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Moose Western Regional Cross Country Series Round 1: Prairie City Grand Prix ~---------------:::------... Bv quickly joined up front by the KTMs CHRIS GHIONE AND MICHELLE LEE of Motion Pro/Pro Taper/Shift-backed PHOTOS BV MICHELLE LEE Brian Garrahan and FMF/Maxis/Smithsponsored Patrick Garrahan. Also RANCHO CORDOVA, CA, JAN. 20 or the second straight year, KTMsponsored Brian and Patrick Garrahan left the rest of the field behind and took the top two spots at the annual running of the Prairie City Grand Prix. Held at the Prairie City Off-Highway Vehicle Area just outside of Sacramento, California, the race marked the opening round of the AMA/District 36-sanctioned Moose Western Regional Cross Country Series. Race-time temperatures were cool for the close to 600 riders that showed up to take part in the day's events. The Polka Dots Motorcycle Club put together a 9-mile course on what were better-than-average course conditions. As is always the case, the most challenging part of the event would be navigating through the very rocky sections that make up a large portion of the terrain at the park. Nearly 250 riders lined up for the start of the A/B race, including the Garrahan brothers, along with defending series champion Rob Zimmerman and last season's runner-up, Craig Wesner. The start of the race quickly joining the lead pack were Team Green Kawasaki rider Wesner and KTM-mounted Brian Sperle. "I got out front and led for the first few laps," noted Zimmerman. "With the Garrahans, Sperle, and Craig [Wesner] up front the whole time, we kind of just switched places all day." For the opening laps, Zimmerman the way around course, with Brian close on his rear wheel. here the first couple of laps," Patrick said later. "Zimmerman and my brother were out front, and I just sort of followed them and let them take the lead." Brian's brother Patrick was runner-up at the Prairie City Grand PrIx. After battling with Zimmerman the first few laps, the Garrahan brothers were eventually able featured the always-interesting Le Mans-style start, in which riders have to run 10 yards to their bikes before starting them. After the start, riders made their way down a highspeed section of pavement before making their way through the remainder of the rocky course. As the gunshot sounded the start of the race, PCP Yamaha/Pacetech/ to get out front and put some distance between them and the rest of the field, with Brian taking the lead. "The last four laps, I just went as fast as I could and had some good lines," said Brian. With the race for the lead coming down to a two-man battle, Patrick pressured his brother for the lead for a short time, but as the lead duo got into heavy lapped traffic, Brian was able to pull away from his brother. Arai-sponsored Zimmerman got off to the fastest start, taking the early lead just after the first straightaway down the pavement. Zimmerman was 34 FEBRUARY 20, 2002' cue (Above and left) Brian Garrahan (4) came in first overall at the opening round of the Moose Western Regional Cross Country Series. Riding comfortably in third was Patrick. "I always take it easy I .. n .. _ s With the Garrahan brothers moving out front, the first two positions seemed to be locked up, but the battle for third was more heated, with positions changing often. The IMS/Pro Circuit/Fault/ine Suspensionsponsored Sperle was able to get by both Wesner and Zimmerman to take control of the third position. The changing of positions did not stop there, as the Moose/Alpinestars/M2R Helmets-sponsored Wesner was able to pick up the pace. Wesner's push was able to get him by both Zimmerman and Sperle and into third. "I just followed them [Sperle and Zimmerman] the whole time and tried to conserve energy; the fourth lap, I just started going as fast as I could," said Wesner of his late-race charge. At the checkered flag, Brian Garrahan took the win, followed by his brother Patrick. Wesner finished third, followed by Sperle, who was happy with fourth. Finishing in fifth was Zimmerman, who also felt that the day went well for him. "I felt comfortable where I was and didn't want to chance it any more than I was already doing," said Zimmerman. Also riding very well on the day was sixth-place finisher Mike Pascarella, on a Husaberg, followed by Suzukimounted Tim Stowe in seventh. The battle for eighth came down to the wire, with Yamaha rider Erik Kohler taking the position with only seconds to spare over Honda riders Robert Fouts and Steve Bonita. Kane Silverberg finished as the fastest B rider on the day. Taking the top spot in the afternoon C race was Tim Jacobson, who was able to keep his Yamaha ahead of more than 300 other racers. eN Prairie City OHVA Rancho Cordova, California Results: January ZO, ZOOZ (Round 1) O/A: 1. Brian Gerrahllln (KTM); 2. Plitrick Garrahan (KTM); 3. Craig Wesner (Kaw); 4. Brian Sperle (KTM); 5. Rob Zimmerman (Vern); 6. Mike Pascarella (Hbg); 7. Tim Stowe (SUI); 8. Erik Kohler (Yam); 9. Robert Fouts (Hon): 10. Steve Bonita (Han). A 200: 1. Curt Wilcox (Kew); 2. Greg Ruffoni (Hus); 3. Bryce Olson (KTM). A 250: 1. Brian Garrahan (KTM): 2. Patrick Garrahan (KTM); 3. Craig Wesner (Kaw). A OPEN: I. Mike Pascarella (Hbg); 2. Christopher Slechta (KTM); 3. Josh Poggi (KTM). A 4·STRK: 1. Steve Banim (Hon); 2. Brian Toline (Hon); 3. Russell Pereira (Yam). A VET: 1. Raymond Geimer (Yam); 2. Eric Ducray (Vam); 3. Jesse Ochoa (KTM). A SR: 1. Michael Harper (~w); 2. Dean Joyner (Suz); 3. John Wells (Han). A S/SR: 1. Jeny Johnson (Han); 2. Fred Sumrall (KTM); 3. Eugene Price (KTM). B 200: 1. Kane Silverberg (KTM); 2. Jonathan Estes (KTM); 3. Nolan Irwin (Han). B 250: 1. James Gard (Hon): 2. Joel Burkett (KTM); 3. Jon Uoyd (Vam). B OPEN: 1. James Smnley (Hon); 2. Kurt Winter (Han); 3. Gary QUigley (KTM). 8 4·STRK: 1. Howard Dingman (Yam); 2. Nathan Tucker (Hus); 3. Ryan Villanueva (Yam). B VET: 1. Brad Wilson (Hon); 2. John Sicley (Vam); 3. Ted Cab... 1(Suz). B SR: 1. Randy Roberts (Vam); 2. Ed Golden (Han); 3. Gary Remmen (Vom). B S/SR; 1. Donald Chase (KTM); 2. James Long Jr. (Suz); 3. Leonard Page (Hon). e 200: 1. Vincent Guisande (Hon); 2. Anthony Simontacchi (Suz); 3. Nathan Burman (Hon). e 250: 1. Tim Jacobson (Yam): 2. C. Crim (Han); 3. Mike Napoli (Han). e OPEN: 1. Bert Deaton: 2. Mike O'Conner (KTM); 3. Kelly Knipe (GG). C 4·STRK: 1. Jon Nypl (Han); 2. Steven Clegg (Han); 3. Matthew Stephens (KTM). VET: 1. Edward Land (Hon); 2. Michael Sage (Yam); 3. Adam Sprague. C SR: 1. Mark Corbett (Han); 2. Scott Delamontanya (Hon); 3. Scott Henry (KTM). e S/SR: 1. Michael Schultz (5uz); 2. William Clark Jr. (Han); 3. Teny Fish (KTM). C WMN; 1. Suzie Dault (Kaw); 2. Rachel Douglas (KTM); Danielle Gerda (Yam). e