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Yamaha Dealers Series !Jound 4: Glen Helen Raceway Park "I like winning," said Tobin Gomez, who won both Pee Wee Shaft motos for the class overall at round four of the Yamaha Dealer Series. At Glen Helen, the Pee Wees have By BETH AND BOB LAROCK PHOTOS BY BETH LAROCK their own track, equipped with hairpin turns, Pee Wee jumps, and even a SAN BERNARDINO, CA, JULY 8 he Yamaha Dealers Series provides an opportunity for riders of all ages and abilities to race, and round four was no exception. short whoop section. The equivalent of T the National Track's "Budd's Creek" on the Pee Wee track is "Buddy's Creek," and "Shoei Mountain" is just "Shoe Mountain" in Pee Wee Land. Although they are too small to take on the National Track at Glen Helen, Pee Wee riders show the same competitive spirit as the bigger kids. During the fourth round, nine shaft-driven Pee Wee riders assembled at the starting line for their moto. Anxious parents stood behind the mini-warriors, ready to help them start their bikes and offering words of encouragement. Claiming the firstmoto holeshot was Yamaha-mounted Tobin Gomez, followed by Daniel Barrett, Andrew Downs, Mason Vega and Matthew Perez. Turmoil ensued as Vega used a little too much throttle, taking himself off the track and down a position. Soon after, Perez crashed coming out of a turn. Downs passed Barrett for second while Gomez charged on in the lead. Long Beach Motorsports/Mom & Dadsponsored Gomez gave a little wave to the cheering crowd as he cleared the finish-line jump in first. Close behind were Downs, Barrett and Vega. Perez claimed the moto-two holeshot honors, but Gomez was in hot pursuit. A crash in turn two took Perez out of the number-one position, allowing Gomez and Vega to move up. Hanging on to third and fourth, Downs and Tyler Kelly kept the front- runners in sight. It was smooth sailing for Gomez, and he crossed the finish line uncontested. Downs and Kelly charged hard, passing Vega to take second and third. "I like winning," the 6-year-old Gomez said shyly. "I like the downhills and uphills." Gomez has been riding since he was 2, and he started racing last March. Another assembly of intense riders (and parents) was found in the Pee Wee (7-8) and (4-6) Stock classes. In moto one, Andrew Mulgrew, Campbell and "Lil" Joey Gutierrez maintained first through third from start to finish. Storm Walker (4-6) challenged the "older" riders throughout the moto. Moto two's battle between Campbell and Mulgrew kept the crowd engaged. The lead went back and forth for several laps, with Campbell squeaking by for the second-mota win and the overall. Mulgrew's ]-2 finishes gave him second overall. Walker held his own with the older riders and finished first in the Pee Wee (4-6) Stock class. In the first Pee Wee (7-9) Modified mota, Mulgrew drew strong competition from Dozer Hall. The two riders battled for most of the moto, but Hall's challenge ended when he sUd out in a turn. John Burr Cycle/ASR-backed Mulgrew also claimed the second-mota win and the overall. (Left) Dozer Hall (8) battled Andrew Mulgrew (6) in the Pee Wee (7-9) Modified class at Glen Helen Raceway Park. Mulgrew won both motos. (Below) Steven Haugelstine (715) challenged Corey Macomber (43) during the first 125cc Intermediate moto In San Bernardino, California, until a broken crank seal took him out of the running. Macomber won the class overall. 42 AUGUST15,2001' eye I .. nevvSi