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/127792
MOTOCROSS Mammoth Lakes, California 29Ih Annual Mammoth III riding for the first time since injUring his knee in a horrible crash at the St. Louis Supercross. Also on hand were Hnnda of Troy's Mike Craig, Casey Lytle, Jeff Willoh, and team manager Erik Kehoe, Team SplitFire/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki's Casey Johnson and Chad Pederson, Team Green's Dustin Nelson, Brock Sellards, and Robbie Horton, and a host of National privateers .like Rich Taylor, Scott Myers, Spud Walters, E.J. Wright, and Tony Amaradio. Team Green's off-road hero Ty Davis was in attendance as well and a definite threat to win any race he entered, but poor starts held him back most of the time - except in the Open Pro races where he finished second overall to Hughes. Yamaha's Doug Dubach's presence was also felt all week long as he finished second in the Vet Pro race and third in both the 125 and 250cc Pro races. The Mammoth MX had over 1300 entrants this year, and some of the Junior and Novice classes had up to five divisions of 30 riders trying to qualify for that elusive trip to th.e main event. If a class had numerous divisions of riders, they would have to qualify out of two heats into a single Supercross-style main event - one shot at glory, no second chances. If a class had enough for just one division of riders, they would have an outdoor National- tyle format, where their two moto finishes were added together for a final lowest-scorewins tally. The weather was absolutely stunning and perfect for the actual race days, but wild weather beforehand was the talk of the pits. It was overcast and threatenirlg on Monday and Tuesday's practice days, but Wednesday all hell broke loose as rainshowers turned to light snow. It was too warm for the snow to actually stick around for Thursday's Vet By Cameron Coatney Photos by Kinney Jones MAMMOTH LAKES, CA, JUNE 27.3lJ otocross racers and families alike come from all over the country to the yearly running of the legendary Mammoth Motocross. Most families and riders in attendance make a vacation out of the trek into the beautiful Mammoth Lakes area, and this year was no exception as a warm, family atmosphere was felt throughout the pits and community alike. Team Kawasaki's E,yan Hughes carne to Mammoth to get ready for the rest of the upcoming outdoor ational season after being sidelined for most of it with a jaw injury, and turned his training vacation into his own little holiday by winning th.e Open Pro and 250ccc Pro divisions and finishing second to Team Honda of Troy's Mike Craig in the volatile 125cc Pro division. "1 felt pretty good this weekend," said Hughes of his warmup races. "I'm really stoked with the way things went and how 1 rode, so now I'm going to try and carry this momentum into the Red Bud National and the rest of the outdoor season." 14 . With a break between AMA National Championship 125/250cc Motocross Series, many top pros were. in attendance and elevated the level of competition to the highest it has been in years. In attendance were Team Kawasaki's Hughes and Damon Huffman, who was (Above) Team Kawasaki's Ryan Hughes used Mammoth as a warmup for the rest of the AMA Nationals, winning the Open and 250cc Pro classes, finishing second In the 125cc Pro class. (Right) Team Honda of Troy's Mike Craig wasted no time In taking the lead In the 125cc Pro class and walked away with the win.