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EVENTS SETRA Enduro Series, Round 18 RlCHLOAM, FL, MAY 18 imranklin Ramey ill has proved that he is the dominant rider in the _ Southeast by winning both the SETRA Hare Scrambles and Enduro Championships, as well as the Florida Trail Riders Enduro Series, of which he is the reigning champ. The MSR-backed rider capped off his near!y perfect season by scoring the overall win at the Straight Arrow Enduro in Richloam, Florida, which was the final round in the SETRA Series. Ramey rode his KTM through the tough, demanding 75 miles of Florida woods with only a four-point loss. Kawasaki-mounted Ashley Brewer settled for runner-up honors with a score of six points. Steve Saunders, also on a Kawasaki, rounded out the top three, with a seven-point tQtal. Team Green rider Steven Smith, Ramey's main competition throughout the season, finished out all three series in second place. The Moose-sponsored rider came on strong in the middle of the season, but in the last few races, luck would not be in his favor, and· the Straight Arrow Enduro was no exception. '1 just didn't have my best day," saiet Smith, who finished the enduro with a 10-point score for sixth overall. The Central Florida Trail riders have been putting on the Straight Arrow Enduro for 23 years, and this year's event brought out 183 riders to the Withlacoochee State Forest for what many said was a tough but fun event. The course consisted of approximately 75 miles of long woods sections, including palmettos, sand and two-track road. Things did get a little dusty for the rid- Jt" 44 ers unlucky enough to have a late row, but dust would not be a factor in the enduro for the overall. The event started off at check one with the riders being put into the woods almost immediately. The trail was challenging because of the non-stop palmetto roots, and sand. At around 14 miles out, the riders were greeted with check two, which would turn out to be the toughest section and major points-taker. Ramey, on row 32, blasted through the trail with a two-point loss, and was the only rider to do so. '1 really never had any problems at all, I just stayed on the gas and had fun" Ramey said. Brewer and Saunders each dropped three points, but Smith dropped four. It was cruise-eontrol time after that tough section and most every.one made check three on their minute. Several two-track sections made things easier, but the temperature was warming up, and the palmetto roots were taking its toll on some riders. Check four, located just before the gas, was zeroed by Ramey and Brewer. Saunders, however, took a I-point loss, as did Smith. . "I stalled the bike about 50 feet from the check," Saunders said. ''By the time I got the bike started, they flipped the card; I should've zeroed that check." There was a reset at the 43-mile mark for gas, and then it was back in the woods. Check five, located shortly after the gas, was a going-in check and the start of another tough, 13-mile section. Ramey would post the fast time, with only a two-point loss. Brewer and Saunders dropped three each, and Smith, again, was just off the pace with a four. At 63 miles, riders were given another reset, then to the final sections. (Above) Franklin Ramey III capped off the SETRA Enduro Series with another victory in Florida and, . with it, wrapped up the SETRA Enduro Championship. (Right) Steve Saunders won the 250cc A class. Check seven was zeroed by the faster riders, as the trail was mostly fast, twotrack. In the last section, the trail got very tight, but all the AA riders and most of the 250cc A riders were able to make it to the final check on their minute. At the end, Ramey's scorecard read "4"; Brewer's, "6"; and Saunders', '7", "I had a really good ride, I think my best this season," runner-up Saunders said. "I rode on Franklin's row and paced off him." The only other riders to manage single-digit scores were Paul Seaborn (8) and Johnny McCoy (9). Ramey finished out the SETRA/FTR se'!son off they way he wanted. "I had zero problems all day, and the club did a great job, what else can I say?" Ra,mey said. l~ Straight Arrow Enduro Richloam, Florida Results: May 18, 1997 (Round 18) GRAND CHAMP, Franklin Ramey ill O<;TM). AA: 1. Ashley Brewer; 2. Steven Smith. OPEN A: 1. Jason Chambers; 2. Frank Schoenbeck' 3. Steve Hardeman. ' 2SO A: 1. Steve SalUlders; 2. Paul5e<:lbom; 3. Johnny McCoy. 200 A: 1. Steve New; 2. Joe Haley. 4-STK A: 1. Stan Gant. VET A: 1. Arty Spencer; 2. Damian O'Neill; 3. Gary Williams. SR k 1. Mike Gentry; 2. Mike Reynolds. SlSR A, 1. Johnny Thomas; 2. Johnny Kirby. MSTR k 1. Emmett Cox; 2. Joe Van Seeters. GLDN MSTR 1. Joe Haley; 2. Joe Schnelbad<. OPEN S, 1. Robbie SranUey; 2. David McAdam. 250 B: 1. Eric Armour; 2. Frank Anello; 3. Dylan Galbreath. 200 B: 1.Johnnt Nutt; 2. Cliff Rodgers. US B: 1. Matt Roberts; 2. MatlJablonski. 4-STK ·S, 1. John Giles; 2. Gary Crombacker. VET B: 1. Mike Moore; 2. Ronnie Johns; 3. Marvin Robinette. SR 8: 1. David orman; 2. Martin Shipman. S/SR '0: 1. David Tharp; 2. Gates Pelletier. MSTR B: l. Richard Argabright; 2. Paul McDonald; 3, Ed Weist. OPEN C: 1. Mike Culler; 2. Ted Lentz: 3. Herman Stoll. 250 C: 1. Steve Hall; 2. Scott West; 3. Bruce Muffat. 200 C: 1. Ed Ellsworth; 2. Scott Lamb; 3. Matt Gillard; 4. Jason Cant. US C: 1. Jenni Lnmb; 2. DeWayne Brantly; 3. Forrest Taylor. 4-STk C: 1. Hans Wilson; 2. Bradd Cribbs; 3. Mike Shirly;·James Green. VET C : 1. Clint Johnson; 2. Pat Williamson; 3. Frank Erickson; 4. Greg Griffin. SR C: 1. Michael Lynn; 2. Al Laguise; 3. Stuart Bradon. S/SR C, 1. John Green; 2. Terry Enyart; 3. William Thompson. MSTR C: 1. Paul Collum; 2. Bill Fordham; 3. Frank Bush. SPTSMN 0-200: 1. Dane Smith; 2. Ray Wilsoo; 3. Derek Perry. SPTSMN 200-0PEN: 1. Phil Johnson; 2. Tim Hogan; 3. Thorn Morris. WMN: 1. Liflda RaTTO.