Heat, Humidity, and Thunder Valley – Peoria TT Recap
After three grueling nights of racing in Sturgis, Dalton Gauthier headed north to Wisconsin for a week of training with friends before pointing the van west again toward Illinois. The destination: the legendary Peoria TT at Thunder Valley.
Unlike the night races at Sturgis, Peoria was a day event, and conditions couldn’t have been tougher. With the thermometer reading 95 degrees and nearly 100% humidity, the heat was suffocating. The sun offered little relief, baking the hillside and the clay racing surface. For riders, the main goal was survival — staying hydrated, peeling off boots and leathers between sessions whenever possible, and bracing for one of the most iconic challenges in flat track racing.
Thunder Valley – A Track Like No Other
The Peoria TT has been a staple of American Flat Track since 1947, famous for its unique natural-terrain layout carved into a steep valley. At the heart of the track is the legendary Peoria jump, a 90-foot uphill launch that separates the brave from the cautious. Riders hit the takeoff in top gear, often flying two stories high before landing on the clay. Combined with tight right-hand corners, elevation changes, and a flowing rhythm section, the Thunder Valley TT remains one of the most demanding and historic venues in the sport.
AFT Singles – KTM 450 SX-F
Dalton’s day in the Singles class was a test of both speed and endurance.
- Practice 1: 0:27.763 (8th)
- Practice 2: 0:27.502 (4th)
- Qualifying 1: 0:27.632 (6th)
- Qualifying 2: 0:27.789 (9th)
- Heat 1: 0:27.687 (3rd)
By the time the Main Event rolled around, the heat was at its peak. Dalton fought hard in the eight-minute plus two-lap battle, carving consistent laps and posting a best time of 0:27.754. He crossed the line in 6th place, adding 12 championship points to his tally.
AdventureTrackers – Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro
In the AdventureTrackers class, Dalton wrestled the big Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro around Thunder Valley with skill and determination.
- Practice 1: 0:29.764 (2nd)
- Practice 2: 0:30.075 (4th)
- Qualifying 1: 0:29.684 (3rd)
- Heat: 0:30.034 (5th)
- Main Event: 0:30.127 (4th)
Despite the blistering heat and the physical toll of manhandling an adventure bike across the massive Peoria jump, Dalton kept the Tiger in contention. He finished the main in 4th place, scoring 14 championship points and proving once again that Triumph’s platform can handle one of the toughest courses on the schedule.
Championship Standings
Even with missed rounds earlier in the season due to his big crash at Senoia, Dalton is climbing the standings:
- AFT Singles: Now sits 11th overall with 75 points, just 8 points behind Chad Cose.
- AdventureTrackers: Sits 4th overall with 55 points, only 6 points away from Danny Eslick in 3rd.
Thunder Valley lived up to its reputation — brutal heat, a legendary jump, and a battle for every position. Dalton leaves Peoria with valuable points in both classes and momentum building as the season pushes deeper.
