Dirt Bike Mike put on the first ever Loretta Qualifier at Golden Pine MX and it was a dandy. Racers came from all over the southeast and beyond to experience the long, high speed, rolling track that Randy Rector has carved out of the piney hills of Prentiss, MS. It was one of those pristine days where the bright sun took the bite off the brisk north wind, stirring the racing spirit. The stock, 50’s and women’s classes raced Saturday and the modified, four-stroke and seniors raced Sunday.

Local rider Kyle Gills took a break from his rookie Supercross East season to win three of four A classes. Floridian Gannon Audette won three 85 classes. Branden and Blair Miller came down from TN to win four advanced big bike classes. Team Green Rider Johnny Moore took home two B class victories, while his fellow Mississippian Chris Craft won two Senior classes.

Blair Miller and Johnny Moore matched up in the 4-stroke class, getting out early and taking their tear-offs. FL’s Corey Perdue and GA’s Cesar Popinhak gave chase. By the second lap Moore had five seconds of breathing room, while Purdue went down and gave up four spots. Moore cruised to victory on his Team Green/Got Gear/Raceworks Kawasaki.

Moore jumped out early in the second moto, followed by Popinhak, Blair Miller, LA’s Caleb Bertrand and TN’s Ty Smithson. Miller took over second by lap two to go after Moore, but couldn’t match his speed as Moore took the sweep for MS.

AL rider Patrick Lods was leading the 65 (7-11) class until the wind blew him off the big tabletop. By the time he made his recovery he lost two spots, allowing FL riders Cody Chisholm and Carl Douglas to get out front. Late in the race two AL riders made a push to the front, Lods and Dylan Wilson. Lods got cross-rutted in the last turn, allowing Wilson to finish behind Chisholm, while Lods settled for a very close third.

Chisholm took his KTM to the front of the second moto of the 65 (7-11) class immediately, with pursuit from Carl Douglas, Patrick Lods, Jamey Wright and Dylan Wilson. Wilson got past Wright as they lapped traffic late in the race. Chisholm went on to sweep for Florida on his KTM. Ten seconds back was second place rider Carl Douglas and Dylan Wilson took third from Lods.

The 40+ class put a whippin’ on the 30+ Seniors as the two raced together. Out front two perennial front runners in national championship races diced it out, FL’s Scott Frederickson and LA’s Wendell Simmons. TN’s Kerry Wisdom held off the charge of LA’s Patrick Meche, the leader of the +30 class. Frederickson was able to hold off Simmons’ challenge and the two came off the track with big smiles, saying how much fun it was, even after over 30 years of racing.

Simmons swept into the second spot behind Frederickson early in moto two and soon started trying some of his extreme lines, moving to within three bike lengths. He out jumped Frederickson on the big step-up but as he attempted the pass in the ensuing turn he hit a big braking bump and the bike almost tore out of his grip and he had to back off. On the next straight, they drag raced past the white flag and Simmons drifted way outside, and then dove hard into the eight-pack turn to steal the lead for good. At the finish it was Simmons on his Hattiesburg Cycles Suzuki for the overall win, Frederickson second and Wisdom, third.

Local ace Jake Lowry and TN rider Branden Miller were shoulder to shoulder at high speed in front of the MX Lites B Modified class, while his brother, Blair Miller led the MX Lites Pro class over Kyle Gills who were double gated in front. While the Pro riders looked smooth, the B class race garnered the most attention because Miller and Lowry were a close race. Behind them GA’s Cesar Popinhak and TN’s Chris Tracy got untracked. LA riders Mitch Gourney and Jeremy Domingue were on the move through the pack. In one lap Domingue brought his Honda of Lafayette all the way to third and showed signs of wanting more. Domingue almost crashed off the big tabletop, but managed to keep it up without losing a spot to Tracy or Popinhak. Blair Miller took his Kawasaki to victory due to Kyle Gills’ flat tire in the Pro class.

Branden Miller grabbed the lead off the gate in moto two of the Lites B class, with Lowry, Chase Couture, Domingue, Gourney, Tracy and Jared Hicks. These skilled riders went three-wide through the eight-pack! Mid-race Miller began to open a lead, while Lowry fought off Couture for second and Popinhak moved up from back in the pack. Miller went on to score a double moto victory on his Sarge’s Cycle KTM, Domingue took second overall on his Honda of Lafayette and Chase Couture’s Yamaha finished third overall.

MS rider Ryan Griffith got the early lead in the 85 (12-15) Modified class, but went down in a turn. He got up to regain the lead in only one lap! FL’s Casey Smith held down second, while LA’s Jordan Bourg held off Tanner McDaniel for third.

Griffith had this to say after the first moto, "I got cross-rutted in the turn before the tabletop and flipped. I got back up and had a lot to catch up. My Suzuki is running good and the JM suspension was working great. I’d like to thank my Dad and brother for helping me out."

Griffith went on to victory in the second moto, followed by Casey Smith, Tanner McDaniel and Jordan Bourg for the overall.

Wendell Simmons and Scott Frederickson renewed their rivalry in the Vet +35 class, but this time they had to deal with MS rider Chris Craft and the winner of the +30 class Patrick Meche. Frederickson got his Honda out first over the Hattiesburg Cycles Yamaha of Chris Craft and the Hattiesburg Cycle Suzuki of Wendell Simmons. Behind them followed Kerry Wisdom and the leader of the +45 class Flipper Page, Patrick Meche and Wayne Simmons. Craft took a few cracks at Frederickson before finally getting by, taking Simmons with him to take his first win of the day. He had this to say about the race, "I made a mistake early in the back, then Scott made a mistake over by the starting line, hopping out of the ruts at the big double and went off the side of the track. I like this track, it’s just this cold weather is killin’ me. I’m 38, but I feel 48. I’d like to thank Hattiesburg Cycles, my Dad and brother, FMF and Tag Metals." When asked how he did last year at the National Championship, Craft said, I finished fifth overall, but I went in there out of shape. This year I’m trying to be ready."

Chris Craft got a great start in the second moto, followed closely by Scott Frederickson, Kerry Wisdom, Wendell Simmons and Lou Vicknair. Craft was never challenged en route to his sweep of the +35 class. Frederickson scored second overall, with Simmons and Wisdom following.

Gannon Audette, formerly from Dalbo MN, but now training in Cairo, GA, took his Honda to the front of the 85 (12-13) class. He was followed at a distance by FL’s Andrew Stocker, LA’s Alex Lejeune, TN’s Zack Ambrose and MS’s John-murry Barr. Audette handily won the race. He had this to say after the race, "I’d like to thank John Mitchell, Honda, Fox, Playground, Spy, EVS and Renthal."

Zack Ambrose got the lead in the second moto of the 85 (12-13) class, but Audette caught him looking over his shoulder and made the pass into the lead on the first lap, and the rest, as they say, is history. Audette gapped the field for the win and overall victory on his Honda. Stocker finished second overall, with Lejeune third, Ambrose fourth and Barr fifth.

LA’s Mitch Gourney jumped out fast on the MX Lites Schoolboy class. Novice winner Ian Chia went down on the first lap at the giant step-up, but lucky for him landed behind his bike, which acted as a jump face, sending the trailing riders over him, rather than hitting him. GA’s Brad Johnson, FL’s Chase Couture, AL’s Trevor Nelson and LA’s John Moeller followed. Soon Couture was hitting on Johnson until he made the pass. But no one could stop the Calmes Motorsports Suzuki of Mitch Gourney in the first moto.

Mitch had this to say after his win, "I finally got the start I was looking for all weekend, this is an awesome mod bike. I’d like to thank my Dad and Mom, the Good Lord, Calmes Motorsports, Pro Circuit, Scott, Monster Energy, Renthal and EVS."

Brad Johnsen got out front in the second moto of the Schoolboy class, followed by Gourney, Couture, Jared Hicks, and Robby Renner. Gourney took the lead on a long, sweeping left hander, but Couture tried a re-pass in the next turn. The two riders played chicken for another lap, wowing the crowd when they passed the scoring stand side-by-side. Couture made a pass stick right in front of the white flag, while the little two-stroke Yamaha of Brad Johnson in third and a long way back to fourth. At the finish line it was Couture edging out Gourney by a blink and Johnson taking third.

TN’s Judson Wisdom, FL’s Cody Chisholm and Carl Douglas, MS’s Dylan Probst and Scott McElroy got out early on the 85 (7-11) Modified class. Chisholm kicked his Kawasaki by Wisdom’s Suzuki to take over by lap two, while Douglas’s Honda was holding off the charge of LA’s Jordan Giambelluca. Chisholm took his Pro Circuit Kawasaki to victory, followed by Wisdom’s Sarge’s Cycle Suzuki.

Cody Chisholm got out early on the 85 (7-11) class in the second moto. Dylan Wilson, Giambelluca, Douglas, Probst and Rudy Gaskin filed by the green flag in pursuit. Chisholm began to pull away, Wilson stayed in second, Giambelluca’s bike blew up and Justin Wisdom moved into fourth by the third lap. At the checkers it was Chisholm’s Kawasaki, Wilson’s Kawasaki and Douglas’s Honda.

Ryan Griffith bested 24 other riders early in the talent-laden Super-mini class. The chase was led by Gannon Audette, Casey Smith, Jon-murry Barr, Nate Martin and Alex Lejeune. Audette moved his Honda into the lead by the next lap, while Lejeune slipped his Honda into third in front of fellow Louisianan Nate Martin as Barr rounded out the top five at the finish.

In the second moto, Audette led Griffith through turn one, followed by Dakota Stark, Alex Lejeune, Nate Martin and Casey Smith. Audette had the audacity to keep his Honda in front, but Griffith was not intimidated, sling-shotting his Suzuki right within striking distance on lap two. The crowd was riveted to the two racers as they closed into the final turn. Griffith pulled alongside on the outside rut and the two wicked their throttles to the finish line tabletop – but Audette hit the finish line first for the victory! Stark held third and Brett Bourg and Nate Martin rounded out the top five and the overall.

Zack Lawler holeshotted the Motocross A/Pro Sport class on a borrowed Kawasaki with Kyle Gills and Blair Miller in tow. Behind them in the Motocross B Modified class Jake Lowry fired out first on his Honda in front of Blair Miller’s KTM, Cesar Popinhak’s Kawasaki, Jeremey Domingue’s Honda, Chris Tracy’s Kawasaki and Johnny Moore’s Kawasaki.

Gills took over the Pro class, while Miller and Lawler made a game for a while in second. In the B class Lowry, Miller and Domingue tightened up, but Moore was on the move and by the second lap all four of these future pro riders were bunched together. At the finish it was Lowry, Miller a few bike lengths back. Domingue and Moore finished close right behind them.

Gills and Lawler shot some fireworks in the second moto of the MX Pro class, showing off their skill and daring until Lawler went down in the eight pack. Branden Miller led Jake Lowry, Chris Tracy, Nicholas Fisher, Colt McCarra and Jeremey Domingue in the intriguing MX B. Johnny Moore went down and had to restart in last place. Miller continued to lead by lap two, Lowry held second and Tracy third, while Domingue passed Fisher for the right to go after Tracy. Domingue and Moore were knocking down the fastest lap times as the race wore on, but Moore had the most distance to close up. At the white flag Miller had a 12 second lead over Lowry, Domingue, Fisher and Moore.

Gills went on to win the second moto of the Pro class with a bent shifter, which he could barely touch with his boot. Branden Miller won the B class with lots of room to spare. He won the overall followed by Lowry, Domingue, Moore and Tracy. To read the interview with Kyle Gills click here.

I asked Johnny Moore about being in last place and he said, "I got a decent start, but someone fell in front of me and I had nowhere to go. I got back up and started charging and caught up to about fourth." When asked about the rumor that he was riding a stationary bike between motos, he said, "Yes, I talked with a trainer from up north, we got a few things worked out and he’s helping me a lot. He’s Greg Durinzo. I’d like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for keeping me safe, Got Gear Motorsports, Team Green Kawasaki, Shannon Niday MX Schools, Fly Racing, EVS, Acerbis, Raceworks and Scott USA."

Blair Miller talked about his first moto victory over Kyle Gills. "I got a good start, then something happened to Kyle, he got a flat I think. I saw Branden won his class and he probably caught me a little bit, too." When asked about their history of racing, he said, "Branden and I started about the same time, but I’m three years older. We’ve been about the same speed since we’ve been on 60’s. I’d like to thank Sarge’s Cycles, Team Green, FMF and PR2."

Branden had this to say after the first moto, "I got off to a pretty good start and followed Jake around for the first lap and he made a little mistake, so I was able to get around him. I was able to slow down and ride my own pace. The track’s awesome, it’s starting the break in, the ruts are getting’ nice. I think it’s gonna be great, towards the end of the second moto it should be awesome. I was a little tired, I’m still recovering from a knee injury. I feel pretty good, I’m ready to start riding and training again. I’d like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for keeping me safe, my family for bringing me down here, Sarge’s Cycles, KTM, Answer, PCS, FMF, Garne, Maxima, Toyota, Pro Taper, EVS, Toyota, and anybody else who’s helped me progress and get better."

Jake Lowry enjoyed his race, saying he was a little tired, but it was a good race. He thanked, "My Dad, Leland and North Jackson Honda, Dunlop, Renthal, Twin Air, EVS, Monster Energy. I was doin’ good yesterday, beat Johnny Moore, but went down the second moto."

A special thanks to Aycee Martin and Mock Racing for providing the new tower. The next race at GPMX will be the Ponca Qualifier on May 13^th.

Saturday results:

50 Oil: 1. Evan Chisholm (Yam); 2. Branden Douglas (Yam); 3. Ray Mitchell (Yam); 4. Hunter Smith (Yam); 5. Max Currie (Yam).

50 (4-6) Stk: 1. Colby Mayes (Cob); 2. Evan Chisholm (KTM); 3. Ethan Woods (KTM); 4. Dylan Rodgers (Cob); 5. Blayze Berry (Cob).

50 (7-8) Stk: 1. J.J. Kepley (Cob); 2. Ryan Miller (Cob); 3. Jordan Mixon (Cob); 4. Hank Vann (Cob); 5. Peyton Whatley (Cob).

65 (7-9) Stk: 1. Patrick Lods (KTM); 2. Scott McElroy (KTM); 3. Tanner Powell (KTM); 4. J.J. Kepley (KTM); 5. Ryan Miller (KTM).

65 (10-11) Stk: 1. Dylan Wilson (KTM); 2. Cody Chisholm (KTM); 3. Joshua Ross (KTM); 4. Ashton Knight (KTM); 5. Jamey Wright (KTM).

85 (7-11) Stk: 1. Judson Wilson (Suz); 2. Jordan Giambelluca (Suz); 3. Carl Douglas III (Hon); 4. Dylan Probst (Hon); 5. Rudy Gaskin (Yam).

85 (12-13) Stk: 1. Gannon Audette (Hon); 2. Andrew Stocker (Yam); 3. Jon Murry Barr (Yam); 4. Zack Ambrose (Suz); 5. Alex Lejeune (Hon).

SCLBY: 1. Chase Couture (Yam); 2. Robby Renner (Hon); 3. Gannon Audette (Hon); 4. John Moeller (Yam); 5. Brad Johnson (Yam).

GIRLS (9-13): 1. Shelby Wood (Yam); 2. Devin Knight (Hon).

WOM (12+): 1. Leslie Poche (Hon); 2. Raven Bertrand (Hon); 3. Jenna Schillage (Yam).

MX C Stk: 1. Ian Chia (Suz); 2. Zac Reddell (Kaw); 3. Mason Hume (Yam); 4. Justin Pittman (Yam); 5. Walter Hudson (Kaw).

MX B Stk: 1. Johnny Moore (Kaw); 2. Branden Miller (KTM); 3. Jeremy Domingue (Hon); 4. Chris Tracy (Kaw); 5. Cesar Popinhak (Kaw).

MX Lites B Stk: 1. Branden Miller (KTM); 2. Jeremy Domingue (Hon); 3. Jake Lowry (Hon); 4. Cesar Popinhak (Kaw); 5. Jared Hicks (Kaw).

MX A: 1. Blair Miller (Kaw); 2. Kyle Gills (Yam); 3. Shawn Gunderson (Suz); 4. Chris Tracy (Kaw); 5. Cesar Popinhak (Kaw).

MX Lites A: 1. Kyle Gills (Yam); 2. Blair Miller (Kaw); 3. Shawn Gunderson (Suz).

Sunday Results:

65 (7-11) Mod: 1. Cody Chisholm (Kaw); 2. Dylan Wilson (Kaw); 3. Carl Douglas III (Hon); 4. Patrick Lods (KTM); 5. Joshua Ross (KTM).

85 (7-11) Mod: 1. Cody Chisholm (Kaw); 2. Carl Douglas III (Hon); 3. Judson Wisdom (Suz); 4. Dylan Wilson (Kaw); 5. Dylan Propst (Hon).

85 (12-13) Mod: 1. Gannon Audette (Hon); 2. Andrew Stocker (Yam); 3. Alex Lejeune (Hon); 4. Zack Ambrose (Suz); 5. Jon Murry Barr (Yam).

85 (14-15) Mod: 1. Ryan Griffith (Suz); 2. Casey Smith (Hon); 3. Tanner McDaniel (Kaw); 4. Jordan Bourg (Suz); 5. Chase Glasscox (Kaw).

SUPMIN (12-15): 1. Gannon Audette (Hon); 2. Ryan Griffith (Suz); 3. Dakota Stark (Hon); 4. Brett Bourg (Suz); 5. Nate Martin (Suz).

Lites SCLBY (14-16): 1. Chase Couture (Yam); 2. Mitch Gourney (Suz); 3. Brad Johnson (Yam); 4. Jonathan Weaver (Kaw); 5. Zac Reddell (Kaw).

MX Lites C Mod: 1. Ian Chia (Suz); 2. Zac Reddell (Kaw); 3. Brandon Lightsey (Kaw); 4. Mason Hume (Yam); 5. Walter Hudson (Kaw).

MX C: 1. T.K. Bates (Kaw); 2. Walter Hudson (Kaw); 3. Andrew Hill (Yam); 4. Josh Phillips (Yam); 5. Drew Goolsby (Hon).

MX B Mod: 1. Branden Miller (KTM); 2. Jake Lowry (Hon); 3. Jeremy Domingue (Hon); 4. Johnny Moore (Kaw); 5. Chris Tracy (Kaw).

MX Lites B Mod: 1. Branden Miller (KTM); 2. Jeremy Domingue (Hon); 3. Chase Couture (Yam); 4. Cesar Popinhak (Kaw); 5. Chris Tracy (Kaw).

MX Lites A Pro: 1. Kyle Gills (Yam); 2. Blair Miller (Kaw).

MX A Pro: 1. Kyle Gills (Hon); 2. Blair Miller (Kaw); 3. Zach Lawler (Kaw); 4. Brandon Fahey (Kaw).

4 Strk: 1. Johnny Moore (Kaw); 2. Blair Miller (Kaw); 3. Cesar Popinhak (Kaw); 4. Ty Smithson (); 5. Caleb Bertrand (Hon).

SEN+25: 1. Chris Craft (Yam); 2. Walter Bartran (Kaw); 3. Lou Vicknair (Hon); 4. Timothy Castrone (Kaw); 5. Brook Fluker ().

SEN+30: 1. Patrick Meche (KTM); 2. David Husband (Yam); 3. Eric Dupree (Hon); 4. Craig Craft (Hon); 5. Michael Nasakaitis (Suz).

SEN+35: 1. Chris Craft (Yam); 2. Scott Frederickson (Kaw); 3. Wendell Simmons (Suz); 4. Kerry Wisdom (Hon); 5. Patrick Meche (KTM).

SEN+40: 1. Wendell Simmons (Suz); 2. Scott Frederickson (Kaw); 3. Kerry Wisdom (Hon); 4. Jerry Ray (Suz); 5. Jimmy Palmer (Kaw).

SEN+45: 1. Flipper Page (Suz); 2. Wayne Simmons (Suz); 3. Chris Morgan (Yam); 4. Dink Lumley (Yam); 5. Russ Ward (Yam).