BINGHAMTON, NY, MAY 22, 2010

By Jim Sanderson

American Classic Racing (ACR) is a member owned organization that is dedicated to the sport of vintage motocross. ACR conducts AMA sanctioned events in the North Eastern region of the United States and with the help of its sponsors, hosts one of the best vintage motocross series in the country.

Scott Sampsell, Philip Thomson, David Hurley, Nicholas Tkach and Mark Griggs led the pack out of the switch-back first turn in the opening moto of the combined gate of Vintage 80’s 201-Open Expert/Intermediate/Novice and Vintage 90’s Expert/Intermediate divisions. Sampsell continued to hold the point when the leaders descended the National Hill on the opening lap. Thomson, Griggs, Tkach and Hurley rounded out the top five. Thomson attempted a pass on Sampsell in the final corner of lap one but Sampsell pushed Thomson wide and held the lead at the start of lap two.

Sampsell picked up the pace and descended the hill after two and half laps with a four second lead. Thomson came back and reduced Sampsell’s lead to two seconds at the start of lap three. A whopping 12 seconds separated Thomson in second and Griggs in third. Thomson passed Sampsell for the lead on the back side of the National Hill on lap three. Sampsell was displaced to second. Tkach, Griggs and Hurley followed. Thomson took the checkered flag 12 seconds ahead of Sampsell. Eddie Anewalt, Tkach and Hurley completed the top five.

Sampsell, Anewalt, John Nardone, Dave Royds and Scott Taylor led the start of the final moto of the combined gate of Vintage 80’s 201-Open Expert/Intermediate/Novice and Vintage 90’s Expert/Intermediate divisions. Thomson took the lead on the National Hill on the opening lap and never looked back. Sampsell was relegated to second. Anewalt, Griggs, Hurley and Miller followed.

The top four were unchanged at the start of lap two when Andy Peebbles passed Hurley to secure fifth. After two and half laps, the top five began spreading out and Thomson’s lead increased to five seconds. Thomson continued to stretch his advantage, starting lap three seven seconds ahead of Sampsell. Sampsell chipped away at Thomson’s lead and reduced it to five at the white flag. Thomson held on to take the win with a five second lead. Sampsell, Anewalt, Griggs and Peebbles closed out the top five.

Roy Vanderveur Jr., the lone entrant in the Evo Open Expert class, dominated both moto’s of the combined gate of Evo Open Expert/Intermediate/Novice divisions. Vanderveur won the opening moto with a whopping 37-second lead and the final moto by 29 seconds. Finishing behind Vanderveur, with a consistent 2-2 was Joe Vanella.

Vanderveur, Vanella, John Nardone, Christopher Kern and Perry Sconzert led the pack out of the first turn in the first moto of the combined gate of Evo Expert/Intermediate/Novice divisions. Vanderveur quickly left the field behind and started lap two with a seven second lead. Vanella, Sconzert, Jeff Felter and Rodney Miller rounded out the top five. Vanderveur increased his lead to 24-seconds at the start of lap three and continued to hold that pace to the finish, taking the checkered flag 37 seconds ahead of Vanella. Sconzert, Gallagher and Miller followed.

Vanderveur again led the pack at the start of the final moto of the combined gate of Evo Expert/Intermediate/Novice divisions. Felter, Vanella, Sconzert, Nardone and Miller followed. Vanderveur set another blistering pace and held a nine second lead after only a half lap. Vanella passed Felter taking second on the hill. Felter was relegated to third. Miller and Sconzert held fourth and fifth. Vanderveur continued to increase his advantage and started lap three 18 seconds ahead on Vanella and increased it to 29 seconds at the checkers. Vanella, Miller, Sconzert and Gallagher completed the top five.

Scott Sampsell (10) and Philip Thomson (71) lead the start of the first moto of the combined gate of Vintage 80’s 201-Open Expert/Intermediate/Novice and Vintage 90’s Expert/Intermediate divisions at the ACR Vintage Vet & Youth Championships at the Broome-Tioga Sports Center on May 22, In Binghamton, New York.

Mark Griggs (726) and Nicholas Tkach (128) battle for fourth in the opening moto of the Vintage 80’s and Vintage 90’s divisions .

Scott Sampsell (10) and Philip Thomson (71) battle for the lead in the first moto of the combined gate of Vintage 80’s 201-Open Expert/Intermediate/Novice and Vintage 90’s Expert/Intermediate divisions.

Roy Vanderveur (3w), Joe Vanella (105) and John Nardone (28w) lead the pack into the first turn in the first Evo Open Expert/Intermediate/Novice moto.

Roy Vanderveur (3w) leads the pack down the National Hill on the opening lap of the first Evo Open Expert/intermediate/Novice moto.

Roy Vanderveur (3w) leads the pack out of the first turn in the final Evo Open Expert/Intermediate/Novice moto.

Perry Sconzert (96) and Jeff Felter (15w) battle for fourth in the final Evo Open Expert/Intermediate/Novice moto.

Vanderveur dominated the Evolution and Vintage 80’s motos.

Photos courtesy of Jim Sanderson.