2022 NGPC HILLTOPPERS 29 PALMS GP: HIGH-SPEED GAME OF CHESS

Round four of the 2022 NGPS series was hosted by the Hilltoppers MC and held in 29 Palms California. Red Bull KTM rider and defending series champion Dante Oliveira got the holeshot and would battle with 3-Bros Racing Husqvarna mounted Dalton Shirey and SLR Honda’s Cole Martinez for most of the main event. Shirey worked his way up from third making a pass for the lead on Oliveira around the halfway point of the race, Martinez would also pass Oliveira pushing him back to third overall where he would eventually finish. Martinez set his sights on Shirey and on the final lap would pass into the lead. Martinez crossed the finish line first aboard his SLR Honda followed by 3-Bros Racing Husqvarna mounted Dalton Shirey and Red Bull KTM’s Dante Oliveira would claim the final step on the podium. Rockstar Husqvarna’s Austin Walton finished just off the podium in fourth with Precision Concepts Kawasaki’s Tyler Lynn rounding out the top five.

SLR Honda mounted Cole Martinez was only in first place when it counted! Making a last lap pass on Dalton Shirey stick securing his second win of the 2022 NGPC season.

Dalton Shirey put in a very impressive ride aboard his 3-Bros Racing Husqvarna but just couldn’t hold off the final lap charge of Cole Martinez and had to settle for second on the day.

Dante Oliveira had this to say about his race:

“I ripped an awesome holeshot, put my head down early on and was just hitting my lines. I thought I was flowing pretty well, I had Dalton and Cole on my heels though, and we were all going super-fast. Coming down the pro section, the lap after we pitted, Dalton ended up sending it around me and I tried to make a move back on him but he wanted it today. I settled in and Cole got around me again, so I ended up settling for third. It was a good course, Hilltoppers MC did an awesome job this weekend. I’m going to re-group this week and come out firing!”

Factory Rockstar Husqvarna rider Austin Walton was on pace with the leaders all race long but just couldn’t make up any ground to battle for the lead.

Tyler Lynn continues to improve and finished a solid fifth at round four aboard his factory Kawasaki.

PRO 2 RESULTS

RPM KTM mounted Mateo Oliveira has a perfect 2022 NGPC season going, winning every Pro 2 event thus far. Mateo got the holeshot at round four and was never challenged for the lead, he would actually catch and pass a large percentage of the Pro class eventually finishing eighth overall.

Kai Aiello put in an impressive ride on the very high speed course finishing second in the Pro 2 class and tenth overall aboard his 3-Bros backed Husqvarna.

Colton Aeck rounded out the Pro 2 podium on his 3-Bros Racing backed KTM.

This memorial for Hilltopper member Mark Slater makes us smile!