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/126943
Honda-mounted Guy Cooper (15) almost bailed in the first 125cc Pro moto. "It's a miracle I saved it." said Cooper. He finished second overall. Suzuki's Bob Hannah captured the win in the 250cc cia.., beating Canadian Ross Pedenon and Billy Ules. Hannah went 2-1 for the overall. Keith Bowen took the 250cc first-moto win, but in the second rouni:l, Bowen was running second when his Yamaha seized. 17th Annual Florida Winter AM MX series: Round 2 The Hurricane strikes at Diamondback By Mike and Anne Adair up." COCOA, FL, JAN. 3-4 Suzuki's Bob "Hurricane" Hannah struck Florida with a win in the 250cc Pro class in the second round of the Winter AM Series at Diamondback Park. Hannah, who split mota wins with Yamaha's Keith Bowen, said, "I misjudged the time in that I didn't make that mistake again. I concentrated on a good start and made sure that I got it." Wiseco/Pro Circuit/Hombre International-backed Fred Andrews repeated his form of a week ago with a win in lhe l25cc Pro class. Andrews, who shared moto wins wilh Guy Cooper, said, "Cooper and I had a good race in lhe first moto. It was pretty wild out there today." JoJo Keller swept lhe 500cc Pr? class for his new sponsors, Kawasaki, AXO, Scott USA and Arai, saying, "I'm feeling stronger lhis week, but still feel lhe eHect of lhe virus that plagued me at Gatorbilck." Wealher was a big factor in lhe outcome of the Yamaha-sponsored, Beach Sportcycle-promoted, event. The black sand track at the Brevard .County Orr-Road Park has been described as one of the toughest courses in lhecountry and a steady downpour added to lhe challenge. Promoter Tim Buffaloe said, "My brothers Rod, Scott, and I worked for weeks rebuilding the old jumps to increase the track's length and make lhe track right. The riders deserve a better break lhan this slop." Cooper narrowly saved his opening 125cc holeshot. The Oklahoma native explained later, "I got the jump on Andrews, (Ronnie) Tichenor, (Vince) DeVane and (Carroll) Richardson but my front end let go in lhe high speed first tum. It's a miracle that I saved it." Cooper's Chuck Cooper-prepped Honda held the lead through lap five with Andrews and Tichenor gaining. Andrews added, "Tichenor and I were pushing each other so hard that we gained on Cooper." Cooper buried his front wheel in a rut and fell. As he struggled LO find a muddy cl utch lever, Andrews slilhered by. "I lhought I had it made," Andrews said. "Then a guy on the sidelines got in my way and messed me the first mota, let Bowen get away from me and finished second best. In lhe final moLO I made sure Cooper reeled in the slack for lhe win. He later said, "It was hard chasing Andrews in lhe slime. I lost my goggles and he kept roosting me." Tichenor deLOured off track, but reentered in time to top Barry Carsten for lhird. In moLO two, Andrews and Cooper held it wide open side-by-side over the tunnel jump with Cooper narrowly missing the fence. Andrews' Honda attacked lhe wet sand and led all lhe way for lhe win. Cooper, who kept Tichenor at bay for second, said, ..Andrews rode a good race. It's hard to beat someone who's that consistent. SuzukilMX Fox/ScottiDunlop-sponsored Tichenor collected lhird overall and remained second to Andrews in lhe series. Tichenor commented, "I tweaked my ankle today and it just feels good to have survived." The 25Occshoot-out between Hannah and Bowen was lhe most anticipated match up of lhe day. Bowen, Billy Liles and Ross Pederson hit the first jump togelher with Hannah a length behind. Bowen broke away from the pack with a good lead with Pederson taking Liles at lhe end of the first lap. Hannah worked on Liles and his Randy Bruining. prepped Suzuki moved into lhird on lap three. Hannah picked orr Pederson next, but couldn't close on Bowen. Hannah explained, "I tried to take my time and pick of[ a guy a lap, to save my goggles. I waited too long and Bowen was out of reach." Bowen commented, after taking the moto win, "Some guys are complaining about the rain, but I think this track gets better when it rains. The dry sand is sticky and grabs at your front wheel." In moto two, Hannah, Scooter Stafford, JeH Hicks and Pederson battled for lhe lead. Hannah' said later, "I lhought lhe Yamaha was Bowen, not Pederso';. I berserked it on lhe section after the jump and cleared all three whoops." Hannah opened a good lead wilh Pederson, Hicks, Bowen and Liles in pursuit. Bowen sliced through lhe wet sand, bumping Pederson from second, but Hannah ap. peared to savor lhe gooey going. Bowen's Yamaha then rolled LO a SLOp, lhe disappointed charger saying, "I wanted it bad. but the engine just blew up and lhat ended it." Yamaha of CanadalAnswerISilkolene-sponsored Pederson held the number two spot taking second overall with Joe Waddington picking his way back from eighth to finish third. The 500cc class leader JeH StanLOn was absent at the second round. Yamaha Racing Department's Larry Griffiths explained, "Je££ injured his knee in practice Friday. He has flown borne LO his docLOr in Michigan for micro surgery. K~lIer beat John Collins, Ted Van Nest and Jim Kapitan LO lhe firsttum and steadily opened a lead that would never be challenRed for lhe win.