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/126940
Bronze Boot winner Damon Bradshaw (68), Steve Herman (7), Chad Pederson (315) and Jason Schultz (711) go for the holeshot at the start of the motocross race. In the stadium motocross event, Ezra lusk (298) leads Billy Cantroll (76), Patrick Slade (28) and Chris Brown (364). The 15thAnnual Yamaha Winter Olympics Bradshaw, Lizzar lead Olympic parade Stadium Style MX By Mike and Anne .Adair GAINESVILLE,.FL, NOV. 25-29 Damon Bradshaw and Kenny Kizzar took top honors in a field of over 1700 combined rider entries from 38 states, today, in the 15th Annual Winter Olympics at Gatorback Cycle Park y . 6 h IMX F IS ama a ox COlt USA/Barr-sponsored Bradshaw earned the highest point tally in great job keeping the bikes going and we had luck on our side." Hi-Point manager Jack Pentc;,", who presented the award, said, "Bill West and his World Sports staff do a great job making this a good family event." . Tennessee's Kizzar rode his Barr/ ScottlPJ-IIYamaha in the 250cc B class, amassing the highest point tally in the Amateur division earning the Scott USA Golden Goggles award. "This is a really important win," said the winner. "I want to especially thank my dad, Beauford Kinar for all his help with the bikes. Bevo Forte, who presented the award from Scott USA, said, "This is my favorite event of the year. In addition to the highest level of racing, the staff offers a lot of fun for everyone. Bill West provided roasted turkeys for a covered dish Thanksgiving dinner and Tip Tipton barbequed a pig the following night. You just can't beat it.ยท' This year's Yamaha-sponsored, AMA-sanctioned event pitted the best from the East and West against one another in four exciting events: stadium-style motocross, "IT, motocross and cross country. The Olympiad Champions, jeff Dement, Ezra Lusk, Brian Swink, Bradshaw, Chris Coleman, Langford, Steve Childress, Brad Jimison, Tony Bullard and Bob Bean, received a Yamaha 50cc Riva Razz machine and assorted merchandise from Scott USA, Hannah Racing, Gear Racewear, Hi-Point, Answer, Gold Belt and Dunlop. Yamaha Racing Division's Clark Jones elaborated, "We feel a need to support good amateur racing and this Winter Olympics event was the best ever. In 1987 Yamaha will increase the "Yarnabuck" contingency prosram back to 10 places, starti ng with the Florida Winter AMA Series." the youth division to earn the HiPoint Racing's Bronze Boot award for a record third time. "I just rode one race at a time" commented the North Carolina ;ider. "Dad did a Gatorback's stadium circuit was lengthened for the 1986 show. The lime rock surface features smooth straights, linked by challenging turns and multiple jump combinations. The technical nature of the course and "first day fever" contributed to a higher than usual injury rate, knocking several favored riders out of contention for the event. Dave Coombs made course changes to minimize the injuries, but the circuit's hard surface took its toll. Former Olympic Champion, Dement, started an eventual flawless performance in the 65cc divisio"; topping Ryan Reynolds in both classes. The Kawasaki/Barr/Competitionsponsored rider explained, "Reynolds got a good start in the Stock class, and I had to hustle to pass him in the gatorbacks." Georgia's Lusk established himself as the 85cc 7-11 favorite by leading Patrick Slate in every lap of that class' Stock and Modified action. In the 12-13 division, Ohio'sjeromy Buehl and Michigan's Brian Swink waged a Kawasaki duel; Buehl earning a photo finish in the Stock class anda runaway ahead of Daryl Yourtgblood on the Modified. "I knew someone was behind me at the flag," said Buehl, "but I didn't dare take a chance and look back." Former Bronze Boot winner, Hank Moree, rode back from a first lap stack up for a fourthplace finish. Bradshaw topped Iowa's Chad Pedersen and Pennsylvania's Steve Herman in the tough 85cc 14-15 competition to start his clean slate. Brian Carroll ripped the holeshot in the 125cc A final, with Lowell Thompson, Mike Himanek, Mike Craig and Rich Halstead in tow. Thomson's DMC Kawasaki, however, reeled in the leader and sailed by on the tabletop, with Craig moving up to press Thompson to the flag. "I just got ~e '87 Kawasaki but it feels good and handles great," added Thompson. Craig's Pro Circult/Scon/JT Yamaha turned the tables in the 250cc A final. "Lowell and I were side by.side both times," said Craig. "Last year I broke my hand here. This is a lot better." Jason Langford, Robbie Hanson, Jay Mann, Eric Hilton, David Beckington and Marty Burn starred in 125cc B competition, with Langford and Hanson taking the checkers first and second. "I finally caught Mann in the Stock final. He was really moving out," said Langford. Yamaha/ OneaJlScott/P I-sponsored Hanson explained, "Hilton was pushing me at the flag, but I had enough lead to hold on." Kizzar romped in both 250cc B finals, leaving Steve Childres, Brandon Meredith and Mike Durbin to squabble for second. Kizzar said, "Stadium racing is my favorite and thi was a super good track." In Novice action, Brad Jimison rolled to wins in the I25cc and 250cc classes, with his Don Jimison-prepped Honda running to perfection. The new 25-plus class featured Brock Bullard literally coming from the grandstands to take the win. "I hated jut watching," Brock confessed smiling. "Kenny Kizzar loaned me a bike and suddenly I was out there going for it." John McConnell upset the even LUal Barry HigginslBob Bean railroad to cop the Senior trophy. McConnell commented, "It's truly our family's sport. We came down from Pennsylvania and our twin daughters are also competing here." TT Gatorback's one-eighth-mile short track was conceived as a fast, smooth, "IT circuit with big sweeping turns, rolling jumps. Kawasaki/Barr/HiPoint/Scott-supported Lusk rode flawlessly in the 85cc 8-11 division but had to out hustle Patrick Slate and Chris Brown. Lusk admitted later, "I still like th.e 65cc bike better, but I'm catching on to the 85s." In 85cc 12-13 action, Jeromy Buehl wicked up the throttle on his Barr/ An wer/MJ Kawasaki and tried Cor a repeat win over Brian Swink, but Swink won. Swink said, "Jeromy and Colin Edwards were ahead of me at the start and they were on the gas. It took me three laps to catch and pass them." In an intense l25cc A final, Yarna-