Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

GFI Racing Winter Series North Round 5: Hangtown when I can ride my own race, I can (Left) Evan Laughridge (10L) flew his Suzuki to the 125cc Pro win, ahead of SCott Davis, Nathan Tierney (173) and Craig Truglio (239), a1 the final round of the GFI Winter Series North In Rancho Cordova, . California. (Below) Kawasaki Jockey SCott Davis won the 250Cc Pro class at Hangtown. By JIM AND JUSTIN ENOS PHOTOS BY JIM ENOS RANCHO CORDOVA, CA, MAR. 18 he infamous Hangtown National track played host to the fifth and final round of the GFI North Winter Series and, just as in the previous round, Scott Davis and Evan Laughridge took charge of the ] 25cc and 250cc Pro classes. This time, however, Davis took the win in the 250cc class with a ] -2 showing while Laughridge, who was going for a four-moto ~weep, won the first 250cc moto and scored solid back-to-back wins for the] 25cc victory. Equally as fast on the day was Nevada's Nathan Tiearney, who posted a pair of thirdplace finishes in both classes, despite having the most incredible run of bad luck in a particular turn. After a string of rain-outs, the much-anticipated final round saw nearly 400 riders make their way out to the seldom-used National facility. Featuring a lengthy layout with plenty of elevation changes, the track never looked better, as the AMP crew once again worked their magic. With a strong ] 5-rider field contesting the 250cc Pro class, Davis had his work cut out for him, especially after a rocky start. While holding it wide open through the first turn, Davis got pushed wide by Honda rider Brian Roth. Going for the holeshot, neither rider let off, and Davis ran out of real estate, eventually going off the track while Roth held on to take the holeshot. "By the time we both decided to shut off, we got into where the water truck had just watered, and we both started sliding," Roth said. "I just barely made it from going off the track, too" Roth's good fortune didn't last long. After posting a fourth in the moto, Roth later explained that a hornet had gotten in his jersey and was stinging him in his side, and he repeatedly swatted at it while still trying to race. By the time he killed it, Laughridge had made his way by, as had Tiearney and Davis, who had made an incredible charge through the pack after the firstturn mishap. Laughridge checked out and took a huge win, while Davis pushed Tiearney and eventually passed him for second. In moto two, Davis made a clean break from the field with a huge holeshot while Laughridge suffered a midpack start. Tiearney, who gated well, began reeling in Davis near the end but went down in a rutted turn on top of the hill. Remounting quickly, Tiearney tried holding off Laughridge, who had blazed through the field, and the two battled all the way to the checkers. In the end, Davis took the win, followed by Laughridge, Tiearney, Craig Truglio and Jon Replogle. "In that first one, I came back onto the track in about sixth or seventh", Davis said. "I thought Roth would never let off, but he had the inside line and he used the track - that's Pro racing - but I didn't give up, and it paid off. In the second moto, the holeshot was all I needed, because Hu..-n Ruche ConIcrvs, Cslifsmis Results: MludI18, 2801 (hund 5 of 51 set a faster pace." Laughridge owned the ]25cc Pro class with two flawless motos. In moto one, Laughridge quickly turned a third-place start into a commanding lead, passing holeshot artist Tiearney . and Davis like a rocket. Laughridge finished the moto uncontested. Tiearney held his own in second until another fall in the exact same spot at the top of the hill allowed Davis and Truglio to slip by. Davis and Truglio fought all the way to checkers, but Davis held Truglio off. Tiearney remounted and garnered fourth. In moto two, Laughridge grabbed the holeshot, but this time Tiearney Pee Wee Track 50 FIT: 1. MlIci Hansen (Hon); 2. Jesse Janco (Yam). 50 (4-6) P/W JR: I. Chase Floyd (Yam); 2. Melissa Johns (Suz); 3. Jonah Locks (Suz); 4. CalVin Levisay (Yam). 50 (4-6) STK: 1. Mark Braden (KTM); 2. Elric Flory (Pol); 3. Blaine Franke (KTM); 4. Reno Evans (Hon); 5. Cody Scott (KTM). 50 (4-6) MOD: I. Landon Cohen (HM); 2. Vince liar (Pol). 50 (7-8) STK: 1. Chris Arroyo (Cob); 2. Drew Thomas (Cob); 3. Jake Locks (Pol); 4. C.J. Barham (Cob); 5. Parker Smith (Cob). 50 (7-8) MOD: I. Calvin LaCurelle (Cob). 50 (0·8) OPEN: 1. Joshua Greco (Pol); 2. Dylan Lane (Cob); 3. Charlie Moore (Cob); 4. Zac Andrade (Cob). Main Track 50 (4-6) STK: 1. Elric Flory (Pol): 2. Blaine Franke (KTM): 3. Landon Cohen (HM): 4. Mark Braden (KTM): 5. Jazmin Locks (Pol). 50 (7·8) STK: I. C.J. Barham (Cob): 2. Chris Aragon (Cob); 3. Jake Locks (Pol): 4. Drew Thomas (Cob): 5. Chris Arroyo (Cob). 50 (0-8) OPEN: 1. Dylan Lane (Cob); 2. Zak Fredrickson (Cob): 3. Zach Andrade (Cob); 4. Calvin LaCureile (Cob): 5. Charlie Moore (Cob). 60 FIT: I. Brandon Copeland (Kaw): 2. Coby Kiser (Kaw). 60 BEG; I. Crystal Layton (KTM); 2. Michael Flores (KTM): 3. Dylan Lane (KTM); 4. Zak Fredrickson (KTM); 5. Bred Dingmen (Kew). 60 NOV: 1. Jared Holt (KTM); 2. Ruben Hernandez (KTM): 3. Casey Sherman (KTM). 60 INT: 1. Justin Enos (KTM). 60 OPEN: 1. Justin Enos (KTM); 2. Ruben Hernandez (KTM); 3. Jerred Holt (KTM); 4. Dylen Lane (KTM): 5. Crystal Layton (KTM). 80 WMN: 1. Rory Packwood (Suz). 80 FIT: 1. Jeke Dermer (Kaw); 2. Charlie Uppert (Yam); 3. Jorge Soto (Yam). 80 BEG: 1. Mett Lozada (Han); 2. Zak Dupuis (Yam): 3. Kent Snyd..- (Yam): 4. Jared Holt (Kaw); 5. Eric Riverll (Yllm). 80 NOV: 1. Tyler Freemen (Han); 2. Kale Deibler (Yam): 3. Luke Layton (Suz): 4. Matt Spencer (Kaw); 5. Garrett Henderson (Kew). 80 INT: 1. Jordan Mockridge (Kaw); 2. Adam Kowi!l:lcyzk (Suz); 3. Kevin Rookstool (Ki!l:w): 4. Brad Kelly (Hon); 5. Bryar Perry (Hon). BO EX: 1. Nick Davis (Suz). 80 S/MINI: 1. Nick Devis (Suz); 2. Jordan Mockridge (Ki!l:w); 3. Tyler Freeman (Han); 4. Kevin Rookstool (Kaw); 5. Adam Kowelcyzk (Suz). SCHBY: 1. Eric McCrummen (Yern): 2. Broc Owens (Han); 3. Tony Sherman (Yern); 4. C.J. Maria (Yam). 125 BEG: 1. Brandon Freemen (Han); 2. Gino Scolari Jr. (Yam); 3. Jere Dolin (Yern); 4. Chris Hall (Han); 5. Jason Romero (Yam). 125 NOV: 1. Tyson Enzweiler (Yern); 2. Richard Farren (Han); 3. David Gessin (Yam); 4. James Totten (Hon): 5. Justin Loll (Kaw). 125 INT: 1. Eric McCrummen (Yam); 2. Brian Jones (Yam); 3. Chris Loredo (Yam): 4. Mett Barber (Suz); 5. Chris McAvoy (Suz). 125 PRO: 1. Evan Laughridge (Suz); 2. Scott Davis (Suz); 3. Nathan Tiearney (Suz): 4. Craig Truglio (Yam); 5. John Replogle (Suz). 250 BEG: 1. Gino Scolari (Hon); 2. Joey Hurlburt (Han); 3. Adam Hansen (Han); 4. Chris Rovetti (Yam); 5. Kenny Seker (Han). 250 NOV: 1. John Wear (Han); 2. James Totten (Han); 3. Jimmy Robinson (Han): 4. Arik Swan (Han); 5. Rodty Audenried (Han). 250 INT: 1. Michael Gorda Jr. (Hon); 2. Turtle Wikoff (Han); 3. Chris Loredo (Yam); 4. Carson Meyer (Yam); 5. Tony Evans (Hon). 250 PRO: 1. Scott Davis (Kaw); 2. Evan Laughridge (Suz): 2. Nathan neamey (Suz); 4. Craig Truglio (Yam); 5. Jon Replogle (Suz). 500 BEG: 1. Victor Nelson (Yam); 2. Steve McBreyer (Han). 500 NOV: I. Bill Carter (Kaw). 25+ BEG: 1. Kevin Clayton (Yam); 2. Keith Mustin (Yam); 3. Kevin Gotto (5uz). 25+ NOV: 1. Jimmy Robinson (Han); 2. Rodney Ware (Yem): 3. Frllnk Chavez (Han); 4. Clint Hand . (Hon); 5. David Chick (Kaw). 25+ INT: 1. Brian Jones (Yam); 2. Steve Stone (Hon); 3. Steve Thinger (Hon). 25+ EX: 1. Kelly Andris (Han); 2. Brian Roth (Hon); 3. Monty Wlire (Yam); 4. Chris Vendley (Han); 5. Cliff Cook (KTM). 30+ BEG: 1. Mike Ptotzke (Yam); 2. Kevin Gotto (Suz): 3. Travis Ward (Kaw). 30+ NOV: 1. Rodney Ware (Yam); 2. Jere Bolin (Yam): 3. Brett Flory (Yam); 4. Mike Landgraf (Yam): 5. Kurt Smlth (Suz). 30. INT: 1. Steve Storie (Hon). 30+ EX: 1. Monty Ware (Yam); 2. Mike Hodge~ (Suz); 3. Michael Gordo (Hon); 4. Tony Basunt (Yam); 5. Steve Helbo (Kaw). 35+ INT: 1. Steve Storie (Hon); 2. Kurt Smith (Su,). 40+ NOV: 1. Bruce Baker (Yam): 2. Stuart Nelson (Yam); 3. Pat Saugar (Yam); 4. Paul McGounty (Yam); 5. Victor Nelson (Yam). . 40+ INT: 1. David Brillant (Yam); 2. Kurt Smith (Suz); 3. Jim Oallara (Hon). 40+ EX: 1. Mike Newman (Suz); 2. Jondy Cohen (Suz). . HON Z50: I. Mlltt Spencer; 2. Joey Hams; 3. J.D. Moore; 4. Joel Fittro; 5. Dellas Hinds. and Davis were hot on his fender. Tiearney took over the lead on the second lap and looked poised to put a gap on the field but, remarkably, as Tiearney reached the top of the hill, he once again went down in the exact same spot for the third time on the day. Visibly frustrated by his string of mishaps, Tiearney half-chuckled, "They need to permanently remove that turn at the top of the hill." The fall allowed Laughridge, Davis and Truglio to scoot by. Davis then began to pressure Laughridge, but two falls ended Davis' hopes for an overall. Laughridge went on to take a commanding win, while Tiearney capitalized on Davis' misfortunes to take second. Davis remounted and finished third - good enough for second on the day. "Those other guys had a little bad luck out there and I just kept on two wheels," Laughridge said. "The track had a few good lines, but some of the· ruts had some tough acceleration bumps coming out of them. It feels good to win three out here today, but I was really hoping for a four-moto sweep." eN cue I • n e _ S • APRIL 18. 2001 49

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