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/128199
Toyota Cup Unlimited Series Willow Springs International Raceway a By with a photo finish and Ulrich keeping everyone suspense. As the front-runners took to the podium, Toye, racing for Lee's Cycle, took the top spot; SGI's Haskovec enjoyed the champagne for his second-place finish; and perhaps the proudest of the bunch was Josh Hayes, who had managed to work his way up from far back in the grid, and he celebrated his hard-earned third-place finish for Attack Suzuki. The final results showed Pfeifer holding on to fourth place by a hair, giving Ulrich the fifth spot. All five of the top racers (and nine out of the top 10) rode Suzuki cycles. The Toyota Cup Unlimited Series is a yearlong calendar of events sanctioned by the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club. These high-charged, unlimited Formula One races lead up to the grueling Toyota 200 race, PETE CLARNO PHOTOS BY DEVIN CAPPS ROSAMOND, CA, JAN. 19 he 2002 WSMC champion, Jeremy Toye, got the new season off to a strong start, as the San Diegobased Suzuki/Dunlop rider took first place from a grid of 27 racers at round one of the 2003 Toyota Cup Unlimited Formula One motorcycle races at the famed Willow Springs International Raceway in Southern California. Starting from the pole position, Toye had to battle for the lead, as Czech-born Vincent Haskovec and Las Vegas rider Jack Pfeifer were determined to keep things interesting. As they came out of turn one, Haskovec leaped ahead, with Pfeifer close on his heels. However, Toye remained determined, and the three soon pulled away from the pack for their own private competition. On lap two, Toye slid by Pfeifer in turn one to take the number-two slot. As the 12-lap race neared its halfway point, Toye continued to challenge Haskovec, and he soon managed to pull into the lead, never to relinquish it again. Meanwhile, Pfeifer, who had started off strongly, began to fade, opening up an opportunity for Gulfport's Josh Hayes to slip into the third slot. Pfeifer soon found another challenger hot on his heels: Chris Ulrich of Lake Elsinore, California. The battle for fourth continued down to the wire, 52 FEBRUARY 5. 2003' eye (Below) Vincent Haskovec was a strong runner-up at Willow Springs Intemational Raceway. (Below right) Josh Hayes came from the back of the pack for a hard-eamed third-place finish in Rosamond, Califomia. I e n e _ s Jeremy Toye had to battle for the Fonnula One lead at the opening round of the 2003 Toyota Cup Unlimited Series, but he took It at the halfway point and held on to it to the finish. which will be held October 19, and at which the top riders will compete for a $150,000 purse, with the winner taking home $50,000 - one of the richest rewards in motorcycle racing. This world-class event is timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the famed Willow Springs International Raceway. Founded in the fall of 1953, the track has been under the ownership of Bill Huth for more than 40 years and has played host to many legendary racers. Today, the raceway sports six separate tracks, including the world-famous "Fastest Road in the West," the "Streets of Willow Springs," a kart track, and three ovals - one dirt and two paved. With this unparalleled flexibility and its reputation for high-speed excitement, Willow Springs is in constant demand for sanctioned events, club races, automotive testing, location filming, and every type of road and sprint racing school. Round two of the Toyota Cup will be held Valentine's Day weekend, with the main event scheduled for Sunday. February 16. Race schedules and ticket information can be obtained from the track office at (661)256-2471. eN Willow Springs International Raceway Rosamond, California Results: January 19, 2003 [Round 11 TOYOTA CUP F·J: 1. Jeremy Toye (Suz); 2. Vincent Haskovec (Suz); 3. Josh Hayes (SUI); 4. Jack Pfeifer (Suz); 5. Chris Ulrich (Suz); 6. Corey Eaton (Suz): 7. Jeff Stern (Suz); 8. Jason Perez (Suz); 9. Chris Peds (Han); to. Clinton Whitehouse (SOl).