July 12 and 13, Round 7 of the AMA ATV Mountain Dew Championship Series was held at New York’s’ Legendary Track, Unadilla Motocross. The track has been hosting motocross events since 1969. Unadilla has been coined “The Home of the Horsepower” with its natural terrain requiring everything a motor has to offer. It is one of the oldest stops on the series and is also one of the fastest tracks. It is nestled in the mountains and surrounded by farms, horses and buggies, and quiet small town living. Unadilla Motocross was anything but quiet when the quads arrived, roaring over the hills, through the fast straight aways, into “Gravity Cavity” and over the infamous “Sky Shot”. To add more excitement and fun to the weekend, the track also had the 3-Wheelers race in an exhibition race. With great weather up until the last two races of Sunday, the weekend proved to be epic.
Jake Howald hit the track bright and early Saturday morning. With a terrible holeshot in the 450A class he raced to an 8th place finish, qualifying him for a spot in Sunday’s race. He would then wait until one of the last races of the day, College Boy 16-24 to get out there again. The gate dropped and Howald came out 3rd at the holeshot. He was able to maneuver the rough, rock filled track and finish a promising 5th. Happy with his finishes on Saturday, Howald was looking forward to Sunday’s competition.
Sunday, news of a storm 3 hours out, the track officials made the call to cut each race one lap, to speed up the day and keep the riders safe. Howald’s 450A Class was race number three out of the gate. He had a horrible start but was able to manage the track successfully, passing several riders and ended up at respectable 12th. He would then have to wait until race number 30. The storm loomed in the sky above the track and seconds before his gate dropped the rain let loose. Howald was 2nd at the holeshot, holding his line strong. With the best start of the weekend, he would hold position through the ever changing track due to the downpour, finishing in 2nd place.
Howald would have a 8th and 12th place finish for an overall of 12th in 450A and in College Boy 16-24 he had a 5th and 2nd for a 2nd overall finish. In the points run, Howald is currently ranked 4th in the College Boy class and 15th in the 450A.
Notes from Howald: “I would like to thank all of my supporters, family and friends. I especially love seeing my little brother waving his hat at me from the fence. Special thanks to my Stepdad, Chris Ginger, for all you do to help me and others. Thank you to Joel, Lisa, Cody, Haley, and Janssen Motorsports for your continued support and encouragement. To my local sponsors: Thank you for your ongoing support: Dr. Johnson, Chiropractor of Winnebago (keeping me “inline” and race ready), Anytime Fitness of Winnebago (being able to get an extra workout in whenever I need it), Brian White Racing , Freeport Honda Kawasaki, SSI Decals, Chad Wienen and Wienen Motorsports, Rod’s Shop. I would also like to thank: Elka Suspension, Walsh Race Craft, Fly Racing, FMF, Rath Racing, GPS Off-Road, 100%, Renthal, Hinson Clutch Components, Dynamite ATV, Sunstar, DP Brakes and Tweeked Powderworks. I am very blessed to be supported by all of you and proud to represent the best in the industry. Living the dream….Thank you!”