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AMA National Championship Hare Scrambles Series Round 6: Dutch Sports l='Srk By Taking advantage of the unexpected absence of erstwhile points-leader Shane Watts, Fred Andrews (above) collected the overall win and took over the lead in the title chase. MICHAEL DEMAREE/GBROTHERSRACING.COM PHOTOS BY "YOUR AVERAGE JOE" BLOOMINGDALE, MO, JULY 22 t the two-thirds point of the HS season, a late-series title battle galore was shaping up between KTM's Shane Watts and Kawasaki Team Green's Fred Andrews, who were only three points apart in the standings. That battle was never to materialize, however, as the GNCC champ had to unexpectedly return home to Australia for personal reasons, leaving Andrews to capitaJize on the absence with an outright overall win, and subsequent assumption of a 27 -point title-chase lead. "Of course I would like to beat him outright, but really it's the best thing that could have happened for me," Andrews said. A The Michigan race is a favorite among the riders, due to the excellent preparation by the promoters and the fact that a $1000 check goes to the overall winner. A torrential rainstorm on Saturday night combined with 100-plus-degree race-day weather to create a humidity index of over 90 percent, which meant racers were competing in a virtual sauna. The start had Andrews taking the holeshot, with Team Kawasaki/Price Racing's Shane Esposito passing him a few turns later to be first into the woods. Team KTM's Brian Garrahan was able to get by Andrews and reel in Esposito in the woods to take the (Leftl Jason Raines gave Andrews a run for his money throughout most of the race, but ultimately settled for the runner-up spot. (RIght) Blair Benano overcame the hot, humid conditions to collect third lead. During the first lap, the lead changed several times between Garrahan, Esposito and Andrews, with Garrahan coming around after the first lap in control, and Esposito, Andrews, Suzuki's Jim Jarrett, and SCR's Jason Raines following close behind. Garrahan's lead would be short-lived, however, as Andrews regained his composure on the second lap and took the point, with Raines following close behind. "I got a second-place start and was able to take the lead in the woods," Garrahan said. "I didn't feel good in the heat, and a couple of guys got by me. The first couple of laps, the best I could do was try and hold my position and suck off my Camelbak. By the third lap, I felt better and was able to pick up the pace. Man it was hot!" Esposito clipped a tree and had to stop in the pits for repairs, putting him a lap down and out of contention. Jarrett also had problems during the day and pulled off early. Out in front, Andrews and Raines swapped the lead numerous times on the second lap, with Andrews entering the pits in first. Raines was still second, with third place belonging to F&S Suzuki's Blair Bersano, who had worked his way up from sixth. Local racer Bryan Dunlap, aboard a Honda, gave chase in fourth, and a fried Brian Garrahan was fifth. For the rest of the race, Raines mixed it up with Andrews. "I got out in front on lap two and Jason [Raines] was right behind me," Andrews said. "For the rest of the day, he stuck to me like glue. I tried to get away in the woods section, but the air was dead in there, and I couldn't shake him." "On the second lap, Fred [Andrews] took the lead and I followed him through the woods," Raines concurred. "I was able to gain the lead a few times and then would make little mistakes, and Fred [Andrews] would get by me again. He was riding really fast on the grass track and motocross section and not making any mistakes." The race ended with Andrews taking the win, followed by Raines. '" had a good day," Andrews said. "I didn't make too many mistakes. The grass and moto tracks were really good; the club did a great job." Bersano rode a lonely race for the last podium position. ") worked up to third on the second lap," Bersano said. "I basically cruised around in that position for the rest of the day. It felt like it was 150 degrees. I really like racing in Michigan, and the guys at the Dutch Sports Park did another awesome job." Fourth went to Dunlap, with Brian Garrahan rounding out the top five. Brian's older brother Patrick, who got a last-place start, steadily worked his way up to finish sixth. "I was sitting at the starting line and noticed gas dripping from my carburetor," Patrick Garrahan said. "I fixed the problem; however, when the race started, I had too much gas in the carb, and it just blubbered off the line. I knew at that point I had my work cut out for me." Following Patrick Garrahan was KTM-mounted homeboy Corey Calkins, from Midland, Michigan. Eighth place went to Chris Gallt, ahead of ISDE legend Jeff Fredette, and Charles Deutscher rounded out the top 10 aboard a Husqvarna. With just three rounds remaining, Andrews has a commanding 126-to99-points lead over Watts. Brian Garrahan sits in third with 86 points, followed closely by his brother Patrick, who has 80 points. _ IIub:h s,.u P8rtl . . . . .ple, Michigan Results: Jaly 22, 2ft1 O/A: 1. Fred Andrews (Kaw); 2. Jllson Raines (Yllm); 3. ~Iair Bersano (Suz); 4. Bryan Dunlap (Hon); 5. Bnan Garrahan (KTM); 6. Plltrick Garrahan (KTM); 7. Corey Calkins (KTM); 8. Chris Gallt (Kaw); 9. Jeff Fredette (Kaw); 10. Charles Deutscher (Hus). 2001 AMA NATIONAL CSHIP HARE SCRAMBLES POINTS STANDINGS (After 6 of 9 rounds): 1. Fred Andr~ws (126/2 wins); 2. Shllne Wetts (99/3 wins); 3. Bnan Garrahan (86/1 win); 4. Patrick Garrahan (80); 5. Jason R.;nes (68); 6. Blair Berg.no (58)' 7 Chuck Woodford (54); 8. Rodney Sm;th (40); 9: (TIE) Shane Espos;!o/Paul Edmondson (36). place. Upcoming Rounds: RQund 7 - Jacksonville, Ohio, September 9 Round 8 - Park Hills, Missouri, September 16 36 AUGUST 8,2001 • cue I e n e _ os