Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128181
AMA Eastern Four-Stroke Nationals Round 7: Muddy Creek Raceway Michigan's Kelly Smith used his mud-racing skills at Muddy Creek Raceway to take four of six moto wins at round seven of the AMA Eastern Four-Stroke Nationals. Smith won the Four-Stroke Pro and 250cc Pro events and earned second in the 125cc Pro class. By BARBARA WILLIAMS PHOTOS BY LOREN WILLIAMS BLOUNTVILLE, TN, OCT. 20 resh from winning the AMA Westt' ern Four-Stroke Nationals over 2001 Champion Spud Walters, White Brothers/Honda's Paul "Pitbull" Carpenter appears unstoppable in his drive for the 2002 AMA Eastern FourStroke National title, even after the round at Muddy Creek. Momentum is a good thing, and Carpenter came from an awesome performance at his home track, Broome-Tioga. Carpenter's first experience with Muddy Creek Raceway - the third wet Four-Stroke National race in a row was less than fun, owing to a raceday rain that arrived like your pesky little brother: You knew he'd show up sooner or later, and when he did, he was annoying. A morning shower 'Yet the track, which had been prepped for all-day rain. However, the rain mostly quit around midmorning, though a cold drizzle persisted in postnasal-drip mode all day, keeping the circuit slimy and treacherous. Vancouver, Washington's Jason McCormick grabbed the holeshot in the first Four-Stroke Pro moto, with Yamaha rider Kelly Smith, Jon Boruff, Kevin Walker and Carpenter close at hand. While Smith watched for an opening to get around McCormick, Carpenter worked on Walker, who calls Muddy Creek his home track. Halfway into lap three, Walker's big YZF stalled in a corner, and it took time to get it refired. Soon after, Smith passed McCormick to take the lead for good. Carpenter was handed the second position when McCormick bobbled, and he set off for Smith. The pair stretched out a 15-second advantage on the field, but Smith made no mistakes, keeping Carpenter behind him. Joshua Summey put his Freedom Motorsports Yamaha in front on the second-moto start, shouldering aside r 24 NOVEMBER 20, 2002' cue Smith and Keith S. Johnson of Pembroke, Massachusetts. Johnson pressured Summey and got a break when Summey's foot came off the peg long enough to let Johnson past. Smith also slipped by Summey, leaving him to deal with Carpenter. Having started midpack, Carpenter worked around McCormick to put himself in fourth. Even though Carpenter slid out in turn one late in the race, he had enough of a lead to maintain his position, following Johnson, Smith and Summey to the checkers. "This is a different kind of mud than at Binghamton last week - slippery and not much traction," commented Carpenter. "I couldn't figure "I just don't like them ruts, manl" said Walters, who sits sixth in Eastern Four-Stroke points. In the Support classes, Smith nailed the 250cc Pro win with double aces, making a huge gain on series points leader Carpenter, who struggled with the mud and ruts. The first-moto start put Smith in the lead of what would be a crashfest, followed by Clark Stiles, Boruff and Tyson Hadsell. Stiles took an offtrack detour, advancing Boruff, Hadsell and Walker, who was working through the pack after a poor start. Boruff took over near the end of lap one, leaving Smith to Hadsell and Walker. Stiles had worked his way around Walker for fourth, but he went down for the first time. Summey stepped around Walker to take over fourth. Hadsell got around Smith and Boruff for the lead but lost it in the mud, taking Boruff along with him. Smith took the lead and Boruff (Above) Keith S. Johnson had a good day in Blountville, Tennessee, winning the second Four-Stroke Pro moto for runner-up overall. Johnson also earned second in the 250cc Pro class. (Left) This Is about as much fun as 2002 Western Four-Stroke National Champion Paul Carpenter (42) and 2001 Western Four-Stroke Champion Spud Walters (1W) had on the day, though Carpenter maintained his series points leads in the Four-Stroke Pro and 250cc Pro divisions. out how to ride it well enough to win, so second and fourth were good enough for me. When I watched Kelly [Smith] in the first 250cc Pro moto, I knew he was going to be tough. He's wicked in the mud anyhow." scrambled to recover in third. The rain began again, making the track even slicker. Stiles and Hadsell went down again, and Carpenter slid out exiting the tower turn. Smith, Summey and Boruff strung out in front, Carpenter's 2-4 finishes put him in third overall, so he didn't lose that many points to the winner, Smith, and stayed ahead of McCormick, in fifth for the day. Western Four-Stroke National almost-champion Walters also made the trip to Muddy Creek, as part of the White Brothers team. Walters evidently prefers the West Coast tracks. staying steady to the flag. Johnson got the holeshot in the 250cc Pro moto, with Smith, Summey and Boruff sticking to him like... well, mud. Following, Carpenter tumbled down the stairsteps, tweaking his bars; he retired at halfway. Smith took over from Johnson and pulled away, winning with seven seconds to spare. I .. n • _ is Walker had a much better day in 125cc Pro racing, winning the overall via 1-2 finishes. Walker owned moto one, checking out while Hadsell kept Smith at bay. Smith got the jump on Walker for the second-moto start, and the lead pair pulled an eightsecond gap. Then Smith slid out halfway through the moto, and Walker took over. It seemed like Walker had the win in hand, but then his motor stalled on the last lap. Smith blasted past and took the flag in front of Walker. The Fall Classic 125cc Pro points lead belongs to Smith, who has almost 40 points on Hadsell. eN Muddy Creek "-w.y BIDUntvlll., T.IIlI_ llesulb: Dctob.r 20, 2002 [Round 7 lit 8) 4·STRK PRO: 1. Kelly Smith (Yem): 2. Keith S. Johnson (KTM); 3. Pliul Carpenter (Hon); 4. Joshua Summey (Yam); 5. Jason McConnlc:k; 6. Jon Boruff HOn); 7. Tyson Hadsell (Yam): 8. Spud Walters Hon); 9. Doug EllrlS (Yam); 10. Kevin Blalock Hon). ! 125 PRO: 1. Kevin WaJker (Yam); 2. Kelly Smith (Yem): 3. Jon Boruff (Hon): 4. tyson Hadsell (Yam): 5. Donnie Adams (Kew!. 250 PRO: 1. Kel y Smith (Yam): 2. Keith S. Johnson (KTM); 3. Joshua Summey (Yam); 4. Jon Boruff (Hon): 5. Jason McCormick (Yam).