Team PowerMadd/GT Thunder led the way from start to finish. Taylor Kiser created some fear and excitement as he wrecked late in the race. "I was wide open, I mean you couldn't go any faster than I was going. I had hit this big sweeper in a field every lap and man it was fun, but I caught a kicker toward the inside and it sent me flying as my KTM flipped into the darkness," Kiser recounted after his crash. Kiser was able to get back into scoring and hand the race over to one of his teammates as they thankfully went on to win the pro class and the overall!
Finishing in second was the GBC/ATVriders.com team of McClure and Pickens, who did indeed complete the race aboard the machine they started with. While battling early with fellow GNCC pro Duane Johnson and Team DirtWorks and not overtaking the second position until late in the race as Team C&D Racing ran into issues, the East Coast riders were in the money with their finish.
For the pro utility class, all eyes were on Team PIAA/Can-Am which came fully stocked with 4x4 racing experience. Michael Swift, Richard Cecco and Cliffton Beasley all know how to race these big machines fast, and this event would be no exception. Their lead was lost when one of their machines broke a belt, allowing the Polaris/Rath Racing team to get in front. But misfortune would set its sights on the Rath team later in the race allowing the PIAA/Can-Am team to regain and hold the lead until the end, earning them a $7500 paycheck for the day!
While there were many teams competing--and all are winners for enduring such an event and the weather--the Ironman class had to be the most brutal of them all! One rider stood tall as he completed his 10 hours of racing and claimed the Ironman win, and that rider was Josh Jones of Mile, Iowa. What an accomplishment and a true test of man and machine!
With the winners being given their accolades and checks were presented, one man, TPC Racing's Dave Porzi, walked away with not only the memory of the racing action, but also a new Polaris Outlaw 525 as he drew the winning key to claim his new machine. Sweet indeed!
The first annual Heartland Challenge is now in the history books, and man what a race! We saw the first-ever Youth ATV endurance race combined with prize money that made it well worth the trip for many and memories that will last a lifetime. Outside sponsorship from Milwaukee Tool is a huge step for an event that isn't related to a National series at a time when our economic situation isn't looking so bright. Many companies' involvement made this race a success; however, it was the riders who made it go over the top as this inaugural event closed the season for many in 2008. Looking to next year has already begun and the support is already flowing in, so keep your eyes peeled for the dates of the 2009 event!
A huge crowd gathered for...
A huge crowd gathered for the awards ceremony.
Taylor Kiser crashed in the...
Taylor Kiser crashed in the dark and split his chest protector in half.
Jennifer Rath and son
Kristen Atwell's dad and Jeff...
Kristen Atwell's dad and Jeff Pickens' dad won the Zbros Racing's Open UTV class.
"The large rock formations...
"The large rock formations combined with ultra-slick telephone poles provided a lot of excitement as the race wore on..."
"While there were many teams...
"While there were many teams competing...all are winners for enduring such an event and the weather..."
The Le Mans-style start is...
The Le Mans-style start is one of the most difficult and interesting ways to kick off a race.