Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

to spread out. Harazda and Boaz were battling for the lead: Turner was hot on their tails on his newly acquired Yamaha single. There were battles all over the track; after a second·row start, Shaun Larkin was looming in the distance like a hungry lion on the prowl. Things were also getting interesting toward the rear of the field, as 400cc·c1ass winner Craig Martin was staging his own shootout at the O.K. Corral with Shane Pettis, Gates and Powers. Meanwhile. Larkin began picking riders off one by one, like "barrel fishing" with a Colt .45 - only his weapon of choice was a Rotax. As the fans were on the edges of their seats, agonizing over which race-within·the· race to watch, the power-packed extravaganza took a horrific turn for the worse. Powers grabbed too much throttle coming out of turn four at the start of the penultimate lap and highsided his Yamaha in the middle of the front stretch. If it were time trials, it would not have been so bad, but it wasn't: It was midpack, with fire-breathing machines stampeding toward him. Gates - who had already tested the durability of his leathers in the heat race· had nowhere to go, and to his terror he slammed into the side of the riderless mount; this began a disturbing whirlwind of somer· Speedworld Motorsports Complex Whitman, Arizona Results, February 17, 2003 (Round 3) Garr~tt Tait (Yam): 2, Taylor Tait (Han). YTH: I. Jllke Arrington (Han): 2. Tyler Adams (Yam). XRIOO: I. Mark Stevens (Han): 2. John Uoyd (Hon). 200: 1. Byron Boaz (Hon): 2. Mark Stevens (Han): 3. Leo Irvine (Hon): 4. Ken Harazda (Han). 400: I. Craig Martm (Han): 2. Mike Yogersl (Han): 3. Gary Pettis (Bul): 4. Randy Arrington (Han): 5. Brian Mingus (Yllm). VINT 250: I. Mark Stevens (Han): 2. Mike Yogerst (Han): 3 Gilry Pettis (H·D): 4. John Uoyd (C-A); 5. Brian Mingus (Yam). EX SGL: I. Ken Harazda (I~on); 2. Shaun Larkin (Rotl: 3. Bobby BollZ (BSA); 4. Jess~ Tumer (Yam): 5. Crllig MlIrtin (Han). TW: 1. Leo Irvin~ (Tri); 2. Reggie Amos (Yllm). P!W: I. 60 BEG 0·1: 1. Cody Cannon: 2. Ty Siminoe: 3. Ricky Goddard. 60 BEG 0-2: I. Der~k Wooltoed: 2. Cole Hllm~l: 3. Brilln Sjogren. 60 JR: 1. Trevor York: 2. Lucas Jones: 3. Garrett Baxter. 601NT: 1 Dakota Neuffer: 2. Dakota May: 3. Aaron Siminoe. 80 BEG 0·1: 1. Chris Sumner; 2. Mati Hazel: 3. LuCllS Jones. AMAlMid-South Championship Winter Hare Scrambles Series Round 9: Box Hollow Gibson's Hollow Victory they approached the finish at a tremendous pace. Nelson made his final attempt to claim the lead in the final turn with a Wide-open maneuver that brought him alongside Tiearney over the finish-line hump. Though it was extremely close, Tiearney claimed the moto win over a disappointed Nelson. The second moto was even more intense, as the long race schedule had required the shortening of the laps and made for a race where time was even more important. The two again swapped the lead regularly in the early part. but Tiearney again held the lead as the final lap began. The frustration Nelson felt on losing the first moto was evident, as he desperately flung his Yamaha through each section just inches behind Tiearney. Halfway through the lap, Tieamey's feet lost the pegs once in a tight turn, and he only narrowly managed to stay ahead of Nelson. Spectators watched intently at the final turn, anticipating Nelson's last effort. As they entered the corner, Tiearney rode hard and straight into the middle line. But Nelson did not shut off at all, swinging wide at the entrance and then cutting hard inside into a wide-open drift that brought him past Tieamey within just feet of the finish. Nelson looked back immediately at the flagger to see if he Off Road Group/Bridgestone/Thor-supported Maschino got third place overall. He had a bad start and was last off the line. He moved into sixth place during his first lap and held that spot on the next. On the third lap, he took off and pushed his way into second place. "I knew Dustin was right ahead of me," Maschino reported, "because I had just passed Cregg, who was stuck on a hill. I picked a better line and passed Dustin on the third-mile marker; but later on, he did the same." When Gibson swung wide to make it up a hill, Maschino just charged in and got stuck behind a lapper who was having trouble. In order to avoid the situation, he veered into the thicket and was forced to go back down the hill. From that point on, Maschino thought it was best to just maintain third place, since he had lost so much time and only had a few miles to go. Bersano and Allen also struggled with the elements. They had one of those days where By DEBBIE AU.EN ,------------------------------------------w a: "- ::J Lli a> I- a: w ~ >a> ~ :I: "- Fernley International Raceway: Jimmy Nelson (184) leads Nathan Tiearney (173) in the 125cc Pro race at round one of the MXWest Spring Series in Fernley, Nevada. 80 JR 0-1: 1. Pcldd~n Babcock; 2. Mlk~y ChICk; 3. Brandon Baxter. 80 JR 0-2: I Chnt Loudenburg; 2 J~r~my Swain; 3. Dustin Peterson. 80 tNT: I. Clayton P~terson: 2. Tyler York; 3 Kyif: Congdon S/M.INI: I. Tyler Yorit; 2. Johnny Vcll~rlO; 3. Ryan Eager 125 BEG 0-1: I. TravIS DaVIdson. 2. N,ck Franklin: 3. Mitch Carvolth 125 BEG 0·2: I. James Gonzal~s: 2. Dusty Sheets; 3 Tony Weatherman. 125 JR 0-1: I Ryan Hazen; 2. Doug Nessler. 3. Cameron Bellamy 125 JR 0-2: I, Beau Meier; 2. Evan Wnght: 3. Kyle Congdon 125 lNT: I Nick Jarret: 2. Wes Peebles; 3. Ryan Manha. 125 EX: I. Bobby Gamson. 125 PRO: I. Jimmy Nelson: 2. Nathan Tiearney: 3 Nick Baugh. 250 BEG: I. Kirtus Manzlm: 2. MIke Tolley; 3 Michael Bergman. 250 JR: 1. Chns Padcott: 2. Lyle Anderson: 3 Aaron Harvey. 250 tNT: I. Nick Jarret: 2. Clinl MartIn: 3 Darron Sturgeon 250 EX: 1. Bobby Garrison. 250 PRO: I Nathan Tiearney: 2. Nick Baugh: 3. Justrn Tieamey. 25 .. BEG; I. Christian Allen: 2. Chris Morns; 3, Justin Shaffer. 25 .. JR: I. Miles Humphreys: 2. Jan Wilson: 3. Tracy Speker 25 .. INT: 1. Darron Sturgeon; 2. Marcus Gentry; 3. Steve Brown. 30. BEG 0-1: l. Emmitt Amezquita: 2. Don Grove: 3. Colby Palmer. 30. BEG 0-2: 1. Donald Clark; 2. T.J. Smith; 3. Mike Boone. 30+ JR: 1. Scott Ferris; 2. Rod Rhett: 3. 5<:ott Sutter. 30+ INT: 1, Steve Brown: 2. Matt Tale: 3. Trllcy 5p~ker. 30+ EX: t. Rich Thorwaldson; 2. Philip Tate: 3. Mike McMurry. 30.. PRO: 1. Sven Stillmock: 2. nm Nobles: 3. Robbie Hadlock. 38+ PRO: 1. Kevin Truax: 2. Rabble Hadlock: 3. Bud Heishman. 40.. JR: 1. Cllmeron Wychllmko: 2. Ron Jllcobs: 3. Greg 81111r. 40.. INT: I. Curt Michitsch: 2. DllVid Dunham; 3. Gillot Sanders. 40.. EX: 1. Mike McMurry; 2. Calvin O'Nelll: 3. Eric Schlicht. 40+ MSTR: I. Larry Brown: 2. Clllyton Ross. 50 (4.6): 1. Tucker Larieu: 2. Roshawn Kness: 3. Austin Ching. 50 (7 .. ) 0·1: 1. Brian Sjogren: 2. Anthony Walsh: 3. Jesse Gore. 50 (7 .. ) 0·2: I. Ty Siminoe: 2. Jeremy Price: 3. Sebray Gossett Nelson, Tiearney Battle Again FERNLEY, NV.FEB. 16 The first round of the MXWest Spring Series again broke attendance records. The final count approached 625 entrants . an obvious indication that area racers had become eager to return to the track after a more-than-twomonth break in the northern Nevada race schedule. The Fernley, Nevada, motocross circuit had a good share of talented riders on this day, but there was little question as to who were the fastest two. Jimmy Nelson of Battle Mountain and Nathan Tiearney of Carson City were clearly the quickest two in the Pro class. But the question of who was the faster of these two on this occasion was not answered until the final turn of the second 125cc Pro moto. The first 125cc Pro moto gave the first indication of how evenly matched Nelson and Tiearney were. They both started at the front and immediately began a back-and-forth routine that lasted the entire moto. The two passed each other numerous times, but neither was able to escape the other at all. On the final lap, Tiearney's Michael's Powersports/ Axo-backed Suzuki was narrowly leading Nelson's Yamaha/FMF(Thor-sponsored YZ 125 as Amack~r Fernley International Raceway Fernley. Nevada Results: February 16, 2003 (Round 1 of 9) MXWest Spring Series Round 1: Fernley International Raceway By ROBERT BEAUPRE 80 BEG 0-2: I. William Arch~r; 2. D~von Olson; 3. Troy had indeed pulled it out, and the flagger responded to Nelson with a thumbs-up. Nelson's pass gave him the overall win. while a dejected Tieamey claimed the closest secondplace finish of any on the day. Tiearney did, however, top the 250cc Pro class, with a 1·1 score ahead of Works Rac· ing's Nick Baugh, on a borrowed Honda. Another impressive performance was that of Bobby Garrison, who rode as the lone Ama· teur on the Pro gate. Aboard his Yamahas. he more than held his own against the Pros and actually stayed fairly close to the standout Nelson{fiearney battle in the 125cc motos. There are eight rounds left in this series, to be held throughout northem Nevada and California. If turnouts stay anything like they were at this opener, it will be a busy spring for the racers and organizers of MX..West. saulting riders and motorcycles. With the local yellow and white flags out, the field was set: Harazda flew to victory, followed by Larkin, who had chased down Boaz on the last lap. Turner had to settle for a hard-earned fourth, with Martin rounding out the top five. Thankfully, both Gates and Powers emerged from their get-offs with only minor injuries; Powers was icing his right wrist at the trophy presentation. Once again. the Arrington family and their friends put on a first·c1ass event that is sure to continue to grow in the future. (If only Gates would stop crashing!) NEW JOHNSONVILLE, TN, MAR. 3 Dustin Gibson made all the right moves at the ninth round of the Pirelli Tire/Moose/Parts Unlimited/White Brothers-sponsored series. During his second lap, he logged the fastest lap time, moved in for the lead and battled to keep it until the finish. The Pro Action of Kentucky/Sarge's Cycles/KTM/Moose/Smithbacked Gibson rode his 450cc KTM EXC into Victory Lane and won his first Mid·South Championship this season. "It was awesome all day," said Gibson. "I rode smooth and stayed out front for most of the race. [John] Maschino, [Jeff] Cregg and I swapped during the last lap. but other than that, it was pretty smooth. " Off the start. eight riders were lined up on the AA line. Pro Circuit/Renthal/IMS/Team Green Kawasaki's P.A. Allen took the lead, with Mike Sampson and Maschino at his side. Allen took the inside line and was the first rider to enter the creek section. The riders disappeared, but shortly thereafter they came back into view. Allen was still in the lead, but Gibson was moving in from the rear. Toward the end of the nine miles raced, John Robbins was pulling the AA lead. Throughout the race, the lead was swapped among several different people. During the first lap, 250cc/Open A rider Timmy P'Pool was in the lead for the overall. He rode so qUickly that he thought he'd missed a turn somewhere. When he checked, he noticed Sampson, Blair Bersano and Alan Westerfield were not far behind him. With that in mind, he felt like everything was okay and continued his charge into the second lap. Allen, Maschino and Cregg also swapped first place for a short while, but Gibson hung tight and gripped the throttle for the long haul. He rode smart and was out front when it counted the most. He came through the score tent in first place for the rest of the race. He is currently in second place overall and in the AA class for Mid-South points. Second place overall went to Kawasaki/ Bloomington Power Sports/Scott-backed Cregg. "We switched places 50 many times, I really don't know who had the lead where or when," Cregg admitted. "I had a good ride and stayed in second and third place for most of the race but was also in the lead for a short while, too." Cregg was flying in second and was only a second down from Gibson at the checkered flag. Cregg is currently third in points, and his goal is to keep that spot. cu cle Box Hollow: Dustin Gibson (118) blasts past some lappers en route to the overall victory at the ninth round of the Mid-South Championship Winter Hare Scrambles Series in New Johnsonville, Tennessee. n e vv s MARCH 26, 2003 67

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