Barnes Tops Missouri OMA
I
t was clear the motorcycle rac-
ing community in the Midwest
was ready to get back to it with
a large turnout for the open-
ing round of the OMA Nationals
series in Memphis, Missouri, May
23-24, originally slated to begin
in late March in Prophetstown,
Illinois. The Rock River Arms Ole
Sarge XC, held on the Kirkpat-
rick land, saw a line for sign-up
stretching halfway across a field.
Registration for nearly 300 riders
of all ages took some time, but
everyone waited patiently for the
racing to begin. A total of 131
racers lined up for the afternoon
main event under clear blue skies
and temperatures in the upper
70's. When the green flag for the
Pro-Am class flew, there were 24
racers launching their machines
toward the first turn, with factory
Beta rider Cody Barnes (Moose
Racing/Kenda) grabbing the
holeshot from the inside. After
two hours and five minutes of rac-
ing, Barnes took the checkers for
victory, followed by Logan Kittock
(Husqvarna/UFO/Hoosier), with
Colt Converse (Yamaha/Moose
Racing/Team Mercer County)
collecting third place.
The course was a mix of very
high speed, open lanes and
grass track sections interspersed
with flowing single track and dirt
that was quite moist and tacky.
The top five Pro-Am riders were
running laps in the 18-minute
range, with Barnes dipping to the
low 17s on four of his seven laps.
IN
THE
WIND
P16
Cody Barnes led
from start to finish
at the Rock River
Arms Ole Sarge XC in
Memphis, Missouri.
PHOTOS: JOHN GASSO
