2020 AZOP Rowley White RV Series, Rounds 4 and 5, Payson, AZ October 3-4 and 10-11, 2020

Written by: Miller Truby

All images © Miller Truby

After a seven-month layoff due to COVID-19 and the related permitting issues, AZOP’s Rowley White RV Series made a triumphant return to action in 2020 with two races on consecutive weekends at the ever popular rodeo grounds in Payson, AZ. With sponsorship from Nash Powersports, Five18 Designs, and GO AZ Motorcycles both races were able to take advantage of the perfect weather, proximity to town, and ample spectating and racing opportunities provided by the fan-favorite location. The layout of the track was similar to what AZOP did for the Payson event in October of 2019, with a short-course feel that took elements from motocross tracks and featured a majority of manmade obstacles. A section of unimproved single-track on the hills above the rodeo arena was included for the Big Bikes to bash through.

While from a distance the double-header may have appeared to be a normal event, the mood in the pits – especially during the first weekend – was one of cautious celebration; a much-needed return to normalcy for many folks who had been cooped up at home much longer than expected. Many competitors wore nervous smiles as they went through tech or warmed up an engine before practice, and it was clear that a large portion hadn’t taken to a track in anger since AZOP’s season was suspended in early March. The youth classes especially had an air of excitement around them as several regular competitors were riding or driving totally new vehicles or even competing in totally new classes.

In the Big UTV race it was Abe Martinez bringing his naturally aspirated Yamaha YXZ across the line first on Saturday, followed by Paul Obrien and Timothy Kern. Kern would return with vengeance in mind on Sunday and get the win, followed by Obrien once again in second and Daniel Hurn rounding out the top three.

For the second weekend of racing a few changes were made to the track with some new obstacles added and – most notably – a different entry point for the big bikes to get into the single track section; something the promoters hoped would help to mitigate a nasty bottlenecking issue from the first weekend. The weather was predictably great with temperatures hovering in the high 70’s most of the day and the track had been watered and prepped continuously in the days prior to the race, which helped to mitigate dust and traction issues throughout the weekend.

The Saturday Big UTV race was exciting with Chris Leaming eventually taking the win by 4 seconds over Paul Obrien. Abe Martinez rounded out the top three. It would have been hard to imagine going into the event, but the final race of the double-header would end up being one of the closest finishes in AZOP history. Starting from the back of the field in the naturally aspirated class, Bo Radavich worked his Polaris RS1 through the field and avoided potential issues all over the course to eventually finish first on elapsed time with a margin of victory of only 0.04 seconds! Jeremiah Scott took home second place honors and Neil Carse took third.

Despite the severely condensed schedule dictated by COVID-19, there are still plenty of racing opportunities left in 2020. AZOP will be holding as many events as possible over the last two months of the year. Head over to www.azopracing.com to look at the official schedule and take note that event dates and details can change due to event restrictions and the concerns of public health officials. AZOP is committed to the health and safety of all racers, spectators, and staff and will continue working to hold events in a manner that encourages fun and competition without compromising anyone’s health.

As always AZOP would like to thank all of the sponsors, staff, volunteers, racers, and spectators for making this another successful and fun weekend of racing.  For full race results, videos, and photos or to find out about upcoming events go to www.azopracing.com.

AZOP Payson 1 2020 Saturday 4439

Saturday October 3rd – UTV Results

Big UTVs – Overall: 1.) #504 Abe Martinez 2.) #11 Paul Obrien 3.) #1912 Timothy Kern

Pro Turbo: 1.) #11 Paul Obrien 2.) #2020 Jeremiah Scott 3.) #370 Tom Wilson 1000cc Turbo: 1.) #602 Neil Carse 2.) #2 Todd Jesperson 3.) #553 Jon Frost 1000cc NA: 1.) #504 Abe Martinez 2.) #1912 Timothy Kern 3.) #1994 Tyler Hurlock

570cc UTVs – Overall: 1.) #57 TJ Siewers 2.) #14 Ryan Bedoya 3.) #721 Victoria Leaming

570cc Advanced: 1.) #57 TJ Siewers 2.) #14 Ryan Bedoya 3.) #1910 Grace Vinagro 570cc Beginner: 1.) #809 Jaxen Gibson 2.) #17 Vincent Riccitelli 3.) #28 Kasyn Mathews 570cc RS1: 1.) #721 Victoria Leaming 2.) #765 Presley Ladin

170cc/250cc UTVs – Overall: 1.) #147 Braden Krah 2.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 3.) #765 Presley Ladin

250cc: 1.) #147 Braden Krah 2.) #765 Presley Ladin 3.) #116 Erik Alvidrez 170cc Advanced: 1.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 2.) #94 Taylor Bedoya 3.) #979 Kenzey Graham 170cc Beginner: 1.) #1866 Cameron Leaming 2.) #86 Allison Furnell 3.) #31 Evan Atkins

Sunday October 4th – UTV Results

Big UTVs – Overall: 1.) #1912 Timothy Kern 2.) #11 Paul Obrien 3.) #969 Daniel Hurn

Pro Turbo: 1.) #11 Paul Obrien 2.) #969 Daniel Hurn 3.) #2020 Jeremiah Scott Pro NA: 1.) #504 Abe Martinez 1000cc Turbo: 1.) #553 Jon Froust 1000cc NA: 1.) #1912 Timothy Kern 2.) #314 Katin Ladin 3.) #999 Bo Radavich

570cc UTVs – Overall: 1.) #57 TJ Siewers 2.) #147 Braden Krah 3.) #721 Victoria Leaming

570cc RS1: 1.) #721 Victoria Leaming 2.) #765 Presley Ladin 570cc Advanced: 1.) #57 TJ Siewers 2.) #14 Ryan Bedoya 570cc Beginner: 1.) #147 Braden Krah 2.) #566 Alexia Leaming 3.) #866 Jaxon Leaming

170cc/250cc UTVs – Overall: 1.) #147 Braden Krah 2.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 3.) #86 Allison Furnell

250cc: 1.) #147 Braden Krah 2.) #116 Erik Alvidrez 3.) #765 Presley Ladin 170cc Advanced: 1.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 2.) #979 Kenzey Graham 3.) #1948 Cooper Lake 170cc Beginner: 1.) #86 Allison Furnell 2.) #31 Evan Atkins 3.) #1866 Cameron Leaming

Saturday October 10th – UTV Results

Big UTVs – Overall: 1.) #866 Chris Leaming 2.) #11 Paul Obrien 3.) #504 Abe Martinez

Pro Turbo: 1.) #11 Paul Obrien 2.) #2020 Jeremiah Scott 3.) #969 Daniel Hurn Pro NA: 1.) #504 Abe Martinez 1000cc Turbo: 1.) #866 Chris Leaming 2.) #2 316 Chris Lindstrom 1000cc NA: 1.) #999 Bo Radavich 2.) #314 Katin Ladin 3.) #824 Robert Furnell

570cc UTVs – Overall: 1.) #1910 Grace Vinagro 2.) #721 Victoria Leaming 3.) #809 Jaxen Gibson

570cc Advanced: 1.) #1910 Grace Vinagro 570cc Beginner: 1.) #809 Jaxen Gibson 2.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 3.) #225 James Thomas 570cc RS1: 1.) #721 Victoria Leaming

170cc/250cc UTVs – Overall: 1.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 2.) #765 Presley Ladin 3.) #1948 Cooper Lake

250cc: 1.) #765 Presley Ladin 2.) #116 Erik Alvidrez 170cc Advanced: 1.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 2.) #1948 Cooper Lake 3.) #115 Liam Salas-Fisher 170cc Beginner: 1.) #1866 Cameron Leaming 2.) #226 Reed Rather 3.) #87 Bentley Rainer

Sunday October 4th – UTV Results

Big UTVs – Overall: 1.) #999 Bo Radavich 2.) #2020 Jeremiah Scott 3.) #602 Neil Carse

Pro Turbo: 1.) #2020 Jeremiah Scott 2.) #11 Paul Obrien 3.) #969 Daniel Hurn Pro NA: 1.) #504 Abe Martinez 1000cc Turbo: 1.) #602 Neil Carse 2.) #618 Cody Peacock 3.) #316 Chris Lindstrom 1000cc NA: 1.) #999 Bo Radavich 2.) #314 Katin Ladin 3.) #117 Cameron Bookey

570cc UTVs – Overall: 1.) #721 Victoria Leaming 2.) #1910 Grace Vinagro 3.) #866 Jaxon Leaming

570cc RS1: 1.) #721 Victoria Leaming 570cc Advanced: 1.) #1910 Grace Vinagro 570cc Beginner: 1.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 2.) #566 Alexia Leaming 3.) #809 Jaxen Gibson

170cc/250cc UTVs – Overall: 1.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 2.) #1866 Cameron Leaming 3.) #1948 Cooper Lake

250cc: 1.) #116 Erik Alvidrez 170cc Advanced: 1.) #866 Jaxon Leaming 2.) #1948 Cooper Lake 3.) #115 Liam Salas-Fisher 170cc Beginner: 1.) #1866 Cameron Leaming 2.) #31 Evan Atkins 3.) #86 Allison Furnell

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