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/128183
i~ IFMA Freestyle Series Rounds 55-56: Portland Memorial Coliseum PORTLAND, OR, NOV. 8-9 KTM-supported Kenny Bartram inched one step closer to wrangling his first IFMA Series title by lassoing a pair of overall wins at rounds 55 and 56. With only four rounds remaining, the rider nicknamed "The Cowboy" seemingly has the bull by the horns, barring any tragedy. Bartram amassed his 24th and 25th wins of the season at Portland Memorial Coliseum, and he now holds a 98-point lead over his closest competitor. Drake McElroy, 1949 to 1851. Bartram's first of two wins in the Rose City was not by a large margin, though, as Ronnie Renner and McElroy also eclipsed the 93-point mark. as did Northwest favorite Beau Bamberg. Bartram paved the way with a score of 93.6, followed by Renner (93.3) and McElroy (93.2). Bamberg, from nearby Gresham, Oregon, who notched his first win of the series several weeks earlier in Baltimore, Maryland, garnered a tally of 93.0. Saturday, however, was a different story. Bartram had things going his way in the final, although his night started off on the slow side after finishing second in qualifying. Bartram's score of 94.0 (the weekend's top tally) earned the Oklahoman his second consecutive win and nearly $5000. Nate Adams, one of the early-season lFMA title favorites, finished second (with the third-highest weekend score of 93.5), trailed by McElroy and Renner. While things went exceedingly well for Bartram, they didn't go as well for another of the factory-supported riders. Yamaha's factory Freestyle motocrosser Trevor Vines missed making Friday's final by one position, and things worsened on Saturday, as a practice crash left him with a broken femur and a separated shoulder. In front of an estimated Friday night crowd of 7000, Bartram dug deep into his arsenal of tricks to topple the competition. However, Bartram started off the evening slowly, finish~ ing second to "D-Mac" (McElroy) in qualifying, as McElroy posted the weekend's top qualifying mark of 93.9 en route to the top spot during the preliminaries, which featured his patented "Dead Body" move. McElroy, Bartram (93.4), Adams (92.5), Renner (91.4) and Jesse Olson (90.8) went directly into Friday night's final by virtue of their top-five placings, while the remaining positions would come via round two, better know as the last·chance qualifier. Andy Jones bagged a win. followed by Bamberg and Robert Distler, who narrowly edged Vines for the last spot in Friday's final, 91.6 to 91.1. "'It was pretty much my standard run, one I've been using all year," Bartram said of his crowd-pleasing bag of tricks, though not everything went completely as planned: "'Everything was going well until I tried to do a Sidewinder to Saran to One-Handed Lander I~ I : NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 BROADCASTS TheCowboy Lassos Two By eLA y LIGHT ~. and ended up as just a regular Sidewinder. I think that one did cost me a bit." Bartram's repertoire didn't change much the following night, although things went much better for the former motocrosser in Saturday's final, despite finishing fourth during qualifying. Kawasaki rider Adam Jones from Pennsylvania led the way in qualifying with a 93.8, followed by McElroy (93.7), and Adams (93.6), who barely bested Bartram (93.5). Distler was the first rider out in the final, and although he scored a total of 91.8, his stay in the "hot seat" was brief, as Andy Jones unseated Distler via a 92.5. Bamberg, despite riding with severa) broken ribs, gave the hometown crowd something to cheer about with a performance of 92.9, although the next rider up, Renner, dethroned Bamberg with a 93.2. Bartram, however, brought the house down with his patented impressive moves. "I gave it everything I had," Bartram said after besting Renner's mark with a 94.0, which would hold to the finish, despite three contestants' competing after him. "I had to give it my all, since everyone's stepping up their acts also." Adams did just about everything right, but his 93.5 still wasn't enough to top Bartram; neither was McElroy's 93.4, nor, for that matter, was the evening's final contestant, Adam Jones. A rookie this year on the series, Adam is schooled by one of the premier veterans of the sport, fellow Pennsylvanian Mike Jones, but Adam couldn't repeat his qualifying success, and his mark of 90.0 fell far short of the leaders' 94- and 93-point barrier. Although Adam made several of what could be considered the evening's best moves, he came up short on several others and finished a disap~ pointing eighth in the finals. "As long as I can just finish in the programs at the next couple of events, it [the title] looks like a sure thing," Bartram said. "This series is getting so competitive now that, to win the title, you have to stay on top of your game. Sure, I've won a lot of events this year, but everybody's polishing their acts, and there are a lot of new guys coming in, and you can't let your guard down at all." Portland Memorial Coliseum Portland. Oregon Results: November 8-9 2002 (Rounds 55 and 56 of 60) Date Network Event Time 11/24/2002 11:00AM Corbin's Ride On - Brian Jackson, host Speed 1112512002 10:00 AM Legends of Motorsport - On the Surface Speed 11/26/2002 12:00 AM Bike Week - Dave Despain, host Speed 11/2612002 12:30AM Motorcyclist Speed 11/26/2002 1:00AM Speedway Grand Prix - Britain Speed 11/2612002 2:00AM Canadian Motocross - Blackfoot Park Speed 11/26/2002 3:00AM Kawasaki Dream Rides Speed 11/26/2002 10:00 AM Legends of Motorsport . Diamond Senter - 1967 Speed 11/2612002 2:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Poland Speed 11/26/2002 3:00 PM Canadian Motocross· Kamloops 11/26/2002 6:00 PM MotoWoMd 11/26/2002 7:00 PM Bike Week - Dave Despain, host Speed 11/26/2002 7:30 PM Motorcyclist Speed 11/2612002 6:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Britain Speed 11/26/2002 9:00 PM Canadian Motocross - Blackfoot Park Speed 11/2612002 10:00 PM Kawasaki Dream Rides Speed 11/26/2002 11:00 PM Corbin's Ride On - Brian Jackson, host Speed 11/26/2002 11:30 PM American Thunder - AHDRA Las Vegas 11/27/2002 5:30AM MotoWoMd (R) 11/27/2002 7:00AM Motorcyclist Speed 11/27/2002 7:30AM Bike Week - Dave Despain, host Speed 11/28/2002 1:00AM Legends of Motorsport - Mikkola the Master Speed 11/28/2002 7:30AM Corbin's Ride On - Brian Jackson, host Speed 11/28/2002 8:00 PM Legends of Motorsport - Mikkola the Master Speed 11/3012002 7:00AM Bike Week - Dave Despain, host Speed 12/312002 1:00AM Speedway Grand Prix - Slovenia Speed 1213/2002 2:00AM canadian Motocross· Regina Speed 12/312002 3:00AM Speedway World Cup - Sheffield Speed 12/3/2002 12:00 PM 24 Hours of Lemans Speed 12/3/2002 2:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - 8ritain Speed 12/3/2002 '3:00 PM Canadian Motocross - Blackfoot Part< 12/3/2002 6:00 PM MotoWorld Speed ESPN2 Speed ESPN2 Speed ESPN2 12/3/2002 8:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Slovenia Speed 12/3/2002 9:00 PM Canadian Motocross - Regina Speed 12/3/2002 10:00 PM 12/7/2002 5:00AM Speed Speedway World Cup - Sheffield MotoWorld (R) ESPN2 12/10/2002 1:00AM Speedway Grand Prix - Sweden Speed 12/10/2002 2:00AM Canadian Motocross· Joliene Speed 12/10/2002 3:00AM Speedway World Cup - Poole Speed 12/10/2002 12:00 PM Speedway World Cup - Sheffield Speed 12/10/2002 1:00 PM AMA Formula Xtreme . Fontana Speed Speed 12/10/2002 2:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Slovenia 12/10/2002 3:00 PM Canadian Motocross - Regina 12/10/2002 6:00 PM MotoWorld Speed ESPN2 12/10/2002 8:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Sweden Speed 12/10/2002 9:00 PM Canadian Motocross - Joliene Speed Drake McElroy (93.2): 4. Beau Bamberg (93.0): 5. Nate Adams (92.6); 6. Jesse Olson (92.3): 7. Andy Jones (92.0): 8. Robert Distler (91.3). Saturday FINAL: I. Kenny Bartram (94.0): 2. Nate Adams (93.5): 3. Drake McElroy (93.4): 4. Ronnie Renner (93.2): 5. Beau Bllmberg (92.9): 6. Andy Jones (92.5); 7. Robert Distler (91.8): 8. Adam Jones 12/10/2002 10:00 PM Speedway World Cup - Poole 12/11/2002 5:30AM 12/17/2002 1:00AM Speedway Grand Prix - Prague Speed 12/17/2002 2:00AM Canadian Motocross· Pleasant Valley Speed (90.0). 12/17/2002 12:00 PM Speedway World Cup - Poole Speed 12/17/2002 1:00 PM AMA Formula Xtreme - Sears Point Speed 12/17/2002 2:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Sweden 12/17/2002 6:00 PM MotoWoMd Friday FlNAL: 1. Kenny Bartram (93.6): 2. ROllnle Renner (93.3): 3. IFAA FREESTYLE SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (Arter 56 or 60 rounds): I. Kenny Bartram (1949/25): 2. Drake McElroy (1851/9): 3 Ronnie Renner (157912): 4. Jake Windham (1577/1): 5. Beau Bam berg (1495/1); 6. JimmIe McGuire (1484/2); 7. (TiE) Dustin Miller (I442/8)/Robert Distler (1442); 9. Jesse Olson (1434); 10. Nllte Adams (5/1229). Speed ESPN2 MotoWorld (R) Speed ESPN2 12/17/2002 6:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Pra9ue Speed 12/17/2002 9:00 PM Canadian Motocross· Pleasant Valley Speed ESPN2 12/18/2002 5:30AM MotoWorld (R) 12/24/2002 3:00AM Speedway WoMd Cup - Eastboume Speed 12/24/2002 1:00 PM AMA Formula Xtreme - Road Atlanta Speed 12/24/2002 2:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Prague Speed 12/24/2002 3:00 PM Canadian Motocross· Pleasant Valley 12/24/2002 6:00 PM MotoWoMd 12/24/2002 10:00 PM 12/26/2002 5:30AM Speed ESPN2 Speedway WoMd Cup - Eastbourne Speed ESPN2 MotoWorld (R) 12/31/2002 1:00AM Speedway Grand Prix - Poland Speed 12/31/2002 3:00AM Speedway World Cup - Peterborough Speed 12/31/2002 12:00 PM Speedway Worid Cup - Eastboume Speed 12/31/2002 1:00 PM AMA Formula Xtreme ~ Pikes Peak Speed 12131/2002 2:00 PM Canadian Motocross· Kamloops Speed 12/31/2002 2:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Norway Speed 12131/2002 3:00 PM Canadian Motocross - The Wastelands Speed 12/31/2002 8:00 PM Speedway Grand Prix - Poland Speed 12/31/2002 9:00 PM Canadian Motocross - Kamloops Speed 12/31/2002 10:00 PM Speedway World Cup - Peterborough Speed ..••.••...•.........................•....••................................•.....•. For complete monthly listing go to www.cyclenews.com &click on TV listings All limes sholn Irl Elltlrn. ESPN2 -Sills Communlcltions Ind Splldvlslon IIslld IboVI. SOD, SImI DIy DIlly. Portland Memorial Coliseum: Drake McElroy does a "Superman" at the Portland, Oregon, rounds of the IFMA Freestyle Series, He placed third on both nights, Networks frequently modify program schedules. Consult your local cable listings to confirm broadcast dales and limes. ESPN2 - Seals Communications - 770.631.5300, and Speedvision - 203.406,2500 Cycle News is not responsible for changes in schedUling. cue I e n e vv s DECEMBER 4. 2002 37