Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

SErRA Enduro Series, Round 13 By Kenneth King "I GREENSBORO, GA, MAR. 15 had a great ride." That is exactly how KTM's Franklin Ramey ill summed UP. his overall victory at round 13 of the SETRA Championship Enduro Series, the Cherokee Enduro. Ramey had an uneventful and flawless ride, dropping nine points over the 60 or so actual miles of the course. "I got my bike dialed in and 'it ran great. All the racing'l did during Bike Week paid off," said a pumped Ramey, referring to the GNCC opener and Alligator Enduro, where he carded a thirdoverall finish a t the Ga tor and had a chance at the win until a mud bog slowed him. KTM's Allen Gravi tt felt about the same way, although he didn't have quite as good a day as Ramey did, finishing second overall. "I rode good, had a few problems that cost me a point here an4 there, but thi is a good race and 1 had fun," the MSR-backed rider confirmed. Husaberg-sponsored Michael Grizzle finished three points behind Gravitt for third overall and the High Point A win. "I basically had a trouble-free race. othing really exciting happened," Grizzle said. '1 just tried to ride as best as 1 could." This was the 33rd running of the Cherokee Enduro, with eight of those being National Enduros. The Cherokee Enduro Riders host excellent events, and last year they were voted "Enduro of the Year" by SETRA members. This year, the club was anticipating disaster due to the six inches of rain that fell the weekend prior, causing major flooding. Many extra bridges had to be built over swollen creeks. Luckily the race was in northern Georgia, because the southern part of the state was still under water. As luck would have it, Mother Nature eased off and the area dried out tremendously well. The red clay was a little slick in spots and there were some mudholes, but for the most part the course was excellent. The temperature managed to creep into the high 60s by midday, providing near-perfect racing conditions. . . The mileage was a little less than in previous efforts due to some land problems, but most found the 60-plus actual ground miles more than enough. With the check-in/check-out format being used, you knew the fastest riders would win - not the ones willing to take a gamble and ride early. The first section to greet the riders was 10 miles of faster frail. Ramey, riding on row 33, posted the fast time through with a 2:39. Gravitt came in with a 3:49 and Grizzle came through with a 4:38. "I had a problem or two in the first section that cost me a point," Gravitt said. After a nice reset, it was on to the next points-taking section, another 10 miles of trail that was. tougher and took more points due to a few mud bogs from the previous week's rain. This time it was Gravitt with the fastest time by one second - a 4:17 compared to Ramey's 4.18. Grizzle was close behind the two with a 4.54, although he encountered problems before the gas stop which cost him some time. _ "My bike started skipping real bad,"· Grizzle explained. "I didn't know what it could be. At the gas, I found tha t a stick went under my tank and knocked 3l vacuum hose off. 1 fixed it and the bike ran fine after that." After the gas stop, there was a little problem with check number six. Ramey and Gravitt dropped two points and Grizzle dropped. three, but observation flags were placed in front of the check instead of 'check flags. After a few protests, the check was thrown out. ''I'm glad they threw that check out," Grizzle said. "I didn't do too good in that section. 1got lucky." The next trial was about 13 miles long and was tough in spots, but for the most part it 'was fairly fast. Ramey dropped another two while Gravitt and Grizzle carded threes. There was a nice spectator hill, followed by a rock ection tha t gave people a good chance to see the riders. "The ground was almost perfect," Ramey said about the section. 'The trail was really nice." . The last points-taking section of the day was a very short 4-mile section that was very tight. Ramey and Gravitt tied by losing a single point each, while Grizzle card.ed a three. At the end of the race, it was Ramey taking the overall win with a nine, followed by Gravitt (11) and then Grizzle (14). Gravitt won the AA class and Grizzle took the High Point A and Open A trophies. "Harold Barton and the rest of the Cherokee guys really put on a first-class event," Gravitt summarized. "It's a fun race." . Ramey and Gravitt are in a tight battle for the series championship, with Ramey hoping to make it two in a row. Only time will tell, and it looks as though it's going to go down to the wire. ...'" (Above) Franklin Ramey III rode his KTM to a nine-point card and the overall win at the Cherokee Enduro. (Top right) KTM's Allen Gravitt finished two points behind Ramey and claimed the AAclass win. (Right) Michael Grizzle turned in a 14 to win the High Point A and Open A honors. (Bottom right) Mitch McRee won the Vet A class. Cherokee Enduro Greensboro, Georgia Results: March 15, 1998 (Round 13) O/A; Franklin Ramey. AA: 1. Allen Gravitt; 2. Steven Smith; 3. Ron Sharphom. OPEN A: 1. Michael Grizzle; 2. Mike Martin; 3. Joey Rowland. 250 A:. 1. Doug Masencup; 2. Jason Chancey; 3. Jeff Collins. 200 A: 1. Lee Stephens; 2. Tommy Veator; 3. Jay Lagro

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