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THQ U.S. Open MGM Grand Garden Arena Defending U.S. Open Four-Stroke champ Kelly Smith's weekend started slowly when he was docked a lap for cutting the track in the opening moto, but his strong finishes later on eamed him second overall by a scant two points over Craig Decker In third. ately grabbed the holeshot, with the Canadian right on his tail. But when though, and he repassed Morgan as the riders reappeared from outside they headed out of the arena on the the arena, Morgan had already second lap and began pulling away. Showing the heart of a true champi- passed the defending champ. Smith would have none of it, on, Morgan began to close back up on Smith about halfway through the race, and he had caught him by the end of lap eight. The battle ensued. Morgan dogged Smith for less than a lap and repassed Smith in the same spot where Smith passed him the first time, then held off the determined KTM pilot for a hard-fought, but important, victory. "I actually had to battle somebody that time," Morgan said with a smile on his face. "Kelly Smith rode good, and that was just an awesome race. I'm so glad to be here." Smith finished a close second, while Johnson and Decker rounded out the top four. MDTD4 Decker grabbed his second holeshot of the weekend, but Smith was right on his tail from the start and looked mighty determined. After being denied in moto three, Smith made his move as they exited the arena on the second lap, then made his best effort to disappear. Morgan, meanwhile, rode conservatively, knowing he need not win the battle to win the war. John Dowd made his presence known on lap three, when he tripling by a doubling Decker for second and setting off after Smith. By lap five, Dowd was all over Smith, and he made short work of the defending champ by tripling past him in much the same manner that he overtook Decker, although Smith retaliated. Smith caught back up to Dowd by lap eight and passed motocross' elder statesman in the same spot Dowd had passed him earlier, then pulled away for the victory - although the championship belonged to Morgan, whose fifth-place finish was more than he needed to secure the overall. "I try to do my best at everything I do," Morgan understated. "I'd like to thank White Brothers for bringing me out to this awesome race. I had a really good time. All I wanted to do is top three, and to win it is even better." eN MSM &rand Suden Arena las Veges, Nevede Results: Oetllber 12-13, 2001 Friday MOTO 1: 1. Blair Morgan (Hon); 2. Craig !leeker (Yam): 3. Marco Dut>;, (KTM); 4. Keith S. Johnson (Hen); 5. Jason Thomas (Yam): 6. Keith Johnson (Yam); 7. Jimmy laMastus (KTM); 8. Kelly Smith (KTM); g. John Dowd (KTM); 10. Ryan Terlecki (Hbg); 11. Kyle Lewis (Yam); 12. Greg Schnell (Yam). MOTO 2: I. Blair Morgan (Hon); 2. Keith S. Johnson (Hon); 3. Kelly Smith (KTM); 4. Kyle Lewis (Yam); 5. Craig Decker (Yam); 6. Marco Dube (KTM); 7 .. John Dowd (KTM); 8. Jason Thomas (Vam); 9. Jimmy laMastus (KTM); 10. Ryan Terlecki (Hbg); 11. Keith Johnson (Yam); 12. Greg Schnell (Vam). Saturday MOTO ~; I. Blair Morgan (Hon); 2. Kelly Smith (KTM); 3. Keith S. Johnson (Hon); 4. Craig !leeker (Yam); 5. Keith Joh.,.on (Yam); 6. Jason Thomas (Vam); 7. John Dowd (KTM); 8. Ryan Terlecki (Hbg); 9. Jimmy LaMastus (KTM); 10. Kyle Lewis (Vam); 11. Marco Dut>;, (KTM); 12. Greg Schnell (Yam). MOTO 4: I. Kelly Smith (KTM); 2. John Dowd (KTM); 3. Crllig Decker (Yam); 4. Keith Johnson (Vam): 5. Blair Morgan (Hon): 6. Kyle Lewis (Vam); 7. Jason Thomas (Vam); 8. Ryan Terlecki (Hbg); 9. Keith S. Johnson (Hon); 10. Jimmy laMastus (KTM); 11. Marco Dut>;, (KTM); 12. Greg Schnell (Yam). O/A: 1. Blair Morgan (Hon); 2. Kelly Smith (KTM): 3. Craig !leeker (Yam); 4. Keith S. Johnson (Hon); 5. John Dowd (KTM); 6. Keith Johnson (Yam); 7. Jason Thomas (Vern); 8. Kyle Lewis (Vam); 9. Jimmy laMastus (KTM); 10. Ryan Terlecki (Hbg); 11. Marco Dub. (KTM); 12. Greg Schnell (Vam). Engine Ice 125cc Amateur Cup ChIp O f f rhe Old Block Bv MICHAEL DEMAREE PHOTO BV STEVE BRUHN LAS VEGAS, NV, OCT. 12-13 he organizers of the THQ U.S. Open are always looking for new ways to spice up their event, and this year's addition was the Engine Ice 125cc Amateur Cup, which pitted two under-17 -year-olds from each of the six major manufacturers (some riders were actually pros, but they were allowed in if they hadn't contested a National MX) against each other. Joshua Hansen, son of legendary Donnie Hansen, was consistently fast through the four motos of racing (two each night), and his topping of the 12-rider field was a major step on the way to following in his father's tire tracks. Hansen the younger used a little of everything to earn the title, including start-to-finish romps, comefrom-behind charges, and defensive riding around aggressive competitors, and he topped it all off with a humble, professional deportment on the podi- T Joshua Hansen was consistently the fastest rider In the Engine Ice t25cc Amateur Cup field. He had to fight for everything he got throughout the four motoson his way to the overall win. 10 OCTOBER 24,2001 • cue • _ n __ !IS