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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CMA Pacific Coast Pro-Am MX Series, Central Division Round 2: Madera Fairgrounds STORY AND PHOTOS BY EDDIE G RAVELINE/WWW.MOTOPRESS.NET MADERA, CA, MAR. 9 ith spring coming faster than anyone expected, California motocross racers turned out in nearrecord numbers for the second round of the CMA Bridgestone Pacific Coast Pro-Am Motocross Series' central division competition. The CMA crew had prepped the popular track well and even added a few new obstacles, including a very tricky, whooped step-over jump and four consecutive doubles heading down the finish straightaway. CMA events are popular because of their tight, technical, supercross-oriented track designs, and this event definitely didn't disappoint. Tyler Bereman was one of the most dominant Mini riders of the day. Caravanning with a group of riders and families from the Central Coast, Bereman paid his parents and grandfather back for their time with an amazing run in Madera. He got things started by riding his new KTM 65 to the X-class win, over Dustin Moody, Kyle Tigert and a host of other capable riders. In the 85cc Novice class, in which he has less experience, Bereman used consistency to garner victory. While Tanner Sisson and Ethan Flores traded moto wins, Bereman finished second both times out and claimed the biggest trophy. Finally, he topped things off by taking the 85cc X-class win over a few of the same guys, as well as some Intermediates. Not bad for a day's work. The 250cc Novice class was a lot of fun to watch. Any time the guys make it hard to figure out who placed where, you know there was some good racing. Shawn Burk was one guy who wasn't interested in giving the mathematicians anything to do: He took the overall win with a sweep of both motos. It was behind him that things got interesting. Jeff Merrill and Brock Vejar finished the first moto in W second and third, respectively. James Leon, who is usually a threat, had an off race the first time out, finishing ninth, but he came back strong in the final and finished second, behind Burk. It wasn't enough to get Leon on the podium, but it did throw a wrench in some other guys' plans. Merrill squeaked out a third-place showing in the second race and took second overall with 2-3 scores. Vejar, however, fell to sixth in the final moto. That opened the door for old "Ironman" that each of them had a fourth-place finish. Somogyi ran off with the victory, the most points and, more importantly, more dealer dollars than the other two. John Blair and Robby Baker had a spirited duel for Vet Pro honors. In a division where almost everyone opts for Open-class four-strokes, it was kind of cool to see a couple of twostrokes out front. Baker took the first moto, with Blair close behind. Blair is a handful for anyone he's following. Diving inside and out, always showing a wheel, he never lets the pressure off, but Baker was equal to the task. The second time out, though, Blair got a better start and wrapped up the overall with the final-moto win. Baker climbed to second in that race and overall. The Pro-Am race is always heavily anticipated by the spectators, and a gang of riders gave them all they could handle. The lead pack consisted of Hartzell, Trafton Chandler and Baptista. All three riders employ different styles and techniques, which made it interesting to watch the race unfold. Hartzell, as he had been most of the day, was nearly flawless. Chandler was smooth but didn't quite have the drive to catch the Honda rider. Baptista was entertaining as usual, Made.. fairgraunds Made.., California Results: March 9, 2003 IRound 2J 50 FIT: I. Jack Hamilton (KTM); 2. Willitlm McHaney (KTM); 3. Chris Beltran (KTM); 4. Chris Hernandez (KTM); 5. Andrew Thompson. 50 (0-6): 1. D.J. L10ren (Hus); 2. Logan Baker (KTM). 50 (7-8): I. Joke Mohnike (Pol): 2. London Sullivtln (KTM): 3. Michael Mlize (Cob): 4. Joseph Reynolds (KTM): 5. Trent Nicholson (KTM). 50 OPEN: I. Jake Mohnike (Pol): 2. Landon Sullivan (KTM): 3. Michael Maze (Cob): 4. Joseph Reynolds (KTM): 5. Cho,les Sheets (KTM). 50 ADULT: 1. Charlie Hartzell (Hon); 2. Nick Sala (Yam): 3. Brycn Maze (Hon): 4. L....arry Vcsquez (Yam); 5. John VlIlles (Han). 65 (0·8): I. London SuIHvon (KTM): 2. Joseph Reynolds (KTM); 3. Tyler Custer (Kaw): 4. Jake Baer (Kow): 5. Terry Cheothom (Kow). 65 (9·11): 1. Travis Bachman (Suz); 2. Tyler Nicholson (KTM); 3. Taylor Toole (KTM): 4. J.J. Voiles (Su,): 5. Gye Wolte' (KTM). 65 NOV: I. Kyle Tigert (KTM); 2. Jessy Arthurs: 3. Stephen Peretto (Kaw); 4. J