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/127838
retake the series points lead after three rounds. Nearly 260 riders took advantage of balmy spring time weather conditions for this uncharacteristic April Greenbrier Enduro. Temperatures rose into the 70s during the day under overcast skies that produced a few light showers around noon. In all it was nice riding weather and the warm temperatures more than made up for the wet stuff. The day's course made use of open deciduous forest and tight secondgrowth pines typical of the Belleplain timberland. There were plenty of water obstacles throughout the course, although the woods themselves weren't all that wet. Many puddles were laced with tricky ruts and deep holes formed by truck and ATV traffic, some deep enough to swallow a bike whole. Fortunately, there was ample help on the course, with club members aiding riders through the nastiest puddles and swamps. Trailboss Pops Lafferty laid out a short, 'single-loop course with two remote gas stops that divided the ride into three sections totaling nearly 70 ground miles. The unusually diminutive event was a result of land-access problems, an unfortunate common thread to this year's events. It seems, a new outof-state corporate owner of a large parcel of private ground was sold in the offseason and new the bureaucracy has a "no outside recreation" policy for all their held properties. While this resulted in the loss of some 60+ miles of trail, the club made excellent use of what was available, stitching together a nearrelentless course traversed by all classes. Riders were on the gas right out of the start as the run began with 16 miles of trail and rutted wood road run at 24 mph. This section included easy timekeeping trail and dirt road interspersed with frequent water obstacles that served to drive riders off the pace. Eventually a tricky emergency check was encountered which was easily double zeroed by savvy top riders, emergency points minimized by those'who were on the ball. Novice and many Intermediate riders were unable to keep up the pace, however, and carded late points as a result. Afterward, asphalt connectors brought riders to the day's first gas stop and a 15-minute break. Departure from the gas stop was via a start control into the day's first real special test. Run at 18 mph, the first universal points loss came at an emergency .. check located some three or four miles into the test. Single points carded by Hoess, Michael Moore, Bill Atkinson and a section best 1:41 by defending ECEA champ Mark Spence were tops through the test. Another mile or SO of tight trail continued thereafter until a confusing reset and speed change to 12 mph. This allowed faster riders to, temporarily at least, get back on time and gain a little rest. This respite was short-lived however, as a hall mile of so later the speed J average was bumped up to 18 mph and a secret check-in followed. From there, it was back into the thick for the final five miles of the Otis stick section. Jeff Kirchner's score of 5:28 was the section best, although his score was tainted by checking in a minute hot to the section. Riders were granted a big reset after • the Otis section, at which many riders tended to overheated bikes and bodies. I After the rest, it was back into the forest and before long, another check-in. Two lengthy special tests follow, each sandwiched by emergency checks, with no resets in between. Hoess and The Thor/part~Unlimited AIlwlA SU.percros~ Series i s read.)7 l O r... l-900-P~O It':..; high-.1.l", ing. graVi.ty_d.e±Yj"ng motorcycle racing !hot pushes riders 10 the I\flaY'17 edg-e of their abilities ond fen. 10 the R .....Cl:; edge of thei, sectsl Sam Boyd Staclium The :Best u:Ex:treme" Ir. 0 3/4-mile, mon-mode sea-ts$25 ju.st d,i;I:'t 1;r~ with 75' jumps. ha.i.rpi.n. tu.:rnS send pits uVV~-de- ond , dodS'" Jf?h sIroightowoysl Ir. the pla.net'. ~rowing extre.me sport end it's . 10 OOtning Looking b- 0 702.474.4000 LB-S Vegas I Online InfannlItIon: http:/{www.Iic:IreIInasW.com r""",.. subject 10 Convenience Charge. Sport with atti1;u.P.e? . altiHow about one t'U(ie? Feoturing... McG:ra.1ih Je:t:±' Emi g With Then be here when the ~g7 SUPerc:rosS Jeremy: Mi.ke La;r:roCO '-~::::;l!::::::::;::;~"" ~- Season KeVjp Windham ond mony morel ...._.ED PARTIl ~@f) NGIC SCOI i Series ffi fH D CAD OF 7iStAif_J4S71!!"J9. For IjcK~ts, call ~r local TIcKetmaster charge-by-phone number. rc_c,•••__ 1tHp://_.Hcb........... ItHp://_...,.•• aB"