Brandon has decided to run a very limited snocross schedule for both the 2011/12 E.C.S. and I.S.O.C. Snocross Series. Last season proved highly successful as he led the points on both days until missing a race in Canada last season, falling to 2nd and a combination of no points drops and a few races left allowed him not to regain first and take 2nd in both days and a 3rd @ ISOC national in Farmington, NY. He feels his goal was accomplished there and wants to focus on a top 5 run in the 2012 AMA ATVA National quad series. We thank all our snocross sponsors for their continued support again this upcoming season.
With a few weeks off, Brandon was ready to try his hand at something different; Supercross. He had never raced this style of track with 90 degree turns, high banked berms and peaked jumps with no room for error. Brandon raced in the 90 modified class; The gate dropped and he took the field by surprise getting the holeshot and leading 2 laps before blowing through a berm and off the track. He got restarted and salvaged 2nd place in moto 1.Again in moto 2 he took the holeshot and led 2 laps before getting passed and finished 2nd again taking 2nd overall. Not bad for his first run at both supercross and the 90 mod class.
The final race of the season at the legendary Loretta Lynn Ranch was in full swing with valuable points on the line.
Brandon hoped to make the top 10 at this epic facility with his first ever visit. In moto 1 Brandon was 15th into the first turn and was able to work his way to 10th. Moto 2 came with another full gate of 20 riders and he was able to take 9th in moto 2 giving him a 7th overall finish. His successful first national season came to a close and he was able to finish inside the top 10 taking an 8th overall finish in the 90cc production class.
Brandon took on some of the best riders on the country and one of the best motocross tracks in the world this weekend and earned a top 10 finish.
Suzuki Sunday Creek - 6/30/2011 - Millfield, Ohio
Brandon ran hard at Sunday Creek resulting in a 10th place overall in the very tough 90 Production (8-15) class.
Amsoil Spring Creek Motocross - 6/2/2011 - Millville, MN
Brandon finished 9th in moto 1 and 6th in moto 2 resulting in a 7th overall, his best finish of the year. He has progressed from 11th to 8th and now 7th. He is really gaining ground in a very challenging 90 Production (8-15) class.
Can - Am Steel City - 5/19/2011 Delmont, PA
Brandon finished 6th in moto 1 and 10th in moto 2 to earn an 8th overall finish in the very tough 90 Production (8-15) class at this weekend's National event.
ITP SUNSET RIDGE,Walnut,IL-ATVA National Round #5-5/6/11
Brandon traveled west to Walnut ,IL for round #5 of the ATVA Nationals. Sunny weather and bright hopes of a top 10 finish were in line for a fast paced track in which he loves. On Friday during practice, Brandon blew his motor and we quickly changed to a backup engine. Saturday would be just as tough; a bad start put him 16th into the first turn, but he quickly moved up to 10th before he would break his rear shock and he would finish 13th. More repairs, a twisted rear frame section, he would hope for the best on Sunday. Again, a slow start put him 16th into the first turn; he wasted no time and would move as far up as 6th place but settled into 8th,a few turns before the checkers he would battle for 8th and would get passed to finish 9th and take 11th overall for the weekend. A great effort by Brandon and not focusing on the bad put him near the front in his second ATVA National appearance. He will head to round #6 in Delmont, Pa on 5/21 with hopes of a top 10 finish as he currently sits 15th in points.
Motoworks Budds Creek Mud-Fest; ATVA National-4/14/11
Brandon headed to his hometrack; Budds Creek for round #4 of the ATVA National series on 4/14 with big expectations. Lots of rain forced AMA to cancel the youth races on Saturday and to have 1 moto on Sunday. The gate dropped and Brandon charged towards the front and cut to the inside corner and found himself suddenly in a 9 bike pile up. When the mud settled, Brandon was pulled out last and started up the track in 14th place. He worked his way to 11th postion; but the field was long gone for him to even get his eyes on them. Total disappointment for Brandon where he was sure to be inside the top 10 with home track advantage. Brandon chalked it up to simply "racing" and will head to round #5 in Walnut, IL on 5/5 with hopes of a better outcome. He currently sits 22nd in points in the ATVA National series.
4/7/11
Another successful season for the 504!!It's official, another record season for Team Howards ski doo rider Brandon O'Neill as he takes second in points for both Saturday and Sunday in the jr 8-10 freestyle division. In a 9 race series Brandon competed in 8 races with some pretty impressive numbers.
| SATURDAY | SUNDAY | |||
| 15-QUALIFIERS | 8-FINALS | 14-QUALIFIERS | 7-FINALS | |
| 8-1ST | 1-1ST | 7-1ST | 1-1ST | |
| 4-2ND | 2-2ND | 4-2ND | 1-2ND | |
| 1-3RD | 1-3RD | 3-3RD | 4-3RD | |
| 1-4TH | 1-4TH | 1-4TH | ||
| 1-6TH | 1-5TH | |||
| 1-DQ |
A special thanks to Billy & Barb Howard of Howards Inc for all their help and personal attention they gave to us to help Brandon with another incredible season in snocross. Howards has been with Brandon from day 1 in snocross ;beginning in Dec 2006 where he started snocross racing the 120cc division.
4/2/11
Killinton, Vermont Final Round at Pico MountainBrandon headed to scenic Killington, Vermont for the final round of the 2011 East Coast Snocross series on April 2nd and 3rd.The snow continued to fly as spring was in the air and the season came to a close. On saturday Brandon won round 1 qualifying, in round 2 he jumped the start and was stopped at the top of the mountain to let the field of riders pass. He restarted in 9th and would work his way to an impressive 3rd place at the checkers. In the final he was caught up in a near wreck and would run off the track and return at the rear of the field in 15th.He wasted no time in 4 laps and would work his way to 5th at the checkerd flag. An impressive end of season run on the largest track in ECS history.
Sunday; the sun was shining and warm temps helped Brandon take 1st in round one, 3rd in round 2 and a third in the final of 15 riders.
With just 2 races left, Brandon holds steady at 2nd in points for both Saturday and Sunday in the 2010/2011 ECS Snocross series. Peak n Peek resort started out harsh on Saturday morning practice with bending a rear axle and idler wheel 2 laps in and getting towed off the track. A quick straightened repair held up all weekend long and Brandon won both round 1 and 2 of qualifying and taking 2nd in the final on Saturday.
Brandon took no chances on Sunday as no parts were available to replace the axle on Saturday night. He took 3rd in round 1 and a 2nd in round 2 and a 3rd in the final. With just 1 race left Brandon will head to Kilington, VT ON 4/2-4/3 for the final race of the 2012 season.
With a 2 week break from snocross and 72 degree weather; Brandon headed to the season opener atv mx race at Budds Creek motocross park. A new series for Brandon meant a new class;90 modified. Although he had a production shifter bike he managed to stay with the front runners and take 4th place in both moto 1 and moto 2 for a 4th overall. Brandon was happy with his results and knows he's gonna have to step it up to get his bike up front after snocross ends in 2 weeks. Brandon will head to Peak n Peek resort on 3/26-3/27 for round 8 of 9 in the ECS Series.
Snow Ridge didn't live up to it's name as it rained several inches all day and night on Saturday and early Sunday. Brandon took 2nd in round 1,a 1st in round 2 and squeezed a disappointing 4th in the final due to mechanical issues a few hundred feet from the checkers. The heavy rain had shorted the reverse switch and locked his sled between forward and reverse; closing for 1st place before the finish. His saving grace was lapping 9 riders twice with a pile up in the first turn.
Sunday the rain would switch to snow and Brandon came out swinging to lead 3 of the 4 laps in round 1,finishing 2nd,winning round 2 and in the final would get the holeshot and lead all 5 laps to the checkers. A great boost for his spirits after the Saturday wash out. He will have a 3 week break before the next ECS race as the season winds down for 2011
2/26/11
New Hampshire beating..Brandon headed to Salem, NH to race at the famous Rockingham Park and once again the state proved tough on his spirits. In round 1 Brandon took 1st,in round 2 second and in the final; a disappointing 14th after passing for 3rd and getting tangled with another rider and crashing.
Sunday was a new day and he once again proved he was back by taking first in both rounds of qualifying. In the Sunday Amsoil featured race Brandon placed third in the final. He will head to Snow Ridge in Turin, NY for round 7 of the ECS Series.
11 February 2011
TEAM HOWARDS Brandon O'Neill Races First JR 300cc Transition Class National, Feb 4-5, Finger Lakes Gaming, Farmington, NY
The
Amsoil Championship Snocross Series headed to Finger
lakes gaming center and TEAM HOWARDS rider Brandon
O'Neill raced in his first jr 300cc transition class
national. Brandon qualified 5th out of 12 riders
headed to the final. The snow had intensified
during the evening and would make for tough visibility
under the lights. The flag dropped and Brandon
would be 5th into the first turn with the lead pack
while being pushed to the outside lane. On lap 2
Brandon would capitalize on a riders mistake and move
into 4th position working his way towards the front.
On lap three the third place rider would crash in front
of him after the tabletop and he would move into third
place and work his way through lap traffic to take the
checker in third position. Brandon backs this
podium finish with a highly successful 2010/2011
snocross season thus far maintaining 2nd in points both
Saturday and Sunday in the ECS series. In February
2009 Brandon won the 120cc champ class division at this
same venue aboard his TEAM HOWARDS sponsored arctic cat
sno pro 120. Brandon will head to Rockingham Park
in Salem NH on 2/26-2/27 for round 6 of the East Coast
Snocross.
OSSIPEE,
NH ROUND 3 of ECS was on 1/15 and 1/16 in OSSIPE, NH. Brandon had an unusual string of bad luck on Saturday with a perfect holeshot and overshooting the double and crashed into the face of the triple. He was able to let the field pass and catch up to take 4th place. As he took the checker he was black flagged and disqualified; the tether had come unclipped from his tekvest.
Sunday started off "business as usual" with a round 1-1st, round 2-2nd and 3rd in the final. Brandon put Saturday behind and moved forward from his mistakes and misfortune.
Round 4 of ECS will head to Mirabel, Quebec on 1/22-1/23. We will skip this round and prepare for the Vision Kia Eastern Nationals on February 4 & 5th at Finger Lakes Gaming Center in Farmington NY.
PLATTSBURGH
ROUNDThe 2010-11 snocross season continued at the Crete Civic Center in Plattsburgh NY. Brandon took home second place finishes on both days. He currently has a 2 point series lead in the Jr 8-10 Saturday and is in second place in the Jr 8-10 Sunday. The series moves on to Ossipee F.D. Route 16 in Ossipee, New Hampshire for the next round.
SEASON
OPENER WIN IN VTThe 2010-11 snocross season began Dec 11-12 in E. Burke Vermont with high hopes from Brandon after coming off a 2010 quad mx championship.
The stage was set on Saturday and Brandon delivered with a Round 1 2nd place then followed by a Round 2 win as he headed to the Final. When the flag dropped Brandon charged to the front of the pack and led the field of 15 riders to the checker flag taking the win.
On Sunday Brandon again took 2nd in round 1 even after blowing his rear shocks on the 1st lap; then in round 2 he took 3rd and in the Final he was able to hold onto 4th.A great opening weekend in all, Brandon will head to Crete Civic Center in Plattsburgh, NY on Jan. 8-9.
District
7 Awards Banquet12/4/10 Brandon headed to the district 7 awards banquet in Hunt Valley, MD where he received his award for the 2010 district champion in the 90cc production class.
Pictured with Brandon is his racing buddy Haeden Wilburn who finished 3rd in points, way to go guys.
We would also like to congratulate all the quad mx riders as well who raced a hard fought season.
MID
ATLANTIC WINTER SERIESBrandon headed back to Budds Creek on Sat 11/20/10 for the first race of the 2011 MID ATLANTIC WINTER SERIES. The weather was perfect and with new competition from several states it was set to be a great race. Brandon quickly pulled out in front and never looked back; both in moto 1 and again in moto 2;taking 1st overall for the day. Way to go Brandon!!
New owners promise new excitement for the 2010/2011 season on the EASTCOAST SNOCROSS circuit. Brandon will continue to race the JR 300CC FREESTYLE CLASS and begin practicing and racing in the JR 10-13 600CC FAN CLASS. A positive attitude and lots of momentum hope to push him to the top of the field after winning the 90cc D7 quad gold championship in the 2010 season.
TRAINING
WITH THE CHAMP!Brandon attended training 10/10 with 2 time AMA pro champion Dustin Wimmer to prepare for next season, as he will be racing the 2011 ATVA national tour in the 90cc production class
2010
ATV MX CHAMPIONSHIPFinal Round 15-10/30-31 2 day racing @ budds creek, md state championship for 2010,went 2,2,2 taking 2nd overall, but a last minute decision by the race officials realized the 1st place rider had been scored in both the 70cc and 90cc class on a combined gate drop, confusing the officials, and after the dust settled, Brandon was awarded 1,1,1 taking 1st overall @ md state championship.
Brandon finished the season winning the 90cc production class championship by 187 points over 2nd place.
SAT round 1-4th,round 2-9th final dns
SUN round 1-6th,round 2-6th final 3rd
Brandon made his first podium in Belmont, NH and would be full of excitement but knew this would be his last snocross of the season to focus on quad racing. Look out next year Brandon will be ready to go and set his sites on a longer season and class wins.
SAT round 1-2nd,round 2-2nd final 6th
SUN round 1-5th,round 2-5th final 9th
SAT. round 1-5th,round 2-3rd final 10th
SUN, round 1-4th,round 2-4th final 6th
Brandon would not give up after a disappointing finish in MN and with tuning and some regional races under his belt would head to the ISOC NATIONAL in farmington,ny on 2/23-2/15/09 where he would regain momentum to win the ISOC Eastern National Championship 120CC CHAMP CLASS
round 1-1st,round-2 2nd,final 1st
To start the 2008/2009 season Brandon headed to Duluth MN. to the ISOC NATIONALS ON 11/28-11/30-08 to compete with the best 120cc champ class racers in the nation. With a new machine, mechanical problems and no chance to even test or ride the machine Brandon never gave up and captured memories for a lifetime.