Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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~I Chaparral 125/250cc Pro Shootout Ramsey was pleased with the race overall, but was looking forward to the Shootout. He added, "I was just telling Bobby Moore, the Spy guy, that I was feeling a little tense and tight. This is a perfect time for me to get that out of my system. My Kawasaki is running really good. They (the 250cc class) definitely have a few lines that we can't go to, so it's going to be tough. I'm just going to go out there and have fun and go a little faster than I did in the first one." SplitFire/Pro Circuit-Kawasakibacked Bentley, last year's winner of the Shootout, took his 125cc main winnings and his flu-ridden body and left. He admitted, "I've had the flu all week. My body just ,doesn't have anything left today." through lap six, when he passed Tortelli for second. Meanwhile, at the finish, McGrath had a 20-second lead, with Ferry, Tortelli, Sellards and Voss taking second through fifth. It would be incorrect to say that McGrath took the lead and never looked back. In reality, he gained such a large lead over the competition that he had several opportunities to watch the race going on behind him. "I was far enough ahead [that] I could look back and check out the race a little bit. After that, I didn't see anyone. Towards the end I could see Tim (Ferry) a couple straightaways over. I was just cruising and gauging myself off of him," said McGrath. McGrath added, "Gary Semics is out here helping me now and we're training together. I think my confidence is way up. This week I've been dealing with a little bit of a cold." McGrath was not the only rider dealing with challenges. S~cond placed Ferry, coming off a hard crash during Thursday's practice, did remarkably well, considering a large portion of his back was road-rashed. "I was a little nervous. My arms were a little pumped up. I don't like to do it that way, but it's okay if it makes everyone else happy," said Ferry. T0rtelli was asked if his injury was still a factor. He responded, "I'm pretty close to my 100-percent. Everything is getting better." Stiff competition in the 125cc main made the moto exciting. Claiming the holeshot was Motoworld/ Yamaha/Thor/Alpinestar's Greg Schnell, followed by Billy Payne, Matt By BETH £, BOB LARoCK SAN BERNARDINO, CA, DEC. 19 f his performance in the Chaparral 125cc/250cc Pro Shootout is any indication, a trim, well-rested and fit Jeremy McGrath is going to start the Supercross season with a vengeance. McGrath captured firsts in both the 250cc Main and the prestigious 125/250cc Pro Shootout at Glen Helen Raceway, held on the weekend before Christmas. The Shootout was the culmination of a three-day Chaparral Pro/Am sponsored event. Following the qualifying heats, there was a 125cc main, a 250cc main and the 125/250cc Shootout. "I was gone off the cement: said Mazda/Chaparral Yamaha-sponsored McGrath about his start in the 250cc main event. "I got such a good start. My bike hooked up out there. And once I got started in the race, I just started riding my own pace and I was gone." After capturing the holeshot in the 250cc main, McGrath quickly developed a large lead. Sebastien Tortelli, Dustin Nelson, Heath Voss and Brock Sellards followed McGrath through the first turn. Toward the back of the pack was Mazda/Chaparral Yamaha's Tim Ferry, in 12th place after slipping in the second turn. By lap three, Ferry had passed six riders, placing himself in sixth. Honda/No Fear/Bell/Good Vibes Watches-backed Tortelli, in second, was fighting off Brock Sellards and Heath Voss. Ferry continued his charge I 20 JANUARY 12, 2000' cue • .. n e vw s (Above) Even when it's hard, he makes it look easy. Jeremy McGrath won the 250cc main event and overcame a • crash to win the 125/25Occ Pro Shootout at the ChaparTlll Invitational Pro Challenge, held In the confines 01 Glen Helen Raceway Part<. (Righ1) Yamaha of Troy's Stephane Aoncada was the most successful 125cc racer, chalking up the win in the 125cc main and finishing fourth (first 125) in the Pro Shootout. Walker and Tallon Vohland. Split· fire/Pro Circu it· Kawasa ki- backed Nathan Ramsey and Stephane Roncada came through the first turn in eighth and ninth. Charging hard, Ramsey and Roncada took up posi· tions five and six before the first lap was over. Yamaha of Troy's Roncada propelled himself past the rest of the pack by lap six, placing him within three seconds of the leader, Schnell. Roncada appeared to be pacing himself behind Schnell through lap 11 until Dan Worley, Roncada's mechanic, placed the words "Pick a Spot" on the signboard. Thirty seconds later, Roncada made a daring pass through the difficult whoop section, taking the lead. Crossing the finish line with a comfortable lead was Roncada, followed by Schnell, Ramsey, Bentley and Vohland. Roncada admitted, "Greg Schnell was running pretty good. It was pretty tough to come back on him and pass him." "I got a good start. That's the key on this track, that's for sure," said Schnell.