Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Rollercoaster Racing Tour SX Series, Round 4 Mitchell moons Metrolina By Barbara Williams Photos by Loren Williams CHARLOTIE, NC, MAY 29 uzuki-mounted Zack Mitchell learned that it pays to never give up, when the Junior Mini win fell into his lap at round four of the 1999 Rollercoaster Racing Tour Supercross Series. Under a silver-dollar Carolina moon, 200 rider came to the Metrolina Fairgrounds for supercross fun under the lights on a perfectly prepared JMX Racing track. Full gates in many classes resulted in good competition and exciting ·racing, yet injuries were kept to a minimum. "We're making improvements constantly," noted JMX promoter Joe Williams. "Tuesdays are practice nights, so we're here every week to note what can be changed for the enjoyment and convenience of riders and spectators alike." Mitchell gated alongside Jared Tuten in both the Junior Mini qualifier and main event, at the head of the field of even. The qualifier belonged to Tuten, while Mitchell stuck close and learned some new lines, following Tuten for the whole three laps around Charlotte's long supercross track. The Junior Mini main appeared to be more of the same, as Tuten took command early, followed by Mitchell, Jessie Carney and Craig Robinson. Tim Hoyle, who usually travels closer to the front, crashed on the first lap and remounted at the back of the pack. Lap after lap, the only position change of note was that of Hoyle, who worked his way up past rider after rid er to finally finish fourth. Tuten looked set to take the win when the unthinkable happened: The leader bit the dust. Mitchell did not waste time gawking but took over the lead and sailed past the checkers. Tuten recovered quickly and still pulled off a second-place finish. . "1 just made a mistake in the whoops," said Jared. "Usually I'm okay and can keep my bike up, but I'll do better next time. 1 still had fun, though." The unexpected was normal for the evening, especially in the 250cc Exhibition clas , in which Mike Andrews, Casey Barnes and Michael Milen did battle. Andrews set the pace for the 250cc Exhibition qualifier field of nine, taking the holeshot and leading all three la ps, with Barnes and Milen noting every move. Andrews also grabbed the holeshot in the main event, but the rest of the pack got up to speed very quickly. In a few turns, all were going wide open, diving into corners and going ballistic over jumps, providing edge-of-theseat racing action for the spectators. Corning over the finish-line jumps, Andrews doubled but Barnes did not, giving Casey the lead for lap one as Mike's trajectory took too much air time. Andrews overshot the next turn, allowing Milen to slip past in pursuit of Barnes. While Michael and Casey were dicing for the lead, Andrews lurked in third. Milen had no history in this race of doubling the finish-line jump, so when it happened, the move caught Barnes by surprise, and Casey went wide in the next turn. Andrews ducked under S 52 Mike Andrews (19) and Mike Milen (88) roost under the lights during 250cc Exhibition-class action at round four of the Rollercoaster Racing series in Charlotte, North Carolina. Barnes to regain second and go after Milen. By the end of another lap, Andrews was once again in the lead. But MiIen and Barnes had no intention of letting Andrews get too far away, and (or the rest of the race they played the gad.fJ.ies. Milen found that he could make better time by not doubling the finish-line jumps, and after a c;ouple of attempts Barnes gave up the idea of jumping over either one of them to gain a position. By the time Andrews took the checkered flag, the speed of the front three was such that doubling that particular jump was not the hot ticket. Andrews crossed the line first, followed by Barnes and Milen, and then Marc Woods and local talent Aaron Benfield, who lives about 10 minutes from the Metrolina track. The Over 25 A/B contest also had Andrews' name all over it, from start to finish in both the qualifier and the main. "It's been a while," admitted Andrews. "After 1 broke my leg, 1 thought seriously about not racing again, and in fact 1 didn't get on a bike for almost a year. But it's too much fun to stay away from." _ Metrolina Fairgrounds Charlotte, North Carolina Results: May 29, 1999 (Round 4) so (4--6): 1. Cody Robbins (Cob); 2. Trevor Barrett (Cob); 3. Chelsea McSwain (Yam); 4. Justin Stevens (Cob); 5. Chandler Lovett (Yam). so (7-8): 1. Patrick Johnson (KTM); 2. Brandon Newman (KTM); 3. Brandon While (KTM); 4. Lucas Long (KTM); 5. Zac Miller (KTM). 50 SHAFT: 1. Cody Robbins (Yam); 2. Trevor Barrett (Yam); 3. justin Stevens (Yam); 4. Spencer Pigot (Yam); 5. Baylin Lollis (Yam). 65 (7·9): 1. Patrick Johnson (KTM); 2. T.}. Snow (Kaw); 3. Brandon White (!

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