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Speedy Nick Mantzoros
So who made the main event for last night's, star-studded, 3rd annual AMA EnduroCross held in Las Vegas? Well, for starters, there was David Knight, John Dowd, Nathan Woods and Nick Mantzoros. Nick Manwho?
That Durty Dabber himself - Nick Mantzoros.
Let's get this straight, the #5 ranked, 2006 AMA/NATC Expert Sportsman from Rock Haven, Pennsylvania loads his Sherco trials bike in the back of his car - drives 2500 miles west with his girlfriend - spends Friday competing in eight qualifying races, totaling 40 laps.
Through all that, Nick somehow, like magic, pulls off two huge wins, earning a spot to compete in Saturday night's program and a chance to win $10,000.
On Saturday night, Slick Nick again comes out of nowhere and wins semi-heat race one to earn a trip to Saturday night's - big show. - The MAIN EVENT!
Talk about Cinderella. Yes, that Nick Mantzoros.
Let's not stop there. It was a great evening for the trials riders. Ten time AMA/NATC champion Geoff Aaron made it to the main event for the first time in three try's. He kept the pressure on eventual winner John 'Junk Yard Dog' Dowd in the first heat race, placing second to move into the main event right off the bat.
In the main event Mantzoros (Sherco mounted - #97) and Aaron (KTM mounted - #13) were no match for the top three of Dowd, Woods and Knight, the night's three top heat winners and time qualifiers. But it didn't matter at that point. The observed trials guys were big winners to score a ride along the 10 best in the world. Besides, those three (Dowd, Woods and Knight) were on fire, cutting and weaving through the rock piles, logs, water hazards and lapped riders without much of an effort. Although towards the end, everyone of the 10 competitors in the 10 lap main event were tiring as fast as the lap times they were producing.
Near the last corner of the last lap, Nathan Woods gassed it and made a wild attempt pass on the 'Junk Yard Dog' - but the 'Junk Yard Dog' would have nothing of the sort, he squeezed Woods to the right and off the tight track for a flying 'W' crash. They were knocking bars like midevil jousters on iron horses.
Let's get back to the Cinderella story, Nick 'Nicky Carmichael' Mantzoros. For us trials riders, Nick was the star of the show. The promoters wisely ate up the angle Nick drove his car to the event by giving him a spotlight entrance on Saturday evening. In a scripted move, Nick drove his car in the arena and unloaded his Sherco to a roaring applause from the sold out crowd of 6000 frenzied spectators. For this one evening, the glass slipper fit him perfectly. Going into the weekend, what were the Vegas odds of that happening? Million to one.
Did I mention, it was a great evening for the trials riders. And the little ole Sherco 2.9 trials bike didn't do too bad in the spotlight either.
So, for another year, the Cinderella racing ball was over - as the clock striked midnight. We never know if Nick made it to is hotel room on time. After all, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
The Main Event - Top 10:
1.) John Dowd - $10,000
2.) Nathan Woods - $4000
3.) David Knight - $2500
4.) Eric Rhoten
5.) Matt Karlson
6.) Homer Diaz
7.) Geoff Aaron
8.) Ryan Dudek
9.) Nick Mantzoros
10.) Nick Brozovich |
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