Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

~---------------~-- DIRT TRACK FLORIDA FLAT TRACK RACING SERIES -um • was starting to have trouble and left me a little hole, so r took it," Mayfield said. '1 heard the Hooter's girls were going to be here, so I thought I'd better hurry up and end this race," Murphree joked after winning the 883 main over teammate Russell. 'Tm glad Shaun finished second. We're good friends and as long as he finishes behind me it's okay, otherwise it's a long ride home." '1 had to start from the penalty line," Russell said. '1 guess they thought I left early, but Johnny rode a great race." Davis left little doubt about the 750cc Expert main as he quickly pulled away from everyone. Hart was alone in second for a short while, but the pack of Vames, Roeder and Lynch soon caught up. The four riders rode nose to tail with no one able to make a move on the other. A short distance back, Price led Schnabel, Russell, Murphree and Ha-cker. Despite all the maneuvering, the running order stayed the same until Roeder fell exiting turn four on the last lap. After all the mains were a sixrider Dash For Cash was held. With crowd donations the race was worth $1235. The winner's share was $500. Fast qualifier Lynch was on the pole, but it was rookie Jeff Randolph first into turn one. Varnes was second, but his tire went flat in turn three, opening the door for Lynch. Lynch, though, was held up just enough to let Randolph get away. run, (Left) Will Davis led from start to finish to win the 750CC main at East Bay Stadium. (Below) Billy Martin leads the pack en route to the 600cc win. By Dave Hoenig Photos by Flat Trak Fotos TAMPA, FL, MAR. 4 ill Davis is continuing his assault on the 1997 Florida Fla t Track Racing Series. Davis, the defending series champion, has been on fire on his Total Control Racing mounts. More than 80 professional riders made the two-hour trip from Daytona Beach to Tampa to do battle in round six of the nine-race series. The track was a little rough and a narrow groove kept the racers on their toes. Davis dominated the points-paying 750cc Expert main. "I won, but if r hadn't got the holeshot, I don't think there is any way I could have passed," Davis said. "Someone would have had to make a mistake. I'm sure I couldn't have repeated the pass I made at Barberville." At the start of the 750cc main, Paul Lynch led the 12-man field into turn one with Davis and Georgie Price IV hot on his heels. Back in the pack, Davis' main challenger Mike Hacker hit the ground. The red flag came out followed by a restart. After a brief delay, Davis led the restart into turn one anp. that was that. The big surprise was Dale's HD/Wheels Through Time/Fat Boy Racing-sponsored Recil Hart. Hart nailed the light and planted his Harley in second place for the duration. "I'm really happy to win, but when I looked back and saw that 32 number plate, my grin got twice as big," Davis said. "The team travels iill over the country and being in the winner's"circle is the dream." White's Harley-Davidson's Mike Varnes filled out the winner's circle despite the repeated challenges of Geo Roeder and Lynch. Californian Billy Martin led the 600cc Expert main all the way, but the last half of the race, he was under an assault by Scott Shinn. Steve Mayfield made a wild last-lap pass to fill out the winner's cirde. Bartel's Harley-Davidson-sponsored Johnny Murphree is making the 883 Harley-Davidson class his own little playground, as he once again dominated. Murphree's main competition, teammate Shaun Russell, was sent to the penalty line and had to work his way back to finish second. Randy Shank brought his new national number 92 home third. The Pro-Am main was the first out and it was Fat Boy Racing's Nick Daniels the first into turn one. Marine Transportsponsored Bryan Bigelow held down second just ahead of Tim Eades. Bigelow pulled to a big lead, while Eades worked on Daniels. After Eades took second he also pulled away, but had no chance of catching the fleeing Bigelow. Daniels, once again, fell under extreme pressure, this time from Paul Normandin. Daniels withstpod the challenge and held on to third. As the 600cc Expert main was starting, pole-sitter Georgie Price virtually eliminated himself from contention by jumping the start and being sent to the penalty line. Martin then got the holeshot as he led Shinn and Mark Corsetti into the first turn. One lap later, Price's race was over, victim of a loose plug wire- Just past the halfway point, Shinn dosed on Martin. '1 was hoping for a good start and it worked out," Martin said. "He (Shinn) was going to have to pass me on the outside; there was no way I was going to let him get under me." "I tried everything I could," Shinn said. "I thought I could get a drive off two and I did, but he got a little sideways and all I could do was watch." Shinn's charge off turn four on the last lap was thwarted by a major slide and he settled for second. While the leaders were having their battle, Corsetti was cruising in third. Jose Aguilar, Lonnie Pauley Jr., J.R. Schnabel, Steve Mayfield and Paul Lynch were racing for fourth. Mayfield caught fire on about lap seven and after taking fourth, rapidly dosed on Corsetti. '1 got a terrible start, but he (Corsetti) Randolph picked up the cash, while Lynch, Robert Lewis and Davis battled a over second. East Bay Speedway TlImpll, Florida Results: March 4, 1997 (Round 6 of 9) 750 EX: I. Will Davis (H-D); 2. Recil Hart (H-D); 3. Mike Varnes (H-D); 4. Paul Lynch (A-D); 5. Georgie Price IV (H-D); 6. J.R. Schnabel (H-D); 7. Jeff Randolph (H-D); 8. Johnny MUTJ>h... (H-D); 9. Mike Haclcer (HD); 10. J350n Fletcher (H-D); n. Shaun RlJS5ell (H-D~ 12. Ceo Rood... n (H-D). 600 EX: 1. 8illy Martin (Rol); 2. Scott Shinn (H-D); 3. Steve Mayfield (W-R); 4. J.R. Schnabel (W.K); 5. Paul Lynch (Rot); 6. Mark Corsetti (W-K); 7. Lonnie Pauley (W-K); 8. Jaime Aguilar (W-K); 9. Jason Senten (Rot); 10. Dave Hcbb (Rot); 11. John iekens m (Rot); 12. Geo.-gie Price IV (KTM). 883, 1. Johnny Murphree; 2. Shoun RlJS5ell; 3. Randy Shank; 4. Jim Mcllvena; 5. Rob Gctte; 6. Mark Larive; 7. Mike Speh; 8. Steve Jackson; 9. Robert Weiss; 10. Tom McCrancJr.; 11. Jason Aetcher; 12. Tommy Hensler. 600 PRO:-AM: 1. Bryan Bigelow (Rot); 2. Tim Eades (Rot); 3. Nick Daniels (W-R); 4. Paul Noanandin (Rot); 5. Francois Dumas (Rot); 6. Tom McGrane Jr. (Rot); 7. Robert Weiss (Rot); 8. Mike Curda (Rot); 9. Jeremy Thompson (Rot); 10. Jason Ty...

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