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/127747
'MOTOCROSS Silver State Raceway 1995 Suzuki RM Cup Challenge ilver By Joan Tlearney 36 CARSON CITY, NY, SEPT. 9 t was an opportunity for the RM faithful to earn a little cash, and pri, vateer pro Scott Sheak did just that with wins in both the 125 and 250cc Pro classes at the first invitational Western Region Suzuki Cup Challenge held at Silver State Raceway in Carson City, Nevada. Actually, the California resident earned more than just a little cash, since his pair of wins netted $4000. In total there was $72,150 in contingency available, courtesy of the American Suzuki Motor Corporation, and, when all was said and done, every dime was awarded to the 150 riders participating in the event. The riders earned points throughout the season through Suzuki's regular contingency program, the top 15.RM pilots in each class earning their spot on the starting gate for the Challenge Cup. Top prize- in the Pro classes was $2000, with second place paying $1500 and third place $1000. In the other classes, a minimum of $1000 was paid to the top finisher. Counterpart to the Eastern Region event which took place in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Western rendition was well attended, with over 1000 spectators on hand to view competitive racing on a well-prepared track that offered a variety of terrain, including sand, clay and spongy loam. Like the Eastern event, the format for the RM Cup followed supercross conventions with a qualifying moto held to determine starting positions for the single race tha t would decide the winner in each class. Fresh off of the Nationals where he finished the season with a seventh overall at the final round, Sheak proved to be the man to beat in the 125cc Pro class. After chasing Greg Schnell for half of the moto, Sheak made his move and then steadily motored away. Schnell would pocket the second-place cash while Spud Walters, Ricky Ryan and fast-starter Rusty Holland rounded out the top five. In the 250 Expert class, Travis Preston nailed the start and led Rusty Holland, Scott Sheak, Justin Tiearney and Pat Gomm throughout the first lap. But by lap three Sheak had powered into a lead he would never relinquish. Preston Pete Murray, a ma1nstay of the local Southern California motocross scene, was the head of the class in the Veteran division. Murray easily handled all challengers and rode a smooth strong race to victory. Mike Johnson put in a steady second-place performance while Gary Sailors worked his way up to thirdplace cash. Eric Schnell was a busy man, competing in both the 125 and 250cc Intermediate classes. Schnell rode fast and smart to ace the 2505, leaving Terrance Malan and Danny Smith to argue over second. Malan held· on to finish in the runner-up spot in front of Smith. The most exciting race of the day was the 125cc Intermediates, with Schnell facing somewhat stiffer competition than he did in the 250cc class. Jiri Dostal showed nerves of steel to first hold off the onslaugllt of Terrance Malan and then withstand the relentless pressure of 250cc winner Schnell. Despite the After an ugly first-turn crash, Jimmy Varis captured the overall in the 80cc 1415 class over a returning Jesse Ketcham and Dustin Lenaburg. cr Silver State Raceway Carson City, Nevada Results: September 9,1995 125 EX: 1. Scott Shenk; 2. Greg Schnell; 3. SpUd Walters; 4. Rick Ryan; 5. Ru.sty Holland; 6. Donald Upton; 7. Ryan Clark; 8. TraVlS Preston; 9. Pat Gomm; 10. Dan Moore. 250 EX: 1. Scott Sheak; 2. Travis Preston; 3. Rusty HoUand;4. Rick Ryan; 5. Justin Tieamey. 80 (7-11), 1. Mikie Northrup; 2. Em;tt Kling; 3. Scott Howe; 4. Josh Moraine; 5. Bryan AJlen. . 80 (12~13): 1. Jonathan Shimp; 2. Daniel Blair; 3. William Dotson; 4. Michael Mason; 5. Matt Whitmarsh; 6. Danny Omelas; 7. B'Yan Schultz; 8. Chris Tocco; 9. Anthony Bailey; 10. Kenny Lierman. 80 (14-16): 1. Jimmy Vans; 2. Jesse Ketcham; 3. Dustin Lenaburg; 4. J.J. Cummings; S. Evan Laughridge; 6. George Lamonte; 7. Michael Patterson; 8. Jonathan Huber; 9. Tyler Wheatley; 10. Michael Hm. 125 NOV: 1. Danny Montoya; 2. Jeffed Fisher; 3. Jason David Wright; 4. Mike Harris; 5. Jason Abbott. 115 INT: 1. Jin Dostal; 2. Eric SChnell; 3. Terrance M.I1an; 4. Danny Smith; 5. Jimmy Varis. 250 NOV: 1. Jason Abbott; 2. Mike Harris; 3. Wesley Parker; 4. Ron Sharp; S. Eric WiJz; 6. ..91en Brickley; 7. (Above) Scott Shaak had a lucrative day of raclng, with vlctorles In the 125 and 250cc Expert ranks that netted a cool $4000. (Right) Leading the 80cc 12·13 ranks, Jonathan Shimp (100) _01 on to top the class. (Left)·The supercrossstyle format was comprised of a single qualifier to determine starting postlon. Here SCott Shaak makes his bid for the lead during the 250cc Expert qualifier. rode a strong second while Holland was firmly ensconced in third place. With the leading trio well off on their own, the battling during the final laps of the main took place among Ricky Ryan, SpUd Walters and Justin Tiearney. Ryan held fourth to the end, and while Walters made several bids to move into the top five, time ran out before he would be able to pass the fifth-place finisher, Tiearney. In the 80cc 12-13 class, super-leaper Jonathan Shimp won his qualifier and then captured the victory in the main. Daniel Blair grabbed second and William Dotson took the final spot on the podium. The 125 Novice class went to Daniel Montoya, while Jarred Fisher and Oscar Valdez garnered second and third, respectively. Mikie Northrup was the king of the 80cc 7-11 class with Emitt Kling handling second place, while Scott Howe was third. (Right) Jlri Dostal came out on top of the 125cc Intermediate class after withstanding pressure from both Terrance Malan and 250Cc Intermediate winner, Eric Schnell. haranguing from Schnell, Dostal never flinched and took home the top prize. Schnell ultimately had to settle for second place, while Malan finished in third. The 250cc Novice race was a Jason Abbott affair, while Mike Harris and Wesley Parker filled the podium. Jeremy Cade; 8. Travis Mullins; 9. Andy Strode; 10. Dennis Birk. 250 lNT: 1. Eric Schnell; 2. Terrance Malan; 3. Danny Smith 4. Ryan Terlecki; 5. Shawn Ellis; 6. Scott Johnson; 7. Brian Sweaney; 8. Dax Kastin; 9. Traves Gage; 10. Shawn O'Brian. VFr 30+: 1. Peter Murray; 2. Mike Johnson; 3. Gary Sailors; 4. Brett Cross; 5. Ron Sharp; 6. Mark Brooks; 7. Jon Nelson; 8. David Silvetri; 9. Robert Hansen; 10. Del Ocheltree.