Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128138
and 23rd heat races. Professional Indoor Motorcycle Ice Race veterans Doug O'Boyle and Jack Mayer Jr. each tasted the thrill of victory, winning a heat race apiece, guaranteeing them a spot in the main event. When AMA District 14 starter Larry Smidt flashed the green light for the day's main, Pickett exploded off the line to lead the pack into turn one. Springsteen didn't take to second well and tucked a wheel under Pickett, administering a friendly tap to move into first exiting turn two. Springsteen's love tap gave Buchanan the room he needed to displace Pickett as well, and the trio of Springsteen, Buchanan and Pickett roared across the line at the end of lap one. On lap two, Pickett worked turns three and four hard to make a move on Springsteen and Buchanan, only to lose the front end momentarily, allowing Wyskiel to move into third at the close of lap two. Springsteen and Buchanan were going at it tooth and nail out front in a very tight battle. The race for third was too close for comfort; Pickett drove in hard on Wyskiel in turn one, only to catch Wyskiel's rear wheel and high-side his ride into the hay bales, ending his hopes of a top finish. All wasn't clear sailing for Wyskiel, either, as his rubbing with Pickett left the door open for Villella to move up to third from a second-row start. At the halfway point, Springsteen was still out front. Buchanan was second, doing everything he could to find the lead, but to no avail. Villella was now firmly in third, with O'Boyle, Mayer, Robert Knapp, Wyskiel and Pickett following. With two laps to go, Springsteen opened up the slightest lead over Buchanan as he laid down nearly a perfect race. Buchanan was strong throughout the main, but when one is chasing an eight-time series champion, a pass is tough to come by. In the end, Springsteen took the win, much to the delight of the partisan crowd. Buchanan was a close second, with Villella making the podium with a well-deserved third. "Rick Kessler has been my mechanic for the last 10 years, and the bike worked great," Springsteen said. "All the riders were going pretty fast. We just won with the help of Power Sports, Conley's Collision, Mega Cycle, and Tami and Leroy. I couldn't have done it with out their support." This high-voltage series will return to Flint, Michigan's IMA Arena on January 26, and the championship will be decided at the final round at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on February 9. All three of these races benefit great charities: the children of the victims of the September 11 tragedy, the Big Brothers and Big r ' i r e"' "''''-''--, . ~ ~~ .~~' ~'II ~ -, 'i r~h' ~OR BJTRY ~ORlA >. , Call U.. at '6'17-22t.557g " ~.. Roqu.. ~ '6't 7-221-551 g 0' .1.1011: Info@rokowhltnoyrnlC-corn Arnatou' P",-~nfty =150 - P.., / u,..,.t =175 - Poll! =Add 1t5 P.., Pu..o = 120,000 - t50% u,..,.t Pay Back Arnotau, Award. = to Plac.. ' www.lakewhitnemx.com -.,;;;: _. ~ o t:: ... ;;;: •.. Ate You Ready ~ot The Challenge? • • • Amateur Clasw: 51cc 4-8 / 7-I? AMA ~tock, O~en 4-1? 85cc 7-9/ 10-11 ~k &. !Aod, O~en 7-11 85-1?5ccJR ~u~at!Ainj 9-11, 1?5·105cc ~R ~u,..,.!Alni 12-15 1?5cc 7-11 / 12-1g / 14-15 ~tk &. !Aod, O~n 7·15 125cc Youth 12-15 ~tk &. Mod, 125cc Bnl 18-2410~J 125cc B~tk &. Mod, 125c. C~tk &. Mod 250e.+ B~tk &. !Aod, 250ec+ Cgtk &. Mod, 250cc+0~n Plus 25 B, Plus 25 C, Vet Plus gO B, Vet Plus gO C Plus g5, ~enior Plus 40 O~n, Women O~n 4-~troke 201·850••, Mini·4-~ltoke 150e. &. Unde, 12yr + Pro / I;x~ert Clasw: 125 Pro, 250+ Pro, +25 A, Vet+gO A, +40 A, Women A Supercross action you can bet on. Parimutual-horsetrack style wagers. The only Motocross sportsbook and casino on the net Pick your riders, Wager on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or combo bets 250cc and 125cc main events Logon or call 1 -800-440-5228 Open an account and be automatically entered to win a new 2003 MX bike. cycle n e _ so • JANUARY 23.2002 47