The Creators of Southpark: Race Report and Photos

Filed under General on July 04, 2014 | Comment(s)

It's another episode of Southpark. No; we're not talking about Cartman and his Colorado cohorts;  we're talking Southpark Pennsylvania - the famously fast downhill track that has hosted a major BMX national practically every single year since the early 80's. 

SOUTHPARK VIRGINS
For me, myself, this was my first time ever at this incredible, legendary track. Walking around the pits, I was surprised to run in to a lot more people who, like me, were here for the first time and looking forward to finally experiencing Southpark. I was surprised to discover that BlackCrown's NAG No.1 Luke Segal and his TM Rob McAllister were both doing Southpark for the first time - and they were thrilled to be here, without the legendary heat and humidity that usually comes with it. Lucky for us first-timers, it looks like the weather is going to be perfectly nice all weekend (knock on wood). 
Another surprisingly Southpark virgin was Sam Willoughby - who has been looking forward to hitting up such a legendary BMX facility. Sam, who'd been abscent from the last two Pro races (Utah and Rockford), told us that he's always missed out on Southpark due to it being so close to The Worlds, but ever since he was a kid watching BMX videos from the U.S. and reading magazines, he's dreamed of coming to Southpark.

SOUTHPARK, SEASON 98
On the other hand, MCS's Brian Fell is a seasoned veteran of visiting this part of Pennsylvania. Out of all the great racing he'd seen take place here, he recalled that Gary Ellis' wins both days, in his retirement season, were the most epic. Since he was working for GT at the time, he remembered how The Lumberjack was so excited to be at Southpark - like a little kid, when he picked Gary up at the airport that weekend. "You know where we are, Brian?" asked Ellis like a hyoed-up 10 year old expert. "We're at SOUTHPARK!"  

SOUTHPARK HISTORY
The Southpark track was founded by former NBL leader Bob Tedesco, and the facility has long hosted some epic races in BMX history. BMXnews.com's Mike Carruth pointed out to me the spot where the famous Greg Grubbs cover of BMX Action magazine was taken.
For a view of what it's like to take a hot lap around Southpark - CLICK HERE. 

SOUTHPARK, A NEW EPISODE 
Due to there being the Mexican National Championships on Sunday - which might be won by Cheeto, the UCi had us swicth thigs up a bit for this weekend's UCi points race. Also, snce it was the 4th of July, it just seemed appropriate to hold the UCi Elite race on Friday - and while it wasn't quite "under the lights" - it was an awesome show!

Throughout practice and qualifying motos, Sam Willoughb y looked back to his normal self. He had his trainer Sean Dwight with him this weekend, and they've been seriously prepping for the upcoming World Championships in The Netherlands. Sam said he felt rested after missing the last two races, following his disapointing weekend in Nashville. But he had some pretty tough competition trying to hold him back and keep him off the podium. Connor Fields, David Herman and Donny Robinson were all looking strong.  

For Friday's UCi main, it was a 1-lap/no-crap finale' - and last week's Rockford winner, Kurt Pickard, actually grabbed the snap and holeshotted to the first jump. But one bobble by the Kiwi was all Sam needed to take over the lead from the inside lane, to take things over. While Sam rode a pretty flawless lap, the real story was the battle for 3rd place, between Nic Long and DR#10. The 31 year old SE rider once again proved that it's not about size or age; it's all about heart and determination,and returned back to the steps of the Elite podium with a 3rd place.
CLICK HERE to watch Friday's Elite Mens final. 

Saturday would not go quite as well for Sam I-Am, as he got balled up with Kurt Pickard in his pro semi, and the crash sent Sam's carbon bike launching about 20 feet in the air as Willouughby cartwheeled around like a really lame gymnast. (Alise need to teach him how to stick his floor routine.)
This now left the 3-main AA-pro final up for grabs, and the 7-to-1 odds were in favor that it'd be an American. For a change, there was only one foreigner in the final - NZ's Matt Cameron. Before the main, while passing him in the pits - Justin Posey promised us he'd pull it off. As hard as Joey the Bomb and the Con-man tried, Posey pulled off three consistent mains to win the overall. His first career AA win! 

AA PRO

• 1 JUSTIN POSEY, DAN'S COMP - NC
• 2 CONNOR FIELDS, CHASE  - NV
• 3 JOEY BERTHIAUME, DOUBLECROSS  - MN
• 4 NIC LONG, HARO - CA
• 5 DAVID HERMAN, FREE AGENT - CO
• 6 CORBEN SHARRAH, HARO - AZ
• 7 THOMAS ZULA, DK  - OH
• 8 MATT CAMERON, - NZ HIGH PERF. TEAM

CLICK HERE to watch Saturday's Pro mains

For the ladies, they may have been without Alise, Felicia, Shanaze and Mariana, but that would only open the door wider for the next batch of fast fems - like Brooke Crain, Dani George and Amanda Geving. Brooke had just helped put on a clinic at the track and knows Southpark well. On Friday, she never lost a lap; including the main! Brooke was on fire and won both days.
Unfortunately on Saturday, we lost a few ladies in a burly crash that left a couple of spots empty in the gate for the next two mains. 

WOMEN PRO - Day 2

• 1 BROOKE CRAIN, VISALIA, CA
• 2 LAUREN REYNOLDS, AUSTRALIND, WA
• 3 ALAINA HENDERSON, RUBY, NY
• 4 AMELIA WALSH, AYR, ON
• 5 CARLEY YOUNG, SPRING HILL, FL
• 6 AMANDA GEVING, LARGO, FL
• 7 DANI GEORGE, PALMDALE, CA
• 8 SHELBY STACY, PHOENIX~BOX, BAKERSFIELD, CA

CLICK HERE to watch the Elite ladies final.