Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Events SETRA Enduro Series, Round 9 (Left) Franklin Ramey III scored the overall win at the SETRA-sa!1ctioned Swamp Fox Enduro, held in the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina. (Above) Mitch McRee took Senior A honors in the 5Q.-mile event. By Kenneth King FRANCIS MARION NATIONAL FOREST, SC, JAN'. 17 as Gas Franklin Ramey III chalked up another win this season with the overall at the Swamp Fox Enduro. Ramey put together consistent scores throughout the race to best runner-up Allen Gravitt. Ramey posted a five to Gravitt's six. "I had a good ride," said Ramey. "I feel I should have done better, though. I had a few close calls here and there, and my bike worked great. ALI in all, it was pretty uneventful." ~ Gravitt matched Ramey's score in three of the four sections throughout the enduro. "It was a good course," said Gravitt. "They had some new stuff, plus the old whooped-out sections. It was a good, well-run event." In the number-three spot was Vet A rider Johnny McCoy. McCoy surprised quite a few with his exceptional ride, dropping only six points to tie Gravitt on minutes, but he fell short in the second department. "I have to say I was angry and frustrated going into the race - having to do with some personal problems - and it is not a good idea to race with that attitude," said McCoy. "It caused me to ride a bit over my head, and I was just lucky I didn't get hurt. Aside from that, this is the type of terrain I grew up riding in, so I felt pretty comfortable." Randy Hawkins was also on hand, but the multi-time enduro champ had his share of problems during the race. He played catch-up most of the day. Things were going fine until he burned the last check by two minutes, ending any chances he had for a win. "[ had my usual slow start - something that has plagued me my whole G 32 career," said Hawkins. "Franklin rode well. He had two points on' me going into the last section. I just pinned it and never looked a t my clock. I came ou t two minutes early." This was the 27th annual running of the Swamp Fox Enduro, sponsored by the Family Riders out of Charleston, South Carolina. The event was co-sanctioned by the Florida Trail Riders and was the only non-Florida race on their sched ule. Looking at the terrain, however, it was like the race was in the middIe of Florida instead of the Francis Marion National Forest, some 30 miles from Charleston. The enduro was close to 60 milesJong and included all the stuff that riders have come to expect. Huge sand whoops, tight woods and great trails combined with wonderful weather made the event fun for most riders. • Key time was 9 a.m., with the start located at the campground trail head in the ORV park. The first section was 12 miles long and consisted" of trail mainly used by the local ORV park, and, as expected, it was whooped out to the max. Ramey blazed through the section with a one-point loss, three seconds shy of a zero. "[ rode hard in that first section," said Ramey. "My computer was off; I stopped once to bump up the mileage. I should ha ve zeroed the check." Gravitt had the next-best time with a 2.13. McCoy followed with a 2.15. "I got behind a guy right as we started into the tight stuff," said McCoy. "He couldn't get out of my way and I couldn't pass. It wasn't his fault, but it cost me a point. I feel [ could have scored a·one." Hawkins dropped a 3.19. "I always start off slow," claimed Hawkins. "My bike was working good, though. This was completely different suspension settings than what we have been running. I had it a bit too oft at first. [ had to stiffen it up after the fir t section." Section two consisted of 9 miles of good, tough trail, mixed with some new stuff. Hawkins cranked thing up a notch to post the lowest score: one point. "I knew Franklin had me by two points and I was trying to make up as much as I could," said Hawkins. "My suspension was working better after I made a few adjustments." Ramey, Gravitt and McCoy all dropped two points. Threes and fours were the norm in the A classes. Because of some of the whooped-out trails, riders tended to hang close to the edge of the trail in an attempt to avoid the deepest part of the whoops. This proved to be quite dangerous, and several riders ended their race early by hitting stumps hidden beneath the underbrush. Two rider~ suffered broken collarbones, and one rider (Frank Anello) broke his leg and spent the day at Cooper hospital in Mount Pleasant. He got some stainlesssteel screws and plates as souvenirs. The third section was 7 miles long. Ramey posted the fast time with a 2.04. "[ hit a stump pretty good going pretty fast in the third section," said Ramey. "It threw me into a tree and [ got a limb all tangled in my brakes." Hawkins followed with a 2;13, and Gravitt carded a 2:20. "I had a few close calls in tha t section; I almost took out. a few spectators in a few of the comers," said Gravitt. McCoy went 2:35 and Husaberg rider Michael Grizzle scored a 2:58. Kawasaki rider Steven Smith sneaked in with a 2;59. The final points taker of the day came at 61 miles. A restart took the riders into the last 14 miles of the day. "I knew I was down on points," said Hawkins, "and I was hoping the last trail would be tight enough for me to make up the time. When I left the restart, I just pinned it. I never even 'looked at my clock again. When I saw the check, I was two minutes early." The final trail was faster than most thought it would be. "I kept a good pace - nothing too fast," said Ramey. "I didn't have any trouble - just rode good and stayed on · time. " Ramey zeroed the section, as did Gravitt and McCoy. "I wish that last section would have been tougher," said Gravitt. "It was pretty easy to stay on time. This was a good effort by the Family Riders." Although Hawkins did not get the finish that he wanted, he was still impressed with the event, as well as with the other SETRA races that he has run so far. "I read a story in Racer X this month," said Hawkins. "Suzuki's Mike Webb said enduros were on the decline and that they didn't get the turnout of the GNCCs. I think he is on the moon. He has never been to a SETRA race. There were 300 to 350 riders at Charleston. The dub also put on a mini enduro on Saturday. I was really impressed with it." With the win, Ramey moved into the series points lead. CI/I Swamp Fox Enduro Francis Marion National Forest, South Carolina Results: January 17,1999 (Round 9) O/A: Franklin 'Ramey ITl (G-G). AA: 1. Allen Gravitt (KTM); 2. jason Chancey (KTM). OPEN A: 1. Steve Hiudeman (KTM); 2. CaJlie Ward . (Yam); 3. Ne;1 Sharphorn (KTM). 250 A: 1. Steven Smith (K.1W); 2. Stephen Edmonson (K..1W); 3. Steve 5..1undcrs CKaw). 200 A: 1. Travis Hayes (KTM); 2. MichaeJ Sigety (Suz); 3. Martin PrueH (KTMJ. 4-STRK A: 1. Jeff Harris (Hus); 2. Andy Barkley (Han). VET A: 1. Johnny McCoy (Kaw); 2. Johnny Simkins CKaw); 3. Robert Pearson (KTM). SR A: 1. Mitch McRee (KTM); 2. Terry Hughes (Yam); 3. Gary WiJliams (Hon). S/SR A: 1. Robert eeley (KTM); 2. M.ike Shank (Kaw). OPEN B: 1. Chris Doran (KTM); 2. Eddje Royals (KTM); 3. B.T. Mortez (Yam). 250 B: 1. Kim Watson (KTM); 2. Trey Welborn O

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