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/127179
The gate drops on the 125cc Semi-Pro class and Gary Paul (35) gets the jump out of the hole ahead of the pack. . . . The Florida Supercross Countdown Series winners gather with their trophies following the final round at Dade City Motorcycle Raceway. Billy Silverole (706) wrapped up titles in the 125 and 250cc B classes. Here he leads Todd Hensley (17), Brian Broussard (41) and Carey Jones. Beckington earns two crowns at Dade City By Mike and Anne Adair DADE CITY, FL , FEB. 12 Honda-sponsored David Beckington earned the 125 and 250cc Semi-Pro crowns in the final round <;>f the Florida Supercross Countdown Series at Dade City Motorcycle Raceway. David Curry edged Kevin Seidel to capture the . .p . •I . 500cc Semi- ro Ut e. " My brother, Jeff, was lead- 14 ing the 250cc division, but he broke his collarbone Friday night in the Jacksonville arenacross. I'm ' glad that I ~as .~bl~ to kee;p the title in the fa,?~ly, said B~ckmgton. Individual Semi-Pro bonors for the day 's action went to Brian McElroy (125cc), Chris Coleman (250cc) and Keith Johnson (500cc). The AMA-sanctioned , . WorldSports-promoted, Scott USA, Brian McElroy (237) won the 125cc Semi-Pro class at Dade City, but David Beckington (878) took the titles in both Semi-Pro classas. Dunlop Tire, . Gear Racewear, Boyesen Engineering-sponsored series attracted 226 nders to Randy Yoho 's Dade City 'facility. Spectacular weather and a thrilling final round capped a successful series. In the opening 125cc Semi-Pro rnoto , Wes Keenum ignored the John Kitsch/David Beckington point deadlock and blitzed the start. At the • end of lap one Keenum led McElroy, Doug Henry , .Co lem a n , Barry Carsten and Beckington. McElroy 's WKRIAction Cycle-backed Cagiva ripped by for the eventual win on lap two. Kitsch 's machine seized and Carsten narrowed Beckington's lead with a second. McElroy said, "I thought that I was gone at the start. Kitsch whee1ied off the gate and aimed at my head." Moto two was a Coleman runaway. The New York rider led Kitsch , McElroy and Beckington off the gate and pulled away. Kitsch's bike died and was hit by McElroy. Carsten, who came up one point short of the title, explained, "I had to beat David but got a bad start and he rode well. " Honda/Scott USA /Precision Fabricating-sponsored Beckington said, " Consistency was the main factor in this series." . McElroy added, " I had the points in my head and let Chris have the moto. I am really happy with the overall win." Keith Johnson returned to racing . after a shoulder injury and shot into the lead in the first 250cc moto ahead of David Beckington, Kenny Keylon and Coleman. Coleman roosted into second place and the two New ' England Kawasaki riders battled for the lead. Johnson said.... Chris knocked me down to take the win," but Coleman's response was, "I didn't mean to hit Keith. He couldn't make up his mind which line to take and 1 tried to go inside." Coleman led from flag to flag in the final moto for the overall ahead of Johnson. Keylon, who ended up third for