eOFF·ROAD
e
Rodney Smith (31) led Scott Summers (left), Robert Patterson (7N) and Duane Conner (3) around the first tum. Summers passed Smith and then led him across the Hnish line.
Scott Summers opened the new season with a win at the Rattlesnake National HS.
Summers strikes at Rattlesnake
By Tom Tysl
Photos by Eric Wiegel and Tysl
SAN ANTONIO, TX, JAN. 10
cott Summers got the holeshot on
the new season by riding to a win at
the first National off-road competition of the year, the Rattlesnake Roost
Hare Scrambles.
Overcast skies and 4O-degree weather
greeted the 258 riders to the Dirt Bike
Club of San Antonio-promoted,
Kawasaki/Dunlop/VP/Spectro/Sidi/
Bel-Ray/uon Horse-sponsored event at
the Zars Ranch. A week of rain prior to
the race forced trail boss Eddie Harrison
to cut the course to only 12 miles, but the
loop was still tough, consisting largely of
virgin trails. The track snaked through
the thorn-filled brush and woods that
the area is known for, and included a
sink-hole-filled grassy section that the
locals called "the mine field." Riders
who attempted to cut the course were
rewarded with an instant "endo." Near
the end of the loop, the woods opened
up to a fast, whoop-filled sand section
that provided passing opportunities just
before the scoring lanes.
"Those of you that came here expecting a wide-open race are in for a big surprise!" said defending champion Scott
Plessinger at the riders' meeting, after
collecting his 1992 championship trophy
from the AMA's Roger Ansel. "I walked
it, and it's tight!" Row one of the start
was filled with 20 AA riders, and ISDE
gold-medalist and former MX GP star
Rodney Smith led the pack into the
woods on his Suzuki. Smith was followed by Robert Patterson, Shad
S
20
Ricketts, Duane Conner, Summers,
Plessinger, Matt Stavish, Kelby Pepper
and Clay Hoenshell. Last off the line
with a "three-kick" start was three-time
National MX Champion KentHowerton.
"I messed upon the start," said
Howerton. "I was dead last into the
woods and then 1 got excited and fell
three times on the first lap! 1 finally set- .
tie
