Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Golden State National Series, Round 1 4 Events By Tony Alessi SAN BERNARDINO, CA, JAN. 3 eigning World Champion Alessio Chiodi made his debut on American soil and left a huge impression by posting the overall 12scc.Pro-class victory during the opening round of the Sunstar Sprockets CMC Golden State Nationals, held at Glen Helen Raceway. In the first 12Scc Pro race, Ty Kady led the opening laps bu t fell under the pressure applied by minicycle great Justin Buckelew, who was making his professional debut. Buckelew was quick to take the point and almost instantly pulled out a big lead. "The guy who was leading was getting pretty squirrelly out there," Buckelew said, "so I decided to get around him as soon as possible." Once out front, Buckelew began what could only be described as a' flawless performance. The young New Mexico native eventually pulled out a 17-second lead. While Buckelew was ha'ving a fun ride, Chiodi was having a tough time with the other competitors. "The American riders are too fast," said Chiodi. "They pushed me off the track two times." While Chiodi was getting accustomed to the gun-and-run racing of the CMC Pro class, another talented rider named Brett Radne was making his presence felt by working his way into second place, in front of Kady. As the laps wound down, it was apparent to all that this moto was the sole property of Buckelew, who simply smoked the field. Racine posted a solid second, while Kady, Travis Preston and Chiodi rounded out the top five. The second moto saw Buckelew yank the start, with Chiodi in tow. Buckelew began to pull away early, but Chiodi was not far behind. "[ knew it was Chiodi behind me because his bike sounds a lot different than any other bike I have heard;' said Buckelew. "But with each lap it got more quiet, so I knew I was gaining ground." Buckelew's early chance at stardom came to an abrupt halt when he slid out on a high-speed off-camber straightaway. "I think we may have had the wrong front tire;' Buckelew said. "I just lost the front end in one of those wet spots." Buckelew mounted a charge after the crash and raced back to as high as second place, bu t he was derailed by Rusty Holland, who e aggressive riding tactics drew much criticism during the day of racing. In the end, Chiodi owned the day with a 5-1 score for the win, which topped Kad y's 3-3, Preston's 4-4, Racine's 2-7, and Buckelew's] -8. Sean Hamblin was the big winner in the 12scc Intermediate class and the Schoolboy divisions. Hamblin rode with strength and speed en route to the 12scc Intermediate victory over an everimproving Gerrit Ordelman and last year's mini sensation, Jonathan Shimp. Hamblin also edged out Turbo Reif and Ross Garcia in the Schoolboy division. An astonishing 240 minicycle racers were in attendance, all trying to become the next Buckelew or Shimp. Among the masses, there were s'ome double class winners who stood out: Bruce Rutherford won the sOcc (7-8) and 60cc (0-8) classes; Mike Alessi took the 60cc (9-11) and 80cc (7-11) honors; and Brandon Layton won the 80cc (12-13) and Supermini divisions. Mike Blose of Arizona did not win two classes, but he put on a great show R (Right) Reigning 125cc World Champion Alessio Chiodi raced to the 125cc Proclass win at the opening round of the CMC Golden State Nationals at Gleri Helen Raceway in California. (Below right) Sean Hamblin won the 125cc Intermediate and Schoolboy divisions at the Golden State opener. in the 80cc (14-16) motos. Blose and Team Suzuki's Shane Bess had a nail biter of a first moto, as Bess and Blose battled down to the wire. Bess scored the victory. Blose came back with a vengeance during the all-important second moto and found his way to the front, then promptly said good-bye for the moto and the overall win. Bess made his way to third but was unable to get around a very stubborn Nick Alvarez, who fought off Bess for a well-earned second-place finish. Like the mini riders, the Vet classes were full of racers as well. Of the Over 30 competitors, arguably the most wellknown was former 125, 250 and sOOcc 'ational Champion Jeff Ward. Ward, who won the event 10 years ago to the day at the very same location, participated aboard his Pro Circuit KX2s0 in the Over 30 Pro class. Though Ward finished fifth overall, he led the first two laps of the second moto. Unfortunately, as fate would have, bad luck kept him from the win. Instead, YZ400-mounted Terry Fowler recorded the moto and the overall class win. eN Glen Helen Raceway San Bernardino, California Results: January 3,1998 (Round 1) so (4-6): 1. Cody Farrar CKT,M); 2. Nic Paluzzi (Cob); 3. Blake Baggett (Cob); 4. Dylan Pemberton (Cob); 5.• Chris Plouffe (KTM), 50 (7-8): 1. Bruce Rutherford (KTM); 2. Donnie Kearney (KTM); 3. Trevor Reis (Cob); 4. Webb Massey (KTM); S. Billy BaJlestero (HM). 60 (0-8): 1. Bruce Rutherford (Kaw); 2. Casey Huntley (Kaw); 3. Webb Massey (Kaw); 4. Bryce Terzian (KTM); 5. Donnie Kearney (Kaw). 60 (9-11): 1. Mike Alessi (Kaw);"2. Jeff Alessi (Kaw); 3. Justin Mulford (Kaw); 4. Travis Christenson (Kaw); 5. Jeremy Johnson (K.1W). . 80 (7-11): 1. Mike Alessi (Kaw); 2. Chris Blose (Yam); 3. Ryan RoybClII (Han); 4. Pablo Quintanilla (Kaw); 5. Jeff Alessi (! 29

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