Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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In their defense, the Star team maintains a spotless record with the NHRA Technical Department. Like every other team, their bike undergoes a standard pre-race technical inspection at each event. NHRA officials also conduct periodic spot checks of individual components and occasionally require that the bikes report to the staging area with a dry fuel tank. The bikes are then fueled with gasoline supplied by NHRA. Naturally, once she heard Hines' comments, it didn't take long for Savoie to return fire. "When I hear Matt make comments like that, I know that we are winning because we're inside his head," Savoie said. "If we're at the starting line and he's worried about what I'm doing, he's not concentrating on what he [leeds to do. I don't care who's in the other lane. We worry about our bike and what we're doing. You have to remember that this Star Racing team won a lot of races and championships before they even met me. We work hard and focus on what we have to do, never worrying about what our competitors are doing. "I find it particularly amusing, because Matt usually speaks out more about us, and in particular me, when he is running well," Savoie continued. "Quite frankly, our motto at Star Racing is to let our CVEC Suzuki do the talking." The Hines vs. Savoie final round that many had hoped for failed to materialize. Both riders advanced to the semifinals, but Hines lost a close race to Treble, 7.21 to 7.25, and Savoie red-lighted for the first time this season, allowing Brown to reach the final for the third-consecutive event. For Brown, who has spent most of the season searching for a sponsor, the runner-up finish will enable him to make it to the next event in Madison, Illinois. With a win and two runner-up finishes in the last three events, he has also made a move in the points standings and currently sits in third place, well within striking distance of the leaders with eight races remaining. "We're happy with this weekend, but even though we went to the final, I hate losing," Brown said. "I want to win every time I can. We've been searching for a sponsor since the beginning of the season. We've been getting bites here and there, but nobody has come through and said, 'Hey, I want to sponsor you for the rest of the year to get you through.' That's been a little tough." ION National Trail RacewIY Columbus, Ohio Results: JunI13-1&, 2002 IRound &of 141 PRO STOCK FINAL: 1. Creig Treble (SUI) 7.21/184.04: 2. Antron Brown (SUI) 8.82/91.36 NHRA POWERADE PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 6 of 14 events): 1. Angelle Savoie (585/2 wins); 2. Craig Treble (549/3 wins); 3. Antran Brown (471/1 win); 4. Mall Hines (399) 5. Shewn Genn (396). Upcoming Rounds: Round 7 - Madison, Illinois, June 27-30 Round 6 - Denver, Colorado July 16-21 cue I e n e _... • JULY 10, 2002 63