Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Scott Russell had a good run in the first Open Extreme leg, leading most of the race before finishing second to Metzger. Russell then crashed in the second leg and DNF'd. from Metzger, who ran off and hid, bagging the win in the second of the two-leg, WSB-style races. "I've been doing my homework," Metzger said. "I've been practicing at Elsinore MX track with both 17-inch slicks and full leathers. I've been physically sick after those 20-minute sessions. I feel this weekend, that has paid off. It's awesome that Honda builds a bike like this that's fast. I'm really happy with it. I feel the package I have for Supermoto is the best it can be right now, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. I want to be a road racer and transition like Thierry van den Bosch (World Supermoto Champion) into road race competition. It doesn't get better than that, getting paid for road racing." The second race saw a Russell DNF after he lost the front and struggled to restart his 660. Russell appeared to suffer by riding the somewhat heavier (but fast) KTM, but he still appeared to be happy, especially after recovering from a recent shoulder break. "Yeah, I had good run in the first race," Russell. "I was really tired for such a short race. My goal is to get in shape because I've had no training time. I've been laid up hurt and had a two-month riding break. Off the couch to get second place is not bad, though." Matt Pursely was a consistent finisher on the weekend, earning two third-place finishes in spectacular fashion, with wild slides at every turn. Pursely is the slightly slimmer half of Road racer Rich Alexander earned his best finish of the day in the 450X event. The New Englander finished fifth In class. Hare scrambles specialist Matt Pursely made his trek from Missouri to Phoenix worth his while, finishing third in both Open Extreme legs and also in the 450X feature. "Fat Boy Racing," a team that consists of himself and Nick Daniels. Pursely is a hare scrambles competitor from St. Louis, Missouri. "I tried to ride smart, so I relaxed," Pursely said. "I kept my head and tried not to do anything stupid. I used self-cut Michelins from Walt Schaeffer that worked real good. However, it seems that everyone is running taller, MX-style suspension, and my bike's really set up for dirt track and was horrible through the dirt section, especially the pot holes." Metzger also rounded out his weekend with a first place in the 450 class, using the road race style of knee out rather than the typical foot out used by those with a dirt background. His reason? "Nicky Hayden and Jean Michel Bayle run that way, and that's the way I'll run because I want to put myself in that class," Metzger said. "I'm looking forward to running the rest of the series." Track setup was aided by U.K. Supermotard racer Phil Gee, who used his track layout experience to develop a safe, competitive course. Gee commented on the event by comparing it to his European experiences. "There's not a lot of difference, really," Gee said. "The track was pretty good. The guys out there today were fast, but there's not the strength and depth that the UK enjoys, and it'll be good to get a few more Brits out here to advance the strength a little bit. Obviously, the more American riders who get 17-inch rims on their bikes and get out here to race will get things going and get stronger, especially with the better climate; that'll help. "This series really suits pro racers who don't want to keep beating themselves up in pro competition. They can come here, race hard and not feel they've done 20 rounds with Mike c u e ' ... Tyson. It extends your racing career. We have guys in the UK that are racing well into their 40s. Motocrossers, road racers, even ex-GP guys are crossing over because this is new, fresh and exciting." Series co-organizer Paul Brent of MotomasterUSA shared that confidence. "This event was an unqualified success," Brent said. "We had a lot of racers who traveled a long way to race here today - I'd like to thank them. We had a couple of issues with the timing on Saturday, but overall I'm happy. I feel a message will be sent out to racers everywhere that this is a great event." eN Fi"'bird Intemational Raceway Chandler, Arizona Results: March 29-30, 2003 [Round 1 of 81 OPEN EXTREME RACE I: 1. Mike Metzger (Hon); 2. Scott Russell (KTM); 3. Matt Pursely (Yam); 4. Gary Trechy (Hon); 5. Eric Pinson (Hus); 6. AI Salaverria (KTM); 7. Nick Daniels (Hon): 8. Richie Alexander (Suz): 9. Jeson Pridmore (Suz); 10. Casey Yarrow (Hon); 11. Paul Orlandi (Han); 12. Phil Gee (Ver); 13. Mike Foster (Ver). OPEN EXTREME RACE 2: I. Mike Metzger (Hon): 2. Aaron Howe (Hon); 3. Matt Pursely (Yam); 4. Nick Daniels (Hon); 5. Gary Trachy (Hon); 6. AI Salaverria (KTM); 7. Richie Alexander (Suz); 8. Mike Foster (Ver) 9. Phil Gee (Ver); 10. Jeff Horrington (Ver); 11. Brok McAllister (Hon); 12. Cory Neuer (Hon); 13. Mark Miller (Yam); 14. Casey Yarrow (Hon); 15. Scott Fisher (Han). 450X: I. Mike Metzger (Hon); 2. Gary Trachy (Hon); 3. Matt Pursely (Yam); 4. Aaron Howe (Hon); 5. Richie Alexander (Suz); 6. Cory Neuer (Han); 7. Nick Daniels (Han); 8. Tom Hickmann (Han); 9. Poul Orlandi (Han); 10. Mike Cinqmars (Han); 11. Jason Pridmore (Suz); 12. Scott Hoffman (Han); 13. David Alari (Han): 14. Allan Yarrow (Yam); 15. Mark Erickson (Hon); 16. Scott Fisher (Hon); 17. Brok McAllister (Han). M/W: 1. Tom Hickmann (Han); 2. David Alari (Han); 3. Jeff Ahner (Han); 4. Ed Gralla (Yam); 5. Brandon Yoder (Yam); 6. Brad Nordstrom (Yam); 7. Randy Werschey (Han). NOV OPEN: 1. David Alari (Han); 2. Gary Kauk (KTM); 3. John Altmann (KTM); 4. Don Toti (KTM); 5. Greg Meriani (KTM); 6. Dave Kilkenny (Hus); 7. Mark Sutton (GG); 8. Randy Sutton (KTM): 9. Brad Nordstrom (Yam); 10. Brandon Yoder (Yam); II. Wes Orloff (KTM). SPT MOTO: 1. Donie Bales; 2. Johnny HarshmllO; 3. Randy Sutton; 4. Tim laPorte; 5. Mark Sutton; 6. Jim Pursely; 7. Randy Arrinston. L/W S/MOTO: 1. Johnny Harshman (KTM); 2. Ricky Adams (Suz). n ... _ SO • APRIL 16, 2003 49

• Cover