Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AMA National Championship Enduro Series Round 7: King Phillip Big Stones Enduro (Lett) Just a couple of weeks after his National Hare Scrambles win In the same state, Fred Hoen pulled off an elusive National Enduro victory In Massachusetts. (Right) Matt Slavish made the podium on the rocky course. my Own Race Randy Hawkins This Am-Pro Yamaha rider had an unfortunate DNF due to his silencer breaking. "I thought I fouled a plug, so I changed it out before the check-in to the first section, and that still wasn't it," Hawkins said. "So I got through the first section, and my mechanic, Dale (StegaJl], and I got it back to the truck and started to go through it but just couldn't figure it out. So we put the bike back together and got it back to pits, and it was after that we figured out it was the silencer, but by this time, it was too late - my day was done." Fred Hoess The winner experienced some braking problems during the event, and his pit crew utilized the second gas stop to fix his brakes but neglected to fill the Husky's gas tank. "I started my bike, took off, and made it 100 yards up the road when my bike started spurting," Hoess said. "I realized I never got gas. So I quick pulled the chock and was able to coast back to the gas stop." Unfortunately, this mistake cost Hoess a few minutes. Kevin Hines By GEORGE VILLANYI & ANDY HILL FILE PHOTOS BY MIKE DEMAREE Republic Monday morning. This didn't seem to phase him too much, as he carded a 30 for the day, out- WRENTHAM, MA, SEP. 15 riding fellow local veteran Kevin liOO hough he's no rookie, Fred Hoess A' has been somewhat of a phenom Hines, who dropped 35. of late, winning prestigious races left together a great event that included and right. The trend continued when over 110 ground miles of trails and the National Enduro Series rolled into connectors. the Husqvarna rider's New England impressive feat in the thickly settled The King Phillip Trialriders put This was quite an stomping grounds, where Hoess pulled down the first National Enduro win of his storied career. Hoess had his hands full over the weekend, as he was also preparing to leave for the ISDE in the Czech The loca! enduro ace was a favorite to win in Wrentham, but he couldn't pull it off. "I had great race," he said. "' rode consistent ail day; I was late to a few check-ins, and I crashed about two miles before the last check, but other than that, this was a great race. I give my complements to the club for a good race." Matt Stavish "' had a good day," said the Minnesota rider. "The course was plenty tough. I had one mistake in the grasstrack that cost me a few seconds, and I missed the flip of the card, but other than that, it was a great race." David Lykke "' felt a littie like a fish out of water with all the rocks," the Colorado rider said_ "I needed to set up my suspension a little softer, but this was definitely a good enduro, and' look forward to coming back here next year." Barry Hawk Yamaha riders David Lykke (below lett) and Randy Hawkins (below right! failed to capitalize on the absence of injured Michael Lafferty. Lykke missed a check and was disqualified, and Hawkins suffered a mechanical DNF. "This race was pretty good," said Hawkins' teammate. "I wouldn't want to live up here and ride these rocks all the time. It's different riding from what I usuaJly do. but it was fun. I always have fun at these enduros, and that's why I keep coming back!" BRIEFLY••• The grasstrack test was a favorite amongst the racers. spectators and club members. and it was a welcome change from the rocks that were prevalent in the rest of the race. Sweeping. large-radius turns linked with third- and fourth-gear straightaways left many participants giggling under their helmets. Check seven was missed by a handful of riders as they missed a tum and got back on the course a couple of miles later. There was some discussion about tossing the check out. until the are~ in question was reviewed and deemed okay. Before the last section. there was a sign that read "HINES" in a circle with a slash through it. When asked about it. Kevin Hines said. -That was Joe Morrell. an old-time HuskY dealer. Back in '98. I was nding the new Yamaha 400F. and I came up his paved driveway. I was just on the gas. and I npped out a big chunk of the asphalt. He won't let me forget that episode.Eric McEacher. now a Steamboat Springs, Colorado, reSident. who used to live in New England. came home to run this event. He was having a smoking run until he tagged a rock (imagine thatl. bent his sprocket. and lost his chain. Some good sportsmanship was prevalent in New England. as Mike Grizzle. a National Open A contender, gave his competition. George Villanyi. a new shifter. after Villanyi was seen begging for parts at the second gas. 52 OCTOBER 2. 2002' cue • e n e .... s

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