Freestyle Motocross


Saturday - 7:30 PM

FMX plays to a packed house in Steeler Country

            The gladiators of FMX rolled into Steelers country performing at Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena on Saturday night as Toyota and 1-800-SAFE AUTO presented Freestyle Motocross. The stands were packed because of another sold out show  During practice, old schooler, Garry Robertson tweaked his neck and would not make it to the evening program.  However, the show would be complete with eight riders, Hell on Wheels BMX Stunt Team and Moto Trials rider, Keith Whineland.
FMX qualifying was much tighter than usual, with Fox rider, Dan Newth, setting the bar with a score of 91.2, but with a stacked field of talented riders, he would slide to third after high flying Thomas Alves, last Friday’s winner in Bridgeport, and last Saturday’s winner, Jack Rowe aka Mr. Right, came to the turf!  Alves, “The Tank” kicked off his routine with a backflip heel clicker, which brought the crowd to their feet and a list of tricks that would make any freestyler jealous…he came away with a 92.2.  Mr. Right started with a backflip-superman combo, and super-sized it with a huge kiss of death, Rowe emerged the winner of qualifying with a score of 92.6.
The scene was set for another showdown between, “Mr. Right” and “The Tank”, who have exchanged wins on the last three appearances!  “Cardiac Chris” Taylor, opened up the main with a great 80 seconds, however did not get upside down, and the judges scored him a 91.0.  Next up was Dan Newth, sponsored by Michelin, raised the bar with his best run of the season, which included a backflip and came through with another 91.2, which gave him his turn in the Toyota Hot Seat!  Thomas Alves was the next competitor, and he busted three backflip variations, including a three in one, backflip-nac-nac-Heel-Clicker which earned him a score of 93.1, and his place at the top.  Prior to the event, I spoke with Rowe and he said, “Mike, I am going to come out swinging, and I won’t stop till I am on the top” and…he didn’t disappoint!!!!  Jack came out with backflip-superman, to backflip-heel-clicker, to backflip-tail-whip and that was all she wrote!  Rowe scored a 94.4 and won over the Pittsburgh crowd as well as the judges!  Stay tuned for more action from Tallahassee in a couple of weeks!  Mikey 

1.  Jack Rowe              94.4
2.  Thomas Alves          93.1
3.  Dan Newth              91.2
4.  Chris Taylor            91.0
5.  Slade Waltman        90.0
6.  Scott Hanlon           87.7
7.  Ryan Logan 84.0
8.  Rich Kearns            80.0