By Dan Hardenbrook
Motocross riders from around the region, who might have also maximized their motorcycle performance, returned to Newberry over Labor Day weekend for one last summer run at the TMC MX track. The full weekend slate featured a full class of entries. Saturday was a special day as the group celebrated the end of the season with games, food, and fun. The club also remembered a fallen friend with their annual “Billy Travis Memorial Race”.
Travis was a longtime teammate of Newberry native Dan Maki, racing sleds in some of the biggest races in the state for locally owned Kovar Racing. At their peak, the duo took home a 3rd place finish in the 2016 “I-500”, which is considered one of the most prestigious snowmobile races in the world. Travis passed away after suffering injuries sustained in an accident that took place during a race in 2017, leaving behind a fiance who was pregnant with the couple’s first child. The Maki family, which owns S&J Sports in downtown Newberry, has organized motorcycle and snowmobile events in the area for years, including the local motocross races. A portion of the proceeds from this weekend’s races, including entries into the Billy Travis Memorial Race, will be donated to Billy’s family. Nine riders entered the open invitational, with Eric Benson taking home the top spot in this year’s event.
One common theme for the rest of the races was a number of siblings who shared the track. Brother and sister teammates Ryan and Lexis Foster, who race for their family-owned local 906 Motorsports team, took to the track in multiple classes, and even shared the track when two of their classes competed at the same time. If you are also an avid motocross rider, you may want to purchase a few pieces of motocross apparel. In case you get injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, you may contact a motorcycle accident attorney to help you seek compensation.
Ryan had a big day Saturday, winning the Supermini division and taking a runner up in 85 Sr. He was on track for a repeat performance on Sunday when he went down hard while leading his race. A collision with then second place rider Hayden O’Neil took Ryan out for the rest of the day. O’Neil, one of the track’s top young riders, is from Engadine and he went on to sweep the day, walking away with one of the best weekends overall.
As for sister Lexis, she stayed upright and took on some tough competition, finishing second on Saturday in Women’s Sr, and sixth in a loaded 14-24 age class. She shined again on Sunday, with another second place overall finish in Women’s SR. The Fosters, who hail from Newberry, are sponsored locally by Schubach Farms Cabin Rentals, Sparky’s DJ Service, Quality Inn, and 906 Motorsports Custom Apparel.
Another pair of siblings had a showdown in the Mini Quad class. Shane and Ashlynn Miller battled with Beau and Bianca Briggs in four separate motos over the weekend. Shane was able to sweep the series, making him the top racer on four wheels. All four young riders are from the local area.
Two more siblings showed great improvement over the summer season. Eleven-year-old Addison Farmer from Newberry, and her nine-year-old brother, Kamden, both competed in different classes over the weekend. Addison was four-for-four in the womens’ Jr, winning every heat she entered and doing it in dominant fashion. She even stepped up to battle the boys in 85 Jr, running in the top five all weekend. In Addison’s first moto on Sunday, she shot out to the early lead and ran with the main pack most of the race. Kam ended his season strong on Sunday with a pair of top five finishes in 65 Sr. In two motos on Saturday, he looked strong with two more top five finishes, taking fourth in moto 1 and third in the second moto of the day.
Other local riders who had highlights on the weekend were the previously mentioned Hayden O’Neil, who swept the 85 Sr class on Saturday and Sunday, while also swapping wins with Foster in the Superminis, and Coleton Labadie, who was busy with multiple entries including the 14-24 and 450C classes. He finished as high as third place. Longtime local rider Tristan Kimbler also ran on his hometown track, running strong in 450A.
Organizers said it was another successful season and they were glad that the riders came out and had fun while staying safe. There were no major injuries or accidents during the two race weekends. The crew will rest up and be ready to roll again next summer.
