Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

.. '.~., : : . ~., : ~ :.', .. :.-. Rounds 1-2: Crooms State Motorcycle Park ~~~ever L-....:....:...:=:...:..:..: ~=....::.:..:.::.==~:.:.:.:...:..::.::...:=~::.:'.....\ Young Pho tos by Mike Bell BROOKSVILLE, FL. MAR 19-20 hey say that if you break a mirror, seven years of bad luck will follow. Though most of Ryan Young's competition would deny breaking a mirror six years ago, it looks as if 1994 will be another lon g an d dr y. seaso n for all but Young. Though he admi tted that he only spent five hours practicing aboard his Gas-Gas during the off-season, six-time Na tional Champion Young mad e it look easy . as he bal anced, bounced and climbed his way to a pair of convincin g w ins at the opening two ro unds of the AMA/ NATC National Ch am pion ship Observed Trials Series. Crooms State Motorcycle Park played host to the double-header, and a wide variety of terrain greeted the competitors. Old abandoned limestone mines, sand, and lots and lots of oak-tree roots gave the Florida Trials Association plenty of obstacles to include in each section. The limestone pits provided some ra ther scary climbs and drop-offs. A full field of 79 riders showed up for Saturday's opening round to be challenged by new standards, with each section laid ou t accordingly. In compliance with NATe guidelines, the. Support class lines were rather moderate, while the Championship class riders were routed over lines that were even more challeng. ing than in the past. In order to become more competitive with the d ominan t European riders , all agree that the Americans must push themselves pas t their present limits. The 3.B-mile long loop was marked well for riders and spectators alike. Each of the 14 sections was spaced far enough apart to allow th e riders to catch th eir breath and gather their though ts before tackling the next trap . The first few sections were laid out on the easy side, as riders need ed a warm-up after the long off-season. The sections became progressively more difficult, and by the time the riders reached section 12, affectio na tely known as Wild Hog Wallow, things had toughened up considerably. The mosscovered limestone banks and deep, boggy mud took their toll. Section 14 featured a spectacular jump across a deep ravine which tested the mettle of all on hand. With an unbelievable first-loo p score of only 10 points, Young set the stage for the weekend. After two additional loops, Yo u ng had still only added 16 mo re points, and s tood atop the field with a score of 26 for the day. likable Beta pilot, Geoff Aaron, was second with 58 points. In the Expert class, local boy John Stites pulled the trigger and bagged his first win of the season with a sco re of 42. Stites seemed to find traction where his competition could only dream .of doing so. Chris Bard ell di d his best to kee p pace with Stites, but had to settle for second. In the Sportsman class, Floridian Mark Waller nabbed the win and proved that the home court player still has an advantage. Sunday's even t saw a field of 75 riders and, once again, a 14 section, 4.1-mile long loop faced the competi tors. Section one sp orted a log that hung over a gully, and the riders used it as a high kicker before making flip-turns off the edge of a nearby drop-off. Section two was called the Gator Hole, and was located near a marshy bog. Rid ers had to T negotiate slippery off-camber turns, slimy downhills and deep sand. Section 11 was known as the Grand Canyon and proved to be a major challenge for the riders. In order to exit the section, the Championship class riders had to climb a nearvertical wall After flipping backwards, Ron Commo Jr. shouted some expletives, and from then on the section was called "that damn wall." Young was the only rider to clean the section all day long. Section 14 featured many man-made obstacles, such as large tractor tires, gian t cable spools, and numerous logs and boulders. After a slew of top riders failed to negotiate the section, it was thrown out of the day's program. After a long, dusty day, the point total proved to be much higher. Once again, Young came out on top with 79 points. Aaron was second with f51.5, and appears to be Young's main threat for the 1994 title. The Expert class was topped by Florida State Champion Stites, while Steve Clark topped Bardell for second The Sportsman class was again topped by Bardell, while Stephen Dolan nabbed his second runnerup finish of the weekend. a Crooms State Mot orcycle Park Brooks ville, Florida Results : March 19-20 (Round s 1&2 of 9) Solunl.ay CSHlP: I . Ryan Young (26); 2. Geoff Aaron (58); 3. Raymond Peters (64); 4. Jess Kem pkes (88); S. Lonnie HaI1su:d (103.5). EX: 1. Jack Stites (42); 2. Chris Bard ell (100); 3. Steve 0arIt (102); 4. Jeff Pigg (119); S. R \.egg (138) . SI"l'SMN, 1. Marc Waller (9); 2. Stephen Dolan (17); 3. Mike Huddleston (26); 4. Carl Hal1 Jr. (36); S. Daniel HoI_ (44). SR J(k I. SIrphen 0eIuIe (26); 2. Ton y Bussing (33); 3. Jim Zigan (37); 4. Mark Roll (46); S. Ken Farler (56~ Sit ]So 1. Brock Dattelmeier (6); 2. George Brinkwart (21); 3. Mark Sturtevant (33); 4. B. Benjamin (37); S. Jim Snell (38). Sl!. 4Ik 1. G. Sampsel (13); 2. Keith Adam (27); 3. Brian Short (40); 4. David Karst (40); S. Dave Waldo (42). S R 45: I. GonIon Bowden (31); 2. Larry Lund (61); 3. SiaM")' Bollinger (72); 4. JimWatson (76); S. Paul Crowder (105). Sit 5(k I. Bill DeGaris (17); 2. Dale Malasek (19); 3. Jerry Young (19); 4. Stan Hensley (92); Leo O'Shea (132). 55: 1. Bill Thompson (57). S R 60: I. Pete Keen (51); 2. HanleySlayton (109). HJSCH~ 1. William Bales (62); 2. Ben Smith (110). sa Sund ay CsHIP: 1. Ryan Youn g (79); 2. Geoff Aaron (875) ; 3. Jes s Kem pk es (95); 4. Raymond Peters (tOO); S. Ron Commo Jr. (125). E)(, 1. Jack Stites (55); 2. Ste ve a uk (71); 3. Ch ris Bardell (108); 4. JeffPigg (115); S. Gerry Hoover (124). SPTSMN, 1. Marc Waller (Zl); 2. Step hen Dolan (31); 3. Mik e Huddleston (31) ; 4. Dan iel H olton (49); S. R. Bertrand (61). S R J(k 1. Stephen Oehrle (28); 2. Jim Zigan (53); 3. To ny Bussing (55); 4. Pa ul Barrows (67); S. Ken Farler (10). Sit 3501. Brock SattJ

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