Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128096
Secoad Season Opener MoISter Mountaia Motllcross Parte Woods, Fisher AW'aken the Monster By STEVE AND PEGGY CORLEE TAllASSEE, At, FEB. 18 ichigan's Josh Woods and Canada's Derrick Fisher each won a division of the Pro class as Alabama's Monster Mountain Motocross Park held the first race of the 2001 season. More than 450 riders from all regions of the United States and Canada attended this event and provided plenty of action for the throng of spectators on hand. Monster Mountain is in its second year, and each race draws more rid: ers. Word of this beautiful facility is spreading throughout the continent, and the lure of a great racing facility and top-notch organization brings racers from near and far. Greg Cole's Southern Dirt Crew always prepares the course well and the racing is always tops. When the gate fell in the first 125cc Pro race, YZ250F -mounted Chad Ward led the field, with Fisher and Suzuki-mounted Jon Boy Monk in tow. Woods gated somewhat slowly and found himself behind Canada's Ryan Lockhart, in fifth. Ward and Fisher slowly pulled away from the pack, while Woods began his charge to the front. The battle for the lead between the front-runners ended suddenly as Fisher collided with Ward while trying to make a pass. Ward stalled the four-stroke and had trouble restarting, thus letting Fisher get away. Meanwhile, Woods was on the gas, and he passed Monk for second. Ward was only able to make his way back to eighth by moto's end. Fisher took the win, followed by Woods, a fully recovered Shane Lusk (who was injured at the last round of 2000), Monk and Lockhart. In moto two, Fisher was first off the gate, with Woods a close second. The pair put on a show for the entire mota, swapping the lead several times. Lusk was able to use the ongoing battle out front to stay close in third throughout the moto. Unfortunately, Ward and Monk both missed their call to staging and started behind the pack. Neither of them was able to get up near the front, leaving the race to be decided between Fisher, Woods and Lusk. The moto ended in that order, with Lockhart and Alabama's Josh Thompson rounding out the top five. The 250cc Pro action got under way with a bang. Ward took the lead aboard a booming KTM 520 four- M stroke. Fisher followed closely in second. Monk and Woods held third and fourth, respectively. On lap three, Ward bobbled and allowed Fisher to take the lead for good. Meanwhile, Woods charged toward the front and moved into second behind Fisher, dropping Ward to third, ahead of Monk. The flag fell with Fisher taking the win, ahead of Woods, Ward, Monk and Lockhart. Moto two began with Fisher again taking the lead. However, before the end of the first lap, he fell victim to mechanical problems, allowing Woods to take over. Woods went on to win the moto, ahead of Monk, Lockhart and Josh Thompson. Fisher held on to finish fifth, giving the overall on the day to the hard-charging Woods. The Mini ilivisions were also hotly contested. Promoter Gary Blackwell has a soft spot in his heart for the little guys, and he always sees to it that the tikes have as much fun as possible. The Minis were the most populated classes by far, and they put on a show for the crowd. As usual, YZ80mounted Drew Askew was the class of the field; he collected not only the Senior Miru win but also third place in the Schoolboy class. This is remarkable, considering everybody else was aboard 125cc machines. Askew was followed home in the Senior Minis by Georgia's Leah Cantrell, a star in the Women's class at Loretta Lynn's last year. Lusk and Dustin Applewhite headed Askew in the Schoolboy class. The B division was the sole property of Mississippi's Nathan Davenport. The Kawasaki-mounted speedster won every moto in both the 125cc Band 250cc B classes as well as in the Unlimited Amateurs. Davenport was followed by Georgia's Dash Lyle in the 125cc class and Justin Applewhite in the 250s. Consistent rides placed Louisiana's Ben Kennedy in third place in both classes. Kawasaki race mechanic David Kelley enjoyed the most success in the Vet divisions. He took the win in both the Over 30 and Over 35 A contests. Johnny Borders took a few minutes away from his pit-side Pro Action franchise to top the Over 40 class, and Mississippi's Steve Speights continued his winning ways in the Over 48 class. The Over 25 A win went to Alabama's Joey Hargrove, while Tennessee's Phillip Meyers topped the B division. CN Monster Mountain Motocross Parte Derrick Fisher (911) leads Canada's Ryan Lockhart (93) and Jon Boy Monk (47) In the 250cc Pro contest at the first race of the season In Tallassee, Alabama. Though Josh Woods won that class, Fisher won the 125cc Pro division. 16-24: 1. Bob Thompson (Yam); 2. Chris Hall (Suz); 3. Mark Smith (Hon); 4. Michael Gravette (Yam): 5. Mark Callahan (Yam). NOV: 1. Jeremine Duncan (Yam); 2. Srylln Wormley (Yam); 3. Shannon Mitchell (KTM); 4. Mark Jugel (Yam): 5. Russell Radford (Kaw). OIL AM: I. Nathan Davenport (Kaw); 2. Ben Kennedy (Suz); 3. E.J. Cox (Yom); 4. Kevin Yerbey (Han). t 25 PRO: 1. Derrick Fisher (Suz); 2. Josh Woods (Kaw); 3. Shane Lusk (Han); 4. Ryan Lockhart (Han); 5. Josh Thompson (Yam). 125 B: 1. Nathan Davenport (Kaw); 2. Dash Lyle (Suz); 3. Ben Kennedy (Suz); 4. Man: Rudolph (Han); 5. Joshua FInCher (Yam). 125 C: 1. T.C. Ughtsey (Yam); 2. Michael Smith (Suz); 3. Jeramine Duncan (Yam); 4. Clayton Arnold (Yom); 5. Jason Mooney (Kaw). 125 D: 1. Borry Shiver (Han); 2. Chuck McCord (Yam): 3. Jonathan M.ark Wood (Kew); 4. Brad Wright (Yam); 5. Chance Sheppard (Yam). 250 PRO: 1. Josh Woods (Kaw); 2. Jon Boy Monk (Suz); 3. Derrick Fisher (5uz); 4. Ryen Lockhart (Hon); 5. Josh Thompson (Suz). 250 B: 1. Nathan Davenport (Kaw); 2. Justin Applewhite (Han); 3. Ben Kennedy (Suz); 4. Phillip My... (Suz); 5. Dash Lyle (Suz). 250 C: 1. Chris Hall (Suz); 2. Chase Uvlngston (Hon); 3. Justin Godwin (Yam); 4. Joshua Aaron (Yam); 5. Eric Nelson (Han). 250 D: 1. Steven Swicord (Yam); 2. Beau Pierce (Yam); 3. Don WilUems (Yam); 4. James Kevin Browning (Kaw); 5. Mike Norris (Han). 25+ A: 1. Joey Hargrove (Hon); 2. Darryl Heisler (Yam); 3. Kevin Yerbey (Han). 25. B: 1. Phillip My... (Suz); 2. Brian Rubertson (Han); 3. Rodney Cavender (Han); 4. Man Reynolds (Kow); 5. Louie Reynolds (Kaw). 30+: 1. David Kelley (Kaw); 2. Brian Rubertson (Han); 3. Davy Duprel (Yam); 4, Jeff Thornton (Yam); 5. Kenneth Stowe (Suz). 35+ A: 1. David Kelley (Kew); 2. Darryl Heisler (Yam); 3. Dorrell Sims (Suz). 35. B: 1. Bobby Slaton (Yam); 2. Patrick Caiazza (Yam); 3. Thomas Halliburton (Kaw); 4. Kent Prager (Yam); 5. Mark Thurman (Kew). 40+: 1. Johnny Borders (Kew); 2. D~m'ell Sims (5uz); 3. Bobby 51eton (Yem); 4. Patrick Caiazza (Yam); 5. Mark Lowty (Kaw). 48+: I. Steve Speights (Yam); 2. Steve Corlee (5uz); 3. Richard Burdett (Kaw); 4. AJlan Fountain (Kaw); 5. James McMichen (Han). Monstllr Mountain MotlIl:nss Partl ra'18ssea, Alabama Results: Fabnuory 18, 2001 50 OIL-INJ: 1. Byron Dillard (Yam); 2. Bryan Turpin (Hon); 3. Miles Thornton (Yam); 4. Elliott Alamey (Yam); 5. Bladen Owen. (Yom). 50 (4-6): 1. Austin Smith (Pol); 2. Will Castleberry (KTM); 3. Miles Thomton (Pol); 4. Byron Dillard (Cob); 5. Collin Edwards (Hon). 50 (7-9): 1. Grant Ransdell (KTM); 2. Michael Mims (Cob); 3. Rio Barnhart (KTM); 4. Kaleb Vandygrfff (KTM); 5. Price Martin (KTM). 65 (7-9): 1. Arthur Cofield (Suz); 2. Grant Ransdell (KTM); 3. Wesley Ethridge (Kaw); 4. Luke Davie (KTM); 5. Brandon Hamilton (KTM). 65 (10-11): 1. Dalton McAlarney (Kaw); 2. Cameron Chase Mornt (Kaw); 3. Brandon Chase Lee (Kaw); 4. Derek Rogers (KTM); 5. Clay Clements (KTM). YTH 65-80: 1. Jase lewis (Hon); 2. Jesse Van Panen (Kaw); 3. Tyler Jugel (Yam); 4. Joshua Eure (Kaw); 5. Taylor Johnson (Kaw). 80 (12-13): 1. Bloke Massey (Yam); 2. Jonathan Dove (Yam); 3. Tyler Jugel (Yam); 4. Mike Davidson (Suz); 5. Jake Lowry (Kaw). 80 (14-15): 1. Bradley Richard (Suz); 2. Garrett West (K8w); 3. Jacob Capps (Kaw); 4. David Gravette (Yam); 5. Franky Walthers (Kaw). 80 JR MINI (7-11): 1. Jose Lewis (Han); 2. Taylor Johnson (Kaw); 3. Arthur Corleld (Suz); 4. Jesse Ven Patten (Kew); 5. Scott Sims (Kaw). SR l'\INI (12-15): 1. Drew Askew (Yam); 2. Leah Cantrell (Suz); 3. Jonathan Dove (Yam); 4. Franky Walthers (Kaw); 5. William Cato (Kaw). SCHBY (12-15): 1. Shane Lusk (Han); 2. Justin Applewhite (Han); 3. Drew Askew (Yam); 4. Joshua Flncher (Yam); 5. Ben Fleetwood (Han). S/MINI 100: 1. Blake Massey (Yam); 2. Bradley Richerd (5uz); 3. Leah C8ntrell (5uz); 4. David Gravette (Y8m); 5. Justin Ashburn (Hon). MINI 4-STRK (0-100): 1. Chris Hollingsworth (Han); 2. Keelan Cherry (Han); 3. Tyler Moore (Han); 4. Mark Jennings (Hon); 5. Tyler Strength (Hon). 4-STRK: I. Josh Thompson (Yam); 2. Davy Duprel (Yam); 3. Matt Summers (Yam); 4. Steven Swicord (Yam); 5. P8trick Caiazza (Yam). OPEN 2-STRK: 1. Jason Rig (Han); 2. B.J. Sosebee (Hon); 3. Terry Herring (Hon); 4. Jason Bamene (Han); 5. Jason Elliot (Han). OPEN 4-STRK: 1. Brad Miller (Han); 2. Kevin Campbell (Han); 3. James Clochler (Hon); 4. James Warren (Han); 5. Brian Reese (Han). e U D I • n • _ S MARCH 21. 2001 77