Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(Left) Nick Wey is getting back up to speed after having arm surgery and pneumonia. He finished third In the 125cc main. (R19htl Ramsey finished off the East Coast Series with his second win, and second place In the series. too, got some extra press and attention due to the fact that he was riding Yamaha's revolutionary 250cc fourstroke in the 125cc class. He rode it well and is looking forward to riding it outdoors also. The Lake Elsinore, California, resident was content with the whole series of events on the night. "All I could do was go out and win tonight," Ramsey said. "I wanted to redeem myself after blowing it on the last lap last week and it was a little bittersweet because I know that Travis was protecting his championship and probably wasn't going his hardest, but he's a racer and he knows what he has to do. I still feel good about the win and want to take this momentum into the outdoor series. I've always wanted to do good out there and now I'm going to put even more emphasis on it." Ramsey's teammate Nick Wey was next on the podium. The homestate rider had a strong night, winning the first heat ahead of Pastrana, then finishing third in the final. His strong and consistent finishes throughout the series put him in fourth in the final standings and Wey is still left looking for his first ever 125cc Supercross win going into the Dave Coombs EastWest Shootout in a few weeks. Wey should also be considered as one of the players in the upcoming National Motocross Series as well. "It's good to get third here in front of the [Michigan] Mafia," Wey said. "I've had pneumonia, been sick and haven't trained much lately, so it's all right. I got out good with Nathan and rode well, so it turned out okay." SplitFire/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Mike Brown finished fourth. Brown started up front and made a few passes before settling into his position at the checkers. The Tennessee native, who has been living with Ricky Carmichael down in Florida for the last few months, had a remarkable Supercross season and was even a little surprised himself. "Yeah, it turned out a little better than I expected but, halfway through the season, I was looking to win a race," Brown said of his first Supercross season in two years. "I'm happy with third in the series, but not really with fourth tonight. My arms got real tight for some reason. They haven't done that all year and I don't know if it was the ruts or what." Red Bull KTM's Brock Sellards was back in action and finished fifth in the final. Sellards had a second surgery for arm-pump several weeks ago and sat out the final last week due to excessive pain. He was back and said that things were okay. Still, Sellards cannot be real pleased with his performance this year based on his outstanding season the year before. He and teammate Kelly Smith tied for sixth in the final points standings. Fast by Ferracci Husqvarna-sponso red Christopher Gosselaar had another strong finish in sixth, while Kelly Smith, Amsoil/Dr. Martens/ Journey's Steve Boniface, Plano Honda's Travis Elliott and Suzuki's Ben Riddle rounded out the top 10 at Pontiac. SplitFire/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Tallon Vohland had a rough night, crashing out of the final and finishing 2200. Vohland had a tough start and finish to the series, but his strong rides in between have the likable Northern Californian finishing a respectable fifth in the final points standings. The Supercross Series now takes a week off before heading to Dallas in two weeks for the final two West Coast rounds. Ramsey's teammate Ernesto Fonseca is looking to take that title aboard his YZ250F, and he is in a good position to do so. MAIN Ramsey and F&S Suzuki's Danny Carlson drag-raced down the start straight and, as they entered the first turn, Carlson barely edged out Ramsey to the line for the SFX.com $500 Holeshot Award. "I came in from the outside and just swept around them on the outside," Carlson said. "I'll use this money to get to the next race." Ramsey quickly took over and was leading coming out of the second turn with Wey, Brown, Smith and Pastrana following. "I just didn't quite hold it on long enough, but I came out first so it worked," Ramsey said. "I held tight on the inside." Brown forced his way by Smith for third a few corners later, as Ramsey and Wey slowly began to pull away. Pastrana knew that he only needed seventh or better to win the championship and he was holding the fourth position as the first lap ended. Ramsey and Wey had now pulled apart from the field, while Pastrana was all over Brown for the third position. On the fourth lap, Pastrana motored by Brown at the end of a long and grueling whoop section. He then closed in on Wey for second and, a lap later, made the pass in the same exact spot. Ramsey was now about five-seconds ahead of Pastrana, but the championship was basically Pastrana's to keep or throwaway. His mechanic Lee McCollum was writing pit board notes such as "Be smart" and "Focus," and that he did. He closed the gap to about three seconds throughout the next few laps but, on lap 11, the two riders bobbled. Ramsey panic revved and did a Superman over a rutty double into a corner. What happened next was incredible. While hanging off the side of his bike, Ramsey somehow managed to steer the bike around the corner and kept from going down. He remounted quickly and the whole incident happened very fast. Pastrana, on the other hand, could have taken advantage of Ramsey's bobble and closed some major ground. Unfortunately for him, he lost his front end in a corner after the finish and went to the ground. By the time he had gotten up, Ramsey had actually made some time on the Suzuki rider. "Words can't express how I saved that thing," Ramsey said. "My wheels were riding on the Tuff Blocks around the corner. I just cross-rutted going off the jump and I thought I was going to crash the whole time and I just rodeo'd around the corner and then just popped back on and was like 'Wow, let's go.'" Neither Brown nor Wey were able to capitalize on Pastrana's mistake, because he got up so fast. Ramsey cruised the last few laps without much pressure. Pastrana had DUD I _ a little wake-up call with the fall and just relaxed the final few laps. Ramsey would eventually cross the finish for his second win of the season, finishing some II-seconds ahead of a very happy Pastrana. Wey, Brown and Sellards rounded out the top five. Ramsey said, "Even though I didn't win the title, it's a good way to go out with the win. I'll try to upset him outdoors." Pastrana summed up the final by saying, "I would have loved to have won the race, but Nathan was riding great. I didn't need to do anything stupid by trying to go out and win it." 1:11 Silvenlome PontillC, M·cbi. . Results: April I, ZOOI 125 HEAT I (6 laps, ]·9 transfer): 1. Nothon Ramsey (Yam); 2. Mike Brown (KlIw); 3. Brock Sellord. (KTM): 4. Kelly Smith (KTM): 5. Ben Riddle (Suz); 6. Isaillh Johnson (Yam): 7. Johnny Mllrley (Han): 8. Chorles Dunowoy (Suz): 9. Joseph Oehlhof (Yarn): 10. Thomes Hofmasler (Yam); 1 J. Thomn Kelley (Suz); 12. Jamie Brockman (Hon): 13. Brien Stone (Kaw); 14. Jonathzln Shimp (Yam): 15. Taylor Wott. (Yom): 16. Michoel Konn (Yom): 17. Do. Ko.trin (Yom): 18. Micky Morsholl (Yom): 19. John Kidd (Suz); 20. Charlie Dagner (Hon). Time: 5 min., 48.420 secs. 125 HEAT 2 (6 lops, 1·9 transfer): I. Nick Wey (Yam); 2. Travis Pastrana (Suz); 3. Steve Bonif8ce (Hon); 4. Tallon Vohland (Kaw); 5. Chris Gosselo8r CHus); 6. Danny Carlson (Suz); 7. MlUk BurkhlHt (Yam); 8. Mott Wolker (Han): 9. Trovi. Elliott (Han): 10. Scott Me.. (Yam): 11. Michoel Compbell (Yom): 12. David Oettel (Yem); 13. Mro" Stancil (Yam): 14. Eric KOWlJlik (Hon): 15. Peut Kissig (Suz); 16. Ryan Tracy (Yam); 17. Zachary Devaul (Hon); 18. Marco Dube (KTM): 19. Mott Shue (Suz): 20. Mike KoUn Jr. (Yom). Tune: 5 min., 47.890 sees. 125 LCQ (4 laps, 1-2 transfer): 1. Thomas Kelley (SU%): 2. Dovid Oettel (Yom): 3. Michoel Campbell (Yam); 4. Matt Shue (Suz); 5. Thomes Hofml!lster (Yam); 6. Jonathan Shimp (Yam); 7. Jamie STockmen (Hon); 8. Brien Stone (Kew); 9. Michael Kann (Yam); 10. Eric Kowalik (Hon); 11Dax Kastrin (Yam); 12. Taylor Watts (Yam); 13. Mllirco Dube (KTM); 14. Aeron Stencil (Yam); 15. Micky Mershell (Yem); 16. lechery Deveul (Hon); 17. John Kidd Jr. (Suz): 18. Ryon Trocy (Yom): 19. Poul Kisslg (Suz); 20. Scott Metz (Yom): 21. Mike Kolin Jr. (Yom): 22. Chorlle Dogner (Han). Tune: 4 min. 13.360 sec. 125 ft\AIJ't 1. Nethen Remsey (Yem): 2. Trevis Po.lrono (Suz): 3. Nlcholos Wey (Yom): 4. Michael Brown (Kew); 5. Brock Sellerds (KTM); 6. Chris Gosselear (Hus); 7. Kelly Smith (KTM): 8. Steve Bonifece (Hon); 9. Travis Elliott (Hon); 10. Ben Riddle (Suz); 11. Denny Cerlson (Suz); 12. Matt Wolker (Han); 13. Johnny Morley (Han): 14. Mott Shue (Suz): 15. Joseph Oehlhof (Yom): 16. Chorle. Duneway (Suz); 17. ISlileh Johnson (Yem); 18. David Oeltel (Yom): 19. Thomo. Kelley (SU%): 20. Mork Burkhllrt (Yam); 21. Michael Campbell (Yam); 22. Tallon Vohland (Kew). Time: 14 min.• 35.990 secs. Margin of victory: 11.860 secs. AMAlEA SPORTS 125 EASTERN REGIONAL SUPERCROSS SERIES POINT STANDINGS (After 7 of 7 rounds): 1. Travis Pastrana (154/5 wins); 2. Nothon Romsey (146/2); 3. Mike Brown (135): 4. Nicholo. Wey (123): 5. Tollon Vohlond (86); 6. (TIE) Kelly Smith/Brock Sellards (82); 8. Travis Elliott (71): 9. Mott Wolker (69): 10. Ben Riddle (65); I I. Chris Go••eloor (62): 12. Joseph Oehlhof (51): 13. I.oioh Johnson (42): 14. Poul Currie (40): 15. Bobby Bond. (37): 16. Chorle. Dunowoy (35); 17. Thomos Hofmoster (24): 18. Mott Shue (15): 19. Chose Reed (11): 20. Billy Poyne (10). Upcoming Round: East-West Shootout - Las Vegas, Nevada, MayS n __ • • APRIL 18.2001 19

• Cover