The 2018 Loudon Road Race Series season came to an end at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend, but was highlighted by a special memorial ride in honor of longtime LRRS Amateur rider, Joe DiRusso.
The ride was organized by fellow LRRS rider, Brian Kent, who rode DiRusso's motorcycle for the three-lap tribute around "The Magic Mile." DiRusso had a passion for motorcycle racing and has been a fixture in the series for nearly three decades. He passed away Sept. 4 after an unexpected illness.
"Joey always had race bikes and let me borrow them," said Kent, who has been road racing with DiRusso since 1990. "I was preparing his bike for a track day when he became sick, and once he passed, I couldn't think of a better way to honor him. I sent out an invite on Facebook and had about 40 riders ready to go, but once the riders started making their way on to the track for the ride, we counted 82 riders. It truly is one big family."
The weekend was headlined by 26 races and the riders gave round seven all they had left to close the 2018 season out strong.
Veteran rider Scott Greenwood reclaimed the top of the podium in Saturday's Expert Dash for Cash, taking home $500. He also picked up the win in the GTU, HW Supersport, MW Grand Prix, HW Superbike, MW Formula 40, MW Supersport and MW Superbike.
"This weekend went great," said Greenwood. "I was able to win all my races and clinch championships in all seven classes I competed in this season. It was pretty special to have my son, Sam, right on my heels in the five classes we raced together. It's always fun to share the podium with him - even better when it's one and two. We both had good seasons, and I am proud of his riding and what we both accomplished in 2018."
Samuel Greenwood, Rick Doucette, Adam Andrusia, Alexander Guilbeault, Ryan Stockman, Peter Gaboriault and Timothy Barrows rounded out the top eight in the Expert Dash for Cash, while Tyler Wasserbauer picked up the win for the Amateurs.
Wasserbauer also took the checkered flag in the Amateur level of the GTO, Unlimited Grand Prix, HW Superbike, Unlimited Supersport, MW Supersport and Unlimited Superbike.
Charles "Jesse" Sandoz added five more wins to his record - LW Grand Prix, LW Superbike, Formula 40 Lights, Super Twins and Thunderbike - along with a second place finish in the GTL.
The Loudon Road Race Series will crown track champions at its annual championship banquet on Nov. 10 at the Grappone Center in Concord, N.H.
Round one of the 2019 Loudon Road Race Series returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the spring.
Check out the full results from all races: https://trackintel.com/ti/lrrs/ajax2014/results/index.html
Stay up-to-date with the Loudon Road Race Series:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LRRSNHMS/
- Website: http://www.nhms.com/racing/lrrs/
For ticket information for events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, including the upcoming Extreme Chunkin Festival, Oct. 20-21, visit the speedway website at www.NHMS.com or call Fan Relations at (603) 783-4931.