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Moose Western Regional Cross Country Series Round 4: The Phantom Hare Scrambles The sixth through eighth positions were separated by less than 20 sec- Rob Zimmerman floats through the air en route to the overall victory at the Phantom Hare Scrambles. round four of the Moose Westem Regional Cross Country Series. "Butler and I had a real good battle for the first two laps, but other than that, I was just by myself, trying to catch the leaders," Olsen remarked. "I really like the mud, so I had a fun ride." Olsen crossed the finish line just over two minutes behind Zimmerman and just a few seconds ahead of Kawasaki-mounted Damien Galford, who finished in third. The Team Green/Motul/Faultline Suspensionsponsored Galford rode well throughBv CHRIS GHIONE AND MICHELLE LEE PHOTOS BV MICHELLE LEE HOlliSTER, CA, MAR. 17 N 11 either the rain nor the mud could stop Yamaha-mounted Rob Zimmerman from taking the overall victory at the Phantom Hare Scrambles. The event. held at Hollister Hills State Recreation Area, was round four of the AMA's District 36 Moose Western Regional Cross Country Series. After sitting out a couple of the earlier rounds, the PCP Yamaha/Racetech/ Aria-sponsored Zimmerman dominated the race, finishing well ahead of the rest of the field. Even with the terrible conditions on race day, more than 400 riders showed up to participate at the event. With rain all night and during the morning leading up to the race, the Ghostriders Motorcycle Club had their hands full trying to put together a course that would be passable for the 170 A and B riders who would be racing in the first race of the day. When the gunshot sounded, Suzuki of Bell-Ray/Smith Goggles/Moose Racing-sponsored Rod Kreiss rocketed up front, taking the holeshot. KTM rider Bryce Olsen was second on the start, followed by Zimmerman. However, before leaving the motocrosstrack area near the start, Zimmerman had moved into second and was already challenging Kreiss for the lead. "My start was good," said Zimmerman. "I got into second right out of the gate. Rod was in first, and we diced it up on the first lap for a little while." Zimmerman eventually got past Kreiss, only to have the Suzuki rider get back by him a short time later, but after the early-race battle, Kreiss seemed to pick up the pace and was The top A 200 rider, Bryce Olsen (171. crossed the finish just a few seconds ahead of Damien Galford (7) for second overall in Hollister, Califomia. able to pull away from Zimmerman. "After the first lap, I just pinned it and pulled way out on him [Zimmerman]," noted Kreiss. "I was totally gone. I was riding really good." During the middle of the second lap, tragedy struck when Kreiss injured his knee, twisting it while going through a turn on the slick course. Kreiss continued to ride, but the pain eventually became unbearable, and after he finished his second lap, he pulled off the course despite still being in the lead. Zimmerman inherited that lead, which he would never give up. Zimmerman, who is himself coming back from an injured knee, rode steadily ahead of the rest of the field to the first-place finish. "I just basically rode consistent all day and didn't really have any major problems," said Zimmerman. Riding in second place for much of the day was MPC/Scott Goggles/Araibacked Olsen, who battled early on with Honda-mounted Brian Butler but then rode the rest of the day alone in second. onds. Reno Motorsports Yamaha rider Sam Key finished in sixth after making the long trek from Nevada to take part in the race. Key, who is a regular in desert racing, rode very consistently throughout the race despite riding in conditions with which he was not very familiar. Coming in seventh was Hondamounted Greg Ghione, who made an incredible comeback after a slow start. The Moose Racing/All American of Santa Cruz-backed rider started the race third from last but steadily made his way forward. Brian Butler finished the eighth, just a few seconds Ghione. Rounding out the were James Ptarcinski, on a race in behind top 10 Honda, and Theron Miller, aboard a Yamaha. In the wet afternoon C race, Greg King took the overall win, riding a Yamaha. King ended up being the only rider in the race to complete four laps. Amazingly, the wet conditions did not stop the 44 Mini and Pee Wee racers on hand from haVing fun. The B-c1ass winners included Adam Morris and Jacqueline Craig. ION Hollister Hills StmIllecrution ..... Hollister, c.lifomia Results: Man:ll17, Z002 (Round 41 O/A: 1. Rob Zimmerman (Yam); 2. Bryce Olsen (KTM): 3. Demien Galford (Kew); 4 Dean Joyner (Suz); 5. John Mason (Vam); 6. Sam Key (Vam); 7. Greg Ghione (Hon); 8. Brian Butler (Hon); 9. James Ptarcinski (Hon); 10. Theron Miller (Yam). A 200: 1. Bryce Olson (KTM): 2. Theron Miller (Vam); 3. Jeremy Puma (KTM). A 250: I. Rob Zimmerman (Yam); 2. Damien Galrord (Kaw); 3. Sam Key (Vam). A OPEN: I. Brigham Crllun (Suz); 2. Steve Claar (GG); 3. Spencer Piercy (Han). A 4·STRK; I. Greg Ghione (Han); 2. James Ptarcinski (Han); 3. Russell Pereira (Yam). A VET: 1. William Roussel (Yam); 2. Jesse Ochoa (KTM); 3. Brian Jelich (Yam). A SR: I. Dean Joyner (Suz): 2. John Mason (Vam); 3. John Wells (Hon). A S/SR: J. Pete Prichard (KTM): 2. AI Garrahan (KTM); 3. Jeff HoUrelder (Vam). 8 200: I. John Mason (Yam); 2. Brent Dixon (Hon): 3. Jonathan Estes (KTM). B 250: 1. Jarrod Reed (Yam): 2. James Gard (Han); 3. Jasen Jenson (Hen). B OPEN: J. Lane Mount (Han): 2. Craig Hill (Hen); 3. Jeff Mauro (Hen). B 4·STRK: 1. Chris Hansen (Hen); 2. Aaron Johnson (Yam): 3. Adam Nichols (KTM). B VET: 1. John Sicley (Yam 2. Michael Smith (Han): 3. Ron Facciano (Hon). B SR: I. David Wilson (KTM) 2. Ed Golden (Hon); 3. Gary Remmen (Vam) B S/SR: 1. Donald Chase (KTM): 2. Mike Norton (Hon); 3. Scott Rabeneau (Suz). e 200: 1. Bob Devonshire (Suz): 2. Rodney Spencer Jr. (Yam): 3. Joe Corda (Yam). e 250: 1. Greg King (Yam 2, James Trent (Vam); 3. Mike Napoli (Hon). e OPEN: 1. Nathan Burman (Yam); 2. Shannon Creson (Han); 3. Jay Gordon (GG). 4·STRK: I. Chris Amos (Suz); 2. Robert Hilton (Hon); 3. Jeff Hollfelder Jr. (Yam). e VET: 1. Ron Miner (KTM): 2. Nick Goodman (Hon); 3. Dennis Gayler (Vam). e SR: 1. Cass Smith (KTM); 2. Dan Augme (Yam); 3. Eric Lindauer (Hon). e S/SR: 1. Randy Wendt (Hon); 2. Dennis Parker (Vam); 3. Jerry Mawls (KTM). C WMN: t. Suzie Dault (KllW); 2. Voula Hayward (Hon). B 50: 1. Jacqueline Craig: 2. Justin Fish. C 50: J. Zach Summers; 2. R.J. Mendez: 3. Code James. C 60: I. Zach Summers; 2. Troy Amacker; 3. Justin Bonita. S 80: 1. Adam Morris; 2. J.J. Alcanter; 3. Travis Coy. 80: 1. Buddy Shalgin; 2. Thomlls Simontacchi: 3. Tim Von Urff. C 100: 1. Bryan Thompson: 2. Corbelt Elrod: 3. Jared Conrad. 100 WMN: 1. Carly Brigantion; 2. Belinda Ch~ar: 3. Natasha Middleton. e out the day and was almost able to move into the second spot. Coming in fourth was Suzuki rider Dean Joyner, who was able to move up quite a few positions on the final lap. The Cycle West/U.S. Suzuki/Hinson Clutches-backed Joyner also took the overall Senior-class win. Following Joyner across the line in fifth place was fellow Senior-class rider John Mason. The Yamaha-mounted Mason finished just half a minute behind Joyner. cue I e e e n e _ s MAY 8, 2002 37