Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126512
(Left to right) Third place finisher Wayne Galvin, winner Jack Stites, and runnerup Bob Hopkins stand on a car they 'earlier had to cross - without putting their feetdownl Try this sometimeI Michigan's Bob Hopkins completes a "clean" ride over a steel baH. Stadium Trials Stites scores easy • wIn By Gary Van Voorhis DAYTONA BEACH, FL, MAR. 4 Jack Stites, fifth ranked trials rider in the U.S., led a top. notch field to the finish in the inaugural Daytona Stadium 26 Trials. Stites, riding for SWM USA, put together consistent rides to easily outdistance fellow SWM rider Bob Hopkins by 23 points in the American Observed Trials Sidecar Association sponsored event. Third went to Wayne Galvin. Bultaco rider Galvin was just two points shy of Hopkins' 128.4 and less than a point ahead of another Bultaco rider, Randy Herndon. These ten sections were ridden three times. Going into the final loop Stites had a fairly comfortable 12 point advantage while only 13 points separated the next four riders. Stites put in his best ride of the day which was also the best of the event·· until Galvin took to the course. Galvin was now in second, but not for long. Hopkins, the last rider, didn't have a spectacular ride, but it was good enough to drop Galvin down to third and push Herndon to fourth. For the machinery freaks there was plenty to look at including Ron Commo's Fantic 200, an Italian creation of which there is only one in the country. "We'll be back next year," said Curt Comer, "and hopefully we'll have the event in front of the grandstands." Comer's ride ended when his engine sucked in water on the second loop. Stadium trials began in Europe where someone took a look at American Supercross and saw trials in the same format -- artificial terrain for the riders and comfortable viewing for the spectators. The diabolical ten trap course laid out by the AOTSA and Florida Trials Association members was located in the Speedway infield near the lalte and taxed the skills of all -- to the delight of those watching. Included in the sections were a car, a huge pile of tires, oil drums, railroad ties and a very large steel ball. "I thoroughly enjoyed the event," said Stites. "The best part was 1 didn't fall once." While Stites was keeping it on two wheels, everyone else was crashing at least once. "I hope this shows the spectators what the sport of trials is all about," said Brock Sattelmeier. "This type of course lets the spectators see all the sections without having to move around and lets the riders showcase their skill." Sattelmeier injured his shoulder in a fall and withdrew from the final loop. • Results 1. JIlCk Sli,.. ISWM 3201 105.4; 2. Bob HopItil'll ISWM 1251128.4; 3. Wrvne GoMn lBuI3501 130.4; 4. Randy Herndon IBul 3491131; 5. Lone LOO\Iitt lBuI 2501 144.8; 8. Wrvne Kirt< (Bul 3501 153.8; 7. Don Wrenn (SWM 32011742; 8. Ron Commo IF." 2001 185.4.