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Chaparral U.S. Pro/Am Championship Glen Helen Raceway SAN BERNARDINO, CA, DEC. 30 f the Chaparral AMA125/250 Pro Shootout lives up to its reputation of being a preview of the upcoming AMA/EA Sports Supercross series, then the fans can expect a lot of excitement from a couple of foreign riders, as 250cc Kawasaki-mounted Frenchman Stephane Roncada ,and South African KTM 125cc rider Grant Langston both put in great rides at the event. "This is exactly the way I want to start the New Year," exclaimed Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's Roncada following his win in the 250cc main, "The Kawasaki is running great; I got a holeshot on it, so I'm really stoked." lenge coming from lappers. As Roncada cruised in the lead, Mike Craig, Robbie Reynard, James PoYolny and Billy Laninovich battled for position. On lap four, Reynard took over the number-two position until engine problems took him out of contention during the 10th lap. This left Roncada in the lead, followed by Craig and Laninovich, Povolny dropped back to fourth. Laninovich passed Craig in the next lap and held the number-two position to the finish. Roncada, Laninovich and Craig crossed the checkered flag in succession, Rookie Laninovich divulged that this was his sixth career Pro race and his first race with factory riders. To gain additional experience, Laninovich competed in both the 250cc and the 125cc events. 250 125 AND PHOTOS BY BETH & BOB LARoCK STORY O The 250cc main win was "a walk in the park" for Roncada, as he led from holeshot to finish, his only chal- In fact, Laninovich surprised the field of 125cc main riders by claiming the holeshot. Hot in pursuit were Tallon Vohland, Sean O'Connor, Casey Lytle, Justin Buckelew and Langston. By the end of lap two, several riders fell back, and an intense battle for first was between three riders: Vohland, Buckelew and Langston. On lap five, Buckelew claimed the lead, while Vohland fell back to third, The lead changed again on lap seven, as Langston took over the numberone position. Langston then spun out in a turn, dropping him back to third, and Vohland regained the lead. Vohland grasped the front position until he bobbled during lap 15, allowing Buckelew and Langston to take over first and second.. The KTM Red Bull rider was patient to the end, cutting to the inside of a turn during the white-flag lap and capturing the win. Buckelew and Vohland took second and third, respectively, Langston, the 125cc World Champion, admitted, "I've been struggling to get a good start off a concrete gate. I've never started off concrete. For the first time I got a half-decent start." He added, "I'd like to thank the fans for all the cheering. Racing here is so great." Yamaha of Troy's Buckelew acknowledged that he was disappointed in losing first, but added, "I feel as though I'm ready for next weekend [the opening round of Supercross]." "I led probably 15 laps out of 20. I ended up crashing," sa id a frustrated Vohland. "I stayed pretty close to the guys, but they really turned it up the last five laps; there was nothing I could do. I was really happy with how I rode today, and I won my qualifier and was winning the main. I just made the one mistake, or I think I could have won it all." SHOOTOUT The day's main event, the Pro Shootout, pits the 125cc riders with the 250s. Ten 125cc riders were (Left to right) Tallon Vohland, Grant Langston and winner Stephane Roncada celebrate after their podium finishes in the Shootout, in which 125 riders get a 14-second lead and then the 250 riders are sent out after them. 28 JANUARY 17. 2001 • c u e I e neVIl's