Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMAIProgressive Insurance U.S. Flat Track Championships Round 15: Illinois State the thing that ifs pretty wore out. We'll take it apart and see what happened. We'll fix~." BRIEFLY. •• After muttering retirement for the better part of the year, Terry Poovey was a bit more guarded when asked if he was serious about it this time. "You know, I'm fixin' to be 44 years old, bu1 I just don't feel that old," Poovey said. "On the one hand, you want to keep going because you can still do good, and on the other hand you don't want to get hurt doing it. I'm just going to talk it over with my family before I decide whatI'm going to do." The Springfield Short Track drew a record number of entries for the 2002 season. No less than 106 riders showed up to vie for the 60 available spots In the regular program. The huge field required 15 scratch qualifying heats. with only first through third place in each eaming a spot In the program. Nine second-round heats took only the winner. with second place in the six fastest of those heats being seeded in to complete the field. Not only did Cory McDermitt qualify for his first career Grand Nationai, but the Michigan youngster finished 101h in n. "That was very exciting," McDermitt said afterward. "They just gave me my GNC license today. With ail of these fast guys out here. I didn't reaily expect to do as well as I did, but I was able to make something out of it. I'm proud of that." McDermitt was scheduled to rice a Tim Humphries-owned Suzuki TL 1000 in his first Springfield Mile the nex1 day, and the plan is to possibly have two 750s together for next year. Of the 106 entries. there were 32 Honda CRF450Rs in the pits - and thafs not including Honda CRF engines in short track-framed machines. Among the Honda riders was none other than Geo Roeder II. who was aboard a Skip Eaken-prepared Honda. Eaken won three AMA Grand National Championships as a Honda tuner for Subba Shobert (1 9S5:S7). It was the first time he had worked on a Honda in a while. but he said that he understands why so many riders have chosen them for short-track raCing. "The powerband on the Hondas is reaily smooth." Eaken said. "The motorcycle is reaily light, so you can get it into a comer easiiy. Plus, with the setup that we have found, it steers reaily good. It's already a racebike." Aboard the machine, which Eaken said he built the previous Tuesday and Wednesday, Roeder made It into the 60-rider regular program. Roeder failed to transfer in his heat race. and then crashed in the first tum in the first semi. Team SuperTrapp/Moroney's Harley-Davidson owner Pat Moroney announced that he wiil be holding the first annual Will Davis Golf OutIng at the Osiris Country Club in Walden, New York, on September g two days after the Vernon Mile. "It's just something that I have put together to do every year to raise money for Rhonda and Cole [DavisJ. Will was the one who got me into golf. I used to hate it. Now I do it three times a week and only hate it about every third shot.' Moroney said that he will be raffling off a Harley-Davidson S83 Sportster, as weil as a lot of other prizes. For more inforrration on the Will Davis Golf Outing, call 1SOO-FASTHOG. Joe Kopp's new tuner, Travis Smith, admitted that he was having difficulty in adjusting to his new team. "I'm having a tough time with my new hours: Smith said. "They finish up at eight o'clock at night. and Kenny ITolbertl doesn't start before eight o'clock at night. I've been on the phone with Willie McCoy a couple times in the morning this past week [McCoy works on his motorcycles at Tolbert's shopJ, and I was just getting up, and he was Just going to bed. " AMA Forrruia Xtreme and Soocc Supersport racer .Jake Zemke looked fast almost from the start of practice aboard his Honda CRF450R, and proved that he was worthy by setting third fastest time en route to winning his 10-lap heat race. "This is so much fun: Zemke said. "I'm really enjoying myself. I never even rode a 450 until three days ago. I want to thank American Honda and Parts Unlimited for helping me get the bike together. And I also want to thank John Ethell and Tim Pilg for their help. " An accomplished amateur flat tracker and former professional speedway racer, Zemke last rode a dirt tracker at a non-National short track in Del Mar. California, in 1g9S. After scoring one point for finishing last in the main event, Zemke joked that he felt he could still be a factor in the championship chase. After running two practice sessions aboard his traditional Rotax-powered short tracker, reigning U.S. Flat Track Champion Chris Carr took out his Vor-powered short tracker. After a wild and wooly session aboard the machine, Carr elected to race it for the evening. "Ifs a handful: Carr said of the Vor. "It comes off the comers so hard that it's hard to ride, but the Rotax won't stop in the comers. We just decided to race the bike that's more fun." "It just broke," Roger Lee Hayden said after failing to make the start of his semi. Hayden was on the line and ready to go when his CRF450R popped and lost fire. "It was blOWing oil all night. I've run so many laps on SEPTEMBER 11, 2002' cue Varnes. He made his first pass attempt on lap 22, sticking a wheel under Varnes in turn three, but Varnes closed the door. Johnson then switched up and elected to try the long way around in turns one and I _ n __ III nals Sbta Fairg..unds Sprlngflald, IIIlnais Rasalts: August 31, ZUUZ (Raund 15 of ZUI HEAT I (10 laps; 10 riders, top 2 transfer): 1. Nicky Hayden (Hon); 2. J.R. Schnabel (Hon): 3. Cory McDermitt (Rot): 4. Goo Roeder II (Hon); 5. Jeremy DeRuyter (Hon); 6. Charlie Orr (CCM): 7. Greg Sims (Rot): 8. Rich King (H·D): 9. John Hlebo III (Hon); 10. Rick Winsett (Rot). Tune: 2 min., 25.177 sec. HEAT 2 (10 laps; 10 riders, top 2 tfllOsfer): C~!Srr (Vor): 3. Terry Poovey (ATK): 4. Brett Landes (Suz): 5. Sam Lowe (Hon): 6. Dan Butier (Rot): 7. Benny Carlson (Hon); 8. Henry Wiles (Hon); 9. Noot Irvin (Hon); 10. Mlchllel Vernes (Rot). Time: 2 min" 25.944 se<:. HEAT 3 (10 laps; 10 riders. top 2 transfer): 1. Jake Zemke (Hon): 2. Kenny Coolbeth (KTM); 3. Shawn Clark (Rot); 4. A.J. Eslick (Rot); 5. Greg Teague (Rot): 6. Bryan Smith (ATK); 7. Marc Williams (W-R); 8. Trenton Ballcy (Vam); 9. Aaron Creamer (Rot); 10. Garth Bastian (W·R). Time: 2 min.• 25.953 sec. HEAT 4 (10 laps; 10 riders, top 2 transfer): 1. Kevin Varnes (CeM); 2. Steve Beattie (Hon); 3. Speaking of Team Poweil, Springfield marked a return to the track for team owner Bill Powell, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this summer. Poweil has been undergoing both surgery and radiation treatment in an effort to beat the disease. "I just had my last round of radiation treatments last week, so now ifs kind of wait and see," Powell said. "Sut I'll tell you, I never knew that I had so many friends here. People have called, sent cards and written e-mails and said prayers. It has meant so much to me, and I believe it has helped. I wasn't sure if I was ever going to see another one of these races." Powell said that he was looking forward to working with Srett Landes at the short track. "I like working with Srett," Powell said. "He's a real fine young man." 32 year. We're going to keep the same sponsors, and I'm glad to be working with Travis [Smith]. We're looking forward to some better finishes.' McDermitt finished a respectable 10th in his first outing as a GNC Expert. eN Shll.un Russell (Rot); 2. Chris Forrrer AMA Grand National rider Garth Brow, who last held active status as a development rider for TCR Racing back in 1g9S, was on hand at the Springfield Short Track to ride a Charlie Sabatka-owned Honda CRF450R-powered short tracker. Brow currently resides in Summerviile, South Carolina, and has been racing short track locally there. "'like this place, though ifs a lot different than what I'm used to. Our track is finer dirt, and it packs down. Here they dig it up." A former San Jose Mile winner, Srow had said that he would consider riding the Springfield Mile on Sunday if someone offered him a competitive machine, but that was before his crash in his semi at the short track. Srow injured his right shoulder in the crash. Brett Landes was aboard a Team Poweil Suzuki for his first dirt track ride since the Formula USA Oklahoma Moto TT in June. The former Daytona Short Track winner has been pursuing a stock car racing career out west, but was glad to be back with his motorcycle buddies for the weekend. "Ifs a lot different: Landes said of the stock car thing. "Here, everyone is like family. There, you hardly ever talk to another driver." landes also noted that the money situation is quite different in cars than it is in bikes. "The difference is in the amount of sponsorship that you can get for a car," Landes said. "Sponsors are wiiling to pay a lot more money, but the purses are less. " Varnes tried to stay with Hayden, but Hayden had a clear track in front of him, and he took full advantage of it. Johnson snuck past Bigelow by lap 16, and was clearly coming after a oorounds s two. He got the necessary drive and pulled even with Varnes, completing the attempt off the last corner and beating Varnes to the flag by a bikelength. Carr got past Atherton in the late going, leaving the Michigander fifth aboard his Woody Kyle-prepped Honda. In fact, Atherton may have been the fastest guy who didn't land on the podium. "We just had some bad luck tonight," Atherton said. "I felt like we were the fastest guy out there, and we could have just as easily won it. Eighth is pretty good from the fourth row, on a short track, for a guy who comes from Michigan. I think that's pretty respectable." Former AMA Grand National Champion Joe Kopp wound up ninth aboard his Jones Powersportsbacked factory KTM. "My main problem was starts tonight," Kopp said, "Once I got going, I felt real comfortable. I just chased Chris [Carr] in the main event. He got by Kevin [Atherton] in the last few laps. We're just trying to finish out this year and build toward next Dominic Bellulac (Rot); 4. Joey Duvall (Rot); 5. Willie McCoy (ATK); 6. Larry Pegram (So2); 7. R.J. Overholt (Yam): 8. John Raun Wood (Rot): 9. John Hlebo III (Hon); 10. Rick Winsett (Rot). Time: 2 min., 24.983 sec. HEAT 5 (10 laps: 10 riders, top 2 transfer): 1. Bryan Bigelow (Hon): 2. Jake Johnson (Rot): 3. Joe Kopp (KTM): 4. Roger Lee Hayden (Hon); 5. Brandon Cartwright (Hon); 6. John Nickens III (Hon): 7. Mike Hinds (CCM): B. Chris Boone (Hon): 9. Ken Yoder Jr. (So2); 10. Steve Murray (KTM). TIme: 2 min., 24.268 sec. HEAT 6 (10 laps: 10 riders, top 2 transfer): 1. Tommy Hayden (Rot); 2. Johnny Murphree (ATK): 3. Kevin Atherton (Hon); 4. Justin Voight (Hon): 5. Joe Eades (Rot): 6. Dan Stanley (Hon): 7. Timmy Mitchell (Rot): 8. Zach Palmer (Rot); 9. Jess Roeder (Rot); 10. Garth Brow (Hon). Time: 2 min., 27.012 sec:. SE'MI 1 (8 laps; 12 riders, winner transfers): 1. Cory McDermitt (Rot); 2. Brett LllIndes (Suz); 3. Henry Wiies (Hon); 4. Rich King (H-D): 5. Sam Lowe (Hon); 6. Greg Teegue (Rot); 7. Aaron Crell:mer (Rot): 8. Noot Irvin (Hon); 9. Garth Bastian (W-R): 10. Greg Sims (Rot): 11. Bryan Smith (ATK): lZ. Goo Roeder II (Hon). Tll1le: 1 min.. 55.380 sec. SE'MI 2 (8 laps; 12 riders, winner trensfers): 1. Terry Poovey (ATK); 2. Charlie Orr (CCM); 3. Shawn Clark (Rot); 4. A.J. Eslick (Rot); 5. Dan Butler (Rot); 6. Michael Vames (Rot): 7. Jeremy DeRuyter (Hon); B. John Hlebo III (Hon): 9. Benny Carlson (Hon): 10. Marc Wililams (W-R): 11. Rick Winsett (Rot): 12. Trenton Bailey (Yam). Time: 1 min., 56.406 sec. SEMI 3 (8 laps; 12 riders, winner transfers): 1. Joe Kopp (KTM); 2. Joe Eades (Rot); 3. Mike Hinds (CCM); 4. Jason Tyer (ATK); 5. Jess Roeder (Rot); 6. Willie McCoy (ATK): 7. Dan Stanley (Hon); 8. John Raun Wood (Rot); 9. Joey Duvall (Rot); 10. Roger Lee Hayden (Hon); 11. Chris Boone (Hon): 12. Garth Brow (Hon). Time: None, due to red f1eg. SEMI 4 (8 laps; 12 riders, wlnner transfers): 1. Kevin Atherton (Hon); 2. John Nickens III (Hon): 3. Brandon Cartwright (Hon); 4. Justin Voight (Hon): 5. Larry Pegram (So2): 6. Ken Yoder Jr. (So2); 7. R.J. Overholt (Yam); 8. Dominic Beaulac (Rot); 9. loch Palmer (Rot); 10. Steve Murray (Hon): 11. Kyle Long (Rot); 12. Timmy Mitchell (Rot). Tune: 1 min., 57.048 sec. GRAND NATIONAL (25 laps: 16 riders): 1. Nicky Hayden (Hon); 2. Jake Johnson (Hon): 3. Kevin Vernes (CCM); 4. Bryen Bigelow (Hon); 5. J.R. Schnabel (Hon): 6. Tommy Hayden (Rot): 7. Chris Carr (Rot); 8. Kevin Atherton (Hon): 9. Joe Kopp (KTM): 10. Cory McDermitt (Hon); 11. Terry Poovey (ATK): 12. Johnny Murphree (ATK); 13. Shaun Russell (Rot); 14. Kenny Coolbeth (KTM); 15. Steve Beattie (Hon); 16. Jake Zemke (Hon). Time: 5 min., 57.144 sec. AMA/PROGRESSIVE INSORANCE O.S. FLAT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 15 of 20 rounds): 1. Chris Carr (218/2 wins); 2. Bryan Bigelow (192/1 Win); 3. Johnny Murphree (188/1 win); 4. Kevin Varnes (171/1 win); 5. Kenny Cooibeth (J50); 6. Joe Kopp (128); 7. J.R. Schnabel (120); 8. (TIE) Nicky Hayden (117/4 wlns)/Jay Springsteen (117); 10. Jake Johnson (105); 11. Kevin Atherton (99); 12. Rich King (96/2 wins): 13. Terry Poovey (92): 14. Geo Roeder II (90); 15. Shaun Russell (88); 16. Chris Hart (69/1 win): 17. Shawn Clark (64); 18. (TIE) Steve Beattie/Paul Lynch (61): 20. Willie McCoy (56). Upcoming Rounds: Round 16 - Springfield, Illinois, Sept. 1 Round 17 - Vernon, New York, Sept. 7

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