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ington TI specialist J.P Simonsen led the first lap, Hart took command as the field negotiated the left turn onto the infield. He then built upon that lead lap after lap until he was clean out of sight, crossing the finish line with the length of the oval front stretch between him and the runner-up. "That's the way that I like to do it," Hart said. "I don't like guys breathing down my neck, because that can cause mistakes. But TIs are my specialty anyway, and I thought this was a good one. The track was kind of one-lined, but I had no problems with it otherwise. My bike ran great. This is only the fifth time that I've been on it, and we're finally getting the chassis to my liking." While Hart disappeared off into the distance, a great battle shaped up among several riders early. Simonsen did his best to hold off Don Howard, Brown, and Jim Rosa in the first five laps, but Howard kept the pressure on for second. Rosa would eventually drop back into another fight with Rod Spencer, Donnie Harrell, John Hlebo III and Rob Damron. Brown started to get with the program on lap seven, slipping under Howard to take the third spot on the infield. He then pulled a similar move on Simonsen during lap 10, but Simonsen fought back, retaking the second spot at the entrance to the infield at the start of lap 11. It was on this lap that Damron went down in the right-hander after the jump. He would remount and finish 13th, one lap down. Once Brown was clear of Simonsen, he set off after Hart but, with less than five laps to go, there was little he could do to run the leader down. "That's about normal," Brown said. "I didn't get the start that I wanted to, and Donny and J.P. are two worldclass TT riders in my book. But we knew we'd be strong at the end. We had a hard-compound tire on there, and we knew it would come in. It was just a beautiful night of racing. I'd like to have seen the track a little better, but I was real impressed with the rider tumout." Simonsen, who finished third, attributed his performance to a lack of training. "I was getting tired," Simonsen said. "This is the first race of the season. I broke my ankle three months ago, and I haven't been able to ride. I could also feel it in my arms. TTs are definitely more physical. When you have to turn right, it takes more out of you. I'll be doing the rest of Gene's races, though. This is a fun program, and I just want to do something different." Spencer wound up fourth, with Howard fifth. Harrell, Hlebo, Tony Souza Jr., Jim Rosa and Jaime Aguilar rounded out the top 10. Knight Racing's Bob Cunnington led Joe Carrera, John Proto, Jeff S. Johnson and Rod Spencer through the first trip around the King's Speedway TT course in the Harley-Davidson Dealers Open Vintage A Main. Spencer took fourth from Johnson, closing on Proto, taking third on lap three. Meanwhile, Rick Hocking was charging through the field after getting bogged down in the back of the pack, possibly tangling with Paul Herman in the process as Herman ended up on the ground in turn three, bringing out the red flag. With everyone up and uninjured, the riders were lined up for a unique West Coast Flat Track Series rolling restart. A lap and a half run on the oval and, as the line of riders entered turn three, racing resumes. Cunnington led Carrera, Brad Spencer, Proto and Johnson through the restart, with Proto motoring past Spencer to take third. Hocking was back on the move, passing Proto's Yamaha twin for third and taking Spencer along to fourth. Proto muscled past Spencer on the front straight to move back to fourth, ahead of Spencer's Yamaha, trailed by Johnson, Dennis Pinhiero and Rod Lake. Spencer passed Proto back for the final time, driving up the inside as the pair made the right-hander belore the jump. Rod Lake and Joe Steffen dropped Pinhiero to ninth. Hocking closed in on Carrera, while Johnson stalled in the corner after the jump, and Steffen passed Lake for fifth. As Cunnington came around on cruise control to take the white flag, Hocking passed Carrera to take second, running around the outside through three and four. At the checkers it was Cunnington, Hocking and Carrera, with Spencer taking fourth, ahead of Joe Steffen, Rod Lake and Paul Herman in a Yamaha single sweep. "I had a great time," Cunnington said. "This is my first TT win, ever. All night long I could see that whoever got the start ~ould have a huge advantage because of the dust and the fact that it gave you a clear track. I got a good start and just took it from there." One year ago, the 250cc Novice Modified Production Class ran three riders at the first event. That number has been steadily growing, with 20 riders representing five manufacturers lining up for two heats to qualify for the 15-man main. Riding 250cc motocross bikes with production frames and bodywork, only minor modifications are allowed. Lowered suspension and 19-inch wheels are allowed, but many simply change the rear tire and head to the track. The class has received an added shot in the arm with title sponsorship from American Suzuki, with riders now running for a standard purse and Suzuki riders being eligible for contingency bonuses. Flight of the Hock: Rick Hocking (13) sails over the Jump en route to a second-place finish in the Open Vintage A main. The Suzuki Novice 250cc class main event had Josh Chisum out front as th~ tight pack headed into the infield. Woody Carls.on and Chris Canepa were close behind Chisum, but 16-year-old Josh Ritchie was the man on the move, passing both Canepa and Carlson on the outside of the right-hander before the jump to move up to second. Carlson zipped up the inside Ritchie on the next right to block and take second back. Bryan Berna and Brad Spencer Jr. came around close' behind Canepa in fifth and sixth. Rick Hollenbeck tipped over while running seventh, picking it back up without stalling, but letting Scott Watkins and Ernie Lyles past for seventh and eighth. The Honda-mounted Chisum pulled out a slight lead, while Suzukimounted Carlson and Ritchie, on a Yamaha, battled for second. Spencer closed on Canepa, but never had an opening to make a move in a race for fourth. Up front, Chisum was coming into lapped traffic while Carlson and Ritchie were closing the gap on the leader in a hurry. With less than a lap to go, Chisum suddenly had Carlson and Ritchie on his back wheel after getting held up by a lapper, and the race was back on. Coming onto the oval. all three riders searched for traction, spinning tires all the way to cucle turn three. Chisum closed the door on Carlson to take the win at the flag, with Ritchie third. Canepa held off Spencer for fourth. CN Kings Speedway Hanford, California Results: Mar. 31, 2001 [RDund 1 of 121 Open Pro FAST TIME: I. D.n H.rt (CCM). A MAIN: 1. Dan HlIrt (CCM): 2. Ronnie Brown (Yam); 3. J.P. Simonsen (Rtx); 4. Rod Spencer (Kaw); 5. Don Howard (Rtx); 6. Donnie Harrell (W· R); 7. John Hlebe III (CCM); 8. Tony SoUl. (CCM); 9. Jim Rosa (Hon); 10. Jaime Aguilar (Rtx); 11. Randy Bereman (Rtx); 12. Steve Hall (Yam); 13. Robert Damron (Rtx); 14. Kevin Bricker (W-R); 15. Brad Spencer (Yam). Harley~Davidson Dealers Open Vintage FAST TIME: 1. Jeff Johnson (Tri). A MAIN: 1. Robert Cunnington (Yam); 2. Rick Hocking (Yi!lm); 3. Joe Carrere (Yem); 4. Brad Spencer (Yam); 5. Joe Steffen (Yam); 6. Rod Lake (Yam); 7. Paul Herman (Yam); 8. Mike Gonzales (Yam); 9. Dennis Pinheiro (Yam); 10. Larry Hannah (Hon); 11. Cory Schnmuck (Yam); 12. John Proto (Yam); 13. Jeff S. Johnson (Yam): 14. Rick Zimmerman (Tri); 15. Rod Spencer (Tri); 16. Jeff Johnson (Tri). Suzuki Novice 250 A MAIN: 1. Josh Chisum (Hon): 2. Woody Cerlson (Suz); 3. Josh Ritchie (Yam); 4. Chris Canepa (Yam); 5. Bred Spencer Jr. (Yam); 6. Bryan Bern. (SUl); 7. Scott Watkins (Hon); 8. Ernie Lyles (Suz); 9. Rick Hollenbeck (Suz); to. Scott Rousse8u (SUl); 11. Mike Riddell (SUl); 12. John Fig.s (Hon); 13. Daniel Brown (Yam): 14. David Lopez (Hon); 15. Mike Perillo (K• .,). The Novice 250cc class boasted 20 entries and cutthroat competition. Josh Chisum (428) grabbed the holeshot and led the whole way to claim the main-event win. n e _ os • APRIL 18. 2001 35