Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127833
MOTOCROSS FIIF SPRING NATIONAL "The track was smooth," Elliott said. "It seems that every moto in my classes (Left) Chase Reed won eight motos and lour class championships at the FMF Spring National at Lake Whitney Cycle Park. (Below) Silty Whitley returned turned to action and won the 250cc Pro class. By Kat Spann Photos by Chris Deutschen, Tom Mueller and Eric Wilson WHITNEY, TX, MAR. 13-16 hirteen-year-old Team Green rider Chase Reed of Lone Grove, Oklahoma, filled a page in the record books by winning all eight of his motos in the 100, 80cc Open, and both 80cc Stock and Modified (12-3) events, hauling away four championships with his impressive efforts at the FMF Spring National at Lake Whitney Cycle Park. ''I'm real proud to hold this record and I hope nobody ever breaks it," an elated Reed said with a grin from ear to ear. "My bike seemed to pull me real good, and once I was firmly in front I just kept my head and tried to ride smart." J&M Racing's Billy Whitley was the big winner among the 37 contending racers in the 2S0cc Pro class, as he topped both motos, taking home the biggest chunk of the purse. "This is the first time I've raced this motorcycle," Whitley said. "I haven't been on a Yamaha since 1986, and I haven't been able to train since the Pro Challenge at Swan in October. I've been on the road with Buddy Antunez and Denny Stephenson {furing the PJl National Arenacross Series since November. It's been a long time since I've raced with a full gate of riders, and I know I had the advantage by only racing in the 250 class." The new owner of Lake Whitney Motocross Park, Bruce Whitehead, was welcomed by a standing ovation at the trophy presentations. ''I'm extremely happy with the event - the turnout and the incredible feedback regarding the facility and our effort to host a first-class national event. We are grateful for the rider and factory support here this weekend, and I want everyone to know that we are committed, for the long haul, to make this a great place to race." The first event of the weekend was a mover and a shaker. Team Green's Travis Elliott set the blistering pace in the 125cc Intermediate Stock race, while holding off J.D. Bailey, Team Green's Ben Riddle and Honda Town's Shawn Smith the whole way. Elliott returned to win the second moto as well. I've been riding faster and faster. I got a third-place start, but I passed Royer and then got up behind J.D. When J.D. slid out going up the big hill I passed him." After his mishap, Bailey was still able to finish second. "When I slid out, Travis got me," Bailey said. "I don't know how he got that good drive going up that hill." Smith finished third after a ha rd time on the start. "Yesterday my starts were pretty good, but today I got shut out· off the gate and had to make up for it in the first tum." Elliott took the championship in the 125cc Intermediate Stock class, as well as the 125cc Open and 12Sec Intermediate Modified events. Another three-class winner was young Dustin Shows. Shows led the way in the SOcc Stock (7-8), the 60cc Modified (6-8), and the 60cc Stock (6-8) events. "I just kept on gassing it from the start to the finish line," Shows said. The 12Scc Pro event on Sunday had everyone on their toes. It was Team Green's Andy Bowyer who was the leader off the gate, as he forged his way up the horseshoe and back down to set a pace that the other 28 riders couId not handle. Caleb Leath came the closest trying every trick in the book to pass for the . lead, but Bowyer held to his lines. "Andy really wore me out," Leath said. "He found all my good lines and I just couldn't get around him." "Caleb was riding really hard," Bowyer said. "He stayed on my rear fender and kept me honest. I'm happy with my holeshot."