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AMA Mid-South Championship Summer Camp Series Round 1: Hazard Hill Hare Scrambles STORY AND PHOTOS BY DEBBIE ALLEN VANLEER,TN,APR.28 In spite of surrounding storms, the Hazard Hill Hare Scrambles opened under clear skies. The early morning forecast predicted thunderstorms to the north and tornadoes to the south of Vanleer, Tennessee, but Mother Nature greeted the 233 riders at the first round of the Mid-South Championship Summer Camp Series with clear skies. Team Green Kawasaki's P.A. Allen whirled into an overall finish. "I had a good time, but it took me a little while to get started," said Allen, who appeared to hug third place for the first three laps. Just when the Sarge's Cycles/Pro Action of Kentucky/Oakley/Moose/ One Industries-supported Mid-South champion took the lead, a brave beginner took him down because he wasn't experienced enough to top the hill. Soon after, Allen was passed by Marty Michels 1439) got the holeshot, with Jason Wofford 118) and Allen (hIdden) right behind. Riding smooth and fast at the Hazard Hili Hare Scrambles, the three top riders checked out quickly until Wofford dropped out of the race. Jason Wofford and then Marty Michels. "I thought I nearly lost it when I got tangled with a lapper. I was trying to pass him going up a steep hill, and the lapper fell on top of me. It took about 10 spectators to break our bikes apart." Off the start, Michels got the holeshot, with Wofford and Allen directly behind. "I led for half of the first lap," said Plessinger Cycles/Maier USA/Pro Grip/Sprocket Specialists/Gaerne Boots-backed Michels. "I made a dumb mistake, and Jason Wofford got around me." After that, Wofford stayed in the lead for the first and second lap. He had the fastest lap time, of 16:21. "We were way out front for the first two laps," Wofford recounted. "Four miles in, Marty blew a turn, and I passed him. P.A. caught up to me and passed me, but it seemed like he was having trouble on the hill." "Wofford took off," Michels said, "and we were basically running the same pace. 1 was trying to go faster, but he was trying to go faster, too. P.A was nipping at my tire, and I let him by because he was setting a better pace, and I was hoping he would reel in Wofford." Allen took the lead, but he quickly lost it when the lapper lost control. By the end of the third lap, Allen maneuvered into the lead for the rest of the race. Wofford followed him into the score tent and was 20 seconds down. He was forced to drop out of the race because he jammed his foot into a tree and smashed his widdle Wofford toe, leaving Michels an opening for second place. For the next two laps, Allen took off and finished the race a minute and a half in front of Michels. In the meantime, the 200cc A winner, Dustin Gibson, slipped into the scene. During his last lap, American Suzuki/GPR-backed Gibson poured it on and squeezed off Michels coming into a turn. He finished the race with an impressive second place overall and first place in 200cc A. Michels took second place in the 250cc/Open A class and third place overall. Lance Smith and Josh Scott finished in fourth and fifth place overall. "I had a good time," Michels said, "and I really wanted to thank Wofford for talking me into coming. It got rough, but it was a good hare scramble." The 5.6-mile course consisted of tight woods, small grass-tracks, a motocross section, and of course the Hazard Hill. Many riders fell victims to the Hill, and in anticipation of that, promoter Paul Allen and Rob Rogers, the owner of the property, made an easier route. The only problem was that it was called the Wussy Hill, and that made most riders try the Hazard Hill, even if they couldn't make it. Yamaha-mounted Eric Chappell won the 250cc B class and came in 15th overall. He made five laps in an hour and 36 minutes. In his class, he was followed by John Stolz, Michael Barnick, Shawn Mundy and Joey Dixon. Chris Webb was the winner of the Heavy Trail class. "I got the holeshot," Webb said, "and it took three laps to get them off of my tail. From there on out, it was pretty smooth sailing." He was riding a 250cc Suzuki and placed 17th overall. The Beginner winner, Richard Suss, will move to Heavy Trail at the next race. "I was in fifth place on the start and moved into first on the second lap." Suss said. "I took the Hazard Hill and passed them, and it moved me into the lead." eN H rd Hill Hare Scrambles ... Vanleer, Tennessee ResuHs:April28,2002lRaundlJ 0/A: 1. P.A. Allen (Kaw); 2. Dustin Gibson (Su,): 3. Marty Michels (KTM): 4. Lance Smith (YtJm); 5. Josh Scott (Yam); 6. Thomas Bennett (KTM); 7. Mark Guy (Yam); 8. Ruel Jones (Hus): 9. Clay Hedgepath (KTM); 10. Dean Grewe (KTM). 250/0PEN A: J. P.A. Allen (Kaw); 2. Marty cue I _ IAbove) Despite having a lapped rider actually fallon top of him on the aptly named Hazard Hill on his third lap, P.A. Allen shook it off and rode to first place overall at the opening round of the AMA Mid-South Championship Summer Camp Series. (Below) Dustin Gibson maneuvered into second place overall and first place in the 200cc A class In Vanleer, Tennessee. Michels (KTM); 3. ~nce Smith (Yam): 4. Josh Scott (Yem): 5. JtJson Jennings (KlIw). 200 A: 1. Dustin Gibson (Suz); 2. Mark Guy (Yam): 3. Clay Hedgepath (KTM); 4. John Lenard (KTM). OPEN B: 1. Stev~n Pip~r (Kaw): 2. Gaylon Rog~rs (Yam): 3. Shane Gamer (KTM). 250 B: I. Eric Chappell (Yam): 2. John Stol, (Suz); 3. M.ichael Barnick (Kaw); 4 Shawn Mundy (KTM): 5. Joey Dixon (Kaw). 200 B: I. Brandon Jones; 2. Andrew Stanfill (Suz): 3. Scott Crick (Kaw): 4. Kip Haynie (Yam): 5. Damon Prince (Suz). 4·STRK AlB: I. Brandon Wofford (Su,): 2. James Fleming (Hon); 3. James Smith (KTM). VET AlB: I. Thomas Bennett (KTM): 2. Ruel Jones (Hus); 3. Dean Grewe (KTM); 4. Jason Dickey (Su,): 5. Jim Bates (Hon). SR AlB: I. Phillip Barker (Hon): 2. Gary Barr (Yam); 3. Mark Hosbach (Kaw): 4. Jerry Castleman (Kaw): 5. John Glaus (Yam). 4·STRK C: I. Dewayne Durham (Hon); 2. William Petty (Hon); 3. David Russell (Yam); 4. Travis Dotson (Yam); 5. Mark Schipp (Hon). VET C: I. Eric Anderton (Kaw); 2. Ronnie Richardson (Kew): 3. Dennis Holden (KTM); 4. Steve Soadom (Kaw); 5. James Story (Kaw). SR C: 1. Jeffrey Kluge (KTM): 2. Keith Robinson (Yam); 3. Donald Gandy (KTM); 4. KeellNln (KTM): 5. Berry Luther (KTM). HVY TRL: I. Chris Webb (Suz); 2. Jeremy Lawrence (Kaw); 3. Jeremleh Perry (Kaw); 4. Robert Whitmore (Su,): 5. Lee Roberts (Kaw). LT TRL: 1. Bruce Diplecido (KTM); 2. Patrick Jones (YlIm); 3. Robert Rogers (KTM); Michllel Gandy (KTM); 5. Seth Summers (KlIw). BEG: 1. Richzud Suss (Yam); 2. Jacky Boyett (Su,): 3. Chris Edwards (Suz). n _ _ s ' MAY 29, 2002 41