Story by Jim Sanderson

Binghamton, NY, May 9, 2010

The fourth round of the Northeast Classic Motocross Series had a decent turnout of riders considering the weather. The weather forecast called for snow showers, freezing temperatures, overcast skies and high winds and that’s exactly what riders faced for the day. However, the racecourse remained in relatively good shape due to the excellent work of the Broome-Tioga track crew.

Honda pilot, Josh Emmi, topped the extremely competitive Open Pro/Expert podium with a perfect 1-1 score. Emmi just edged out fellow Honda rider, Mitch Dougherty, whose consistent 3-3 rides netted him the runner up tier of the podium. Suzuki mounted Jay Weller completed the rostrum with a 2-4 tally.

Weller leads the Open Pro/Expert points chase with 24 points with one round remaining. Dougherty holds second, trailing Weller by 5. Frank Lettieri, who finished just off the podium, sits in third with 16 points.

Emmi, Kyle Willis, Tim Savidge and Weller led the start of the first Open Pro/Expert moto. Emmi quickly pulled away and started lap two with a five second advantage over Willis in second. Weller, Dougherty and Savidge rounded out the top five. Weller reeled Willis in and the two battled for second for a half a lap. Weller made the pass for second on the back side of the National Hill near the two and a half lap mark. Willis was relegated to third. Dougherty and Savidge remained fourth and fifth.

Emmi increased his lead to seven seconds at the start of lap three. Weller began to close the gap on Emmi, and reduced his advantage to five seconds by the end of the lap. Dougherty was now third, after passing Willis on the Hill. Willis was displaced to fourth. Savidge held fifth but was being challenged by Seth Rarick in sixth. Emmi settled in and continued to hold a five second advantage on lap four and at the start of lap five. Weller closed the gap on Emmi but ran out of time. Emmi took the win with a three second lead. Weller, Dougherty, Willis and Rarick completed the top five.

Emmi, Dougherty, Weller, Willis and Jesse Deryke led the start of the final Open Pro/Expert moto. When the leaders appeared at the top of the National Hill after half a lap, the top five running order was; Emmi, Dougherty, Weller, Frank Lettieri and Rarick. Lettieri closed the gap on Weller and made the pass for third just prior to the start of lap two. Weller was relegated to fourth.

Emmi started lap three only a second ahead of Dougherty while the rest of the top five started to spread out. Lettieri continued his charge and made the pass on Dougherty for second on lap four. Dougherty was displaced to third with Weller only a bike length behind in fourth. Lettieri’s battle with Dougherty gave Emmi a little breathing room, and he started the white flag lap with a three second advantage. Emmi held on to take the checkers and the win three seconds ahead of Lettieri. Dougherty, Weller and Rarick closed out the top five.

Round Four - Broome-Tioga ~ May 9, 2010

Josh Emmi (961) leads the start of the first Open Pro/Expert moto with a big holeshot at round 4 of the Northeast Classic Motocross series at Broome-Tioga on May 9th in Binghamton, New York.

Josh Emmi (961) leads the first Open Pro/Expert moto with Kyle Willis (36) trailing.

Kyle Willis (36) and Jay Weller (557) battle for second in the first Open Pro/Expert moto.

Josh Emmi (961), Mitch Dougherty (597), Jay Weller (557) and Kyle Willis (36) lead the start of the final Open Pro/Expert moto.

Josh Emmi (961) and Mitch Dougherty (597) battle for the lead in the final Open Pro/Expert moto.

Frank Lettieri (461) and Jay Weller (557) battle for third in the final Open Pro/Expert moto.

Frank Lettieri (461) tries to reel in race leader, Josh Emmi (961) in the final Open Pro/Expert moto.

Photos courtesy of Jim Sanderson.