Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(Leftl John Strangfeld (29) rode his Gas Gas to a stron9 fifth-place finish In the extreme heat of Millville, Minnesota. (Above) David Stickel rode his RM125 to a strong third overall, second 125. The winner, Deutscher, was also 125cc mounted. (Above right) Matt Stavlsh led early on his Husaberg, but bike problems and eventual exhaustion coat him the win. the side of the trail, you realize that something like just stalling your bike or crashing hard is more than enough to cause a DNF." While it took less than two laps to establish Stavish and Deutscher as the riders to beat, a real battle for position was going on for third though fifth. Although Nelson ultimately finished second, that position was also held by four other riders, including Strangfeld, Deutscher, Debel and KTM rider Adam McKillip. McKillip was the early leader until Stavish passed him just a few miles into a very technical four-mile section that featured mostly single-track with numerous log and rock crossings, downhills, and technical off-chambers. "Right after the start, I was able to take the lead after passing six guys in the whoop section," McKillip said. "Stavish was right on my tail as we left the motocross track, and I immediately started having trouble. I couldn't find any rhythm and I got hung up and he got by me. I struggled for the next couple of miles and eventually got wedged against a tree on a log crossing and, before I could get going again, I found myself back in about seventh. "I finally settled down and, over the next couple of laps, I was able to work my way back right behind Deutscher," McKillip added. "Then, of all things, I lost my seat when both seat brackets broke. I tried to ride the next two laps without a seat, but that was next to impossible." McKillip eventually finished out the race in 11th overall. Strangfeld said, "I was following McKillip [who was in second behind Stavish at the time] and eventually I got by him when he got stuck. Riding up front, you really had your work cut out for you. The trail was older, established single-track that was very overgrown. You really had to know how to read your arrows." Strangfeld went on to say, "It was almost unbelievable how hot it was is the woods. With a light breeze, down on the [MXI track, it was actually pretty descent, but once you got into the woods it was like hitting a wall. I probably rode too conservatively. I was concentrating too much on saving energy and I made a lot of mis" takes. All of a sudden I'd lose my rhythm and someone would start pushing me and than I'd make another mistake and they'd get by me. Once I got on my game, I was able to start picking off riders again." At one point, Strangfeld dropped back to as far as eighth place before working his way back to fifth. Dylan Debel, who ended up fourth, said, "With the heat, I actually just tried to pace myself and be ready to make a move during the last couple of laps. I caught up to Nelson early [who was running third at the time], and he actually let me by for a while. I think he wanted me to set the pace but then he passed me back." Nelson said, "I felt like I was fading fast, so I let Dylan by to set the pace. When he didn't look like he was going to take the challenge, I passed him back and held my position until I passed Stavish." Stickel, who was eighth on the second lap, made the biggest charge of the day before finishing third overall, just 14 seconds behind Nelson. "During the first two laps, I seemed to have a hard time linking my turns together," Stickel said. "I think it was more mental than physical, but then I started getting things to flow better and started to make my way back up to the front. "By the start of lap three," Stickel added, "my lap times started getting better, making it up to fifth. Then I passed Debel on lap four, and then by (Y",m): 3. Bry",n Johnson (K"'w): 4. Eric Floen (KTM); 5. Ch.d Thorton. VET B: 1. Jason 50seman (Suz): 2. Bill Seyer.nce (KTM); 3. Joe Knick (KTM); 4. Don Rascke (KTM). 200 C: 1. Luke H",nsen (5uz); 2. Ad",m Bonneur (K.w); 3. N.te Thompson (KTM); 4. Jer.d Dobbs (K.w); 5. N.th.n P.lmer (KTM). OPEN C: 1. Alan Koop (Yam): 2. Rory Kress (KTM); 3. Brett Ry.n (K.w); 4. "lien C.ssidy (Han); 5. Tapio Nilvilla (Kaw). 50: 1. Austin Wells (KTM): 2. Dylan Allison (KTM); 3. BI.ke Brodford (Hus). 60: I. Dustin McDonald (Kaw); 2. Matthew Dissell (KTM); 3. Steven Willis (Kaw). 100: 1. Kevin Schramer (Kaw); 2. Cody Emery (K.w); 3. Ryan DeFauw (K.w). 16 & UNDER: J. Ad.m Book (Han); 2. G.rst Ball.rd (Han); 3. Dusty Beltz (Han). 17-25: 1. Barney Wetzel! (Yam): 2. Corey Doughty (Han); 3. Bry.n Hillm.n (KTM). 26-35: 1. Jeff Young (Hon); 2. Chuck O",retson (Han); 3. Sam Harper (KTM). 36-45: 1. Steve Berkner (Hbg): 2. Artyn Bonneur (KTM); 3. Mike Se.ton. 46.: 1. Randy ConkHng (KTM): 2. J.ck Potter (GG); 3. J.mes Byrnes (Y.m). VJNT TWIN SHOCK: 1. Troy Bocttocher. PRE '94: 1. Dave Blacklaw (Kaw): 2. Richard Fox (KlIw); 3. Robert Belongnll (Kaw). PARTS UNUMlTED OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (After 4 of 7 rounds); I. Chuck Woodford (75/3 w;ns): 2. Kyle Nelson (61); 3. Charlie Deutscher (47/1 win); 4. Doug Blackwell (36): 5. Mike C.podke (33); 6. Dick Burleson (32); 7. (TIE) Cr.ig Hol.sek/Dyl.n Debel (31); 9. Adam McKlinp (23): 10. Matt Stov;sh (21). gap between Nelson and myself, but I just didn't have enough time." ION SpriRII Cre.k MX ...... Milleville, Misneslta Results: July Zl, ZOOZ IRou d 4 of 71 O/A: 1. Charl;e Deutscher (Hu.): 2. Kyle Nelson (KTM); 3. Dav;d Stickel (5uz); 4. Dylan Debel (GG); 5. John Strangfeld (GG); 6. Milte Capod;ce (Yom); 7. Chuck G.n-etson (Hon); 8. Steve Swenson (KTM); 9. Ryan Mo•• (KTM): 10. Barry Sulzberger (Yom). A: 1. Chuck Garebon (Hon); 2. llIrry Berquist (GG); 3. Chuck Cu"'. (Hon); 4. Quentin Bloomberg (Suz); 5. Bill Slominsld (KTM). A 4-STRK: J. Bob Sw;ft (KTM); 2. G.ry Rohr (Han); 3. Bri.n H.sslen (Hbg). SR: 1. Dan Wancket (5uz); 2. Duene Eller (YBm); 3. Tim Graf (Kew); 4. Tom Graf (Kaw); 5. Steve Reschke (KTM). VET A: I. Pliul Reschke (KTM); 2. Tom Farris (KTM); 3. Andy Larson (Hon); 4. Tony Robinson (Han): 5. Sam H.rper. 200 B: 1. Kale L8wrence (Hus); 2. Jason Gerken (GG): 3. Jim W",ncket (KTM); 4. Corey Doughty (Hon): 5. Joe fredrickson (KTM). OPEN B: J. Mark D.vls (Kaw); 2. Matt C.podice Upcoming Rounds: Round 5 - Waukon, Iowa, August 3-4 Round 6 - Neillsville, Wisconsin, September 7-8 BRIEFLY••• For the second Parts Unlimited Off-Road Series race in a row. heat and humidity was a big factor when it came for the race organizers to determine the length of the race. With tempera· tures already in the 80s before the start of the 11 o'clock race. it was a legitimate concern. Promoter Bill Gusse. who was concerned about the safety of the riders. said. "Normally to legitimize the race as part of a championship series, we feei we have to run at least two and a half hours. plus one lap; here. we cut it back to five laps when it was obvious that the heat was going to take ;ts toll. " Following the race, Matt Stavlsh decided to check himself Into a hospital in Minneapolis. where he was treated for severe dehydration. - I've gotten sick before from ndlng in the heat. but this time it really scared me." Stavish said. "By the time I got home. I was still Hght-headed. short of breath and couldn't focus my eyes. so I went to the hospital where I spent the next five hours hooked up to IVs." Off-road legend Jeff Fredette. a Parts UnHmited Off-Road Senes regular. was another victim of the heat and humidity. The Kawasaki rider eventually pulled off. cooled off. and then rode the final lap, so he could be credited WIth a finish. Spring Creek Motocross Park, owned and operated by John and Greta Martin. hosted the Pirelli GP 100 again this year. The location serves as one of the "classiest venues for off-road racing." according to Gusse. "John lets us come in here each year and run a two-day event that offers a world-class MX track and a trail system that features countless trails that meander around the foothills surrounding the motocross park. So who is Charlie Deutscher. anyway? The 19-year-old from Thomson. illinOIS. began racing motorcycles when he was five years old. and his first race was at one of Gusse's local events back in 1988 in Morrison, Illinois. Deutscher said. "This win today is the biggest in my carrier, so far - almost as big as that first race 14 years ago. Series points leader Chuck Woodford had a tough decision to make. as the Spring Creek round of Parts Unlimited Off-Road Championship Series conflicted with an AMAlNational Hare Scrambles round in Michigan. Woodford opted to compete in Michigan. where he finished second to Kawasaki teammate Fred Andrews. Woodford said. "I'm presently running third overall in that LAMAl Series and have no more throwaways. so I am locked into finishing out their schedule. I still intend on protecting my Part Unlimited Series points lead by attending two of the last three rounds." Both series allow two throwaways. Woodford holds a 24-polnt lead over Kyle Nelson. lap five, I was working on closing the cue I • n e _ S • AUGUST 7, 2002 51

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