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/127678
·..AMAAniatelir Dirt Track National Lake Odessa, Michigan .:D TTRACK·· . IR Hundreds flock to 1-9 (Above left) Eleven-year-old Roger Lee Hayden won seven Nationals and three overall titles at 1 (Left) NickyHayden (69c) -96. also had a good weekend. (Above)Twelve-year-oldToby Jorgensen went undefeated all week. The young Californian won six Nationals and two overalls during racing action that featured over 600 entr ies. By Dave Hoenig Photo by Aat Trak Fotos LAKE ODESSA, MI, JULY ~ mateur dirt trackers from all around the USA and Canada descended on th e 1-96 Speedway in Central Michigan. The 1994 AMA Amateur Dirt Track Nationals featured 19 classes running on the three main ven ues of amateur dirt tracking, sho rt track, TT scrambles and half-mile. Scheduled for three days, the event was stretched to four days in order to accommodate the over 600 entries competing, which resul ted in 25 riders splitting the 57 individual National w in s. Thirteen riders posted overall wins. In his quest to become the most successful rider in AMA Amateur dirt track history, J.R Schnabel garnered five wins and two overalls. "I've won 29 now," said the 14-yearold Schnabel. "Larry Pegram won 25, but I guess he won eight more ice racing. I'll be back next year and try to pass him all on dirt." Top-rider-of-the-week was diminu- A live veteran 11-year-old Roger Lee Hayd en. The H art Racing / Fat Boy Raci ng/ Ara i/Bobb y L e w i s/ L ou' s Leathe rs /Fox/ Marlin and Recil Ha rts p on sor ed H ayden capt ured seven Nalionals and three overall titles. Twelve-year-old Toby Jorgens en, nephew of former Grand National competitor Alex Jorgensen, went undefeated all week. The California speedster came away with six Nationals and two overalls. Mickey Lane came away w ith only one win, but hi s C ind e re ll a s to r y should be in spiration al to all those struggling riders around the country who, for one reason or another were unable to attend this year's even t. After an arti cle in a local ne wspaper touted Lane's talent, his hometown of Vallejo, California, organized a picnic/raffle to send the lo-year-old to th e Na tionals . They raised $1800, which wa s spe nt on spare parts and travel expenses. Unfortunately, Lane's glass slipper broke as he was in contention for the 85cc DTX (7-11) win on the last day. A win would have given him the overall title, but his Suzuki seized, ending his bid. Lane d id win th e shor t t rac k in th e Modifi ed class . Michigan's own Bryan Bigelow d omina ted the 2505, both the DTX and Mod ified, com ing away with four wins and two overall s. Fonner national-number ex p er t Ro yal Adderson topped t he biggest class of the week, the Senior 40+. The 40-year-old Canadian won th e TT and half-mile after running second in the short track. SHORT TRACK Th e 125cc Schoolboy w in went to Jeremy Thompson as he edged Brandon Rose after bo th had wo rked the ir way around Dan Kauffman. Kauffman and Thompson hooked up again in the 125 . DTX, bu t this time they were joined by J.R. Schnabel. Schnabel took a narrow win. The 85 Mod (7-11 yrs) was an excellent race as Roger Lee Hayden led Mickey Lane, Mike Mashewske and Jake Johnson. Mashewske fell on lap seven causing a red-flag. John Spinelli led the re-start until Lane and Hayden forced their way back around wi th two laps remaining. Lane held on for the win over Hayden and Johnson. Jeff Randolph, J.R . Schnabel and Nicky Hayden were locked in a battle fo r the 500cc Mod title when Mike Williams fell in turn four, bringing out the red once again. The three picked up where they left off wit h Randolph taking the win as Hayden edged Schnabel. . TT SCRAMBLES The TT was a unique track, incorpora tin g turns on e and tw o of both the short track an d the half-mile. Henry Wiles, Roger Lee Hay den and Corey Honnes battled through out the 65cc Modified race. Hayd en took over on lap six and held Wiles off for the wi n. Dennis Williams swep t the 200cc Modified class, but in the TT Scott Schnabel pushed him all the way. The 85cc (7-11) DTX featured Jacob Johnson, Roger Lee Hayden and Mickey Lane agai n . Th e lead was exchanged sever al times with Johnson topp ing Lane and Ha yden. The 500cc Mod ifi ed was a no ther competiti ve even t as J.R. Schnabel, Jeff Randolph, Nicky Hayden, Corey Clare and Dean Ma yer were all bunched together. Schnabel pulled away to w in while Randolph held on to second over Clare and Hayden. HALF-MILE With most of the overall titles on the line, the half-mile produced some very exciting racing. In the 65cc DTXclass, ' Tom Link won by a full straightaway, but fell just one point shy of the overall when Corey Honnes was moved up to fourth after second-place finisher Henry Wiles was found to have an infraction on his Kawasaki and was penalized. Thompson, Kauffman and Schnabel battled one last time in the 125cc DTX race with Kauffman coming out on top this time. It was brother against brother in the 30+ Sen ior class when Mike Babka Jr. . kep t his record perfect as he held off hiS brother Tim for the win. Richard Washak rode alone in third. The 400cc Mod was next off the line, and there was an eight-rider tussle over - - - - -- - Continued on page 57