Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(Left) Jeremy McGrath (2) struggled again at San Diego, finishing 10th. (Right) Chad Reed continues to tum a lot of heads after finishing sixth at Anaheim and fifth at San Diego. He's currently third in points. good start from the outside, behind Travis. Travis was running great. In his heat race, he had some hot laps, some pretty fast laps, so I knew he was going to be good, but I did't expect him to last 20 laps the way he was riding - kind of crazy, kind of. But he lasted 20, so I was a little surprised. "We did all the race kind of the same," Vuillemin said. "When I caught lappers, they kind of slowed me down a little bit, so he [Pastrana] was able to catch me towards the end. But it was a good race and I'm pretty happy. I guess I'm being pretty smart, and that's cooL" CN Clark Stiles (Yam); 12. James Povolny Jr. (Hon); Ryan Terlecki (Suz); 14. Ted Campbell (Suz)~ Robb Flath (Hon); 16. Erik Anderson (Hon); Rafael Ramos (Yam); 18. Shawn Wynne (Hon); Jason Wood (Hon); 20. Chris Barrett (Yam). 13. 15. 17. 19. Qualcom Stadium TIME OF RACE: 7:25.860 SlIn DiegD, Califomia Results: January 12, 2002 mDund 2 of 161 250 SEMI 1 (6 laps, top 5 transfer): 1. Damon Huffman (Suz); 2. Nick Wey (Yam); 3. Jean· Sebastien Roy (Hon); 4. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 5. Michael Craig (Suz); 6, Tyler Evans (Hon); 7. Brian Mason (Kaw); 8. Jeremias Israel (Hon); 9. Andreu Labrador (Yam); 10. Zeb Armstrong (Yam); II. Akira Narita (Suz); 12. Kris Papworth (Kaw); 13. Ethan Bates (Suz); 14. Mike Brown (Kaw): 15. Anthony Amaradio (Yam); 16. Emesto Fonseca (Han). 250 HEAT 1 (8 laps, top 4 transfer): 1. Travis Pastrana (Suz): 2. Mike LaRocco (Hon); 3. Chad Reed (Yam); 4. Timmy Ferry (Yam); 5. JeanSebastien Roy (Han); 6. Nick Wey (Yam); 7. Michael Craig (Suz); B. Damon Huffman (Suz); 9. Kyle Lewis (Hon); 10. Mike Brown (Kaw); 11. Jeremias Israel (Han); 12. Brian Mason (Kaw); 13. Tyler Evans (Han); 14. Anthony Amaradio (Yam); 15. Zeb Armstrong (Yam): 16. Akira Narita (Suz); 17. Kris Papworth (Kaw): lB. Ethan Bates (Suz); 19. Andreu Labrador (Yam); 20. Ernesta Fonseca (Hen), TIME OF RACE: 7,30.570 250 HEAT 2 (8 laps, top 4 transfer): 1. Ricky Carmichael (Hon); 2. Kevin Windham (Suz); 3. Jeremy McGrath (Yam); 4. Nathan Ramsey (Hon); 5. David Vui1lemin (Yam); 6. Stephane Roncad" (Kaw); 7. Ezra Lusk (Kaw); B. Steve Lamson (Hus); 9. Michael Byrne (Han); 10. Heath Voss (Han); 11. TIME OF RACE: 5:40.510 250 SEMI 2 (6 laps, top 5 transfer): 1. David Vuillemin (Yam); 2. Stephane Roncada (Kaw); 3, Ezra Lusk (Kaw): 4. Steve Lamson (Hus); 5. Heath Voss (Han); 6. Ryan Terlecki (Suz); 7. Ted Campbell (Suz): B. Clark Stiles (Yam); 9. Shawn Wynne (Han); 10. Rafael Ramos (Yam); 11. Michael Byrne (Han); 12. Erik Anderson (Han); 13. Jason Wood (Han); 14. Chris Barrett (Yam); 15. James Pavolny Jr.; 16. Robb Flath (Han). TIME OF RACE: 5,30.180 250 LCQ (6 laps, top 2 transfer): 1. Michael BRIEFLY••• Fast by Ferracci Husqvarna's Steve Lamson was one of at least seven riders involved in a first-lap pile-up in the 250cc main event. In the crash. Lamson was run into by at least one rider, leaving the Husky rider with a suspected broken right leg. Lamson was obviously in a lot of pain when he was carried off on a stretcher. Team Honda's Ernesto Fonseca took himself out of the evening's program with an injured elbow. According to Honda's Cliff White. Fonseca injured his elbow a few weeks ago and reaggravated it when he took a hard fali during Saturday's practice session. Fonseca iced his swollen elbow and tried racing later that evening. Fonseca dropped his bike again in his heat race and decided to cali it a night right there. He is hoping to ride next week at Anaheim II. Racer Ryan Morias was finally released from the hospital alter getting injured during a 125cc heat race the previous week at Anaheim. Morias, who was receiving support from Jeremy McGrath's team and was pitting with the seven-time champ at Anaheim. came up a little short on a triple jump and tweaked himself up pretty good. Morias didn't even crash. but rode off the track with a broken wrist. On Monday. it was discovered that Marias had also injured his spleen in the crash and was immediately operated on. Morias was released from the hospital on Thursday. Saturday morning. Ricky Carmichael spoke a little bit about his nasty crash that he suffered at Anaheim: "I remember ali of it. right up to the point my head hit the ground." Carmichael said. "It knocked me pretty siliy there. that's for sure. I just changed my line and.. That was probably my worst crash during a race." Carmichael was taken to UCI Medical Center alter the Anaheim race and voluntarily stayed the night. While he was there. he underwent a CAT scan, which came back negative. Carmichael said he decided to go home and rest up in Florida during the week. but did ride once during the week. He chose to skip Friday's practice at San Diego, instead using that day to travel to California. His main complaint on Saturday was his hand, which he banged up in the crash. He also suffered a few nicks to his face. Carmichael went on to win his heat race later that night. which gave him confidence going into the main, where he finished fourth. "I didn't really ride this week. so it's going to take me a little bit to come back from Anaheim's wreck," Carmichael said at the end of the night. "My hand was a little sore, but the main thing was that I wasn't on my routine. I'll get better." Team Honda's Nathan Ramsey had a reason to smile at San Diego. Durin9 practice at Anaheim. Ramsey hit his face on the handlebars. knocking out his two front teeth. He showed up at San Diego with two new teeth. Byrne (Han); 2. Mike Brown (Kaw); 3. Tyler Evans (Hon); 4. Brian Mason (Kaw); 5. Akira Narita (Suz); 6. Ryan Terlecki (Suz); 7. James Povolny Jr. (Hon); 8. Jeremias Israel (Hon); 9. Ted Campbell (Suz); 10. Clark Stiles (Yam); 11. Anthony Amaradio (Yam); 12. Shawn Wynne (Hon); 13. Chris Barrett (Yam); 14. Andreu Labrador (Yam); 15. Ethan Bates (Suz); 16. Erik Anderson (Han); 17. Kris Papworth (Kaw); 18. Jason Wood (Han); 19. Zeb Armstrong (Yam); AMAlEA SPORTS SUPERCROSS SERIES 250cc POINTS STANDINGS (After 2 of 16 rounds): I. 20. Robb Flath (Han): 21. Rafael Ramos (Yam); 22. David Vuillemin (50/2 wins); 2. Mike laRocco (42); Ernesto Fonseca (Hon). 3. Chad Reed (31): 4. Ezra Lusk (30); 5. Michael TIME OF RACE: 5:39.530 Byrne (28); 6. Kevin Windham (28); 7. Travis Pastrana (24); B. (TIE) Nick WeyjDamon Huffman 250 MAIN EVENT (20 laps): 1. David Vuillemin (Yam): 2. Travis Pastrana (Suz); 3. Mike LaRocco (Hon); 4. Ricky Carmichael (Hon); 5. Chad Reed (Yam); 6. Kevin Windham (Suz); 7. Ezra Lusk (Kaw); 8. Nathan Ramsey (Hon); 9. Damon Huffman (Suz): 10. Jeremy McGrath (Yam); 11. Michael Byrne (22): 10. Emesto Fonseca (Han); 11. (TIE) Jeremy McGrath/Ricky Carmichael (19); 13. Jean·Sebastien Roy (18): 14. Nathan Ramsey (17): 15. Stephane Roncada (16); 16. Heath Voss (15); 17. Mike Brown (Han); 12. Timmy Ferry (Yam): 13. Nick Wey (Yam): (11); 18. Kyie Lewis (10); 19. Timmy Ferry (9); 20. 14. Jean·Sebastien Roy (Hen); 15. Heath Voss (Han); 16. Mike Brown (Kaw); 17. Stephane Roncada (Kaw); 18. Kyle Lewis (Han); 19. Michael Craig (Suz); 20. Steve Lamson (Hus). Steve Lamsan (6); 21. Tyler Evans (3); 22. Michael Crai9 (2). TIME OF RACE: 18,43.140 WINNERS AVERAGE LAP TIME: 0.56.157 MARGIN OF VICTORY: 0,01.1 10 SECOND PLACE AVERAGE LAP TIME: 0:56.212 Upcoming Rounds: Round 3 - Anaheim, California, January 19 Round 4 - Phoenix, Arizona, January 26 Foliowing their get-together during the last lap of the 125cc final last week at Anaheim. Rodrig Thain was fined $1000 by the AMA for purposefully riding his bike into Chris Gosselaar moments alter the race had ended. Team Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's Stephane Roncada says he is getting back to 100 percent alter straining his shoulder just prior to last week's series opener. "It was a little sore after the race Saturday [Anaheiml. but I've been riding and training ali week and should be ready lfor the San Diego Supercrossl." Roncada said before the San Diego race. Team SharklPlano Honda's Justin Smith was involved in a bad crash during a 125cc preliminary heat race earlier in the day. when he feli over a triple jump and a couple of riders landed on him. Smith suffered a serious brain injury and. as of Monday. January 14. is being treated at Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego for sweliing of the brain and is currently in an induced coma to help relieve that sweliing. According to Smith's team manager. the swelling has gone down some, which is a very positive sign, Watson also added that a fund has been started to help with Smith and his family's expenses during this time. Donations can be sent to Plano Honda. 1241 Doherty St.. Riverside. California. 92503. The 68,415 spectators that came out to the San Diego Supercross was the largest crowd ever to attend a supercross at Qualcomm Stadium. And not only was it the largest crowd in San Diego. but it also was the third largest crowd ever to attend any supercross race. There has been a lot of talk in the supercross pits recently about the increased pressure the riders are under to win these days. a lot of which has to do with current influx of big contracts and big sponsorship deals. not to mention the usual self desire of wanting to win. One rider who seems to be dealing with it all quite well is David VuHlemin. "Pressure, that's something very difficult. because of all the factories and stuff. there's a lot of pressure now." Vuillemin said follOWing his San Diego win. "And there are a lot of guys [racers] adding to the pressure - just go behind the gate and look at the names on the jerseys - McGrath. Carmichael. Windham. Lusk - that's crazy. So when you're one of them. it's very tense. I'm just going to keep working and doing what I'm doing. It's a long season and anything can happen." After having two disappointing finishes at Anaheim and San Diego, Jeremy McGrath said he's still not exactly sure what his problem is. "I've never had races like this." he said. "It's not a matter that I haven't been working or anything. the bike is working. everything is good. I mean. when I'm relaxed out there. I'm fine. I don't know what the deal is." Despite his 10th-place finish. McGrath hung out in the Bud light Yamaha pits with his fans. signing autographs late into the night. Another rider who chilled a long time alterward with his fans was Travis Pastrana. Long alter the SoBe Suzuki pits had been torn down and packed away. Pastrana pulled up a chair and signed autographs for the fairiy large crowd that stili wanted to visit with him. Alterward. Pastrana said that he was happy with the way his night turned out. "I felt realiy good out there." he said. "I had the fastest time in the heat race. the main event and both practices. so I know I can run the pace with the guys. I'm just really excited to be up there. " The 250cc class has the Racer X Gas Card. which pays $250 to the third-place finisher of the Last Chance qualifier (the best nonqualifying position). now there's the Asterisk Medic Card for the 125cc class. The Asterisk Medic Card. which made its debut last week at Anaheim. pays $125 dollars to the filth-place finisher in the 125cc-class LCO. Last week. Red Buli KTM's Biliy Laninovich took the money. while this week at San Diego. The Racer's Edge's Casey Lytle pocketed the dough. Tyler Evans had a busy weekend. On Friday. Evans competed in the Winter X Games in Colorado and then flew to San Diego for Saturday night's Supercross. He missed Friday's practice. but still rode quite well Saturday night. Evans was competitive in the heats and semis but had to ride the LCO. where he was riding in the final transfer position before getting slam-dunked by Mike Brown. Evans ended up third. but did collect the $250 Racer X Gas Card for being the "first" rider not to make the main. During the first 250cc semi. Pro Circuit/Chevy Trucks/Kawasaki's Mike Brown pulied off before the race was over and headed back to the pits. and then showed up to the start line for the LCO at the last second. "I had a little bit of ignition problems." Brown said. "We didn't know what it was. We thought it was jetting at first. but it ended up being the ignition." Brown squeaked into the final after executing a stuff·pass on Tyler Evans late in the race to finish second. The 125cc National MX Champion has shown some promise racing in the 250cc class, but hasn't quite put in a good full race yet. "Just not used to the 250." Brown said. who will switch to the 125cc class when the East Coast Series starts up next month in Indianapolis. "I've only had a week and a half on it. Tonight. I worked up to 10th then crashed in the tunnel. Alter I crashed I just stayed there: couldn't get around them." Brown finished 16th. This week's PowerAde Holeshot Awards went to Boost MobilelYamahalTroy Racing's Rodrig Thain ($1000) in the 125cc main. and Team SoBe Suzuki's Kevin Windham ($1500) in the 250cc main. KTM Junior Supercross Challenge Results: 1. Carlos Don; 2. Daniel Overton: 3. Dylan Crower: 4. Cameron Norman: 5. Gerardo Roland Jr.; 6. Eddie Bustin; 7. Darrell White Jr.: 8. Nathan Walker: 9. Kayla Carter: 10. Matthew Schrag: 11. Tyler Constable; 12. Cody Roewer; 13. J.D. Ebberts; 14. Dane LaTorre; 15. Austin Holmgren. eye I e n e .... s JANUARY 23, 2002 9

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