Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Round 1: Oglethorpe Speedway FLORIDA FLA T TRACK/NATIONAL HOT SHOE SERIES By Dave Hoenig Photos by Flat Trak Fotos SAV AH, GA, FEB. 26 nce again, Oglethorpe Speed( ) way's halI mile was the site for the opening round of the Florida Flat Track Series and the AMA's ational Hot Shoe Series, and opening both series with a win was Chris Carr. The Sacramento Harley-Davidson/Phoenix Racing/Big Valley Ford-sponsored rider came away with the 750cc Expert main vktory and the early series points lead. (The series will conclude at the Daytona Beach Short Track Grand National.) Carr withstood an early challenge by Saddleman/Lancaster Harley-Davidson/Dodge Brothers' Kevin Varnes, while Steve Morehead charged through the field a'fter a poor star't to put his KK/F&S Harley-Davidson/Sheperd/ Dragoo Harley onto the podium, Carr's win was the first for the newly approved Continental Tire, "It really worked on this track," Carr said, "We'll see about the rest of the week." At Oglethorpe, the 600cc Pro Sport and 600cc Expert classes featured the largest number of riders - nearly 5a in each class, There were also 28 750cc Experts and 15 Harley-Davidson Sportsters, while the 250cc Pro Sport entries almost doubled from last year, with 20 riders, More than 150 entries in all filled the five classes and the 4O-race program that ran its last race by 11:30 p.m. Defending 600cc Expert Hot Shoe Champion Kenny Coolbeth Jr. and Dan Stanley picked up right where they left off following last year's Las Vegas final. Despite an off-season motocross injury that resulted in complete reconstruction of his right ankle, Coolbeth stormed to a come-from-behind win on his Dave Burks Motorsports/HarleyDavidson of Missouri/Bill LePage Wood-Rotax, Stanley held his Circle F Frames/ BBRP/Nymo Plates Rotax out front most of the way but came up just short at the line. After many years of contesting Vintage Bike Racing, George Richtmeyer returned to the Expert ranks. Richtmeyer rode his BADDAR Racing Rotax to a solid third. The Harley-Davidson Sportster Per- formance race was a three-way battle, as Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson/White Bros./Bieffe-bijcked Billy Martin held off Rogers Lake Racing/Modesto Harley-Davidson's Gary Rogers and Moroney's HarJey-Davidson's Joe Eades for the win. Canada's Dominic Beaulac charged to the 600cc Pro Sport win on his Oaude Racine Performance/Luke Head/BSGbacked Wood-Rotax. Jerad Cheney and Robert Weiss rounded out the top three. Robert Weiss easily earned the "most laps logged" award, as he qualified for the HDSP, 600cc Pro Sport and 250cc Pro Sport mains. Weiss was able to work ~is Moron~y's Harley-Davidsonbacked Honda around early leader Nick Hammer and Brandon Laursen ior the. 250ccwin. The 250cc Pro Sport heats went to Cory Roth and Brandon Laursen. Gordon Schopieray and Joel Henson led the 250cc main into turn one, but it was Wisconsin's Nick Hammer who had the lead at the end of lap one. Laursen moved into second on lap two, as Weiss closed in. At the halfway point, Weiss had the lead, but he never could shake his young challengers. Schopieray ended up fourth over Brian Vincent and Jon Hansen. The Harley-Davidson Sportster Per: formance heats went to Martin and Joe Eades. In the main, 'john Grant led the pack into turn one. Martin held the point at the end of lap one as Grant tried in vain to hold off Eades and Rogers. By midrace, it was an all-out war for the lead with Martin, Rogers and Eades at the front. Michelle DiSalvo closed near the end but finished just off th pace. Kyle Long passed Grant on the last lap for fifth. Tom McGrane Jr., John Winsett Jr., Gordon Schopieray and Dominic Beaulac were the 600cc Pro Sport heat winners. Jerad Cheney, Dale Jones and Beaulac led the main off the line. The rapid Canadian, Beaulac, was quickly in control even though Qheney stayed dose, while Weiss, Winsett, Schopieray and McGrane battled over third. Schopieray moved into fourth on lap seven, but then he fell. The red flag came out on lap eight, ending the race. Bea ulac was declared the winner over Cheney and Weiss. The 600cc Expert heat wins went to Dan Stanley, Jason Tyer, G.eorge Richtmeyer and Kenny Coolbeth Jr. The heat winners led the pack into turn one, with Stanley out front. Coolbeth was the main challenger and briefly took the lead at the halfwny point. Richtmeyer blasted into third, while Tyer was being hounded by Greg Tysor. Tysor took over fourth when Tyer faded. With two laps to go, Joe Kopp wedged his factory-supported KTM into fourth. As the leaders received the white flag, Coolbeth slid into the lead. Despite an aggressive charge from Stanley, Coolbeth squeaked to the win. Richtmeyer was a solid third over Kopp and Tysor. The remainder of the field was jumbled as Jason Fletcher fell on the la t lap. Carr, Rich King and Paul Lynch all won their respective 750cc heat and then moved on to the Florida Flat Track Series points-paying main. Carr got the holeshot in the mad dash for turn one. Kevin Varnes kept the pressure on early but couldn't make the pas and settled into second. A fierce battle involving King, Geo Roeder II, Steve Morehead and Will Davis raged over third. With two laps to go,. Morehead was able to grab third from King. Roeder, Davis, Lynch, Mike Hacker, Steve Beattie, Bryan Bigelow, Johnny (Top) Winner Chris Carr (4) leads the 750Cc Expert field with Nicky Hayden (69), Rich King (80), Geo Roeder II (66) and the rest of the pack giving chase. (Above) Billy Martin took the win In the Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance main event. Murphree and out the field. - icky Hayden rounded Oglethorpe Speedway savannah, Georgia Results: February 26, 1999 (Round1) 750 EX, 1. Oms Carr (H·D); 2. Kevin Varnes (H·D): 3. Steve Morehead (H·D); 4. Rich King (H-D): S. Geo Roeder J] (H-D); 6. Will Davis (H-D): 7. Paul Lynch (HD); 8. Mike Had

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