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For the entire final lap, Decker tried every move possible to get around Sellards, but the KTM rider held him off to the finish, albeit a few seconds behind his teammate Laninovich. "I was a little bit [nervous], but I just stayed calm and stayed focused," Laninovich said. Brandes looked strong in fourth, about 15 seconds ahead of the fifthplaced finisher, Smith. MOTO TWO The action started right away in moto two. Smith grabbed the holeshot and led early for the second moto in a row, but Laninovich started much better this moto and was soon pressuring Smith for the lead, ahead of Buckelew, YZ250F-mounted Joe Oehlhof and Decker. Off to a horrible start was Sellards, who finished the first lap in eighth after passing a few guys on the first go-around. Brandes went down in the rhythm section before the second turn, and the resulting broken throttle left him unable to back up his first-moto fourth. Laninovich passed Smith for the lead in the same area as the first moto and quickly tried to check out while Decker dispatched Oehlhof and then Buckelew before he started pressuring the once-again-fading Smith. Sellards was likewise soon pressuring Antunez for seventh, but he had a long way to go if he was going to catch his younger teammate. Sellards soon got his jets going and moved passed Antunez, Erick Vallejo and Oehlhof all in one lap and then set out after Buckelew. Soon, he dispatched Buckelew and Smith as well, while Decker tried his hardest to chase down the scrambling Laninovich out front. It didn't take long for Sellards to chase down Decker for second, and he made quick work of the Yamaha rider who didn't seem to be riding at the same pace as in the first moto. "I was a little bit off the pace that time," Decker said. "I didn't quite get the start I wanted and I had to push really hard to get up front." With about four laps to go, Sellards had chased down Laninovich and was pressuring him for the lead when Laninovich faltered. "He bobbled right in the whoops, and I had a little better line than he did," Sellards said of his pass for the lead. "It was cool to see my teammate riding that good in the first race. n Laninovich didn't let Sellards off the hook, though, by any means. With a bit of a gap back to Decker, Laninovich was completely focused on getting back around his elder teammate. Sellards blocked his every advance and eventually pulled out a small lead that he would hold to the finish, winning the moto and the overall (and the $4000 that went with it). Laninovich finished second, and second overall, while Decker finished third, well ahead of fourth-placed Smith. Antunez moved into fifth on the last lap after Buckelew took a spill. "The gate [took] a little longer to drop and I didn't get the start I wanted," Sellards said. "I just had to get going and motivate myself. When I got up front, I saw that Craig [Decker], Billy [Laninovich] and Kelly [Smith] were gone, and I thought, 'Man, I've really got to push it.' I've Escondido Cycle Center's Michael Brandes showed some serious speed in moto one, hanging with Sellards for most of the race, but an early crash In moto two sent him packing early. MOTO 2; I. Brock Sellards (KTM); 2. Billy Laninovich (KTM); 3. Craig Decker (Yam); 4. Kelly Smith (Yam): 5. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 6. Erick been sick for the last month; I can't get over it. But I just pushed as hard as I could and my Red Bull KTM got me up there." eN Vallejo (Suz); 7. Justin Buckelew (Suz); 8. Joe Oehlhof (Yam); 9. Michael Blose (Suz); 10. Brandon Morgan (Hon); 11. Jesse Casillas (Yam): 12. Tiger Lacey (Suz); 13. Mike Kann (Yam); 14. Bryan Clevenger (Hon): 15. Logan Darien (Yam); 16. Michael Sleeter (Yam); 17. David Flores (Hon): 18. Brandon Schlensig (Hon); 19. Gerrit Ordelman (Yam). O/A; I. Brock Sellards (KTM); 2. Biliy Laninovich (KTM); 3. Craig Decker (Yam); 4. Kelly Smith (Yam); 5. Erick Vallejo (Suz); 6. Justin Buckelew (Suz); 7. Buddy Antunez (Suz); 8. Joe Oehlhof (Yam); 9. Turbo Reif (Suz); 10. Brandon Morgan (Hon); 11. Jesse Casillas (Yam); 12. Michael Blose (Suz); 13. Tiger Lecey (Suz); 14, Michael Sleeter (Yam); 15. Michael Brandes (Suz); 16. Mike K8nn (Yam); 17. Bryan Clevenger (Han); 18. David Flores (Hon); 19. Logan Darien (Yam); 20. Brandon Schlensig (Hon); 21. Gerrit Oredelman (Yam); 22. Kenny Heess (Yem); 23. Tyler Evans (Yam). Perris Raceway Perris, California Results: December 16, ZDD1 MOTO 1: 1. Billy Laninovich (KTM); 2. Brock Sellards (KTM); 3. Craig Decker (Yam); 4. Michael Br8ndes (Suz); 5. Kelly Smith (Yam); 6. Justin Buckelew (Suz); 7. Erick Vellejo (Suz); 8. Joe Oehlhof (Yam); g. Turbo Reif (Suz); 10. Buddy Antunez (Suz): 11. Jesse Casillas (Yam); 12. BrzlOdon Morgan (Hen); 13. Michael Sleeter (Yam); 14. Michael Blose (Suz); 15. Tiger Lacey (Suz); 16. David Flores (Hon); 17. Kenny Heess (Yam); 18. Mike Kann (Yam); 19. Logan Darien (Yam); 20. Bryan Clevenger (Hon); 21. Brandon Schlensig (Hon); 22. Tyler Evans (Yam); 23. Gerrit Ordelman (Yam). BRIEFLY••• The Perris Supercross marked the major Pro debut for multi-time Amateur champion Jesse Casillas, who has won many Intermediate·c1ass titles. He raced hard for two 11 thplace finishes and 11th overall. The Motocross Mom, Gale Webb, was in the pits throughout the weekend, lifting spirits and handing out freebies. She was extremely popular among the spectators. Billy Laninovich was still wearing Troy Lee Designs riding gear, even though he's now contracted with KTM Red Bull, which is sponsored by Thor. Laninovich's TLD contract ends December 31, so expect to see him in Thor apparel at Anaheim. This year's Perris Invitational Supercross attracted some 3000 spectators, who crowded the pits and hillsides for the best views of the action. cue I e n e _ so • JANUARY 9, 2002 49