Zeller Claims NGPC Overall Win
P
ro Circuit Kawasaki Off-Road
Team's Justin Hoeft led
from start to finish at the Des-
ert Classic Grand Prix, hosted
by the Viewfinders Motorcycle
Club, the eighth round of the
Rocky Mountain ATV-MC AMA
National Grand Prix Champion-
ship (NGPC) Series, presented
by FMF. He was the first rider to
cross the finish line. It marked
his first-ever NGPC Pro (450cc)
win after coming close several
times.
However, that accomplish-
ment was overshadowed by
FMF RPM Racing KTM's Cole
Zeller, who not only claimed the
Pro II victory (his third to date)
but also did so 13 seconds
faster than Hoeft on adjusted
time after eight laps of the
approximately seven-plus-mile
course, thereby securing the
overall victory.
Zip-Ty Racing Husqvarna rider
Dustyn Davis rounded out the
overall podium with the third-
quickest time of the day, earning
second in Pro II.
The results were uncommon
but partially explained by the
absence of several Pro teams.
NGPC officials cited a schedul-
ing conflict with the 6Days FIM
Enduro of Nations in Portugal
(ISDE) and declared the Desert
Classic a non-points-paying
round. It would still offer a
$5000 purse, but several teams
took the opportunity to take a
weekend off.
Not so for the well over 1100
entries who participated, the
majority of whom welcomed the
opportunity to claim cash, con-
tingency or trophies, or simply to
make an annual visit to the High
Desert town with its Viewfind-
ers course, which comprised a
motocross track, plenty of sandy
desert, city streets, a junkyard
and the Desert Empire Fair-
grounds.
From the outset, Hoeft and
his Hatch Racing/Dunlop/Fast
House-backed KX450SR held the
WIND
IN THE
P42
Pro II winner Cole Zeller won
an overall NGPC race for the
first time. Pro II holeshotter
Dustyn Davis ended up second
in class and third overall, with
Jake Alvarez third in Pro II
and fifth overall.
