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/126986
Husqvarna rider Garth Sweetland took third place in Laughlin to finish second overall in the three-race "Best in the Desert" Series. Nevada's Barry Frehner rode his Suzuki to'first place in the 2500c class and finished fifth overall. ' too much and I had to stop for water. " Ashcraft's trouble-free ride con-' tinued all the way to the checkered flag. After 105 miles of the .toughest .terrain Nevada can offer, the Honda pilot powered across the finish line to take the win almost five and a half minutes ahead of Griewe. "That's got to be the' "toughest course I've ever ridden," Ashcraft said. "It was a really great race but I'm so tired I can hardly stand up. Casey (Folks) always lays out a tough course but usually he'll put in a few roads so you can rest. I guess he forgot to do that today!" The race also took its ,toll 'on second-pJaced Griewe, who thanked Kawasaki .Motor Corp., Answer, Silkolene, International Motorsports all,d his wife and mom and dad. "I can't even walk right now," he said, sitting on the ground besides his Kawasaki. "I twisted my knee halfway 'round the first loop and by the time I got to loop three I was ready to give up. That was really hard work and I'm happy just to finish." "It was tough as usual - very tough," was the comment from Team Husky's Sweetland who claimed third overall. ''I'm happy with my finish - I just wish I'd got. a better start. I was running about seventh at the bomb and it was just too much distance to make up." Sweetland's finish gave him second overall for the three-race series. "That feels really good," he said. "I missed one of the r-aces and Kevin Steele raced and finished all three of them, so I think I did pretty well." Sweetland was followed in by Open Honda rider Sean "I fell over a lot but it was okay apart from that" . Steele, and Barry Frehner held on to . take the 250cc honors in fifth overall. "It was ultra tough but I had a great ride - trouble free," said Frehner, who was so tired he could 'hardly stand up after racing all-out for the last 25 miles with a lapped 250cc rider that Frehner thought was still in contention for the championship. "I thought he was going to beat me, so I gave it everything I'had," said Frehner, who thanked Georgia Racing, Las Vegas Suzuki and Rex Frehner. The second 250 to cross the line was a Husky piloted by Cagiva/ Duralube/EP Performs/Sportsman Cycle-sponsored Scott Morris, whose seventh overall finish gave him the overall series win in the 250cc division. "I got really sick after the first loop and a half and I was just hanging on after that," Morris said. "I've had the flu for a while and I think it was because of that. My nose got totally clogged up too, so I had to breathe tJu'ough my mouth in all that dust. What a race!" Third place in the 250cc division was claimed by Husky pilot Darryl Folks, who thanked Nevada Blasters, Cagiva N.A., Duralube, EP Performs, Sportsman Cycle and his girl friend. . "It was very demanding," said , Folks. "I got a back flat righLoff the start and wore myself out trying not to lose time with that. It was one of the only desert races I've ever ridden where all I wanted to do was finish. " Husky pilot Bryan Folks was out in front of the 125s as he crossed the finish line in 10th overall. "The first part of the race was 'the worst 20 miles I've ever had in a race," said Cagiva/Whisky Pete's/ 'EP Performs/Kal-Gard/Sponsman Cycle-sponsored Folks., ,"I crashed four times really hard arid got a flat. It was long, rough and tiring, and it w.as so hot I thought I was going to pass out a few times. I stopped to drink water for a long time before I started the third loop." Second 125 went to John Braasch Jr. who thanked O'Neal, Alhambra Yamaha, Yamaha Support, KalGard, Arai and fellow 125 pilot Kevin Case for lending him a sprocket. "The 125 was the perfect bike for the course," Braasch said. Case brought his T&O Yamaha/ Dallas Baker/Smith/Hallman/ Cycle Shack-sponsored Yamaha Bryan Folks of Nevada piloted his 125cc Husqvarna to first place in the 125cc Pro division; he finished tenth overall. home in 23rd overall to claim third in the 125 division, despite riding 51 miles with no rear brake. "It wasn't anything like a District 37 course where you go wide open for 10 miles," said Case. "I went wide open for about 10 yards at the mostl" The Over 30 Pro class was won by Valley Plastering/Malcolm Smith/Smith Goggles/Arai/Ascer- , bis/Yamaha Support/VP Racing Fuels'/Renthal-sponspred Scot' . Harden in ninth overall. "I started about nine minutes behind some of the Open bikes so I got about the fifth fastest time in the race," said Harden. "They're not going to adjust for starting times, but I'm really happy with'my ride. The course was primo - really tough and, t.he heat made it even tougher." Harden's nearest competition came from Lee Pearson, whose 12th overall finish gave him the Vet class win for the three-race series. "Harden may have won the battle but I won the war," said Pearson. "What a course! You had to be a real animal to finish this one." . Third in the Over 30s went to Pete Sheehan in 21st ov.erall. The Over 38 Pro division was won by Jerry Brown who brought his Husky home in 35th overall, with second going to Edward Sivon. Edward Hooper' claimed third overall in the class. Husky pilot Joanna Brownell was the only woman in the raoe and finished 51st overall, and Paul Doebereiner took the Sportsman's class in 19th overall. "I had a great time 'and I can't wait' to do it again" said Doebereiner. "Maybe not tomorrow though, some time next week would be quite soon enough!" • Results 01 A: 1. Dan Ashcraft (Hus); 2. Don Griewe (Kaw); 3. Ga,!h Sweetland (H,us); 4. Sean Steele (Han); 5. Barry Frehner (Su<); 6. Brad McLeod (Han); 7. Scott Morris (Hus); 8. 'Paul Oslba (Han); 9. Scot Harden (Yam); 10. Bryan Folks (Hus); 11. Kevin Steele (ATK); 12. Lee'Pearson (Hus); 13, Daryl Folks (Hus); 14, Mike Powers (Han); 15. John Braasch Jr. (Yam). OPEN PRO: 1, Dan Ashcraft (Hus); 2. Don Griewe (Kaw); 3. Ganh Sweetland (Hus). 250 PRO: 1. Barry Frehner (Suz); 2. Scott Morris (Hus); 3. Daryl Folks (Hus). 125 PRO: 1. Bryan Folks (Hus); 2. John Brraasch Jr. (Yam); 3. Kevin case (Yam). WMN PRO: 1. Joanna Brownell (Hus). OVER 30 PRO: 1. Scot Harden (Yam); 2. Lee Peareon (Hus); 3. Pete Sheehan (KTM). OVER 38 PRO: 1. Jerry Brown (Hus); 2, Edwerd Sivon (KTM); 3. Edwerd Hooper (Yam). OPEN SPTMN: 1. Paul Doebereiner (Han); 2. Kevin Andrade (Han); 3. Floyd Bradley (Hus). 250 SPTMN: 1. Frank Smith 15u<); 2. Terry Stuthman (Yam); 3. Scott Hammond (Yam). 125 SPTMN: 1. Ron Haigwood (Kaw). 31