Page 33 - DECEMBERMPG2018

RESULTS DONOT LIE
es, ranging from stock, mod, and the rigor- ous open division. His 65cc (7-11) division, saw him contesting within the top five early on. Hitting jumps two and three wide, he was battling with the likes of Thor Powell and Logan Best. It was a battle for the ages, with three of the top minicycle competitors going toe to toe. He would finish strong, one of the first finishers representing the Husqvarna
would be achieved for the week.
OWEN COVELL
Let’s rewind to the beginning of American history, when settlers traveled far and wide to the coast of the “New Land.” A place where dreams can be chased, and oppor- tunity is of abundance. Going hand in hand with our Thanksgiving Holiday, it was only
right that Owen Covell travel to the place where he too could chase his dreams, be- ing a resident of Plym- outh, Massachusetts that is. Covell, sporting a number 24 KTM, was a threat all throughout practice; being one of the first in his class to piece together combi- nations, after showing he could tackle any corner on the circuit. Crafty with his line choice, he would go from inside to outside, seemingly a bit different than everyone else, yet getting the job done
in an efficient man-
ner. Littering the heat races with solid finishes, he especially eyed
the 65cc divisions for a place to damage. Although he was fast enough to contend with anyone on the 85cc machine, he yearned
to get onto a bike that he could truly throw
brand, taking the number 180 home to a remarkable third place ride. Looking to better his score, the 65cc (10-11) class was next. With everyone on the line seemingly riding modified bikes, it was a little
bit tougher for him to thrive
off the line. Yet he would
prevail, hitting his starting
technique with mere perfect
timing, and look to stay atop
the leaderboard. He could
be found neck and neck,
competing and charging hard
for the lead. He would be
placed in the second place
spot with a short bit to go,
and again, have another
strong result, claiming sec-
ond overall. It would all come
together though for the 65cc
(10-11) class. After winning
his heat race, he would be
in second for lap one of the
run-off. Quickly making his
way around Austin Schafer,
he would blitz away from the
field, stretching out to over a
six second lead. Taking the
championship in dominant fashion, his goals
around, and be in control off. In the 65cc (7- 11) supercross run-off, he would hover inside
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the top ten for a good portion of the race, but never flirt with the idea of complacency. Working his way atop the leaderboard, his laptimes similar to that of the lead pack, had him in a sixth place position with one circuit to go. And that’s where he would land, feel- ing exceptional about his effort, and head to the line for the strict (10-11) class, hoping to make a solid run for an overall podium. His wish would be granted, with a daunting effort of persistence and fearlessness, he would volley for the third position for the duration
of the moto. And that’s exactly where he’d land, securing a third overall on the day. Next would be the motocross portion of the event, where he too would be a contender for podium finishes every time he lined up. It would be a replica almost of his supercross showings, with a fourth place in the (10-11) division, and yet another strong ride in the 65cc (7-11) class. Coming into the second moto with a third, he would duplicate it in round number two, for an astonishing third overall. Covell would head back to the Northeast, prepared to grind all winter long, as he aspires to be bigger and better for the 2019 season.
AUSTIN SCHAFER
“The Hammer from Hamer”, a nickname given to Austin Schafer, a resident from South Carolina, and one who truly laid the hammer down on the crowd for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Sporting a slick number 36 on his KTM machines, he was prepared as ever as the week approached. From the
moment he stepped foot on the premises of the event, he eyed podium finishes. Whether supercross or motocross, tech- nicality or wide-open spaces, Schafer and crew were prepared for whatever. Starting with supercross, he had three heat races inside the top ten. He would capitalize, pushing the pace in the 65cc (7-11) class, and garnering a ninth overall in the run- off. Although the single digit finish was great to him, he truly wanted to be at the front of the field, and it was start with the 65cc (10-11) Limited Class. Pulling the holeshot, it was he and Landen Gordon duking it out to begin the first moto. The number 36 was out front and looking to jet from the field, yet he and the number 180 could be found rubbing plastic in the far bowl turns on lap number two. Choosing a series of inside lines, he would tuck in behind Gordon, and the tandem would sprint away from the field. As each lap would pass, he would feel a little bit more
reassured, knowing that he could hang on. And that visualization, that ever so steady
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