SPCL OPEN AM. I. Byron 1I01t (Hol\); 2. Chuck Denard
(Hon); S. James Coffer (Hon); 4. William Menger CHon);~. Jalll('S
Menke (I-1on).
Ciarletta says "Seeyalater!" at
West Coast Motocross opener
By Tony Alessi
,..MORENO VALLEY, CA, APR, 17
Jason Ciarletta pulled off a hard-earned victory
in the 125cc Intennediate class during the open
ing round of the West Coast Motorsports Spring
Series, held at Starwest Cycle Park,
The opening round drew some 500 racers
from most everywhere in Callfornia, many in
hopes of wiJming one of three new motorcycles
to be given away at the end of the series.
"We have a YZ125, a YZ80 and a PW50 to
give away." said Starwest executive Ron Henricksen. "Basically, the more you race, the more
chance you have to win:'
Ciarletta had problems early in the first
125cc Intermediate moto and had to come up
from nearly a last-place start. Up front, Joshua
West led ·the early laps but gave way to hardcharging Brandon Milstead, who was on fire
aboard his Wiseco-backed Suzuki,
Mllstead went on for the moto win, followed
by Erik Meyer, who was making his 125cc lntermediate debut after moving up from the 80cc
Expert class.
The second moto saw Carletta get to the front
and run away from the field. Ciarletta cut lap
times close to Pro speed. en route to a hands-down
runaway victory. West ran strong in the final
moto for second place, while Meyer and firstmoto winner Milstead rounded out the top four.
David Sullins put together a set of solid
motos for the 125cc Novice victory. Sullins and
his lM5-backed Yamaha took an effortless win
in the first moto, followed by Danny Mohr and
Blake Bukamier. The second moto saw Bukamier in control for most of the race, but he experienced mechanical problems late in the race and
dropped back to fifth at the finish.
Glad Gaumer rebounded from a disappointing fifth in the first moto (after having been
stuck in the gate) by returning to win the allimportant second J1)oto. However, when the
points were added up, the winner was David
Sullins, whose 1-4 score was enough to top
Gaumer's 5-1 and Bukamier's 3-5,
Kawasaki TeaDJ Green-backed Mike Alessi
was the night's most successful minicycle racer,
winnillg three separate classes. Alessi was followed by his brother Jeff in both the 60cc (9-11)
and 80cc (7-11) classes and by 80cc (14-16) class
winner Donnie Gritton in the Supermini race.
"I tried to ,ide especially good tonight since
Troy from Fox Racing was here to videotape my
segment for Terrafirma 6: Wrath Child:" Alessi
said, "1 think he was happy because everything
turned out good and this place is so clean and
nice."
Results
250 PRO: 1. Konstantin Dezgunov (Kaw).
25+ BEG: 1. Jason McDonald (Hon); 2. Dion Barboza (Yam);
3. Jesse Corgan (Yam).
25+ 1Nt: L Duane Benner (Kaw).
30+ BEG: 1. jason Broussard, (Ynm); 2. Michael Samia (Yam);
3. David QUiZOll (Kaw); 4. John Hamml)nds (Suz); 5. Tony
William1l (Yam).
30+ NOV: 1. Brent Potter (Yam).
30+ INT: 1. Jerry Hensley (Yam).
Kennedy, Gazafy sizzle
in OTMX drizzle
w
60 (9-11): I. T.J. Rhonclli (Kaw); 2. Danny Weyer (Kaw); 3.
Matt Burke (Kaw); 4. Troy Davis (Kaw); 5. Devon Placidcs (K.1W).
60 OPEN: 1. T.J. Rhonelli (Kaw); 2. D.lnny Weyer (Kaw); 3.
Devon Placides (Kaw); 4. Tmy Davis (Kaw); 5. Garrett Wood
(Kaw).
60 BEG: 1. Ken Hill (Kaw); 2. Chad Slacy (Kaw); 3. Rob
I)mther (Kaw); 4. Dylrm B<1lltum (K.1W); 5. Tyler Moore (Kaw).
80 (7-11): 1. Matt Boni (Kaw): 2. BiUy Harper (Suz); 3. Jtfstin
Bryant (Suz); 4. T.J. Rhonclli (K.1W); 5. D.llmy Weyer (Kaw).
80 (12·15): I. Angie Lieber (Suz); 2. Jared Keuntjes (Suz); 3.
Jesse Richnrds (Yam); 4. Ricky Bryant (Yam); 5. Matt l'cdrero
(Suz).
80 BEC: 1. Kurt Dilffiron (KilW); 2. Tyler Livsay (Kaw); 3. Som·
mer Wood (Kl'lw); A. Michelle Gosselin (Suz); 5. Angelo DeVillo
(Yam).
S/MINI: 1. Matt Boni (Kaw); 2. Jesse T. Richardf; (Yam); 3.
Vince Cirrincion (Yam); 4. Ricky Bryant (yOlm); 5. Jared Kcutjes
(Suz).
YTH (12·15)1 1. Cliff Badgett (Hon); 2. Chad Mis (Kaw); 3.
Aaron Cone (Suz); 4. Chaz Northey (Hon); 5. Bryan Christopher
(Kaw).
'15-24: I. Blake Thorpe (Yam); 2. Randy Jackson (Kaw); 3.
Shawn Pettit (Yam); 4. Daryl Lind (Yam); 5. Max Lapointe (Kaw).
125 B: I. Shawn Pettit (Yam); 2. Kyle Myers (Suz); 3. AUgie
Lieber (Yam); 4. jeremy F~man (Kaw); 5. Tom Marks (Hon).
125 C: 1. Wes Caudill (Kaw); 2. Pat Manning (Yam); 3. Bryan
Christopher (Kaw); 4. Chaz Northey (1-1on); 5. Tony Stokes (Su.z).
125 BEG; 1. Josh Mays (Kaw); 2. Sid Boughton (Suz); 3. Tim
Highfield (Kaw); 4. Dan emy (Hon); 5. G (Yam); 2. Mark Dye (Kaw); 3. Bruce Estrnda (K3W); 4. Kevin Wi-lson (Suz); 5. Jack Oark (Suz).
40+: 1. john Coleman (Suz); 2. Kevin Wilson (Suz); 3. Mike
Caiazzo (Yam); 4. Steve Edwards (KilW); 5. Guenter Sommer
(Yam).
·WMN: 1. Traci Hess (Suz); 2. Ashley Jackson (Suz); 3.
Michetle Gosselin (Suz); 4. Sommer Wood (K.1W); 5. Ashley Jones
(Ynm).
Strange, Johnston top
Turkey Creek Motocross
By Gary Crider
50
EDGEFIELD, SC, APR, 18
Jerry Strange carved out wins in fierce 125cc and
250cc B racing at Turkey Creek Motocross during round three of the Georgia Prom6ters Group
AMA District 9 Spring Series, Ross Johnston was
flawless aboard his new YZ as he notched perfect scores in the Over 30 A, Over 35 and 250cc
A classes. Brent Carden was also a multiple class
winner via his strong performances in the Junior
Mini and Supermini divisions. The event set a
new attendance record for the track, with more
than 300 entries on hand,
In the 250cc B contest, Strange pulled away
from the competition en route to the moto wins.
Meanwhile, Jim Rexroat edged James Brown in
a points tie for the silver.
Brandon Langdon easily won both Schoolboy-division motos and returned in the 125cc B
class, in which he squared off with Strange.
Mota one saw Strange take an early lead for the
win, while Langdon got a midpack start for an
eventual third-place finish,
Langdon grabbed the holeshot in the final
moto and stayed out front for the mo.to win.
Strange was content with a second~place finish
in the moto, as his 1-2 tally was still good for the
class. win over Langdon.
The 250cc C division featured a dayJong,
three-way brawl between Rick Rikard, Jason
Soignier and Westin Lee. Soignier gassed his
Kawasaki to the front at the start of Uloto one,
but Lee put his Yamaha into the lead on lap two,
Lee held on for the win over Soignier, while
Rikard moved his Suzuki through traffic to finish in third,
Lee suffered a poor start in mota two, while
Rikard edged Soignier for the moto win, Lee
Rick Rikard (114) placed second overall in
the 125cc C class and returned to win the
250cc C division at round three of the
District 9 Spring Series at Turkey Creek
Motocross in Edgefield, South Carolina.
recovered to claim the third spot at the flag, The
end result was a three~way points tie with
Rikard on top, as his 3-1 bested Soignier's 2-2
and Lee's 1-3 finishes. Rikard also rode in the
12Scc C class, in which he had to settle for r:w1ner-up honors after sharing moto wins with
Daniel Hitchcock,
The opening SOcc Shaft Drive mota generated plenty of excitement, as Jason McCurdy and
Jonathan Smith raced wheel to wheel. Smith was
first at the checkered in a close finish over
McCurdy, The final moto saw Smith pull a good
lead over McCurdy, and Smith looked like he
had the overall wrapped up - but late in the
moto, Smith stopped to adjust his goggles,
allowing McCurdy to make an effortless pass.
McCurdy was ahead of Smith at the finish, netting the overall win over Smith.
Results
50 SHAFT: 1. jason McCurdy (Yam); 2. Jonnthan Smith
(Yam); 3. JI..'SSC Turner (Yam); 4. Mary Tuten (Yam); 5. Matthew
Lee (Yam).
50 (4~): 1. Forrest Lane (Pol); 2. Gmnt Ronsdcll (Lem); 3. Seth
Quesin~rry (KTM); 4. Collen Crosby (Cob); 5. Jack McM~namin
(Cob).
50 (7·8): 1. Bubb.1 Crosby (Cob); 2. Jeremy Hilrpt'r (Cob); 3.
Huntcr Jennings (Cob); 4. Bcnji Tedards (Cob); 5. Shane Bowldcn
(Cob).
60 (7-9): 1. 5.1wyer Barrow (K.1W); 2. Bubb..l Crosby (Kaw); 3.
Kyle Perry (Kaw); 4. Erica Hyatt (Kaw); 5. Jordan Pittman (K.1W).
60 (10-11): 1. Jared Tuten (KTM); 2. Tyler Jugel (Kaw); 3.
Rhett Smith (Kaw); 4. Wesley Masters (Kaw); 5. Patrick West
(Kaw).
80 D: 1. Keith Murphy (Hon); 2. Justin Odom (Yam); 3. joey
Hardin (Knw); 4. Rhett Smith (Kaw); 5. Drennon Morris (Hon).
80 JR (7-11): 1. Brent Carden (Kaw); 2. Josh Barrow (Yam); 3.
Christopher Pye (SU.l.); 4. Stephen Cooke (Suz); 5. Dashone Sum·
mons (!Caw).
80 INT (l2~13): 1. Stephen Houseman (!Caw); 2. Austin Cooley (Kawt; 3. Trevor Crogan (Hon); 4. jordan Gooch (Kaw); 5.
Terry Jones (Y;trn).
80 SR (14.15): 1. Z,lchary Kutschenko (Suz); 2. Greg junge
(Kaw); 3. Ronnie Ling (Yam); 4. Chris Jones (Yam); 5. Michael
Martin (Yam).
S/M1Nl100: 1, Brent Carden (Kaw); 2. jordan Gooch (KlIw);
3. Auslin Cooley (Kaw); 4. Trevor Grogan (Hon); 5. Greg Lunge
(Kaw).
SCHBY 125~ 1. Brandon Langdon (Yam); 2. Chad Minter
(Suz); 3. Jacob B..lertlein (Yam); 4. josh Fincher (Hon); 5. Z,1chary
Kutschenko (Suz).
125 0: '1. Michael Mathis (Hon); 2. Brent Lindley (Yam); 3. Bill
Free (Suz); 4. Stephen Cofield (I--Ion); 5. Eddie George (K.1W).
250 0: 'I. Tommy Butler (Yam); 2. james King (Kaw); 3.
Mich.1el Hooks (Kaw); 4. 'Robert trength (Kaw); 5. Mitchcll Davis
(KTM).
125 C: l. Daniel Hitchcock (Yam); 2. Rick A. Rikard (Suz); 3.
john Bell (Kaw); 4. Randy Thomas (KTM); 5. Cmig Childs (Hon).
250 C: 1. Rick A. Rikard (Su7o); 2. Jason Soignier (Kaw); 3.
Westin Lee (Yam); 4. Robert Slaton (Kaw); 5. John Schunpert
(Hon).
125 B: I. Jerry Strange (Yam); 2. Brandon Langdon (Yam); 3.
Howard Meador (Suz); 4.jay Irvin (Yam); 5. Chad Minter (Suz).
250 B: 1. Jerry Strange (Yam); 2. jim RCXI'OiII (Kaw); 3. james
Brown (I-Ion); 4. Keith Graham (K.1W); 5. Chris Seward (Hon).
U/t AM: I. Jack. Bethel (Kaw); 2. JilliOn Soignier (Kilw); 3. Jay
Irvin (Yam); 4. Jim Rexroat (Kawl; 5. Shane Lenning (Yam).
25+ C: I. Mike McMenamin (Yam); 2. Jeff Jackson (Kaw)i 3.....
Robert Flynt (Kaw); 4. Jody Weigle (Yam); 5. jason Koenig (KTM).
25+ B: 1. Steve Stroupe (K.1W); 2. Tim Hargett (Yam); 3. Rod~
ney Scott (Suz); 4. M.ichael Nylnnd (Suz); 5. jon Quesinberry.
25+ A: I. Ashley Epps (Hon); 2. jonathan McClellan (Yam); 3.
Mark Palmisano (Kaw); 4. Chris Withers (Hus); 5. Mark Knode
(K.1W).
30+ C: 1. Mike McMenamin (Yam); 2. Steve Chambers (Kaw);
3. Andrew Gaiewski (K.1W); 4. Charles Brown (Yam); 5. Roy Perry.
30+ B; 1. Micl\<1el Nyland (Suz); 2. Russell Runge (K.1W).
30+ A: 1~ Ross johnston (Yam); 2. Ken Tedards (Yam); 3. john
Side11er (Hon); 4. Kirk Beitzel (Suz); 5. Steve Petty (I-Ion).
35+: 1. Ross johnston (Yam); 2. Ken Tedards (Yam); 3. Donny
Banks (Suz); 4. Kirk Beitzel (Suz); 5. Kevin Mathews (Hon).
40+: I. Donny Banks (Suz.l; 2. Kevin Mathews (Hon); 3. Dale
Deaton (Hon); 4. Rick E. Rikard (Suz); 5. Phillip Wagner (Hon).
VET NOV: 1. Mike Rexroat (SU7); 2. Andrew C.ljewski (Kaw);
3. Ron Twilley (Hon); 4. Richard MArtin (Hon); 5. Jay Cochran
(Yam).
125 A: 1. Ashley Epps (Hon).
250 A: 1. Ross Johnston (Yam); 2. Austin Gomcz (Kaw); 3.
Jonathan McClellan (Yam); 4. Stacy Bamett (Hon); 5. Tracey Barnell (I(aw).
so
(4-6): 1. Dakota Ga.rner (Cob); 2. David Meade (Cob); 3.
justin jeffers (KTM); 4. Cody Trutie.r (Cob); 5. Dylan 5chmoke
(Pol).
50 (7·8): 1. Bruce J3,utherford (KTM); 2. Donnie Kearney
(KTM); 3. Johnny Jelderda (Lem); 4. Michael Hall (Cob); 5. Trevor
Reis(Cob).
50 STI:': 1. Kevin Thompson (KTM); 2. Cody Tithof (Cob); 3.
Kris Chambers (Cob); 4. Max Ladleu (Cob); 5. Patrick Plco (Cob).
50 MOD: 1. Trevor Rcis (Cob); 2. Marcus Carrillo (l..em).
S/P/W: 1. Bruce Rutherford (KTM); 2. Michnel Hall (Cob); 3.
Johnny Jl!lderda (Lem); 4. Mike Meade (Cob); 5. David Meade
(Cob).
60 STRTR: 1. Andrew Serrano (Kaw); 2. o.lna Dreire (Kaw);
3. !Crystal Cramer (Kaw); 4. Cory Costa (Kaw); 5. Cooper Hall
(Kaw).
60 (0·8): 1. Bruce Rutherford (KTM); 2. Donnie Kearney
(KTM); 3. George Jeffers (Kaw); 4. Christopher Tah (Kaw); 5. Tyler
Sievers (Knw).
60 (9-11): 1. Mike Alessi (Kaw); 2. Jeff Alessi (Kaw); 3. Shnwn
Hayes (KTM); 4. Mike Meade (Kaw); 5. Anthony Rondon (Kaw).
80 BEG (0-11): 1. Mark Atkins (Kaw); 2. Kame.ron SlIva (Hon);
3. Shawn Mohr (Yam); 4. Cody Bradbury (Yam); 5. Chase Tnkacs
(Yam).
80 BEG (12·16): 1. Nathan Collins (Kaw); 2. Nathan S.1lgado
(Yam); 3. Mike Wetzel (Yam); 4. Kenneth Brewer (Yam); 5. Lance
Gamn (Hon).
80 (0-11): 1. Mike Alessi (Kaw); 2. jeff Alessi (Kaw); 3. jared
Brown (Yam); 4. Randall Hall (Kaw).
80 (U-13): t. Jason Medina (I--Ion); 2. &ik Fnllscctte (Yam); 3.
Robbie Catnn (Yam); 4. Andy Chersin (Yam); 5. Steven Forsythe
(Yam).
80 (14-16): 1. Donnie Gritton (Yam); 2. Rick Schaffner (Yam);
3. Micky Griffin (Yam); 4. Richie Casiano (Yam); 5. Collin Silva
(Yam).
S/MINL: 1. Mike Alessi (Kaw); 2. Donnie Critton (Yam); 3.
Rick Schaffncr (Yam); 4. Micky Griffin (Yam); S. Andy Chersin
(Yam).
125 BEG: L Dustin Meyer (Kaw); 2. Mike Smith (Hon); 3.
Gavin Rome; 4. Rick Lakin (Yam); 5. Randy Webb (Suz).
125 NOV: 1. David Sullins (Yam); 2. Chad Gaumer (Hon); 3.
Blake lJukamicr (Yam); 4. Nichol.ls Hensley (Yam); 5. Danny Mohr
(Yam).
125 INT: 1. Jason Garletta (Ynm); 2. joshua West (Yam); 3.
Erik Meyer (Yam); 4. Br.lndon Milstead (Suz).
125 PRO: 1. john Sereikn (Yam).
250 BEG: 1. j. Dean Mesa (Hon); 2. Chuck Sisler (Kaw); 3.
Cameron Berry (Hon); 4. Carrett Mathews (Hon); 5. jO(> Willardsen (Kaw).
250 NOV: L Adam Owsley (Kaw); 2. Patrick Terry (Yam); 3.
Jake Smith (Hon); 4. Jim Brown (Yam); 5. Jeremy VanRyn.
250 INT: 1. Josh Frnk (Yam); 2. Bomber Hcrnnndez (Hon); 3.
Mike Davis (Yam); 4,. Brandon Milstead (Suz); 5. Mike Bozarth
(Yam).
By Bob Alloy
SAN BERNARDINO, CA, APR, 11
The Riverside Old-Timers Motocross Club,
along with the Los Angeles chapter, attended
Glen Helen Raceway as guests of the Over The
Hill Gang for a day of racing. Unfortunately, the
weatl,er was not up to par, and showers late in
the afternoon resulted in many canceled motos.
The motos that were not canceled turned into
mud baths.
Master A...cJass racer Willie Kennedy was
unbeatable, leading the action from start to finish,
Scott Davis came out with a slow start but quickly
compensated and charged in for a second-place
finish. Before Davis could better his first-moto
performance, rain canceled the second moto.
Carl Gazafy got an excellent start and can tinued flying over all the jumps and doing all the
right things to take .the checkered flag in th~
Master B class. Jack Roten did some fast moving
up to secure second place, but once again rain
ca nceled the second moto.
In the Expert class, moto one started with 11
racers following Bill Schultz to the first turn. Jon
Marshall was .in hot pursuit. On lap four, Mike
Ferro maneuvered. past Ma.rshall and seized second. Rob Ruder overcame his poor start and
moved up, passing six riders along the way. The
moto ended with Schultz taking first, Ferro zapping second and Ruder wrapping up third.
1n the second moto, six riders opted out
because of the rain, but four hearty racers tried
to make the best of it. Ferro splashed in to take
the lead for two laps, followed by Schultz and
Paul Heckman, but unIortw,ately the race was
black-flagged due to'Ule rain,
The Novice class had the fi.rst race of the day,
and they were fortunate enough to complete two
motos. Things got under way with 20 riders on
the line charged and ready to go, Bill Lyons
pulled off an excellent holeshot sta.rt and led
until Barry Simon moved in and took over 011 the
second lap. Simon kept the power up all the way
for first place, John Craft finished in second, followed by Lyons, Greg Burrows overcame a poor
start with some fast moviJ'g and garnered fourth.
Bob Alloy followed Burrows in for fi.1th,
Moto two saw Simon again take the lead and
keep it for another first. Craft kept moving up
througlt the line and took second, John Webb
took third, and he was followed by Lyons, Asker
Larnkjaer raced in for a fifth-place finish.
Results
NOV: 1. Barry Simon (KTM); 2. John Craft (Kaw); 3 Bill
Lyons (Kaw); 4. Gn..,; Burrow (Yam); 5. John Webb (Hon).
AM: 1. Drew Immiti (KTM); 2. Jeff Petron (Hon); 3. Bob
Shem.od (Yam); 4. John Clemens (Yam); 5. Phil Blackburn (KTM).
EX: 1. Mike Ferro (Yam); 2. Bill Schultz (Kaw); 3. Pnul !-Ieckman (Kaw).
MSfR A: 1. Willie Kennedy (Ynl1l); 2. Scott Davis (Hon).
MSTR B: 1. Carl Gaz..lfy (KaW);2. Jack Rolen (Hon).
Letellier king at
Carbondale Hare Scrambles.
By Brad Jones
CARBONDALE, KS, APR, 11
Leigh Letellier once again powered his Letko
Cycles KTM to the overall win at round two of
the Forward M"otion Hare Scrambles Series at
the Santa Fe Cycle Park.
At the start of the AA class, Aaron Hall
proved that it does not take new equipment to
lead a hare scrambles. Hall took his l1-year-old
Honda and smoked everyone to the fi.rst tum for
the lead, Scott Harper had a good start, but
instead of turning with the pack, he went
straight, causing massive carnage. Caught in the
pileup was the 1998 champ, Tom Klimm, As
luck would have it, Letellier had trouble starting
his bike 011 the starting line, which enabled him
to sweep around the pile of crashed riders.
Out 0.1 tum one, it was Hall, Mark Burghardt
and Letellier. Hall rode like a bottle rocket for
the first lap, Leteltier overtook Burghardt, then
Hall, in the grass-track section near the pits.
"I wanted to push hard and see if I could get
a cushion on s.econd," said Letellier. '1 knew I
was going to get tired late in the race,"
LetelJjer did exactly that. With two laps to
go, he endoed trying to jump over a mudhole.
The crash allowed Burghardt and Terry
Gilliland, who were battling for second, to catch
up. Trying to sort himself out after the crash,
