Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

tory teammate by lap 20, running in his wake from laps 20 to 22, and then making the move for third in turns one and two. "] seen] was catching him, and I picked up some new lines and put my head down," Atherton said. "Third sucks. Rich was gone, and that's good to see. He was riding the way that] thought only Parker and I did, which shows you-what he is capable of. I think we're going to make a run at it (the championship). We're finishing well every week.': That left Parker pretty much alone to finish the race in fourth place. "Kevin was coming under me and squaring it off in one and two, and he was killing me," Parker said. "] was going high and following those guy~ up there, and I just couldn't quite hold him off. So it happens, and you get over it and you get 'em next week. End of story." Yet despite his not being the center of the attention, King was the first to see the checkered flag, and he celebrated by pumping his right fist in the air after he crossed the line ahead of Carr, Atherton and Parker, with Springsteen still hanging in there for fifth. "I was racing with Parker, but I thought that Chris was going to come up there and get in the thick of things,'" King said. "Then they started racing each other and hea ted their tires up. When I was racing with Parker, I was still trying to keep my tire cool. "] really owe this to Sam. He's a big asset to the team," King continued. "Part of our problem was that we had a motorcycle that was put together by someone else, and we had a setup that we thought was close, so we didn't want to get away from that. But with the new bike, we didn't need that setup. This new bike runs hard. I'll tell you, it is a lot harder to run eighth or ninth than it is to win. Before we got here, I told Sam that I would be happy just to run in the top five. He told me, 'Rich, we're going there to win.'" You gotta love it when a plan comes together. _ West Virginia Motor Speedway Mineralwells, West Virginia Results: June 19, 1999 (Round 5 of 21) HEAT 1 (10 laps; 11 riders, top three transfer): 1. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 2. Chris Carr (H-D); 3. Kevin Varnes (H-D); 4. Chris Evans (H-D); 5. Mike Varnes CliD); 6. Brett Landes (H-D); 7. jaime Aguilar (H-D); B. (Left) Shaun Russell led every lap of the 12-lap Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance main event, taking the win and the series points lead. (Above) Russell (center) poses for photos with rivals Gary Rogers (left) and Willie McCoy (right). McCoy finished second, Rogers third. All three are in contention for the Sportster title. GRAND NATIONAL 125 laps; 18 ciders): I. Rich (31); 13. Kenny CooibeU, (28); 14. Brett Landes (26); IS. King (H-O); 2. Chris Carr (H-D); 3. Kevin Atherton (H- (TIE) Dan Butler/Shau,n RusselJ (24); 17. Terry Poovey D); 4. Scott Parker (H-D); 5. Jay Springsteen (H-D); 6. G"" Roeder U (H-D); 7. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 8, Joe Kopp (H-D); 9. Mike Hacker (H-D); 10. Bryan Bigelow (H-D); 11. Sieve Beattie (H-D); 12. 5haun Russell (H-D); 13. Mike Varnes (H-D); 14. Dan Butler (H-D); IS. jason SenteU (H-O); 16. Steve Morehead (H-O); 17. Chris Evans (H-O); 18. Kevin Varnes CRpO). Time: 10 mins., 45.677 sec. AMA GRAND NATIONAL DIRT TRACK SERIES (23); 18. Steve Beattie (20); 19. J.R. Schnabel (18); 20. Steve Morehead (16). HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER PERFORMANCE SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 of 15 Upcoming Rounds: Round 6 - Lima, Ohio, June 26 Round 7 - Indianapolis, Indiana, July 3 (74/2); 3. Willie McCoy (63); 4. Robert Miller (44); s. POINTS STANDINGS (Aftu 5 of 2] rounds): 1. Chris Carr (86); 2. (TIE) Scott Parker (1 win)1 Kevin Atherton HARLEY-DA VIDSON SPORTSTER PERFORMANCE SERIES NATIONAL (12 laps; 17 riders): 1. (1 win) (68); 4. Rich King (65/1); 5. Jay Springsteen (54/1); 6. Will Davis (49/1); 7. (TIE) Bryan Bigelow /Nicky Hayden (44); 9. Geo Roeder II (35); 10. Shaun Russell;·2. Willie McCoy; 3. Cary Rogers; 4. Billy Martin; 5. Jason Fletcher; 6. Paul Bergstrom; 7. James Hart; 8. Tom McGrane; 9. George Richtmeyer; 10. Michelle DiSalvo; 11. Yuhiko Hirao; 12. Randy Texter; Mike Hacker (34); 11. Joe Kopp (32); 12. Kevin Vames Br-iefl,v... Fe;"ale Pro-Am rider Stephanie Welch w.as seen attending the Miner· alwells Half Mile'- with a cast on her ann. Just'15 paints away from turning Expert. the' 16-year-old crashed at the Indy Mile warmup for the upcoming AMA (3rand Chalnpionships' for Amateurs and Pro·Sport riders, aggravating an injury that was already ther';· thanks to a crash In Lake Mills. Wisconsin. last" September. "I had to have surgery. - Welch said. '·They reattached the main ligament that holds the ball of the shoulder in place. They said mine was 75- or 80-percent detached.· Welch will be out ·four ·months. In' the meantime. Tom McGr.a~e Jr. wi!1 be ,filling in f9r WeiCh on her Widman's H.arle.y-Davidson 883. Popular low-buck privateer Dale Jenneman thinks that he .has his pr.oblems sorted out. Jenn!"man, who often manages "to .accomplish a lot with the least amount of equipme'nt in the pits. has struggled since making the switbh to a singie-shock chassis. and he has been tearing his hair out trying to find the answer why. -We just got behind on technology." the Nebraskan said. -We knew that we were maKing enoug~ horsepower: but we couldn't ,get it to the ground. When we first started with the singleshock, there were 'about 1.0 different ones available. Now we have the same C8.J. that everyone else has. and I li~e .ii. It already, feels better." Jennem~n struggled again ·at Mineralwells. however, placing sixth in the third semi.and missing the show. David Rayburn (H-D); 9. Shawn Clark CH-D); 10. Jim Mellvena (H-D); I!. Randy Shank 11 (H-D). Time: 4 mins., 19.104 sec. HEAT 2 (10 laps; 11 riders, top three transfer): 1. Scott Parker (H-D); 2. Steve Morehead (H-D); 3. Mike RackeT (H-D); 4. Bryan Bigelow (H-D); 5. Shaun Russell (H-O); 6. Brent Armbruster (H-D); 7. Greg Teague (H- D); 8. Ken Yoder (H-D); 9. John Nickens Robert Lewis (H-D); II. Joey Brock (H-D). [I] (H-D); 10. Time: 4 mi OS., 20.658 sec. HEAT.3 (10 laps; U riders, top three transfer): 1. Kevin Atherton (H-D); 2. Ceo Roeder II (H-D); 3. Jay Springsteen (H-D); 4. J,R. Schnabel (H-D); 5. Dan Stanley (H-D); 6. Steve Beattie (H-D); 7. Jason Sentell (H-D); 8, Jerry Vanderkooi (H-D); 9. Tim Eades (H-D); 10. Billy Martin (H~D); 11. Jim Sumner (H-D), 'Time: 4 mins., 16.949 sec. REAT 4 (10 laps; U riders, top three transfer): 1. Rich King (H-D); 2. joe Kopp (H-D); 3. Dan Butler (H0); 4. Will Davis (H-D); 5. Willie McCoy (H-D); 6. Davey Camtin (H-D); 7. Cary Rogers (H-D); 8. Jason Fletcher (H-D); 9. Robert Knapp (H-D); 10. Dale Jennemah (H-D); 11. Garth Bastian (H-D); 12. Paul Bergstrom (H-D). Time: 4 mms,. 19.752 sec. SEMI 1 (8 laps; 11 riders, top tw~ transfer): 1. Michael Varnes (H-D); 2. Jason Sentell (H-D); 3. j,R. Schnabel (H-D); 4, earth Bastinn (H-D); 5. John Nickens III (H-D); 6. Brent Armbruster (H-D); 7. Jason Fletcher (H-D); 8. Willie McCoy (H-D); 9. Billy Martin (H-D); 10. Randy Shank IT (H-D); II. David Rayburn (H-D). Time: 3 mins., 32.430 sec. • SEMI 2 (8 laps; 11 riders, top two transfer); 1. Shaun Russell (H-O); 2. Chris Evans (H-O); 3. Davey Camlin (H-D); 4. Jaime Aguilar (H~D); 5. Dan Stanley (H-D); 6. jerry Vanderkooi (H-D); 7. Ken Yoder (H-D); ·8. Robert Knapp (H-D); 9. Jim Mellvena (H-D); 10. Joey Brock (H-D). Time: 3 mins., 33,152 sec. SEMI 3 (8 laps; 11 riders, top two transfer): I. Bryan Bigelow (H-D); 2. Steve Beattie (H-O); 3. Will Davis (H-D); 4. Brett Landes (H-D); 5. Shawn Cark (H0); 6. Dale }enneman (H-O); 7. Greg Teague (H-O); 8. (!;ary Rogers (H-O); 9, Tim Eades (H-O); 10. Robert Lewis.(H-Dl; 11. Paul Bergstrom (H-D). Time: 3 mins., 31.615-sec. 13. Tim Eades; 14. Paul Normandin; 15. Rob Cette; 16. Nate Wait; 17. Brian Kromroy. Time: 5 mins., 31.477 sec. Speaking. of missing the show. Will Davis probablY had 'the most heartwrenching time at Mineralwells. After sta~ding on top of the podium for the last two straight years. the North Carolinian found himself without a ticket into the main event aher plaCing third in the third semi. -I couldn't get off the line all night: .Davis saide -I was fast,enough all night. I don't know. I guess I just ain't missed enough meals lately. Maybe if I go hungry ' ·for three or four days, thafll get me·motivated,· events): L Shaun Russell (76/1 win); 2. Gary Rogers Billy Martin (39); 6. James Hart (35); 7. Michelle DiSa1vo (28); 8. George Richtmeyer (26); 9. 8rian Kromnoy (25); 10. (TIE) Nate Wait/Tim Eades/pauJ Bergstrom/Jason Fletcher (24); 14. Jess Roeder (23/1); IS. joe Eades (21); 16. (TIE) Paul Normandin/Scott Stump (19); 18. Rob Gette (17); 19. (TIE) Yuhiko Hirao/Paul Morgan !II OS). Upcoming Rounds: Round 5 - Joliet, Illinois, July 10 Round 6 - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 17 swollen knee.. -I(s rough qut there. ~ McCoy ~aid. -I jusrp4t my foot down. and the. next thing I know I just. about sp.un. around'in .a· 360. I thought it ripped my leg right off. ~ Brett' Landes aid the "ame, tweaking afraid to take my boot off .and his left· ankle to an unknown extent. .look, - Landes said'. Kevin Varnes """s .ultimately forced to pull off the track in the main event. ·as the jamming that he had suffered in. his heat · race proved to be too painful for him to continue. Vaines was credited '('lith a last-place finish in the feature. r.m· Brett Lande. also announced that. .:ream Undo' has taken on a new crev..: member: D.J: Foster will be assisting tuner Rick CanOde a.s well .as taking .a· greater role in the work on' Team Undo's SuperTracker equipment. Although nobody has officially given' it the name. the Sco" Parker farewell .tour continued at Mineralwells. with the nine-time champion' taking p·art·in the opening ceremonies by parading the· American flag around the track on his factory Harley during the singing of the· National ' . Anthem. While the advent of the SuperTrapp SuperT(acker series and the loosening of t~e "techriical ruleS in the Harley-Dayidson Sportster Perfonnance Series' haye opened up uncharted technical waters for the riders and mechanics in dirt track racing, dirt track technology at the Grand National level has continued to evolve, if ever so slowly. Almost like. Hie mountain-bike market, the boom of different ·and unique single-shock suspension frames that· could be found in tfie pits over the past two seasons has scaled back. with mosl all of ·the top riders using. the same C&,). Racing Frames unit. Aceording to Bill Wern~. suspension s.etup; not chassis setup. holds the keys ·to success. -Its all in the suspension, - Werner said. '-1 honestly haven't'gotten any significant gainS out of the motors in years. So ifs' all in the suspension and how it interacts with th.e degree of fiex in. the chassis, the rigidity of the chassiS, and how compliant ,it is for. · the different tracks. Sometimes you .get it right and, you .annihilate everyb<;Jdy, and' sometimes you're 6ff and you' get beat.-. 'Earlier in the day. Will Davi. was optimistic that he would continue to move toward the top of the series standings c;!espite'not haVing landed on 'But'susPension perfOrmance itself is rather subjective. according to Gardner Racin'g head wrench Greg Crow:who.tunes the bikes ridd'en by the pOdium since his win at the paytona Short Track. -, would have been Davey Camlin and Dan Stanley. Each rider has a feeling for what feels· on the box at Hagerstown, - Davis said. - But for a flat tire. we've I;>een right·there. I.do';·,t see where we've had any·problems. What happened at · best and what changes work best. -We might change the clamps or take some 6f the preload' out of our bikes." Crow said. pointing to the things. Springfield. was. becauSe of my ow~ dumb decisions_ I feel like we're just .that he looks at first. "With Dave/.s bike..we have been playing ,with ride starting to go r';lcing. and we've got a lot of racing yet to do.heights. ~ lot. .because he likes his chassis to be bit lower. Then,. when you start playing' with Tide heights. that.changes all your'angles quite a·bit.and In case you missed ·it. Bill Werner is.no longer the.only Harley-Davidson you. have to start ,all over. ' factory mechanic in the pits these days. as Craig Lager has been hired orr to assist. Wemer and. ultimately. take over wrench duties for the facto- . ry dirt track racing program. :The reality. of it.is that I am not gqing to be. Ride I!eight seems to be, an important f?ctor. according to both 'l;iarleyDavidson mechanic Kenny Tolbert and Saddlemen Racing's Johnny . here' forever.· Werner said last week at the ,rained-out, Plymouth. Short Goad: "Chris '(C~rr) is a low-ride·-height guy. but 'thafs because he's got .Track. -'So wE!·ve'd.ecided to. bring .someone in that I can' show what rve short legs...· Tolbert .said .. "Now I would, think that a Michael Vames ,or a learned through t~e years. all the iil\le tricks, .so that when I do finally retire, this progmm, can keep going forWard. - While Wemer didn't come. Geo Roeder II wQuld b.e high"ride'height rid.ers, maybe even use a highboy chassis to change the weight around for them. Banked tracks make a·difout and say·it. speculation is tha.t Lager has been brought in to do more ference. and new tire.s can make a difference. too. - Goad agreed. : I than just assist.Wemer. With Scott Parkers retirement at the end of the, change the ride heights a iot. ~ he said. "If we're on the groove, I like. to se·ason·. the possibility exists that both Wemer'and lager will each have a .new ·rider .to work with next season. The 12-'time Grand National title-win- . niake the swinganns steeper. On·. cushion, I set it so that the ride.height is lower. And if you change the tires. then that makes you, change the' ning mechanic was even more.eiusive ..s to who those riders might"be. stuff all.arouna again. - With three brands of tires - Goodyear. ·Continental and MaxXis - seeming to find favor with the teams right now. that can Holes. holes·and more holes; Wlllle··McCoy was one of the first rideis to \ealize that the West Virginia Motor Speedway was breaKing up in the· make things even more complicated -Weve tried them all. - Goad said. -But'wh~n i~ comes time to go racing. 'we almost always go back to the turns yvhe~ he stuffed hiS loot in a,hole in "the very first pract!!:e, for<;ing ,... " . "'.' . ,, . hi!T1 to pullin,g 'in and grab .th,e ice' bag ou.t of his 'c~oler .td pl.ace on his ,Goodyears. ' . §! ... Q <') ! .::J .., 31

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