Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

AMA Mid·South Winter Hare Scrambles series, Round 10 It's Plessinger's turn By Paul Michels DICKSON, TN, MAR, 29 cott Plessinger took time out from his busy racing schedule to snare top honors at the final round of the AMA Mid-South Pirelli/Moose OffRoad Winter Hare Scrambles Series on a beautiful 80-degree day in southwestern Tennessee, "My friend Duane Conner and I decided last night to come down and get some time in the saddle before next weekend down her.e at Loretta Lynn's, so he picked me up this morning and we hauled butt down here," said PleSSinger about coming out to the fi[tal round, "Although the results haven't showed it, my bike has been working well; I've just had some bad luck lately, Last week in South Carolina I broke off my shifter, and in Florida I ran out of gas, So I'm confident I'll be back in the hunt soon." . Mike Sampson, aboard his c::;reat Daves/Maxxis Tires/Sprocket Specialists-sponsored TM, knew just what he had to do to win the championship. It was fairly simple on paper: Just finish ahead of Stephens Sports Center Kawasaki-mounted Blair Bersano, and the title was his. The hosting club, Don Thava Factory Works, laid out an exciting 8-mile course in a new, never-before-ridden location, with very little mud and fast, dry woods trails. Sampson wasted little time as he laid claim to the holeshot and continued out front as the pros entered the scoring tent at the end of lap one. Plessinger was'second, while factory Gas Gas pilot Conner . stayed close in third. Bersano came throu.gh fourth and Indiana's John Maschino, on another Great Daves TM, - rounded ou t the top five. Sampson continued his'charge out front until the end of lap three, when he stopped for gas and Plessinger shot past for the lead. The race for first was now over, as Plessinger never let up or looked back until he had crossed the line, with the win. Sampson was consistent and stayed close to the leader and came through the checkers about 15 seconds back to earn the championship. Conner kept the two front-runners in sight as he came through a respectable third just a few seconds back. "The bike is working pretty well," Conner said about his new Gas Gas. "We've had a couple minor problems in the first couple of races that kept us out of a top spot, but the biggest drawback is the smq,ll MX-sized tank. I usually have to make an extra gas stop in the three-hour-plus races. Other than that, I really like the bike. I think it's just a matter of time now." Maschino moved into the fourth spot on the fifth lap, and Bersano was a disappointed fifth. "l've got to hand it to Sampson," said a disappointed Bersano after the race." He did what I should have by riding a smart, consistent race." fN S AMA Mid-South Winter HS Series Dickson, Tennessee Results: March 29, 1998 (Round 10) AA PRO: 1. Scott Plessinger (KTM); 2. Mike Sampson (TM); 3. Duane Conner (G-G); 4. John Maschino (TM); 5. Blair Bersano{Kaw). 250 A: 1. Steve Cordon O(aw); 2. Chris Hicks (KTM); 3. Lance Smith (Yam); 4. Gary Hendricks; 5. David Durkee (Yam). VET A: 1. Michael Cornett (Yam); 2. Wade Perry (Kaw); 3. Timmy Pool a

• Cover