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tii z Invitational Race of Champions Northwest Arkansas Motocross Park I They Rock at IROC ~ ;; ~ By ERIC HAGLER ffi PEA RIDGE, AR, SEPT. 15 The inaugural Invitational Race of Champions was held at Northwest Arkansas Motocross Park. The field consisted of riders who placed in the top 12 of their respective classes in the track championship series - the best riders in the four-state area. The stakes were high, as each winner would receive an IROC plaque, class bragging rights, and, literally, a key to the track - in the form of a free 2002 track membership. The track was perfect, with several lines developing in the freshly laid topsoil and sand. The 50cc classes once again pitted Polini against KTM. In moto one, Action Polini/Fox Racing/Spy-sponsored Hayden Hagler jumped out of the gate, with fellow Polini rider Trevor Barton in tow. The two Polini riders quickly separated themselves from the field, with Hagler securing a half-lap lead by moto's end. Moto two proved to be a virtual replay, as Hagler again took the lead and raced unchallenged to claim the class title. Barton again settled into first place in the 50cc (4-6) class to take the Junior Pee Wee victory. KTM rider Camryn Cooper enhanced his reputation as "Mr. Consistent" by finishing second in both motos of the Senior 50cc class. Jacob Barnes rode his modified KTM to third, followed closely by Action Honda/Fast50ssponsored Harrison Hagler, on a very trick XR50 sporting long-travel suspension. Polini pilot Michael Wright put his little blue rocket in third, behind Matthew Taylor in the Junior Pee Wee class. ~ ~ > ~ ~ "- LItUe OkJe Raceway: Sherri "Supergirl" Cruse is not only a fast female but also one of the top 80Cc Novice riders in Madera, California. time Hinson crashed and Jeff took second in the moto and first in the Intermediate class. His 2-1 scores earned him the Intermediate-class win. Hinson's 2-2 scores landed him a soiid second overall, behind Mike Alessi, in the Expert division. eN first turn by his younger brother and Hinson. While Mike set a blistering pace, Hinson battled with Jeff for bragging rights. Even though they were entered in different classes, this was the best battle of the night. The two raced side by side for a few laps, but Jeff made a costly error and crashed. From there, Hinson cruised to second in the Expert class and second overall on the gate. Jeff slowed his pace considerably from that point and actually ended up finishing second in the Intermediate class, behind Jacob Sanchez. The next event was the 80cc X race. Hinson battled with both Alessis in a one-moto exhibition race. Once again, Mike got the holeshot and checked out. The battle between Hinson and Jeff resumed and was even better than in the first race. Jeff got out front, but Hinson made an early pass to move into second. For a couple of laps, the two 12-year-olds were running bar to bar. About halfway through th.e race, Hinson bobbled in the whoops and let Jeff by. Hinson didn't let Alessi get too comfortable in second, making a pass over the tabletop that followed the very next turn. Alessi landed first but crossed Hinson's line. Hinson hit the back of Jeff's bike and knocked him down. Instead of blazing away with second position, Hinson turned back and made sure that Jeff was okay. Jeff was, so Hinson took off again and cruised to a second-place finish. In the second Expert/Intermediate moto, Mike ran off to another win and completed a perfect evening. The race started off with Hinson and Jeff Alessi in a tight battle again, but this 72 OCTOBER 31, 2001 • cue LitIIe Okie Raceway Maden, Callfamla Results: September 15, ZOOl [Round 1) WMN: 1. Sherri Cruse (Yam). 50 FIT: 1. JOShUli Diercks (KTM); 2. Nicholas Templeton (KTM). 50 (0-6l: 1. Logan Poisall (KTM); 2. Jerrick Merrell (KTM ; 3. Jacob Atkins (Cob). 50 (7·8): 1. Daniel Licon (Pol). 50 OPEN: 1. Zachary Summers (Cob). 60 (0-8): 1. J.J. Valles (Kaw); 2. Mett Hopson (KTM); 3. D.J. Montgomery (Kaw); 4. Sean Slavin (KTM). 60 (9-11): 1. Tyler Bereman (Kaw); 2. Anthony Deas (Kaw); 3. Allen Ucon (Kaw): 4. Mason Boswell (Kaw); 5. Robby Boker (KTM). 60 NOV: 1. Dustin Moody (Kaw); 2. Zach Summers (KTM); 3. David Fee (Kaw); 4. Cherles Sotelo (KTM). 60 X: 1. David Fee (Kaw); 2. Dustin Moody (KllW); 3. Charles Sotelo (KTM); 4. Tyler Bereman (Kaw). 80 BEG 0·1: 1. Nacona Harlow (Hon); 2. Chris Potter (Yam); 3. Toby Stettenbenz (Yam); 4. Kevin Wells (Hon); 5. Michael Martin (Hon). 80 BEG 0-2: 1. Kenny Branch (Yam); 2. Hunter Affonso (Vem); 3. Michlllel Dunnagan (Yem): 4. Charles Sotelo (Yam); 5. Mike Orr (Yom). 80 NOV: 1. Kyle Zarr (Yam). 2. Andrew Desilagu8 (Yam): 3. Sherri Cruse (Yam); 4. Dayton Hix (Kew); 5. Nathan Hollister (Suz). 80 INT: 1. Jeff Alessi (Hon); 2. Jacob Sanchez (Yam); 3. Robbie Piltz (Suz); 4. Chris Hendrickson (Suz); 5. Tony Beoudrox (Yam). 80 EX: 1. Mike Alessi (Han); 2. Casey Hinson (Suz); 3. Eddie Underwood (Suz); 4. Jason Hermence (Suz); 5. John Ingrem (VlIIm). 80 X: 1. Mike Alessi (Hon); 2. Casey Hinson (Suz); 3. Jeff Alessi (Hon); 4. Jacob Sanchez (Vern); 5. Dayton Hix (Kaw). 125 BEG: 1. Jeff Smorada (Hon); 2. Brent Williems ~Yam); 3. Brett Brewer (Yi!lm); 4. Clayton Peck (Suz ; 5. Kyle Zarr (Vam). 125 OV: 1. Steven Bates (KTM); 2. Jesse Mobley (KTM); 3. Jeff Merrill (Yam); 4. Shawn Steinhauer (Hon); 5. Jonethan Camarena (Hon). 1251NT: 1. Robby Baptista (Hon); 2. Tony Wolf (Vam); 3. Jeremy Cruse (KTM). 250 BEG: 1. Kyie Jones (Yam); 2. Kyle Miller (Yam); 3. Blake Barnes (Han); 4. Terry Hardison (Suz); 5. Nick Fisher (Hon). 250 NOV: 1. Joey Stewert (Suz); 2, Jason Gaines (Hon): 3. Aaron Arnbrister (Hon). 250 INT: 1. Robby Baptista (Hon); 2. Matt Gaines (Hon); 3. Chuck Bradshaw (Vam). VET BEG; I. Kevin Yerkey (Hon); 2. Donald Wallis (Yam). VET NOV: 1. AI Rush (Yam); 2. Robert Craigo (Hon). VET PRO: 1. Frlllnk Darnley (Hon); 2. Rick Hollenbeck (Suz). OIT NOV: J. Merk Mansfield (Hon). •• n e _ 55 In what is proving to be one of the largest classes at NWA, the gate was packed as the 65cc classes took to the track. Kawasaki-mounted Hayden Hagler, fresh off his Senior 50cc championship, secured a second number-one plate for next season by covering the competition in the Junior Cycle (6-8) division with a 1-2 finish. Oklahoma's Cody Hess looked to be fully healed from injuries as he took the second-moto win for second overall. Kawasaki-mounted Garrison Coney rode hard all night but could only pull off a third-place finish for the season. Todd Bloxham and Drew Brannon dominated the Junior Cycle (9-11) action to finish first and second, respectively, in what has become hohum fashion, as no other riders have consistently challenged these two. Neosho Powers ports rider Brad Farley was in fine form, taking his Kawasaki KX85 to the top of the podium and serving a warning that he will be a force to be reckoned with next year. "I like the track because of all. the spectators in the grandstands," the 12-year-old Farley said. "It's kind of like supercross!" In the 80cc (13-16) class, Nichol's Honda-sponsored Skylar Henson made the five-hour trek from Wichita, Kansas, to take on the local talent. Henson showed early signs of speed, but his lack of familiarity with the track seemed to take its toll, as Henson fell back several spots as the motos progressed. Henson did manage to score a second-place finish in the non-series Schoolboy class. Fresh out of his (latest) cast, Abe Phillips - NWA's version of Travis Pastrana - showed good form on his KX85 to win the 80cc (13-16) class in his last ride aboard the mini. When he's healthy, Phillips has proved to have the speed to run with the big boys, but he has also shown a penchant for bone-breaking bail-offs that has his orthopedic surgeon shopping for a new Aston Martin. "I've got a new RM125 at home, so this is it for me on the minis, and I'm hopeful the doctor will clear me to ride next week," said a smiling Phillips with a wink and a chuckle as he rode back to the pits after moto one. Pro rider Shawn Wright seems to have been a marked man all season, as one Pro rider after another has ridden into town, trying to take Wright down. In taking on all comers this year, Wright has struggled to overcome several nagging injuries, including a separated shoulder. His perseverance paid off in the form of a championship in the 125cc class. Springfield, Missouri's Les Brandenburg did, however, manage to take the 250cc Pro class. Like the historic carpetbaggers of years past, the Missouri rider proved once again that in order to return north across the Mason-Dixon line with southern purse money in hand, one must be both smooth and fast! Nortbwest Arkansas Matacrass Park Pea Ridge, Arkansas Results: Septembar 15, 2001 P/W (4-6): 1. Trevor Barton (Pol); 2. Matthew Taylor (Yam): 3. Michael Wright (Pol); 4. Kacey Murphy (KTM). P/W (7-9): 1. Hayden Hagler (Pol); 2. Camryn Cooper (KTM); 3. Jacob Barnes (KTM); 4. Harrison Hagler (Hon). JR CVCLE (6-8): 1. Hayden Hagler (Kaw); 2. Cody Hess (KTM); 3. G.arrlson Coney (Kaw); 4. Colton Neal (Kaw). JR CVCLE (9-11): 1. Todd Bloxham (Kaw); 2. Drew Brannon (KTM); 3. Brett Thomas (Kaw); 4. Jesse Bishop (KlIIw). 80 (9-12): 1. Brad Farley (Kaw); 2. Beau Brannon (Han); 3. Jay Bivens (Hon): 4. Bobby Ferguson (KlIw). 80 (13-16): 1. Abe Phillips (Kaw); 2. Blake Ceola (Hon); 3. Tyler Alverson (Hon); 4. Skyllu Henson (Han).