Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128125
30+ C/O: 1. Ray l.ombert (Hon); 2. Dwayne Hill (502): 3. Jonothon Bolton (Yam); 4. Darrell Warwick (502); 5. Mike Wyatt (Yam). 35+: I. Mark Parkerson (KllW); 2. Jonathan Bolton (Yam); 3. Brad Colesworthy (Kaw); 4. Tim Bums (Kaw); 5. TIm Moose (Kaw). all AM: 1. Josh McLevy (Hon); 2. Reagan Perry (Suz); 3. Charlie Hamrick (Suz); 4. Matthew Davis (502). (IlL C: I. Jeff Davis (Suz); 2. Darrell Driver (502); 3. Josh Brady (Yam); 4. Matt Campbell (502); 5. Justin Zissel (502). OIL 0: 1. Kevin Whetstine (Yam); 2. Jonah Cloninger (Vern); 3. Justin Falls (Yi!lIm); 4. Josh quick, and the local riders target him "s the guy to beat in Vintage Pro. This is not to say that the local riders weren't able to domin'lte in other classes on this Saturday night. - 60/80: 1. Doogif: Trahan; 2. K.emeron Richard; 3. QlIenton 0PEI"i PRO: I. TClOt Reeves; 2. Shannon Wix. V1NT PRO: I. Frank Borttan (Yam); 2. Ryan Yokum: 3. James HeNy. Ferree (Yam); 5. Elliott Newton (Yam). Bureau of Land Management Airfields Leesville 171 Speedway Vigneau Victorious! Bartran Leads the Racing Patriots By STEPHEN D. TURNER LEESVILLE, LA, SEPT. 15 On Saturday, September 15, the riders at Leesville's 171 Speedway saluted the indomitable American spirit with a massive parade lap. These racers are proud to revere their Star Spangled Banner while striving for a checkered flag. The salute is especially meaningful as the Speedway is only one mile away from the entrance to one of the arsenals of American combat power - Fort Polk, Louisiana. Mecha- nized infantry and ranger units residing at this major military installation may soon be called upon to project our sense of justice to foreign shores. The Leesville 171 Speedway was initially constructed in 1969 and hosted its first racing competition in 1970. The f(Jdlity was built adjacent to U.S. Highway 171. Since its birth, the facility has changed h"nds many times, having even been used as a mechanic's shop and even a junkyard at one point. Mike Hines of Sulphur, Louisiana. purchased the track in December 1999 and invested time and treasure in modifying the facility to meet his vision of what a modem racing facility should be. He has enlisted his daughter Malena Browning as the promoter and general manager of the facility. Mike and Malena, both racers them- selves, have created a modem, well-lit racing venue used for a variety of motorsports events, includtng motorcycle racing. The night's motorcycle racing included classes for 60cc, 80cc, Open Pro and Vintage Pro. Heat races were notable due to a number of spills on the quarter-mile track because the surface was so sticky. Car (lidog the night before had left a thick film of Hoosier racing rubber on the packed-clay track. The warm September night made the rubber tacky. A delicate touch. smooth corner entry and exit, and just the right air pressure proved to be the winning combinations. Frank Bartran, who races in Pro Vintage competition, was one of the racers who proved that smooth equaled fast. Bartran makes the 12-hour round trip from Laurel, Mississippi, each time that Malena and copromoter Wayne Jones invite him to come and race. His Yamaha TT500 is still lightning- By SAM COMBS TANACROSS, AK, AUG. 18-19 Motorcycle road racers from all over Alaskll and even Whitehorse, Yukon Territories, gathered at the old Bureau of Land Management airfields at T"n'lcross on August 18 and 19 for the final motorcycle road race of the year. This was the 15th anniversary of motorcycle road racing at Tanacross. The Fairbanks Racing Lions have been the sponsor of these races for many years. This year's event included an initial practice weekend at the beginning of June; the first race at the end of June was canceled by the BLM due to forest fires in the arell; the second race at the end of July was limited to the first-day time trials, due to the untimely passing (not due to any connection to motorcycle racing) of one of the main organizers of the races, Aaron Rueger, in Colorado (where he moved last year). In honor of Aaron, no races were held on Sunday. The Aaron Rueger Memorial Cup was created to be passed on to the number-one rider each year. Aaron had received several number-one plates over many years of racing at Tanacross, and he was also the co-creator of TRAAK, The Roadracing Association of Alaska, along with this reporter. He will be missed. The weather was beautiful and about 70 degrees - contrlllry to the weather report's predictions and most of the South 48's mental images of Alaska - and a great time was had by all. Only three crashes occurred, and fortunately none was very damaging to the riders; only one motorcycle will need to be rebuilt. The Open class was won by Jack Vigneau, on his Honda CBR929RR. Second was Todd Nyback on his Honda CBR900RR, and Trevor Taylor was third on his Suzuki TLRI000. The 750cc class was also won by Vigneau, this time on his Suzuki GSX-R750, and he set the fastest times of the weekend. Derek Bloom on his Suzuki GSX-R750 was second, and third was Mahammad Hereimi, on his Suzuki GSX-R750. Steve Schoonmaker won the 600cc class on his Yamaha R6. David Baldwin, on his Honda CBR600, was second, and Nelson Bishop, riding his Yamaha R6, was third. Mark Takatani won the 500cc-and-under class on his Yamaha TZ250. He was only six-hundredths of a second behind Vigneau for the quickest time of the weekend. Second in the 500cc class was Richard York, on an Aprilia RS250, and Sam Combs was third on his Yamaha RZ350. Leesville 171 Speedway: The Spirit of '76 was alive and well at the 171, as racers held a parade lap bearing American flags In the wake of the tragic events of the past week. cue I • n e _ s OCTOBER 10, 2001 79