ton's Lynn Bailey, in his first ride since the ISDE
in Finland, was among the frrst A riders on the
trail.
TSCEC fast guys Larry Crane and Josh
Whitaker, along with local hare scrambles specialist AI Cravens, all promised to give Franklin
a run for his money.
Heavy rains Friday before the event left the
course in perfect condition. Sixty-eight miles of
sandy, root-infested trails greeted the longcourse riders while the short course was 11
miles shorter.
"We expect the top A riders to zero the
course until the last II-mile test section-" Course
Marshal Jody Martin accurately predicted. "The
first half of the race will take a few points from
the rest of the riders."
Heading into the last test section, Cycle
Town South's Crane and Franklin were tied at
zero, and it would be an all-out race for the
overall. Cravens, Whitaker and Bailey all had a
shot, but would need a mistake by the other
guys.
Bailey was first to the check, dropping nine
points. Crane, ri.ding on minute 22, was next
with a 9:38. Whitaker came in with an 8:50.
Franklin, riding on minute 28, blazed into the
check 41 seconds faster than Crane with an 8:57
and the series championship.
''I'm really happy with my ride today,"
Franklin declared. "The course was a 19t of fun,
and fair for everyone. Last year it was really
hard for the C riders and okay for the A, but
this year it was well-balanced. 1still plan on riding the rest of the events. If 1 can win the
remaining three, I'll end the season with a perfect score."
Results
0/ A A: Haydn Franklin (KTM).
0/ A B: Michael Taliaferro (CRE).
0/ A C: Mati Wright (Kaw).
0/ A: 1. H. Franklin (KTM); 2. L Crane (KTM); 3. A. Cravens
(5oz); 4. L Bailey (Kaw); 5, J. Whitaker (Hus).
AA: 1. Larry Crane (KTM); 2. Josh Whitaker (Hus); 3. Jeff
Pl.unkett (Yam).
OPEN A: I. Todd Slavik (KTM); 2. Dan Sell (JaM); 3. Floyd
Alley; 4. Kevin Coynda (Yam); S. Larry Rosseaux (KTM).
250 A: 1. Al Cravens (Suz); 2. Lynn Bailey (Kaw); 3. Kirk
Spencer (Yam); 4. Eric Neher (Yam); 5. King Tieken (Kaw).
200 A: 1. Donny Simone (Kaw); 2. Cody Potts (Kawl; 3. Bill
Bray ()
