From Cycle News Online:
Paul Perfect in Summer Sand
WILDWOOD, NJ
Nobody on the road
Nobody on the beach
I feel it in the air
The summer’s out of reach
Many would think the opening lines of Don Henley’s famous song “The Boys of Summer” would be a perfect description of a resort town the weekend after Labor Day, but that was not the case in Wildwood, New Jersey, September 9-11. The second Thunder In The Sand beach race of the season was held in conjunction with Wildwood’s annual Harley Bike Week, making it difficult to even find a hotel room in the packed resort town. Many of the riders decided to take advantage of the great weather and camp on the beach, and this – combined with the relaxed pace of the event, with practice available on Friday and one moto in each class on Saturday and Sunday – created a great family atmosphere that was enjoyed by all.
The races, run by the New Jersey Hot Rod Association and race director Mark Hufnagle, went smoothly all weekend long. The last time the race was held, back in June, the track was washed out in several places due to rain, and had to be shortened. That wasn’t the case this time. Former Pro racer Kevin Crine rearranged the shifting sands of the Jersey shore to build a challenging track for all skill levels.
In 125cc Expert action, Honda rider Jeff Paul (871) jumped out to an early lead in his first moto of the weekend. Right behind him was his fellow Mad Brothers Racing rider Mark Waldele and Yamaha rider Teddy Grant. Early on the first lap, Waldele went down and stalled out his KXF250; he was able to get his bike refired quickly, but the damage had already been done. Most of the field had gone by, and Waldele was forced to chase down the leaders.
Paul was beginning to stretch out his lead, while Waldele was slicing through the pack. By the last lap, Waldele was in third and closing on second-placed Grant, but there was not enough time to catch him. Paul crossed the line with his first victory of the weekend, Grant came in second, and Waldele finished in third.
The second moto saw Paul jump out to the early lead again, with Waldele and Grant in tow. This time, Waldele stayed up, and he and Grant battled for second place the entire moto. Paul began to stretch out his lead on the battle over second place, and when the checkered flag came out, he was already on cruise control. Waldele got the edge for second, and Grant took third. That’s how the results would stand, as well: Paul, Waldele and Grant ended up going one-two-three overall.
The 250cc Expert class was also a Jeff Paul benefit, as he led both motos from start to finish aboard his CRF450. Kawasaki KX250-mounted Waldele appeared underpowered in the deep sand and, despite his best efforts to keep Paul in sight, he was unable to get around the Honda rider and had to settle for two second-place finishes. Paul was 1-1 for the overall, with Waldele (2-2) in second and Teddy Grant (3-3) in third.
In addition to his 1-1 scores in both the 125cc and 250cc Expert classes, Paul was also the overall winner in the Over 25 Expert class, going a perfect six for six for the weekend.
Those who are near the Jersey shore next summer should plan on attending one of these fine events. Check out the website at www.njhra.com for more details.
Results
85 (7-9): 1. Christopher J. Rivera (Suz); 2. Zachary R. Burton (Yam); 3. Andrew Voroscak (Yam); 4. Leonard De Bruno (Suz); 5. Joel J. Hull (Hon).
85 (10-11): 1. Brett T. Forman (Suz); 2. Joseph Chinchilla (Yam); 3. Gaetano Press (Yam); 4. John E. Hull (Hon).
85 (12-13): 1. Christopher M. Sack (Hon); 2. Christopher Dasilva (Kaw); 3. Dakota Letsinger (Suz); 4. Eric J. Williams (Yam); 5. James D. Hornbeck (Hon).
85 (14-15): 1. Fred L. Slickmeyer (Hon); 2. Steven Eggert (Yam); 3. Nick Eggert (Kaw); 4. Dennis Leonard (Suz); 5. Ricky T. Beradinucci (Yam).
S/MINI: 1. James E. Dzierwinski (Kaw); 2. Dakota Letsinger (Suz); 3. Christopher Dasilva (Kaw); 4. Lawrence J. Auerbach (Suz); 5. Eric J. Williams (Yam).
125 NOV: 1. Matthew L. Grant (Yam); 2. Danny R. Callahan (Suz); 3. James E. Dzierwinski (Kaw); 4. Luke Maguire (Suz); 5. Zach Hamm (Kaw).
125 AM: 1. Frank Shumski (Suz); 2. Evan Forosisky (Yam); 3. Vincent Veneziale (Hon); 4. Brandon A. Taylor (Suz); 5. Justin Cifoni (Yam).
125 EX: 1. Jeffrey M. Paul (Hon); 2. Mark Waldele (Kaw); 3. Teddy H. Grant (Yam); 4. Chip J. Koban (Hon); 5. Chris Deleo (Suz).
250 NOV: 1. Danny R. Callahan (Suz); 2. James E. Dzierwinski (Hon); 3. Jack J. Sayegh Jr. (Hon); 4. Ryan A. Gallagher (Hon); 5. Matthew B. Hangey (Hon).
250 AM: 1. Robert Malkiewicz (Suz); 2. Mark J. Dipasquale (Hon); 3. Tristan Huey (Hon); 4. Jonathan D. Carver (Hon); 5. Richie J. Strube (Yam).
250 EX: 1. Jeffrey M. Paul (Hon); 2. Mark Waldele (Kaw); 3. Teddy H. Grant (Hon).
250 4-STRK: 1. Matthew L. Grant (Yam); 2. Chris J. Forman (Suz); 3. Tommy M. Sullivan (Suz); 4. Michael Sharp (Yam); 5. David X. Scott (Yam).
SCHBY (12-16): 1. Danny R. Callahan (Suz); 2. Evan Forosisky (Yam); 3. Matthew L. Grant (Yam); 4. David X. Scott (Yam); 5. Zach Hamm (Kaw).
CLGBY (17-24): 1. Jesse Festenstine (Suz); 2. Robert Malkiewicz (Suz); 3. Vincent Veneziale (Hon); 4. Brandon A. Taylor (Suz); 5. Mike C. Cox (Hon).
25+ AM: 1. Jonathan D. Carver (Hon); 2. Richie J. Strube (Yam).
25+ EX: 1. Jeffrey M. Paul (Hon); 2. Chris Deleo (Suz).
30+ NOV: 1. Matt A. George (Hon); 2. Brian E. Johnson (Suz); 3. Johnny A. Palmieri Jr. (Hon); 4. Chris Hoffman (Hon); 5. James A. Dzierwinski (Hon).
30+ AM: 1. Michael V. Moschitta (Yam); 2. Jonathan D. Carver (Hon); 3. Paul A. Fournier (Yam); 4. Bill Ford (Kaw); 5. Mark D. Barends (Hon).
30+ EX: 1. Chris Deleo (Suz).
40+: 1. Michael V. Moschitta (Yam); 2. Thomas Gibson (Hon); 3. Bill Ford (Kaw); 4. Robert Yahnite (Hon); 5. James A. Dzierwinski (Hon).
