Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

GNCC Champion, entered the Industry class as a form of rehab for his injured left wrist. Watts promptly got out front on lap one and then pulled off because of the sore joint. Shane Nalley, mechanic for FMF/Suzuki Pro Mike Kiedrowski, decided to ride the entire race and won the Industry class and the moming overall on his DR-Z400. The Women's class has been getting more competitive all year, and it was another firsttime winner out front at the John Penton. Jessica Coombs borrowed an old Husky from fellow competitor Heidi Landon and promptly took her first career win. Now she's looking for more offers on borrowed bikes. The big key to the Women's class was a monster bottleneck that opened on the first lap, This trapped Team Green fast girl Heather Wilson and held her back to third. Amanda Mastin claimed second on her KTM, which keeps her out front of Wilson in the class standings. The GNCC Youth division was racing on familiar ground in Ohio, since many of the division's fastest racers come from the Buckeye State. Cody Calkins, brother of Team Green Pro Cole, rode a new Suzuki RM 100 to the overall win and first in the Mini Senior division. Cody's class was rounded out by North Carolinians Mike Lefevers and Robby Towery. However, all of the Mini Senior riders except Calkins got beaten to the finish by Yamaha/MSR's Thad Duvall. Thad took second overall and first in the Mini Intermediate ranks. His rival Adam Giddings took second, and Scott McClure was third. Another Ohio rider took the win in the Mini Junior class. He was perhaps the most local rider of all, Kailub Russell. Kailub's dad is GNCC trail boss Jeff Russell, who also runs the Sunday Creek facility that hosted the race. Kailub, much like his dad, is a pretty good rider, as he's won all but one Mini Junior race this season on his Suzuki. Nicholas Hughley led the race early and finished second, and Tyler MacDonald finished third. And then there's the one rider left on the GNCC tour who has not lost yet. Ohio native Corey Buttrick once again survived some stiff competition to win his seventh Mini 65 race in seven tries. He was followed home by Ryan Kemper and Brian Rickard. Sunday Creek Millfield. Ohio Results: September 8. 2002 (Round 10) MINI 65: I. Cory Buttrick (KTM): 2. Ryan K~mp~r (KTM): 3. Brian Rickard (Kaw): 4. Cor~y MacDonald (Kaw): 5. Michael Brown (Kaw). MINI JR; I. Kallub Russ~lI (SUl): 2. Nichoills Hughey (Kaw): 3. Tyl~r MlIcDonald (YlIm); 4. Ryan Mullins (Suz): 5. Zachary RlIy (Suz). MINllf"fT: 1. Thadd~us Duvall (YlIm): 2. Adam Giddings (YlIm); 3. Scott McClur~ (Kaw): 4. Jake Fiddler (Kllw): 5. Morgan Gr~~n (KlIw). MINI SR: I. Cody Calkins (Suz): 2. Mlk~ Lefevers Jr. (Kaw): 3. Robby Towery (Kaw): 4. Christopher Robertson (SUI): 5. Joshua Robinson (Hen). 200 A: I. Charles Mullins (KTM): 2. Brett Zofchak (Kaw); 3. Scott WatkIns (Kaw); 4. Brylln Dunillp (Hon): 5. Joshua Knapp (Kaw). 200 B: I D.R. Atwood (KTM); 2. Nathan AJering (Yam): 3. Tony HlIll (KTM): 4. Robert Shank (KTM); 5. DlIvld Plltterson III (KTM). 200 C: 1 Nat~ Elkins (Suz): 2. Sean McClure (YlIm): 3. NichoillS Dickens (Yam): 4 NicholllS Wellver (SUI): 5. C.W. Pitsenbarger IKT"'). 250 A: I Andy Shell (KTM); 2. NlIthan KlItlney (YlIm): 3. P.A Allen (KlIw); 4 Chns GlIllt (Kaw); 5. Dan~ 8«k (GG). 250 B: I Phil Smith (Hon); 2. Chns Buzz~lIi (Yam): 3. K~vm Coffee (Yam); 4 Josh Mitc~ll (Suz); 5. Andy Brannen (Hen). 250 C: I Joe Lape (Suz): 2. Doug McClIrsoo (Yam); 3. Chal Huey (Yam): 4 Kevin Kern (Kaw); 5. St~rling Daniels (Suz). OPEN A: I. Marty Aloisio (GG): 2. Duane Spt"ouse (KTM1: 3 Brian Guetthoff (Yam); 4. Richard Feth Jr (Yam): 5. Paul McCall (KT"'I OPEN 8; 1 AdlIm Delph (Hen): 2. G. Cam Blackwood (Yam): 3. Aaron Snyder (KTM); 4 Raymond Krohn (KTM); 5. Thomas King II IKT"'). OPEN C: I. Cecil Rose (KTM): 2. Chris Coffmon (KTM): 3 Bobby Ousley (Can); 4. Nathan Koch (Hen): 5. Dan Doerr (GG) 4·$TRK A: 1. Darius Lattea (Yam): 2. Brad Hamrick (Yam); 3 Gregory Gillian (Yam): 4. KelVin Hun (Yam). 5. Tim~ Rose (Yam) 4·STRK 8: 1. Mark McGrllth (Hon); 2. Brilln Melik (Yam); 3. Todd MacDonald (Yam); 4 Forresl Tracey (Yam): 5. Eddi~ Bell (YlIm). 4·STRK C: I. Chris Pena (Yam); 2. Brandon Bollinger (Yllm); 3. Erick Hendon (Suz): 4 Bob Fiddler (Yam); 5. Troy lee (KTM). WMN: I. Jessica Coombs (Hus); 2. Amllndll Mastin (KTM); 3. Heather Wilson (Kaw); 4 Holly Jone:s (KTM): 5. Heidi Landon (KlIw). 30. A: 1. Rodney Judson (Hbg); 2. Jeffrey Hursh {KTM): 3 Dennis Decker (KTM); 4. Todd Mal'TOW (GG); 5. GlIry Stoffer (Suz). 30+ B: 1. Larry Musick Jr. (Yam); 2 Joshua McCoy (Suz): 3. Jeffrey Carter (Kaw); 4. Enc Jordan (KTM); 5. Ted Zak (Yam). 30+ 1 Dlno CoIliiannl (KTM): 2. Gregg Dull (SUl): 3. JlImes Moo~ (Hon): 4. Tim Farina (Yam): 5. Steve Unton (KTM), 40+ A: J. Keith Rodgers (Kaw): 2. Curt WJlCOK (Kaw); 3. Mark Steen (Yam); 4. Mark Smith (KTM): 5. Robert Kirchner (Suz). 40+ 8: I. Benjamin Smith Jr. (Yam): 2. Michael Schwartt (Suzl: 3. Todd Jones (Kawl; 4. Norm Into (Hon): 5. Robin Miller (Suzl. 40+ C: 1. Jeffrey Anthony (KTM): 2. Steve Brunton (Yam): 3. Kevin Outland (Hon); 4. Ken Wolf (KTM): 5. limothy Pritchard (KTM). 50+ A: 1. Ronald Sohn (Yam): 2. Terry Mealer {Can); 3. Frank Erbe (Yam): 4. Alan BNtto (KTM): 5. Jeff Hollfelder (Yam). 50+ B/C; I. John Dunn (Hus): 2. Don Ry~ (Kaw): 3. Joe Kilngensmith (Yam): 4. Glenn Adams (Yam); 5. Dick Sweat (Hoo). INDUSTRY: 1. Shane Nalley (Sul): 2. Doug Whitmer (Yam); 3. Terry Cunningham (Hbg); 4. Duane Scott (Yam): 5. Paul Bennett c: 1""1· Sunday Creek: Andy Shea (19) and P.A. Allen (98) battle in the 250cc A class at the John Penton GNCC, round 10 of the AMA Grand National Cross Country Series. in Millfield, Ohio. Parts Unlimited Off·Road Championship Series Round 6: Sand Devil 100 Nelson Nukes Niellsville By STEVE BERKNER NIELLSVILLE, WI, SEPT. 8 KTM-mounted Kyle Nelson took the win during the Motion-Pro Sand Devil 100, giving the native Minnesotan enough points to take the overall seven-race "'Mooserun Series" championship with one round still remaining. Nelson led the entire last lap of the threelap race, finishing the 54-mile event with a time of two hours, 26 minutes and nine seconds - two minutes and 40 seconds ahead of Husaberg rider Matt Stavish. Rounding out the top five were Gas Gas pilot John Strangfeld and KTM riders Craig Holasek and Ryan Moss. Nelson, who had been swapping the lead with Stavish for the first two laps, went without a scheduled last-lap fuel stop. "My pit crew must have thought I was crazy when I rode by," Nelson said, "'but J knew that was the only way of getting by Matt without wasting a lot of energy." The sandy, l8-mile course was made up of two different types of trail. "'The first seven miles was more-open, ATV two-track," said the Larson's Cycle/KTM Sportmotorcycies/Motion Pro/Lube Tech/ Scott Goggles-sponsored Nelson, "with the second half [being) tighter single-track. Making a clean pass was difficult. The second half was more technical. By the halfway point, Matt and I had started to pull away from Strangfeld and Deutscher, but neither one of us was able to break away. When Matt stopped for gas. I knew that was my chance." Going without the pit stop was all the 26-year-old Alexandria, Minnesota. native needed to close the door. "With the high speeds and sandy trail," Stavish said, "'we figured that two laps would be pushing it on a tank of gas, so I stopped for fuel at the end of each lap, just to be sure. As it turned out, that extra pit stop probably made the difference." Nelson, who trailed Stavish by five sec· onds at the end of lap two, was able to easily pass the refueling Stavish, entering the last lap with a 10·second lead. "I had a hard time staying on the trail duro ing the first half of the course," Stavish said. "'With the wider, ATV two-track, it was easy to run in third and fourth gear, but you paid a price if you blew off the trail. During the last lap, I thought for sure I would catch Kyle, but I overshot one of the first couple of comers and got caught up in a tree. By the time got going. I never saw him again. I have to hand it to Kyle - he beat me straight up." "'This course was definitely perfect for the rider who could stay out of trouble, especially at speed," Strangfeld said. "I held the lead for a while during the first two laps through the easier two-track sections but had trouble holding on to the lead in the sjngle-track. At the end of the first lap, I was able to get by Stavish when he stopped for gas. But he and Nelson eventually got by me, and that the last I saw of them." "'Going without the gas stop was a little nerve-racking," Nelson said. "'I knew I needed to click it up and gear and stay off the pipe to conserve fuel. As it turned out, it was no big deal, but at the time, I wasn't sure if I could hold off any challenges. r "After riding through the pits [and entering a short. half-mile motocross track], I noticed that both Strangfeld and Deutscher [who were running third and fourth, respectively I were still sitting in the pits when I went into the woods. Right then, I knew that the risk of running out of gas was going to be worth it." Nelson also had another strategy to keep in mind while trying to clinch the seven-race Parts Unlimited Championship Off-Road Series with a victory. Going into round six, Nelson held a one-point lead over Kawasaki Team Green's Chuck Woodford, who was absent due to a conflicting date with the combined National Hare Scrambles/GNCC round in Ohio. '" knew a first-place finish would give me the series championship," Nelson said. "I was a little nervous that first lap. I got a midpack start and knew I had to make my way up to the front or get left behind. The first lap, I was trying so hard to get into the lead that I almost took myself out. I guess I just wasn't patient enough. I must have crashed four or five times in the first couple of miles. I knew I had to settle down and start riding smart. But then the trajl got technical and I seemed to be more at ease." Sand Devil 100 Neillsville. Wisconsin Results: September 7·8. 2002 (Round 6) O/A: I. Kyle Nelson (KTM); 2. Matt SUlvish (Hbg): 3. John Strangfeld (GG); 4. Craig Holasek (KTM); 5. Ryan Moss (KTM); 6. Charlie Deutscher (Hus): 7. Jesse ~ (Suz): 8. Chuck Gareuon (Hon); 9. Chris Bloyer (Yam); 10. larry Berqwst (GG). PRO: 1. Kyle Nelson (KTM): 2. Matt SUlvlsh (Hbg); 3. John Strangfeki (GG); 4. Craig Holasek (KTM): 5. Ryan fo\oss (KTM). A: 1. Chuck Garetson (Hen): 2. Larry Berquist (GG): 3. Curt PUo. (GG). VET: I. Davis Slickel (Suz): 2. Bill Slol'TlInskl (KTM): 3. Tom Fams(KTM). VET B: I. Joel BlIyerl (Hon): 2. Don Rascke (KTM); 3. Bill Severance (KTM). SR: I. DlIn Wancket (Suz): 2. Wally Mikol (Hen): 3. lim Gral (Kaw). 0-200 B: 1 Dan WilliS (Yam); 2_ Pat Jones (KTM); 3. MlIrk PoIodna (KTM). OPEN B: 1. Jared Parker (Yam); 2. MlIrk Davis (Kaw): 3. Curt Curus (Hon). 0·200 C: I. Luke Hansen (Sw:); 2. JlIred Dobbs (Kaw): 3. Nat~ Palmer (KTM). OPEN C; 1. Brne Krantz (Suz): 2. Brei Ryan (KlIw): 3. Allen CasSidy (Hon). 50: 1. AustIn Wells (KTM): 2. Dyilln Allison (KTM); 3. Frank Caballero (Hus). 60: 1. Matthew Dissell (KTM); 2. Steven WilliS (Kaw); 3. Dustin McDonald (Kaw). 0-100: 1. Cody Emery (Kaw): 2. Ryan DeFauw (Kaw): 3. Bloke Verstraete (KlIwl. VINT lW: I. David Klimek (Hus). PRE·)994: l. DlIve Blacklaw (Kaw): 2. David Gilbert (Kaw): 3. Richard Fox (Kaw), 0-16: l. Adam Book (Hon): 2, Andy lleders (Suz): 3. Garet Bal· lard (Hon). ]7·25: l. Kyle Verstraete (Yam); 2. Brllndon Mueller (Knw): 3. Brllndon I\shbacher (Kaw). 26·35: I. Chuck Garetson (Hon): 2. BUf Larson (Yom): 3. Todd Staege (Hon). 36-45; I. Dale Gustafson (Yam); 2. Steve Berkner (Hbg): 3. Shawn Foreman (KTM). 46.; I. Bille Gusse (KTM); 2. Randy Conkling (KTM): 3. David Klimek (Hus). __ .--------=====---;-"..,.no~----- ~-------__,a: w Z a ": w w '" > w t; >- '" ~ Sand Devil 100: Husaberg's Matt Stavlsh (107) led most of the Sand Devil 100, round six of the Parts Unlimited Off-Road Championship Series, until making a last-lap "insurance gas stop" and giving up the lead to Nelson (9), who rode through the last gas stop to take the lead, the win - and the overall championship with one race remaining. cue I e ne'UVs OCTOBER 9, 2002 65

• Cover