Red Bull Beach Scramble Returns to the Shores of Wildwood.
As the 2024 Red Bull Scramble National Championship hits its midpoint, the spotlight shifts to the sandy shores of Wildwood, New Jersey, for the adrenaline-fueled second leg of the Red Bull Beach Scramble. Positioned between the iconic piers on Wildwood Beach, the dynamic 1.8-mile circuit played host to 90 side-by-side (SXS) racers, split into 30 competitors in the SXS Pro Class and 60 in the SXS Sportsman Class.
The afternoon kicked off under cloudy skies and rain showers as seven heat races set the stage for intense battles. In the Pro Class, three heats of 10 racers each showcased fierce competition, with all advancing to the main event. Meanwhile, the Sportsman Class saw four heats where the top five finishers from each race earned a spot in the main event. Two last chance qualifier heats rounded out the lineup, adding six more racers from each heat to the Sportsman Class main event, totaling an impressive field of 32 drivers.
In the Pro Class showdown, Leaverton dominated the race by securing the holeshot and maintaining a commanding lead throughout, clinching victory with an average lap time of 3:15.548. Coletti claimed the second spot after a strong performance, while Barnes secured third place in a fiercely contested podium battle.
“I have been watching it drizzle all day, so I knew the start was going to be a major key here," said Leaverton post race. “It’s also a little bit of a tight track, so I knew it was going to take a little bumping and banging to make it through the pack. I knew the visibility was bad, so I had that advantage in the front and built a little bit of a gap. This doesn’t usually go that smoothly. It comes together every once in a hundred races you do, so I’ll take it for this time."
The action heated up in the Sportsman Class, with Smith emerging victorious after a strategic climb to the front with an average lap time of 3:27.134. St. Martin and Merryman followed closely, claiming the second and third spots on the podium after displaying remarkable skills and determination on the challenging course.
“This year was so rowdy," said Red Bull pro driver Seth Quintero. “Last year, the event was new, it was our first time here doing it, and this year, everyone came out. It was pretty wild. We were all battling each other as hard as we could and sending it as hard as we could. It was an amazing time. Next time, we just need to put some tearoffs on our helmets."
2024 RED BULL SCRAMBLE SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OVERVIEW
Red Bull Beach Scramble marked the third event in the 2024 Red Bull Scramble Series National Championship. Leaverton remains in the top spot on the Pro Class overall leaderboard after competing this weekend, amassing a total of 285 points. Jones moved into second in the standings with a total of 156 points after finishing sixth this weekend. With three different winners in the Sportsman Class so far this season, there is a three-way tie for first between Kaden Isodella, Reece Fulham, and Smith at 100 points.
The remaining 2024 schedule features four unique locations:
• June 22, Red Bull Solstice Scramble in Wasilla, Ala.
• October 12, Red Bull Farm Scramble in Garwin, Iowa