Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

• Motocross. 25th Annual Winter'NationalOlympics Gatorback Cycle Park (Left) Anthony Pocorobbe (92) won the Dunlop Sliver TIre award for his overall win In the Expert divisions. Here he leads a .' forrnldable group to the ffrst corner. (Below) Robbie Reynard showed up and won the 125cc and 250cc Expert crowns. By Mike and Anne Ad.air GAINESVILLE, FL, NOV. 25-30 nthony Pocorobba topped the Expert division to win the Dunlop Silver Tire Award at the 25th anniversary of the Winter National Olympics. Expert riders Robbie Reynard, Casey Lytle, Brock Sellards and Danny Smith all shared class wins with Pocorobba in closely contested expert divisions. "I can't believe I won this," Pocorabba said. "There were so many top guys here this year." Pocorobba was awarded a check for $500 and a 1996 Dunlop Tires pro contract. Former Silver Tire winner Robbie Reynard, who earned both 125cc and 250cc Expert crowns, commented, "This is my first pro year that I didn't have time off for surgery. I had a choice, stay home and ice skate in Oklahoma or have some fun down here." Brett Racine and Keith Johnson had the two highest point totals of any racers and each would earn a top award. After receiving the Scott USA Golden Goggles Award from Bevo Forte, Johnson said: "I never expected to win this trophy, and didn't even think about it. I guess this proves that hard work and determi~ nation can payoff." "Scott USA sees the importaI).ce of grass-roots racing," Forte said. "I am fortunate that they keep sending me t~ this event. It's a real tradition." Brett Racine was presented the Ann Helmet award for his achievements in both 125cc B and 125cc (12-15) divisions. "I give 99 percent of the credit to Jesus Christ, the support of my parents, Team Green Kawasaki and Pro Circuit for this honor," Racine said. For his highest-scoring performance of all riders in the youth divisions, Justin Buckelew was awarded the Axo Bronze Boot Award. Buckelew won every start in the 85cc (14-15) classes. "Donnie Hansen coached me and I got great holeshots," Buckelew said. Clyde Buckelew earned the Mechanix Gear Award for his flawless job in preparing his son's bikes. ~ O· Ernesto Fonseca, Keith Bowen and Robbie Reynard were the only riders to earn two individual Olympiad Championships. Fonseca rode his BSY Yamahas to both 125 and 250cc B-class wins. Bowen had not been to the event since 1989, yet won every race in the Over 25 and Over 30 classes. Bowen, representing KTM America, presented T.J. Rhonelli and Jake Griffis with KTM 50s for their respective 50ccchiss championships. "Jerry and Linda West of Worldsports put on a great event here, and KTM. America is proud to be a part of it," Bowen said. Expert rider Robbie Horton won the Ricky Joseph Sportsmanship Award. "A rider had crashed on the elevator jump and Robbie, through no fault of his own, struck our flagger, Jeff Opphelt, who was in the track helping the downed rider," said master of ceremonies Mark Strabinger. "Robbie unselfishly dropped his motOJ:cycle, like a real champion, and ran back to give assistance to the .f1agger." Opphelt was seriously injured, but after surgery is weI] on his way to recovery. Pro Circuit started a hospital fund that raised $4,225 through individual and corporate donations. The 25th anniversary event attracted a record 4,000 entries, representing riders from 37 states, Canada, England, Scotland, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Chile, Pllerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. This event is unique in that it requires riders to demonstrate skills in TT, Stadium Motocross, Motocross and Grand Prix events to earn an Olympiad Championship. TT Mark Barnett's "artful" bulldozer completely redesigned the IT and Stadium Motocross tracks for 1996. The start line was moved from the west end to the south side, resulting in better staging and better 'visibility for the riders. Casey Lytle took his Pro Circuit Hondas to the 125cc Modified and 250cc Stock wins in the Expert di vision .to establish himself as the points leader. Brock Sellards and Robbie Reynard aced the 125cc Stock and 250cc Mod classes to stay in the game. Pocorobba, Nicho.1as Wey, Ryan Clark, Bowen and Jason Thomas were close, but no "cigar. "I was after Sellards and Lytle in the 250cc stock final," Pocorobba said. "But I got loose and those guys checked out." In the 250cc Modidified final, Pocorobba led, then bobbled and fell back to third behind Reynard and Lytle. T.J. Rhonelli scored the first 50cc (4-6) win on the inaugural race for the new Action Attack cycle. "I had to catch and pass Kyle Keylon to win it:' Rhonelli said. "The bike worked well." Defending champ Davi Milsaps ruled the first 50cc (7-8) final. James Stewart and Bobby Bonds battled in a close 85cc Stock (7-11) final, with Stewart finally taking the win. Weyand Racine divided the 125cc (12-15) finals with two close races. "In the TT, the start is everything," Wey said. "There are no whoops to set up passes, and you can't make any mistakes out there." Keith Bowen, after winning the Over 25 and Over 30 classes, explained, "I got engaged this year and have been lucky ever since." "We haven't set a date yet for the wedding," said fiancee Brandy Wright. "But with Keith's schedule, it will definitely be at a race track somewhere." Barry Higgins returned to the event after a 10-year absence. The former Maico Meister passed Barry Mayo to win the Over 50 class. "I needed a break," said Mayo. "I told the guys in my shop (H&H Cycles), 'See ya in a week: and left." STADIUM MOTOCROSS Johnny O'Mara joined the event in his new Oakley Sports Marketing role as MX rider representative. ''I';'e n.ever been to this event before and now J see why all the kids love it, O'Mara said. "I might borrow a bike· and enter a class or two." Danny Schmidt used his Bob Hannah coaching for the 125cc Stock Expert win. "Schmidt is a real contender this year:' runner-up Horton said. "He is cookin'.· Watchoutforhim." ' .. Robbie Reynard, after leading alI the' way in the 125cc Modified final, com-· mented, "I just can't believe how much faster these guys are now." (Reynard won every Expert race here in 1993, to earn the Dunlop Silver Tire Award). Pocorobba finally got his FMF/Pro-

• Cover