Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

.DIRT T'RACK.···..... :.:.' . AD ReglonalDirt Traek ChampionShip .~ .. Round 9: Black Hills Speedway • I (Lell) Grand NlItlonal contender Joe Kopp ran away from the rest of the field In the 750cc Expert class lit the Raptd City Regional. By Dave Hoenig Photos by Flat Trek Fotos RAPID OTY, SD, AUG. 10 ica, Washington's Joe Kopp continued to build upon his rising stardom in the AMA dirt track ranks by dominating the 750cc Expert main at the Jackpine Gypsies Regional half mile on the smooth, slick Black Hills Speedway. "This is awesome, just great. There was a lot of traction going into the turns, but you had to be real careful coming out," said Kopp. Ninety professional riders turned out for the Thursday day event; unfortunately, they may have outnumbered the spectators. The few that did brave the heat were treated to some fine racing in all five classes. Sixteen-year-old J.R.· Schnabel topped two of the three classes he entered - the 250cc Pro-Am and the 883 Harley-Davidson mains. Kenny Coolbeth Jr. held off Davey DureLle for the 600cc Expert win. Californian Shaun Russell topped Schnabel in the 600cc Pro-Am class. Georgie Price IV and Geo Roeder II led the 750cc main into turn one, But Kopp, aboard his Donahue H-D/DonnalIy Logging Harley-Davidson, made a move for the lead in turn three. "1 saw those guys go into three low," said Kopp. "1 don't think they knew there was that much traction on top. I just held on longer going in, and once I was clear I moved to the groove. 1 tried to stay consistent and hold my line." His consistency paid off with a runaway win over Price, who had a big lead over a battle between Roeder and Dale Jenneman. Tommy Colson edged Paul Lynch and Willie McCoy for fifth. The 883 Harley-Davidson main was one ~f the most competitive of the day. M John Faulkner and the honeymooning Donald Paul home in fifth. Rex Fisher got the holeshot in the 600cc Expert main over Davey DureLle and Coolbeth. But Coolbeth was on the move, taking second on lap two and the lead on lap three. Durelle followed into second on lap four and closed to Coolbeth's rear wheel on lap six. Coolbeth and DureLle pulled away with Durelle locked onto Coobeth, looking for a way around. "There was no way to get around unless he made a mistake," said Durelle. "He didn't." Fisher held off Beyer for third. Chris Links was a distant fifth over Steve Mayfield, Scott Stevens and Russ Yamamoto. Californian Shaun Russell held off the assault of Schnabel in the 600cc ProAm main. Schnabel probed for five laps before trying an outside move in turn one on lap eight. "I was afraid time was going to run out, and I wanted to try him early in case I messed up," said Schnabel, who did slide off the groove ensuring Russell's victory. Brian Thomas slipped by Steve Johnson and rode to a solid third. Steve Smith also worked his way around Johnson for fourth. In the 250cc Pro-Am, Nick Daniels got the holeshot on his new ATK. Schnabel pressed Daniels until the 'halfway point and then powered his Honda into the lead. Daniels stayed right behind, (Right) J.R. SChnabel (16L) Is pursued by Brat Beyer (98) and Jess Roeder (93) In the Harley-Davidson 883 final. SChnsbel, a P~Am rider, held off the two Grand NlItlonal Experts for the victory. (Below) Dave Durelle (58) hounded Kenny Coolbeth Jr. (31) for ~ entire dilltance In the 600cc Expert class. Coolbeth took the win. but could not mount a challenge. Ron Reimer led Rick Gray home a distant third. Smith moved around J.P. McClelland on the last lap for fifth. t:N Black Hills Speedway Rapid City, South Dakota Results: Augullt 10, 1995 (Round 9 of 12) 250 PRO-AM, 1. J.R. Schnabel (Hon); 2. Nick Daniels (ATK); 3. Ron Reimer (Hon); 4. Rick Gray (Hon); 5. Steve Smith Jr. (Hon); 6. J.P. McClelland (Yam); 7. Jamie Vollmer (Yam); 8. Jacob Latimer (Yarn); 9. Zane Amaro (Hon); 10, Mark Erickson (Kaw); 11. Mark VanZuyan (Yam); 12. Chris Curda (Suz). 600 PRO-AM, 1. Shaun Russell (Rtx); 2. J.R. Schnabel (Rbc); 3. Brian Thomas (Rtx); 4. Steve Smith Jr. (Rtx); 5. Steve Johnson (Rtx); 6. Tom Sherman (W-R); 7. Scott Deubler (W-R); 8. Josh Currey (Rtx); 9. Tun Sears (Rtx); 10. Jim Forrington (Rtx); 11. Kirk.Hamilton (Hoo); 12. Bert Marsh (W-D). 600 EX: 1. Kenny Coolbeth Jr. (W-R); 2. Davey Durelle (W-K); 3. Rex Fisher (W-R); 4. Bret Beyer (Rtx); 5. Chris Links (Rb<); 6. Steve Mayfield (Rtx); 7. Scott Stevens (Rtx); 8. 'Russ Yamamoto (W-K); 9. Kurt Boehlke (W-K); 10. Jim Rosa (W-K); 11. John> H1ebo ill (Hon); 12. Jim Sumner (Rb<). . HARLEY-DAVIDSON 883, 1. J.R. Schnabel; 2. Jess Schnabel broke on top and looked to be pulling away. Jess Roeder, Keith Jacobsen.and Bret Beyer were giving chase. By the halfway mark Roeder had caught Schnabel. "1 think I was trying to be too careful, then I saw him (Roeder) on the outside," said Schnabel. "I made sure to hold my line and I think he and Bret (Beyer) got together on the last lap-" Roeder held on for second over Beyer and a fast-closing Jacobsen. Price led Roeder; 3. Btet Beyer;: 4. Keith Jacobsen; 5. Georgie Price; 6. John Faulkner; 7. Donald Paul; 8. Dale Jenneman; 9. Jim Rosa; 10. Redl Hart; 11. John McClelland; 12. Clint Vahsholtz. 7SO EX: 1. Joe Kopp (H-D); 2. Georgie Price (H-D); 3. Ceo Roeder It (H-D); 4. Dale Jenneman (H-D); 5. TOIllDlY Colson (H-D); 6. Paul Lynch (H-D); 7. Wil~e McCoy (H-D); 8. Redl Hart (H·D); 9. Andy Tre..er (Due); 10. Jess Roeder (H-D); 11. Clint Vahsholtz (Hoo); 12. Lonny Kopp (H-D).

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