Ferderer Wins Badger Brawl, Secures 2019 Championship

Nathan Ferderer became the first AA rider to win two Hoosier Off-Road Border Battle XC main events in 2019, dominating the Badger Brawl at CMJ Raceway in Hixton, Wisconsin. By virtue of his 60 point score at the event, which was a double points race, Ferderer also locks down his second straight AA Championship which will pay him an additional $1,000 following the season finale in mid-September

Round four marked the series’ first visit of the season to Wisconsin, highlighting key matchups in several classes between riders from the neighboring Gopher and Badger states. The crew from CMJ raceway provided an outstanding course with miles of fresh trail that does not get utilized during their multi-event summer schedule. Mild temps, low humidity and perfect soil conditions also made navigating the many elevation changes that overlook Interstate 94 and surrounding farm land as fun as they were demanding.

Nate Ferderer

“It was a really good day for me. It was a so-so start, I think fifth place. There weren’t a lot of passing opportunities but I just tried to be aggressive and stay on the guys and force them into mistakes. About three-quarters of the way through the first lap I got out front and after that I just started to cruise and click off laps.

I really felt good today, just jelled with the bike and jelled with the tail. I really had a lot of fun, this is the most fun I’ve had at a hare scramble in a long time, years and years. I actually don’t enjoy racing hare scrambles, just how physically demanding they are. I usually get sick afterwards and battling with lappers, it’s something I’m good at but don’t enjoy. But today was different, primo conditions. A lot of the trail was hero dirt you could just lay into the corners, really nice ruts. The roots and rocks came up later and made it technical. A lot of elevation so you had to stay on your toes and pick your lines but I didn’t make any major mistakes and come out of here with a nice pay day and the points lead.”

Wisconsin standout JD Friebel opted to skip the National Enduro in Ohio to compete on his home turf and represented well. Friebel pulled the holeshot in the big bike race for the second time in as many rounds and led a group of 18 AA contenders into the woods. Friebel battled for a podium position with Kansas City’s Tucker Smith, finishing fourth less than a minute off his pace. It was Smith’s first start in a BBXC event and he caught the attention of many with his overall speed.

Logan Kittock overcame a bad round three in Ilinois to jump back into the runner-up spot in the championship with a solid second place finish. Kittock recently ditched his orange 200 in favor of a new Husky 125 that will make him eligible for the XC3 class in GNCC next season.

Minnesota racer Austin Pogreba made a return to the series after spending much of the past year working out of the area. Pogreba showed that his woods skills are still on point, finishing fifth, ahead of multi-time snowmobile XC champion Zach Herfindahl. Herf has taken part in several BBXC races over the past two seasons and was on had to represent his friend and sponsor Jay’s Power Center, who was also the presenting sponsor of the race.

BBXC regular Nick Swenson withdrew from the race early after struggling with focus and confidence midway through the day. Swenson has been one of the most consistent riders in the series, moving into second overall at round three. Hopefully he will be able to sort things out and finish strong at the season finale on September 15 in Indianola, Iowa.

AA Results