Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

DIRT TRACK ~~~:~~Z~~:~~fSl " Round 1/Round 7: Daytona Municipal Stadium FLORIDA FLAT TRACK SERIES Springsteen (8); 12. J.R. Schnabel (7); 13. Chris Evans (6); 14. icky Hayden (5); 15. Will;' McCoy (4); 16. Ronm jones (3). FLORJDA FLAT TRACK 5 Ell.l ES POI TS Kopp (KTM); 2. Nicky Hayden (ATKJ; 3. Charlie Orr (RW; 4. Chns Carr (A1l<); 5. Dan Sbnley (Rtx); 6. Doug O'Boyie (Rtx); 7. Pat Behrle (RW; 8. Jan Segedy (Rtx); 9. Mlrk Corsetti (W-R); 10. justin Velicky (RW. Time: 3 min.• 33.780 sec. MEATS bps; 10 riders. top two tnnsfer): Rich King (CCM); 2. Will Davis (A TK); 3. Mike Hacker (Rtx); 4. Bryan Bigelow (A Jason Fletcher (Rtx); 6. Steve STANDINGS (Ahu 1 of 1 rounds): 1. Will Davis 003/1); 2. Kevin Varnes (H13/1); 3. Rich King (72); 4. Steve Morehead (67/2); 5. Mike Varnes (62); 6. Paul Lynch (53); 7. jeff Randolph (51); . Davey Camlin (49); 9. mE) Mike Hacker/Scott Parker (46); II. Chris Carr (45); 12. Ceo Roeder U (42/1); 13. Steve Beattie (42); 14. Brett Landes (39); 15. Joe Kopp (34); 16. Robert Lewis (33); 17. John ickens III (27); I . Dan Stanley (23); 19. Terry Poovey (ZZ); 20. Kenny Coolbeth Jr. (21). no no; s. Beattie (Rtx); 7. Lonny Kopp (W-R); 8. Greg Teague (}-Ion); 9. Pat Buchanan (Rbc); 10. Steve Morehead (Rtx). Time: 3 min., 27.917 sec. HEAT 6 (10 laps; 10 riders, top two transfer): 1Brett Landes (ATK); 2. Kevin Varnes (Rtx); 3. Kenny Coolbeth jr. (RW; 4. Dan Bu~... (Rtx); 5. Paul Iwanaga (Hon); 6. Paul Morgan III (ATK); 7. Roy Mill... (Rtx); 8. Jimmy FiJice (ICTM); 9. Ronald Hall (Yam); 10. John ickens IU (W-R). Time: 3 min., ~.410 sec. SEMI 1 (8 ),11'5: 12 riders, winner tro1nsJers): 1. J.R. Schnabel (W-R); 2. Lonnie Pauley (Han); 3. Georgie Price IV (KTM); 4. Craig Estene (Rtx); 5. Todd Kendig Upcoming Rounds: Round 2 - Harrington. Delaware, May 16 Round 3 - Springfield, Illinois, May 24 (W-R); 6. Ceo Roeder II (KTM); 7. Paul Bergstrom (ATK); 8. Josh Butler (Hon); 9. Davey Camlin (Rtx); 10. Ken Yoder (Rtx): 11. Chris Boone (Rtx); 12. Jon Cornwell (W-R). Time: 2 min., 51.118 sec. SEMI 2 (8 laps; 12 riders, winner transfers): I. Chris Evans (Han): 2. Mike Varnes (ATK); 3. Marc Gifford (W-R): 4. Bill Newkirk (Hon); 5. Paul Lynch (Rtx); 6. Garth B;astian fRtx); 7. Rob Damron (Hbg): 8. Ryan Brown (Rtx); 9. Marco Morello (Rtx): 10. Jerry Vanderkooi (Rtx); 11. Tim Eades (Rtx); 12. Mike McKee (RW. Time: 2 min., 49.409 sec. SEMI 3 (8 laps: U riders, winner tnnsfers): I. Dan Time: 2 min., 48.221 sec. GRAND NATIONAL (25 laps; 16 riders): 1. Scott Parker (H-D); 2. Terry Poovey (Rtx); 3. Brett L.. ndes . Stanley (Rtx); 2. Dan Buller (Rtx); 3. Paul Iwnnagtl (Hon); 4. Bryan Bigelow (Han); 5. Mark Corsetti (w-R.>: (ATK); 4. Joe Kapp (KTM); 5. Will Davis (A TK); 6. Rich King (CCM); 7. Charlie Orr (Rtx); 8. Roger Durkee (Rtx); 6. jimmy Filice (KTM); 7. Lonny Kopp (W-R); 8. ROMld 9. Kevin Varnes (Rbc); 10. DOlO Stanley (Rtx): 11. Jay Hall (Yam); 9. Justin Velicky (Rtx); 10. Greg Teag'ue Springsteen (H-D); 12. j.R. Schnabel (W-R); 13. Chris Evans (Han); 14. icky Hayden (ATK); 15. Willie McCoy (A TKJ; 16. Ranme Jones (W-R). Time: 8 min., 49513 sec. AMA GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS IAller 1 of 21 rounds), 1. Scott Parker (23/1 win); 2. Terry Poovey (9): 3. Brett Landes (16); 4. Joe Kopp (15); 5. Will Davis (14); 6. Rich King (13); 7. Charlie Orr (12); 8. Roger Durkee (11); 9. (Hon); 11. Mike Hocker (Rtx); 12. Doug O'Boyle (Rtx). Time: 2 min., 49.522 sec. \ SEMI 4 (8 laps; 12 riders, winne.r transfers): 1. Charlie Orr (Rtx); 2. Chris Carr (ATK); 3. Steve Morehead (Rtx): 4. Kenny Coolbeth Jr. lRtx): 5. Steve Beattie (Rtx); 6. Ian 5cgedy (Rtx); 7. Roy Miner (Rtx); 8. Pat Buchanan (Rtx); 9. Paul Morgan III (ATK); 10. Pal Behrle (Rtx); 11. Jason Fletcher (RW; 12. John Nickens III (W-R). Kevin Varnes (10); 10. Dan Stanley (9): 11. Jay Briefl ..Johnny Murphree has a new look for 19gB. The Californian, who won the AMA Grand National Rookie of the Year award, will be wearing whrte-red-and.blue "Evel Knievel-styled" leathers while on the AMA Grand National tour. Murphree's new colors are reminiscent of those worn by former AMA Grand National champions Gene Romero and Gary Scott in the 1970s. -It was all Matt George's (of Max Leathers) idea,' Murphree said. "We thought that it would be a good vintage style that would attract a lot of attention on the televised races. And, hey, I sure don't mind be.ing compared to those guys anYNay." Lonnie Pauley picked up a ride on one of Missouri Honda owner Bill Snyder's Hondas after his bUllet-fast Billy Fagundestuned Rotax. gave up the ghost eanier in the week, and the former Corbin Racing r.ider qualifjea the bike for both nights of racing at Municipal Stadium... My Rotax halfway blew up earlier in the week at Savannah, and we didn't really catch it In time beFore we rode on the pavement at Barberville on Tbursday," Pauley saic;l. "Then it really blew up, so Mr. Snyder offered to let me try the Honda, and I won my heat with it. so we decided to try it again at Munici· pal Stadium. Yesterday it didn't work so good, but that was a trial. Tonight we've got it feeling real good. I might be able to put something on 'em tonight" Pauley looked strong, but a missed shift in his semi cost him the lead and a berth in the main. Friday night's Hot Shoe National at Municipal Stadium was a special one for former dirt tracker and current Team SuzukJ road racer Larry Pegram, who chose the occasion to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Carrie Fickle. The entire stage was set up by announcer Larry Maiers. who turned the microphone over to Pegram and pretended to be selting up a mock interview between Pegram and the unsuspecting Fickle. Ms. Fickle was completely taken by surprise when Pegram popped the quesllon, and she responded WIth a "yes." "I thought I was going to get a ring for Valenbne's Day," said Fickle, "hut he gave me a watch instead, so I was kind of pissed off at him." When Maiers asked Pegram what he would have done If Fickle had said no, he responded, "I would have made her give me the watch back. " 00 0\ 0\ ........ 00 ........ ...c: u 'I-< ttl ::E 20 Corbin Racing's Gary Rogers had reason to celebrate when he put the" other" Corbin Racing entry into the show on Friday night. "I finally felt like I'd done something: Rogers said. "And I even remembered to get the sponsors in there." As a testimony to how difficult the competition can be at Municipal Stadium, Rogers failed to make the cut in the early-morning qualifYing sessions on Saturday. but he wasn't too disappointed. -I think it shows that I can hang with them," he said. Brett Landes took several opportunities to thank his tuner, Rick Canode, for what Landes feels will be a real boost forward in 199B. "He's really helping me with my confidence," Landes said. "I can't thank him enough." ..Jay Springs_n suffered a rare fall during the quick practice session held to initiate the riders to the reg roomed track surface The only low point 01 the weekend for Parker was when he spooked young son Austin Scott on the podium, while delivering an overexuberant victory speech. Alter that, It was champagne and roses all the way. at the Fnday night Hot Shoe race, but the three-time AMA Grand National Champion "ciaimed" to have a good reason for crashing. "·Just had to break in my new leathers," Springer said. "J fell down once in the pits, trying to break 'em in, but that didn't seem to work." too. "Joe is such an easy rider to work with, Geo Roeder II rides the wheels off it. and Jimmy Filice is looking better every time he gets on it," Owen said. "The factory is totally stoked right now. I mean, the factory guys were here, and we had Joe Kopp leading Scott Parker. What more could we ask for?" After the huge tumble at the Stadium that practically wiped out his season in 1997, ..J....h Butler returned in 199B With a new team. The 22-year·old from Mattoon. Illinois, will be shooting for Rookie of the Year honors with backing from Miller Racing of Mackinaw, JIIinois. Butler. who qualified for his first Grand National final at the 1996 Peoria n, will have two 600s and Haney·Davidson 750 at his disposal. Prior to the Daytona Short Track. Terry Poovey explained the circumstances that iorced his earty departure from the Hot Shoe main event at Municipal Stadium on Friday night. "I ran into Dan Butler, and the brake pedal wrapped around my footpeg and locked up the rear wheel," Poovey said. "I tried to win it too soon. I'm not gonna do that tonight. .. He most certainly did not. Speaking of new teams, the top Canadian contenders on the Grand National tour were sporting fresh livery for the new year. Steve Beattie has linked up with fellow National number ..Jim Mellvena and put together a team backed by Canadian custombike builder David Fid~ni. The pair will ride XR750s adorned with Fidani's Style Master Custom M/Cs colors. Chris Evans has also hooked up with TLC Racing, and will have two 750 Harleys for the new year. Saddlemen/1-BOO-FASTHOG tuner Skip Eaken said that he learned a few new tricks in the off-season, and the Grand National Championship-Winning wrench hopes to see riders Mike Hacker and Davey Camlin up front often. 'We won't have to start over again," Eaken said. "We're going to try and be a little more consistent. That sounds mundane, but it's the truth.' Speaking of the Moroney's gang, Mike Hacker said that he plans to better his 10th-place season finish of last year by working even harder in '9B. "I've been working on my physical fitness this year. so hopefully that will make a difference: Hacker said. "I had my best season ever last year. Hopefully, me and Skip can work even better together thiS year... The White's H·D/Schaeffer H-D team of Mike Varnes has picked up some additional backing - and a shiny new box van - for the new year. Varnes. who is the cousin of Rose Racing's Kevin Varnes, picked up help from the Eastern Haney-DaVidson Dealers Association, Meyers Trucking and Aral helmets. Talk about your understatements: Prior to the Daytona Short Track, Bill Werner commented on Scott Parker's performance at the prevIous night's Hot Shoe race. "I'm always impressed with him." Werner said. N was sure he could race down here, and cerA I tainly we feel better than we have in a long time. We just don't seem to be struggling. There's a lot of guys who can win. and hopefully we're one of 'em. Just getting points will be a big plus." After Parker's Daytona ST win. Werner was asked if all of this sudden "good karma" might jeopardi2e the team's championship run. "I thought about that as he was crossing the finish li'ne," Werner said. "I'm gonna take my.chances." A little grist for the rumor mill: A top tuner looking to fill a seat emptied due to most unfortunate circumstances is close to signing up a top-finishing rider who already has a factory ride and happens to be hell on a cQurse. Any ideas? . . n AMA Hot Shoe 'Champibn Kenny C_lbath has secured a deal that will see him campaign 600s in the .. BGN" dirt track series for. W.E. LePage Racing. "It pretty much c"me through H"r1ey-Davidson of Missouri (Coolbeth's 750 sponsor)," Coolbeth said. "They (LePage) are good friends with the owner. I'll be on their bikes for all the Hot Shoe races.• KTM and Haney represented factory might at Daytona, but little guys Dale Lineweaver and Bud Riddle had Northern Califor· nia Expert Rob Damron on their L&R Racing Husaberg at Daytona. Damron failed to qualify on Friday, and missed tne main event on Saturday aboard the Swedish·built flYNeight mls"ile, which has proved in the past to be more suited to the miles, but the crew has continued to refine the machine. and it may not be long before Husabergs are challenging their Austrian parent company. Uke Chris Carr, Nicky Hayden was successful In pulling off double duty over the final weekend of Daytona Bike Week. The 16-year-old from Owensboro, Kentocky, qualified for the Daytona Short Track field on Saturday morning, finished second in the AMA 750 Supersport race at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday afternoon. then rode back over to MuniCipal Stadium on Saturday evening, where he made the Grand National main event and finished 14th. "I was happy to make the main event." Hayden said. "' can't thank Tom Cummings enough for the opportunity he's given me. Road racing will be my main deal, but there's only 14 of them, and I don't want to be silting around on ~ekends. I'll definitely get more experience if I ride the dirt tra.cks." Hayden returned to the Speedway on Sunday and finished fifth in the 60Ccc Supersport race aboard his HyperCycle Suzuki. "My student is doing all right. isn't he?" joked former AMA 250cc road raCer Danny Walker in reference to his American Super· camps dirt track school teaching partner. Chris Carr. "Chris has just learned so much at American Supercamps, and I think that is why he has done so well coming back after three years. " On a more serious note, Walker said that the Colorado-based KTM dirt track manager Mike Owen and the rest of the KTM traveling dirt track school continues to flOUrish, and that it is even factory personnel In attendance were understandably over the moon about their rider ..Joe Kopp and his 2-4 performances at - being considered for factory support, which would enable Amerithe Friday and Saturday Municipal Stadium short tracks. And can Supercamps to expose the sport to an even greater number of people. . Owen also had kind ~ords to say about the other team members,

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