BIG 6 29 PALMS

The FMF Big 6 series made its annual trip to the high desert for the Hilltoppers MC event in 29 Palms. This is generally considered an event for the desert purists with high speeds and conditions that favor District 37 regulars. Kailub Russell missed this round because of a scheduling conflict with the GNCC series at Steele Creek, where he’s the defending champion. That left the natives to go at it, and it was an exceptionally brutal day, with high winds and warm temperatures. Three Brothers Husqvarna’s Zach Bell had been sick all week after his last-lap win at the MTA 2-Stroke World Championship on Easter weekend, but he put in a gutsy race with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Dalton Shirey. Shirey is another of the walking wounded and he’s been getting a little better with every race, and this was his best performance yet. Bell got the early lead and initially checked out with JCR’s Trevor Stewart and RPM’s Eric Yorba giving chase. Yorba suffered a high-speed crash on the second lap. About the same time, both Ricky Dietrich and Gary Sutherlin dropped out with mechanical trouble, making Shirey’s march up from a poor start just a little easier. In the last half of the race, the two Husqvarna riders were side-by side, making for a sprint to the finish. In the end, it was Bell who had a little more steam. In the meantime, Trevor Stewart and Blayne Thompson were getting closer and closer in a battle for third, with Stewart holding out and earning the final podium spot. Results are still pending, but you can check them out at www.big6racing.com.

Zach Bell sprinted away from the pack in the early laps, only to be hunted down by Dalton Shirey.

Three Brothers Husqvarna's Shirey led for two laps in the closing stages of the 90-minute race, only to let Bell back into the lead on the final lap. — Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Dalton Shirey led for two laps in the closing stages of the 90-minute race, only to let Bell back into the lead on the final lap.

JCR’s Trevor Stewart struggled with the heat, the wind and the dust but survived to finish on the podium.

Blayne Thompson is still coming back from injury, and was happy with fourth place for the Chaparral Kawasaki team.

Slamlife Honda rider Justin Jones rode to fifth place.

Ricky Dietrich was running well until his borrowed Honda motor blew on the second lap.

Eric Yorba was in second, but crashed hard, separating his shoulder.

Bell had been sick all week and was surprised to find the energy to pull out a last-minute win. He performed a similar trick last week at the MTA 2-Stroke World Championship.

Gary Sutherlin had another bad luck race, losing his brakes early in the event.

The Pro 2 class saw Trevor Hunter pull the holeshot and finish with his season best.

Clay Hengeveld has turned into the man to beat in the Pro 2 field.

Brad Goolsby has turned into the working man’s hero in the Big 6 series. We won the Vet Expert class in the West Coast GP again.

The EnduroCross section cause chaos in some of the sportsman classes.

BIG 6 Dalton Shirey Zach Bell