Geoff Aaron gets his first ever EnduroCross Main Event Win In Columbus Ohio: Taddy Blazusiak battled Aaron to the finish and Colton Haaker rounded out the podium

Photos by: Rodney Webb

COLUMBUS, OH (October 3, 2009) – Geoff Aaron, the ten time National Enduro champion has competed in all but one Geico EnduroCross events over the past five years and has come close to winning a main event several times. Tonight, the Christini KTM rider finally made it to the top step of the podium by out dueling Red Bull KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak. Lucas Oil backed Colton Haaker earned the final podium spot over a stacked field that included Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Damon Huffman in fourth and current National Trials Champion, Patrick Smage in fifth.

The day started with Taddy Blazusiak setting the fastest lap time during the afternoon qualifying session, which puts the riders on the track by themselves for a single hot lap to determine heat race starting positions. Mike Brown, his KTM teammate set the second fastest time followed by Patrick Smage, the current AMA Trials champion. Aaron and Huffman rounded out the top five.

Colton Haaker collected the $500 Girardi Wealth Management holeshot award and led until he got stuck in a tricky rock turn, which allowed Aaron and Blazusiak to pass him. At that point, Blazusiak went to work on Aaron, who is known for riding a steady if not blazing pace. At about the halfway point, Blazusiak made the pass for the lead and then almost as quickly, handed it right back to Aaron by crashing in the loose wood section affectionately called the “wood pile”. Blazusiak remounted quickly but had a six second gap to try to close on Aaron with three laps remaining. He managed to close it to two seconds but it was Aaron that finally won his first ever Geico EnduroCross main event and celebrated with a huge trials style front wheel wheelie.

Blazusiak still holds a commanding lead in the points over Aaron and Damon Huffman. Husqvarna’s Cory Grafunder holds a narrow three point lead over Colton Haaker in the chase for the E3 Spark Plugs’ EnduroCross Pro Junior Championship, the series within a series that allows riders aged 16-21 compete for an AMA number one plate.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich returned to action after missing two events due to an injured foot. He had a rough night and had to go all the way to the Last Chance Qualifier in order to qualify for the main event, where he finished tenth.

Columbus, OH Geico AMA EnduroCross Expert Main Event Results

   1. Geoff Aaron              Christini KTM
   2. Taddy Blazusiak      KTM
   3. Colton Haaker          Kawasaki
   4. Damon Huffman     Kawasaki
   5. Patrick Smage          KTM
   6. Cory Graffunder       Husqvarna
   7. Mike Brown               KTM
   8. Gary Sutherlin          Husqvarna
   9. Kyle Redmund         Yamaha
10. Ricky Dietrich           Kawasaki
11. Jason Raines           Yamaha

Denver Colorado will host round four of the 2009 GEICO EnduroCross Series presented by E3 Spark Plugs on Saturday, October 24th. Denver will also serve as round two of the three event Geico Powersports Triple Crown, that will award Taddy Blazusiak $50,000 if he can win this round in addition to the Oklahoma round that he already won and the Vegas final on November 21st. Tickets are available at www.endurocross.com.

All six rounds of the 2009 Geico AMA EnduroCross will air on the Lucas Motosports Hour on the Versus Network starting in October. For more information and air times, check www.motorsportshour.com.

EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of off road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole… and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in! Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor version of extreme off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet. The GEICO Powersports AMA EnduroCross series, presented by E3 Spark Plugs, will be captured by the Versus Network, to be aired on the popular grassroots racing program; The Lucas Motorsports Hour. With its excitement and unpredictability, the EnduroCross championship has always down to the wire and this year will be no different as the series starts and finishes at Vegas’ Orleans Arena! Don’t miss your chance to see GEICO Powersports AMA Endurocross “Live” – and be sure to log-on to www.Versus.com for local airing dates/times for the Lucas Motorsports Hour.