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Northwest Supercross Championship Deschutes County Expo Center ;. , CLeft) Jimmy Nelson was one of the large contingent of out-of-staters at the third annual Northwest Supercross Championship. He won the 125cc Pro-class title via 1-1-1-2 finishes . , I • r I i , t t I ~ f ~ , I to snare the win. Corder, riding a Yamaha, finished third, followed by Pestana and Jurevich, who were STORY AND PHOTOS BY CLAY liGHT REDMOND, OR, FEB. 7-8 'iJ] amaha-mounted Jimmy Nelson has only been off an aocc machine for a couple of seasons, but this weekend he looked like a seasoned ] 25cc veteran, judging by his performances at the third annual Northwest Supercross Championship at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. The Californian proved that he's ready for prime time by defeating a host of the Northwest's top riders and clinching the] 25cc crown. Nelson pocketed a substantial chunk of the $20,000 Pro purse, which lured riders from all over the West. Mike Corder was the top performer in the 250cc Pro class, taking the 250cc title via ] 4- ] - ] -] performances, while Ryan Terlecki, who finished second to Nelson in ] 25cc action, trailed Corder in the 250cc class and was the weekend's top money winner. Things started off slowly in the first ] 25cc Pro moto on Friday, as the former minicycle speedster was mired midpack at the start. Californian Jeff Pestana grabbed the lead as the pack funneled into turn one, but he was passed by Terlecki. However, Terlecki's lead lasted about as long as Pestana's; Nelson rebounded from a poor start to overtake Terlecki, who lost his composure in the deep whoop section and dropped several positions. Pestana regained second, although Nelson had a good thing going up front and easily won. Pestana bailed out of second, allowing Johnson to settle into that position, where he'd finish, some six seconds back of Nelson. Both Corder and Terlecki mounted inspiring through-the-pack performances to capture third and fourth, followed by Californian Billy Jurevich, Oregon's Tony Graves, and KTMbacked Rory Sullivan. n Nelson's start in moto two was much improved, although he got the squeeze from Terlecki, Graves and Greg Crater exiting turn two. By the end of a lap, Nelson had blitzed past both Graves and Crater to settle into second. Terlecki's troubles continued, as he again encountered problems and allowed Nelson to assume the lead. Nelson would remain there to the finish to cap off his Friday night sweep. Terlecki recovered to trail Nelson at moto's end, followed by the impressive Crater, Pestana and Washington's Brandon Thomas. Johnson got the jump on the field at the start of the first 250cc Pro moto on Friday and appeared to have an untouchable lead in hand - until Corder came knocking. At one point Corder overtook Johnson for the lead, but he later crashed. Johnson regained the lead and held it to the finish to post his best performance (after also topping the Dash For Cash), finishing ahead of Binckley, Terlecki, Crater, Jurevich and the rest of the] 7 -rider field. Corder came from behind to overtake Binckley late in moto two and post a moto win, while the journeyman efforts of Pestana netted the Golden State rider third, ahead of Terlecki, Johnson and Washington's J.R. Vielle. On Saturday, Nelson had his work both consistent top-five performers all weekend. Moto two was another Nelson/Terlecki shootout. Terlecki took command from the get-go and held the lead to the finish, although Nelson did all he could in the final three laps to thwart Terlecki's chances. Nelson rode on Terlecki's rear fender on the final lap, but Terlecki had an answer for all of Nelson's advances and took the win. Nelson, though, was the overall winner (] -] - ] -2, four motos combined). Terlecki and Corder finished two-three in both the moto and overall, followed by Jurevich and Graves. The fast-starting Pestana assumed the lead at the start of the first 250cc Pro moto, but Terlecki was on the gas and snatched up the lead on the opening lap. Terlecki took command but had Corder, riding the Honda CRF450R, breathing down his neck. On lap three, Corder assumed the lead and, with each remaining lap, increased his advantage and easily won. Terlecki finished second, trailed by Pestana, Jurevich, Graves and Binckley, who was in good position to win overall until a fall resulted in his finishing sixth. Corder garnered the holeshot money by virtue of his best start of the weekend in moto two and, after shaking off Terlecki, rode to what Mike Corder posted an overall 250cc Pro win and finished third in the 125cc Pro class at the Deschu1es County Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon. appeared to be an easy win for the rider who calls Rainier, Oregon, home. Corder completed his Saturday night 250cc sweep (which salvaged an overall class crown after a 14-1 night on Friday), to lead Terlecki (3-4-2-2) overall. Binckley finished third (as well as third overall, with a 2-2-6-3 tally), followed by Pestana and Jurevich, who were fourth and fifth in the moto and in the final standings as well. CN Deschutes County Expo Center Redmond, Oregon Results: February 7-8, 2003 Friday 125 PRO: 1. Jimmy Nelson (Yam); 2. Ryan Terlecki (Yam); 3. Greg Crater (Hon); 4. Tony Graves (Yam); 5. Jeffrey Pestana (Hon); 6. Billy Jurevich (Suz); 7. Mike Corder (Yam); 8. Brandon Thomas (Hon); 9. Rory Sullivan (KTM); 1O. Eric Cleveland (Yam). 250 PRO: I. Billy Binckley (Yam); 2. Tracy Johnson (Yam); 3. Ryan Terlecki (Yam); 4. Jeffrey Pestana (Han); 5. Greg Crater (Han); 6. Billy Jurevich (Suz); 7. Mike Corder (Han); 8. J.R. Vielle (Han): 9. Brandon Thomas (Han): 10. Tony Graves (Yam). cut out for him: Terlecki DFC: I. Tracy Johnson (Yam): 2. Billy Binckley (Yam); 3. Ryan Terlecki (Yam). Saturday 125 PRO: 1. Ryan Terlecki (Yam); 2. Jimmy Nelson (Yam); 3. Mike Corder (Yam); 4. Billy Jurevich (Suz); 5. Tony Graves (Yam): 6. Jeffrey Pestana (Hon); 7. Brandon Thomas (Han); 8. Rory Sullivan (KTM); 9. Greg Crater (Hon); 10. Eric Cleveland (Yam). 250 PRO: I. Mike Corder (Hon): 2. Ryan Terlecki (Yam): 3. Jeffrey Pestana (Hon); 4. Billy Sinckley (Yam); 5. Billy Jurevich (Suz); 6. Tony Graves (Yam); 7. Rory Sullivan (KTM); 8. Don Bisceglia (Suz); 9. J.R. Vielle (Hon); 10. Brandon Thomas (Hon). DFC: I. Ryan Terlecki (Yam); 2. Mike Corder (Hon); 3. Billy Jurevich (Suz). Overall Northwest Champions t 25 PRO: 1. Jimmy Nelson (Yam); 2. Ryan Terlecki (Yam); 3. Mike Corder (Yam). 250 PRO: 1. Mike Corder (Hon); 2. Ryan Terlecki (Yam); 3. Billy Binckley (Yam). rebounded strongly after struggling on Friday night and led the majority of the first 125cc Pro moto. Nelson clawed away at Terlecki's advantage, and, late in the moto, he overtook Terlecki CBelow) Ryan Terlecki garnered runner-up finishes in the 125cc and 250cc Pro classes on both nights. He won Saturday's second 125cc Pro mota. eye I e n e _ s • FEBRUARY 26.2003 61