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/128127
Branson USA Championship Branson USA It took a lap and a half before Alessi was able to get a line around Osborne in the back section of the track, but once in front Alessi wasted no time putting distance between himself and the rest of the class. DeAtley's lead was short, as Alessi got by him midway through the first lap. Zach Osborne finished second to Alessi in his three entered classes, the 85cc (12-13) Stock, Modified and 85cc Open events. This was Osborne's debut in the 12- to 13-years-old age group, having just celebrated his birthday. A freight train of green followed Alessi to the checkered flag in both Supermini motos. Missouri's Jeff Crutcher took second-place honors in the first moto a board his Kawasaki, followed by Taylor Pajnter of Texas, Andrew Jackson of Oklahoma and six more KX riders. After Alessi passed DeAtley in the second Supermini moto, DeAtley led Painter, Tanner Moore of Kansas, Crutcher and Colorado's Kyle Cohrs and Braden Barnes. Crutcher got around Moore on lap four and the top five settled into their racing to finish in that order. event officially got under way. If the rains weren't enough to exasperate those present, heavy fog early Saturday and Sunday morning caused additional delays. Several riders captured double championship wins from 60s to Over 35, but it was KTM-mounted Drew Kain of Lake Worth, Florida, who put one up on them when he claimed the 250cc Stock and Modified Intermediate and the 250cc Non-Pro Open events. Kain was also entered in both 125cc Stock and Modified Intermediate, as well as the 125cc Open, but motor gremlins attacked his bike in an early moto, which resulted in his having to bow out of the competition. Mike Alessi's switch to Honda proved to be inconsequential for the lad. Alessi missed the holeshot only twice among his eight-moto reign: once by Zach Osborne of Virginia in the fist moto of the 85cc Open and the second time by Sam DeAtley of Idaho in the second Supermini moto. n _ _ lIS By KAT SPANN PHOTOS BY KAT SPANN GALENA, MO, OCT. 5-7 J -I ike Alessi unleashed the power of IV' red at the seventh annual Branson USA Championship by sweeping all eight of his motos in the 85cc (12-13) Stock and Modified, 85cc Open and Supermini Modified (14-16) classes. This was Alessi's big debut on his Plano Honda/Fox/FMF/Varner Racing/Wiseco-backed CRs. The natural-terrain course along the banks of the James River just a few miles west of Branson, Missouri, hosted 1147 entered riders from 33 states this year. Thunderstorms in the early hours of opening day on Friday postponed racing until Saturday. Kirk Hendricksen and "Radical" Rob manned the heavy equipment as soon as the weather settled down and were able to at least provide the big bikes practice on Friday afternoon, but all minibike practices were held over for Saturday morning before the 50 OCTOBER 24, 2001 • "" U "" • • Trey Canard of Oklahoma and Teddy Maier of Iowa pulled out two championships each for the Team Green camp. Canard's prowess in the 85cc Stock and Modified (0-11) events saw him snap up all four moto wins on the weekend. Maier followed suit in the 125cc Stock and Modified Intermediate classes, capturing all four moto wins as well. California's Danny Carlson swept three of his four motos in the 125cc and 250cc Pro events. Carlson's stellar performance in the 125cc ranks saw him take the checkered flag first in both motos. Oklahoma's Colt Humphrey got the holeshot in the first 125cc Pro moto on his American Suzuki/Foxbacked RM. KTM/Munn Racing/Factory Connection's Mickey Marshall gated second, followed by American Suzuki/F&S/Bill's Pipes/Wisecosponsored Carlson. Humphrey and Marshall played cat-and-mouse for the first four laps as Carlson watched (Left) Mike Alessi felt right at home on his new Honda. He won three classes, and every moto. (Below) Danny Cartson won both the 125 and 250cc Pro classes.