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/127565
eDIRTTRACK ~ AMA Southeast AmateurlYouth Regional Championship~s • rna eur sIers a ac _ a ona By Dave Hoenig Photos By Flat Trak Fotos DAYTONA BEACH, FL, FEB. 28-MAR. 1 M Promotions returned to the Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium for the 4th Annual American Motorcycle Insti tu te Southeast Amateur/Youth Regional Short Track Championships, and nearly 500 entries turned out to compete in 24 different classes. Also on the agenda was an AHRMA Vintage National which was run on Sunday (see separate coverage in this issue) and some pro racing which drew the largest turnouts for the Expert and Pro-Am divisions. But the spotlight fell primarily on the amateurs, as they got to take a shot at the slick quarter-mile before the pros took over for three nights later in Daytona Cycle Week. Florida is well known for being the land of the senior citizen, and this reputation was backed up at the meet, as the two Senior classes were the largest of all the amateur divisions. In the Senior +40 class, New England's' Norm Laviolette topped the first day of competition on Sunday, besting Jim Bauerle, Larry Daniels and the rest of the 24-rider class. Mark Froelich led Monday's main from wire to wire, while Bill Snyder and Laviolette followed him across the line. Another large field of riders competed in the Senior +30 competition, in which wins were again split between two riders. Mark Davidson topped Jay Skidmore and John Winsett Jr. on Sunday, while Jimmy Myrick won at the expense of James Berry and Ken McConnell on Monday. • Ken Coolbeth topped the 250cc A main ahead of Glen Schnabel Jr. both days, but could only manage a Sunday win in the Open division. On Monday, R.J. Overholt held off the smooth Coolbeth to post an exciting win. Morgan Coolbeth was conistent, placing third in the Open class both days. Schnabel redeemed his runner-up performances by collecting two wins in the U5cc DTX competition, and adding a Monday victory in the 250cc/Open DTX class and a Sunday win in the 125cc class. Roger Lee Hayden was the most successful Earl's Racing Team rider, capturing a total of four wins. Tommy Hayden backed up his little brother by nailing down two· victories in the 500cc class. A hard spill by Nicky Hayden on Sunday night ended his weekend early. In the Expert class, Andy Tresser dominated both days of racing on his Yamaha. Roger Durkee and Doug O'Boyle followed Tresser across the line on Sunday, while Tresser's traveling partner, Rob Damron, earned second on Monday ahead of Chad Groescup. Far and away the largest class on both days of racing was the Pro-Am division, in which Tim Myers posted Sunday's win ahead of Noah Kirkland and Chris Hart. Mike D Tommy liayden (1) scored two overall victories in the 500cc A class. Brother Roger Lee also rode well, posting a total of four wins. Andy Tresser took charge of the Expert division, riding to wins on both days of racing. Nearly 500 entries competed in 24 classes. 40