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(Above) Rodney Smith put in a consistent ride but couldn't catch Andrews. The defending champ ended up third. (Below) Mike Lafferty displayed incredible speed but cooled off at the end. The once-leader finished out the race in fourth. much to the delight of the thousands of spectators in attendance. When the riders weren't in the air, they were battling rough conditions. "The track got rough," said R.E.R. Cycle's Josh McLevy, who finished seventh. "It got whooped out, and then eventually everything started getting all square." The top Pros completed six laps in three hours. things like this.'" Andrews stayed upright long enough to reel in a tiring Lafferty with two laps to go. He made his move and attempted the check out during the final hour of the race. It wouldn't be so easy, however, since fatigue was also starting to get the better of him. When Raines passed Lafferty before the white flag flew, the last-lap sprint was on, and it looked like Raines might win it. "He was hooting and hollering at me, showing all kinds of energy," Andrews said. "I didn't have any energy left, but I tried to make it look like I did." Andrews rode a wide bike on the last go around, and Raines tried to make his move in a tight corner. "There was a tree that was maybe waist high, and I thought I could hop over it," Raines said. "I went for it but got hung up, and that gave him enough of a lead." From there, Smith displaced Lafferty, and Andrews just hung on. "I was super tired out there," said Andrews. CN When the green flag waved, Fun Mart Yamaha's Jimmy Jarrett nailed the holeshot. The rider from Ohio set the pace early before eventually yielding to Raines. Meanwhile, Lafferty was picking himself up from a big crash on the opening grass track section which left him nearly a minute back. He lost more time when he came into the pits to fix his drink system, leaving last year's Big Buck winner seemingly out of contention. Lafferty, however, went on an amazing tear, passing everyone else before climbing into the lead by the end of lap two. It was an amazing display of the enduro champ's sprinting ability, and, while it wouldn't last forever, it definitely showcased Lafferty's all-out speed. The rest of the pack was angling for the end of the race. Raines stayed in the fight, and he was joined by FMF Suzuki's Mike Kiedrowski, Andrews, Smith and Hawk. The pack raged behind Lafferty, closing in, passing and repassing one another back and forth. The battle claimed several riders, as Kiedrowski smacked a tree and broke his fuel petcock off, and Hawk bent a brake rotor. Smith had a few incidents with lappers and found himself momentarily hung up in a mud hole, which cost him time. But Andrews, who had thrown the previous two GNCCs away with inopportune crashes, was finally in the right place in this one. "These first few races, I made stupid mistakes," Andrews said. "I said to myself, 'You're being dumb, and you'll never make a living doing Big Buck &NCC Union, South !:aIllUna April 13, 2803 [Round 4 of 13] O/A: 1. Fred Andrews (KlIw); 2. Jason Raines (Yam); 3. Rodney Smith (Suz); 4. Michael Uifferty (KTM); 5. Barry Hawk, Jr (YlIm) 6. Steve Hatch (Suz); 7. Joshua Mclevy (Yam); 8. Randy Hawkins (Yam); 9. Jim Jarrett (Yam); 10. Robbie Jenks (Yam); 11. Bryan Henson (KTM); 12. DlIvid Lykke (YlIm); 13. Ryan Rodgers (Yam); 14. P. A. Allen (Kaw); 15. Ben Bouwens (YlIm); 16. Brett Zofchllk (Kaw); 17. Marty Aloisio (GG); 18. Jesse Robinson (Kaw); 19. Chris Gallt (Kew): 20. Joshua Summey (Yom). AMA GRAND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 of 13 rounds): l. Barry HlIwk. Jr. (96/1 win); 2. Jason Raines (82): 3. Rodney Smith (72/1 win); 4. Robbie Jenks (65); 5. Michllel Lafferty (64/1 win); 6. Fred Andrews (58); 7. Rllndy HlIwkins (53): 8. Steve Hatch (45): 9. P. A. Allen (36): 10. Doug Blackwell (33). BRIEFLy•••• Pro-Am Yamaha's Randy Hawkins had a big homecoming at the Big Buck. On the Friday before the event, Roy Reynolds, mayor of Hawkins' hometown of Travelers Rest. South Carolina, presented the multitime National Enduro Champion with a key to the city in honor of his career as an athlete and for his community service. The ceremony drew several hundred resi~ dents to the local YMCA. where Hawkins built a motocross track for him and his fellow GNCC racers. such as Bany Hawk. Jason Raines. Mike Lafferty and Jimmy Jarrett to perform demonstrations. After the festivities. Hawkins hosted a get·together at his sprawling ranch nearby. which is a frequent stop for many GNCC racers and motocrossers. The South Carolina area has treated GNCC racers so well that Jason Raines, originally a native of Washington. has sold his East Coast headquarters in Pennsylvania and purchased a house right near Hawkins. In a strange twist of fate, Raines' relatives have begun researching their family history and discovered that when their ancestors originally migrated from Europe generations ago. they settled about 20 miles from Raines' new house. Shane Watts (right) was back in action in South Carolina ahead of schedule. considering he is only about two months removed from a badly broken lower leg. In one of his first rides since the break. Wattsy just wanted to cruise and did so. putting in two laps before stopping for an hour and then putting in another hour. "That was prob~ ably the longest second lap ever, - said the former series champion who figures to be a few months away from returning to competitive form. Also back off the injured list was Team Green's Chuck Woodford. who sat out two races with an injured shoulder. Woodford. like Watts. rode a few laps just to get back in the groove before pulling off. South Carolina's own Bryan Henson was the top GNCC amateur rider at the Big Buck. taking 11 th overall and first place in the 250cc A class on his KTM. Big Buck course owner Henry Turner is an avid fan of the race, and he enlisted several community members to make appearances, including the Mayor of Union. who helped start the race. as well as Miss Union County, who served as the race trophy girl. How tired was Andrews after the race? He had to skip the traditional GNCC TV interview with B.J. Smith and the crew from Seals Communications to go lie down in his trailer. eye I e n e _ SO • APRIL 23.2003 19