Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

American Motosports Arenacross Series Rounds 4-6: Ohio State Fairgrounds Exposition Center STORY BY RUPERT X. PELLETT AND JEFF KARDAS PHOTOS BY JEFF KARDAS COLUMBGS, OH, NOV. 30-DEC. 2 ycle Specialties Suzuki/REP Suspension{Thor-backed Brad Strunk took home the lion's share of the $10,000 Pro purse at rounds four, five and six of the American Motosports Arenacross Series. On his Nick Nuttletuned RMs, Strunk battled fiercely with tough rivals in the heats leading up to each night's Pro main events. He faced stiff competition from not only local hotshoes such as F&S Racing.com's Chris and David Whitcraft but also from fast Pros who were a long way from home, such as Georgia's Yamaha-mounted, SoCal Racing Gearbacked Matt Shue and North Carolinian Paul Justus. Kawasaki-supported local hero Gavin Gracyk proved to be Strunk's toughest adversary, though, as the two swapped main-event wins throughout the weekend. The Pros were only part of the story, as this weekend of racing has proved for many years. With a full slate of classes scheduled for the weekend, and 400 to 500 riders entered each day, promoters Tab and Pam Thompson certainly had their hands full. Each class ran qualifiers early in the day, with the top portion advancing to the evening's main events and the rest relying on a consolation race to get their track time. This event customarily draws some of the fastest young (and old) riders in the eastern United States, and this year's version of the race was no exception. On hand were such notables as Kawasaki Team Green's mini sensation Tyler Bowers, KTM's U.S. Open star Shawn Rife, F&S Suzuki's Levi Kilbarger, Yamaha pilot Nathan Skaggs, and many more. With young Rife launching his KTM 65 over the tabletop jump lap after lap, and the Bowers-vs.-Kilbarger wars in the Mini class, the spectators in the stands enjoyed some of the best racing the Midwest has to offer. "Speedy G" Gracyk thrilled the partisan hometown crowd. The native of the Buckeye State has been going nonstop since Loretta's, earning tons of accolades along the way. Along with his Canadian mechanic, Stefan, Gracyk also had his injured dad, Gary, on hand to watch his impressive rides. Gary broke both ankles back in October while landing from a triple jump. Former Team Peak star and arenacross regular Jeromy Buehl made a surprise appearance at Friday night's race. The London, Ohio, C Heater (Han); 3. Collin Beverly (Yam). 16-24 0-2: 1. Scott Kuchler (Han); 2. Andy Whitelaw (Han); 3. Mati Bores (Su.). 16-240-3: 1. Shaun Kuchler (Han): 2. Chris Leadbeater Jr. (YlIm); 3. Zachary HlIning (KTM). 25+ A: I. Mark Roop (Yam); 2. Dale Slabaugh (Su.): 3. Rich Hoy (Han). 25+ B: 1. Mitch Warrens (Kaw); 2. Brenner Washel (Han); 3. Dan Jones (Han). 30.: 1. Kevin Hildebrand (Suz); 2. Mark Roop (Yam); 3. Mitch Warrens (Kaw). 40+: 1. Bred Van Winkle (KTM); 2. Larry Brookbank (Han); 3. Tom Meiers (Yern). Saturday I'\ICRO (4-6) 0-1: 1. Hunter Brightwell (Cob); 2. Derek Stinson (Cob); 3. Evan Parkinson (Cob). MICRO (4-6) 0-2: 1. Taylor Perry (Cob); 2. Ciara Carr (Cob); 3. Josh Leemaster (KTM). MICRO (4-8) 0-1: 1. Ciara Carr (Yam): 2. Matthew Blum (Yam); 3. Christy King (Yam). MICRO (4-80 0-2: 1. J.T. Turner (Yam); 2. Dillon Peterman (Yam); 3. Derek Fowler (Yem). I'\ICRO (4-8) 0-3: 1. Ethan Scarberry (Yam); 2. Mitchell Hubbs (Yam); 3. Hunter Brightwell (Yam). MICRO (7-8) 0-1: 1. Bradley Baker (Pol): 2. Austin Primavere (KTM); 3. Quinn Wentzel (Cob). MICRO (7-8) 0·2: 1. Dustin Cochran (KTM); 2. Mitch Dowell (Cob): 3. J.T. Tumer (Cob). 65 (7-9): 1. Shawn Rife (KTM): 2. Jacob Carter (Kaw); 3. Austin Coon (Kaw). 65 (10-11): 1. Derek Shirey (KTM); 2. Andrew Murnane (Kaw); 3. Cor~y Carr (Kaw). MINI JR: 1. Tyler Bowers (Kaw); 2. Joey Leadbeater (Suz); 3, Colby McCutcheon (Suz). 80 (9-13)/(14-15) EXTRA: 1. Tyler Bowers (Kaw); 2. Levi Kilbarger (Suz); 3. Joey Leadbeater (Suz). MINI SR: 1. Zach Ames (Suz); 2. Patrick Massie (Kaw); 3. Levi Kilbarger (Suz). SCHBY: 1. Aaron Heck (SUI); 2. Fletcher Shryock (Kaw): 3. Kyle Preston (Su.). 125 A: 1. Gavin Gracyk (Kaw); 2. Brad Strunk (Suz); 3. Steve Andrich (Yam); 4. Mark Burkhart (Yam); 5. Be Bowman (Han). 125 B 0-1: 1. Derrick Arledge (Suz); 2. Steve Jones (Suz); 3. Rob Bingmllln (Yam). 125 B 0-2: 1. Nathan Skaggs (Yam): 2. Kyle Preston (Suz); 3. Jon Charnock (Suz). 125 CD-I: I. Charlie Runery (Han); 2. Todd lies (Yam); 3. Justin Murnane (Kew). 125 C 0-2: 1. Bret Gesel (Han); 2. Kevin Ott (Kaw): 3. Heath Davis (Yam). 250 A: 1. Brad Strunk (Suz): 2. Gavin Gracyk (Kaw); 3. Chris Whitcraft (Suz): 4. Matt Shue (Yllm); 5. Mike Katin (Hus). 250 B: 1. Chris Leadbeater Jr. (Yam); 2. Steve Jones (Suz); 3. Mitch Warrens (Suz). 250 C: 1. Marc Stollings (Han): 2. Mark Lawson (Han); 3, Mark Nicoll (Han). OPEN: l. Ross Adams (Yam); 2. Andy Whitelaw (Han); 3. Jim Smith (Han). 16-24 D-l: 1. Nathan Skaggs (Yam); 2. Zach Haning (KTM); 3. Kyle Schmelzer (Yam). 16-24 0·2: 1. Derrick Arledge (Suz); 2. Joey Lewis (Yam): 3. Chris Leedbeater Jr. (Yllm). 25. A: 1. Mark Roop (Yam); 2. Richard Hoy (Han); 3. Steve Cross (Suz). 25. B: 1. Mitch Warrens (Kaw); 2. Dwight Voltz (Kaw); 3. Rob Bingman (Yam). 30.: I. Kevin Hildebrand (Suz); 2. Mark Roop (Yam); 3. Chuck Nicholson (Suz). 40+: 1. Brad Van Winkle (KTM); 2. Tom Meiers (Yam); 3. Mark McDaniel (Yam). Sunday MICRO (4·6) 0-1: 1. Kale McCune (Pol): 2. Alex Arthur (KTM): 3. Scott Sukey (Cob). MICRO (4-6) 0-2: 1. Taylor Perry (Cob): 2. Corey Thompson (Yam): 3. Gus Schwieterman (Cob). MICRO (7-8) 0-1: 1. Mitch Dowell (KTM): 2. Egan Rosell (Cob); 3. Blake Lowe (Pol). MICRO (7-8) 0-2: 1. Bradley Baker (Pol): 2. Austin Primavera (KTM); 3. Dustin Cochran (KTM). 65 (7-9): I. Shawn Rife (KTM); 2. Bradley Baker (Kaw); 3. Kyle Cottrill (Kaw). 65 (10-11): 1. Andrew Murname (Kaw); 2. Derek Shirey (KTM): 3. Brock Wagner (Kaw). MINI JR: ]. Tyler Bowers (Kaw); 2. Joey Leadbeater (Suz); 3. Ryan Brumfield (Suz). 80 (9-13)/(14-15) EXTRA: I. Tyler Bowers (Kaw); 2. Levi Kilbarger (Suz); 3. Brandon Borgen (Suz). MINI SR: I. Zach Ames (Suz); 2. Levi KiI~rger (Suz): 3. Brandon Borgen (Su.). SCHBY: 1. Jared Grabiel (Kaw); 2. Zach Ames (Su.); 3. Perry Hoover (Suz). 125 A: I. Brad Strunk (SUI); 2. Paul Justus (Suz): 3. Bo Bowman (Han): 4. David Hill (Suz): 5. Gavin Gracyk (Kaw). 125 B 0-1: 1. Derrick Arledge (Suz); 2. Aaron Heck (Suz); 3. Brian Beckhok (Su.). 125 B 0-2: I. Chad Zaiser (Han); 2. Steve Jones (Suz); 3. Bryan Wagner (Hus). 125 CD-I: 1. T.J. Muhlfelder (Yam); 2. Adam Francis (Yam); 3. Justin Murnane (Kaw). 125 C 0-2: 1. Chllrlie Runery (Han); 2. Scott Schindler (Suz); 3. Todd Sinclair (Yam). 250 A: 1. Gavin Gracyk (Kaw); 2. David Hill (Suz); 3. Mike Katin (Hus): 4. Chris Whitcreft (Suz); 5. Kevin Lampe (Han). 250 B: t. Steve Jones (Suz); 2. Jonathan Chamock (Su.); 3. Loren O'Cull (KTM). 250 C: 1. Scott Schindler (Suz); 2. Matt Lynch (Han); 3. William Simmers (Kaw). OPEN: 1. Ross Adams (Yam); 2. Dwight Voltz Jr. (Kaw); 3. Andy Whitelaw (Han). 16-24: 1. Derrick Arledge (Suz); 2. Tracey Haun (Kaw): 3. Chris Leadbeater Jr. (Yam). 25+ A: I. Brad Strunk (Suz); 2. Richard Hoy (Han): 3. Chuck Nicholson (Suz). 25. B: 1. Mitch Warrens (Kaw); 2. Dave Horn (Su.); 3. Dwight Voltz Jr. (Kaw). 30.: 1. Chuck Nicholson (Suz); 2. Mitch Warrens (Kaw); 3. Dan Jones (Han). 40+: 1. Brad Van Winkle (KTM); 2. Forrest Granlund (Yam); 3. Vincent Loyola (Han). 1RilIht) Morrow, Ohio's Brad Strunk took top A-rider honors at rounds four through six of the AmerIcan MotDsports Arenacross Series, with consistent top-two results In five of the six Pro main events, Inclucling two wins. Strunk's retum to racing after a brief hiatus has already proved very successful, as he pocketed $2000 for the weekend's work. (Left) Gateway Cyclesbacked Mike Kalin 125, shown here being undercut by Strunk) had a successful first weekend on his new Husky mounts, finishing consistently in the top five in Columbus, Ohio. native borrowed a 125 and, with his own CR250, rode both classes. "I just thought I'd come out and have some fun, see if I can run with these guys," laughed the ever-popular Buehl. Shue and Mark Burkhart, both home off a trip from Europe, had been competing in the German Supercross Series, but, since they were in town and Burkhart lives close by, they decided to compete. A surprise winner in Friday night's races was Justus. While the pack was stacked with many better-known Pros, Justus came out and flat smoked everybody. Using a great start to his advantage, he tore off from the pack. Local fast guy Jeff Gibson was seen spectating on Friday night, and also assisting his buddy Mike Campbell in the pits. "I'm just here to help out tonight," explained the youngster from Thornville. "[I've] been getting ready for Supercross. Looks like I'll be riding Yamahas out of Max Pitts in Indiana." While Friday night's event drew only a sparse crowd, numbering in the hundreds, at Saturday night's event an estimated 2000 fans were on hand to witness the bar-banging action. Arenacross mechanics Andy "Uh-huh" Brannon and Pat "Thriller" Thrall of the Tuf team were in attendance. The locally based wrenches were supporting many friends who were racing. While more than 10 states were represented, the Buckeye State and AMA Districts 11 and 12 had the most riders at this prestigious event. Pro racer Josh Hamilton may have committed a new first in the freaky jump-off. The local freestyle enthusiast busted out a blindfolded heel-clicker, to the roar of the crowd. At the end of three long days of racing, the riders were already looking forward to next weekend's rounds of the series. eN Ohio State Fairgrounds Exposition Center Columbus, Ohio Results: November 3D-December 2, 2001 [Rounds 4-&1 Friday MICRO (4-6) 0·1: I. Taylor Perry (Cob): 2. Hunter Brightwell (Cob); 3. Carson Cook (Cob). MICRO (4-6) 0-2: 1. Ciara Carr (Cob): 2. Justin Witteman (Cob); 3. Alex Arthur (KTM). MICRO (4-8) 0-1: 1. Chdsty King (Yam): 2. Hunter Brightwell (Yam); 3. Emily Titus (Yam). MICRO (4-8) 0·2: I. Ciara Carr (Yam); 2. Alex Arthur (Yam); 3. Matthew Blum (Yam). MICRO (4-8) 0-3: 1. Ethan Scarberry (Yam); 2. Derek Stinson (Yam); 3. Justin Witteman (Yam). MICRO (7-8) 0-1: 1. Bradley Baker (Pol): 2. Zachary Knotts (Cob); 3. Egan Rosell (Cob). MICRO (7-8) 0-2: 1. Mitch Dowell (KTM); 2. Quinn Wentzel (Cob); 3. Ian Kendig (Cob). 65 (7-9): 1. Shawn Rife (KTM); 2. Bradley Baker (Kaw): 3. Kyle Cottrill (Kaw). 65 (10-11): L Derek Shirey (KTM); 2. Andrew Murnane (Kew); 3. Corey Cerr (Kaw). M.INI JR 0-1: 1. Joey Leadbeater (Suz); 2. Shawn Rife (KTM); 3. Matthew Cottrill (Yam). M.INI JR 0-2: I. Tyler Bowers (Kaw); 2. Ryan Ivers (Suz); 3. Austin Stout (Kaw). 80 (9-13)/(14-15) EXTRA: 1. Levi Kilbarger (Suz): 2. Tyler Bowers (Kaw); 3. Brllndon Borgen (Suz). MINI SR: I. Kyle Smith (Suz); 2. Zach Ames (Suz): 3. Patrick Massie (KllW). SCHBY: 1. Kyle Preston (Suz); 2. Tim Hollenbeck (Yam); 3. Patrick Massie (Kaw). 125 A: 1. Paul Justus (Suz); 2. Brad Strunk (Suz); 3. Chris Whitcraft (Suz); 4. Steve Andrich (Yem); 5. Mike Katin (Hus). 125 B 0-1: 1. Derrick Arledge (Suz); 2. Aaron Heck (Suz); 3. Cody Kovach (Yam). 125 B 0-2: I. Brian Beckholt (Suz): 2. Zachary Haning (KTM); 3. Tim Hollenbeck (Yam). 125 B 0-3: 1. Nathan Skaggs (Yam); 2. Tracey Haun (Kaw); 3. Kyle Preston (Suz). 125 CD-I: 1. Ben wood (Yam); 2. Jerrod Wallp (Yam); 3. Justin Murnane (Kaw). 125 C 0-2: L Matthew Foulk (Yam): 2. Jeff Statham (Yam); 3. Dustin Arledge (Suz). 125 C 0-3: 1. Charlie Runery (Han); 2. Curtis Freeze (Suz); 3. Matt Ott (Suz). 250 A: 1. Gavin Gracyk (Kaw); 2. Brad Strunk (Suz); 3. Mike Katin (Hus); 4. Matt Shue (Yam); 5. Chris Whitcraft (Suz). 250 B: I. Damien Heater (Han); 2. Mitch Warrens (Kaw); 3. Adam Neu (Suz). 250 C: 1. Marc Stollings (Han); 2. Chad Varkonda (Han); 3. Todd Fultz (Han). OPEN: 1. Ross Adams (Yam); 2. Andy Whitelaw (Han): 3. Dwight Voltz Jr. (Kaw). 16-240-1: 1. Nathan Skaggs (Yam); 2. Damien cue I EO n e VV s JANUARY 9, 2002 57

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