Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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AMA EA Sports Supercross Series Round 15: Rice-Eccles S like the third time in two weeks tbat he's hit me. I don't know what their [Blackfoot's] deal is. At Pontiac, [Jeremias] Israel tried to run me off the track. I don't know what they're doing." With Voss not moving in the landing area of the finish-line jump, offi- ium cials had to work quickly. Asterisk Dr. John Bodnar went to work on the fallen rider, while flaggers did their best to warn riders of the situation (since red-cross flags and "don't jump" lights are only used on triples, the flaggers couldn't force the rjders to single). After ascertaining the situ- (Top) Although Rlck¥ Carmichael (4) got the holeshot, he was passed in turn one by Ernesto Fonseca (24) and David Vulllemin (12). Be10re long, however, Carmichael was back In front. (Left) Perhaps peaking just In time for the outdoor Nationals, Sebastien Tortelli had one of his best supercross rides in a long time, ultimately finishing third. 10 MAY 8, 2002' a U a I e n e _ s Although precipitation often affects the nitty, gritty outdoor Nationals, it's been a while since the normaUy pristine, antiseptic environs of the stadium circuit have been visited by a true, old-school mud race. With domed stadiums protecting tracks in weather-plagued cities like Minneapolis and Pontiac, and most of the open venues located in safe-weather cities such as Anaheim and San Diego, the most recent mudders were in EI Nino-plagued 1998. For a while, it seemed certain that Utah would certainly put an end to the dry trend. While last week's Dallas Supercross was going down, snow actually covered much of Salt Lake City, but the weather improved during the week. Friday's practice was called off due to rain predictions, but the wet stuff didn't actually start corning down until that evening. This was a difficult decision, since the teams Were eager to try out their high-elevation jetting; still, track-builders Dirt Wurx were comfortable with their decision, since the rain was falling by the time they would have been putting in the whoops post-practice. On Saturday, practice was delayed until the aftemoon so that the track could be protected with plastic until the last minute (workers finally started removing it at 2:15). When the riders ultimately took to the track for their single practice session just after 4 p.m., the skies had actuaUy cleared, and it was possible for the 125s to clear the east triples, and for 250s to clear both the east and west triples. To counter the effects of the water and mud, the teams employed the same measures often taken at wet Nationals. Gripper seats were bolted in place (including a new Throttle Jockey unit with raised ribs for Ricky Carmichael's pleasure); bikes were sprayed down with Pam in order to shed mud; airboxes were sealed to keep out water; handguards were mounted to keep gloves somewhat dry; foam was taped on top of helmets and stuffed under the image to repel mud; rags were stuffed in waist-bands; solid brake rotors were mounted up; and of course wide-spaced mud tires were levered on. "The bikes are already down on power because of the elevation," said Randy Lawrence, mechanic for Chevy Trucks Kawasaki's Ezra Lusk. "Then, when we seal off the airbox, it makes it even harder [for the bikes] to breathe. Actually, the rain is good in a way, since the riders won't have to attempt big jumps with less power." Also fighting the rain and mud was Dirt Wurx. In addition to covering the course with large, white, plastic tarps, they added eight loads of dry sand, removed a couple of jumps to steal their relatively dry dirt, pushed water off the track and dug a temporary drainage canal just in front of tum one. "We've been lucky lately," said Dirt Wurx boss Rich Winkler. "We've been mixing a lime product into the stockpile before we even bring the dirt in, and it helps a lot." Through the morning, Chevy Trucks Kawasaki and Yamaha personnel were rubbing their hands in anticipation, because rain can play the equalizer, introducing an element of unpredictability that would increase their chances at making up valuable points. The ones who weren't pleased were from promoter Clear Channel Motor Sports, who even before Utah had seen attendance sUp somewhat this year compared to 2001's stellar numbers. With such anti-incentives as cold temperatures and falling rain (not to mention an afternoon Utah Jau NBA playoff basketball game). a dismal turnout seemed imminent. When the weather made its turnaround, however, a fair number of people decided to make a go at it (official attendance was 38,261, down from last year's initial SX appearance in Salt Lake).