VOL. 55 ISSUE 39 OCTOBER 2, 2018 P61
was huge because we had an electrical issue
come in with about four laps to go," said Carlile.
"As soon as I let off the gas, the power would die
to the bike. I would have to get it back to wide
open for it to start up again. I looked back after
the third time it happened and Dan was right on
my tail. Luckily, he's a great rider and no one ran
into each other out there. Fortunately, the bike
didn't shut off. The last time coming through three
and four I was really scared; I just wicked it right
on and the thing kicked out sideways. Luckily the
Yamaha YZ450F) had been fast all night as he
posted fastest qualifying and heat race times.
Looking to make quick work of the 15 laps main he
edged into the lead into turn one.
Newly crowned class champion Dan Bromley
(KTM North America/Bromley Motorsports KTM
450 SFX) was giving chase and looked to be the
only rider capable of derailing Carlile.
Bromley would pull close only to have Carlile
again edge away. As it turns out all was not well
with the number-one Yamaha. "Mentally, the win
the last lap. He was able to coast
home third, but would be forced to
his back up mount for the main. It
appeared the "B" bike was every
bit as good as the "A" bike until it
coasted to a stop just a lap out of
fuel. "Maybe I should have backed
off, but you never know and that
could really throw everything off,"
said a disappointed Bauman.
ALTERED PROGRAM
With low pre-entries this race and next
week at the last race of the season in
New Jersey, AFT has altered the race
program to be three heats and a main
in each class. The top six in each heat
move to the main. The move wasn't
totally well received by the riders, as
they would like to see some sort of
second chance added instead of one
and done for some riders. There were
27 Twins and 29 Singles in Minnesota.
FOR DAD
A special perk for Kolby Carlile was
winning his third race of the year on his
father's birthday. Team owner Tim Es-
tenson got the checkered flag ride, but
Kolby told his dad he gets the next one,
no doubt looking towards New Jersey.
Henry Wiles (17) chases
Mees. Later on, Wiles
took the checkered
flag while running
second in the main.
