Martinez Wins
Hilltoppers GP
T
he dry spell is over for Slam
Life Racing (SLR) Honda's
Cole Martinez as he picked up
his first off-road race triumph
at the Hilltoppers Motorcycle
Club's 24th "Fast Jack" Garjian
Memorial Grand Prix, April 10-11.
In addition, SLR Honda team-
mate Tallon LaFountaine extended
his Pro II win streak to three in a
row while finishing fifth overall at
the race serving as round four of
the FMF AMA National Grand Prix
Championship (NGPC) Series.
"I think my last win was in
Germany at a supercross [a
few years ago]," Martinez said.
"We've come so close quite a few
times, but we always had some
mishaps, so it's nice to finally put
it all together. Last year was a big
season for us racing our first full
season of off-road and injuries
before that [during my motocross
and supercross career]. I can't
thank the Lord Jesus enough for
blessing me with these talents
and the team. I'm holding back
tears now; it's been a long time
coming. I'm very thankful and I'm
happy."
The victory moved Martinez
to second in points behind FMF
KTM Factory Off-road Racing
Team's Dante Oliveira, 106-89.
Round-three winner Zach Bell
held second going into the week-
end but had to sit this one out, the
Precision Concepts/Chaparral
Motorsports Kawasaki star having
suffered a knee injury recently and
possibly facing surgery soon.
Oliveira got the holeshot
and led for the first hour of the
90-minute $8000 feature race
with Martinez and Rockstar En-
ergy Husqvarna's Austin Walton
his closest pursuers.
However, SLR Honda boss
Mark Samuels pulled Martinez in
a lap earlier than normal, opting
IN
THE
WIND
P54
"We've come so close quite a few Team's Dante Oliveira, 106-89.
The most consistent
Pro II by far, Tallon
LaFountaine now has
three class wins in a row
after finishing second at
the opening round.
(Left) Different pit strategy allowed Cole
Martinez (34) to pass race leader Dante Oliveira
(1) just over an hour into the race. Seconds after
this shot, Oliveira crashed spectacularly, letting
Martinez escape with the win and also letting
Austin Walton past for second, though Oliveira
held on to third and the points lead.
PHOTOS: MARK KARIYA
