Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Vu illemi n has pulled to within ju st three points of di vi si on le ader Dowd, 67-64. Roncada h olds down third position with 58 points, and FMF-Honda' s David Pin gree rests in fourth wi th 53, Roncada was th e first r ider of th e eveni ng to brin g the 50,000' p lus Arizona crowd to its fee t, as h e sto m ped off with the firs t 125cc h e at over Pri m al Impul se /Suz u ki competitor Ryan H uffm an. The 1988 an d ' 89 A MA 125cc W este rn Region Su percross Cham pion, Jeff M at ia se v i ch, co m missioned b v Team Owne r Mitch Payton to retum t~ the d iv is ion, guided h is SplitFire / Pro Circu it / Kawasaki to h is firs t s ta d iu m h eat - ra ce w in si nce re tu rni ng from a long s tin t in Japanese N a tio n al Champio ns h ip m ot o cross. Dowd, who start ed o u ts id e th e top 10, rampaged through the pack for a n im p ressive runner-up fin ish . Chris Wheeler won the 125cc lastchance qualifier, Dowd le d the field o ff th e sta r tin g g a te a n d through the fir st turn in th e main. In his wake, and in a flying wedge, w ere Vui llerni n, Roncada, Ramsey a n d Matiasevich. As th e pack m ade its first circu it, Huffman pulled up to challenge M atiase vich, an d Vuillemin closed right in on the rear fen der of Dowd. Shortly into lap two, a nd upon di ving into the treacherous w hoo p section, Vu illemin m ad e his m ove on an ou t-o f-sorts Dowd, and shot th ro u gh into th e lead, Fo r all in tents an d p u rpo ses, the im pressive m ove would d efine the race. "I was kind of unhappy with m yself and I was making a few mo~e mi stakes t ha n I thi nk h e d id ," said Dowd i n regard to h is short-lived b attle with the Fre nchman. " I believe that, all an d all, he (Vuillem in) a nd I were p retty close in speed around th e track, but I kept m ak ing m istakes in the whoops, an d th a t' s p ret ty much what cos t me the ra ce, an d h e go t a w a y fro m m e; i t was hard to m ak e up tim e." Once h e fou n d d a y light, Vu illemin pulled appro xima tel y two secon ds on Dowd, who in turn had b egun to d ista nc e him self fr om Roncada . M eanwhil e, M atia sevi ch h ad found a wa y ing, but it slows yo u down and le ts every body get away." 0 Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, Arizona Results: January 24, 1998 (Round 3 of 7) ba ck around Huffman, and Ramsey, who had dropped a few positions aft er some paint-swapping and bar-banging with va rious com pe tito rs, beg an ano ther impres s i v e cha rge b a ck tow ard the fro n t. Method icall y, VuilI emin marched on, pulling appro ximately a second per lap on Dowd, while Ron cada rode arou nd b y himse lf in a n increasingly d ista n t th ird place. " I felt good a t th e first part of the ra ce a n d was u p front, bu t Vuillemin an d Dow d ra n good and were goi ng pretty fas t, and I wasn' t running th at good," Roncada said, "I was alone the whole race a nd just couldn' t catch u p with th ose guys." At th e m id w ay point, VuilIemin continued to put s pace between h imse lf, • Dowd and Roncada, while, hal f a track behind, Ramsey b litzed by Matiasevich i n a tight an d b ank ed bowl tu rn for fou rth, On lap 12, M atiasevich ejected in the w hoop section, hitting the di rt h ard and snapp ing the visor of f h is helmet in the process . Fortu natel y, after a fe w m oments, h e go t to his feet, but h is rid e w as ove r and h e exited th e track for th e pits. From th er e it was go -throu gh-themotion s tim e, as Vuillem in, Dowd, Ron - John Dowd took second in the 125cc main but still owns the series po ints lead. cada, Ramsey and Pingree raced arou n d th e bak ed an d slip pery track toward the ch eckered fla g. Th e remaining laps w ere u n eventfu l as th e top five riders h eld th e ir p o sitions , On the fin al lap, Vu ille mi n ro lled through th e final tum a nd coasted to a sto p a to p th e finish-line ju mp, arms raised in victo ry , Comi ng h ome second was Dowd. "It was a pretty fun tra ck, b u t it w as ki nd of d ry and all the comers and the w hoops were really sli p pery," Dowd said. "I think I can bea t th ese guys, a nd if I ride the way I can, I shoul d be ab le to come ou t wi th so me m ore race w ins ." Th e third step on the podium w ent to Ron cada, while Tenn essee na tive Ramsey took fou rth, "I've had a rough first tw o ra ces," Ramsey sai d . "I've been real ag gress ive and go ing for it in th e firs t few laps and then throwing it away. I d efinitel y think I have th e s p eed to w in , but I have to rela x a little b it. I was trying to do th at in thi s ra ce, but at th e beginning I s till ended up in a bar-banging match with a couple of other rid er s, and it's ju st ra e- · Doug HenrY was still feeling the effects of the flu a~d'i t showed . .on the track..as the popular rider slippedfrom third to 14th'in the '. final. ' I'm trying to fight it (the flu)..train and all that' at the same . · time is a little tough: Henry said. • My goal.was to get in through ' the heat race and save my 'energy for the 'main' I was glad I was . ; : rieflv.... B · Prior to 'Saturday 'evening's' running of the- Phoenix ·Supercross. 125 HEAT 1 (6 lap s , 1-9 tran sfer to main) : 1. Stephane Roncada (Hon ); 2. Ryan Huffman (Suz); 3. Nathan Ramsey (Kaw); 4. Greg Schnell (yam) ; S. O..-id Vuitlemin (Yam); 6. Jeff Willoh (Suz ); 7. Danny 5mith (H on) ; 8. Brian Dee gan (5uz ); 9. j iri Dos ta l (5uz ); 10. Doug Parso ns (Yam ); 11. Gu y Cooper (k'TM ); 12. Tyler Evans (5u z); 13. Chris wheeler (5 uz); 14. Ryan Duff (lion); 15. Bader Manneh (Yam ); 16. Scott Davis (Suz ); 17.lell Pestana (Yam ); 18. Jimmy Lemastus (KTM); 19. Dustin Nelson (Yam) ; 20. Brian Swe any (5uz ). Time: 5 min., 24.590 sec. 125 HEAT 2 (6 lap s, 1-9 transfer to main): 1. Jeff Matiasevich (Kaw ); 2. John Dowd (Yam ); 3. Isai a h Joh ns on (Ka w) ; 4. Erick Va lle jo (Ka w ); 5. Michael Brandes (5 uz ); 6. David P in gree (Hon ); 7. Jason McCo rmick (Hon); B. Shaun Perollo (Su z ); 9. Tra vis P rest on (Suz); 10 Es pen Blikstad (Ya m ); 11. Robe r t Na ughton (KTM); 12. Jero me Hemery (Suz); 13. Larry Linkog le (Ya m); 14. Tony Graves (Ya m); 15 . Je r ry Alem an (Suz); 16. And y Harring ton (Yam); 17. Monte Mo ntague (Yam); lB . Da x Kas tri n (5uz); 19. To m my . Ha rrison (Yam ); 20. Brad Hagseth (Yam). . Time: 5 min, 32.180 SPC . 125 LeQ (4 laps, 1-4 transfer to mai n): 1. C h ris Wheeler (Suz); 2. Andy Harrington (Y&l m); 3. Tyler Evans (Suz); 4. Tommy Ham so n (Yam ); 5. Guy Cooper (KTM ); 6. lell Pestana (Yam) ; 7. Jerom e He rnery (Suz ); 8. Brad H ags e th (Yam ); 9. Ryan Du ff (Ho n) ; 10. Robert Na ughton (KTM); 11. Doug Parsons (Yam ); 12. Larry Linkogle (Ya m); 13. Je rry Aleman (Su z ); 14. Jim m y Lemastus (KTM); 15. Tony Graves (Yam); 16. Dustin Ne lso n (Ya m ); 17. Scott Da vis (Suz); 18. Dax Kast rin (5uz ); 19. Espen Blikstad (Ya m); 20. Bader Manneh (Yam ); 21. Monte Montague (Ya m ); 22. Brian Sweany (Suz). Tim e: 3 min. , 42.480 sec. 125 MAIN (15 loilps): 1. David Vuillemin (Yam); 2. John Dowd (Ya m) ; 3. Stephane Ron cada (H o n) ; 4 . Natha n Ramse y (Ka w) ; 5 . Da vid P ingree (Hon) ; 6 . Danny Smith (Hon); 7. Greg Sch nel l (Yam ); B. Jin Dostal (Suz ); 9. Michael Brandes (Suz); 10. Shaun Perolio (Suz); 11. Jaso n McCormick (Hon); 12. Jeff Will oh (Suz) ; 13. Tr avis Preston (Suz); 14. Chris wheeler (Su z ); 15. And y Harrington (Yam ); 16. Tyl er Evans (Su z ); 17. Bria n Deegan (Ka w) ; tg. Is aiah Johnson (Ka w ); 19. Er ick Vall ejo (Ka w); 20. Tom my Harrison (Ya m ); 21. Jeff Matiascvich (Kaw); 22. Ryan Huffman (Suz ). Time of race: 13 min ., 32.570 sec. Margin of victory: 7.005 sec. tzsee AMA WESTERN REGIONAL SUPERCROSS C'SHlP SERIES POINT STA NDI NGS (Afte r 3 of 7 roun ds): I. John Do wd (67/l win ); 2 David Vuillemin (64 /2 wins); 3. Stephane Roncad a (58); 4. David Pingree (53 ); 5. Michael Brand es (47); 6. G re g Sch nell (41); 7. Na th an Ramsey (38); 8. Ryan Huffm an (31): 9. Jaso n McCorm ick (30); 10 . Dann y Smith (27); 11. Jeff Matiasevich (25 ); 12. (TIE) Jeff Willo h/Jiri Dost al (23 ); 14. Shaun Perclio (18); 15. Jason Partridge (14); 16. (TIE) Isai a h Johns on / Tyle r Dav is /Travis Preston (13); 19. (TIE) Erick Vallejo /Mike Metzger (I I ). Upcoming Rounds : Round 4 - Seattle, Washington, January 31 Round 5 - San Diego. California, February 7 the journelistsin Europe have 'c all~d m~ and told ;"e th~t's all 'he's bee n talking about. He wants Amencan .eupercross stickers for his practice MX.bike. and he wants a Troy Lee fin for the top 'of his helmet. He' s .telling everyone it was one of the' best times in .. ' .... '. ' ' .. ' '. his life.' . .. . able to do that. " A healthy Henry would've been a s;rong favorit e ' .' . . '. . . .'. ..' . . four Individual races have been held at Sun Devil Stadium. In . to win the Phoenix SX on his four-stroke Yamaha. ' 1think it is a Moto XXX team me mber Mike Metzger crashe d and broke hi s 1986 Rick J ohnson won the event; i n 1987 J eff Ward won: in ' . gOOd bike icr ·this .kind of stuff." Henry said 'of the hard-pecked . rightfemur during practice at ' Phoe nix. Metzger will be out of . . 1991 Jean-Michel. Baylewon: and in 1997 J eff Emig won. What and slipperytrack. ' Ith ooked up reallygood out there (much as it. 'action indefinitely. . do all Iour of these race winners have in' common? All four of · did when he won the Las Vegas Supercross last year):' .' .Jimmy Button win rideth'; AMA '125cc Na tlonalChemplonshlp them went on to win the AMA'S upercross title that same year. ' Speaking ~f the Phoen;;" ~ck. Team S~ki's laiTy W~rd ";'Id it Series in 1998. AcCording toTea m Chapairal Owner Dave DamUnlike last year's Phoenix Supercross, ihis year'; race was not was •...okay. Dirt Wurx (the track builders) did a great job. Those ' ron. the engine is currently being developed by' former World' sellout '- but 'the' attendance. figure was still impressive. PACE . guys have the same' schedules that we do: they're working every sin- Road RaCing' Champion'and 'tuning ace Kel Carruthers. .·When · you equate motocross toroad racing. the . 125c': engine is the Motor S ports . the series promoter.. anno unced that 5.5;225 . gle weekendand neverget to go home. They'redonq-a great job'.. . . closest we. get.' Damron said. ' We feel Kel and hiS road'racing .spectators turned out for this year's race. . . . . . . It appears that Da vid Vu ille'min W:i11 riot foliow the e~tire West: experience will bring the most' out of. the Yamaha '125cc engine Leis Angeles S upe rcross .winn·e r Sebastien Tortet'n was a .' ern Regfon ·Champions hip·.· as 'he has confirme d his plans of . for Jimmy.' Race team' manager la rry 'Brooks agreea :. •After all, no-show at Phoe nix, The' former "25cc' World Champion twist. returning to the RM , 25cc Wond CharnpionsblpSenes." ! win .go · 500cc GP bikes are. basically powe red .by four 1250c ~ngines. · ed his knee at the Kawasaki test track during the week and was . to the GPs in Europe . and l.wlll miss .the Minneapolis S uper - . .. . ' ' . .. advised by' his doctors not to make the tripto Arizona, Rumors . cross .' he .said.· ~ I think I will come back'for Dallas . so I wllI 'only . While the 125cc West Region Supercross is nciwinfullSwing, the'· were running .rampani in the Phoe nix pits ·that Tortelli's .injury miss one race. J hop... to come back and ride the 250cc class next . East Region guys are counting the days to their opening round in was career-threate ning. .but Kawasaki race team manage r .year. but onlyif I am World Champion this year, and it's very hard .. Indianapolis on Feb ruary 1.4. • Ricky ca n:t wait.' said ,Johnny . O·Mara. Ricky Carmichael's close 'friend and consultant, ' He' s · Bruce S tjernstrom brought it all Into fcicus . .· He's okay.' Stjem, to be a World Champion.' . .raring to go. Ricky's been riding and training with Ezra Lus k, and strom said. : He 'lI be out 10 to 015 days . He just twisted It. He 's Another rumor floating through the Te;"pe pits ';"as.that defending those two make a good combination.: goo d.• . . .. . : . AMA Supercross .Champion .Je H Emig had hired a publicist In Team ~asa kj's Ryan Hughes is still ~trUggli ng with sorenesS order to he lp promote both the ·s port .a nd his own p e rsona: Team SplitFire/Pro CircuiUKawasaki.owner Mitch PaYton .also . in his .Iower back and.his foot. Hughes in jured himself after landing Although details were sketchy, the objective of both Emig and his commented on the' LusklCarmicliael ·association. 'T m stoked: · hard off a jump while practicing. ' My foot feels' better . but my' PR person was ·to procure and cap itali~e on' various electronic: Payton said.' •Those 'guys 'ride lbeir motorcycles and bicycles and back. - there' so mething wrong 'with it. "· Hughes said after' his .and 'print:media ' outlets in key demog~a phi 6 markets across the train'together and'don't get 'caught upin the scene in California. . . . .' .' . eighth-place finish in the 250cc main. ' 1think I'm'going to get an United States. :. ' . . . They're b?ck there (on the East Coostl.working h!',d... MRI done. this .week to see ' if they can see anything. This is ·the. · seco nd weekthat ! haven't been able to ride during the week. But · Accoraing 't~ Enrico ·Borghi. motocross, ~ditor' at Mota Sprint (one ' Former AMA 125cc Naii~~al Champion Guy Cooper attempted to . n) .1felt like I.was really.fast out.there tonight;' G the main event. I · 'of Italy's rnoslpromjnent motorcycle publications). 125cc' World - . qualily.for both the '125 and 250cc main ·events.in Ari~ona ..The KTM-. was up thera about 'sixth o r seventh. : then I fell down' and'went · . Road Racing Champion Valent ino ' Ro ssi was blown away by .ma.,.nted Coof'!"r justmissed maki~g the 125cc mainand dame up a . .' back to 18th. I the n came back up to'eighih:That was good. bui I · . his 'visit to the LA Memorial .Colise um.S·upercross..' He 's just few positions short of qualifying for tbe 250cc main as Well. ' . ' . "would like to ride at least once a week." ' . ' · cra.zy about .A meric~ n .~up~rcro~s n~w."· reports Borghi: ' "A ll o f ' . ' .. . . . . ri c .JohnsC?n E . ." a 9

• Cover