Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA National Championship Reliability Enduro Series Final Round: Skull Cree rSDE Qualifier HOESS DOWNS ALL COMERS WITH HIS GRASS-TRACK PROWESS. By Talk about a special test! This sandy uphill gave some racers fits. DAVID KLEIN PHOTOS BY RANDY FULLER ALTAIR, TX JUN. 22-23 hough just three rounds long, the 2003 Qualifier Series was one stop longer than last year's, and the additional race was the final round in Texas, where the terrain is about as different as is possible from the home turf of Jersey boy Fred Hoess. The Six Days vet wasn't fazed, however, screaming his 125cc Husqvarna around the many special tests quicker than any of his competition. Making things a tad more Jerseylike was about half an inch of muchneeded rain, which fell before Friday impound was over. This was heavensent for the dry Texas soil, but it wreaked havoc with miles of coursemarking ribbons. The start was moved back to 8 a.m. so TRH club members could rebuild much of the course. DAV 1 Riders faced two 20-mile sections, the red and blue loops. The loops alternated, with each being ridden twice, and with plenty of time to cool off back in the pits. Saturday began with the red loop and the Front Gate test followed by one of the rider's favorites, the Catfish Pond. This test had several jumps over the banks between dry catfish ponds. The riders returned for loop two and did the Water Hazard and Mud Pit tests. The third loop was a repeat of the red course and had the Old Kids, Horse Shoe and Windmill Tests. The final loop had riders going to the Cattle Pen, Trash Dump and Mud Pit Tests. 68 JULY 10, 2002' cue I .. Riding a 250cc KTM, Brian Garrahan was a favorite until a sharpedged rain rut at the Cattle Pen sent him over the bars. He was beat up badly when his bike flipped over and the sub frame hit him in the back, bending the sub-frame (that's some backl). Being one tough competitor, he continued on to finish the day. Hoess, however, ruled the day, while Colorado's Ron Schmelzle took his Yamaha Yl250 to second. Mexican Sergeo Diaz came up for the race and took third overall on his Husquavarna 250cc two-stroke, and he even won a couple of the special tests. In the Texas State Championship Enduro Circuit, day one was taken by Brian Otto on a KTM 250. He was followed by Keith Carwile on a Yamaha YlF. Terry Maxwell captured third on his KTM 200, followed by fast old guy Mark Rogers on a 250cc KTM. On the short course, Thomas Allen took his Yamaha to first place. DAve On Sunday, the race started with the blue loop and the Sand-Dune test. Riders were presented with a fun and challenging course, and several of the "C" enduro riders opted for 3600 points rather than even attempt the steep, sandy route. The Trash Dump and Mud Pit tests followed. The second loop had the Old Kids, Horse Shoe, Windmill and lee Terrain Test. Unfortunately, some riders got confused and cut out half of the n __ • lee test, and it had to be thrown out. The third loop had the Cattle Per" Water Hazard, and Catfish Ponds tests. The final loop had the Front Gate, Catfish Ponds, and a final motocross test. The MX was held on the Mud Pit special test which was bone-dry and dusty, making a good start critical. In the 125cc moto, Amanda Mastin, the sole female competitor, pulled the holeshot. By the end of lap one, though, it was Hoess with a comfortable lead, which he held to the finish. Moto two featured the Senior class, and Mike Wells took top honors on his Honda 250. The highly competitive 250cc class was next, and Garrahan pulled out the win. Moto three was the combined Four-stroke class. All eyes were on Mark Thompson, a TSCEC AA rider, who held a commanding lead. He flew around the course, making it look effortless. When the dust settled, it was clear that Garrahan had won the battle for day two, but the overall for the event went to Hoess, followed by Ron Schmelzle on a Yamaha Yl250, with Diaz in third. Thompson finish fourth ahead of Greg Gillian (both were on yt250F Yamahas). . In the second day of TSCEC competition, the Texas fast guys came out, and AA rider Michael Wilson captured the overall ahead of Blake Brady. Don Hogan was third, followed by Larry Crane. Shane Williams, of the 250cc B class, rounded out the top five on his Yamaha Yl. On the short course, Richard Kirpatrick edged out day-one-winner Allen, and third was captured by Jud Cowley. eN Skull Creek (SUE QWlIIfie. Albi., Texas Results: June ZZ-Z3, zaaz LOla/A: I. Fred Hoess (Hus); 2. Ron Schmelzle Y",m); 3. Sergio DillZ (Hus); 4. Merk Thompson Yam): 5. Greg Gillian (Yam). LOI 125 2·STRK: 1. Fred Hoess (Hus); 2. Waillce Palmer (Hus); 3. John Burgard (Hus); 4. Jonathan Seehom (KTM); 5. Bill Radecky (Kaw). LOI 250 2·STRK: 1. Ron Schmelzle (Yam); 2. Sergio Diez (Hus): 3 Tim Tabor (Ktm); 4. Brian Glmahan (KTM) 5. Ciebriel Ciuerdeo (Kew). LOI 250 4-STRK: 1. Mark Thompson (Yam); 2. Greg Gillien (Yam): 3. Lance Bross (Yem); 4. Tom Huber (Yam); 5. Tom Bickauskas (SUl). LOI 400 4-STRK; I. Patrick Schmidt (KTM): 2. J.D. Harnack (KTM); 3. Andy Gutish (Ktm); 4. Dale Konicke (Vern). LOI 500 4-STRK: I. Malt Slavish (Hbg); 2. Curt Wilcox (Hon); 3. Arturo Garza (KTM). LOI SR: I. John Wells (Hon); 2. Randy Mastin (KTM); 3. Steve Underwood (KTM); 4. Mike McCarren (Yam); 5. D. Klein (Hbg). LOI WOM; I. Amanda Mastin (KTM). TSCEC DAY 1 LONG a/A: 1. BMan Otto (KTM); 2. Keith Carwile (Yam); 3. Terry Maxwell (KTM); 4. Mark Rogers (KTM); 5. Bill Bray (GG). TSCEC DAY 2 LONG a/A; I. Michael Wilson (Yam); 2. Blake Brady (Yam); 3. Don Hogan (Kaw); 4. l.zlrry Crene (Ktm); 5. Shane Williams (Yam). TSCEC DAY 1 SHORT a/A: I. Thomas Allen Yam); 2. Jordan Chambliss (KTM); 3. Brian Helm Kaw); 4. Brien Dickerson (Hon); 5. Zachary Kelley Hon). DAY 2 SHORT O/A: I. Richard Kirkpatrick (KTM): 2. Thomas Allen (Yam); 3. Jud Cowley (KTM); 4. Cole Kirkpatrick (KTM); 5. Danny Waugh (Yam). l l Fred Hoess had a strong enough day-one ride that he didn't have to top day two In order to take the overall. BRIEFLY••• The promoting Trail Riders of Houston sent out a big 'thanks y'all- to Drew Smith for wor1

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