Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Motocross Florida Winter AMA Series, Round One poeorob a tames the Gat .r (Above) James Stewart made a triumphant return to racing, winning the 85cc (12-13) and Super Mini classes at Gatorback. Stewart also finished third in the 125cc (12-15) division. (Left) Anthony Pocorobba won the 250cc Pro, 125cc A and 250cc A divisions at the first round of the AMA Florida Winter MX Series, held at Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville, Florida. By Mike and Anne Adair GAlNF5VlLLE, FL, JAN 2-3 nthony Pocorobba tamed Gatorback Park's famed motocross track, winning three of four Expert and A classes in the first round of the Florida Winter AMA Motocross Series. At the champagne celebration, Unlimited Sports president Jerry West said, "When Anthony first started racing here, we called him 'Pokey' because he was always last. His record today shows what hard work and perseverance can accomplish." 'Banzai Motorsports, Pro Action, Smith, Bieffe, Alpine Stars, Extreme, Torco and Pirelli-backed Pocorobba said, "The first 2S0cc Pro moto was the best race that I have ever been involved in. Matt Walker and I battled back and forth all the way to the end. I finally passed him for the win in the very last tum." During the final 125cc Expert moto, Walker slid out with his left leg trapped under the bike. The resulting injury forced him to withdraw for the day. Keith Johnson topped Barry Carsten and Pocorobba in a close 125cc Expert class. The Brockton Cycle/Factory Connection/Sinisalo/Belray /Scott-backed rider has an interesting new line of work. Johnson, who is one of many strong New England riders to contest the series, explained, "I've a great new job. I've started working for Cannondale Bicycles on their four-stroke motorcycledevelopment project." More than 600 riders tried a new format for the popular Florida series: The first moto was run on Saturday and the second on Sunday. Overnight and earlymorning rains created a muddy track for the Sunday morning competition. A i I: ; ~ . Q §! C N ~ ca '" ca .., c 28 After some major bulldozer work, the track was reopened. By midday, track conditions were good - and the racing was fast. Walker's AI Lane/Motoplanet Yamaha rolled on the first day of racing, winning three of four motos. "Everything just went well for me in the first motos," Walker commented. "I felt good, and the bikes were perfect." Walker struggled back from a poor start in the first 125cc Expert moto to lead Johnson, Pocorobba, Carsten and Neil Ricco to the checkered flag. In moto two, Tyson Hadsell took the early point, leading Ricco, Carsten, Johnson and Walker for 10 laps. Carsten moved by on lap 11, but Hadsell was tenacious and took back the lead on the following lap. "We were getting mixed up in lappers and Carsten surprised me the first time," explained Hadsell. Toward the end of the moto, Johnson joined the duo. "Carsten had taken back the lead," said Johnson. "] got by Hadsell, but that was it. Carsten wasn't making any mistakes." Johnson took the overall with a pair of seconds. Pocorobba was the only rider to upset Walker's first-moto streaks on Saturday. Pocorobba did so by winning the first 250cc Expert moto. "I was last off the gate, rode hard and got back into second place," said Walker. "Pocorobba was doing a good job, and I t:ouldn't catch him." Finishing behind Pocorobba and Walker were Johnson and Neil Prince. In the final 250cc Expert moto, Pocorobba led all the way from start to finish. Vince DeVane, Prince, Ricky Hamshire and Tony Lorusso were racing for the second spot. Prince moved into second for laps three through nine, but then Lorusso made his move and tied up the second spot on lap 10. "This was fun," said Prince, who lives in Great Britain. "] plan to ride some more races here and then go back to Europe for the GP season." Pocorobba will leave for Brazil to race a factory Suzuki in their National Championship series. "It is a wonderful opportunity for me," he said. Team Green Kawasaki-backed James Stewart made his first appearance after several months off, recuperating from a broken leg. Stewart won all four motos in 85cc 02-1~) and Super Mini competitions. Bubba Crosby won the first SOcc (7-8) moto, but he had trouble in the second moto, as Orlando Hamilton took the moto and the overall for the weekend. Kyle Keylon headed his usual rival, Ricky Renner, in both 65cc (7-8) motos. "This will give me confidence going into this series," Keylon said. Suzuki pilot Davi Millsaps rolled to a sweep in the large 27-man 85cc (7-11) class, leading Kyle Cl:\i.sholm and Josh Lichtle in both the motos. Winter Olympic Champion Ben Riddle had the best record of the event, scoring class wins in the UScc 02-15), 125cc Band 250cc B divisions. In the final 250cc B moto, Riddle had a fight on his hands before he managed to pick off Jeremy Brown for the win. Over 25-class winner Austin Squires upset favorite Mathew Crown by winning both motos. Barry Carsten celebrated the birth of his second child with a romp in the Over 30 motos, ahead of Earl May. May, himself a bridegroom over the Thanksgiving weekend, topped Billy Woods and Tim Eggers in a pair of competitive motos. "John Lundy gave me trouble early in the first moto," May explained. "In the second moto," said Wood, nursing a major abrasiqn to his shoulder, "someone forgot to turn, and I got used for traction." Over 4O-class winner Jerry Sales said, "I started third in the final moto, caught David Ellis and David Bowman, and then felt good running out front." Gary Peak lost a close Over 50-class second moto and the overall to Barry Mayo. "Barry finally got by me," said Peak with a smile. "Now he will be hyper all eN week long." Gatorback Cycle Park Gainesville, Florida . Results: January 2-3, 1999 so (4-6), 1. Zael< Freeberg (Cob); 2. Preston Thomas (Cob); 3. TylCT Moore (Cob); 4. Dylan Bantam (Cob); 5. Kalen Fitzpatrick (Yam). 50 (7~8): 1. Orlando Hamilton (Cob); 2. Colton Bailey (Cob); 3. Colton Maynard (Cob); 4. Dustin Solovitch (Cob); 5. Dominic Aizzi (Cob). 6S (7·9): 1. Kyle Keylon (Kaw); 2. Ricky Renner (Kaw); 3. Scan Hackley CKaw); 4. Dominic Aizzi (Kaw); 5. T.J. Rhonelli (Kaw). 65 (10-11): 1. Jan Millett (Kaw); 2. Don Solley (KTM); 3. Chase Revell (!

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