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AMA Yamaha Western Four-Stroke Nationals Round 1: Speedworld Motocross Park (Left) Jimmy LaMastus (6) led earty in both motos, but Spud Walters (2) got by to take both moto wins and the overall at the opening round of the AMA Yamaha Western Four-5troke Nationals. In moto one, LaMastus and Walters went into turn one side by side. LaMastus had the inside position going into two and came out with the lead. Beatty was third, followed by Craig Davis, Cliff Cook and Tim Sharp. When the leaders came back into view from the east side of the course, Steve Drew, Karlsen and Woods were fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively. Davis, carrying an onboard camera with a power supply on his back, tried several times to put a wheel on Beatty. Terlecki passed Cook on the start sweeper for eighth, followed by Carson and Sandell. Woods moved by Karlsen for sixth by the bleacher section. Then Woods came alongside Drew on the start sweeper and completed the pass coming into turn two. Terlecki passed Karlsen and Drew for sixth. Walters had shadowed LaMastus for several laps. As they came out of turn two, LaMastus bobbled over the small tabletop. Walters got a better drive into the next jump and took over the lead. Terlecki went by Woods for fifth. Then Davis and Beatty got together and they both went down. "We had been battling, and Davis came up on the inside," Beatty remarked. "I think it was a combination of him coming up on the corner and I came a little down, and we tangled up - just racing." Terlecki inherited third, ]4 seconds behind the leaders. LaMastus was back in front of Walters as they came back into the spectator area. "I was surprised and stoked when Jimmy went by me," Walters said. "We were having a lot of fun out there. We're good friends and I can trust him." STORY AND PHOTOS BY ROBERT VAN DAMME CITY OF SURPRISE, AZ, FEB. 18 pud Walters took the win at round one of the AMA Western FourStroke Nationals, sponsored by Yamaha, Maxima, Spy, Power Start, Kodak and Hooters. The White Brothers/Axo/HJC/Smith/Works Connection-sponsored Walters went 1-1 for the overall. Jimmy LaMastus, riding a KTM 520, battled Walters in both motos and finished 2-2 for second overall. LaMastus led early in both motos, but he couldn't seem to shake the persistent Walters. "Jimmy and I were setting a good pace," said Walters, "and I started to get arm pump in the first moto. So I rode with him and tried to relax and breathe. Then Jimmy started to make mistakes, and I capitalized." Third overall went to Oregon's Ryan Terlecki. The Husaberg/Dunlop/Spectro-sponsored Terlecki had to overcome poor starts in each moto to finish 3-4. Powerhouse/Tost/Troy Lee/Smith-sponsored Nathan Woods also suffered poor starts and, with a mishap in the first moto, he garnered fourth overall with a 5-3 tally. Kip Sandell, riding for ProVan USA, scored 4-5 for fifth overall after only a short time back on the bike. "My stamina isn't as good as it should be, since I'm only two weeks back from a snowcross injury," Sandell said. Matt Karlsen, Todd Downs, Mark Tilley, Ty Carson and Tim Beatty rounded out the top 10. 54 MARCH 14,2001 ' cue I e n • _ s Sandell worked his way up to fifth, followed by Karlsen, who passed Drew at the "Go Dan" jump. A lap later, Sandell moved up to fourth. "On the high-speed double, I cased it just a little and a rock stuck in my back brake, stalling the engine," said Woods, who only lost a couple of positions, getting in behind the battle between Karlsen, Drew and Carson. Walters passed LaMastus in the same spot he did earlier. Then LaMastus repassed Walters going into the "Go Dan" jump. A few laps down, Davis was following the leaders to capture the battle on video - until the camera came off his helmet. Walters made the final pass, again on the east side of the course, over laMastus for the lead. Woods got by Carson on the next go-around, and Tilley passed Karlsen. Walters took the checkers seven seconds in front of LaMastus. Terlecki rode in a lonely third, followed by Sandell, Woods, Carson, Tilley, Downs, Karlsen and Sharp. In moto two, Davis and LaMastus ran one and two out of turn one, but when the pack came over the "Go Dan" jump, Walters was in the lead, with LaMastus, Sandell, Davis, Carson and Karlsen in tow. Walters and LaMastus touched at the finish line, with LaMastus losing ground. Davis passed Sandell by the bleachers. Sandell then went down, letting Carson and Karlsen by. Walters and LaMastus changed positions several times, with Walters almost losing it off a jump. "I almost went down when my foot got hung up by the back wheel," said Walters, who retook the lead at halfway. A three-way battle ensued between Sandell, Woods and Terlecki late in the race. Woods passed Sandell for third. On the white-flag lap, Terlecki went by Sandell. "I knew I had to pass Sandell to get on the podium, and I made the pass just before the finish," said Terlecki. Walters pulled away for the win, LaMastus was second, and Woods was third. eN Speedwarld Matac:ross Parll City at Su"ri.., Arlzo.... Results: february 18, 2001 (Round 1 at 12J (Left and above) Both Ryan Terteckl (45T) and Nathan Woods (5) overcame poor starts to gamer third and fourth overall, respectively, at Speeclwortd Motocross Park In Cit)' of Surprtse, Arizona. (Below) LaMastus (6) takes the earty lead In the first mota, followed by Cliff Cook (8), Craig Davis (4), Ryan Mortenson (72), Ty Carson (288) and the rest of the ravenous pack. MOTO 1: 1. Spud Welters (Yam); 2. Jimmy LaMastus (KTM); 3. Ryan Terlecki (Hbg); 4. Kip Sandell (Yam); 5. Nathan Woods (Yam); 6. Ty Carson (KTM); 7. Mark Tilley (Yam); 8. Todd Downs (KTM); 9. Matt Karlsen (Yam); 10. Tim Sharp (Yam); 11. Steve Drew (Yam); 12. Jason Mlitthews (KTM) 13. Erik Anderson .(Yam); 14. Nick Bainbridge (Yam); 15. Tim Beatty (Yam); 16. Andy Anayo (Yam); 17. Cameron Weaver (Yam); 18. Mat Bateman (Yam); 19. Rob Drew (Yam); 20. Jason Wood (Yom). MOTO 2: 1. Spud Walters (Yam); 2. Jimmy LaMastus (KTM); 3. Nathan Woods (Yam); 4. Ryan Terleckl (Hbg); 5. Kip Sandell (Yam); 6. Craig Davis (KTM); 7. Mott Karlsen (Yam); 8. Todd Downs (KTM); 9. Mark Tilley (Yam); 10. TIm Beatty (Yam); 11. Ty Carson (KTM); 12. Brian Sweany (Yam); 13. Jason Wood (Yom); 14. Jason Matthews (KTM); 15. Steve Drew (Yam); 16. Nick Bainbridge (Yam); 17. Erik Anderson (Yom); 18. Andy Anaya (Yam); 19. Cameron Weaver (Yam); 20. Mat Bateman (Yam). O/A: 1. SpUd Walters (Yam); 2. Jimmy laMastus (KTM); 3. Ryan Terlecki (Hbg); 4. Nathan Woods (Yam); 5. Kip Sandell (Yam); 6. Matt Kartsen (Yam); 7. Todd Downs (KTM); 8. Mark Tdley (Yam); 9. Ty Carson (KTM); 10. Tim Beatty (Yam); 11. Jason Matthews (KTM); 12. Steve Drew (Yam); 13. Croig Davis (KTM); 14. Nick Bainbridge (Yam); 15. Erik Anderson (Yam); 16. Tim Sharp (Yam); 17. Jason Wood (Yam); 18. Brion Sweany (Yam); 19. Andy Anaya (Yam); 20. Cameron We8ver (Yam). AMA WESTERN FOUR-STROKE NATIOI'IAL MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDII'IGS (After I of 12 rounds): 1. Spud Walters (50/1 win); 2. Jimmy LaMastus (44); 3. Ryan Terlecki (38); 4. Nathan Woods (36); 5. Kip Sandell (34); 6. (TIE) Matt Karlsen/Todd Downs/ Mark Tilley (26); 9. Ty Carson (25); 10. Tim Beatty (17); 11. (TIE) Jason Matthews/ Steve Drew (16); 13. Croig Davis (15); 14. (TIE) Nick Bainbridge/ Erik Anderson (12); 16. Tim Sharp (11); 17. (TIE) J8son Wood/Brl8n Sweany (9); 19. Andy Anaya (8); 20. Cameron Weaver (6).