XDL Finals - Indianapolis, Event Report

XDL Finals - Indianapolis, Event Report
Bubash Wins FMF Cup, Speed & Strength Sickest Trick a Sellout, XDL Performs First Ever MotoGP Demos

Text: Randy Grube
Photos: David Avila

For the inaugural XDL Indy competition in 2008 the series was greeted by Hurricane Ike and pouring rain. It seems that Friday at Indy means running in the rain, because once again, an otherwise beautiful week was punctuated by heavy downpours on Friday just as qualifying was starting in the afternoon and the gates opened. The initial drizzle had little effect on the early runners, but by the time number one qualifier Bill Dixon went out it was coming down in buckets. The rain persisted until about 6:30pm, building up standing water almost 6 inches deep at the curbs. Just like any other series, XDL officials had to make a call on the weather. After checking every radar image on every iPhone app available, the decision was that the weather would hold until 10pm or so, providing enough time to get in the competitions. As the riders fired up for the K&N Circle Challenge spectators started to come out of hiding and the stands filled with fans eager to see who would be the best circle wheelie rider. Shin Kinoshita, last year's winner, was still in Japan dealing with his mystery illness so the field was wide open. But within less than 30 minutes, Aaron Twite, a perennial K&N Circle Challenge favorite had beaten out all comers and took the crown. Next it was on to FMF Cup. Since the title had been decided, this would be an all out scramble for the win. Aaron Colton, last year's winner, felt fairly confident based on his number one qualifying run. Nick Apex, the outgoing champ had a few things to prove, as did Chris McNeil who has had a rocky two seasons due to mechanical issues. About the only one completely relaxed was Bill Dixon. The surface had started to dry but was still damp so it didn't allow the riders to go all out. But whether the conditions were ideal or not didn't really matter because Brian Bubash was so on his game it seemed inconceivable anyone would be able to take him out. He closed out the '09 season by scoring his first-ever XDL FMF Cup win. Cali Alliance rider Rick Hart was only one point behind, and a once again injured Bill Dixon still managed to grab third. It seems that Indy always brings out the best in XDL athletes and they always put on a great show. And there was still plenty more action ahead.

For Saturday the weather improved dramatically and athletes and fans alike were treated to a perfect day. The show opened with the Indianapolis Bikes and Beats put on by 2 Wheel Tuner. This is a new and very attractive addition to the XDL Indy program that featured a Suzuki custom bike show, live performances by Busa Beats contest winners, as well as an Icon fashion show. The competition got under way with the Aprilia All Star Challenge in which Dan Jackson and Bill Dixon still had to settle the score for the national title. Jackson was able to lock up his second straight Aprilia All Star Challenge Championship with a best time of 26.78. Second place at Indy went to local rider Eric Pettit with a very respectable 28.15. Saturday's main event was the Speed & Strength Sickest Trick competition, which now had a purse of $2,500. Maybe it was Indy, maybe it was the prize money, or maybe it was the fact that this would be the last main event of the season, but the largest ever field lined up to wow the crowd for this one. Everyone had their game face on and the crowd got to see some of the most amazing tricks ever performed on two wheels. It ranged from pure ballsy, to acrobatic, crazy and super skilled feats of riding. In the end, skill took the crown as winner Chris McNeil (BMW) and runner up Joe Dryden (Aprilia) both uncorked amazing performances. A video of the Speed & Strength Sickest Trick competition can be seen at: http://www.xdlshow.com/videos.html Saturday ended with the Russ Brown Freestyle Burnout competition, which was won convincingly by Speed & Strength rider Jason Pullen, who spit fire and had his bike throw flames, all while standing on his bike performing a stand still burnout.

If it sounds like Indy is a non-stop event, it is. Thursday practice ends at 9pm, Friday and Saturday go past midnight and Saturday's venue tear down takes until 4am. This year, there was an 8:30am and 11:30am XDL demo at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on the race track, as part of MotoGP race day activities, so there were quite a few riders and XDL staffers that got one hour or less of sleep. But everyone pulled through and had a good time. The demos were unique because XDL put three 4-man teams on the track that did three simultaneous three minute demos. Think of it this way. Whether you were in turn 1, 9 or 16, you got to see an XDL demo, all at the same time. XDL staff and riders have worked hard at building a relationship with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and MotoGP and it looks like that relationship will continue to expand and more sportbike freestyle will take place as part of major race weekends in the US.

The 2009 season was another big step towards building America's hottest action sport: XDL. Rider fields are bigger and more competitive, venues are better, crowds are bigger and more sponsors are engaged. In short, growth is explosive and XDL will continue to be a hot property in 2010.

FMF Cup Results (Top 5)
1. Brian Bubash 78
2. Rick Hart 77
3. Bill Dixon 72.5
4. Aaron Colton 72.5
5. Chris McNeil 69

FMF Cup National Championship (Top 5)
1. Bill Dixon
2. Aaron Colton
3. Lin Eshalom
4. Rick Hart
5. Dan Jackson (T), Warren James(T), Brian Bubash (T)

Aprilia All Star Challenge Results (Top 5)
1. Dan Jackson 26.78 seconds
2. Eric Petit 28.15 seconds
3. Bill Dixon 31.50 seconds
4. Chris McNeil 34.25 seconds
5. Brian Bubash 35.00 seconds

K&N Circle Challenge Winner
Aaron Twite

Russ Brown Freestyle Burnout Winner
Jason Pullen

Sickest Trick Winner
Chris McNeil

Bike Night USA Team Battle Winners
Dan Jackson, Brian Bubash, Bill Dixon, Dan Farris

For complete results go to: http://www.xdlshow.com/results/2009/indianapolis.html
For the complete national rankings, go to: http://www.xdlshow.com/results/2009/results09.html
For photos: http://www.xdlshow.com/images/galleries/indy09/
For hi-res images contact Randy Grube at randy@xdlshow.com