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/127737
MOTOCROSS . Team Green Yooth National C~pionships Perris Raceway compete on the invitational supercross track. (Lett) Georgia's Robbie Horton was the top performer In the Schoolboy and 125cc Intennedlate classes. (Below) A brand n_KTMSXRSO was awarded to Mike Alessi, Who won all eight Pee Wee class motos that he competed In. Sponsor support was amazing as I<1M put up a I<1M SXR50, Team Green gave out Kawasaki mountain bikes, Woodcrest Bicycle provided class winners with GT Dyno BMX bikes, and FMF gave specific class champs new pipes. Is there an unspoken rivalry between the East and West Coast riders? That seemed to be the question of the weekend. "California needs an Amateur National like this one," said 'Fearn Green's Ron Heben. "It gives racers a chance to prove their versatility. That's why you'll see more and more East Coast racers coming west - a true champion can win anywhere." Easterners Horton and Walker proved Heben's words true as they won their respective divisions. Their wins, however, didn't come as easy as one might think. "That Eric Schnell guy is getting pretty fast," said Horton. Though Horton won the Schoolboy class, he tied Schnell in the Intermediate class after splitting wins with the Suzuki rider on Sunday. Because of the tie, both riders were given GT bikes and championship trophies. Walker had an easy time in the Super Mini class, but found the going much harder in the BOcc 12-13 year-old division, where he faced off against World Mini Champion Sean Hamblin. Walker won the Stock and Modified 12-13 year-old classes on Saturday, but Hamblin rebounded on Sunday and won the Stock and Modified classes over Walker and secured the championship in the process. "California is too busy," said Walker. "Back home .things are slower and easier." ByTonyAJessl PERRIS, CA, JULY 1-2 awasaki Team Green racers Robbie Horton and Matt Walker put their home state of Georgia in the spotlight by taking home victories in the Schoolboy, 125cc Intermediate and Super Mini classes at the GFI Team Green Youth National Championships, held at Perris Raceway. This year's event drew nearly 500 entries from ·around the nation. The twoday format held a traditional motocross on Saturday, while Sunday saw racers K (Above) Matt Walker won the Super Mini class, and was consistently fast In the rast of his 80cc races. (Right) Dennis Jonon "nlshad second overall In the 50cc 4-6 year-old class, and later won a Kawasaki mountaln bike In the post-race raffle. CoIncidenlally, It was Jonan's seventh birthday. Walker was helped out during the weekend by his fellow racer Billy Payne, who was unable to compete after breaking his leg during practice at the MammothMX. So where was the all-eonquering Ricky Carmichael during all of the action? The pits were buzzing that Carmichael was afraid to race because there was a $100 bounty offered to anyone who could beat him. "No, that's not why I didn't race," said Carmichael. "Actually, I hurt my hand at the AMA Youth Regional for Loretta' Lynn's the week before Mammoth, and I thought it best to let it rest up and heal so I can be 100% for Loretta's." Carmichael went on to say that he was glad to see Walker do the winning, and that we may see him next year on a 125 in the Intermediate and Schoolboy classes. Shane Bess added two more National titles to his resume by winning the 60cc 9-