between Rusty Bennaker and Rene Lopez. In
the first moto, Bennaker absconded with the
holeshot, followed closely by Lopez and Casey
Meron. Bennaker and Lope2 were side by side
going down the straightaway in the back and
Bennaker was able to take a slight lead over
Lope2 as they completed a full lap. The next
three laps would find Lopez determined to
nudge his way closer to Bennaker, waiting to
make his move. The white flag came out and
Lopez knew it was now or never. Coming into
the last tum, Lopez swept inside and throttled
quickly through to take the lead from Ben·
naker six feet from the checkered flag.
In the second mota, Bennaker proved
again he was the fastest out of the gate. and
Lopez again was close behind. However. in
this mota, Bennaker knew he had to set a
faster pace in order to hold off Lope2. Turning
it up a few notches, Bennaker allowed himself
some breathing room. Bennaker took the win,
followed by Lopez and Meren.
Results
Starwest Cycle Park: Cody Sloan was
the lucky winner of a 2002 Cobra in
Moreno Valley, California.
85 BEG: I. Teddy Coborn (Yam); 2. Dustin Steward (Yom); 3.
Chris Cooie (Hon); 4. Nick Sundby (Hon); 5. Brandon HHS (Hon).
85 (7.11): 1. Blake Anglen (Suz); 2. Alec Watts (Kew); 3. Ricky
Miranda (Ke'4'): 4. Josh Blend (Kew); 5. Jake Anstett (Yam).
85 (12·15): I. Ryan Villopoto (Yam); 2. Shawn Habeflock (Kew);
3. Cory Bloom (Hon); 4, Tyler Reihl (Suz); 5. Greg Fouts (Kew).
85 OPEN: I. Ryan Vl!lopoco (Yam); 2. Shewn Haberlock (Kaw);
3. O~ Fouts (Kew); 4. Devon E1ia (Hon); 5. Alec Watts (Kew).
S/M1NI. I. Ryan Villopoto (Yam); 2. Shawn Haberioc:k (Kew); 3.
Greg Fouts (lUlw); 4 Blake Anglen (Suz); 5. A~y OIing~ (Kew).
125INT: I J~ Mancuso CHon); 2. Mike Scheel (Ke...); 3. Andy
Page (Yam).
125 JR: I. Todd He:lson (Sw:); 2.. Dustin I..ll!ave (!q>per (Yam); 3.
Gavin Washburn (Hon): 4. Phil Davis (Hon): 5. Mike Nieto (Yam).
OTH AM.: I. Jay loundagin (Hen); 2. Phil o.,vls (Hon); 3. Mark
Studebaker (Yam): 4. Brian Hall (Hon): 5. Lafavl! McCalVl!r (Han).
OTH EX. 1. Joel Palmer (Hon).
a
Small Track
JR 50 (4·6): 1. Mike Mou (Yam): 2. Ryan MDtt~ (Yllm): 3. Ryan
Suratt (Yam); 4. Rylln Tull (Yam); 5. o.,ytona Anderson (Yam).
JR 50 (7 ·6): I. Jackson Ryan (Sut); 2. Matt Messlck (Yam): 3.
E10y Ml!dlllin 111 (Yam).
50 STK STRTR (4·6): 1. Mlgul!1 Torres (Hon): 2. JOSl! Cesa
(KTM): 3. Kyle Sklbel (KTM): 4. Michllel Berra (Yam): 5. Vegas Davis
(Hon).
50 STK STRTR (7.8): 1. Marlo Fl!rnandl!z (Hon); 2. lack
Warnock (Hon): 3. Ernie Almeida Jr. (Hon); 4. Josiah Stl!in (Yam); 5.
Tyler BaIll!Y (Hon).
50 STK BEG (4-6): 1. Cody Sloan (KTM): 2. Bradley Taft (KTM):
3. Pilot Farris (Pol): 4. Michael Uzal'Tllga (KTM.); 5. Dl!an Sptmgll!r
(KTI\).
50 STK BEG (7-8): I. Jackson Ryan (Cob); 2. Kyle Brown
(Cob); 3. Jesoh Donok (Hus).
SO MOD BEG (4·6): I. Pilot Farris (Pol): 2. Dean Spangll!r
(KTM): 3. BrDdley Taft (KTM): 4. Justln Armenta (KTM): 5. Blake
Grffi'l(KTM).
50 1'100 BEG (7·B), I. Joduan Ry~ (Cob).
50 5TK NOV (7·8): 1. Michaef Arana (Cob); 2. GDI'Tet Eckman
(KTM); 3. Conner Olson (Cob); 4. Tanner Roberson (KTM)
50 MOD NOV: I. foUdIDf:l kana (Cob).
S/P!W: 1. Gel'Tett Eckman (KTM); 2. Jack50n Ryan (Cob); 3.
Michaef Arana (Cob); 4. ~ Winiams (Pol); 5. Kyle Brown (Cob).
fl\aln Track
65 (6.8): 1. Daniel PDluu.i (Kaw): 2. Caden Probst (KDW).
65 (9-11): I. Jake Canada (Kaw): 2.. Nick Paluzzi (Kaw); 3. For·
rut 06son (KTM).
80 BEG (12-16): I. Rusty Bennakl!r (Yam); 2. Rene Lopez
(Kaw); 3. Casey Merson (Kaw); 4. Justin Ecker (Hon).
80 (0·11): 1. riiett Paluu.i (Kaw).
125 BEG: I. Brandon Strausbaugh (Yern); 2. Michael Raines
(Yam); 3. John fOltl!r (Yam); 4. Ryan Norwood (Yam): 5. Chris
Cut.singer (Hon).
125 NOV, J. """" D'Amgo (yam).
125 PRO: I. Mike K4nn (Yam).
2SO BEG: 1. Chris Cutsinger (Hon): 2. Dust., Norwood (Hon).
250 NOV: 1. Chris Thunstrom (Kaw).
VET: 1. Rick McComb (Yam).
Los Fresnos MX Park
Starwest Cycle Park
Rimes Poetry in Motion
A Cobra for Cody
By GARY T. OBER
By MIKE AND BARBARA PALUZZI
MORENO VALLEY, CA, DEC. 15
Cody Sloan was the lucky winner of a 2002
Cobra Saturday night at Starwest. Though he
was not feeling well that night, Sloan still
decided to come out and race, hoping his
name would be chosen to win the Cobra. More
than 100 Pee Wee riders gathered around to
see who would receive an early Christmas
present. Cody and his parents were excited to
win the prize, and as for the other Pee Wee
riders, the disappointment for not winning the
Cobra did not last too long, as they quickly
lined up to receive the hard-earned Toys R Us
Bucks that they had accumulated throughout
the series. Sloan also won the 50cc Stock
Beginner(4-6) class, ahead of Bradley Taft
and Pilot Farris.
On the main track, the dust was flying in
the 125cc Beginner class, as Michael Raines
and Brandon Strausbaugh were battling to
claim the first-place honors. In the first mota,
Raines pulled out front quickly. followed by
Oscar Perez and Strausbaugh. Raines immediately established a comfortable lead, while
Strausbaugh and John Foster went to battle
for second. Foster made a couple of pass
attempts but Strausbaugh was not budging.
Raines cruised in for the win, followed by
Strausbaugh and Foster.
Strausbaugh was on the gas in the second
moto and he took the holeshot, followed by
Raines and Foster. Strausbaugh was trying to
gain some breathing room, but Raines and
Foster stayed close. The three held tight in a
close formation for more than five laps. By the
last lap, Raines knew the winner of thjs moto
would be the overall champion, and he really
poured on the pressure. Strausbaugh stayed
cool and calm. as he only had one lap to go.
Strausbaugh held on for the win, followed by
Raines and Foster.
The crowd came to its feet during the close
battle in the 80cc Beginner (12-16) class
50
JANUARV
16, 2002 •
cue' e
LOS FRESNOS, TX, DEC. J 6
Anytime a dirt bike club can pull together to
raise money for an injured racer, it makes a
person proud to be associated with these
folks. Expert racer Joe Bob Ebers was severely injured on December 9 while racing in
McAllen, Texas, and was airlifted to a San
Antonio hospital, where doctors discovered his
neck and back had multiple fractures. Several
hours of surgery were reportedly successful,
and Ebers is now up and walking.
When word got out about Ebers, the club
decided to make the final race of the season
at Los Fresnos MX Park a benefit race, with 95
percent of the proceeds going to pay Ebers'
hospital bills. Association members and
friends raised a total of $1488. A raffle drawing raised another $288, to be split between
the lucky winner and Ebers. Carlos Solis was
that lucky winner, and in a show of heart he
donated his $144 back to Ebers.
The day's largest gate was the Open Cash
class, with 25 riders. Brownsville Sports Center/Honda-backed Dustin James, O'Nealbacked Phil Rimes, and Suzuki of McAllen's
Bryan Monjaras all shared the holeshot, with
Paul Pederson and Ken Flanagan to the outside. Yamaha-mounted Bill Russell and Blake
Weaver also got good starts and finished
inside the top 10. Rimes went on to win the
overall with a 1-2 score. followed by Monjaras
(3-1) and Mexico·s Miguel Vasquez (3-2).
James finished fourth overall, and Pederson
was fifth.
In the 50cc Senior class, Brandon Pederson from Los Fresnos took home another
sweet victory after mixing it up with Shane
Kyral and Brandon Davila. Kyral was on the
gas all day, but a few crashes set him back including the triple he cased. (After tackling
the big triple successfully the first time, he
wasn't so lucky the second time and ate dirt.)
Pederson rode to a perfect clean sweep. Davila proved that consistency and determination
pays off by taking second on the day. Kyral
finished third, with Joey Pardon and Caser
Lopez rounding out the top five.
Pederson's little brother Shane was also on a winning streak, claiming the 50cc Jr. dass after a super
race with Jeremy Bernhardt. Devin Kyral, Tiffany
Sumner and Di1Jon Heggie.
Mexico's Bernardo Alegria was the one to
beat in the always-competitive 80cc class.
Local favorite Jon Mason Russell had his work
cut out for him just keeping Alegria honest.
Russell finished a close second in both motos.
followed closely by Joey Villarreal and Jesus
Morales.
In the 125cc Novice contest, KTM-mounted Everett Vangsnes put the hurt on his competition, taking both moto wins after battling
with Blake Weaver and Gerardo Munez.
Vangsnes has been getting faster and faster
with every race and has definitely tumed his
game up a notch. Insiders say that he has
been cutting mega-laps at Mike Maley's
supercross track and clearing jumps that no
one else can do.
GABRIEL HENNING
November 22, 1974
Apopka, Florida
Road Race
DntER INlERESlS . . . . . . •Traveling,
Movies, Skiing, Snowboarding,
All Outdoor Sports
MOTORCYCLES . • . . . . . Suzuki, Buell
SNNSDRS .. Shoei, Harley.Davidson
of Palm Beach, Syed Leathers,
Dunlop, EBC Brakes
lDc.Iu. TRACKS ••• Moroso, Daytona
ClASSES
750cc Supersport,
Superbike, Formula Extreme CAMA>;
Unlimited Grand Prix, Superbike,
Sportsman (CCSl
BIRnlDATE
RESIDENCE
DISCIPLINE
RECDIT ACCOMPLISHMENIS
• Top privateer at Road Atlanta in
AMA Superbike, 2001
·1999 AMA Rookie of the Year for
Superbike
WHY Do You RAcE?
·"'ve always been very competitive, and motorcycles anything with two wheels.
d,rtbik:es, bicycles - have
always been a passion for me,
so it just seemed like the
natural place to be, really.
was
WIUl'
You. BEST
RAcINIil MOMEII1?
Results
''I'd have to sax '!'y first top 10.
in 1999 in the ~MA at Laguna
Seca. That was special because
I love that tracR../ grew u2 in
Switzerland watchin.q the 'ODs
race there, and I'aalways
wanted to go, and it was cool really cool."
OPEN CSH: I. Phil Rimes (KTM): 2. Bryan MonJaras (Sul): 3.
Miguel Herrl!rD Vasqul!z jKaw): 4. Dustin James (Hon); 5. Paul Peder!lOl't (Suz): 6. Bill Russell (Yam): 7. Blake Weaver (Yam): 8. Christian
Prida (Yam); 9. Blakl! Russ~1 (Suz); 10. Kl!n Flanagan (Hon).
SO JR: I. Shanl! Pl!derson (Yam); 2. Jeremy Bernhardt (Lem): 3.
Devin KYI'lII (Yam): 4. Tiffany Sumner (Suz): 5. Dillon Heggif: (Yam).
SO SR: I. Brendoo Pederson (KTM); 2. Brandon o.,vUa (KTM): 3.
Shanl! KyraJ (KTM); 4. JOl!Y Pardon (KTM): 5. Caler Ollrda lopez
(KTI\).
60; 1. Aaron Russell (Kaw); 2. Jl!rry Lopl!z (Kaw),
80: 1. Bernardo Alegria (Kaw); 2. Jon Mallon Russell (Suz); 3.
JOl!Y Villarreal (Kaw); 4. Jesus Morall!s (Kaw); 5. Aaron Russl!1I
(KDw).
125 BEG: I. Bernardo AleynJp Vasquez (Kaw): 2. Blake Russell
(Suz); 3. NOt! Granados (Yam): 4. Mic:h~1 Chandler (Suz): 5. Ruben
Cabello CHon).
125 NOV: I. Everett Vangsn6 (KTM): 2.. Gl!r1lrdo Munez (Hon);
3. stake Wl!aVl!r (Yam): 4. John Washington (Hon): 5. Murdock N~·
"'" (Sw).
250 BEG: 1. Wally Ramirez (Hon); 2. Ruben Davis (KTM); 3.
Richard Brotunen (Hon): 4. Jesse Penz (Yam); 5. Chris Clark (Yam).
OPEN INT: I. fl\igueI Herrera Vasquez. (Kaw); 2. Christian Pride
(Yam); 3. Gerardo Munez. (Kaw): 4. DustIn .hmes (Hon); 5. BW Rus·
Iol!II(Yam).
r-.,....,---",.--,.--,,.---------------------,,----,,~_,::T
WIUl' WAS Y... WoIIST
M-rr
'·When I lost my friend Jamie
[13owmanJ - that was definitely
the low~st point of my
racing career.
IIIIcuII;
.....r_lIffi
CIl
o
0-'
>
a:
(1j
~
~
Q.
WIUlT'S You. Fa_lYE TIUlCIC'r
"Laguna Seca is definitely my
favorite_ The location of
Laguna, geographically, is just
awesome. It s right at the top
of the mountains. on the "Pacific
Ocean.• Laguna Seca means
"dry lake:· you know_ it was an
old, dry lake. And they basically
built fhis track in thiS natural
bowl. and it's a flowin9 track,
technical, really a rider strack:
H_ DID You GET STllRIEII 1IacoI1il?
Los Fresnos MX Park: Open Cash racers Dustin James (32), Blake Weaver (569),
John Washington (501), Bryan Monjaras (22) and Phil Rimes (31) get ready to rumble
in Los Fresnos, Texas.
n
e
_
so
"I needed a way to qo racing
once I finished school. and one
of the quickest ways for me to
make some money was to .qo
fishing up in Alaska. so I did
that for three months. 16 1/2
hours a day, seven days a
week... It really was nard
work, the hardest I've ever
worked. That was my sole
motivation: getting that ,bike
and doing this thing.'
By Lisa Theobald
