Page 24 - MPG-AUGUST

THE USUAL SUSPECTS
KAEDEN AMERINE
On the approach to Loretta Lynn’s
last year, Kaeden Amerine was yet to score an overall podium at the Ranch. Previous years and previous races made no difference to the young rider out of Kansas as he stormed through the competition in the Mini Sr. 2 division, winning the title with one moto win and two second place finishes. The Rides Unlimited | BTO Sports Amateur Racing backed rider returns to Hurricane Mills this year in the Supermini division with
a season’s worth of solid results in his wake. Amerine followed up his success at Loretta’s last year with a second place in the Supermini class at the Mon- ster Energy Cup and he continued the new season with the same form, taking a second place at the Daytona RCSX in Supermini 2. The Kansas native laid it down in the midwest at the Ponca City Regional Qualifier, winning both Super- mini classes as well as Schoolboy 1, but he’ll stay off the 125 at the Ranch this year. Amerine completed his first trip
to Mammoth Mountain Motocross and quickly adapted to the unique track and altitude, collecting two overall podium finishes, elevating his confidence to the sweet spot in preparation for Loretta Lynn’s.
HAIDEN DEEGAN
Haiden Deegan had the best week of his young amateur career at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch last year, coupling a second
place overall in the 65cc (10-11) Limited class with his first AMA Amateur National Championship. The Orange Brigade rider experienced his fair share of bad luck in preceding years at the Ranch and missed out on a couple of championships, but he finally clinched his first and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. He absolutely dominated the competition at the Midwest Regional in Rancho Cordova, California; winning the overall in all three of the classes that he entered aboard his KTM 65 and 85. The Team Dunlop Elite rider
is entered to compete in the 65cc (7-11) class as well as the 85cc (9-11) Limited class and he poses a substantial shot
at the number one plate in both, but it’s going to take six consistent motos and fa- vorable luck for things to go his way. He’s done the leg work throughout the early portion of the racing season, winning more than a handful of titles at Spring
A Ding Ding, Freestone, the Cal Clas- sic, and JuniorMotoX. Deegan decided to make the journey to the east coast in the weeks leading up to the big show in Hurricane Mills, allowing him to escape the dry conditions of California and adapt to the grueling humidity that is ever so prevalent during the week of racing at the Ranch.
24 MPG • AUGUST • 2018