Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

! ~ , t ~ • I f r- ~ CMA Bridgestone Pacific Coast Pro-Am, Central Series Round 1: Hanford Fairgrounds c.n,'II,. I' iiIJId olrt.. ,.ft... ............... _tIIe vet Pro CIIA Bddg..I r-IICIftc: COMI ...... ~c....... opener In HlIn1vrd, C.uIomIa. STORY AND PHOTOS BY EDDIE GRAVELINE/WWW.MOTOPRESS.NET HANFORD,CA,MAR.2 .. long time ago, someone dubbed ~the Pacific Coast Pro-Am "the series to win." Maybe it was because "dealer dollars" are paid out to every class with at least six entrants. Maybe they said that because the series draws some of the biggest crowds of the year. Whatever the reason, they were right. Based on attendance at the Centra I Region opener, it appeared that racers from all over California agreed. There were almost 300 entries, and the pits were packed. An unusually large number of true spectators people who weren't there with any of the racers - turned out as well. The gathering of enthusiasts was met with spectacular weather and an incredibly well-prepped track. As is the norm at CMA races, the Mini classes were full of excited young riders and great action on the track. One of the day's outstanding efforts was put in by Bakersfield's Kyle Kessinger. In what could only be described as a courageous decision, Kessinger made his comeback at the same track where he had broken his leg just before Christmas. He rode conservatively in the 85cc Novice class but turned in an unbelievable, solid second-place ride in the 85cc X class. With a performance like that in his first race back, it's a safe bet that Kessinger will be challenging for the lead very soon. The 125cc Youth division brought quite a bit of excitement to the event. Five different riders had podium finishes in at least one of the motos. In other words, the racing was close. Coming all the way from Seaside, Anthony Houser struck early and won the opening race. He was followed in by Jake Osborne and Kyle Foltz. Starts are always a big deal, especiallyon 125s, and Foltz got a good one the second time out. He went on to win the final race. Dustin Somogyi and Austin Ingalls rounded out the podium in that one. Being the only rider to finish in the top three in both motos was enough for Foltz to take the overall. Houser was second with 1-4 scores, and Somogyi was third with a 4-2 shOWing. Shawn Burk won the 250cc Novice class handily with a two-moto sweep. Behind him were 18 other riders, though, and the battle for second ;"as heated. Jeff Merrill, who lives in nearby Visalia, followed Burk in the first time, but he had local boy James Leon to dea I with in the second moto. Leon edged Merrill for second in the final moto, but his 4-2 score wasn't enough to beat the latter's 2-3 tally. Chad Vejar had a solid showing as well, going 3-4 and taking fourth overall. Robby Baptista came out swinging in 250cc Intermediate action. CMA regulars are familiar with Baptista's all-or-nothing approach, and he was in classic form. All over the bike and pinned the whole way, the Honda rider blitzed to the first-moto win. However, a couple of smooth operators had plans of their own for the second race. Charlie Hartzell and Somogyi - two guys from the coast took the top two positions in the final race, while Baptista came in third. Hartzell edged Somogyi for the overall, going 3-1 to Somogyi's 2-2 tally. Baptista was third, but, as always, he was a crowd favorite. The Vet Pro class boasted one of the biggest gates ever seen in the class in Central California. In the first race, it was Honda rider John Blair all the way. While a pack of challengers bumped and battled, Blair took advantage of a clear track and pulled out a sizable lead. Steve Nelson ended up riding his Suzuki to second in that race, while Johnny Souza was third. Syndicate 559/ Clawson Motorsports-backed Frank Darnley got the worst of a collision in the whoops and had to retire early with a very sore back. After a decent fourth-place finish the first time out, Shawn Davis broke free and won the second moto. Proving that consistency wins races, Nelson was second again and first overall with his solid 2-2 performance. Davis and Blair completed the top three. The highly anticipated Pro-Am race ended up being a family affair, with brothers Paul and Dieter Temmerman taking the top two spots on KTM thumpers. Brian Hulsey did an unbelievable job of putting his RM 125 in third, ahead of Baptista, to take the final podium position . In the world of motocross, it just doesn't get any better than things were at round one. Perfect weather, hundreds of entries, and a great spectator turnout spoiled everyone involved. All anyone could do was hope for more of the same in the rounds to come. eN cue I e Hanford Fairgrounds Hanford, California Results: Man:h 2, 2003 (Round 11 50 FIT: 1. Zachariah Leach (Lem): 2. Jack Hamilton; 3. Justin Jones (KTM); 4. William McHaney (KTM); 5. Chris Hernandez (KTM). 50 (0·6): J. Logan Baker (KTM): 2. D.J. Uoren (Hus); 3. Kaleb Kessinger (KTM); 4. Nathan Howard (KTM). 50 (7-8): 1. Landon Sullivan (KTM); 2. Michael Maze (Cob); 3. Joseph Reynolds (KTM); 4. Trent Nicholson (KTM): 5. Charles Sheets (KTM). 50 OPEN: 1. Michael Maze (Cob); 2. Landon Sullivan (KTM); 3. Joseph Reynolds (KTM); 4. Trent Nicholson (KTM); 5. Charles Sheets (KTM). 50 ADULT: 1. Charlie Hartzell (Hon); 2. Shawn Burk (Hon); 3. Jeff Van Tassel (Hon); 4. Bry~n Maze (Han). 65 (0·8): 1. Landon Sullivan (KTM); 2. Tyler Custer (Kaw); 3. Joseph Reynolds (KTM); 4. Michael Maze (Suz); 5. Terry Che~th~m (K~w). 65 (9-11): I. Travis Bachman (Suz); 2. Christian Marmolejo (Suz): 3. Taylor Toole (KTM); 4. Tyler Nicholson (KTM); 5. J.J. Valles (Suz). 65 NOV; I. Kyle Tigert (KTM); 2. Gabe Adame; 3. Stephen Perello (Kaw); 4. Kyle Wlilgamotte (KTM); 5. Jonathan Morrison. 65 INT; 1. Tyler Bereman; 2. Dustin Moody (Kaw). 65 X: 1. Tyler Bereman; 2. Kyle Tigert (KTM); 3. Dustin Moody (Kaw); 4. Gabe Adllme; 5. Stephen Peretto (Kaw). 85 BEG: I. Ryan Bush (Yam); 2. J.B. Buller (Yam); 3. Jackie Ives (Hon); 4. Bilike Gimbarti (Hon); 5. Michael Perello (KlIw). 85 NOV; I. Tyler Bereman (Yam): 2. Tanner Sisson (Kaw); 3. Heath Rowland (Yam); 4. Dustin Moody (Kaw); 5. Mall Dungan (Han). 85 INT; 1. Andrew Desilagua (Yam). 85 X: 1. Austin Ingalls (Yam); 2. Kyle Kessinger (Yam); 3. Heath Rowlllnd (Yam); 4. Andrew Desilagua (Yam); 5. Michael Peretto (Kaw). 125 BEG 0·1; 1. Jarod Pack (Hon); 2. Jack Duval (Suz); 3. Ethan Flores (Kaw); 4. Hunter Shelton (Yam); 5. Wesley Flippin (Yam). 125 BEG 0·2: 1. Steven Hembree (Yam); 2. Ryan Ashby (Suz); 3. Mason Wickes (Hon); 4. Kyle Orth (Yam); 5. Kyle Balsdon (Yam). 125 NOV 0·1: I. Shawn Burk (Han): 2. Chad Vejar (Hon); 3. Joel Roberts (Yam); 4. Adam Campbell (Kaw); 5. Erie Ralls (Yam). 125 NOV 0-2: 1. Austin Ingalls (Yam); 2. Tyler Armstrong (KTM); 3. Steven Bates (KTM); 4. Nathan Brock (Yam); 5. Kevin Wells (Hon). 125 INT: 1. Anthony Houser (Yam); 2. Jake Osborne (Hon): 3. Dustin Somogyi (Yam); 4. Kyle Foltz (Yam): 5. Brae Hayes (Yam). 125 PRO: 1. Brian Hulsey (Suz). 125 YTH: I. Kyle Foltz (Yam): 2. Anthony Houser (Yam); 3. Dustin Somogyi (Yam); 4. Jake Osborne (Hon); 5. Austin Ingalls (Yam). 250 BEG: 1. Brandon Davis (Yam); 2. Donnie Roe (Yam); 3. Kyle Orth (Yam): 4. Craig Heredia (Yam), 5. Hunter Shelton (Yam). 250 NOV: I. Shawn Burk (Hon); 2. Jeff Merrill (Yam); 3. James Leon (Hen); 4. Chad Vejar (Hon); 5. Cory W~rmerdam (Yam). 250 (NT: I. Charlie Hartzell (Hon); 2. Dustin Somogyi (Yam); 3. Robby Baptista (Hon); 4. Broc Hays (Yam); 5. Adam Hensley (Yam). 250 PRO: I. Dieter Temmerman (KTM). WMN: I Sherri Cruse (Hon). 25-29 NOV; I. Jeff Merrill (Yam); 2. Doug Russell (Hon); 3. Craig Rannells (Hon); 4. Chris Ingles (Yam); 5. Robert Marks. 25-29 (NT/EX: I. Paul Temmerman (KTM); 2. Steve Nelson (Suz); 3. Adam Hensley (Yam); 4. Johnny ScUZl! (Hon); 5. Rick Hollenbeck (Yam). VET BEG: 1. Jason Collins (Hon); 2. Craig Heredia (Yam); 3. Ronald Holstine (Hon); 4. Joseph Pistaechio (Hon); 5. Mike Dunnagan (Yam). VET NOV; 1. Erie Burst (Yam); 2. Durbin L10ren (Yam); 3. D~n Hensley (Y~m); 4. Billy McClain (Yam); 5. Rick Steiner (Suz). VET (NT; 1. Craig Rannells (Hon): 2. Doug Russell (Hon); 3. Andy Hernandez (Yam); 4. David Camarena (Hon); 5. Robert Marks. VET PRO; I. Steve Nelson (Suz); 2. Shawn Davis (Yam); 3. John Blair (Hen); 4. Johnny Souza (Han); 5. Scott McCullough (Han). OfT INT: I. Craig Rannells (Hon); 2. Doug Russell (Hon); 3. David Camarena (Hon); 4. Dan Hensley (Yam); 5. Kelley Hampton. SPTSMN X: 1. Charlie Hartzell (Hon); 2. James Leon (Hon); 3. David Caetano (Suz); 4. Craig Rannells (Hon); 5. Wesley Flippin (Yam). PRO·AM: 1. Paul Temmerman (KTM); 2. Dieter Temmerman (KTM); 3. Brian Hulsey (Suz); 4. Robby Baptista (Hon); 5. Anthony Houser (Yam). n e _ s • APRIL 9. 2003 69

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