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/127661
ArrowheadPond "I was caught in some lapped traffic," Gaddis said. "It was at that time when 1could feel them behind." Dubach started knocking on Gaddis's back door as the two riders railed the Pond's tight track. At the halfway point, disaster struck. Dubach went for a pass on Gaddis, and the two riders collided and went down. Gonzales tried to pass and got tangled up as well. During the commotion, Jeff Ward motored his way into the lead while Gaddis and Gonzales quickl y got back under way, leaving Dubach behind. "I was a few inches short of a really good block pass," Dubach said. "I tried to get going, but my th r o tt le cable pulled out." Ward was out front, showing the crowd tha t he could still strut his stuff. Gaddis and Gonzales attempted to challenge hi m, but time ran ou t. At the checkered flag it was an ecstatic Ward, followed by the two disappointed teammates, Gaddis and Gonzales. (Left) Jimmy Gadd is (44) won both 125 and 250cc Pro classes on Saturday nig ht. (Below) Jeff Ward (6) came out of ret irement and won Friday night's 250cc Pro race . (Bottom) James Dobb (30) topped the 125cc Pro class on Friday; Doug Dubach finished second. By Scott Hoffman Photos by Greg Newgard ANAHEIM, CA, MAR. 25-27 master of arenacross, Jimmy A Gaddis showed his stuff in both • .1.. . • the. 125 and 250cc Pro classes, rid ing his Team SplitFire/Hot Wheels Kawasakis to a pair of wire-to-wire wins on Saturday night and contributing to an all-Kawasaki sweep of the Pro classes during the Mickey Thompson Arenacross at the Arrowhead Pond. Gaddis pocketed $3000 for his efforts, which marked the first time a motorsports event has been held at the facility, the home of the NHL Mighty Ducks . On Friday night, another Team SplitFire/Hot Wheels rider found himself on the podium, but this time it was James . Dobb, who rode a flawless race to top the likes of Yamaha's Doug Dubach in ·the 125cc feature. Former National and Supercross champion Jeff Ward dusted off some riding gear and came out of retirement to take the win in Friday's night's 250cc feature. Thousands of yards of dirt were brought in to cover the normally frozen ho ckey rink. The track provided an excellent show for both racers and spectators. JiJ ..... l-< 0... < 26 FRIDAY As the gate dropped for the 125cc main event, Greg Schnell put his Suzuki e lead with Dobb and Dubach hot on his tail. Schnell quickly fell back as Dobb, Dubach and Hond a of Troy's Craig Decker worked their way past to take over the top thr ee spots. Gaddis, the arenacross veteran, found himself scrapping for position back in the pack early, but he used his experience to slice his way through the field. Up front , Dobb was on the gas wit h a clear track in front of him , and the British rider began to pull away . "I have never ridden in an Arenacross; this was the first time ," Dobb said. . It must have been beginner's luck because Dobb was unstoppable. Dubach fought hard to close the ga p, lap after lap, but he couldn't seem to make up any time on the leader. As the .laps ran down, Decker reeled Duba ch in, although his efforts were in vain for he was unable to make the pass. Gaddis's valiant efforts had moved him into the fourth spot by the fin ish, but Dobb scored the win followed by Dubach and Decker. The 250cc main started off calmly, but turned into a knock-down, drag-out brawl. Gaddis was in th e lead , w ith Dubach and Team Sp litFire / H~t Wheels Kawasaki's Pedro Gonzales battling for second place. During the opening laps, Gaddis seemed to ha ve command of the race but Dub ach quickly closed the gap .