Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

@il[Jf10WCfJ@[fI9[B fiJil@Ifl@[B[J !pCfJ [fiJ A special gathering was called between the running of the scratch heat races and the start of the regular program, as the dirt track community assembled to wish happy birthday to one of their own, Kenneth Lloyd "K,L." Cleaton, K.L., who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), celebrated his 12th birthday earlier in the week. Travelling with his parents, Ken and UlIie, and brother, the youngster has been a fixture on the Grand National circuit, attending many of the events and striking up friendships with several riders and crews, especially the Carr family, The surprise party, which included a birthday cake and the presentation of a photo book that chronicled K.L.'s escapades at the track and was signed by many members of flat track's traveling family, was organized by Pam Carr. "This is so cool," the articulate K,L. said. "Coming to the races is a lot of fun, I've made so many great friends - I could probably name everyone here, but for sure, Chris Carr, Joe Kopp, Paul Morgan, Dave and Darrell from the AMA.., Definitely, I want to be at every one of the races." For K.L.'s mom and dad, the occasion was all the more special. "He wasn't supposed to live past the age of three," Ken Cleeton said. "Every day is like another miracle, another reason for us to knock on wood. What these people did today means so much to us, I'm convinced that there are no finer people in the world." Texas rider Scott Scherb got the holeshot off the start of the] 2-lap race, with fellow Texan McCoy coming along with him, the two running side by side when they crossed the stripe to complete the first lap, Scherb led the next two as well, but then McCoy rounded turns one and two perfectly, rolling past Scherb on the outside to take the lead. Morgan, meanwhile, was stuck behind his new Moroney's HarleyDavidson teammate, series newcomer Jake Johnson, with KK/F&S Harley-Davidson's Bryan Smith moving into fifth place. Scherb was unable to maintain his early pace, and was soon displaced by Smith, Up front, it looked as though Morgan would catch McCoy, as he was pushing the 17-year-old Johnson hard, Morgan had found a good line on the high side through three and four, and was stalking the reigning Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Champion from behind Johnson when disaster struck on lap nine. Morgan's front end went away, and he hit the ground, sliding to a stop near the hay bales in turn four. He did pick it up and get going again, BRIEFLY. •• The Lowe's race was not without incident. as Harley-Davidson Sportster Performance Series rider John Grant tangled with another rider in a practice session and was dumped hard in turn two. Unconscious for several minutes, the 49-year-old mountain man from Georgetown, Califomia, only came to just before he was airlifted to Carolina Medical Center to be checked for concussion and possible broken ribs. Grant is expected to make a full recovery, Even with the setback. the AMA put on perhaps its most prompt show of the season. Bumping the start time up to 7:30 p.m. due to a threat of rain, AMA officials kept the program humming to conclusion at just past 9:30 p.m .. leavin9 more than a few in the pits to wonder why they don't just start at 7:30 p.m. and pretend that if S going to rain all the time. Chris Hart's eighth-place finish at Lowe's may just have put some fire back in the belly of one the series' veteran tuners, Eddie Adkins. The Virginian, who has always fielded competitive motorcycles. has bounced through his fair share of riders since losing his star, Rodney Farris, in a 1995 racing accident. But it was all good tonight. "He's a good boy," Adkins said of Hart, "He's been coming at his own pace. I keep telling him. 'Don't try and impress me, do what comes natural.' He's coming along, I feel good about tonight. ' Greg TY80r and his XV650·based Suzuki were once again in the limelight, as the Georgia tire salesman put the machine in the main event for the second time this season, Despite the fact that he looked fast for most of the night, Tysor wound up 18th in the main event. but he was quick to point out that it was no fault of the bike. "I just got the jitters after I came around that first lap and saw Chris Carr's bike on fire." Tysor said. "For half the race I didn't ride too good, and by then it was too late. The bike was HEAT 4 (10 laps; 10 riders. top 3 transfer): 1. Johnny Murphree (H-D): 2. Joe Kopp (H-D): 3. Tim Eades (H-D); 4. Kevin Atherton (H-D); 5. Shawn Clark (H-D): 6. Jason Tyer (H-D): 7. Greg Teague (H-D); 8. Brent Armbruster (H-D); 9. Eric Rickman (H-D): 10. Garth Basti.n (H-D). Time: 3 min.• t 3.577 sec. SEMI 1 (8 laps; 9 riders. top 2 transfer): I. J.R. Schnabel (H-D); 2. Steve Beattie (H-D); 3. Shawn Clark (H-D): 4. Jess Roeder (H-D); 5. Bry.n Smith (H-D); 6. Brent Annbruster (H-D); 7. Jaime Aguilar (H-D): 8. Ken Yoder (H-D); 9. Roy Miller (Suz). Time: 2 min., 38.912 sec. SEMI 2 (8 laps; 9 riders, top 2 transfer): 1. Rich King (H-D); 2. John Nickens III (H-D): 3. S.m Lowe (H-D): 4. Rick Winsett (H-D): 5. Jason Tyer (H-D): 6. D.n Butler (H-D): 7. Robert Lewis (H-D): 8. Todd Winsett (Suz); 9. Eric Rickman (H-D Time: 2 min., 39.247 sec. SEMI 3 (8 laps; riders, top 2 transfer): 1. Willie McCoy (H-D): 2. P.ul Lynch (H-D): 3. Bryan Bigelow (HoD); 4. Kevin Atherton (H-D); 5. Shaun Russell (H-D); 6. Greg Teague (H-D): 7. G.rth Basti.n (H-D): 8. Gary Rogers (H-D): 9. Cory Roth (H-D): 10. Paul Normandin (H-D). Time: 2 min., 38.007 sec. GRAND NATIONAL (25 I.ps: 18 dders): 1. Will D.vis (H-D): 2. Kenny Coolbeth (H·D): 3. Joe Kopp (H-D): 4. Mike Hacker (H-D): 5. Johnny Murphree (H-D): 6. Jay Spdngsteen (H-D): 7. Chris Carr (H-D); 8. Chris H.rt (H-D): 9. P.ul Morg.n III (H·D): 10. J.R. Schnabel (H-D); 11. Paul Lynch (H-D): 12. Geo Roeder II (H-D): 13. Willie McCoy (H-D): 14. Rich King (H-D): IS. Tim Eodes (H-D): 16. John Nickens III (H-D): 17. Steve Be.ttie (H-D): 18. Greg Tysor (Suz). Time: 8 min., 02.331 sec. AMA/PROGRESSIVE INSaRANCE a.s. FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (Alter 11 of 20 rounds): 1. Joe Kopp (180/1 win); 2. Chris Carr (178/4 wins); 3. Will Davis (130/2 wins); 4. Rich King (123/1 win); 5. Kenny Coolbeth (117): 6. Mike Hacker (99): 7. Johnny Murphree (85): 8. J.y Springsteen (83); 9. J.R. Schnabel (82/1 win): 10. Geo Roeder 11 (68): 11. Bryan Bigelow (68): 12. Willie McCoy (56): 13. Terry Poovey (55); 14. Kevin Varnes (49); 15. Steve Beattie (44); 16. Nicky Hayden (38); 17. Shawn Clark (35); 18. Shaun Russell (33); 19. Brett Landes (25): 20. Tommy Hayden (23). HDSP (12 I.ps; 17 dders): I. Willie McCoy; 2. Jake Johnson; 3. Bryan Smith. 4. Scott Sherb; 5. Brian Thomas; 6. Yuhiko Hirao; 7. Brian Kromroy; 8. James Hart; 9. A.J. Eslick; 10. Jason Tyer; 11. Michelle Disalvo; 12. Shane Fox; 13. Victor MacAnally: 14. Timmy Mitchell; 15. Jeff Landrum; 16. Stephanie Welch; 17. Paul Morgan III. Time: 4 min., 05.321 sec. AMA/HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER PERFORMANCE SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 of 8 rounds): 1. Willie McCoy (58/1 win); 2. Bryan Smith (55/1 win); 3. Paul Morgan III (45/1 win); 4. Scott Scherb (44): 5. James H.rt (43): 6. Brian Thomas (30): 7. Victor MacAnally (29): 8. Brian Kromroy (24); 9. (TIE) Michelle Disalvo (23)/Jason Tyer (23): II. John Faulkner III (23); 12. Wiley Duane Duvall (21); 13. Jake Johnson (19); 14. (TIE) Jeff Landrum (16)/Yuhiko Hir.o (16): 16. Kyie Long (14): 17. Timmy M;tehell (13): 18. A.J. Eslick (11): 19. (TIE) Sh.ne Fox (9)/Mork Witham (9). "I just got ·out there too high and pushed it too hard - there was nothing I could do," Morgan said. "We still have a chance at this championship, but we've got to go into these next four races and win a couple. And we don't wish anybody bad luck, but we have to get Willie and Bryan into a fifth- and sixth· place situation. Morgan's demise pretty much left McCoy with an easy time of it in the quick, ] 2-lap finale, earning his first to victory of the season. It was what McCoy needed to retake the series points lead, and it was one that he had been seeking for a while. "I love this place," McCoy said. "It's awesome. It's a real racy track, nd it's easy to go fast, but it's hard to make up time. You can go below people or above them. It's just a great place to race." Johnson held on for second. "That wasn't too bad for my first time," Johnson said. "Everything seemed to go my way tonight. It worked out well. I plan on doing the rest of the 883 races this year. Hopefully, it will turn into something." Smith was third, followed by Scherb and James Hart. CN The Dirt Track at Lowe's MDtDr Speedway Concord, North Carolin. Results: July 28, 2001 IRaund 11 of 201 tor HEAT I (to laps; 10 riders. 3 transfer); 1. Will Davis (H.D); 2. Geo Roeder' (H-Dj; 3. Paul Morgan III (H·D); 4. Bryan Bigelow (H-D ; 5. Rich King (H·D); 6. Bryan Smith (HoD); 7. Willie McCoy HoD); 8. Sam Lowe (HoD); 9. Jaime Aguilar (H-D); \ O. Paul Lynch (H-D). Time: 3 min., 1.5.350 sec. HEAT 2 (10 laps; 10 riders, top 3 transfer): I. Chris Carr (H-D): 2. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D): 3. Chds H.rt (H-D): 4. J.R. Schn.bel (H-D): 5. John Nickens III (H-D): 6. G.ry Roaers (H-D): 7. Steve Beattie (HD); 8. Todd Winsett (Suz); 9. Paul Normandin (HoD); 10. Roy Miller (Suz). Time: 3 min., 12.751 sec. HEAT 3 (10 laps; 10 riders, top 3 tranSfer!: 1. Mike Hacker (H-D); 2. Jay Springsteen (H-D ; 3. Greg Tysor (H-D); 4. Rick Winsett (H-D); 5. Jess Roeder (H-D); 6. Shaun Russell (H-D); 7. Dan Butler (H-D): 8. Ken Yoder (H-D): 9. Cory Roth (H-D): 10. Robert Lewis (H-D). Time: 3 min., 13.404 sec. fine. It was a little down on power. It only has about 700cc because we were using the stock crank. When there was some moisture in the track. it worked fine. Then the track dried out a bit, and the tire spun and it was a little slow. So was the rider." Gardner Racing/Lancaster Harley-Davidson's Bryan Bigelow was seriously bummed after missing the show on a track that the Michigan rider knows he can ride well. He rode clean, again, but just lacked the speed. "From the time I unloaded the bike to the last lap in that semi. I just rode like shit. - Bigelow said. "There was nothing wrong with the bike, it was just me. I just wasn't up to speed today. It's a rider's worst nightmare. You come in, they ask you what's wrong, and nothing's wrong. I don't know what happened. Tracks like this, though, everybody's fast. There are no fingers to point but toward the guy who was in the saddle. ' "Maybe this is what we need.' Saddlemen Racing tuner Johnny Goad said of his rider Mike Hacker's fourth-place finish. "We've been going fast all year, but we haven't been doing the right things to get us up in there. When you're having a hard time, you can kick the rider a little bit. but you can't kick him too much. You have to let the confidence come back. He did good." The AMA Grand National dirt track circuit has its share of great mechanics. but few could argue against Kenny Tolbert and his ability to bring a practically dead motorcycle back to life. whether fishing one out of the creek, as he did at the '96 Peoria TT, or touching up one that has just been on fire, as he did at Lowe's. Tolbert thinks fast. "I thought that it might have blown a hole in the gas tank, so I had already sent Travis (Smith] back to the truck for another gas tank. but it [the burning fuell was just coming off the overflow," Coolbeth. It didn't really even melt anything. I hate having to do it like that (repair wrecks in a hurry] - I got skinned knuckles and bumed fingers now - but you gotta do what you gotta do. We needed more time to get it totally right. and I think those other guys are lucky, because we had 'em covered tonight. You can't win the race in the first lap." Upcoming Rounds: Round 12 - Harrington, Delaware, August 4 Round 13 - Hagerstown, Maryland, August 11 Back to school: Geo Roeder II. who finished 12th in the main event. announced that he had enrolled in the American Super• camp dirt track school to be put on by Chris Carr and former AMA National road racer Danny Walker in the Charlotte area the day after the Grand National. "I need to learn more throttle control," Roeder said. "Maybe that will help." Retired NASCAR stock car star Ernie Irvan was on hand to check out the race at Lowe's. Irvan, who retired from driving in 1999 and lives just up the road in Mooresville, North Carolina, has a tremendous respect for the motorcycle racers that goes way back. "I grew up in California. and I used to watch the Sacramento Mile all the time, and I've also watched the races on television'- Irvan said. "To come out and watch it is a whole different ballgame. It's pretty neat. These guys have so much bike control Ifs unbelievable. ' After.Joe Kopp blew past Rich King and won their scratch heat race, where a clearly struggling King finishing third. Kopp said, "I wanted to wave at him when I went by, but I went by him too fast. Oh well. I guess I shouldn't say anything. I'll do my taiking on the track." Kopp finished third in the main event. King 14th. For the record, Jake Johnson Is hardly the first potential future star that New York Harley shop owner Pat Moroney has brought attention to via a ride. Previous Moroney's Harley-Davidson alumni include Mike Hacker, Georgie Price IV, Jason Fletcher. Tim and Joe Eades, Roger Lee Hayden, and even Aaron Yates on the road race side. Working with talented newcomers is one of the kicks that Moroney. who has also fielded veterans, such as Davey Camlin and current team rider Will Davis. gets as a team owner. "The young guys are a lot of fun," Moroney said. "They don't know anything. so you can help them. The older guys know it all. They know their setup, what they want to do. They really don't need my help. They just need my money." cue' e n e _ S • AUGUST 8,2001 25

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