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/128129
laps, Reif was making up for a horrendous start with some of the best lap times of the day. Just when Wheeler was starting to feel comfortable with a five-second cushion on the fourth of eight laps, Reif dispatched Laughridge and set out after the leader. A lap later, Wheeler could feel the heat, and if not for a slight off-track excursion on the first uphill by Reif on the sixth lap, the final result may have been different. Laughridge held on for a distant third, followed by Carlson, Jason McCormick and new factory Suzuki rider Shane Bess, who had gated outside the top 20. Another of Suzuki's rising stars, Broc Hepler, demonstrated why he has the factory's eye by leading every lap of the 125cc B/lntermediate class. Daton Beavers, Josh Lichtle, Kyle Partridge and Derek Costella kept Hepler honest until the fourth lap, when a tangle among the front runners sent both Lichtle and Partridge back and gave Hepler some breathing room over Beavers and Costella. Finishing the first lap of the Vet B/C class in sixth place, Glen Commans was able to blast to the front only a lap later. Richard Anaya was Commans's last victim, but held onto second easily ahead of Kevin VidanaBarda and holeshooter Ed Guajardo. Chris Young bolted into the lead of the Vet A/Expert class, but former AMA National campaigner and current Suzuki test rider Rich Taylor jammed past before the lap was out, taking a lead he would not relinquish. Jeff Pestana, who had been landed on when another rider's throttle stuck open during his Saturday qualifier, moved up to hassle Young for second, but was not able to pass, as the top three moved well away from the rest of the group. The most dominating performance of the weekend was that of Davi Millsaps, who simply decimated the 85cc (12-13) class. His effort was helped in part when Michael laPaglia, who had taken the holeshot, suffered a flat rear tire shortly after being passed by Millsaps at the end of the first lap. From there it was clear sailing for the Florida native, sponsored by Suzuki Sports, No Fear, Oakley, Renthal, IMS and Dunlop. By the checkered flag, he had nearly half a lap on New Mexico's Mark Graddy and Chad Wages of Maryland, who likewise were all by themselves in second and third. Hepler had a good chance of being the only double-class winner of the event after leading every lap of the 85cc (14-15) division, but it was not to be. Taking the white flag with a solid lead in what was announced as his last ride of a very successful minicycle career, he became another flattire victim. Taking full advantage was Ohio's Michael Willard, who at the time of Hepler's misfortune was dicing with Trevor Monks and Nick Davis. These three filled the podium, while Hepler pulled in a disappointed but gracious fourth. Redeeming himself from the letdown of his earlier moto, Michael LaPaglia overcame the moto-Iong harassment of Brett Rothas to lead every lap of the 125cc C/Novice final. Following some distance behind this duo was Colorado's Justin Dikes, who prevailed in a good struggle with Clinton Pierce, Ty Morrow and Dennis Ewing. Dirt Bike magazine test rider Pete Murray had his way with the small Senior/40+ division, passing early leader Richard Anaya and pulling away to take an easy victory. Washington's David Silvestri likewise had a lonely ride to third place. The final event of the weekend was also one of the most anticipated - the 125cc A/Expert class. Coming back from a knee injury that caused him to miss most of the AMA National outdoor series (after having placed 10th in the 125cc Western Regional Supercross standings), Jason McCormick proved that he was back on track with a wire-to-wire victory. The Washington native was pressured early by Gene Stull and Rusty Hoiland, but Stull dropped back due to injuries which had his stamina sapped, while Holland snapped a chain at the halfway point. This moved Danny Carlson into a distant second place, who then came under heavy fire from Reif, recovering from yet another poor start. McCormick took the $2000 paycheck ahead of Carlson and Reif, the top three well ahead of Florida's Brian Gray and 250 winner Chris Wheeler. CN (Above) Rich Taylor (21) grabbed the lead of the Vet AlExpert class early and held off the challenges of Chris Young (910) for the win. Glen Helen lIKe.a, San Bemudio., California Results: October 20-21, 2001 VET SIC: 1. Glenn Commens: 2. Richard Anaya: 3. Kevin Vidan;'l-Bllrda; 4. Ed Guajllrdo; 5. David &gwell. VET/30+ EX: 1. Rich Taylor, 2. Chris Young: 3. Jeffery Pestllna; 4. Billy Mercier; 5. Robert Naughton. 250 8/INT: 1. Derek Costella: 2. Cole Siebler; 3. Matthew "Deton" Beevers; 4. Rodney Clerk; 5. Dylen Lord. 250 C/NOV: 1. Kevin Vidna·Barde; 2. Ned Lowerre; 3. Devid Bagwell; 4. Brett Deugherty; 5. 85 (12-13): I. Davi Millsaps; 2. Marl< Graddy; 3. Chad Wages; 4. Adam Kowalczyk; 5. &rt Manwill. 85 (14-]5): 1. Micheel Willard; 2. Trevor Monks; 3. Nick Davis; 4. Brae Hepler; 5. Chris Nlhan . 125 C/NOV: J. Michael LaPaglia; 2. Brett Rathas; 3. Justin Dikes; 4. Clinton Pierce; 5. Ty Morrow. SR/40+: 1. Pete Murrey; 2. Richerd Aneye; 3. Devid Silvestri; 4. Ed Guajardo; 5. Ned Lowerre. 125 A/EX; I. Jason McCormick; 2. Denny Cerlson; 3. Turbo Reif; 4. Brian Gray; 5. Chris Wheeler. R.K. Field. 85 (7·11): 1. Drew Gosseleer; 2. Dominic Izzi: 3. Cole Seely; 4. Ben LeMay; 5. Aaron McClintock. 2S0 AlEX: I. Chris Wheeler; 2. Turbo Reil; 3. Even Laughridge; 4. Danny Carlson; 5. Jason McCormick. 125 B/lNT: 1. Broc Hepler; 2. Matthew "Dalon" Beevers; 3. Derek Costelle; 4. Dylan Lord; 5. Joshua UchtJe. cue I • n e _ s • NOVEMBER 7, 2001 21