Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Mill Creek Motocross: Drew Askew continues to amaze as he makes the transition to the big-bike ranks. At round seven of the Alabama Fall Series in Pell City, Askew not only aced the B classes, he passed the leader of the 250cc A class en route to his win. Alabama Fall Series Round 7: Mill Creek Motocross Nothing A"Wry for Aske"W Bv STEVE AND PEGGV COR LEE PELL CITY, AL, OCT. 6 F ormer Mini sensation Drew Askew continued his transition to the big-bike ranks in grand fashion as he topped both the 125cc Band 250cc B classes at Mill Creek Motocross in Pell City, Alabama. The young speedster not only took the wins in the classes he entered. he also topped Pro rider Joey Hargrove in the second 250cc A/B combined moto in a super come-from-behind effort. Mill Creek was the site of round seven of the Alabama Fall Series, and the McWilliams family pulled out all the stops to put on a great weekend event for everyone. The weekend began with a fish fry on Friday night and a musical presentation by the youth of nearby Beaulah Baptist Church. Former Pro rider Scotty Pinson and the church's youth group provided the music, and racer/evangelist Kevin Cozadd was also on hand to hold a devotional service. As an added bonus, former 125cc Supercross champion Shae Bentley stopped by. Still recuperating from his season-ending crash, Shae signed a few autographs, ate a few fish, and in general helped make the evening a success. The program was cut a little short, however, as rain moved into the area late in the evening, dampening the celebration and soaking the freshly groomed race track. Practice the next morning was a little sloppy early on, but by the middle of the first set of motos, conditions had greatly improved. The first 250cc A/B combined moto began with a super holeshot by Hargrove, with YZ-mounted Adam Brannum in hot pursuit. The two went back and forth out in front while young Askew settled down and started to pursue the leaders. Halfway through the moto, however, Askew suffered mechanical problems and had to stop in the mechanics' area while Hargrove and Brannum continued their battle. Askew rejoined the race near the end, but the A riders had checked out, with Hargrove finally getting clear of Brannum to take the top spot. Askew still managed to take the B-c1ass moto win. 50 NOVEMBER 21, 2001 • c u e I e n e _ s When the gate dropped for the second moto, Brannum grabbed the holeshot, followed by Hargrove and Askew. Brannum's lead was shortlived, however, as Hargrove made the pass on the inside of a downhill offcamber turn on lap two. Brannum held second but soon came under fire from Askew. As the pack got the white flag, Askew made the pass on Brannum and moved to the rear fender of Hargrove. The two raced inches apart to the checkers and Askew finally made the pass on Hargrove in the last corner, taking the B-c1ass win in the process. Hargrove was the winner in the 250cc A class. Brannum took the runner-up honors in the A class, and track announcer John Davidson was second in the B class. Hargrove came back later to take the win in the Over 25 class. The track conditions continued to improve as the day went by and racing action got better and better each moto. Double-class winners were the order of the day, as certain riders proved that they cc;>uld master the wet conditions more easily than others. KTM's Zach Rossetti was impressive as he took his 125 SX to wins in both the 125cc C class and the Youth class. YZ-mounted Jonathan Dove won both the 85cc (12-13) and Supermini classes. Nick Jones also pulled off a double, topping both the PreTeen and the 85cc (7 -11) classes. In the Over 40 class, premier Alabama off-road racer David Crain showed his mud-riding skills as he topped the class in style. Crain, aboard Hargrove's CR250, put on a show, passing class leader Randall Kipker in the last corner in moto one and easily topping the field in moto two. Finishing behind Crain in the overall results was Mississippi's Steve Speights, fresh from a strong showing at Loretta Lynn's. Kipker followed in third. Davidson came out on top of the Over 30 bunch, and Brian Wormley topped Crain, Speights and Kipker to take the Over 35 win. eN Mill CreeIc MtltDcnIss Pell City, A1abule Results: IIctIlber S, 2001 (Round 71 50 SHAFT: 1. Drew Fields (Yam); 2. Bransen Boffa (Yam); 3. Brady Johnson (Yam); 4. Michllel Fincher (Yam); 5. Kristian Fincher (Yam). 50 (4-6): 1. Drew Fields (Cob); 2. Camron Byrd (KTM). 50 (7-8): 1. Dalton Horton (Pol); 2. Chad Underwood (KTM); 3. Nick Bamett (Cob). 65 (7-9): 1. Kennan Sanders (Kaw); 2. Andy Stone (K.aw); 3. Jacob Conn (KTM); 4. Dalton Horton (Kaw); 5. Matthew Payne (KTM). 65 (\ 0-11): 1. Chase Lee (Kaw); 2. Drew Estes (KTM); 3. Miles Chamblee (Kaw). PRETEEN: 1. Nick Jones (Kaw); 2. Chase Merritt (Suz); 3. Tyler Covington (Yam); 4. Chllse Lee (Kaw); 5. Alex Covington (Yam). 85 (7-\\): I. Nick Jones (Kaw); 2. Chase Merritt (Suz); 3. Tyler Covington (Yam); 4. Alex Covington (Vllm); 5. Jesse Aaron (Yam). YTH: I, lllCh Rossetti (KTM); 2. Garrett West (Yllm); 3, Keeton Light (KllW); 4, Brian Tllylor (Yllm); 5, David Gravette (Yam). 85 (\2-\3): 1. Jonathan Dove (Vam); 2. Brett Herring (Yam); 3, Chris Hollingsworth (Yam); 4, Corey Byrd (Vam); 5. Kyle Roark (Vam). 8/M-INI: 1, Jonathlln Dove (Yllm); 2. Brett Johnson (Kaw); 3. Brett Herring (Yam); 4, Chris Hollingsworth (Yllm); 5. Corey Byrd (Yllrn), NOV: 1. Bill DiGiorgio (KTM); 2. Mike Culwell (KTM); 3. Mark Culwell (KTM); 4. Jamie Green (Hon); 5. Gary M;lIs (KTM). 125 A: 1. Adam Brannum (Yam); 2. Terry Byrd (Vam); 3. Troy M;lIer (Hon). 125 B: 1. Drew Askew (Han); 2. Matthew McBee (Suz). 125 C: 1. Zach Rossetti (KTM); 2. Justin Gn~ham (Hon); 3. T.C. Lightsey (Hon); 4. Shane M;lIs (Vam); 5. Brandon Johnson (Yllm), 125 D: 1. Greg Burns (Yam); 2, Chris Teal (Han); 3. Brian Heisey (Han); 4. Chris Long (Han): 5. Brllndon Scott (Suz). 250 A: 1. Joey Hargrove (Han); 2. Adam Brannum (Yam). 250 B: 1. Drew Askew (Han); 2. John Davidson (Suz). 250 C: 1. Justin Graham (Han); 2, Justin Kipker (Vam); 3. Chip Moore (Hon); 4. Frank Watson (Vam). 250 D: 1. Marty Swindall (Hon): 2. Mike Carroll (Vam); 3. Chris Long (Hon); 4. Barry Gravitt (Suz); 5. Jonathan Calloway (Yam). OPEN 2-STRK: 1. Stacy Chamblee (Hon); 2. c.J. Waters (Han); 3. Justin Matheny (Han): 4. Erk: Hall (Hon). OPEN 4-STRK: 1. Terry Herring (Vam); 2. Billy Salter (Yam); 3, Stan Digby (Yllm); 4. Michael Blakeney (Vam); 5. Jeff Cook (Vam). \6-24; 1. Tim Hall (Vam); 2. T.C. Lightsey (Han); 3, Frank Watson (Yam); 4, Michael Gravette (Vam); 5. Jonathan Calloway (Vam). 25+: 1. Joey Hargrove (Han); 2, Terry Byrd (Vam); 3. John Davidson (Suz). 30+: 1. John Davidson (Suz); 2. Bryan Wormley (Vam); 3. Billy Carpenter (Hon); 4. Trey Hoyle (Hon). 35+: 1, Bryan Wormley (Yam); 2. Dave Crain (Han); 3. Steve Speights (Yam): 4. Randall Kipker (Vam); 5. Mike Carroll (Vam). 40+: 1. Dave Crain (Han); 2. Steve Speights (Yam); 3. Randall Kipker (Yern); 4. Tony Jewah (Suz); 5. Allen McWilliams (Vam). CMA Anaheim Express MX Series Round 4: Hanford Fairgrounds S"Weeps Night Bv EDDIE GRAVELINE HANFORD,CA,OCT.6 ormally, when you go to a race, you want to see great battles in every class. In motocross, you know you've seen a good one when the overall winner takes the victory via 2-3 moto finishes. Every once in a while, though, it's fun to see a particular rider reach the top of his game and go out and absolutely dominate. Anyone who has witnessed a Jeremy McGrath Supercross runaway can understand that flawless performances by an athlete are spectacular to watch. On October 6, several riders came to the Hanford Fairgrounds and put in N perfect performances. Perhaps the stars just happened to align on that mild, early autumn evening; perhaps not - but what happened was a rare occurrence. The majority of the classes were dominated by a single rider sweeping both motos. The little guys got it going in the 50cc classes, and everyone of them was swept. Logan Poisall rode his KTM to victory in the 50cc (0-6) Beginner division, while Jesse Nelson and Jared Thinger swept the 50cc (7-8) Beginner and 50cc Open classes, respectively. It was more of the same in the 60cc classes. Jared Thinger jumped off his 50 and onto his KX65 and won the

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