Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA Grand National Cross Country/Hare Scrambles Series Rounds 10/9: Sunday Creek MX Park months of dry weather had left the Smith didn't get such a good start, Sunday Creek MX Park facility cov- but he put his skills to work on the ered in dust. Knowing a good start course's motocross section and bat- would be all-important, Woodford tled into contention as the pack head- was able to secure the lead early and ed for the woods. While Smith wanted to put in a good effort at the John get away. we got into those woods," Woodford Penton GNCC/Hare Scrambles, his charge was slowed by a painful chest said. "' got off to a good start and was right behind Kiedrowski. I had to injury he suffered two weeks ago. With a bruised sternum and injured get by him." chest muscles, the defending series "I knew it was all or nothing before He did by out-gunning everyone around a corner on the early motocross section, battling past his teammate Cole Calkins, and immediately checking out on everyone. The only scare came late in the race, when a dust-clogged air-filter started to affect his bike. "It's a good thing my bike has a lot of low-end," Woodford said. "I was short-shifting that thing everywhere." (Left! Chuck Woodford recorded his second GNCC win of the year with a start-to-finish romp in Ohio. (Belowl Defending champ Rodney Smith (11, here alongside Doug Blackwell (15), took second and moved into second place in the series points standings. Homeboy Woodford takes his second GNCC win National Enduro win, and the coveted By JASON WEIGANDT PHOTOS BY RAY GUNDY Moose Run victory, all in just the last few months. MnJJ9ELD,OH,SEPT.8 f\ "Things are starting to come lot of young off-road racers ill aspire to together now," the Kawasaki/Corn- make their mark at the well Tools/Pro Circuit/IMS/Michelin/ top of the off-road racing world. It's a difficult task to master for sure, as it Moose-backed rider said. "I started working really hard lately. I raced a takes a unique combination of National Hare Scrambles that was luck, skill, desire and talent to get there. One such aspiring rider really hot and I got really tired. is Team Green Kawasaki's Chuck Everyone else did, too, but I knew I Woodford, who has recently been was going to have to get stronger. I struggling started working with Gary Semics, to find that right and he helped me a lot. Just a few lit- combination - but it appears he has now found it. tle changes make a big difference." With a big wire-to-wire overall win Those changes were enough to at the combined John Penton AMA Grand National Cross Country and National Hare Scrambles round, the Rodney Smith and Mike Kiedrowski of the FMF/Suzuki team. While the Ohio rider has now taken two of the veterans of the yellow squad pushed last three GNCC wins, two of three National Hare Scrambles wins, a they had a tough time seeing him, as 32 SEPTEMBER 18, 2002' cue best second- and third-place finishers hard to catch the streaking Woodford, • • n e wv s champion was able to rise all the way into second, but was unable to mount a serious charge on Woodford. "I really didn't know if I was going to be able to race this one," Smith said. "I was charging pretty hard, but it [his chest] hurt. We'll see how I feel tomorrow. I can't afford to take any more time off from training." His chest may have been in pain, but the pain was worth it, for Smith gained valuable points on the series leader, Yamaha's Jason Raines. Raines has led the GNCC points all season long, but he crashed hard and broke his leg at the previous round. He spent the series' nine-week summer break trying to recover and preserve his lead. He showed up in Ohio with a rod in his leg, a brace, and the guts to grind out a 16th overall and

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