By Luis Escobar |Staff Writer|
Racers like brothers Malcom and James Stewart brothers were both able to succeed in each of their classes with Malcom winning first place in the lites class, and James receiving the first place prize of the open class.
The Stewart brothers and other racers, like Ryan Dungey all made the crowd jump out of their seats in each of their appearances.
Redbull successfully put together their second annual motocross drag race event, Straight Rhythm, which took place on Oct. 10 at the Fairplex arena in Pomona.
Straight Rhythm gathered hundreds of motocross fans to see their favorite athletes compete.
The purpose of this upcoming sport is to put athletes to race in a straightaway over jumps, flat tops, and rhythms instead of the usual course in off road races.
These competitions consist of a one on one battle with each racer attempting to surpass the other within a 2,500 feet dirt strip built with 74 jumps and rhythms.
The participants in this event know the consequences of any mistakes, the speed needed to stay ahead of their opponent, and skill they need to maintain a smooth ride throughout the course.
Any minor mistake in this sport has major consequences.
With eagerness to win a match, athlete Vince Friese over calculated one of his jumps which inevitably forced his face directly into his bike’s handlebars.
His head bounced off the bars with great force, the gasps from the crowd showed just how horrific this moment was.
Fortunately Friese was able to get back in the match and finish his run.
With semi finals as one of the most important stages, the racers were giving their all in hopes to receive a spot in the finals.
When Malcom faced Jordon Smith in a finals qualifying match, not a single person was in their seat.
Malcom and Smith were neck and neck for the entire 2,500 foot race.
There was a one hundredth of a second difference between the two when they finally made it to the finish line, with Malcom taking the victory.
With this intensive race, the crowd was definitely roaring with excitement to see one of their favorite competitors make it into the finals.
The second final’s slot was yet to be filled with a race between Shane McElrath and Jessy Nelson.
With a final qualification prize on the table for this match, both pushed their bikes to the limit, but McElrath was successful in crossing the finish line just a few seconds before Nelson
This was not the first match where McElrath showed his superiority over Nelson. McElrath was able to pick up various wins over Nelson throughout the competition.
The final between McElrath and Stewart had the crowd’s hearts pounding.
Although both riders came into the race with great speed and skill, Stewart (Malcom or James?) was able to keep a healthy lead over Nelson, crowning him champion of the lites class.
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