Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

AMA District 37 Desert Racing Series, Rounds 14 &15 Hallgath hot By Mark Gowin Photo by Photos By Grumpy RIDGECREST, CA, MAY 9-10 he old saying "There is no replacement for displacement" got thrown right out the window when Eric Hallgath took first overall in four races aboard a KTM 125 at the Badgers Me's annual Mothers' Day Cop-Out Dual European Scrambles. The Badg~rs laid out two courses for the weekend of racing and had 520 riders show up to take on the 8- and 13-mile loops. KTM of Mojave/Vosburg Racing/ FMF/O'Neal-backed Hallgath showed up on Saturday with a KTM 125 borrowed from Vosburg Racing and stunned the competition. "I showed up Saturday and I had never even ridden the bike," Hallgath said. "The bike was set up for Mike Healey. I just put on an FMF pipe and spark arrestor, and rode it. I didn't even click the suspension." . Hallgath's hot, winning weekend began with Saturday's Vet Expert/Amateur race, in which he overcame his distinct displacement disadvantage by using his ultra-aggressive riding style to attack the technical sections of the 8mile course. Hallgath led through the first loop, keeping his 125 pinned as he roosted around the sweeping left turn at the home check, giving all the spectators quite a show. RUTS MC rider Abe Baumann followed on his KX500 some 30 seconds later, and Dirt Digger Me's Jon Parks was a close third on his CR250. The remainder of the race saw Hallgath extending his lead· over Baumann, which gave Hallgath close to a minute's lead at the finish. "I got a bad start," Hallgath said. "I went way left on the bomb run and-worked -my way up from fifth. The course was a little tight and technical, and I knew that was the only way I would be able to get Abe." Minutes later, Hallgath was back on the start as the banner went up for the Expert/ Amateur race. The competition was stiff, with Team Green desert aces Dave Ondas, Jeff Capt, Doug Chiapuzio and Steve Hengeveld on the line. When the banner dropped, it looked as if the Team Green riders were the first to the bomb; however, Hallgath began a repeat of his earlier race, quickly moving into first just after they funneled down. The first loop saw Hallgath with a 3D-second lead over Ondas as he flew into the home check, showering spectators with freshly roosted sand. Capt and Hengeveld followed, with 16-year-old Chiapuzio charging hard to close out the top five. As the riders came by for the second loop, Hallgath continued to extend his lead, but Chiapuzio had gotten by Hengeveld for fourth. Chiapuzio maintained his position to take first Expert 250. At the finish, Hallgath had a 3D-second lead over second overall and first Open-class finisher Ondas. "It was a good course," Ondas said. "I got a decent start. Hallgath just pulled away from me. I had a fun time; it was twisty fast. Hallgath was just a bit faster than me." T "I was fourth to the bomb," said the smiling Hallgath, who looked like he had just finished a trail ride instead of two hours of wide-open racing. "I picked off Hengeveld and then Ondas. Then I just turned it into motQ!" First 250cc Expert Chiapuzio thought that the course "was fun and fast. I got a little tired on the first loop and then I picked it up and picked off Capt and Hengeveld. Then I just held it on for the finish." Anna Cody took first in the Women's Expert. class on Saturday and then went on to race the Vet race, in· which she also had a good ride. "I had a horrible star in the Vet race," Cody said. "I started picking them off after the start and then I almost got taken out in a fast road section. I yelled and then got around him." Cody went on to race the Expert/Amateur race - her third consecutive race for the day - in which she was hit l>Y another rider. "I got hit hard on the high side and broke my ulna (arm), but I didn't break a nail!" laughed Cody, obviously taking her misfortune in stride. "I'll try to race in six weeks, but I'll have to soak off the cast first.'" The Kids race on Saturday saw some great action by the up-and-coming desert-racing stars, and the first 60cc mini rider, Jamie Lanza, had a great ride. "I was geared a little low," said the smiling Lanza. "I just got the holeshot and kept it pinned." -Sunday's Vet Expert race saw a repeat performance by Hallgath as he came through the home check on the 13mile B course wide open, showing his mota skills as he hammered the corner. Rick Daniel followed 30 seconds behind on his Kawasaki 500, and Parks was again a close third. Two loops later, Hallgath came across the finish with a three-minute lead over Daniel. "I had a great start and I was the first to the bomb," Hallgath said. "I rode Eric Hallgath flew I1ls borrowed Vosburg KTM 125 to four class wins at the Badgers MC Mothers' Day Cop-Out Dual European Scrambles In Ridgecrest, California. hard and got a good lead and then I just kind of cruised, checking out the course for the last race." l'arks picked up his second win of the weekend with his first in the Vet 250 class. "It was a fast and fun race," Parks said. "It was a little choppy and I almost hit this big rock, but there was no crashing and that's good. It was a good day." Following Sunday's Vet race, Hallgath again pushed hard and won the Expert/ Amateur race. Ondas was on Hallgath har<;i and finished seconds behind him as Hallgath was fighting a flat tire. Chiapuzio took first 250 after another clos~ race with Hengeveld, claiming his second class win of the weekend. On Sunday's A course, Dirt Digger Mark Wilson had a great ride, pushing hard on his KTM· 550 to take first in the Novice class. "I picked up the lead right after the first check," Wilson said. '1 liked the A course better. It was a little tighter and more technical." £N Badgers MC Mothers' Day Cop-Out Ridgecrest, California Results: May 9-10,1998 (Rounds 14 & 15) Saturday OPEN BEG: 1. Dennis Michalis (Yam); 2. Michael Collins (Hon); 3. Chris Baskin (Kaw). OPEN NOV: 1. Dean Nazzaro (Kaw); 2. F. Strong (Hon); 3. Adrian Amvero. OPEN INT: 1. Adrian Collins (KTM); 2. Doug Depue (Ka~); 3. Chris Myers 0<1M). OPEN EX, 1. Dave Ondas (!

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