Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

EVENTS -Edited by Keith Bush Western Four-Stroke National Sound of Thunder MX Series, Final Round (Left) Knot's Lance Small pumps his fist In celebration efter wrapping up the AMA Western Four-Stroke Natlonal-MX Championship in Colorado. (Middle) Mike Young had the title In the bag until his HUsaberg quit running two laps from the finish. (Bottom Left to right) Series champion and rsce-day winner Lance Small, thlrdplace Scott Myers and runner-up Gordon Ward. of them wanted to shut down first, but it was Smail who had the advantage on the inside. But sneaking'in on both riders was Myers, who blasted into the lead just one tum later. Smail tucked in behind him with Young in third. Behind the trio followed Ward, Dymond, Campbell, Sandell, Destry Abbott and Drey and Gary Dircks, in that order. Smail darted to the inside of Myers for the lead in tum three. By lap four, Smail had pulled out a 10-second cushion over Myers. Young was sizing up Myers, knowing that a second-place finish would be good enough for the title. Young was taking his time, knowing that he owned his destiny. At this point, things looked good for the Husaberg rider. Young finally got what he was waiting for when Myers went too wide in a tum, giving Young the inside line for second. There was no need for Young to try to catch Smail, for second place would clinch the title. Myers would start dropping back with brake prob- By Don Schneider \0 0\ 0\ ~ 00 ~ l-< Q) "S .f:! 0.. ~ 44 GRAND )UNmON, CO, SEPT. 1 he final round of the AMA Western National Four-Stroke Series rolled into Colorado and only seven points separated the leader, Husaberg's Mike Young, and KTM's Lance Smail as they went into the last two motos. Young knew exactly what he had to do to get the title - finish no worse than second in both motos. That would ensure that even a pair of ones by Smail would not prevent Young from taking the championship, even if by a single point. As it turned out, Young was sitting pretty for the championship at one time, but for him, the series was simply two laps too long. A mechanical failure at just the wrong time in the second mota saw the four-stroke title pulled out from under his feet. Young's loss certainly was Smail's gain, as the KTM rider romped to victory in both motos to take the crown. Ending up second on the day was CCM rider Gordon Ward, and third went to ATK's Scott Myers. Excitement and. nervousness filled the dry air in the 100-degree Colorado heat. From the drop of the gate in mota one, Smail was quickly in control. His Tom Moen-tuned 620 KTM hooked up and led all the way down the start chute. Following Smail around the first turn was ATK's Scott Myers. In third chased Husaberg support rider Gary Dircks, while CCM's Gordon Ward, Husaberg's Micky Dymond, newly squired CCM rider Kip Sandell and White Brothers Honda-backed Drey Dircks settled in behind. Young gated poorly and was barreling down on Dircks. W~d wasted no time zapping Dircks as he flat-tracked it past the Husaberg rider. Young had his work cut out for him and began his rally to the front. Young carved his way around both Sandell and Drey Dircks, netting him two positions. Sandell and Dircks had gotten together, which allowed Young an easy pass. CCM-mounted Ted Campbell also took advantage of the mishap and followed Young around the two. Young pulled to within three seconds of Gary Dircks, Drey's brother. Young pursued Gary Dircks for one whole lap before making his move, but blew through a berm moments after passing Dircks at the bottom of a hill, giving Dircks his position back. However, that wouldn't last for long. A few turns later, Young motored by Dircks again for fifth. lems. When the two-lap board came out, Young saw his sure title go up in smoke. His Husaberg suddenly began running sour. Young approached the white flag, went around the right-hander at the mechanic's area, and the motor just quit. Young took off his goggles and pushed.. his bike up -to the finish-line area and collapsed in disappointment. Smail circulated the track and crossed the finish line - as the champ. Following Smail across the line were Ward, Myers, Sandell, Drey Dircks, Abbott and James Loh. Dymond's Husaberg also died on the last lap when the spark-plug cap popped off. Later on it was discovered that Young's bike had suffered an ignition failure. Colorado MX Grand Junction, Colorado Results: September 1, 1996 (Round 8 of 8) MOTO 1: 1. Lance Smail (KTM); 2. Mike Young (Hbg); 3. Gordon Ward (CCM); 4. MiCkr Dymond (Hbg): 5. Scott Mye.. (A TI<); 6. Kip Sandel (CCM); 7. Gary Dircks (Hbg); 8. Orey Dircks (Hon); 9. Deslry Abbott (KTM); 10. james Loh (Hon); 11. M. Karl""n (AA); 12. G. Cams (Han); 13. j. Cook (KTM); 14. M. Schenk (!

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