Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

• U.S. Mega Series, Round 1 Gibson perfect at Muddy Creek Ben Riddle (41) ruled the 125 and 250cc B classes at the opening round of the U.S. Mega Series, held at Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tennessee. By Barbara Williams Photos by Loren Williams BLOUNTVILLE, TN, MAR. 8 eam Green's Jeff Gibson aced every moto of both the 125 and 250cc A T classes at the opening round of the U.s. Mega Series, held at Muddy Creek Raceway, pocketing a cool $500 in Victo- . ry Sports money on a day that was also billed as Dunlop Day. What rain? Muddy Creek Raceway was an island of dryness in the sea of wet stuff that drenched the entire Southeast on the day of the 1998 outdoor motocross season opener. The only rain tha t hit MCR was very early on the morning of the race, making conditions slick for practice and some of the first motos. Then the racing got fun. Riders came from all over the Southeast as well as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Indiana and Michigan for the kickoff round. Amateur-class winners took home new Dunlop tires, plus a summer-style Dunlop cap. Gibson was not the only one to score multiple wins - so did Gene Stull, in the 85cc (12-13) and Supermini classes; Ben Riddle, in the 125 and 250cc B classes; and Nicky Baker, in the Over 30 A and Over 35 classes; Gibson did not get the holes hot in every pro moto, as Randall Rowe of Raysal, West Virginia, got the drop on the 125cc A field in moto one. After a few turns, however, Rowe crashed and remounted in last place, ready to play catch-up. Rowe also rides in the Over 30 A class (where he finished fourth), and only recently advanced to compete with the younger A riders. "I started racing late," Rowe said, "and instead of living in the B class, I thought it would be fun to see how far I can get. So here I am, racing the kids. I'd like to have stayed off the ground today, though - have to work on that." Rowe's sudden exit opened the door for Gibson and Kingsport Suzuki teammates Jon Boruff and Chad Newton. While Boruff and Newton rode strong races, Gibson was still untouchable. In the 250cc A class, Suzuki rider Chad Lough of Tazewell, Virginia, spent some time leading the pack and would have taken the overall win if he hadn't crashed late in the second moto. Lough recovered to take third, and his 2-3 finishes earned him runner-up overall to Gibson. . Last year, Lough eased back into racing after a near-paralyzing back injury appeared to have ended his career four years ago. There was even some talk of Lough not walking again, but Lough's results on Dunlop Day disproved all the gloom merchants, as he is well on his way to regaining his former speed. "But I'm not going to get serious - at least not yet," Lough said. 'Tm just going to have fun and enjoy racing." In the Vet classes, Baker Cycles/ Suzuki of Gastonia's. Nicky Baker rode six motos, winning four for the .overall victories in the Over 30 A and Over 35 classes. Baker also finished runner-up in the Over 25 A class to an A-class newcomer, Fast Boys-backed Shane Shipley, with consistent 2-2 placings. Bakers' results are all the more noteworthy when you consider that he ran the Over 30 A and Over 35 classes back to back 12 laps around the long, 1.3-mile Muddy Creek circuit. "When r qualify for the Over 40 class, I'm going to be in shape to kick butt!" Baker exclaimed. l~ Muddy Creek Raceway Blountville, Tennessee Results: March 8, 1998 (Round 1) 50 (4-6): 1. Madison Hambright (Cob); 2. Bradley Bunch (Cob); 3. McKinnon Welborn (Cob); 4. Colton Baney (Cob); 5. Tyler Glance (Cob). 50 (7-8): 1. Brandon Large (Cob); 2. Davin Price (!.em); 3. Sean Hackey (Cob); 4. Zach Osborne (Cob); 5. Les Smith (Cob). SO SHFT: 1. Adam Ivers (Yam); 2. Brandon Seay (Yam). 65 (7-9), 1. Chase Beck (Kaw); 2. Justin Sipes (Kaw); 3. Brett Slater (KTM); 4. Sean Hackey (K.1w); Justin Ashburn (Kaw). 65 (10-11): 1. Kyle Preston-(Kaw); 2. Philip Ivers (Kaw); 3. Chris Osborne CKaw); 4. Alexander Hunter O

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