Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Finishing up a long and successful year in the SOcc (4-6) class, Baker will be moving up a class next year. Baker has had a tremendous year, not only winning a National Championship at Loretta Lynn's but also putting in solid performances at Ponca City, Branson and the Mini O's, just to name a few. Another Loretta's contestant, Suzukimounted Kevin Hildebrand, had an awesome evening inside the fairgrounds coliseum. He ran off with the 250cc B and Over 25 class wins. Rjding smartly and without incident, the crafty Hildebrand avoided a plethora of downed riders to sneak off with the 250cc Bclass crown. Then Hildebrand took off the kid gloves to battle his archenemy and buddy Chad Walker in the Over 25 class. Walker finished a close second on a shiny new KTM 520 SX. Ross Adams also placed Walker in second on this night, pitching his Yamaha YZ426F home for the win in the Open contest. The Money classes were stacked for this first night of a long weekend event in Columbus. Mark Burkhart returned to racing after a short layoff. He looked like the Burkhart of old as he churned up the soil and flashed his YZI25 to a convincing win in the 125cc A class. However, after a first-corner mistake and the resulting crash, Burkhart was not a contender in the 250cc A class, in which Charlie Dunaway won yet another main event in this series, slashing his F&S Suzuki RM250 home first, besting runner-up Brian Mason from Illinois. Steve "The Animal" Andrich came in third on his MPS-sponsored Honda CR250. Carroll, Ohio's Jason King was tremendous as he snarled his Mugen CR250 home for the win in the 250cc C class, riding smart and fast and taking rus first big indoor win aboard his Fast Boys/King Family Racing-backed machine. Another Fast Boys-backed winner was "King" Richard Robinson. The elderly Grove City resident pasted the rest of the old-timers in the Over 40 class, with "Gentleman" Gerry Bennett finishing second on his booming YZ426F. I Ohio State Fairgrounds Coliseum: Mark Burkhart leads the 250cc A main event at round six of the Ohio Arenacross Series in Columbus. 251' A: 1. Mllrk Roop (Yam): 2. AdMn John5on (Han); 3. RichMd Robinson (Hon) Over 40 class nonsense; he smoked the old guys. The former Brazilian Vet Expert screamed his semi-works CRI25 in for the victory. Another Willard, Andy, sneaked off with the 16·24 class win after sliding in second behind Michigan's Greg Brooks in the 250cc B class. Rome, Ohio's Chuck Nicholson was brilliant in the Over 30 class, simply racing off for the win on his RM250, but Adam Johnson, aboard his CR250, bested Nicholson for the Over 25 A victory. Mitch Dowell was finally able to stop Austin Coon's string of victories in the SOcc Pee Wee class, and Zach Ames came back to snap his Skat-sponsored RM80 in for first place in the 85cc Extra division. 25+ B: J. Chad Walker (taM): 2. Kevll1 Hildebrand (Sut); 3. Tony Brown (Yam) 30+: I. Mmto: Roop (Yam): 2. Kevm Hildebrmld (Suz); 3. Chuck NidIoIson (Sw:) 40... ; I. RIChard Robinson (Hon); 2. Wahl!!" ~ (Suz); 3. Bntd H... (Hon). OPEN: I. Chad Walker (KTM): 2. Jim WiUemmJ (Han); 3. Tiffany Reed (Yam). Ohio State Fairgrounds Coliseum Burkhart's Back - and He's Baaaaadd! By RUPERT X. PElllTT COLUMBUS. OH, DEC. 3 When he's on full-motocross mode, Mark Burkhart can display such domjnance that it's like watching a train leave a station full of frustrated passengers. This final day of a three-day weekend full of racing inside the fairgrounds coliseum featured Burkhart at his best. checking out and leaving the competi· tors to scrap over the leftovers. This being round six of the American ~Moto-Sports Ohio Arenacross Series, the final event of the winter inside the spacious arena on the Ohjo State Fairgrounds, it was fitting that Burkhart step up in front of his home crowd to prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with. Although Burkhart was, without a doubt, the fastest racer on the afternoon program, Charlie Dunaway was no slouch, either. He took the I 25cc A win ahead of Burkhart after Burkhart crashed early. In the 250cc A main, Burkhart checked out early on his KRWbacked KTM 250 SX, while Dunaway scrapped up through the pack to wrestle down second spot. Michjgan's Ian Hammond rode well for two fourth spots on the day in the Pro classes. Chris Whitcraft piloted his F&S RM 125 to a strong third in the 125cc Money class, while Steve Andrich took third in the 250cc A class on his MPS CR250. In Amateur racing, Michael Willard returned to proper racing form and handily won the 85cc Mini Senior class aboard his Ronnie Rehmert-tuned F&S RM80. Cobra tamer Cale Coe slapped another trophy on his shelf with a high-jumping aerial performance. Joey Leadbeater stung the 85cc (7-11) class as he stole the show with impressive riding on his 2001 Suzuki RM80. The 65cc (7-9) class was manhandled by Jacob Carter on his new KX65, while Grove City's Christian Parrish rode off with the 50cc (7-8) win on the King Cobra. It was double-class dynamite for Luke Lyons. He took the wins in the 125cc and 250cc Novice C classes. Chad "ice" Walker yet again posted strong rides for the Open and Over 25 B-c1ass wins. Fairborn's Corey Smith was again on the gas as he used the last day to ride his best, taking both the Schoolboy and 125<:c B-c1ass wins, riding the wheels off his Yamaha of Troy YZ125. "Bad" Brad Hess was haVing none of the 46 JANUARY t7, 2001 • I: U I: • Results 50 (4-6): 1. Bradley Baker (Pol); 2. Cole Coe (Cob); 3. Egan Rosell (Cob). 50 (4--8): 1. Austin Coon (Yam); 2. Mhcn Dowell (Yam); J. Jusl1n Results Witteman (Yam). 50 (4-6); I. Cale Coe (Cob); 2. Blake Hoffman (Cob): J. Egan Rosell (Cob). 6~ (7-9): 1. Nalhan Heskett (KTM); 2. Colby McCutcheon (KTM); 3, Ryan TItus (KTM). 65 (10-11): 1. Levi Kilbotger (KTM): 2. Cody Gang (Kaw); J, Corey Carr (Kaw). 125 A:. 1. Malil: Burkhllrt (Yam): 2. Steve Andridl (Hon); 3. CharHe DunaWlly (Sul). 125 B: 1. Carey Smith (Yam): 2. Cody Longwell (Yam); 3. WIRy Brown"" C: I. JllIed YCU1g (Yam); 2. Joy Ju.stk:e (Yam): 3. Aaron (Su<). 125 Heck (Hon). 250 A: I. Ctuarlte Dunaway (SUll: 2. Brian Mason (Kaw); 3. Steve Andrich (Hon). 250 B: 1. Kevin Hildebrand (Suz); 2. Andy Willard (KTM): 3. Collin Beverly (Hon). 250 C: 1. Jason King (Hen); 2. Luke Lyons (Yam); J. Jamte Smith (Yam). SCHBY: I, Willy Browning (Suz); 2. Nathan Skaggs (Yam); 3. Jared Grabid (Kaw). 16-24: 1. Scott Kuchler (Hen); 2. Andy Willard (KTM); J. Joey Lewis (Yam). 25. A: 1. Mark Roop (Yam); 2. Richard Robinson (Hen); 3. V. Joey Odelia III (Hon). 25... B: 1. Kevin Hildebrand (SUl): 2. Cnad Walker (KTM): 3. Steve Lavender (Suz). 30. A: 1. Cnuck NlchollOl'l (Suz): 2. Mark Roop (Yern); 3. ~e Lavender (SUl). 30. B: 1. Gerry Bennett (Vam); 2, G~g Rowland (Vam): 3, Gerry Kerr (KTM). OPEN: 1. Ross Adams (Yam); 2. Cnod Wlllker (KTM): 3. Chris uadbeater (Yam). Hungry Valley MX Frank Flies at Hungry Valley BY TONY Ai£SSI GORMAN, CA, DEC. 2-3 Team Thousand Oaks Yamaha's Chad Frank was flying high in the 125cc Intermediate division, posting the overall victory during the AJIIA/Thousand Oaks Yamaha Winter WarmUp Series held at Hungry Valley MX. The twoday event drew numerous racers seeking thousands of dollars in Yamaha dealer bucks for competitors finishing in the top three of their respective classes, "We do this kind of race every year: said Jef Harriott, the shop owner. "It's like our way of giving something back to the riders who support our store, and it's a way to just say 'thank you.'" Frank pulled the holeshot in both motos. "I really thought my friend Shane Smith was going to get the starts today on his new YZ250F: Frank said, "But I guess he is still learning how to ride a four-stroke." Frank led every lap of both motos, but he was surprised by Johner Faulkner, who made his presence known late in each race, 50 (7·8): 1. Christian Parish (Cob): 2, Seth Wels (Cob); J. Kyle Cottrill (Cob). 50 (4.8); I. Mitch Dowell (Yam): 2. Austin Cooo (Vam); J. Brllndon Rehmert (Yam). 65 (7-9): I. Jacob Carter (Kaw); 2. Ryan Kerr (KTM): J. Colby McCutcneon (KTM). 80 (7.11): 1. Joey Leadbellter (SUI); 2. levi Kllbllrger (SUI); J. Bryce Uddle (Kaw). 80 (12.15): I. Mlchllel Willard (Suz); 2. Zacn Ames (Suz); 3. Pllt Massie (Kaw). 85 EXTRA: 1. Zacn Ames (Suz): 2. Pat MassIe (Kaw); 3. Greg StrIcker (Vam). 125 A: I. Charlie Dunaway (SUl); 2. Mark Burknart (Yam); 3. Chris WhItcraft (SUl). 125 8: I. Cory Smith (Yam): 2. Nathan Skaggs (Vam): 3. Der· rick Arledge (Suz). 125 C: I. Luke Lyons (Yam); 2. Matt Homer (Suz); J. Paul Jonn· son (Hon). 250 A; 1. Mark Burkhart (KTM); 2. Cnarlle DunawllY (Suz): 3. Steve AndrIch (Hon). 250 B: I. Greg Brooks (Suz); 2. Andy Willard (KTM); 3. Tracey Haun (Kaw). 250 C: I. Luke Lyons (Yam): 2, Eddie Ron~r (Hon): 3. Mike Meedows (Hon). SCH8Y: 1. Cory Smith (Vam); 2. Derri<:k Arledge (Suz): 3. Nllthan Skaggs (Yam). 16·24: 1. Andy Willard (KTM); 2. Derrick Dewitt (Yam); 3. ShfIwn McDonald (Yam). 25+ A:. 1. Adam Johnson (Han): 2. Chuck Ni<:hoIson (Sul). 25. B: 1. Chad Walker (KTM); 2. Brian Biddle (Hon); 3. Dan Joneo (Hon). 30+: I. Chuck Nlc:hoIson (Sot); 2. John Caupp (Yam): 3. Scott Currel (Kaw). 40+: 1, Bntd He" (Hon): 2. Walter Bessey (Suz); 3. Vanc:ent Loy. ola (Han). OPEN: 1. Chad Walker (KTM); 2. Dwight Voltz (Kaw): 3. Mark McDaniel (Yam). Ohio State Fairgrounds Coliseum Baker Takes the Cake BY RUPERT X. PElllTT COLUMBUS, OH, DEC. 1 Bradley Baker, the 50cc AJIIA National Amateur Motocross Champion, was again at the top of his game as the very speedy youth from Mechanicsburg slashed his Polini 50cc factory bike to the win in Columbus. More than 500 exuberant racers turned out for this inaugural American Moto-Sports race at the Ohio State Fairgrounds Coliseum, round four of promoter Tab Thompson's Ohio Arenacross Series. While a wintertime indoor motocross event has been held here for years, this was the first time an AMS event utilized the site. e n e _ s Hungry Valley MX: Chad Frank flew to the 125cc Intermediate win in Gorman, California, laking both holeshols and leading every lap of both motos.

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