Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

(Fer left) Bryen Nelson won the Vet Pro clBSS 8t the Golden Beer Grand Prix held el Los Angeles County Racewey in Palmdale, Callfomia. (Left) Josh Summey (7) proved unstoppable el the North Carolina State Championship race held at Devils Ridge Molocross facility. Summey smoked the competition in the SChoolboy and 125cc B clesses wllh four molo wins. in the 12Sec Novice class. Leo was one of nearly 280 racers that competed at CMXR's Sunday motocross event, and by the end of the day the track was brutally whooped-<>ut and as hard as asphalt In the first moto of the 12Sec Novice class, the holeshot went to Yamaha-mounted Eric Johnson. He was followed by Ken Johnson and Mike Ryder. Eric Johnson continued to stretch his lead for nearly three laps, but the battle for second was on. Ken Johnson and Leo had gotten away from the fourth-placed rider, Adam Fichtehnan, and these two began to help each other reel in the leader. For nearly three laps, the two riders were playing follow-the-leader, with Ken Johnson leading and Leo adding pressure from behind. With the help of some slower riders, the second- and third-placed riders had closed the gap considerably. When the white flag came out, Ken Johnson attempted a pass on Eric Johnson, only to have a lapper foil his plans of victory. Leo moved around Ken Johnson in the infield section of the track. With time running out, Ken Johnson made a desperate move and went down; he ended up with a fifth-place finish in the first moto. The hrvo leaders were still battling tooth and nail in the remaining corners of the track. Leo would stick his front wheel in, only to be blocked by Eric johnson's Yamaha at the last moment. As they jumped off "The Ledge" and headed down the slick, wide-open sweeper corner, Eric Johnson controlled the inside and took the checkers with a bike length to spare. When the gate' fell for the second moto, Ken Johnson wasted no time in taking the early advantage ahead of Leo and Eric johnson. The rest of the pack was left to battle for fourth as these three riders maneuvered their 12Scc machines around the slippery-as-ice track. The first to make a mIstake was Ken johnson, who allowed Leo the opportunity to pass and get into the lead, which he never relinquished. The two johnsons were still battling it out, but for all intents and purposes this race was over. Leo took the checkers ahead of Ken johnson and Eric johnson, and a couple seconds behind the lead three was Ryder. Results 52 80 BEG: 1. ChriJ Nishimura (Hon); 2. Con:}' GusbI&on (Yam); 3. Candace Mobhagen (Yam). 80 NOV: I. TyLer Ktd'e (Yam); 2. Dane Jrlson (Yam,); 3. Jeff Vaughn (Yam). 125 BEG: I. Brian Valdez (K.w); 2. Bob Bam~ (Yam); 3. Chri5 Moreno (Yam). 125 NOV: 1. Pem- Leo (Suz); 2. Eric johnson (Yam); 3. Ken JohnJOn (Yam). 125 INT: 1.joth Tupi. (Yam). 250 BEG; I. D.rrel Wood (Yam); 2. MArtin Rydl!!' (Suz); 3. Tim Lyons (Hon). 250 NOV: 1. Kirk. Chandler (Hon); 2. Robert WersMg; (Yam); 3. JeffLysdale (K.w). 250 INT: t. Josh Tupa (Vam); 2. Bob Zing Jr. (Suz); 3. NM:oJas Granstrom (Suz). OPEN NOV: 1. Oane Anderson (Yam); 2. Rudy Casteneda (Han); 3. Todd Fritoltat (Yam). OPEN PRO: 1. Craig Davis (Vam); 2. Evan Joyee (Kaw); 3. O&rTen Green (Yam). 30+ BEC: 1. Brian Valdez OYw); 2. Zach Undberg (Yam); 3. Cary Smilh (Yam). 30+ NOV: I. Jeff Lysdale (Kaw); 2. Jeff Gray (Kaw); 3. Bob Arthur (Vam). 30+ INT: 1. Ty Swantz (Vam); 2. Tim Theodore (Yam); 3. But Keefe (Yam). 30+ EX: 1. james ~Ridder (Yam); 2. David Jennings (Han); 3. Tim Taun (Yam). 40+ NOV: 1. bch Undberg (Yam); 2. Mark Precott (Yam); 3. Ed Foland (Yam). 40+ !NT: 1. Brad Wooten (Han); 2. Jeff Blix (Yam.); 3. Chris CambocYam). 40+ EX: 1. Made Ol!ten (Ka.w); 2. Pat Hawley (Suz). 40+ MSTR: I. Rob Wilshm (Hon); 2. Daniel LMvab (SuU; 3. Tim Marsh (Yam). 50+ NOV: 1. Phil! Blackburn (KTM); 2. Ed Rodzach (Yam). 50+ MSTR: 1. Chuck Rouse (Vam). 50+ INT: I. Qive a-effins (Kaw). SO+ EX; I. Tommy Purl (Hon). WMN NOV: I. Usa Sher (Kaw); 2. J~ Pavidt (Yam); 3. Maryann Hobbs (Kaw). Nelson, Conaway clean up at CRC GP By Greg Robertson PAL\IDALE, CA, APR. 4 Bryan Nelson and Craig Conaway proved to be more than a match for the competition at Los Angeles County Raceway during the Golden Bear Grand Prix. They dominated the Vet Pro and Vet Intermediate classes respectively at the opening round of California Racing Oub's 22nd annual Tri·Race Series. When the green flag waved for the Vet Proclass dead-engine start, it was Nelson· on a YZ400, no less - absconding with the holeshot, ahead of the Honda-mounted trio of jimmy Roberts, Edwardo' Flippo and Frank Costanzo. Roberts latched on to Nelson's back fender, which made for a close opening lap, as Costanzo made his way around,.Flippo for third. Nelson broke away from Roberts and started to work on a lead that would grow to nearly 20 seconds by the end of the 4S-minute race. Roberts maintained a brisk pace of his own that saw him finish a comfortable distance ahead of Costanzo. Hippo held on for fourth, ahead of Richard Bunch. Much like elson's, Conaway's domination began as the Vet Intermediates rounded the first turn. Mike Licitra, Leo Saul and Danny Battaglia soon found themselves in a heated battle for second, with jason Markham and Randy Wilkins close behind. . Conaway's effortless riding style almost made holding the lead look easy, and he slowly started to pull away. Saul and Battaglia pushed Licitra back to fourth. C~naway cont.inued to increase his lead, which saw him start to infiltrate the Vet Pros by the midway point. Battaglia and Saul had their own little war going over who would control the runner-up position, while Wilkins closed in on ticitra. After 4S minutes, it was Conaway with the clear-cut win on his Nationwide Cycle-sponsored CR2S0. Battaglia was finally able to shake YZl2S-mounted Saul to earn second place. With just a couple of laps remaining, Licitra had bike problems and dropped out of the race, which handed fourth to Markham, who had worked his way back around Wilkins. R..ults P/W YAM BEG: 1. Matthew Popp (Yam); 2. Dalton Costa· haude (Yam); 3. Chandler Quimette (Yam); 4-. Eric Kahler (Yam); 5. Ryan Robi8on (Yam). P/W YAM ADV: 1. Sean Robison (Yam). P/W BEG: 1. Justin Schuoll!!' (l.em); 2. Chandler Quimette (KTM); 3. Zach Grandmaison (HM). P/W ADV: I. Chris Brackett (KTM); 2. Patrick Carrol (K'fM); 3. Gary Arellano Jr. (K'(M); 4. Michacl AreUano (KTM); 5. Kevin Canol (KThO. S/P/W (~): l. Tommy Aquino (l(TM); 2. Keith Robinson (Cob). Mi""" S/P/W (1~9): I. Gary Arellano (KTM); 2. Chris Brackett (](TM); 3. eo..,. Talbol. (Cob);'. AmIano (KTM). 60 BEG: 1. Nick Sanchez (Kaw); 2. James Jenkins ()(aw);. 3. DIIniel Cagte Jr. ()(aw); 4. Patrick Carrot (Kaw); S. Alan Jiron (Kaw). 60 (9-11): I. Douglas Carter (Kaw); 2. Preton Lundin (lYw); 3. Ken Slater Jr. (KIM); 4. Timmy Ritzier (Kaw). 80 BEG: 1. Timothy McDaniel (Vam); 2. Michad B~wer (Han); 3. David Noms (Han); 4. Mike GarcLt (VAm); S. Grant PhiI1ips (Suz). 80 (7-11): 1. Dave Carte' (Kaw); 2. Randan Han (Kaw); 3. Qu"ft!tl: NOfT(Suz); 4. Matt Elliott (Hon); S. Justin Morrow (Yam). 80 (12-13): 1. Sean Collier (Kaw); 2. C.J. Mahon (Yam): 3. MitcheU Alsobrook CKaw); 4. Ricky Parks (Yam). 80(14-16): 1. Chris Norr{Hon); 2. Robert Ouk (Yam). B{W: 1. Bobby Steffan (Kaw). WMN: I. Tama~ Neit:zd (Suz). DECADE: 1. Jimmy Robt-rt5 (Hon.); 2. Joe Casagrande (MaO. 4-STRK: I. Raymond Smllh (Suz.). 125 BEC; 1. ~mie Dietz (Yam); 2. Aaron B;ork (Hon); 3. Grant Moen (Yam); 4. Brian Enciso (Hon); S. MyAn Spacatdli (Y.un). 125 NOV: 1. Shawn Trabert (Kaw); 2. Brandon orton (Yam); 3. Deuce Rutledge (Hon); 4-. Eric Brust (Yam); 5. Bobby Schull!!' (Yam). 125 tNT: I. Jeff Eide (Yam); 2. Raymond Smith (Yam); 3. Brent Gilliam (Yam). 125 PRO: I. Chris Neitzel (Suz). 250 BEG: 1. Flemming LaJ"llOn (Kaw); 2. Augie Dominguez (Suz); 3. Eddie Berumen (Yam); 4. Bryan Ward (Yam); S. Matt Lewis (Kaw). 2SO NOV: 1. Justin Eide (Yam); 2. Neil Chisholm (Han). 250 INT:..,1. Nick Mairo8c (Suz); 2. Scott McCollough (Yam); 3. Bryan Lamborn (Yam). 250 PRO: I. Dustin Evans (Hon). 500 PRO: 1. Bryan Nel!ion (Yam); 2. Edwardo FUppo (Han); 3. Norm Schiel (Han). JR VET DEG: I. Troy Robinson (I-Ion); 2. CrAig McCormick (Kaw). JR VET NOV: 1. Scott Minster- (Suz); 2. Sha.ne Ramey (Han); 3. Gam Abayou (Han); 4. Shy Moshe (Suz). JR VET INT: I. Chris Reed (Kaw); 2. Shane Stanley (Vam); 3. Jason Markham (Yam). VET BEG: 1. Scott Wilbanks (Suz); 2. Greg Wilkins (Suz); 3. Mark Noleen (Hon); 4. Jon Hall (Suz). VET NOV: 1. Joe Casagrande (Yam); 2. Grant MClOt'e (Han); 3. Shy Moshe (Suz); 4. Jeff f'bll (Suz); S. Ray Rittler (Kaw). VET tNT: t. Craig Conaway (Hon); 2. Danny Battaglia (Vam); 3. Leo Saul (Yam); 4. Jason Markham (Yam); .5. Randy Wilkins (Suz). VET EX·PRO: 1. Bryan Nelson (Yam); 2. Jimmy Roberts (Han); 3. Frank Coswuo (Han); 4. Edwardo Flippo (Hon); 5. Ridw'd Bunch (Vam). SR NOV: 1. Ken Slater Sr. (Kaw); 2. Thomu Bice (Hon); 3. Kenny Kopecky (Kaw); 4. Russ Hoffmnn (Hon); S. Jim Masters (Kaw). SR AM: 1. Gnnt Moore Sr. (Han); 2. Serve Norr (Hon). SR EX: 1. Mike Webb (Suz); 2. Edwardo Flippo (Hon); 3. Mike CoMe:Iaar (Hon); "'. John Toper (Hon); 5. Norm SdUcl (Hon). Orr IR VET: 1. Martin Firetone (Kaw). O/T NOV: l. Raleigh Webster (Han); 2. Dave Rutll.-d.ge (Hon); 3. Art Jung (Kaw); 4. John Craft (YAm); S. BiU Weltman (Hon). orr AM: 1. Owies HowWI (Yam); 2. Bob Breach (Yam); 3. Chuck Woody (Yam); 4.)o!Ie Rodriguez. (Kaw). orr EX: 1. Jack Rota! (Yam); 2. Bill Schultz (Yam); 3. Scott MdJonaU (Hon);'. !.any Williams (Yam). OtT MSTR A; 1. Mike Webb (Suz). O/T MSTR 8: 1. Norm Schiel (Hon); 2. Steve Oark (Kaw). T.... 1lxe 80: 1. TiUNlra Neitzel/Tlnt McDaNel BEG: 1. Flemming Larson/Myan SpaceareUi; 2. Andrew SeItz:erfMlchacl Morris. NOV: 1. Jaime Dietz/O&rles Dana. INT: 1. Eric Brust/Scott McCollough. EX: I. Dustin Evans/Shawn Trabert. ......... 80: 1. Bobby Steffan; 2. David Norris. BEC: 1. Michael Seymour. tNT: 1. Brian Hulsey; 2. Chn. Toc:m. Neese captures NC State MX Championship wins By Jay Hauser SANFORD, NC, APR. 4 rom Morgan Racing/Hammerhead I FMFbacked jim Neese lives just a little less than a hour up the road from the Devils Ridge Motocross facility, which might help to explain Neese's domination of the North Carolina State Championship race held at the famed facility. Fresh off a second-place showing In the 12Scc class at the SI. Louis round of the PACE Supercross Series, eese took advantage of the Easter holiday and went looking to pick up some extra cash. eese did so, by winning the USee A and 250cc A classes and finishing second in the Over 25 A division. Kevin Walker has always been a major force in the Southeast, and, mounted on a YZ400, Walker went lool;ing to put Neese in his rearview. Walker put his FMF/Pro-Action-backed Yamahas up against Neese in the 12Scc A, 2S0cc A and Over 25 A divisions all day. , Another major player in the war for orth Carolina bragging rights was Suzuki-mounted Tom Welch, who also did battle against Neese and Walker. As the 2SOcc A-class contest got under way, Walker thundered to tI,e first of his six holeshots on the day. Walker and Neese quickly set themselves apart from the other 18 riders on the gate and stretched out a comfortable lead as Welch held down a distant but solid third, ahead of Mike Martin and Tri-Gty Yamaha's Chad ewton. just after passing the hallway point, Neese took control and that was it, as Walker never could repass him. Welch held on to third, over Martin. Chuck Shirley displaced Newton late in the moto for ftfth. Moto two was another tight replay of the first2SOcc A race, as Walker led the first half and Neese took over for the half that counted. Fairly new to the A class was jared Black, who put in one heck of a ride to finish third. Black nailed down a good start and rode to a well-deserved third in moto two to"ma1c:e the top five overall, beating Welch and Martin to get there. Neese also took both moto wins in the USee A contest over Walker and Shirley, but he was shut down in the Over 25 A class. Welch posted a score of 2-2 to take the win. Neese settled for second, over Sean Skutnik and Walker. Results so SHAFT: 1. Gavin Trettel (Yam); 2. Christopher Tonti (Han). 50 (4-6): 1. Ian Trettel (Cob); 2. Colton Tickl~ (Cob); 3. Cody Robbins (Cob); 4. Dakota Mathews (Cob); S. Ryan Zimmer (Cob). 50 (7-8): 1. Taylor Futrell (Cob); 2. McKinnon Welborn (Cob); 3. D.J. Ellis (Cob); 4. C.W. Brim (KTM); 5. Patrick Johnson (KIM). 60 (7·9): I. Devon Pilkington (KAw); 2. Taylor Futrell (Kaw); 3. William Puffy (KTM); 4. D.J. Ellis (Cob); 5. Tyler Bright (!

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