The new sport of endurocross has been wildly popular in Europe for several years – and now, with help from Maxxis, the offshoot of supercross has moved across the Atlantic. With contestants from ten different countries, the 2004 Maxxis EnduroCross was a rousing success. Held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 27, the event was hosted by well-known broadcasting personality Art Eckman.
A nearly sold-out crowd watched as Maxxis’ Brian Garrahan and Nathan Kanney battled it out in the main event. Kanney should undoubtedly be deemed the ironman of this enduro, as the sole rider who endured 16 grueling laps before transferring to the main event. American Ryan Hughes overcame the many obstacles to win first place – and a $10,000 prize. Great Britain’s David Knight took second place after attaining a brief lead midway through the race, and Finland’s Mika Ahola finished third.
Other Maxxis riders who endured this rigorous indoor race included: Bobby Bonds, Patrick Garrahan, Robert Naughton, Guy Perrett, Lance Smail, Elmer Symons, Justin Williamson, and Heather Wilson.
Reviews for the event were overwhelmingly positive: “What started out as a peculiar spectacle quickly turned into consistently great racing action as Europe’s and Canada's best enduro and off-road riders took on many of the best U.S. riders on a course that could only be described as intense,” according to Racer X Online. Motocross.com was similarly upbeat: “The enthusiastic crowd got to witness some incredible racing from some of the best enduro riders in the world as they tried to conquer this extremely difficult course.” And with aspirations to extend the Maxxis EnduroCross into a series, Tim Clark of Pro-Motion Motorsports stated, "If the massive amount of media coverage we garnered and the positive response we received from both the riders and the fans is any indication, the Maxxis EnduroCross definitely proved to be a huge success!"
The first of its kind in the United States, this AMA-sanctioned off-road event was conducted entirely indoors, with boulders, rock fields, poles, sand jumps, and water sections among the obstacles. Maxxis is pleased to have been the title sponsor of this race for 2004, and congratulates all of the participants who helped make Maxxis EnduroCross such a great success.
