Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Moose Western Regional Cross Country Series Round 8: Outlaw Hare Scrambles By CHRIS GHIONE AND MICHELLE LEE PHOTOS BY MICHELLE LEE LAKEPORT,CA,OCT.14 ob Zimmerman once again showed everyone why he has the number one on his bike, as he took the overall win at the second annual running of the Outlaw Hare Scrambles near Lakeport, California. The race, held at Cow Mountain OHV Area, marked round eight of the Moose Western Regional Cross Country Series, sanctioned by AMA District 36. The victory gave Race Tech/MSR/FMF/Cycle Gear-sponsored Zimmerman his second straight victory in the series. At the start of the early-morning A/B race, nearly 100 riders lined up to take on the course, which was put together by the SCSCA motorcycle club. Before the gun even went off, most riders had prepared themselves for one thing: the dust. The dry summer and lack of rain in the preceding months had left the area dry and slick, meaning that visibility would be the riders' main challenge. Knowing about the lack of visibility, racers all knew the importance of getting a good start. After the start, riders would make their way down a watered starting stretch before entering a long, dry creek bed. After about three miles of the creek bed, the riders would then jump onto the extremely dusty fire roads that made up the remainder of the 20-mile course. When the horn sounded, three riders jumped to the front of the pack. Suzuki rider Tim Stowe jumped into the lead, followed by the Yamaha-mounted Zimmerman and Hayward Suzuki rider Rod Kreiss. The Pro Circuit/Bennett Lpd/Scott Goggles-sponsored Stowe was quick to get out front, but he didn't stay in the lead long. "The start was great until I clicked into fifth and kind of bogged, so the two boys, Zimmerman and Kreiss, who were on the powerband, said, 'See ya!' and went right by me," explained Stowe. After moving past Stowe, Suomy Helmets/Cycle Gear/BeIRay-sponsored Kreiss and Zimmerman battled for the lead down the creek bed. "Going down the creek," said Kreiss, "me and Robbie battled like crazy. We changed leads probably three or four times, going back and forth. I would have a better line than him and I'd pass him, and then he would just fly by me. He was going super-fast today." The battle for the lead ended at the start of the dusty fire road, as Zimmerman jumped on it first and left Kreiss with nearly zero visibility in the dust. "Me and Kreiss got out in front right off the bat," Zimmerman said of their battle early in the race, "and we battled all the way up the creek, back and forth, three or four times. I was just (Above) Rod Kreiss placed second at the second annual ","nlng of the OuUaw Hare Scrambles. lucky to come out at the end when we jumped into the dusty trail again." After reaching the dusty fire road, Kreiss and all the other riders had to make a huge adjustment to ridin~ in the thick dust. Stowe was riding just behind Zimmerman and Kreiss until he reached the dust. "I was right behind them until the first uphill out of the creek bed, and just from two riders, it was the biggest dust bowl I've ever seen in my life," said Stowe. After that, passing became almost impossible, and most of the leaders continued to ride around the course in the same position they left the creek bed in. Nearing the end of the race, Zimmerman finished his third lap in just under two hours, forcing him to continue out for a fourth lap. Zimmerman was the only one to make the cutoff, and when Kreiss came in next, it was for second (Above) Stowe finished third overall In Lakeport, Califomla. (Left) At round eight, Rob Zimmerman came In first for the second time in a row in the Moose Westem Regional Cross Country Series. place. Stowe finished just behind Kreiss. Finishing in fourth place was Woodland Cabinets-sponsored Yamaha rider Chris Zito, who was riding his first race as an A rider. Zito didn't get too great a start, but he managed to get by a lot of people going up the creek bed before things got too dusty. The fifth-place finisher was Suzuki rider Brian Toline, who put in an excellent ride. He was followed by Motoworks/Motion Pro/Faultline Suspension-backed Brian Sperle, who rode about two laps of the race on a flat front tire. Yamaha-mounted Mason Harrison finished seventh, followed by Honda rider Robert Fouts. Danny Martinez, on a Gas Gas, and Yamaha-mounted Russell Pereira rounded out the top 10. Completing his fourth lap and finishing the race, Zimmerman not only took the victory, he also helped to extend his points lead in the series. Kreiss sits in second in the points, followed in third by Craig Wesner, who sat out the event to help his club host the event. Brian and Patrick Garrahan sit in fourth and fifth in the points but were not present at the event. CN Cow Mountain OHV Ana lakeport, Califomia Results: October 14, ZOO1 [Round 81 O/A: 1. Rob Zimmerman (Yam); 2. Roderick Kreiss (Suz); 3. Tim Stowe (Suz); 4. Chris Zito (Yam); 5. Brian Toline (Suz): 6. Brian Sperle (KTM): 7. Mason Horrison (Yom); 6. Robert Fouts (Hon); 9. Danny Martinez (KTM); 10. Russell Pereira (YZlm). A 200: I. Brion Sperle (KTM); 2. Robert Fouts (Hon); 3. Bryce Olson (KTM). A 250: J. Rob Zimmerman (Yam); 2. Rod Kreiss (Suz); 3. Tim Stowe (KTM). A OPEN: I. Troy Ooniels (GG). A 4-STRK: 1. Brian Toline (Suz); 2. Danny Mertinez (KTM); 3. Russell Pereira (Yam). A VET: 1. J.R. Meson (Han); 2. Steve Claar (GG); 3. John Mason (Y.m). A SR: I. Oovid Wood (Hon); 2. John Wells (Han); 3. Wayne Hatch (Kaw). A S/SR: 1. Louie Marsholl (Suz): 2. Fred Sumron (KTM); 3. Peter Prichord (KTM). B 200: I. Johnny Mason (Vom); 2. Oovid Boo, (KTM); 3. Scott Roberts (KTM). 8 250: 1. Jeriah Gurley (Han); 2. Joel Ray (Yom); 3. Jonothon Byer (Hon). B OPEN: I. G.briel Eggen (Hon). 8 4-STRK: 1. Rich Delong (Yam); 2. Howard Oingmon (Yom); 3. Gory Quigley (KTM). 8 VET: I.Gary Burton (KTM); 2. Ron Facciano (Han); 3. Peter SieMS (KTM). 8 SR: 1. Jack Lanto (Han); 2. Mike Thoma (Vom); 3. Leo Steinle (Vom). B S/SR: 1. Jerry Johnson (Han); 2. Donald Chose (KTM); 3. Jim Peocock (KTM). C 200: I. Eric Rollin (Su,); 2. Cory Norog (Hon); 3. David Fredrickson (Yam). e 250: 1. Jason Jenson (Hon); 2. Jarod Reed (Vom); 3. Joey Petroni (Kow). COPEN; 1. Brent Brodley (KTM); 2. Joy Gordon (GG): 3. Bert Deoton (GG). e 4-STRK: 1. Adam Nichols (Yam); 2. Michael Durflinger (KTM); 3. Michael Jacobson (Han). C VET: 1. Shannon Poore (Yam); 2. Rick Rooney (Hon); 3. Doug Petroskey (Vom). e SR: 1. Dennis Scarpete (Hon); 2. Cory Narog (Hon); 3. Rich.rd LuJ.n (Kow). C S/SR: I. G.ry Gombil (Vom); 2. R.ndoll Wendt (Hon); 3. Ike Moore (Hon). e WMN: 1. Susan Poor (Han); 2. Beata Basista (Yom). C GENT: I. Bob Collings (KTM). (Left) Zimmerman (1) and Tim Stowe (232) get a Jump on Kreiss (2) and the rest of the pack off the start In the Cow Mountain OHVArea. cycle n e _ S • NOVEMBER 21,2001 47

• Cover