Page 21 - MPG_AUGUST_2017

KILPATRICK
JAKE MASTERPOOL
The last name Masterpool has become practically synonymous with the essence of amateur motocross -- a hard-working family that doesn’t cut corners; earning all of their success with blood, sweat, and tears. Jake Masterpool had one of the most successful seasons of his career in 2016, winning six number one plates on the way to his first ever Loretta Lynn’s AMA National Champi- onship. He walked effortlessly to the title in the 450 B class, but a DNF in the first moto of 250 B kept him out of contention for the overall. Nonetheless, he had one of the most impressive rides of the entire week
at the Ranch in 2016 in the third and final 250 B moto, clawing his way back from outside the top ten in order to take the vic- tory. The Texan has made big changes to his program following the many successes of 2016, switching to Suzuki for the 2017 season. He’s had a relatively quiet debut in the A class throughout the year thus far due to a minor surgery; skipping out on the multiple spring nationals, the California Classic, and
JuniorMotoX. It’s difficult to gauge where Masterpool will fit in when the gate drops on the A class at Loretta Lynn’s -- but if last year’s performance is any indication, he’ll be adding some more hardware to his mantle.
ETHAN MANN
Ethan Mann was one of the most success- ful riders competing in the mini classes at Loretta’s between 2009 and 2014 -- the Washington native put together an excep- tional streak of finishes ranging between second and fifth place with an exceptional year in the 85cc class where he finished on the overall podium in both of his classes. He’s still chasing the first title of his career at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, but he has proven himself capable of outperforming his competitors on the nation’s biggest stage. Mann experienced a challenging year in the Mini Sr. class, but he fought his way back into the top five in the 125 (12-16) B/C class last year aboard his Orange Brigade backed machine. He’s competing in his first full season on the bigger bikes and has just begun to take his racing more seriously than ever; undertaking a homeschooling program for the first time in his career, spending the winter out in California, and grinding away at Underground Training Facility. The hard work has definitely paid off for the first half of the season as Mann has found himself at the sharp end of
the field in every major national that he’s contested, most notably earning himself
a title at the Daytona RCSX. He battled through an injury scare at the Underground MX Youth Regional to punch his ticket in the 125 (12-16) class, and went on to Pala Raceway to earn his spot at the Ranch in the Schoolboy class with another pair of podium finishes.
KILPATRICK
WWW.MOTOPLAYGROUND.COM
21