Recap: 2020 WW Ranch National Amateur Day
Friday, October 2, 2020 | 7:00 PM
WW Motocross Park Hosts Amateur MX Day
Over 300 of the top amateur racers in the nation converged on WW Motocross Park in Jacksonville, Florida, for the GEICO WW Ranch Amateur MX Days on September 25-27, 2020, held in conjunction with the AMA Florida State Championship “Fastest in Florida” series.
Held on the same weekend as Round 7 of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, the GEICO WW Ranch Amateur MX Days offered amateur racers of all abilities and ages the opportunity to race on the same course as the fastest pros in the world. The event also doubled as an AMA Pro Am event, allowing riders to earn Pro Am points.
Following the same protocol as the Pro National on Saturday, the Amateur MX Days observed MX Sports’ 2020 COVID Mitigation Health Plan, which requires teams to take appropriate actions to guard against the threat of COVID-19.
Practice kicked off on Friday the 25th, while racing got underway on Sunday the 27th. Originally planned for two motos, racing action was cut to just one moto in each class after a thunderstorm moved through the area, taking out all power to the facility.
Among the many winners, two riders excelled by winning three titles each. Brayton Kreglow took wins in the 51cc (4-8) LTM; 51cc (7-8) LTD and 65cc (7-8) divisions. Brayton rode a KTM to the win in the 65cc (7-8) class, and then returned to the track on a Cobra to claim victories in the remaining two classes. Meanwhile, Agustin Barreneche swept the Supermini 2 (13-16); 85cc (12-13) and Mini SR (12-15) classes on a KTM.
Tops in the highly competitive 450 Pro division was Clermont, Florida rider Cullin Park, who also claimed the win in the College Boy 16-24 class. The 19-year-old Yamaha rider was thrilled to be able to ride the same course the pros raced on the day before.
“It was fantastic getting to ride the same track as the pros,” said Park. “Junior always does a great job on the track and it was a lot of fun out there. Some of the bumps and holes were still there from the pro race, so that was pretty cool.”
In the 450 Pro race, Park was fourth off the line, but made a few quick passes to move right behind early leader Jesse Wentland (Hon) at the start of the second lap.
“On the second lap, Jesse made a little bobble and I was able to make a move around the outside and into the lead,” said Park. “After that, honestly, I just ran a really good smooth race until the end. I actually struggled with arm-pump a little, so I wasn’t able to ride as well as I wanted to, but I was able to come away with the win.”
The College Boy 16-24 race was combined with the Junior 25+ division, and at the start, Park didn’t get the best of starts and found himself outside the top-five when the pack exited the first turn.
“I made a few passes and with a lap to go I was up into second behind Wentland again, although he was in the Junior 25+ class, so I was still leading my class,” said Park. “I still wanted to pass him and cross the finish first, and in the last turn he made a bobble and I was able to get around him and get the win. You wanna win ‘em all, so that was great.”
Multiple riders won two classes, including KTM rider Caden Braswell (450B and Schoolboy 2 12-16); Kawasaki rider Brayden Gibson (250C and 450C); KTM-mounted Ayden Shive (Schoolboy 1 12-17); and KTM rider Lee Walston (Senior 40+ and Senior 45+).
In the Masters 55+ class, Al Matarazzo Jr. (Hon) beat out Eugene Weiler (Kaw) and Tom McGee (KTM).
Dustin Jensen (Yam) won the Vet 30+ division, beating Michael Stevenson (Hsq) and Cameron Pappas (KTM).
The Vet 35+ class was won by Justin McLosky (KTM), while Michael Stevenson (Hsq) was second and Jacob Radulewicz (Hsq) third.
In other races, Brandon Eade (KTM) claimed the win in the 65cc 7-11 class, ahead of Landon Whitney (KTM) and Jackson McCarty (Hsq).
Matti Jorgenson (KTM) beat out Brayden Gibson (Kaw) and Andrew Wallace (KTM) to win the 250 B/C division.
The 250 B class was stacked with talent and Gage Linville proved to be fastest by taking an impressive win over fellow KTM riders Daxton Bennick and Cayden Braswell. Meanwhile, Dalton Scharnagl rode a Kawasaki to the win in the 450 B/C class ahead of Nathan Rega (KTM) and Jean Carlos Cabello (Hsq).
2020 FASTEST IN FLORIDA AMATEUR MX DAY RESULTS: