Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Huron County Fairgrounds Norwalk, Ohio So_ Results: October 5·6, 2002 (Rounds 19-20) 50: 1. Justin PItman (K'TM): 2. Wayrre Varian (KTM); 3. Donovan Cox (yam): 4. S. C _ 5. T..,. CNmp. 60: 1. Heath Waugh (KTJIl\). 80: I. Rkky Boley (Hon); 2. James Rispoli (Hon); 3. Troy Eotabn>ok (Yam): 4. C.... McCemmon (Han): 5. M. StuIJeo- (Hen). 125: L Ric:ky Boley (Yam); 2. Troy Estabrook (Yam); 3. James _ (Han): 4. Joey 8riIIM C ....): 5. T,.,., """"" (,",,). 250: I. Ricky Il\arahall (Hon); 2. Bnent Cawe (Yam); 3. Troy Mayo (lion); 4. Shone Nanati"" (Han): 5. Will Fannon (C·A). 400: 1. Mett Rogers (KTM); 2. ffic:.I'aole Cheza (Rot): 3. Bret. T.......,.,y (Rot). 505: I. Logan Myet5 (Rot); 2. RIcky Marshall (Hen); 3. NkhoIe Cheul (Rot); 4. Thomas BW1IkowskJ (Rot); 5. Shown Martin (Rot). 505 PRO: 1. K.C. Knodel (CO\); 2. Rob WlIIlaml (Rot): 3. Bryan Douglas (ATK): 4_ Jll5Ol'l lsennoc:k (Rot); 5. Sc:ott Clevenger (Rot). OPEl't: 1. Ricky Marshall (Rot); 2. Logan Myers (Rot): 3. John Cooper (Rot); 4. Ben Evans (Rot): 5. Thomas BurakowskI (Rot). OPEN PRO: 1. K.C. Knodel (CCM): 2. Jac:k Mayer Jr. (Rot): 3. Bryan Douglas (ATK): 4. Rob Williams (Rot): 5. Nic:k Evan. (Rot). 100 YlNT: 1. Rkh Long (Yam); 2. Gary ~no5 (Yam): 3. Tony PI.. C'""). l./W VINT: 1. Will Forman (C-A); 2. Larry Woodward (Vam): 3. Huron County Fairgrounds: Jason Isennock (305) gets a wheel up on the competition at round 20 of the Ohio Pro-Am Dirt Track Series in Norwalk. Bryan Douglas (225) won the race, lsennock recovered for second, and Scott Clevenger (41 F) finished fifth. The Coyote Never Gives Up Bryan Douglas and Jason Isennock are not By CRAIG GRJSMORE new to Ohio, but when the two traveling buddies from Maryland roll in, Ohio takes notice. On Sunday, Douglas handed it to the 505cc Pro Sport class, taking the lead early and pulling away to victory. He almost won the Open Pro in similar fashion. Aboard an XR750, Dougias seemingly had it in hand after pulling the holeshot. However, K.C. "The Coyote" Knodel never gives up. As a mailer of fact, that's how he got his nickname, because like that cartoon character Wile E. Coyote, K.C. just keeps on NORWALK. OH. OCT. 5-6 The Huron County Fairgrounds played host to the last Ohio half mile races of the year in Norwalk. A Saturday-Sunday doubleheader would end the 2002 pea-gravel season with a bang. Saturday's big bang came in the Heavy. weight Vintage class, where William Weese's low-side crash collected Tom Boyce. and the subsequent mess triggered a huge pile-up that put nearly everyone on the ground. One by one, the fallen racers eventually all rose, save coming. Despite the distance to first, Knodel for Saturday's 100 Vintage winner, Rich Long. Unfortunately, the Yamaha rider was transported to the hospital with a broken leg. Compounding his misery. Long also suffered a broken nose, along with significant facial lacerations. Long's fellow competitors and many friends send their best wishes for a speedy recovery. The big wreck also claimed its share of equipment, the majority of which ended up back in the pits following the accident. The howling pack of vintage bikes that had started kept his head down and kept charging. Somehow, he closed the gap. Once close, he attacked with full force, battling through the blinding pea-gravel spray. Knodel tried high and low, finally overcoming the stinging roost and racing off to another hard-earned victory his third on the weekend. The "Cool Skunk Crew" from New England trucked in with their fast bunch. Their youngsters, in particular, impressed. "Cool Skunks" James Rispoli and Troy Estabrook battled Ohio ace Ricky Boley in two smail-displacement classes. These kids ride like Pros and are fun to watch. It was nip-and-tuck in both heat and final. Stylish and fast, these young "go-fasters" raced every turn of every lap. Boley won on Saturday, Rispoli took the hon- the race was reduced to a two-man match race between crash survivors Merlyn Wertz and Joseph Baker. Wertz's Triumph twin beat Baker's Yamaha thumper to the line to bring the most painful Vintage feature of the year to a merciful conclusion. Sunday's Brakeless class featured two old ors on Sunday, and Estabrook never let them gunfighters and their vintage machines: forget he was there. You can never forget Michigan's Logan Myers or Ohio's Ricky Marshall. These two alone are worth the price of admission. Put them head to head on a pea-gravel half mile and you're in for a show; it's aJways a treat to watch these two experienced and superbly talented riders bailie. Myers won both 505cc finals, and the two split the Open Amateur finals. Good stuff. Myers is the 2002 co-winner of the Horizon award, and Marshall's the leading candidate for the award in 2003. Myers rides out of the John Cooper stable, as does Nicole Cheza, who continues to prove she's all racer every time out. On this day, she won the 400cc class and finished third, behind Myers and Marshall, in the 505cc class. This year was without a doubt one of the busiest and most successful Ohio Pro-Am haif mile seasons in recent memory, and the well-attended doubleheader at Norwalk was a terrific way to cap a fantastic year on the horse tracks. Robert Utten, on his Harley-Davidson KR, and Ronnie Rail, on his BSA Gold Star. The heat race had been a near dead heat, so the final promised more of the same, right? Wrong. Utten charged off the line and split. Rail was left alone in second for a time before Honda rider Paul Bailey joined him for some fun and frolic. Rail would run up high against the bales while Bailey would charge in down low. Rail and Bailey diced like this for a couple of laps before Bailey's hard-riding ways got the best of him, and he nearly pitched it away coming out of two. A short trip through the infield grass later and the immaculate save was complete; however, Rail was long gone and on I his way to a lonely second-place finish, behind the fleeing Ullen. Bailey charged back to finish a close fifth at the flag. Full classes and close competitioo were the order of the weekend as this late-In-theseason addition to the Ohio schedule drew riders to Norwalk that do not regularly compete in Ohio. NOVEMBER 6, 2002' cue I 250: 1. Logan MyeB (Han); 2. Jaron Wimer-Smith (Hon); 3. Rkky Marshall (Han); 4. Bmll Dawe (Yam); 5. Shane Narsonlve (Han). 400: 1. Nic:hole Chua (Rot); 2. Matt Rogers (KTM): 3. Bret Tmnblay (Rot). 505 """ I. Logon M,..,. (Rot): 2. Ricky Mmho" (Han): 3. Ni<:· """ Cheuo (Rot): 4. Thonw _ " " (Rot): 5. Shane r,,,.,,,,,,,, (Han). 505 PRO/SPT: 1. Bryan Douglas (.... TK); 2. Jason lsennoc:k (Rot): 3. Mdy _ ... (Rot): 4. Scott Lo• ..,. (Rot): 5. Scott A.. ...."., (Rot). OPEN AM: 1. Logan Myers (Rot); 2. Ricky Marshall (Rot); 3. John Cooper (Rot); 4. Ben Evans (Rot); 5. Thomas BurakowskJ (Rot). 0PEJ"l PRO: I. K.C. Knodel (CCM); 2. Bryan Douglas (H.o); 3. Rob Williams (Rot); 4. Nick Evans (Rot); 5. Jerry Vanderkooi (Rot). l./W VltfT: 1. Will Forman (C-A); 2. Kenny Amold (Bul); 3. Jimmy Zeigler (C·A); 4. Poul Bailey (Hon); 5. LotTY &mes (Bul). H/W VINT: 1. Chris Thomes (Yam): 2. Joseph &ker (Yam); 3. Tom Boyce (Vam); 4. D. Salzgaber (Yam); 5. James Whlpley (Yam). BRAKElESS: I. Robert Utlen (H-D); 2. Ronnie Rail (BSA); 3. Joseph Baker (H.O): 4. Roy Hosletter (Tri); 5. Paul Bailey (Hon). SPDWY: 1. Russ Crawford; 2. Dan Crawford; 3. Chad Rall; 4. David Weic:ht; 5. Dan Wekht SR 30.: 1. John Cooper (Rot): 2. Gary Maloney (Rot); 3. Chad Peritins (Rot); 4. Todd Perkins (Rot): 5. John Thompson (Rot). SR 40.: 1. Patric:k Towler (Hon); 2. Lvry Woodward (Rot); 3. Gary l...IIChance (H-D); 4. Chris Hathaway flUw): 5. Jeff Ogden (Rot). SR 50.: 1. Dan Crawford (Rot): 2. Ross Robinson (Rot): 3. Mer· Iyn Wettl (Tri); 4. Doo Blyar (Vam); 5. Gary Griule (ATK). SR 60.: l. Jac:k Warren (Rot); 2. Roy Hostetl~ (Tri); 3. Den Maloney (Rot): 4. Robert Utten. eMA Anaheim Express MX Round 3: Madera Fairgroun s Ohio Pro-Am Dirt Track series Rounds 19-20: Huron County Fairgrounds 42 Ken Arnold (Bul); 4. Paul Bailey (Hon). H/W VINT: 1. Meriyn Wertz (Tri); 2. Joseph Baker (Yam). SR 30+: 1. John Cooper (Rot); 2. Gary Maloney (Rot); 3. John Main (Vam); 4. Chad Perkins (Rot); 5. G. GIanninI (Rot). SR 40.: I. Jeff Ogden (Rot): 2. Chris Hathaway (Kaw); 3. Larry Woodward (Rot); 4. Gary LaChance (H·D); 5. JarT'leS Hollister. SR 50+: 1. Den Crawford (Rot); 2. James Bauerle (Rot); 3. Ross Robinson (Rot): 4. Don B1yar (Vem): 5. E Giannini (Rot). SR 60.: 1. J&c:k Warren (Rot); 2. Jim 8«k (Rot); 3. Roy Hostetter (Tri): 4. Dan Maloney (Yam). SPDWY: 1. RtJu Crawford; 2. Dan Crawford: 3. Cheld RellI: 4. Ronnie Rail: 5. Dan Weic:ht. BRAKELESS: 1. Ronnie R.lI (BSA); 2. P.ul 8aliley (Hon); 3. .Joseph Baker (H-D); 4. Frank Bozek (BSA); 5. D. CIartt. Sunday 50: 1. Justin PIman (KTM); 2. Wayne Varian (KTM); 3. S. Cow· drey, 4. A. Martin (Yam); 5. Jordan MoIII (Vim). 80: I. James Rispoli (Hon); 2. Ricky Boley (Han); 3. Troy Estabrook (Yam); 4. Tyler Plmen (Sur); 5. Catee McCammon (Hon). 100 VINT, I. Gory """" (Yam), Z. Tony _ (....). 125: I. James Rispoli (Hon); 2. Troy Estabfook (Yam): 3. Ricky Boley (Yam): 4. T,.,., PItman (....): 5. Joey Brittan (....). e newws Mohnike's Madera Massacre By EDDIE GRAVEUNE MADERA, CA, SEPT. 29 Summer has worn out its welcome in central California. Since promoters have no way to predict the weather, they plan their race cal· endars with educated guesses and crossed fingers. Round three of the Anaheim Express series was the first day race on the CMA's fall schedule. Things weren't looking good as triple-digit temperatures hung around through September, but the skies smiled on motocross when the gang headed to the fairgrounds. The morning was cool, the afternoon beautiful. The racing wasn't bad, either. As always, the 50cc classes were packed full of young talent. The 50cc (0-6) division was led by Maison Carey, who rode his KTM to two moto wins in a row. Behind him, little D.J. L10ren was "Mr. Consistency." L10ren took third in the first moto. behind Travis Burrough, who was aboard a powerful Cobra. In moto two, L10ren improved on his performance and finished second. Burrough had some trouble and fell back in the pack. Third place overall went to Taylor Niznak, via 5-3 finishes. The 50cc (7-8) division was led by Jessy Nelson, who swept both motos. Right behind him, as usual, was Polini-mounted Jake Mohnike. Third went to KTM rider Landon Sullivan. The same cast of characters joined a couple of the younger riders in the 50cc Open class. Landon Sullivan came out swinging and won the first moto, but Mohnike was right behind him. Jessy Nelson had a setback in that first moto but came back in the second to win his third race of the day. Can you guess who was right behind him In moto two? Yep, it was Jake Mohnike, whose 2-2 scores were plenty to give him the class overall. Not content with first- and second-place class finishes on his 50, Mohnike came out and throttled the competition in the 65cc (0-8) ranks. Walter Gye and Taylor Toole both threw everything they had at Mohnike, but the speedster from Atascadero was on his game and won both races. The Minis continued to provide the entertainment as the 85cc classes took to the course. The Beginner division was loaded with enthusiastic newcomers, but one stood above the rest. Dustin Moody made the short trip up from VisaJia worthwhile by running away with both moto wins. Jimmy Bennett rode smart, consistent races; his 2-3 finishes were more than enough to net him second overall. Behind Bennett was a free-for-all for the finai podium spot. After finishing seventh in the first moto, Devon Kleinsmith probably didn't think he had a chance; he kept his head down, though, worked hard, and finished second in the final race. Several riders had trouble in the second moto, so in a testament to perseverance, Kleinsmith sneaked away with third overall. If you're starting to wonder if there were any big bikes in Madera, don't worry: The 125cc Beginner class had two full gates of riders. Jack Duval led the way in Division One by winning both races, with a hard-charging Brett Brewer hot on his tail. Young E-Man flores took home third place overall with 3-3 lu z ~ a: 0. ~ I z ::J w ~ '" w is fil iii ~ ...ti• • o. Madera Fairgrounds: Kyle Griffith was simply the fastest 85cc rider in Madera, California, topping the Intermediate class at round three of the CMA Anaheim Express MX series.

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