Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

MOTOCROSS 27TH FLORIDA WINTER AMA MXSERIES Cycle Park I By Mike and Anne Adair GAINESVILLE, FL, DEC, 28-29 earn Pro Circuit/SplitFire/ Kawasaki's newest member, Ricky Carmichael, gave early notice to the 12Scc Pros that he is indeed the rider to watch out for in the upcoming 1997 MX season. Fresh from the mini ranks, the young Kawasaki rider topped the 125cc Pro class at the opening round of the 27th annual Florida Winter AMA MX Series at Gatorback. Carmichael's victory didn't go unchallenged, though, as local Floridian Ron Tichenor topped the first moto but couldn't quite catch the flying Carmichael in the second, thus giving the Kawasaki rider the overall win, ahead of Tichenor and Kawasaki Team Green rider Brock Sellards. Tichenor's day wasn't all bad, however, as the former Japan ational MX Champion topped the 250cc Pro class over another local favorite, Barry Carsten, while thUd place went to Suzuki support rider Anthony Pocorobba. Carmichael's success didn't end in the Pro class, as he also stormed to victory in both the 12Scc and 2SOcc Expert classes Saturday. In the always-popular Vet classes, Mathew Crown topped the six-man field in the Pro class, while Carsten came out on top in the Over 2S A division, edging out Dag Boyesen and Pat Barton. Earl May also had a good day as he emerged victorious over Billy Liles in the Over 30 competition. As always, there was a huge turnout at the series opener, as just over 750 riders tu.rned out to do battle in the 80plus-degree temperatures. When the 12Scc Pro class came to the line, all eyes were focused on Carmichael and the ever-present Tichenor, and when th.e gate dropped, it (Above) Ricky Carmichael (70) gets the jump on the 125cc Pro class. (Right) Jimmy Wilson (383) grabs the early lead In the 250cc Pro class, but It was Ron Tichenor (2) who took the win. was Carmichael jumping out into the early lead, while Tichenor rounded the first turri in fourth. Sandwiched in between were Ricky Skaggs and Sellards. It took Tichenor three laps before he had control of second place and another seven laps be10re he was challenging Carmichael for the lead. The two battled closely for a while until Tichenor made the pass and went on to win. Carmichael was hurting. "I had a blister the size of a golf ball on my right hand," Carmichael said. "It hurt so bad that 1 couldn't hold on to the throttle." Pocorobba ended up third, followed by Sellards and Carsten. Carmichael put a layer of glue over the blister in between motos and was ready for action when the second 125cc moto got under way. Skaggs jumped out to the early lead but couldn't hold Carmichael back for long. Tichenor got off to a fourth-place start, but soon had control of second by the fourth lap. The two front-runners pulled away from the rest of the pack with Tichenor pressuring Carmichael all the way. Unlike in the first moto, where Tichenor was able to stalk and pass the Kawasaki rider, Carmichael held his own the whole way to score the moto win and overall victory. Tichenor took second. Carmichael's glue trick did the trick. "It worked great," Carmichael said of his protected blister. "I didn't feel a thing until the last couple of laps." Sellards rode a strong race, ending up third in the moto ahead of Carsten. The 33-year-old Carsten jumped out in front at the start of the first 2SOcc Pro moto, but it was Tichenor's race. Starting off in third, Tichenor and his Suzuki passed second-place Austin Squires before reeling in and passing Carsten on lap four. From then on, it was all Tichenor as he sailed to the checkered £lag out in front and all alone. Carsten held on to finish second, saying afterward, "It felt good to lead a few laps; Tichenor caught up to me, passed me and that was that." Tichenor didn't get a very good start in the second moto, while Jason Thomas led the way. However, it was Pocorobba on the move and he had taken over the

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