Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128160
AMAIChevy Trucks 250cc National Championship Motocross Series Round 5: Budds Creek MX Park (Left) Tim Ferry (15) actually gave Cannichael something to think about in the first moto. The Yamaha rider went 2·4 on the day. (Right) Kyle Lewis (23) continues to impress after going 5·3 for fourth overall. Fourth overall went to Lewis, who battled with LaRocco for the majority of the first moto, eventually finishing fifth. Lewis ran as high as second in moto two, and once again found himself engaged in battle with LaRocco for the better part of the race. "It was tough," Lewis said. "laRocco was on me that whole moto. We both got pretty good starts, which is pretty surprising for Mike. He was riding great. He got by me, then we just stayed there for the last three laps. I felt good. My bike was unbelievable today. It ran so good." Lusk rounded out the top five overall. While he was slightly off the pace of the leaders, Lusk rode steadi1y throughout each of the two National motos. Lusk started the first moto on the heels of the race leader, Carmichael, before quickly being passed by Ferry. With Carmichael and Ferry battling out front, Lusk didn't have anyone else to worry about and finished out the moto solidly in third. "It was really good," Lusk said. "I was really excited to be able to get up front early. I've been struggling a little In a show of appreciation. Team Honda's Ricky Carmichael pre· sented his longtime friend and tour·bus driver, Jarrod 'Boo' Suber, with a red, black and silver 'Honda-colored' Rolex watch at Budds Creek. BRIEFLY. •• Grand Prix rider Ben Townley (rightl competed at Budds Creek as a guest of the KTM Red Bull team. "I've got a break in the GPs at the moment.' said the 17year·old from New Zealand. "KTM doesn't have so many riders lately, and they asked if I wanted to come out. have a go. and see what iI's like. I thought it would be a good opportunity to come over here. I just want to go out, have some fun and see how I go, really. II's always been my dream to race in America. I signed with KTM for the next two years. Hopefully, I'll be able to come here in 2004. That would be excellent. - Townley currently rides for Vangani Racing, the European KTM satellite team. Making his outdoor National debut with the Boost MobilelYamahafTroy Racing team was top amateur prospect Josh Hansen (below). "I'm just kind of gelling some experience and gelling my feet wet for next year: Hansen said. "Mainly, just to see how these guys ride and to get some more experience. I think us amateur guys have the speed. but you've got to be smart out there. ThaI's the main difference between the amateurs and the pro guys. Today, like yesterday, my lap times were up there in the top three, easy, but I'd make some lillie mistakes where the other guys wouldn't - or my starts weren't all the way there. You've got to really be on top of your starts. - Hansen is the son of 1982 Supercross and 250cc National MX Champion Donnie Hansen. OMS Ltd.'s Pat Schutte, along with Racer X Illustrated contribu· tor Danny Nappi. has organized whafs being dubbed as The Inaugural Racer X Dodge Ball/Street Hockey Classic. "Nappi rented a recreation center in Utica, which is the closest city to New Berlin.' said Schutte. "The Friday night before the Unadilla National, we're going to get together and playa little dodge ball. Once we're all wound up and mad at each other. we'll grab some sticks and play some street hockey. It should be fun as long as no one loses an eye. " Honda rider Todd Gosselaar, who normally races the 125cc class, competed aboard a 250cc machine at Budds Creek. "It seems like there's about 40 guys in the 125cc class that can win on any given weekend,' Gosselaar said. "It's a little bit tough to make it into the main event. so hopefully the 250cc class will be a little easier. I've never really ridden a 250 before, so it should be interesting. - Other riders who have recently made the switch from the 125cc class to the 250cc class are ECC Suzuki's Michael Brandes and MotoworldRacing.com Suzuki's Ben Riddle. Fast By Ferracci Husqvama' s Steve Lamson made his return to racing at Budds Creek after sitting out the last few rounds due to pain in the leg he broke back in February. "I felt pretty good,said Lamson shortly after the moming practice sessions. "My leg's a little sore - I'm going to tape it up a little brt right now. I've been trying not to tape it or take any medications to get through it because I want to get back to feeling strong as soon as possible. I just want to get inside the top 10 in each mota. I know there's a lot of guys out right now, but there's still a lot of guys going fast. My goal is just to get back in the groove of things and get going. II's good to be back.Blimpie Suzuki's Shane Bess was absent at Budds Creek. Bess broke his collarbone in the first practice session at Southwick and is expected to be out of action for approximately four to six weeks. U.S. Smokeless Tobacco presented their Top Privateer Awards at Budds Creek. Mota XXXlDGY's Kyle Lewis was the top privateer in the 250cc class, finishing 5-3 for fourth overall, followed by Planet Honda/Reynard Modifications' Robbie Reynard, who went 7-7 for sixth overall. BSY's Troy Adams was the top 125cc privateer, finishing 9-16 for ninth overall, followed by American Suzuki/DGY's Paul Currie, who went 13-14 for 11th overall. The top privateer in each class receives $1500, while the runner-up receives $750. In order to narrow the field to 40 riders per National class, a series of qualifiers was run on Sunday morning. Mota XXX/DGY's Nick Wey won the first 250cc qualifier and KTM/Cernics.com/PC Worldwide's Keith S. Johnson won the second 250cc qualifier. LCR Racing.com's Ryan Clark won the 12 JUNE 26, 2002' cue I e n eVIl'S bit with starts. I've had to work on it a lot, but we've got a good combination out there today. Those guys were really setting a good pace. I'm really trying to build momentum here - trying to become a really good outdoor rider. It doesn't come to me quite as easily as supercross, but we're getting there." Lusk was the victim of a bad start in moto two and completed the open- 250cc consolation race. Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Joumeys/Honda's Chris Gosselaar won the first 125cc qualifier, and KTM Red Bull's Steve Boniface won the second 125cc qualifier (the fastest of the day, at 8:05:25 minutes). The 125cc consolation race went to 3D Racing's Kelly Smith. Grant Langston was on-hand at Budds Creek but did not race - for the second year in a row. Last year, the South African was still smarting from the shoulder that he injured at Southwick. This time, it was the knee that he injured while getting ready for the outdoor Nationals that prevented him from riding. The SBS "Brake" of the Day Award went to Blimpie Suzuki's Danny Smith (below) at Budds Creek. "The award is given to the guy with the toughest luck - the guy who had the worst break," said Racer Productions' Tim Cotter. "We try to make it into a positive. where SBS [Scandinavian Brake Systems] donates $100, in the rider's name, to Motor Racing Outreach, the ministry that is here for the riders all weekend long.' Surprise entries on amateur day at Budds Creek were California Pro prospects Mike and JeR Alessi. The Honda-backed Califomians were on-hand to do a photo shoot for American Honda after the race and to check out the track that they one day plan to race on as pro riders. "We are going to ride on Monday and Tuesday [at Budds Creekl, and they aren't going to touch the track, so it will be just like it is for the Pros, - said Mike Alessi. 'Friday was a big mud hole because of the rain, but this track is really good. I can't wait to ride on it some more.After finishing a career-best third last weekend at Southwick, 125cc West Region SX Champion Travis Preston sat out this weekend's National after aggravating the ankle injury which has bothered him since the 125cc East/West Supercross Shootout in Las Vegas. "I hurt it again this week whiie I was out riding and then did it once again ·here at practice,' said the Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Joumey' s/Factory Connection Honda rider. "I was able to get through Southwick because you never have to take your feet off the pegs in the sand, but then I came here, where they have all of these off-cambers. and planted it and that was it. I'm going to the doctor as soon as I get home to have an MRI and see what's wrong with it. - After missing both High Point and Budds Creek, Preston is 13th in the 125cc National standings.