Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

By Don Schneider ALBANY, OR. jUN'E 7-8 he 12th annual CMC Pac-West National Motocro s Series got off to a healthy start at the Albany Motorsports Park as Ryan Huffman dominated the Pro classes, winning in both the 125 and 250cc divisions. Promoters Bob and Linda Leach hosted rounds one and two, with 984 riders in attendance. Also held in conjunction with the event was the NMA Amateur Qualifier for Ponca Gty, Oklahoma. Although Huffman, the AMA's 250cc Supercross Top Privateer awardee, topped the 125 and 250cc Pro classes, the Roseburg, Oregon, rider did not enjoy a cakewalk. He had to really work for his glory. In Saturday's 125cc Pro class, Suzukimounted Jimmy LaMastus paved the way and had it going on, leading Cory Bauder, Dan Moore, J. Whipple, Ryan Terlecki, Huffman, Jason Dempsey, Chaun McAlister and Steve Bostick. Bauder felt Huffman's presence by the end of lap two, but he kept Huffman at bay as the duo closed in on the leader. LaMastus held tough as Huffman used an aggressive inside line and boxed Terlecki out in a sweeper. Their battle had given LaMastus a small cushion, but Huffman reeled in LaMastus, took the point on lap five, and motored away for the win. LaMastus held off the advances of Bauder to the checkers. Terlecki finished in fourth, with Whipple garnering fifth. Whipple led the first two laps of moto two, followed by LaMastus, Terlecki, Bauder, Huffman and Moore. Whipple bobbled on lap three, and Bauder, Huffman and LaMastus motored past him. This time, Bauder showed Huffman the fastest lines, while Terlecki ran ahead of LaMastus. Huffman was very persistent, breathing down Bauders' neck heavily. Huffn;tan tried using the four-corner sweeper to make a pass on lap three, only to wash but and take a brief soil sample. Terlecki and LaMastus edged by the downed Huffman. Bauder went on to take the moto win, while Huffman got up and repassed LaMastus and Terlecki by moto's end. The 250cc Pro class on Saturday was again full of action. Fourteen riders jetted off the pad. McAlister carved inside of Scot Steffy at the end of the massive 300-foot start to grab the holeshot. Bauder and LaMastus banged bars in close T pursuit. Terlecki was in fifth, just up on Leach, Huffman, Moore, Dempsey, and Waring. Rounding out the field were Terry Hamness, Billy Binckley, Shawn Waring, Jeff Bailey and Whipple. Exiting the turn, Bauder ate it in a rut, taking LaMastus with him. Binckley and Bailey were also caught up in the melee. When the foursome got up and got going again, Bauder was the best finisher, moving up to eighth by moto's end. Up front, Terlecki wicked it up beside Steffy at the halfway point. Just exiting the big sweeper, the duo blasted through the whoops, with Terlecki having the edge. McAlister was the next of Terlecki's victims, taking the lead as the pair headed into lap two. Huffman, with Leach in tow, began working his way through the pack. Huffman made short work of Dempsey, Steffy and McAlister. Leach passed Waring and Moore to settle in behind Dempsey on lap four., Huffman made his'pass for the lead in a familiar inside line, rounding the big sweeper. Terlecki tried to retaliate lap after lap, to no avail. McAlister, Dempsey and Steffy held on for third through fifth, respectively. The moto-two holeshot went to McAlister; then he hit the deck. Whipple railed the outside, as Bauder, LaMastus, Dempsey, Leach and Moore were all in close quarters. . Whipple led LaMastus for a lap as Leach held third, and Bauder was displaced by a charging Huffman. LaMastus steadily pushed past Whipple as Huffman progressed by Leach, and soon by Whipple. Heading into lap three, Huffman proved again that he was the man. LaMastus could not keep him at bay, and was soon passed through the whoops for the lead. LaMastus bobbled on the last lap and handed the runner-up position to Leach. Bauder and Terlecki waged their own battle some five seconds back, with Terlecki prevailing on the last lap to finish third. LaMastus crossed the line in fifth. Albany Motorsports Park Albany, Oregon Resuhs: June 7-8, 1997 Saturday P/W (4-6), J. Cameron Smith (Cob); 2. Michael Schmeck (KTM); 3. Jared Wood (KTM); 4. Russell Williams (Lem); 5. Joshua Bland (KTM). PIW (7-8), J. Sean Fitzgerald (KTMJ; 2. Ray Valdez (KTM); 3. Bennie Tullar (KTM); 4. Jerrod Holm (KTM); S. Tyler Finney (KTM). P/W MOD (4·6), 1. Cameron Smith (KTM); 2. Russell Williams (Lem). PIW MOD <7-8): 1. Tanner Mitchell (KTMJ. 60 JR: 1. Shawn Haberlock (Kaw); 2. Keith Batterson

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