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Riverfront Part<: Nevada rider Larry Brown leads the parade lap in honor of fallen rider Allen Bray at round three of the Old-Timers Motocross Association Series in Marysville, California. DId-TImers Motocross Association Series Round 3: Riverfront Park Riggi Leads Armada By BONNIE HIGGINBOTHAM MARYSVlu.E, CA, MAY 4-5 ound three of the 12-race OldTimers Motocross Association Series, which runs from March to the end of October each year, was held at Riverfront Park in fabulous weather. More than 150 riders from the 13 chapters in Canada and the USA were signed up for the race, ranging in age from the entry level of age 40 to the ripe "old guys" With lots of experience, 70 and older. Classes are divided by age and by skill level Novice, Amateur, Expert, Master, and so on. This round was dedicated to the memory of Allan Bray, who was killed in a street-bike accident in Nevada. Allan was a member of the Sierra Old-Timers. As most chapters had also lost dear friends recently, aU were honored by a parade lap prior to Saturday's first race. The Over 40 Masters and Experts are the fastest and most fun to watch. They put on a great show of speed and aerial maneuvers usually only seen in supercross, and spectators line the track to watch how it should be done. However, the Over 70 riders also attract a lot of attention. Younger "old-timers" usually just say, "I hope I can still be riding when I am at that age." It's something to shoot for. The Over 70 Expert class was comprised of Tony Armada, Gene "Higgi" Higginbotham, Johnnie Hall, Fred Parsen and Asker Larnkjaer. R 54 JUNE 12, 2002' co U co • • Armada and Higgi (as well as the rest of the class) have been close friends and competitors for many years. Last season, Higgi and Armada traveled to 11 of the 13 rounds (more than 10,000 miles), as did most of the Expert class. The two raced side by side most of the time, but at season's end, Higgi ended up as number one, with Armada a close second. In moto one, Higgi got the holeshot but was caught napping in the whoops and Armada passed him like he was standing still. Higgi hates whoops; Armada knows that and always takes advantage. Apparently, Higgi was content to follow for a while; then he began to close in - but he was caught in some traffic in the tight section and Armada got away for the win. Moto two found them staring at the water truck, which was making serio ous passes around the track. Both of these guys hate water, but normally Armada picks the dry lines with his Honda CR250. Higgi jokes that he and the water truck have never gotten along. Higgi got the holeshot again with his trusty DR-Z400E, but this time Armada was impatient and didn't wait for the whoops; he passed Higgi down the first straight. The DR-Z400's traction allowed Higgi to tuck inside of Armada in a tight, slick left·hander on the second lap. Armada had gotten tired of tank-slappers in the slick stuff and backed off. Higgi enjoyed the win. n __ s On Sunday morning, moto three began with the Experts leaving first and the Amateurs starting in the second gate. Armada and Higgi shared the holeshot, roaring around the sweeping first tum like they were tied together. Armada took the lead again in the whoops, but Higgi passed him right back in a tight turn. That DR-Z400 really can comer and hook up. After trading places numerous times, Higgi made the final pass and took the moto win. The last moto would be the tie breaker; whoever won would take home the first·place trophy. It seems that's what happens in most of their races; they like it that way, because it keeps the pressure on to the very end. Armada knew what he needed to do and planned how to do it. Higgi trusts his gut reactions, but he's been known to think as well. Armada got a great start and passed Higgi again down the straight over the jumps. On the last lap, Hlggi tucked inside for the pass, with only the final fast straight to go before the finish. Higgi said later that, roaring down the last straight, he could hear Armada coming up on the outside. Armada had planned to arrive at the corner under a full head of steam, grab both binders, slide into the corner and come out ahead of Higgi for the win. What he did was catch up and arrive at the comer at the same time, but he was unable to grab the front brake with any strength and he overshot the corner. Hlggi took the win. These are the kinds of friendships forged over the years by most of the members of each class. There are 13 chapters from Alberta and British Columbia down to Arizona. If you are 40 years old or older, extend the term of your riding fun by joining one. eN Riverfront Park Marysville, california Results: May 4-5, 2002 [Round 3 of 121 40. NOV: 1. Mike MOllkley: 2. Curtis PlIulson; 3. Devid Noell; 4. Mike ClIlhoun; 5. Brien Swanson.40+ AM: 1. Jim DlIllerll; 2. Andy Jennings; 3. Wes Clanton; 4. Tim Willlems; 5. Mike Ellis. 40+ EX: 1. Lane Aebi; 2. Mike Gorda; 3. John Mlly; 4. Brian Pecore; 5. John Thompson. 50. NOV: 1. Fred Wheeler; 2. Grendon Benson; 3. Bud Abbott. 50. AM.: 1. Jerry Winkelbeuer; 2. George Stephenson; 3. Rlliph Winship; 4. Dennis Palmer; 5. Duane Quick. 50+ EX: 1. Larry Hertnett; 2. Jim Vandivier; 3. Jack Baken; 4. Rich Schilling; 5. James McConnell. 50+ MSTR: 1. Terry Sage; 2. Mike Perry; 3. Garry Roestel; 4. Gary Chese; 5. Edgar Perriton. 60+ NOV: 1. Dennis Pengbum; 2. Scott Walker; 3. Uoyd Jones; 4. John Dzlminski; 5. George Wan. 60+ AM: 1. Bill Heller; 2. Leroy Francerd; 3. Skeeter McMurry; 4. Horold Noell; 5. Ron Scott. 60+ EX: 1. Gary Willison; 2. George Spearing; 3. Cart Bowling; 4. Bill McClinton: 5. Duane Spence. 70+ AM; J. Don McKenzie: 2. Bill McKendry; 3. Note House; 4. Dllll McCorthy; 5. Bob Alloy. 70+ EX: 1. Gene Higginbotham; 2. Tony Armeda; 3. Johnnie Hell; 4. Fred Persen; 5. Asker Lomkjaer. MSTR A: 1. Alex Jorgensen; 2. Micheel Herper; 3. Jerome Helbergor; 4. Merk Frenklln; 5. Donald Frenklin. l'\STR B; 1. Scott Creoger, 2. John Volk: 3. Lorry Brown; 4. David Taxel; 5. Cerl Chadwick. &atorade Supen:rossiMotDcross Challenge Ponca City Qualifier Motocross Monster Mountain MX Park Lewis and Duncan: The Sequel By STEVE AND PEGGY CORLEE TAU.ASSEE, Al, MAY 5 G eorgia riders Jase Lewis and Jermaine Duncan, fresh from multiple class wins in the previous day's supercross competition, carried on in dominating fashion to top several classes each in the outdoor portion of Monster Mountain's Gatorade Supercross/Motocross Challenge. Several other riders repeated their previous day's performances, winning their classes. Rain showers arrived at the Monster as Saturday's program was winding down and was just enough to ensure perfect racing conditions for Sunday. Greg Cole's Southern Dirt crew once again worked their magic on the beautiful outdoor course, and the track was in perfect shape by race time. The 125cc C class led off the day's program, and Duncan, Mississippi's Dustin Gills and YZ·mounted Clint Stagner, major players in the Supercross the day before, squared off again. Stagner grabbed the lead off the gate and led the first lap. Duncan took over at the start/finish on lap two, ahead of Stagner and Gills. Stagner then ran into a lapper and went down, ending his charge and his day at the same time. Duncan was briefly passed by Gills about the same time, but he retook the lead late in the race and held on for the win. Gills was runner-up, ahead of Alabama's Buck Hartzog. Moto two began with a holeshot by Gills, but Duncan was close behind. Duncan made his way around late in the moto, securing the win and the overall for the day. He later came back to beat out Hartzog in the 250cc C class, winning both motos. CR-mounted Lewis continued his domination of the 85cc ranks in an impressive manner - so much so, in fact, that the announcer was referring to the "Jase Lewis Phenomenon" by day's end. Lewis topped the 85cc (12-13) group and the Supermini class, and finished a strong second to 125cc rider Cole Boutwell in the Schoolboy class. Lewis' only misstep was in the Senior Minis, where a first·