Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128023
Team Rosters Tealn SplitFirei Pr(l Cirf;uit Kawasaffi ManaBen Mitch Payton Riders 125 West Tealn FMFiH(lllda Crew Cllle'l Tom Wallace Riders 125 West 30 Casey Lytle 32 Danny Smith 125 East 18 Brock Sellards Michael Brandes 27 Santa Clarita, CA Eagle, 10 CR125 CR125 New Philadelphia, OH Quail Valley, CA CR 125 CR125 [owdoWI1: Honda's 125cc squad lost Tallon Vohland to rival SplitFire/Pro Circuit Kawasaki this off-season, but he was mainly an outdoor threat anyway. Besides, FMF did s0!TIe poach ing of its own by nabbing former Yamaha of Troy rider Casey Lytle, who looked strong at times on an FMF Honda at the recent Bercy SX in Paris. The team has also picked up Michael Brandes from Primal Impulse Suzuki. Such new riders will look for guidance from senior member Brock Sellards, who plans to ride the first four races on a 250 before switching to a tiddler for the east. Paralleling Jeff Stanton's retirement from the 250cc squad is former rider coach Bobby Moore's departure from FMF/Honda (he's now at Spy). A NASCAR-esque team setup has Tom WaUace accompanying the team around the country as crew chief, and Tom Webb running things as manager back in the office (and attending several rounds as well). Part of the reason for these personnel changes is to attract a major outside-industry sponsor, and FMF is still in negotiations with one such potential backer who could join up midseason. Interesting fact: The team's helmet-sponsor arrangement has allowed a more visible team-logo placement. Tealn Mazda Ct,aparral Yalnaha ManaBerl Larry Brooks Riders 250 15 1 Tim Ferry Jeremy McGrath Largo, FL VZ250 Encinitas. CA ....•...........YZ250 [owdoWI1: Most people consider Chaparral to have an A team of Jeremy McGrath and a B team of Tim Ferry, but team owner Dave Damron prefers to consider it as a AA team and an A team, meaning Ferry also gets factory parts from Yamaha. The absolute latest, trick est Yamaha equipment goes to McGrath, but Ferry also gets some factory parts (along with some in-house work). Ferry has fully recovered from his shoulder injury, and looked quite strong at the pre-season Glen Helen Chaparral race (though he faded a bit due to lack of training). What about the champ? His equipment is said to be even more dialed at this point than it was last year, and as Damron puts it, "He's got fire in his eyes." 12 JANUARY 12. 2000' eye I • n e vv s 104 Shae Bentley Billy Payne 195 711 Tallon Vohland 125 East 24 Nathan Ramsey Nick Wey 23 Ellenwood. GA Chatsworth, CA Citrus Heights, CA KX125 KX125 KX125 Lake Elsinore, CA DeWitt, MI KX125 KX125 [owdoWI1: There was a lot of last-minute, preseason shuffling at what is arguably the most factory of the non-factory teams Splitfire/Pro Circuit Kawasaki. First, the team replaced Mazda with Chevrolet as its official team truck, in the deal that included the in-house Kawasaki squad. Then, '99 125 West champ Nathan Ramsey crashed on the team's practice track and broke his thumb. Since he'll be forced to sit out the first few rounds all in the western U.S. - Ramsey has switched to the Eastern Region, where he'll now go head-to-head with Eastern Champion Ernesto Fonseca and Travis Pastrana. Shae Bentley, who was scheduled to ride in the east, will now take Ramsey's place out west; he's a bit of a question mark, as his '99 season was marred by wrist injuries. The team has lost part-time rider Ricky Carmichael tc? factory Kawasaki, but with eight regional 125 SX titles, Mitch Payton's team doesn't exactly appear vulnerable - especially with its coup of signing grizzled-but-impressive Tallon Vohland (age 27) away from arch-rival FMF/Honda. strategif; 3 M(lt(lsp(lrts Raf;e Tealn ManaBersl Tony StrangiolTim Dixon Riders 250 3 Jeff Emig 125 West 333 Brian McGavern Riverside, CA YZ250 Temecula, CA VZ125 [owdoWI1: Prob'ably the most-discussed team this pre-season has been that of former champion Jeff Emig, and the squad is so new that its actual name was still not set in stone as we went to press. As you're no doubt aware, Emig lost his factory Kawasaki ride late last year when he was arrested, but his new team claims Emig is actually more pleased with the result, saying his new arrangement reduces pressure and prOVides more autonomy; Emig certainly looked impressive winning the U.S. Open, his first ride with the backing of The EdgeSports. com (the on-line retailer that remains his primary sponsor). Since then, the team has purchased a full-sized semi hauler, which is expected to be ready for round one in Anaheim; Galpin Ford has pitched in by providing an Explorer to be carried in that transporter. Unfortunately, Emig was recently injured (see "Wind"). New to the team is rookie Brian McGavem, whose 333 race number nicely compliments Emig's *3. The pair will ride FMF-modified Yamaha YZs supplied through North County Yamaha. with McGavern contesting the 125 West series and Emig riding in the premier division. Interestingly, team manager duties are being shared between Tony Strangio and Tim Dixon, with Dixon also serving as crew chief. As expected, Emig will continue to receive major support from Shift and Arnette.