The P1 Aqua X race series pulled into St Cloud, Florida for it’s second round of the 2018 race season. This location has been on the schedule for the past six consecutive years and is the only lake race for the series in the state of Florida. It was strictly an amateur enduro day ahead as the Pro racers are not scheduled to race again till the next round in St Petersburg, Florida. Alongside the P1 aqua X racers, the P1 Superstock boats would race as well to continue their season.
It would be an early start on East Lake Tohopekaliga for the racers as they prepped their crafts and got ready to do battle. The weather forecast for the day was predicted as cloudy with some sun peeking through but as history would have it, it turned out to be a complete overcast day with passing showers. This didn’t stop the crowd from attending as St Cloud coincided their Smokin’ Brews, Boats and BBQ event alongside the races.
The racers would head out to the course and all the classes would race together. Moto one kicked off and it would be Domenico Barilla in the 300 Class taking the hole shot followed closely by Jorge Morejon and Dave Davidson. As the race continued it would be Davidson who outlasted the rest and came across the finish line in the top spot. Dave made the trip all the way down from Canada for this round and nabbing the top spot in the first moto would make his travels well worth it. Kevin Sullivan had sustained some bad luck as he ran out of gas on the last turn and barely made it across the finish line to go from second to take sixth.
In the 200 Class Amanda LeCheminant would battle Scott Reeves. It was unknown if she was going to race due to sustaining a severe sprain on her ankle in Miami. LeCheminant would tough it out and get out there and rode through the pain. She and Reeves would go at each other throughout the moto. After the moto it was LeCheminant was the clear winner as Reeves received a disqualification due to his factory air ducts being pointed at his air filter.
After the first moto the P1 Superstock got their races in and the crowds got a chance to take in a BBQ contest as well as live music. The racers after refueling their crafts and making any adjustments again headed out to the course to race their second moto for the day. Kevin Sullivan learned from his previous moto and paced himself in the lead while being chased by the rest of the pack. He would be chased by his teammate Chad Saxon and it was definitely a strong showing by Team 71 out of Alabama. After the second moto it was up in the air on who would garner the overall win for the day in the 300 Class with one moto left.
Finally the final moto of the day and trophies and bragging rights were on the line. The 300 Class would see Dave Davidson out of Canada take the overall win with Yaniel Fiallo taking second and Kevin Sullivan taking third. In the 200 Class it would be Jose Gonzalez taking the top spot followed by Ben Mantal and Amanda LeCheminant taking third.
The day came to an end and the racers were happy to get three motos in unlike Miami in the first round. They now look forward to joining the Pros in St Petersburg Beach for round three next month. All are looking forward to finally getting a beach race in and hopefully the weather will bring bright skies and sunshine that Florida is known for.
