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/128207
East Coast Pit Bike Nationals Round 2: Pax Trax MX Park Moriarty Wickedly Good! By Presents Superbike Night Autograph Signing Thursday, April 3rd, 2003 7:00 CRAIG AND ANGELA JOHNSON 8:00pm BUNNELL, FL, MAR. 7 Riders came from up and down the Eastern Seaboard to participate in round two of the Thor/Parts Unlimited East Coast Pit Bike Nationals during Bike Week 2003. The weather had not cooperated most of the week, and this day was no exception. With two hours to go before practice. the rain finally let up. The Pax T rax crew drained the track and scraped the mud off, and the riders were ready to go. One racer who did not let a little dampness get to him was Bobby Moriarty. The Yamaha rider took his pit bike and swept the 125cc (18 and Up) and 125cc Money classes. Moriarty led from start to finish in the first motos of each class. The track started getting a little more soggy in the second motos, and mid· pack starts made the racing action even more exciting. Moriarty eventually got the top spot, completing his sweep for the night. In the first class that Moriarty contested, the 18 and Up class, a holeshot and a clean view let the four-stroke rider pull away within the first lap. The rest were scrapping for a clean view of Moriarty's rear fender. Scott Haehn and Flipper Page were second and third when the green flag flew. Haehn's team· mate Brian Padgett let loose on the first lap and passed Page for third. Ben Matheson was already a distant fifth, as the battle for second healed up even more. Haehn bogged in a cor· ner a couple of laps later, and Padgett flew by. The three stayed close until Page got Haehn for third. The two started trading places back and forth, allowing Padgett to put a few bikelengths on the two. In the end, Moriarty won with a big lead over Padgett. Haehn outlasted Page, and Matheson rounded out the top five. The second moto saw Padgett abscond with the holeshot. Everyone was pushing for traction as the track started getting soupy. Haehn held second over Page, Moriarty and Matheson. The top three pulled out a few bikelengths the first lap. but when Moriarty got the wheels rolling. he soon caught the trio. Moriarty passed first Page and then Haehn, and then he set out to catch Padgett. Moriarty railed the outside of the corner before the whoops. keeping his momentum. Padgett saw Moriarty coming and dived to the inside corner after the whoops. shutting the door. Moriarty motored down the next straight, ready to try again. Moriarty got the inside, but Padgett railed the outside, keeping the lead. Moriarty finally made the pass at the last comer with a couple of laps to go. Moriarty slowly pulled away and took the win, over Padgett. Page tried a last·lap pass for third but was unsuccessful, as Haehn got the last podium spot. Moriarty made mincemeat out of his com· petition the first 125cc Money moto. Haehn started second but dropped well back in the pack. Padgett moved up to the runner·up position, holding back the 100cc (18 and Up) winner. Uoyd Miller. Page took fourth. The last ";oto of the night was a thriller. The track narrowed going down the back straight, but as the pack took off, they still went into the first corner four·wide. Miller came out on top, and the next three were still three·wide down the front straight. When they sorted themselves out a couple of corners later, Padgett was second, followed by Moriarty and Haehn. Within the next couple of laps, it looked like Moriarty drafted and passed Padgett for second down the back straight. Moriarty then started trying relentlessly for the lead. The pass was made, putting Miller back to second. Moriarty did not let a little mud get in the way. and he started pulling away. The race was now for second, and as Miller and Padgett started dicing, they allowed Haehn to catch up. Haehn got the better drive out of a comer, passing Padgett. On the last lap, the three were still together, but Padgett pushed a Scheduled to Appear: Eric Bostrom Tommy Hayden Tony Meiring Jamie Hacking Damon Buckmaster Aaron Gobert Jason DiSalvo Chaparral MDtorspOrts 555 South 'H' Street San Bernardino, CA 92410 Mill Street Exit off the 215 Fwy in San Bemardino 909/889-2761 ,,,------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------" , / Superbike Specials Textile Jacket Blowout! Starting Full Leather Road Race Suit from $89.97 1 ~-- i , , , , , (SHDD) $319.97 While supplies last. Prices valid April 3-7. ,, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------' ,, SUPERBIKES: The CHAMPIONS' STORY Behind the scenes with the Castro. Honda Team doring a gear of the World Snperbike Cbampionship (# 1265) The year 2000 was a memorable season for Castrol Honda and their bid for the World Superbike Championship crown. The team introduced the VTR I OOO-SP I, and Colin Edwards and Aaron Slight were the men charged with keeping Honda's latest superbike at the front of the pack. Behind the scenes was a small army of team personnel who kept the wheels turning and helped Honda on their road to glory. Now you can relive the team's year in this exclusive, access-all-areas documentary. Alongside superb racing highlights. the cameras captured the pre· race actrvities, the tension during they key moments in the season and loads of off-track action. Follow Edwards on the road and hear his thoughts on motorcycle racing, his new wife Alyssia. Fogarty's untimely exit from the series and his moment of glory when he realized his dream of becoming World Champion. Hear how Slight coped after brain surgery. returning to compete at the highest level, and listen to the men closest to the racing stars. team manager Neil Tuxworth and chief mechanics Adrian Gorst and Chris Pike. This video brings you the REAL story of Castrol Honda and the Texas Tornado - it's an amazing rollercoaster ride! 52 minutes from White Star I Duke Video. To Order Videos. Call 714/751-7433 - Charge t:o C..-E ~ ~ This release $34.95. Order Videos On-Line at _.cyclene'Ws.com/productivideo.asp cue I e includes shipping_ newvs APRIL 2, 2003 61