Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Results

Michelle Baird | November 6, 2020

2020 AZOP Rowley White RV Series, rounds 4 and 5, ran on consecutive weekends the rodeo grounds in Payson, Arizona on October 3-4 and 10-11.

Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Rounds 4 and 5 Results

This is an excerpt from a race report provided by AZOP/Photos by Miller Truby

After a seven-month layoff due to COVID-19 and the related permitting issues, AZOP’s Rowley White RV Series made a triumphant return to action in 2020 with two races on consecutive weekends at the ever popular rodeo grounds in Payson, AZ.

Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Rounds 4 and 5 Results

With sponsorship from Nash Powersports, Five18 Designs, and GO AZ Motorcycles both races were able to take advantage of the perfect weather, proximity to town, and ample spectating and racing opportunities provided by the fan-favorite location.

The layout of the track was similar to what AZOP did for the Payson event in October of 2019, with a short-course feel that took elements from motocross tracks and featured a majority of manmade obstacles.

Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Rounds 4 and 5 Results

Round 4, October 3-4

In the Big Quads/ATVs race, it was Nick Helton taking the top podium spot on Saturday, followed closely by Koby Dodson and Sean Johnson. Sunday saw Evan Spooner swoop in for the win, relegating Helton to second. Ron Suor took third.

Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Rounds 4 and 5 Results
Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Rounds 4 and 5 Results

In the Big UTV race, it was Abe Martinez bringing his naturally-aspirated Yamaha YXZ across the line first on Saturday, followed by Paul O’Brien and Timothy Kern. Kern would return with vengeance in mind on Sunday and get the win, followed by O’Brien once again in second and Daniel Hurn rounding out the top three.

Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Rounds 4 and 5 Results

Round 5, October 10-11

Ron Suor got the Saturday win in the Big Quads/ATVs race, followed by Abe Martinez in second and Ransom Martinez in third. Suor turned in a weekend sweep by taking the overall win again on Sunday. Scott Yarber got second and Ransom Martinez made another appearance on the podium with another third-place finish.

Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Rounds 4 and 5 Results

The Saturday Big UTV race was exciting, with Chris Leaming eventually taking the win by 4 seconds over Paul Obrien. Abe Martinez rounded out the top three. It would have been hard to imagine going into the event, but the final race would end up being one of the closest finishes in AZOP history. Starting from the back of the field in the naturally-aspirated class, Bo Radavich worked his Polaris RS1 through the field and avoided potential issues all over the course to eventually finish first on elapsed time with a margin of victory of only 0.04 seconds!

Jeremiah Scott took home second place honors and Neil Carse took third.

Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Rounds 4 and 5 Results

Despite the severely condensed schedule dictated by COVID-19, there are still plenty of racing opportunities left in 2020. AZOP will be holding as many events as possible over the last two months of the year.

Fast Friday | AZOP 2020 Payson Rounds 4 and 5 Results

For full race results, videos, and photos or to find out about upcoming events, visit www.azopracing.com.

 

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UTV News Editor