Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

GFI California. Winter Series North, Round 2 By Jim Enos A,JAN.17 1n he 250cc Pro c1as had a new face: Japanese sensation aoki Serizawa, who promptly lit the Carnegie Cycle Park on fire with a convincing win aboard his 250 at round two of the GFI California Winter Series North. Serizawa's teammate and American mentor, Jeff Pestana, dominated the 125cc Pro class, edging out the likes of Dan Paladino and Dean Matson. Serizawa, ranked 17th in the Japanese National circuit, came to the United tates two months ago to train with Pestana and quickly found the American soil to his liking. Backed by T.E. Sports, Westwood, O'Neal and Oakley, this was Serizawa's first race of the year, and in March he will head back toJapan to once again contest the Japanese Nationals. Matson grabbed the holeshot in the 250cc Pro-cl.ass moto, followed by Trevor Meagher, Serizawa, Terry Bostard and Pestana. Bostard quickly took over the lead on the downhill double and led the pack up the first uphill. From there, things changed dramatically. At the top of the hill, Serizawa took an in ide line that moved him from fourth to first in a flash. Serizawa and his Honda set a pace that would steadily increase lap after lap. Pestana inherited second after Bostard went down in a left-hand sweeper. Matson then held down the third slot. Coming up from a midpack start was Paladino, who began pressuring Matson about a quarter of the way into the 2D-minute, one-lap contest. As the two riders came across the top of the second hill, the ensuing downhill turn had room enough for only one rider; however, neither rider gave in, and it wa Paladino who came out unscathed. Both Tiders miraculously stayed upright, but the close call caused Matson to back off a tad. The pass put Paladino in third, a position he held until the end. The fifth position saw a heated battle between Cliff Cook, Jon Nelson, Bostard and Jeff Brownlee. Brownlee eventually won the war. Meanwhile, Serizawa clicked off consistent laps up front and earned a well-deserved first place at the checkers. Pestana held second and was followed by Paladino, Matson and Brownlee. Serizawa wa a ked about the track as compared to Japan's tracks. " othing like the Japanese tracks," Serizawa answered. "Much better traction here. My plan is to follow Jeff (Pestana) around to all the races until 1 go back to Japan." Clawson Motorsports/Pro Circuit/ A-Ride/a' eal-backed Pestana was pleased to see his te~mmate do so well. "He rode great and gapped me early on," said Pestana. "1 was tired from my previous moto, and 20 minutes out here at that pace is pretty tough." The 125cc Pro cla moto started off with Alford Racing/FMF-backed Matson once again leading the pack into the first tum. Matson's lead, however, was short-lived, as Pestana and Paladino quickly made their way past Matson. Pa1~dino found some quick lines on the newly redesigned track and passed Pestana to take over the lead. A few laps into the race, Pestana made several moves for the lead, with one move nearly sending him' off tlle track on a downhill section. Regardless, Pestana stayed upright and passed Paladino. The move proved successful, as Pestana began to set a pace that saw him open up a sizable lead that he maintained throughout the mota. Meanwhile, Paladino found hinlself pressured by Matson - • Events S£alL%AWA IJIJACIJ&,S (Above) Naoki 5erizawa won the 250cc and Open Pro classes at Carnegie Cycle Park in Tracy, California. (Right) Dan Paladino (40) leads Jeff Pastana (173) and Dean Matson (01) in 125cc Pro action. Pastana went on to claim the win. and Yamaha of Modesto's Brownlee for second place. Paladino eventually caught a second wind and held off tlle charge. Ma tson and Brownlee kept things interesting for nearly the entire mota, and endurance wa a key factor. Matson managed to keep Brownlee behind him, but he had to push hard lap aiter lap. The race for fifth between Jarrod Fisher and Cody Killam came down to the wire, with Killam making a white-flaglap pass on the downhill double. "The first time 1 tried to pass Paladino, he gave me a little nudge, and when I finally passed him, ] came real close to an off-track excursion," Pestana said about his win. "Paladino's a real clean rider, though, and ] did my best not to make contact." Yamaha of Modesto/Reikon/SPES Pipes-backed Paladino was satisfied with second. "Pe tana wa flying out there, and after he passed me, ] just settled in behind him to hold second," Paladino said. Third-placed Matson was well aware that he had company early in the moto. "] heard Brownlee behind me and I gapped him," said Matson. "It was real fast out there, and the traction was excellent." In other action, Merced Powersports rider Craig Truglio tum.ed in a 2-1 mota score for the overall in the 250cc Intermediate cla s. Powerhouse Yamaha's Jeremy Santoro gave Truglio a run for his money by taking the first-mota win. Ron Dejesus, who recently made the switch from Suzuki to Yamaha, put in a good ride for third, while Cory Morais and Dylan Vicha rounded out the top five. A huge 80cc Beginner class forced a two-division format that saw Suzukimounted Sean Hampton make a brave comeback and take the victory. Hampton recently suffered a broken arm on the Carnegie track a few months ago. eN Carnegie Cycle Park Tracy, California Results: January 17, 1999 (Round 2) 50 P/W JR: 1. Calvin LaCurrellc (Yam); 2. Tucker Hopson (Yam). SO (4-6) BEC: I. OUlan Padilla (KTM); 2. Christian Stauders (Cob); 3. Cameron BeClubier Clem). 50 ('1-6) 1. Ty Keenom (Cob); Z. joshua Greco (Cob). 50 (4--6) MOD: 1. Nicholas &cchini (yam). 50 (4-6) OPEN, 1. Josh Duppong (KTM): 2. Ryan Toomey CLem); 3. Brandon Nicholson (KTM). SO Frr: L Jason Shipman (Hus); 2. Joshua Phillips (KTM); 3. Trevor Howe (KTM); 4. Vincent CuDy (Yam); S. BOll Wiltz (KTM). 50 (7-8) BEC: 1. Cary Kotowski (KTM); 2. Ricky Adams (Act); 3. Donald Lee (Cob); 4. Grayson Swift (HM). 50 (7-8) STK, 1. Richie Thomas (Cob); 2. Cody jackson (KTM); 3. Stuart Luper (KTM); 4. Travis Hopson (KTM); 5. Corey PadiUa (HM). 60 F(f: 1. Luke Layton O

• Cover