Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Red Bud MX Opener Lamp and Hofmaster haul By Larry Witmer BUCHANAN, Ml, APR. 19 m Hofmaster took the win in the hotly contested 125cc Expert class when the motocross season kicked off at Red Bud Track and Trail. It didn't come easily for the Banzai Suzukimounted speedster, as he fended off runner-up Kevin Lampe. Lampe took the front spot in the 250cc Expert division to find some redemption, with Hofmaster taking third overall behind Over 25 Expert-elass winner Jay Wagner. Gene Ritchie and the crew worked like clockwork on their opening motocross of the year. The 600-plus rider count took its toll on the famous Red Bud circuit, but the crew kept the track in moist, dust-free racing conditions. This opener was very pedal, as it kicked off Red Bud's 25th year of motocross competition. Gene greeted the hearty bunch at the riders' meeting, talking about 25 years of promoting at Red Bud and how much it meant to him and his family. The 125cc Expert division saw Lampe rip the holeshot, with Nate Eslinger econd, Hofmaster third, Indiana rider Zach McRill fourth and Richard Watson fifth. Lampe made a critical error on the opening circuit and went down in the tight sand switchbacks, giving the lead to Eslinger. Hofmaster was hot on the rear fender of Eslinger. At the completion of the first lap, Hofmaster sneaked past Eslinger, taking the inside line and the lead. The front-running duo of Hofmaster and Eslinger was soon run down by Lampe to make it a three-way battle. The fourth spot now belonged to Watson, who displaced McRilI in the valley triple-jump section. Lampe outjumped Eslinger to take second on the third lap and set sail after Hofmaster. Lampe caught Hofmaster and retook the lead in the left-hand, multi-berm corner going toward the famous "LaRocco Leap" section. Hofmaster kept the pressure on the hard. charging Lampe, and it paid off when Lampe sampled the Red Bud soil-again. Lampe remounted his Thompson Motor Sports Yamaha and set out after Hofmaster again_ Lampe's charge came up snort as Hofmaster took the wiIT, with Lampe hot on his tail. Third went to Eslinger, who was followed by Suzukimounted Watson and Jason Vienot. Hofmaster controlled the second 125cc Expert moto from the drop of the gate to the checkers. Lampe, Vienot, Carey West and Eslinger rounded the second comer in close pursuit. Hofmaster put it to the talented field, opening up a five-second lead over Lampe by the completion of the first lap. Lampe gave ..Jt his best effort, but Hofmaster still took the second-moto win with a 10-second margin of victory. "I felt great out there today," exclaimed the Torque Center/Thor/ Smith-backed Hofmaster. "In the first TI Kevin Lampe (350) took the holeshot and won the 250cc Expert class over Jay Wagner (580) and Tom Hofmaster (364). Wagner returned to win the Over 25 class, while Hofmaster won the 125cc Expert class. moto, I knew that I could match Lampe's pace. But after ripping the holeshot in the second moto, I felt sluggish and just told myself to relax and ride in my zone. I started to click and pulled away. The track was great today! The Valley Triples and the Pipe Doubles were some of my favorite sections." Lampe took runner-up honors for the day, with Eslinger carding a pair of thirds for third overall. Vienot continued to improve his Expert rating with a fourth for the day. Rounding out the top five was Richard Watson on his Suzuki. The 250cc Expert division saw Derek Gayheart on his new RM250 take the holeshot over Lampe, Nathan Miller and Wagner. Lampe put his Thompson's Kawasaki into the lead on the opening lap by using an outside line after the Pipe Jump entering into the sand switchbacks. Gayheart ran second, with Wagner trying hard to get around him. It was a great opening lap, with the 22-rider field in tight formation. Lampe had opened up a five-second lead by the second lap, while Wagner took the runner-up slot with a grea t clicker move while passing Gayheart over the new tabletop jump. Lampe continued to hold the front-running position, with Wagner keeping him honest. The third spot was the battle to watch, as MilJer and Hofmaster got by Gayheart in the late stages. Still, it was a great ride for Cycle Barn/Shaw Martin/Weisner Suspension's Gayheart, who was competing on the 250 for the first time. "This is my first race, so I didn't want to crash out," Gayheart explained. "( need to concentrate on breathing and relaxing out there. I'm still pumped about the holeshot!" Lampe came home for the win with Wagner glued to his rear fender. Miller was four seconds back in third and Hofmaster finished in fourth. Fifth went to Gayheart and new A rider Matt Myers took sixth. Lampe had the quickest throttle at the start of the second moto, with Eslinger second, and Wagner was forced wide after being pushed out. Hofmaster had a much better start in third, and Jeff Moore ran fourth. Lampe wasted little time this moto and opened up a five- second lead by the first lap. Wagner was the rider on the move as he went from ixth to third on the opening circuitThe second lap saw Lampe pull away by attacking the track. Wagner made his bid for the front position by getting by Eslinger in the Apple Orchard with a tighter inside line. By the halfway point, Lampe had a 10-second cushion over Wagner, and Eslinger was now under fire from Hofmaster, Gayheart and Baker. At the finish, it was all Lampe, with Wagner taking second and second overall. Hofrnaster got by Eslinger for the third spot late in the race and rewarded himself with a third-overall performance. "In the first moto I had a great start, kept my head on straight and focused to win," Lampe said. "The second-moto win was great. I took the holeshot and just rode my own race. The track was excellent, shaping up with great lines, and the corner berms -' wow! When I come to Red Bud, it's always worth the drive. I've got to give it to Gene and his l~ crew for the excellent job they do." Red Bud Track and Trail Buchanan, Michigan Results: April 19, 1998 AlrTO (4-6), 1. Scot Troyer (Act); 2. Jacob McCraner (Cob); 3. Cody Krause (KTM); 4. Brian Derby (KTM); s. Blake Derby. AlrTO (7-41); 1. Brett Wagner (Cob); 2. Cody Dam (Cob); 3. Ivan Hays (Cob); 4. Brandon Rose (Act);5. Danny Caudill (Act). AlrTO (SS), 1. Jared Hays (Yam); 2. Zachary Hays (Yam); 3. Steve Laughlin (Yam); 4. Matt Fozo (Yam). 5. Jacob McCrnner. 60: 1. Matt Walsworth (Kaw); 2. Brandon Ross O

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