Valcourt, Quebec – Can-Am DS 450 racers recorded numerous podiums competing in both the AMA-sanctioned Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship series in Michigan and round six of the New England ATV Motocross series in Massachusetts. Joel Hetrick earned third place in the Pro class at the Red Bud MX National, while fellow Pro Travis Moore earned second in the NEATV-MX series Pro ranks.
“We had a decent weekend in both the ATV MX National series and the New England series, earning Pro and Pro-Am podiums,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “Joel Hetrick’s third-place finish at Red Bud gave him the nice points advantage in the race for second place, which will ultimately be decided at the series finale. DS 450 racers Jeffrey Rastrelli and Ronnie Higgerson will be battling for the Pro-Am class title at the finale as well, so our season is definitely ending with some intrigue.”
Red Bud ATV MX National
Three Can-Am DS 450 Pros finished in the top seven at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Red Bud ATV National in Buchanan, MI. Joel Hetrick (JB Racing/DWT/Mtn. Dew Live Wire/Can-Am) was the top finisher, earning third overall with a 2-6 scorecard. The podium finish was Hetrick’s fifth of the season, pushing his points total to 306 and giving him an 11-point cushion over third place.
“The Can-Am was working awesome and my Elka shocks were great on the rough Red Bud track,” said Hetrick. “I want to go to Loretta’s and be strong there; hopefully take another win. I’m second in points now going into the last round and if all goes well, I will finish second in points, which would be the best Pro finish of my career. I’m pretty happy about that.”
Coming off his first career Pro class podium finish at round seven, JB Racing/Cheerwine/Can-Am DS 450 pilot Jeffrey Rastrelli overcame a first-moto crash to earn a very respectable sixth-place finish at Red Bud. He also earned second overall in the Pro-Am class with a 4-1 moto score on Sunday. More importantly, the podium finish pushed him into the class points lead over fellow DS 450 pilot Ronnie Higgerson, who finished seventh at Red Bud while racing in a cast. The championship will come down to the final round at Loretta Lynn’s in two weeks, as just four points separate Rastrelli and Higgerson.
“It wasn’t the best weekend for me, but being how rough the track was, we came out pretty good,” Rastrelli said. “I had an awesome start in the first Pro moto and then I hit a kicker and then went over a berm and flipped. I got back on quick and got up to sixth before the end. In Pro-Am I have the points lead now, so I want to ride smart and stay out front so I can bring home a championship.”
BCS Performance/Can-Am racer Josh Creamer recorded a seventh-place finish in the Pro class at Red Bud and is currently sixth in the class standings. Canadian Can-Am X-Team racer Mathieu Deroy made the trip to Red Bud and put together an impressive 2-1 scorecard to win the Open A class. William Lloyd (JB Racing/Cheerwine/Can-Am) joined him on the class podium, taking third on his DS 450.
Capeway Rovers NEATV-MX
At a rocky, sandy and rough Capeway Rovers MX in Carver, MA, BCS Performance/Whitcher Racing/Can-Am X-Team rider Travis Moore continued his pursuit of a repeat championship by taking second in the NEATV-MX Pro class. He took second in both motos to earn 50 points and remain on top of the class standings heading into round seven. Moore also competed in the Pro-Am class and finished fourth—overcoming crashes in each both motos—to maintain his points lead.
“My Whitcher Racing Can-Am DS450 was handling awesome today and soaking up the gnarly track and rocks and we never had a mechanical issue even despite my crash,” said Moore. “My points leads have been maintained heading into the next round at Twister Valley, which is my biggest rival's hometown track, but I'm confident in myself and my team and we will be training very hard this coming week.”
