dalton Coy (Kaw); 3. Tyler Miller (Yam); 4. Josh Osborne (Hon); 5. Collin Brown (Yam).

YOUTH ATV 0-90: 1. Conner Conkel (Suz); 2. Hunter Justis.

ATV VET (30+): 1. Tom Bell (ATK); 2. Michael Melfi (Yam); 3. Chris O’Neall (Yam); 4. Jeff Swisher (Yam).

ATV VET (40+): 1. Lee Griffith (Yam); 2. Rick Baker (Hon).

2012 Action Sports Grand Prix Championship Points Standings

LIGHTWEIGHT A: 1. Zach Klamfoth (40); 2. Chris McGomery (32); 3. Chris Robertson (25); 4. Mike Ross (24); 5. Isaac Walton (22); 6. Josh Gaitten (20); 7. Cary Eberts (13); 8. (TIE) Roland Diamond (11)/ Tyler Crawford (11); 10. (TIE) Jason Ross (10)/ Drew Hill (10); 11. Larry Silvia (9).

OPEN A: 1. Zach Klamfoth (52); 2. Chris Robertson (31); 3. Chris McGomery (26); 4. Jason Ross (22); 5. (TIE) Rory Mead (20)/ Isaac Walton (20); 7. Josh Gaitten (16); 8. Cary Eberts (13); 9. Levi Keller (10); 10. (TIE) Larry Silvia (9)/ Tyler Crawford (9); 11. Mark Spillman (8).

50 (4-6): 1. Carter Fouts (17); 2. Kenton Brown (14); 3. Chase Patton (11); 4. (TIE) Cole McKibben (10)/ Braxton Brown (10); 6. Owen Thompson (4).

50 (7-8): 1. Wyatt Morris (20); 2. Blaceton Moore (17); 3. Carter Fouts (7).

50 OIL-INJECTED: 1. Owen Thompson (10).

65 (7-11): 1. Timmy Harris (36); 2. Chase Ingalls (28); 3. Logan Riley (24); 4. Tyler Silvia (20); 5. Hayden Hunt (16); 6. Chris Tedrow (13); 7. (TIE) Morgan Abell (10)/ Bryce Richards (10).

MINI NOV (7-15): 1. Derek Schmach (20); 2. Samuel Welch (7); 3. Stevie Osborne (1).

MINI JR (7-11): 1. Tyler Martin (30); 2. (TIE) Samuel Parsons (7)/ Lucas Dishon (7).

MINI SR (12-15): 1. John Regan (14); 2. (TIE) Zack Zizzo (10)/ Nick Story (10); 4. (TIE) Ben Stephenson (7)/ Christian Hale (7); 6. Justin Draper (4); 7. Derek Schmach (1); 8. Colton Hale (0).

SUPERMINI (12-16): 1. (TIE) Jarrett Stephenson (20)/ Kyle Hellyer (20); 3. Clayton Nelson (19); 4. Nick Story (16); 5. Noah Darnold (14); 6. Gavin Burt (11); 7. Austin Mayberry (10).

125/200 B: 1. Seth James (34); 2. Justin Sipos (27); 3. (TIE) Tristan Landrum (20)/ Adam Chapman (20); 5. Tristian Stumbo (16); 6. Jordan Burkholder (13); 7. Reggie Huber (9); 8. Taylor Russell (4).

LIGHTWWEIGHT NOV: 1. Devan Byer (56); 2. Cody Hudnall (36); 3. Isaiah Andrews (29); 4. Brandon Skeens (24); 5. Jacob Powers (13); 6. (TIE) Zack Ellingsworth (11)/ Andrew Dawley (11); 8. (TIE) Andrew Fraley(10)/ Harry Cyrus (10)/ Journey Huntley (10); 11. Steve Osborne (9); 12. Nick Rupert (8); 13. Hayden Delaney (7); 14. Drew Blake (6); 15. Jacob Young (5).

DECADE: 1. Anthony Kaercher (20); 2. Jason Andrews (18); 3. Michael Hildreth (17); 4. Mike Freas (16); 5. Tanner Nelson (13); 6. (TIE) Mark Kaho (10)/ Cory Atwood (10); 8. Ryan Wolfe (9); 9. Ryan Amos (8); 10. Jim Dawley (7).

VINTAGE: 1. Ralph Withem (10).

GIRLS: 1. Whitney Martin (30); 2. Kari Halizak (14).

4-STROKE LITE B/C: 1. Nick Dickens (30); 2. Wade Ward (10); 3. (TIE) Taylor Russell (7)/ Nate Saxton (7); 5. (TIE) Peyton Randolph (4)/ Cole Shifflet (4)/ Isaiah Andrews (4).

4-STROKE HEAVY B: 1. Cory Atwood (18); 2. (TIE) Chris Haffer (10)/ Kody Kinnison (10)/ Justin Sipos (10); 5. (TIE) Steve Thaxton (7)/ Cory Obenour (7); 7. Zach Walton (4); 8. Keith Vermillion (3).

250 B: 1. Jay Downhour (48); 2. Mike Crane (40); 3. Josh Eagle (39); 4. Shade Huntley (36); 5. Micah Long (24); 6. Johnny Stewart (12); 7. Austin Schriner (11); 8. (TIE) Chris Monk (10)/ Ryon McManus (10); 10. (TIE) Brent Thornhill (9)/ Scott Cunningham (9)/ Clint Wagner (9); 13. (TIE) Taylor Russell (8)/ Chad Heimberger (8); 15. (TIE) Peyton Randolph (7)/ Tom Morrison (7)/ Jake Walburn (7); 18. Shane Riddle (6); 19. Waylon Unger (5); 20. Dirk Walton (3); 21. Mark Kaho (2).

HEAVYWWEIGHT NOV: 1. J.R. Brown (40); 2. A.J. White (36); 3. Seth Hite (32); 4. Tyler Gwinn (28); 5. (TIE) Michael Bail (23)/ Kevin Rickard (23); 7. Matt Idleman (21); 8. (TIE) Zach Ellingsworth (18)/ Bobby Baxter (18); 9. Blaine Smith (16); 10. Andrew Fraley(14); 11. Isaac Parsons (13); 12. Ralph Withem (10); 13. Sam Legg (9); 14. Josh Cook (5); 15 (TIE) Drew Blake (4)/ Ian Lloyd (4); 17. T.J. Brooks (3); 18. Marty Seely (2); 19 (TIE) Hayden Delan (1)/ Anthony Dishman (1).

HEAVYWEIGHT B: 1. Micah Long (30); 2. Shade Huntley (16); 3. Josh Verity (13);  4. Chad Heimberger (11); 5. (TIE) Chris Haffer (10)/ Cory Obenour (10); 7. David Smith (7).

WOMEN: 1. Dawn Silvia (10); 2. Whitney Martin (7); 3. Kelli Sheibley (4).

SCHOOLBOY 1: 1. Devan Byer (24); 2. Nick Story (16); 3. Tanner Nelson (13); 4. Nick Dinunzio (11); 5. (TIE) Tristan Landrum (10)/ Noah Darnold (10); 7. Jordan Burkholder (7); 8. Jarrett Stephenson (1).

SCHOOLBOY 2: 1. Wade Ward (36); 2. Ryon McManus (27); 3. Spencer Faber (13); 4. Jarrad Reese (11); 5. (TIE) Levi Keller (10)/ Nate Saxton (10).

14-24: 1. Chris McGomery (30); 2. Justin Sipos (28); 3. Micah Long (20); 4. Joey Rumble (16); 5. (TIE) Brent Thornhill (13)/ Nick Flowers (13); 7. Taylor Russell (11); 8. (TIE) Seth James (10)/ Zack Ellingsworth (10); 10. (TIE) Josh Cook (9)/ Mack Miller (9); 12. (TIE) Chris Monk (8)/ Aaron Allen (8); 14. (TIE) Andrew Fraley (7)/ Jacob Young (7)/ 17. Corey Wright (7); 18. (TIE) Mitch Miller (6)/ Cody Hudnall (6); 20. Adam Chapman (4).

25+: 1. (TIE) Shade Huntley (36)/ Nick Dickens (36); 3. Brandon Skeens (34); 4. Chad Heimberger (13); 5. (TIE) Anthony Kaercher (11)/ Zach Walton (11); 7. Seth Hite (10); 8. Andrew Dawley (7).

30+: 1. Josh Eagle (52); 2. Mike Crane (40); 3. Johnny Stewart (25); 4. Steve Young (22); 5. Cory Atwood (20); 6. (TIE) Matt Hatten (13)/ Gregg Smith (13); 8. (TIE) Steve Forester (11)/ Justin Story (11)/ Shannon Hatfield (11); 11. Trent Thompson (10).

40+: 1. Keith Gwinn (50); 2. (TIE) John Kreps (20)/ Mark Cales (20); 4. (TIE) Steve Thaxton (16)/ Robert Sparks (16)/ Terry James (16); 7. Mark Abdella (15); 8. (TIE) Larry Silvia (13)/ Tom Morrison (13); 10. David Smith (11); 11. Trevor Welch (9); 12. Dave England (8); 13. Mike Freas (7); 14. (TIE) Tom Rankin (6)/ Bill McClain (6); 16. John Dinunzio (5).

50+: 1. Jeff Miller (50); 2. Mark Kaho (26); 3. (TIE) Andrew Chapman (16)/ Denny Swartz (16); 5. (TIE) Brad Burt (13)/ Scott Klamfoth (13); 7. (TIE) Harry Cyrus (11)/ Gerry Bennett (11); 9. Aaron Flowers (10); 10. Mark Randolph (9); 11. Jerry Davis (8); 12. Rick Oxley (7); 13. Buddy Stover (6); 14. Eric Miler (5); 15. Gary Delph (4); 16. Andy Flowers (3).

GOLDEN MASTERS (58+): 1. (TIE) Rick Oxley (17)/ Tom Parfitt (17); 3. (TIE) Ric Myers (4)/ Jim Dawley (4).

ATV Division Points Standings

ATV PRO: 1. Hunter Dalrymple (27); 2. Seth Mumford (10); 3. Jesse Brunton (8); 4. Mitch Miller (7); 5. Sean Archer (2).

0-90cc (5-10): 1. Logan Riley (10).

0-90cc (11-15): 1. Conner Conkel (10); 2. Hunter Justis (7).

YOUTH PRODUCTION (13-15): 1. Michael Joseph (10).

ATV B: 1. Adam McGomery (30).

ATV C: 1. Lane Riggs (40); 2. Dalton Coy (25); 3. (TIE) Tyler Miller (24)/ Josh Osborne (24); 5. Derrek Cremeans (16); 6. (TIE) Collin Brown (10)/ Roger Norman (10)/ Wayne Ward (10); 9. Garrett Butcher (8); 10. (TIE) Drew Blake (7)/ Craig Page (7).

ATV WOMEN: 1. Aletha Roach (10).

ATV 30+: 1. Tom Bell (20); 2. Jeff Swisher (8); 3. Michael Melfi (7); 4. (TIE) Chris O’Neall (4)/ Brian Bell (4).

ATV 40+: 1. (TIE) Lee Griffith (17)/ Rick Baker (17); 3. Craig Page (4); 4. Wayne Ward (3).