Seven-year-old Carson Fiske from Southern California joined the racers for Saturday’s practice. He was born without his lower left arm, and has adapted to riding his motocross bike. Photographs courtesy of Moto Sport Adaptive.
Round three of Moto Sport Adaptive’s new motocross series was held at Oak Hill Raceway, Decatur, Texas, on October 18. Ten racers traveled from across the United States to compete in one of three divisions: two in the Lower-Limb amputation/impairment division, four in the Upper-Limb amputation/impairment division, and three in the Para (seated) division. The racers lined up at the starting gate simultaneously, with a staggered start: Lower Limb, Upper Limb, then Para.
One of the highlights was the addition of American Motorcyclist Association National Champ and X Games Gold Medalist, Doug Henry. He piloted his Yamaha to the top step of the podium in both Para class motos with a commanding lead. Behind Henry was a much closer battle with Tyler Frye going 3-2 for second overall, Jesse Gildea going 2-3 with third place overall, and Aaron Hill taking fourth.
Smeltz got an early lead in the Upper Limb division.
In the Lower-Limb class, Max Gomez edged out Mike Schultz by several seconds in the first moto; the second moto had more excitement as Gomez and Schultz swapped the lead three times throughout the race. However, just over halfway through, Gomez made the final pass for the lead and the overall win in the class with two first place motos.
Drake Smeltz was the racer to beat in the Upper-Limb class. He charged to the lead in both motos and took the overall win. Steve Howe finished with a 2-2 for second place; Harold Glissen with a 3-3 for third place; and Kiana Clay, the only woman to race the series, came in fourth.
