Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(Left) Plonkers Trials: Geoff Aaron was in a class all his own - literallyl at the Plonkers' Trials in Cougar Buttes, California. (Above) County Line MX: Steve Webster (1) rode 10 first place in the 250cc class and fifth place in the Vet C class in Fountain, Florida. Plonkers Trials County Line MX Smith, Jenkins, Davis clean up Junn's the one By TOM HICKS FOUNTAIN, FL, NOV. 28 Daniel Junn had a banner day of racing at County Line MX. The Honda rider scored his first-ever overall win with a 1-1 sweep of the 125cc D class. Junn also took a shot at the tough Youth division. He used strong starts to post 4-3 moto finishes. The effort was good for third overall. Michael Elam absconded with the holeshot in the first 125cc D moto on his KX125. Junn passed for the lead through the double-double section and never looked back. Elam held on to second, over Jeff Mason~Hing. Junn led the second race over Elizabeth Hanneman. While Junn went wire to wire for the win, Elam overtook Hanneman for second place and second overall. Rodney Allen logged the holeshot in the first Youth moto, with Junn and Jim McAurthur following. McAurthur used an inside line to get around Junn early in the race. Allen rode unchallenged to the flag, while Andrew Kay dropped Junn another notch with a pass over the anthill jump. Allen turned in another dominating ride in the second heat. He kept his Yamaha out front from start to finish. Junn made McAurthur work a little harder this time out. He held second for three laps before going down. McAurthur finished second, and Junn remounted for third, ahead of Steven Smith. Lanny Sloan continued his winning streak in the Vet C class. The smooth-riding Kawasaki pilot gated second, behind Ricky Steverson, in the first Vet B/C combined moto. Anthony Wood put a pass on Sloan through the doubledouble section, and the top three positions were set. Sloan grabbed the lead in the second heat over Mark Webster and Wood. Then Wood passed for second, only to run off the track after clearing the infield triple. Webster reclaimed second, but then he stalled in a sandy turn and dropped to fifth. Wood drew even with the leader on the white-flag lap, but Sloan wasn't about to give up the win. The final order read Sloan, Webster and Emie Thomas. Bruce Allen was quickest off the line in the first 250cc D moto, with Ronnie Smith second. Smith briefly moved into the lead, until Allen used an inside line to retake first. On the second lap, Steve Webster came alive, picking off Smith and closing down on Allen. Webster used an inside line through the whoops to pass for the win. Allen crossed the finish line just two bike lengths ahead of a rapidly approaching Bill Nolan. By HUGH GATUN COUGAR BUTTES, CA, DEC. liZ The American Trials Association club called "The Plonkers" held a very challenging event in Lucerne. The weather was fantastic, and fun was had by all. Trials events are made up of 10 sections spread out along approximately a 2- or 3~mile dirt trail called a "loop." The loop is done three times. The loop the Plonkers laid out was very technical, with many rocky areas that were challenging and a lot of fun. It was difficult for the novice riders, but everyone made it to all of the sections. Competition was fierce in all of the classes, with the win being decided in some cases by one or two points (with 150 points possible). In the Expert division, Montesa-mounted George Smith narrowly edged out past National Champion Scott Head for the win. The Mas- ters division was decided by two points, with Gas Gas pilot Rick Jenkins winning over Oli Thordarson, on a Montesa. The Novice division was decided by one point, with I3-yearold Gas Gas jockey Reid Davis taking the win. A "clean" is when a rider successfully completes a section without putting his or her foot down. On this day, an exceptional amount of cleans were recorded. Gas Gas rider Katy Endicott had 28 cleans out of 30 sections! She also had only two points for the entire event. Past National Champion Geoff Aaron was present, displaying his incredible riding skills and riding impossible lines designed only for him! Reeulte KDS A: 1. Alex Oswald; 2. Ryan Sandoval. KDS B: I. Neil Stan; 2. Eric Storz; 3. Matthew Riffel1; 4.Jadyn Davis; 5. Andrew Older. NOV AJ. 1. Todd Binns (G-G); 2. Marit McGregor (Fan); 3. Glen Geyer (G-G). NOV B: I. Reid Davis (O-G); 2. Tom Hicks (O-G); 3. Yvonne Sendoval (G-G); 4. Scott Thompson (G-G); 5. James Willioms (G-G). SPTSMN A: 1. Koty EndIcott (Bul); 2. Jason Perry (Bul): 3. Richllrd Hunt (Bet); 4. Brilln Perry (O·G); 5. Duane Stone (G·G). SPTSMN B: I. Tim Robel (G-G): 2. Nicholes Holmes (Flln); 3. Gordon Tucker (G-G); 4. Roger Mass (G-G). INT A: 1. Marcus Miller (Bet); 2. Ed Lowenber9 (G·G): 3. Don William' (Yam); 4. John Bourdeau (Yam); 5. Clyde Butler (Yam). tNT B: I. Randy Lewis (G·G); 2. Darryl Stone (G·G); 3. Poul OswoJd (Men); 4. Tom Cole (Man); 5. Craig Coutu~ (Moo). ADV A: I. Guy VanGeesBeek (Mon); 2. Bruce Devls (G-G): 3. John McGregor (Man), MSTR: I. Rick Jenkins (G·G); 2. ali Thordarson (Mon); 3. Jody Richison (Bet); 4. Ken Melody (G-G): 5, Mark Oldar (Hus). EX: I. George Smith (Man): 2. Scott Helld (Man); 3. John Robertson (Bul); 4. Kevin Norton (G.G); 5. Kevin Geyer (G·G). GEOFF CL: t, Geoff Aeron (G-G). 36 .JANtJARY 19, 2000' II: U II: • e nevus Trey Barnard threw away the holeshot in race two when he slid out in the first tum. Smith took over the top spot. By the halfway point, Webster was out front again. Barnard recovered and worked his way into second. WhiJe locked onto Webster's back fender, Barnard clipped the Honda rider's rear wheel and went down. The race came to a close with Webster, Allen and Smith battling for the win. Webster prevailed to claim first overall, ahead of Allen and Smith. Results PfW (7.9): 1. Kelsey Boutwell (Cob); 2. Charles ~ford (Lem); 3, Shelby Wood (Hon), 60 BEG.: I. Ricky Reynolds (Kow); 2. Kalsey Boutwell (Kaw). 80 B: I. Cole Boutwell (Yam); 2. Mlchoel Gravette (Yam): 3. Jere· my Carroll (Hon); 4. Devid Grovette (Yom): 5. Blake Mllssey (Yam). 800: I. Rhett Smith (Han); 2. Toz Mlchoels (Han): 3. SeBn Collins (Yom); 4. Dr6' Sc:hatlrshmldt (Kaw): 5. Cole Cherpak (Yam). S/MlNI: l. Cole Boutwell (Yam); 2. Jeremy CalTOll (Hon); 3. Rhett Smith (Hon): 4. David Orevette (Yam); 5. M1chtlel Grovette (Yam). YTH: I. Rodney Allen (Yam); 2. Jim McAurthur (Kew): 3. Donlel Junn (Hon): 4. Steven Smith (Yam); 5. Mott Hamilton (Yam). 125 MNY: I. Danny Sedler (Suz); 2. Hill Martin (Yam). HBBY: I. Jeff MlInson (Hon). 125 B: L Kyle Hochstetler (Kaw); 2. Donny Sadler (Sut); 3. Hel Marun (Yam): 4. Rodney Allen (Yam); 5. Jim Hemllton (Yam). 125 C: I. Andrew Kay (Suz); 2. Jim MCI\urthur (Kaw); 3. James Stephens (Han); 4. Steven Smith (Yem); 5. Rhett Peel (Hon). 125 D: I. Doniel Junn (Hon); 2. Michul EJom (Kaw); 3, Eliza· beth Honnemen (Kow); 4. Jeff MIlson (Sw:). 250 B: I. Kevin Knight (Han); 2. Kyle Hochstetler (Kaw); 3, Ricky Stev~rsoo (Yam): 4. Anthony Wood (Kaw). 250 C: I. Mark Webster (Yam); 2. Joey Nielson (Yam); 3. Michoel Perkins (Kaw); 4. Henry HoUlngshead (Kaw). 250 0: I. Steve Webster (Hon); 2, Bruce Allen (Yam); 3. Ronnie Smith (Kow): 4. Bill Nolan (Yam); 5. Trey BolTUlrd (Han). VET B: I. Ricky Steverson (Yam); 2. Anthony Wood (Kow). VET C: I. Lenny Sloon (Kaw); Ernie Thomos (Yom): 3. Larry McAurthur (Kew): 4. Marit Webster (Hon); 5. Steve Webster (Hon). 40+: I. Lorry McAurthur (Kow); 2. Roy Deen (Yem): 3. Ernie Thomas (Yam); 4. Bruce Allen (Yem); 5. Grody Hendrix (Yam). Paris Landing State Park Convention Center KTMXA riders honored at banquet By DAVID H. SCREWS PARIS LANDING, TN, DEC. 11 The Kentucky-Tennessee Motocross Association gave everything away but the kitchen sink at their annual awards banquet. Riders, racers, dealers, promoters, fans, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, grandmas. and grandpas, and even some aunts and uncles gathered at the Paris Landing State Park Convention Center on the shores of Kentucky Lake in Paris Landing, Tennessee, for a banquet blowout that sent a lot of racers home with a whole lot of goodies and a lot of loot to boot. The total bounty for the evening was close to $50,000. Bobby Thomas, a sponsoring dealer (Cadiz Kawasaki of Cadiz, Kentucky) and also president of the KTMXA, had some thoughts regarding the 1999 season and the upcoming 2000 season. "I think we had one of the most phenomenal years we've ever had," Thomas said, "Our riders are up. Our membership is up. The banquet is twicefold from what last year was, and it's been a real exciting year. As for the 2000 season, we've added two new promoters to our roster. We changed the classes around a little to make the races more competitive. And we have in the works a lot of great ideas that we hope will make the KTMXA-sponsored events some of the best in the region. As a whole, we feel we're getting things right for the riders and the fans. "Looking back on the '99 season, !'d say it was fascinating, almost mind· blowing. The rider turnout was 30 to 50 riders more per race than in '98. And the spectators ~ well, we were more than impressed with the interest generated by the KTMXA and its motocross series. Fan turnout was something we had been working on and will continue to work on. We appreciate both the racers and the fans." Founded in 1991 by Chris Grissom of Suzuki of Paris and Chris Grissom Racing, the KTMXA has grown from a small local organi. zation to a regional association of track owners and promoters that attracted more than 8500 racers to KTMXA-sponsored events in 1999. "The growth has been astronomical," Gris· som noted, "and, as far as we can tell, there's no end in sight. For the year 2000, we look for more of the same. We're excited about the new tracks coming in, and the facilities that were in last year seem to be excited about their growth and are working to upgrade their facilities with the riders and fans in mind, If I had to put it all in a nutshell, I'd say we're getting bigger and better and are abso!utely, positively millennium bound," Final Results 50 (4·8): 1. Preston Serall (430); 2. Alex Ray (396); 3. Justin Corver (309); 4, Justin Screws (290); 5. Poul Ragon (193). 65 (7-11): l. Tyson Ezell (456): 2. Brady Orr (364): 3. Chese Thomas (375); 4. Preston Seratt (258); 5. Nick Jl!Ckson (238). 85 (7 -11): 1. Tyson Ezell (441); 2. Austin Wells (393); 3. Brody Orr (323); 4. Brandon Burrow (241); 5. Cody Biggart (227). 85 (12-15): 1. Kenny Dale Orr (494); 2. Jared Arnold (407): 3. Greg Lovins (379); 4. Ben Crittendon (312); 5. Steve Klsslar (285). S/MINI: l. Jored Amold (425): 2. Kenny Dale Orr (417); 3. William Devault (381); 4. Greg lovins (358); 5. Ben Crittendon (293). SCHBY: I. Clint Burkeen (427); 2. Damon Prirn::e (390); 3. Eric Klinkhommer (382); 4. William Devoull (366); 5. Shane Kissler (320). WMN: 1. MeHs5tl Bailey (515); 2. Sherry Crittendon (455). 125 A: I. Darrel Blankenship (486); 2. Damon Prince (391); 3. Mike Brandon (317). 125 B: 1. Clint Burkeen (393); 2. Chris Brill (375); 3. Eric Kllnkhemmer (315); 4. Alen Weatherford (200); 5. Shane Kissior (181). 125 C; l. Greg Hammond (456); 2. Josh Croley (359); 3. Kevin Fields (295); 4. Eric Powell (266); 5. James Travis (171), 250 A: 1. Jordan Moneymoker (502); 2. Darrel Blonkenship (407): 3, Buddy Akers (238). 250 B: I. Mike Moore (358); 2. Russ Blonkenship (341): 3. Jom~ Gerner (279); 4. Aaron Mudd (249). 250 C: 1. Jeson Ricketts (365); 2. Cory Needham (311); 3. Tony Trevis (256); 4, Mike Schaffer (203). 16·24: 1. Chris Brill (379): 2. Aaron Mudd (219). 25+: 1. Ronnie Ray (412); 2. Paul Puckett (336). 30. BIC: 1. Peul Puckett (427); 2. Kenneth While (403); 3. Mike Fortner (279): 4. Dl'Ile Fischer (232). 40.. : 1. Ronnie Ray (510); 2. Kenrn'!th White (420). Hard Rock Cycle Park Farnell fast and furious at the final By KYLE MYERS OCALA, FL, DEC. 19 Kyle Farnell and Bob Kiniry were two of the top riders at the sixth and final round of the Florida State Championship Series, held at Hard Rock Cycle Park. Not even 36 hours of rain could stop the riders who tumed out for the double-points-paying event, which also featured a $1000 Pro purse. Suzuki Sportbacked Farnell won all four motos in the 125cc and 250cc A classes, while Team Green pilot Kiniry won the 80cc (12- 13) and Supermini divisions. In the first 250cc A moto, Farnell led the field into tum one, with Dustin Morgan, Keith Seeger, Wille Boback and Marcus Pedrero follOWing. Morgan bobbled on the opening lap, and Seeger, Boback and Pedrero raced by. Pedrero then slipped by Boback as Farnell distanced himself from the pack. With two laps to go, Pedrero caught Seeger and pressured him until the checkered flag came out. Famell scored an easy win over Seeger, who just held off Pedrero. Boback and Tim Knipper rounded out the top five. Pedrero led the charge to start moto two, with Boback, Farnell, Seeger and Knipper close behind. On his Performance Engineering/Fox/Oakley machine, Farnell quickly moved to the front by the end of lap one. Pedrero cruised in second while Farnell checked out. The real battle on the track was for third, between Seeger and Boback. Seeger finally made his way by with one lap to go. Farnell sailed across the finish line to take the

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