Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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Illinois. More than 450 riders, family members Cross Country Women's A-class Champion, Heather Wilson, was the one to present them with their awards. In turn, when it was time for the boys to receive their awards, they were honored that the 2002 Northem Califomia Enduro Champion, Billy Russell, presented their awards to them. With the growing popularity of off-roading as a family sport, the 2003 enduro season should have record attendances and a much larger group of youth series awards participants. and friends attended. Several hillclimbers were recognized with special awards, apart from the regular jackets and class-champion plates and plaques. "Fast Andy" Fortner was the most decorated, as he picked up the coveted Fast Time Award and a multiple-class-winner plaque, and was also voted one of the best-appreciated riders, receiving also the Riders' Choice award. Fortner claimed nine fast times during 2003, coming up only one short of tying the all-time record of 10, jointly held by Tom Daniels and Jason Northrup. In addition, Fortner took the class championships in two classes, the 600cc and 750cc classes, and so received a special multiple-class-winner Final Standings P{W: I. Cody Krlmm: 2. Knstopher Edit!: 3. Be:n Mullt!n. GRLS (l0·12): I. Tere Polkable. GRLS (13·15): I. Nove Moldonedo: 2. Ashlt!y ConnKl: 3. Sereh Mullle1l; 4. Shayne "idnik. BOYS (10·12): I. Cody Pint!: 2. Eric Hllbenicht; 3. JOSl!ph Pas· Cllrt!lIe. BOYS (13·15): l. Kt!vin Mihovlch: 2. Jllft!d COnflld: 3. Cody plaque. He came very close to a "clean sweep," as he also nearly won the 400cc Stock class, finishing second behind Matt Ringstrom. The Riders' Choice award is given to a Tripp. rider, supporter, promoter and/or club that the Orangevale Parks & Recreation Facility Radisson· Fort Magruder: Jason Greer (right) receives the Grand Championship trophy (for the third straight year) from his father, outgoing VCHSS president George Greer, at the awards banquet in Williamsburg, Virginia. Cross Country Youth Celebrate Year Two By JILL ASHWORTH PATTERSON ly pleased to receive their awards from their favorite role model, 2002 National Hare Scrambles and Grand National Cross Country Women's A-class Champion Heather Wilson. With the improvements in speed and riding skills made by several of these upcoming racing stars, they have also earned advancement from the C class to the B class, and from the B class to the new A class for the 2003 racing season. ORANGEVALE, CA, JAN. 18 The 2002 Motion Pro/MotuI Northem California Youth Cross Country Series may have concluded at the final race of the series in November, but the enthusiasm and excitement of the participants hadn't ended by the time their second annual awards banquet arrived in January. The event was held with the 24th annual District 36 awards banquet. Having the Youth award winners present was an added a bonus for several of the adult award recipients, as there were various father-son and fatherdaughter combinations that received season trophies on the same evening. The 2002 racing season for the youngsters consisted of seven events: four in the spring and three in the fall. Of the approximately 45 riders who competed in the required number of races to qualify for a series award, only the top 21 riders were honored at the banquet. In comparison to the youths' first season, in which only 12 contestants earned season awards, the growing popularity of this sport promises to see another large increase in the number of award winners for the 2003 Youth Series. As the award winners came on stage to receive their trophies, many of the boys had huge smiles on their faces when they were greeted by 2002 Western Regional Cross Country Champion and two-time ISDE medallist Brian Sperle. The girls, in turn, were equal- Final Standings 50 B: 1. JustIn Fish. 2. Sil!rra Hu~l: 3. Jordan Fish. 50 C: I. Cody James: 2. Z~hllry Fitch: 3. "dllm Johnson: 4. Bruno Mon~da. 60 B: I. Troy i\mackl!f. 6OC: 1 i\ndrl!WTaylor. 2. Stevt!Godmlln. 80 B: I. J.J. A.lcllntar; 2.,\dam Morris: 3. MetthN Jimlnl!l; 4. Buddy Shalagln; 5. Jonathan Davis. 80 C: I. Lenclon ~nry. 100 B: 1, Jllrl!d Conntd. 100 C: I. JoRph Pa5Cllfl!lIe. GRLS 100 C: I Carty.Jo Brigantino; 2. Bt!llnda Claar; 3. Natllsha Mlddlt!tofl. Radisson - Fort Magruder Greer a Three-peat Grand Champion By HEATHER GREER WILLIAMSBURG, VA, JAN. 11 The Virginia Championship Hare Scrambles Series held the biggest banquet in its' 8-year history, with more than 500 guests in attendance. The banquet was a celebration not only of the accomplishments of the riders, but also of the hard work of the promoters, volunteers and sponsors who have made this series one of the best in the nation. The evening started with a standing ovation for outgoing president George Greer and incomjng president R.J. Faddis. "We are known for being fair and having the fastest riders and best awards banquets around," sajd Greer, who went on to speak of the leadership of the series throughout its history, including some outstanding statistics. For example, in 1984 only 73 awards were handed out; in 2002, 220 awards were given out. There have been 2,262 trophies awarded over the years. Greer's son George S. Greer has trophied . every year since the first banquet and is the only rider from that time still riding the series. He has also ridden in the AA class the longest. The families that have multiple series championships include the Lewis, Bakken, Almond, Roman, Ashley, Norris, Bouma. Faddis, Cox, Greer and Morrison families. Brian Hess holds the record for the most Grand Championships (five) and the record for the most overall wins (50). Danny Morrison was applauded as the "winningest" rider, with nine championships. He emphasized the motto of the series: "Formed by riders, for the riders· - a philosophy that has kept the series both fair and fun for riders over the past 18 years. "I have truly enjoyed my involvement and have appreciated the support you've given me these many - but short - years," Morrison concluded. Phillip Doyle outlined the new rules and race schedules for the 2003 season and Orangevale Parks and Recreation Facility: J.J. Alcantar was the aocc B· class champion and (having earned the most points) also the unofficial overall champion of the 2002 Motion ProlMotul Northern California Youth Cross Country Series, which held its awards banquet in Orangevale, California. 72 FEBRUARY 26, 2003' eye I e n e vv s announced the introduction of two new classes, the Four-Stroke C and Senior C classes. The AA class will be awarded cash as well as trophies this year, too. Two new tracks, one in King George County and the other in South Hill, will be added to the 2003 schedule. After the dealer awards, Horizon Rider awards and President's awards came the part of the evening everyone was geared up for: the presentation of the trophies! Top riders in each class went home with sharp-looking plaques and bags filled with great products. Class champions look home KBC helmets (custom-painted by Pro Art Works), championship number plates, and huge trophy cups that included motorcycle sculptures on the sides. The second Blue Ridge race was announced as the "Best Race" of the year. The last trophy of the night· a large sculpture of a rider tearing up the dirt, with the inscription "VCHSS Grand Champion 2003' was given for the third consecutive year to Jason Greer, who emphasized that the formula for his success was the support of his family, his sponsors and his friends. Jason claimed that his history with the VCHSS was a big part of what made him the fastest rider in Virginia, and the VCHSS was to be a part of his future as well. Pittsticks Pavilion Fast Andy Feted in Ottawa By BUD NORTHRUP OTTAWA, IL, JAN. 25 District 17 held its annual awards banquet at Pittsticks Pavilion, just north of Ottawa, riders nominate and then vote for at the State Championship. The award is intended to honor those who make outstanding contributions to the sport, and "Fast Andy" has certainly done that. Randy "Rocketman" Trosper also received a Riders' Choice award, as he and Fortner tied in the balloting for the award. Trosper was also the class winner in the Senior (Over 40) class and finished third in the 600cc class. (He's also the best karaoke singer this reporter has ever seen.) Gayle ·Old Pro' Jenkins received the Raw Points award. Each rider receives points based on 80 percent of the events run, so. in effect, many riders end up "tossing out" points at the end of the year if they've ridden in more than 80 percent of the races. The Raw Points award is presented to the rider who gets the most total points for all the actual climbs run. The "Old Pro· accumulated 658 points in 2003 to win that award. Steve Shafer joined Fortner as a doubleclass winner, taking the wins in both the Open and Open Pushrod classes on his fast and classy Harley. (He's also very entertaining at a karaoke bar - or any bar, for that matter.) Shafer is also last year's Riders' Choice award winner. Paradise Off·Road Park MX Saylor Sails to Paradise Wins By GARY CRIDER MACON, GA, FEB. 2 The Georgia Promoters Group Winter WarmUp Series heated up when 474 entrants showed up at Paradise Off-Road Park MX for round five of the series. The racing in virtually every class was fast and furious. At least 13 states were represented on the entry list. Kentucky's Jacob Saylor never missed a beat en route to all four moto wins in the 125cc and 250cc A divisions, aboard his Fox/BSY /Dunlop-backed Yamaha. Fellow Yamaha rider Danny Smith of South Carolina was never far behind on his MSR/Blazer/ Pittsticks Pavilion: (From left to right) Districl17 hillclimb director Bud Northrup celebrates with "Fast Andy" Fortner, Randy "Rocketman" Trosper and Steve Shafer at the annual awards banquet, held in Ottawa, Illinois.