The trials kid from last year comes back with a new nickname…the American Taddy!At least that’s what I heard people calling me…

In the first round of the National Endurocross series Colton Haaker came away with a hard fought sixth place finish on a track layout that proved to be one of the toughest we have seen yet. But unlike the last time in Vegas I was on a motocross bike. A KTM 250 that I showed I have as much skills on as my trials bike. I made a lot of people take notice and surprised most of them with0020

My Las Vegas trip started with a drive down to Kyle Redmond’s for some practice time on his Endurocross track with Taddy Blazusiak, Kyle and Damon Huffman. We were there for two days practicing, taking each other out, goofing off, and of course testing for the weekend. With the help of Javier from Trail Tricks I was able to get my bike set up very well and had a big impact on my confidence level. He really does know what he is doing with suspension!

So after roughing each other up a bit we left for Vegas Thursday morning. Kyle and I helped hang banners around the whole stadium for the sign man, Tod Sciacqua and got a little cash and a sneak peak at the track. Before we knew it, it was Saturday morning and even though the pre-seated riders go straight to the night show I got to ride some amateur races for track time. I signed up in the Open two stroke class and rode about twenty laps including one race before the night program. Smart thinking, huh?

With some solid laps in I was second to last to go in the hot laps. I had a good run going until getting stuck in the rock turn and losing a few seconds. I ended up sixth three seconds off first. Without the hold up I very well could have gotten the fastest time for the second year in a row. I was in the third heat race with basically Geoff Aaron as my only competition who I got second to in the race and a straight transfer to the main. I was pretty happy cause at that point I had reached my goal…I made the main event!

In the main I ended up sixth with a nearly dead last start. I crashed four times and still was in fourth until on the last lap getting stuck in the final rock section getting passed by Nick Brozovich and Damon Huffman. I was a bit unhappy at the time and a little upset with myself but it’s something to learn from and I still have to remember how much fun I had!

I’ll get em next time!

Thank You for your support and I will keep you posted,

Colton Haaker