Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

AMA Mid-South Winter Hare Scrambles, Round 1 (Left) Doug Blackwell was the overall winner at round one of the AMA Mid-South Winter Hare Scrambles series, held In Greenville, Kentucky. (Right) Mike Morris had an early lead but wound up second In Greenville. By Paul Michels GREENVILLE, KY, OCT. 20 port Cycle Racing's reigning champion Doug Blackwell picked up where he left off to take top honors at round one of the Mid-South Winter Hare Scrambles Series on a beautiful autumn day in western Kentucky. It was Mike Morris on his new Team Green/Perry's Kawasaki who had the quickest reflexes as he shot into an early lead. Unfortunately, Morris slid out about a mile into the race and surrendered the lead. KTM-mounted John Maschino took over and led briefly until front brake problems slowed his charge. "1 guess I'm gong to have to start using a front disc cover because 1 got a stick wedged in my brake caliber that left me with no front brake, so L had to stop and extract it," Maschino said. With Maschino gone, Blackwell led brlt!fly until overshooting a turn. Robert Patterson on his Sarge's Cycle Suzuki took over and led the freight train of Pro riders into the computer check tent at the end of the first 8.B-mile lap. Patterson led a host' of pros heading out on the second lap, including Morris - who also slipped back past Blackwell and another Team Green rider, Mike Sampson, who worked up to fourth from a last-place start. At lap's end, the top five remained the same except for Blackwell putting a move on Morris and coming through S l-< Q) S Q) ~ ,Z 34 the check tent in second. Sampson also kept pace with Indiana's Shad Ricketts, who came out of semi-retirement to move into fifth place. Blackwell made his move to the front as he passed Patterson about halfway through the third lap and continued out front to check in about 10 seconds ahead at lap's end. Blackwell made a quick pit stop for fuel and pulled out on lap four just a bike length ahead of Patterson, with Morris keeping pace just a second back. A dejected Sampson lost sight of the leaders when, as he explained: "These two lapped riders fell together in what was actually one of the only tight sections on the course and 1 had to just sit there and wait until they got out of th~ way. There was just nowhere to go. The trees and brush were so dense." Ricketts held on to fifth. Blackwell continued out front and stretched out his lead on second place ever so slightly. Morris slipped by Patterson when he also encountered a couple of slower riders who allowed Morris to sneak past him. "1 think the Apex Valley Riders did a good job of keeping the course technical, demanding and open to accommodate the 350-plus riders in attendance," Patterson said. "But 1 just came up on them (a pack of slower riders) and Morris got past when 1 committed and he held back." Sampson checked in about 30 sec- onds off the leader's pace with Ricketts about the same behind him. Heading out on the fifth and final lap, Blackwell enjoyed about a 10-second lead on Morris, as he did on Patterson. Blackwell stretched his lead on Morris to about 35 seconds by lap's end. Patterson kept pace with Morris, checking in about 10 seconds back. Sampson held onto fourth at the finish. Ricketts held off the advances of a hardcharging Maschino to take fifth place. "1 just want to praise the promoters for the great course and series they put on down here," Blackwell said when asked about the race. "I really enjoy these events; they.do a great job." Mid-South Winter HS Greenville, Kentucky Results: October 20, 1996 (Round 1 of 11) O/A: 1. Doug Blackwell (Yam): 2. Mike Morris (Kaw); 3. Robert Patterson (Suz); 4. Mike Sampson (K.w); S. Shad Ricketts (Suz): 6. John Maschino (KTM); 7. Tony Hendon (Suz); 8. Harvey Whitaker (Hon); 9. Wade Perry (Kaw); 10 Steven Gordon (Kaw); 11. Jeff Gregg (Kaw); 12. Bryan Adams (Kaw); 13. Mich01el Cornett (KTM); 14. Marty Stinnett (Kaw); 15. Michael Sanders (Kaw); 16. Chad Froman (Kaw); 17. Scott Marlin (K.w); 18. Todd Wilson (yam); 19. Jason Russell (Suz); 20. Jordan Moneymaker (Yam); 2]. Jeff Stoess (Hon); 22. Randall Baitey (Suz); 23. Clint Robinson (Kaw); 2"- Kent W.gner (KTM); 25. Chris Hicks (K"TM). AA PRO: 1. Doug Blackwell (Yam); 2. Mike Morris (Kaw); 3. Robert Patterson (Suz); 4. Mi.ke Sampson (Kaw); S. Shad Ricketts (Suz). OPEN Ie I. Mnk Thunnan (KTM); 2. Eddy Taylor (Hon); 3. Jason}ennings (Hon~ 4. John Bingham (Yam); S. Rod Thurley (Hus). 250 A, 1. tony Hendon (Suz); 2. Wade Perry (Kaw); 3. Steve Gordon (Kaw); 4. Jeff Gregs (K.w); S. Marty Stinnett (Kaw~ 200 A: 1. Mike Sanders (Kaw); 2. Chad Froman (Kaw); 3. Oint Robinson (Kaw); 4. Jamie Wynn (Kaw); S. John Lenard (Kaw). VET A: L Bryan Adams (Kaw); 2. Scott Martin (Kaw); 3. Kent Wagner (KTM); 4.. Rob Stephens (Hon); 5. William Short (Hon). SR Ie I. Billy H.II (Yam); 2. Paul Michels (ATK); 3. Clyde Schmidt (KTM); 4. Mike Jobe (Hon); S. O.vid Soottow (KTM). 4-STRK A, 1. Harvey Whitaker (Hon); 2. Jeff Sloess (Hon); 3. Randall B.iley (Suz); 4, Cody M.xwell (Kaw); 5. Todd Boone (Hon). OPEN 8: 1. Robert Llch (Kaw); 2. Stewart Lich (Kaw); 3. orman Richards (KTM); 4. Charles Lankford (Hus); S. Ed Fessler (KTM). 250 8: L Scott Meredith (KllW); 2. Rod Lyonhurst (Hon); 3. Chris Beard (Suz); 4. Raymond Patterson (Suz); S. CI.y Hedgep.th (KTM). 200 8: 1. David Dur.kee (Kaw); 2. Heath Robinson (Kaw); 3. Ron SlOpper (K.w); 4. Tom Campbell (l

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