Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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Northern Cup Motocross Series Round 7: Pine Ridge Raceway Jake laCount was almost perfect on the day, winning five out of six motos and capturing overall. in the 125cc Junior, 125cc C1 and 250cc C cla••e. at round seven of the Northem Cup Motocross Series. STORY AND PHOTOS BY PETE EMME ATHELSTANE, WI, AUG. 11 or its seventh round, the highly successful Northern Cup Motocross Series visited picturesque Pine Ridge Raceway in the north woods of Wisconsin. Some 420 entrants showed up to do battle on the loamy grounds in the heat of August, and Jacob LaCount stood out above the rest of the field as he captured three overalls, slowly inching closer to a title. LaCount keeps counting his wins in the series. This time, he won five of six motos, taking three overalls in the 125cc Junior, 125cc C and 250cc C divisions. laCount's Suzuki recently went sour halfway through the season, so he dug deep into his pockets and bought a 2001 RM125. He hasn't missed a beat since the purchase and seems to be getting the much-needed holes hot down to a science. LaCount has struggled slightly with his starts, but the new yellow skins are paying off. The 125cc Junior Northern Cup points leader, Dan Weinkauf, launched his Yamaha off the concrete pad first and beat 22 other youngsters to the first turn, with Brian Collins and Jesse Burger close behind. LaCount found himself in fifth place but quickly moved into third through the back-to-back rhythm section. Weinkauf pulled out to a five-bike-Iength lead after the first lap. Jake Dobbratz got into the mix by pulling in LaCount, who made his move on the second lap, displacing Burger a position; Dobbratz moved past Burger soon after. Weinkauf built a solid lead of seven seconds over second on the third lap and F 54 SEPTEMBER 19, 2001 • II: U II: Pele Szalew.kI won the Senior Over 40 cia••••• again. He looked great destroying this Pine Ridge Raceway berm lap after lap. never looked back. The track was fast and smooth, as this was the first moto of the day. LaCount stayed in second, with Dobbratz, Garrett Hojnacki and Ryan Gilbert rounding out the top five. LaCount finally got his holeshot in the second moto, as he had his new ride in the lead through the first two corners, with Dobbratz and Weinkauf moving into contention past a few riders before the rhythm section. LaCount stayed in the lead, but Weinkauf moved into second, with his sights set on LaCount by the end of the first lap. Collins and Burger had problems early on, and Burger went down on the second lap. Weinkauf made a charge on LaCount during the last lap, hanging right on his rear fender. Weinkauf stayed tight in the SWitchbacks, showing a wheel to LaCount right before they hit the right-hander, but opportunity turned n __ s • _ to disaster when he washed out trying to get into the lead. LaCount stayed on two wheels for the last half a lap to capture the victory and the first overall of the day. Weinkauf remounted to finish fourth and third overall. Dobbratz rode a consistent race to finish third overall. LaCount led every lap in 125cc C2 competition en route to an overall win ahead of series points leader Michael Groleau. If LaCount keeps winning, it could come down to the final race at round lOin Denmark for the championship. LaCount was also on the gas in the 250cc C class. He's been borrowing Vintage points leader Scott Fifarek's Honda to contest this class and has been winning ever since. LaCount won back-to-back motos there also. With just three races left in the highly regarded Northern Cup MX Series, the summer journey is coming to an end. Because of the continuous great coverage and advertising of this series, it is sure to bloom next season. Rider entry has been averaging well over 400 per race. Class championship battles are starting to heat up, with riders getting more serious as they come to the line. The series is also bringing out some outstanding talent. Canadian' Nationals rider Dustin Keuntjes is going to make some more appearances before the ena of the series. National Pro Snocrosser Carl Schubitzke rode Pine Ridge in the 125cc A and 250cc A classes. Outdoor National rider David Oettel even made a showing on an off-weekend in Kaukauna during one of the stadiumcross rounds. The extreme sport of motocross is on the rise in the state of Wisconsin. eN Pine Ridge RacewlY Athelotlne, Wi_nlln Reoults: August 11, 2001 [Round 7 of 10J WMN: 1. Tracy Van Ryen; 2. Kimberly Wilcheck; 3. Nalisst.l Wienke; 4. Heather Roach: 5. Brandy Maske. P/W JR: 1, Cole Prichard; 2. Brad Blomquist: 3. Cody Jones; 4. Christopher Ben21vide; 5. Skylar Whitegull. P/W SRi 1. Luklls Katers; 2. Nathene lzlPorte; 3. Hunter Nystrom; 4. Brllndon Hllka.la; 5. Phelan Stillmlln. ft\INI 65 D· t: 1. Zoch Turner; 2. Wede Gilbert; 3. Kevin MDy; 4. Chase Nystrom; 5. Nick laPorte. MINI 65 D~2: 1. Travis Fressetto; 2. Lukes Keters; 3. Benjamin Shuck; 4. Richard Trecy; 5. Keil McCormack. (Above) In Athelstane, Wisconsin, Phil Gauthier kept up his winning ways In the Masters Over 25 and Vet A cia...... IAbove) Cole Prichard kept It upright In the sand in the Pee Wee Junior class. winning both motos. MINI JR 80: 1. Cody Sokolik; 2. Jesse Frassetto; 3. Travis Fressetto; 4. Kyle Popelier; 5. Thomes Felk. I'IINI SR 80: 1. Billy Holzh.uer, 2. Ry.n Gilbert; 3. Brian Collins; 4. D.J. Nogelski; 5. Nick Weiss. 125 JR: 1. J.cob LoCount; 2. J.ke Dobbratz; 3. Den Weinkauf; 4. Gerrett Hojnacki; 5. Ryen Gilbert. SPTSMN A: 1. Dustin Keuntjes; 2. Charles Cisler. SPTSI'II't B: 1. Mork Schick; 2. Jerernl Smith: 3. Kevin Milbach; 4. Eric Weise; 5. Todd Grube. MSTR 25+: 1. Phil Gauthier; 2. Rodney Yen Eperen; 3. David Rock; 4. FrzlOk Weiss; 5. Jemes Coons. VET A 30+: 1. Phil Gauthier; 2. David Rock; 3. Matthew Frasch; 4. Tom Nielsen; 5. Frenk Weiss. VET B 30+: 1. Scott Fiferek; 2. Shane Visintainer; 3. Bryan Barstow: 4. Alan Haney; 5. Jack Paquette. SR 40+: 1. Pete Szalewski; 2. John Stroebel; 3. Greg Niles; 4. Keith Dobbratz; 5. Thomas Gosz. SR 50+: 1. Doug Baumann; 2. Mel Piontek; 3. John Miller; 4. Dave Arva; 5. Leo Sieber. 125 A: 1. Rodney Van Eperen; 2. Dustin Keuntjes; 3. Jeremy Hackberth; 4. Lee Heckendorf; 5. Carl Schubitzke. 125 B: 1. Eric Weise; 2. Tyler Smulders; 3. Dan Weinkauf; 4. Cody Wills; 5. Mark Schick. 125 Cl: 1. Jon Tullberg; 2. St.nley Nooyen; 3. Jeremy Johnson; 4. Michael Schley; 5. Kerlin Weise. 125 C2: 1. Jllcob laCount; 2. Michael Groleau; 3. Devin Haws; 4. Jake Dobbrat.z; 5, Brandon Duchow. 250 A: 1. Jeremy Hackbarth; 2. Carl Schubitzke; 3. Tom Fransee; 4. Charles Cisler; 5. Karter Busse. 250 B: 1. Mark Schick; 2. Jereml Smith; 3. Kevin Milbach; 4. Craig Wallace; 5. Mike Sarazin. 250 C:I. Jacob LaCount; 2. Nick Furno; 3. Donald Kamz; 4. Richard Blockland; 5. Brian Hess. OPEN: 1. Rod Mineau; 2. Frank Weiss; 3. Brad Bllumann; 4. Tom Nielsen; 5. Robert Edler. VINT: 1. Scott Fifarek; 2. Donliid Kernz; 3. Jamie Wotruba; 4. Dan Fletcher; 5. Shllwn O'Brien.