Redondi Declared Winner At Dramatic
Heppner Hare Scramble
The Heppner Hare Scramble,
hosted by the Great Escape
Motorcycle Club was nothing if
not filled with drama at the Mor-
row County Off-Highway Vehicle
(OHV) Park, June 3-4.
Round four of the AMA West
Hare Scrambles Regional Cham-
pionship Series, Presented by
MojoMotoSport, the two-and-
a-half-hour main race saw FMF
KTM Factory Off-road Racing
Team's Mateo Oliveira grab the
lead when older brother and
teammate Dante slipped wide
in the first turn. From there, he
remained out front until taking
the checkered flag with Dante a
few seconds behind and 3 Bros./
Hatch Racing GasGas rider Gia-
como Redondi on Dante's rear
fender in third.
But defending series champ
Redondi was vocally adamant
that the Oliveiras had disre-
garded instructions at the riders'
meeting that everyone stay on
the marked course—or within the
AMA-mandated 20-foot rule—in
order to preserve access to the
venue and enhance the club's po
-
tential for cutting in single-track
for future events. (As it was, fast,
dusty fire roads comprised much
of the 12-mile course.)
After officials met with con-
cerned parties and reviewed
video evidence, both Oliveiras
were penalized one position with
Redondi benefiting to claim his
first victory of the season, Mateo
Oliveira placing second and
Dante third.
"I was concerned only with the
'cheat' lines," Redondi declared.
"I'm not complaining about
[shaving corners since it was
actually less dusty in the main
trail when they did that]. It's a
bummer because I was feeling
comfortable in the rocks. Also,
WIND
IN THE
P44
Physically a close third
at the checkered flag,
penalties for the first two—
Mateo and Dante Oliveira—
resulted in defending series
champ Giacomo Redondi
(pictured) taking the win.
PHOTOS: MARK KARIYA
