Willard Brothers Clean Up In Buckeye Series
By Rupert X Pellett
Buckeye Championship Motocross Series – Round 1
Marysville MX Park
Broadway, OH
Aug 27

The Buckeye Series always bring s out the best in Ohio motocross, as the lucrative series’ awards, manufacturers contingency money and track purses all come together with podiums, champagne and trophies to make these events full of great racing and stuffed with racing talent. Round one was all about the farmside, mostly natural terrain  facility of AMS Promotions, as the kickoff Sunday featured a huge turnout of riders and fine weather, after an early morning soaking of rain. Michael Willard, coming down from Canada to be back home after campaigning the Canadian National Series aboard his Stoneridge KTMs, was the man to beat in the 125 pro class, as he twisted the fast- switch on his KTM 250 SXF and finally roosted away from the fast starting Jesse Gustafson and F&S Suzuki’s Zach “Attack” Ames. Older brother Andy was on top of his game, as the likable lad from Thornville blasted to the win in the 16-24 division aboard his Suzuki. The 250 pro class was all about AMA Nationals competitor Chris “The Milkman” Whitcraft, as he whisked off to the overall on his RMZ450.

Gahanna’s Joey Leadbeater had a fine day, as well, as the Suzuki-mounted fast kid went about things in a conquering fashion, snapping off incredible rides to take both the 125 B and 4 stroke classes on his yellow machines. In vet class action, Mike Morgan was the man of the day, as the forty-two year young racer competed in three classes; winning the 40 plus, taking second in 30 plus A and slipping back to a strong fourth in 25 plus A, as the Sandyville, West Virginia moto pilot was, as usual, on the fuel.

125 Pro: 1. Michael Willard (Ktm); 2. Jesse Gustafson Jr (Hon); 3. Zach Ames (Suz); 4. Codi Adams (Yam); 5. Kyle Smith (Yam).

125B: 1. Joey Leadbeater (Suz); 2. Kyle Burlile (Suz); 3. Patrick Massie (Kaw); 4. Craig Garrett (Suz); 5. Joshua Davis (Yam).

125C: 1. Trae Hoffee (Hon); 2. Case Miller (Suz); 3. Josh Eby (Hon); 4. Austin Justus (Yam); 5. Glen Jamison Iii (Hon).

16-24: 1. Andy Willard (Suz); 2. Nick Hardacre (Suz); 3. Jordan Marlin (Hon); 4. Larry Rust (Yam); 5. Jerred Neil (Hon).

25+A: 1. Scott Metz (Suz); 2. Chuck Reed (Suz); 3. Dale Slabaugh (Suz); 4. Mike Morgan (Suz); 5. Tony Robinson (Suz).

25+B/C: 1. Jason Brown (Suz); 2. David Leezer (Suz); 3. Ryan Ashbaugh (Yam); 4. William Parsons (Hon); 5. Adam Smith (Yam).

250 Pro: 1. Christopher Whitcraft (Suz); 2. Zach Ames (Suz); 3. Kyle Smith (Yam); 4. Jesse Gustafson Jr (Hon); 5. Codi Adams (Yam).

250B: 1. Patrick Massie (Kaw); 2. Kyle Schmelzer (Yam); 3. Larry Rust (Yam); 4. Garrett Gatrell (Hon); 5. Josh Mcfarland (Yam).

250C: 1. Clinton Wiseman (Yam); 2. Frederick Rosch (Suz); 3. Corey Parker (Hon); 4. Joe Polhamus (Hon); 5. Jason Louderback (Suz).

30 + A: 1. Mike Blair (Kaw); 2. Mike Morgan (Suz); 3. Chuck Reed (Suz); 4. Dale Slabaugh (Suz); 5. Justin Story (Hon).

30+: 1. Jason Brown (Suz); 2. Brian Biddle (Hon); 3. William Parsons (Hon); 4. Adam Smith (Yam); 5. David Leezer (Suz).

4 Stroke Bikes: 1. Joey Leadbeater (Suz); 2. Chris Manning (Hon); 3. Craig Manning (Yam); 4. Wesley Burnett (Hon); 5. Robert Smith (Yam).

40+: 1. Mike Morgan (Suz); 2. Richard Robinson (Suz); 3. Rick Custard (Suz); 4. Clair Story (Hon); 5. Allen Ryan (Hon).

65cc 7-11: 1. Jake Anders (Kaw); 2. Gavin Chinn (Ktm); 3. Clarence Martino Iv (Kaw); 4. Robert Stiers (Ktm); 5. Brice Hottle (Ktm).

80cc 12-15: 1. Steven Mages (Kaw); 2. Bradley Baker (Suz); 3. Dakota Jones (Kaw); 4. Jeffrey Gragg (Yam); 5. Mitch Dowell (Suz).

80cc 7-11: 1. Blake Hoffmann (Suz); 2. Chase Kilbarger (Ktm); 3. Mathew Blum (Suz); 4. Jake Anders (Kaw); 5. Jordan Brewer (Suz).

80cc Extra 7-11: 1. Chase Kilbarger (Ktm); 2. Mathew Blum (Suz); 3. Blake Hoffmann (Suz); 4. Gunnar Flavell (Suz); 5. Jordan Brewer (Suz).

Girls 12+: 1. Amanda Kern (Yam); 2. Taylor Mckinney (Yam); 3. Casey Brooks (Suz); 4. Sierra Hodge (Kaw).

Girls 7-11: 1. Hannah Finley (Suz); 2. Katlyn Ray (Suz).

Micro 4-6: 1. Cole Houser (Yam); 2. Clayton Clary (Ktm); 3. Austin Sassen (Cob); 4. Hayden Vancuren (Cob); 5. Nathan Kelly (Ktm).

Micro 4-8: 1. Austin Sassen (Cob); 2. Nick Mosher (Ktm); 3. Hayden Vancuren (Cob); 4. Tyler Featheringham (Cob); 5. Nick Wells (Ktm).

Micro 7-8: 1. Lucas Mason (Cob); 2. Andrew Schmitz (Ktm); 3. Nicholas Story (Ktm); 4. Lucas Saunders (Ktm); 5. Leo Demastry (Ktm).

Open B/C: 1. Lonnie Maxson (Suz); 2. Wesley Burnett (Hon); 3. Kevin Featheringham (Hon); 4. Jason Brown (Suz); 5. Chris Manning (Hon).

Pitbike: 1. Kyle Hughes (Kaw); 2. Todd Patton (Hon); 3. Jason Meeks (Kaw); 4. Clinton Wiseman (Yam); 5. Scott Vanantwerp (Hon).

Schoolboy: 1. Kyle Burlile (Suz); 2. James Kreitzer (Suz); 3. Austin Stout (Suz); 4. Steven Mages (Kaw); 5. Matthew Bonnes Jr (Suz).

Supermini 12-15: 1. Matthew Bonnes Jr (Kaw); 2. Cody Smith (Ktm); 3. Steven Mages (Kaw); 4. Cole Maston (Ktm); 5. Dakota Jones (Kaw).