Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

.MOTOCROSS Pleasure Valley Raceway . 1995 Suzuki RM Challenge .' By Davey Coombs JOHNSTOWN, PA, AUG. 19 uzuki privateer pros Davey Yezek and Cliff Palmer were each awarded $2000 for winning their respective classes at the Suzukis-only 1995 Suzuki RM Challenge at Pleasure Valley Raceway near Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Yezek, a local hero from Mount Pleasant, topped the 125 Pro class, while Palmer, from Oklahoma City, led a dozen other Suzukis across the finish line to win the 250 Pro class. The windfall was provided by the American Suzuki Motor Corporation, which posted a total of $72,000 in cash and contingency rewards for the RM faithful in 10 different classes. (The RM Challenge has a sister event reserved for West Region Suzuki riders.) "The competitors invited to this race qualified directly through Suzuki's national contingency program," said American Suzuki executive Joe Colombero, who was on hand for the event. "This way we don't get anY'cherry pickers who rode in the Intermediate class all year then fell back to the Beginner class today. Each invitee earned points through Suzuki's regular contingency program, and the top 15 in each class got to be here this weekend." A class win meant at least $1000 in contingency money, plus a unique Suzuki letterman's coat. The minimum prize was $150 for 15th place. "Two thousand dollars helps out a lot," said Palmer, who has been riding as an.independent on the 250cc National and Supercross tours this year after a couple oJ seasons as a KTM factory rider. '1've been privateering it all year long and this helps out a ton. It's" really good deal for guys like me." Pleasure Valley Raceway was chosen as the site for the RM Challenge event in part because track promoter / night wa tchman Jeff Cernic is also one of Suzuki's top dealers. The popular District 5 facility was r~vamped specifically for the race and several new stadium S 32 '. ~ -- ~. ....~ ~"t:".~".. , . obstacles were added to the rough, hilly circuit. The sawdust-invested design proved to be a success with both riders and the 1500-plus fans who attended the event, which.used a supercross-like format of one qualifying moto for starting positions, followed by a 20-minute-Iong main event. When the 125 Pro class left the starting gate, many felt that the race would be decided between Yezek, longtime Suzuki flyer Denny Stephenson, and newly crowned AMA Amateur National Champion Jeff Curry of Saginaw, Michi- (Top) Davey Yezek (37) was untouchable In the 125cc Pro clasa. (Above) Jeff Curry (3) dogged Cliff Palmer (29) for han the 250cc Pro mota until he was sidelined by flat tire. Palmer went on to win. (left) Though we woukl be Inclined to call It something more, Travis Pastrana's "nothing" Jump move kept him (and everyone) entertained while he smoked the 85cc (7-11) class. gan. Yezek did not disappoint, sharing the holeshot with New Englander Tony Lorusso while contenders Andre Pene, Pat Barton and Jason Sybert all hit the .deck in a first-turn pileup. Within a lap, Yezek had the lead and would never relinquish control of the race. The 20-year-old 125cc supercross contender found an early rhythm that Lorusso and third-placed Barry Carsten could not match, and he methodically built his lead. By the end of the race Yezek was out their sight, while Lorusso came across the finish line with a hardearned, runner-up finish. Stephenson was off his game early, but the Nebraskan picked up the pace toward the end and relieved Carsten of thirdplace honors. Curry had some early problems and could only muster a fifthplace showing. ' "I got a good start and pulled out a little bit of lead for myself, which was really all I needed," said Yezek of his winning performance. "I kept an eye on everyone to make sure they weren't catching me, and then I just rode my own race. I know I could have turned it up a little bit if I had to, but nobody got close. I guess getting a good start really helped because there were some tough guys out there. They were racing with each other and I just got away." "I didn't get that great of a start and the guys in front of me just rode really good," said Stephenson of the 125 Pro main event. "I got up to third behind Lorusso and by then Yezek was gone. Lorusso was going fast, too, and I didn't get a chance to pass him." When the 250 Pro class shot out of the gate, New Jersey's Carsten was trailed by Curry and Palmer at the front of the pack while New Yorker Carlo Coen was left lying in the first turn. Palmer and Carsten immediately started banging into one another in a controlled effort to lead the pack. Palmer got the better of the struggle when Carsten cross-rutted a fast uphill jump and touched Palmer's rear wheel. A spectacular crash followed, leaving Carsten at the wrong end of the pack. "He got a better drive on me going up the hill and kind of got by me," said Palmer of the crash. "He kind of came over on me like he was trying to cut me off and my front wheel touched his rear wheeL It pitched him sideways off the bike but I was still going straight." '1 got underneath Cliff, but going up that hill you have to start bending to the right," explained Carsten of the mishap. "There are a couple of kickers at the top, and instead of trying to turn on the kickers, I jumped straight. lt kicked me out to the side, and when I landed I was still sideways. The only place I had to go

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