Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

class, and regular winner D.C. Thomason had to watch Ward .get it done. Ward rode his Honda 450 in the 250cc A class, with the same result. Thomason was a solid second but couldn't close on his superfast KTM. When asked why he was on two brands at this event, Ward said thEttHonda was easiec to ride than the YZ450, and his loyalty is to winning, not to a brand. That strate.gy worked on this night at Calhoun. A great rider turnout had many of the gates filled with ready racers. The races went smoothly, as is usual at Calhoun. The track was prepped to the max, and the Saturday Moto-Madness Series is the now picking up steam - and the riders love it. As the weather heats up, Saturday night under the lights is the way to go. Results P/W SHAFf: I. Donny Brown (Yam); 2. Colton Ford (Yam): 3. Branden Bunker (Yam): 4. CtKty Bagley (YBm): 5. Jackson Miller (Yam). 50 (4·6): I. Donny Brown (KTM): 2. Caleb Sullivan (Hus): 3. Keaton SUlnfield (KTM); 4. Chase Atwell (KTM): 5. Brady Moreland (KTM). 50 (7·9): l. Austen Barr (KTM): 2. Gilberte Lopez (KTM): 3. Beau Bryant (KTM): 4. Kyle Hurston (KTM); 5. Jacob Seagraves (Hus). 50 OPEN: I. Donny Brown (KTM): 2. Kyle Hurstan (KTM); 3. Jacob Seagraves (Hus); 4. Austen Bllrr (KTM): 5. Blake Moreland (KTM). 60 (7·9): 1. Drew Wilson (Suz): 2. Nic KImsey (KTM); 3. Austin Watts (KTM): 4. Jordlln Tallent (KTM); 5. Chris Abercrombie (KTM). 60 (10· 11): I. Dalton Smith (Kaw): 2. Nick Lovvorn (Kllw). PRETEEN 60-80: 1. Matthew Timm (Hon); 2. Justin Morris (Kaw): 3. Drew Wilson (Suz): 4. Zach Hyatt (KTM); 5. Austin Walls (KTM). 80 BEG: t. Darrell Fricks (Yam): 2. S<:ott Novak (Kaw); 3. Brad Hammett (Hon): 4. Drew Carter (Kaw): 5. Wesley Delong (Suz). 80 (7·1 I): l. Chas Gibson (Kaw): 2. Matthew Timm (Hon): 3. Andrew Reed (Yam): 4, o.,lton Smith (Han): 5. Nick Lovvorn (Hen). 80 (12-15): I. Derek Rogers (Suz): 2. Ben Thomas (Kaw): 3. Cory Dowdll (Suz): 4. Chad Whidby (Hon): 5. Cody Lee (Suz). S/MINI80-105: I. Ben Thomas (Kaw): 2. Chad Whidby (Hon): 3. De~k Rog«!rs (Suz.). U/L AM: t. Broc HInkley (KTM): 2. Ryan Stntehe (Hon): 3. Chad Stanfi«!ld (Yam): 4. Bobby Scogin (Hon); 5. Nlithan Dover (Kaw). 125 BEG: 1. Greg Peterson (Kaw): 2. Krls Lemaster (Kaw): 3. Alec Bryllny (Kaw): 4. Jamie Panis (Yam). 125 A: I. Chlld Wlird (Yllm); 2. D.C. Thomllson (KTM). 125 C: I. CIlIyton Henderson (Hen): 2. Chris Castle (Hen): 3. Bobby Scogin (Hen): 4. Chad Stanfield (Yam): 5. Robby Wlmlarczyk (Hon). 250 BEG: I. Krls Lemaster (Kllw): 2. Mark Reihl (Yam); J. Jeff Dowda (Hon): 4. Kyle Curl (Han); 5. Tony McAbee (KTM). 250 A: I. Ched Wlird (Hen): 2. D.C. Thomuon (KTM). 250 B: J. Ryan Strache (Hon); 2. JalTf!tt Torok (Yam): 3. Broc Hinkley (KTM). 250 C: I. Josh Chllndler (Sul); 2. Skip Lowe (Yam). YTH (12-15): I. Clayton Henderson (Hon): 2. Richie Gibson (Kaw); 3. Brian Elrod (Hen): 4. D.J. Mitchell (Hon): 5. Robby Wimlarczyk (Hen). 30.: 1. MIchael Henderson (Hen): 2. Mark Reihl (Yam). 35.: I. Michael Henderson (Hon): 2. Stanley Dowda (Hon): 3. Ricky Ford (Yam); 4. David Tumer (KlIw): 5. Jim MlIIsap (Kaw). Sugar Creek MX Park Bunker's Back! By CHOCK BAU PINEVILLE, MO, APR. 5 When the sun went down and the lights came up, they shined bright for Donnie Bunker, who won three of four Expert motos at the first round of Sugar Creek's Spring Series. With a handful of local fast guys on hand, Bunker made his return from injury quite successful. YZ250F-mounted Ray Ruppert got the holeshot in the first 125cc Expert moto, chased by Bunker, Nathaniel Benoit and Jerod Whipple. At the start of lap two, Benoit moved up to put pressure on Bunker for second as they both caught up to Ruppert's rear wheel. Shortly after, though, Benoit crashed over a double, handing second back to Bunker, and Whipple, on a Viper Racingbacked Husqvarna, inherited third. Benoit eventually got unstuck from beneath his YZ125 and slowiy circled the track, watching the action. As Bunker pressured Ruppert for the lead, the latter made a mistake in the next corner, ultimately handing the moto win to Bunker. Whipple was second, Ruppert was third, and Benoit was given fourth. In the second mota, Bunker took the holeshot on his Munn Racing-backed KTM, foliowed by Whipple and Ruppert. Benoit was absent, due to a sore leg. There was a lot less drama but just as much speed, as Bunker simply pulled and pulled until the checkered flag flew. Whipple and Ruppert were a distant second and third. The 250cc Expert contest was much the same. Bunker absconded with the holeshot but was quickly put under pressure by Benoit. The two qUickly began to put a gap on Whip- 80 APRIL 23. 2003' c u e • EO Sugar Creek MX Park: KTM rider Donnie Bunker made his return from an injury-induced hiatus a successful one, winning both the 125cc Expert and 250cc Expert classes at the opening round of Sugar Creek's Spring Series in Pineville, Missouri. pie, and the pace was at an all-time high for this duo. In a tricky rhythm section, Benoit stalked Bunker for several laps before finally switching lines and outbraking him for a pass in a comer. Benoit went on to win the first, followed by Bunker and Whipple. The second moto featured only Bunker and Whipple, as Benoit elected to go home and rest his injured leg. Bunker came out of the gate like a rocket, leading every inch of the race and putting distance between himself and Whipple for his third moto win of the night. "Tonight was real good," Bunker said. "I broke my arm last October. I got recovered from that and ended up pulling some muscles in my leg, so all in all, I've been out for about four or five months. I would really like to thank KTM Motorcycles, Munn Racing, Scott Goggles, O'Neal, Renthal, Tufco Flooring and DBC Properties for all their help." In Pee Wee racing, the rider of the night was Michael Wright, aboard his Polinis. In the combined 50cc (4-6) and 50cc Open classes, Wright rode against his own class of 4- to 6year-olds as well as the older 7- to 9-yearolds. Wright got the holeshot and simply dominated each of his motos, going 1-1 in each class. His stiffest and most consistent competition came from Polini-mounted Lane McCall, who won the 7 -9 portion. Results 50 BEG: I. Wyatt Cross (Pol): 2. Austin Sele:e (Hus): 3. Dakota Perry (Hen): 4. Dylan Van Zwe:el (Hon); 5. Hunter McCall (Hen). 50 (4-6): I. Michael Wright (Pol): 2. Cody Stanley (Hus): 3. Dakotll Winn (Pol); 4. K.C. Murphy (KTM). 50 (7.9): I. I...IIne McCall (Pol); 2. Kevin Morrow (pol): 3. Trevor Barton (Pol); 4. Dllyton Winn (Pol): 5. Kolton Worley (KTM). 50 OPEN: 1. Michael Wright (Pol): 2. T~vor Barton (Pol): 3. Kevin Morrow (Pol): 4. Kolton Worley (KTM); 5. Dayton Winn (Pol). JR 4-STRK: t. Blake Godin (Kaw): 2. Michael Bond (Hon): 3. Brendan VlIn Zwe:el (Hon): 4. Terren O'DeIl (KlIw); 5. Garrett Comer (Kaw). 65 (6.8): I. Zach CoJll«!r (KlIw): 2. Lane McClIlI (Suz); 3. Zach Mcjunkin (Suz); 4. Mark White Jr. (KTM); 5. Josh Campbell (Kaw). 65 (9·11): I. Corby Shumate (KTM): 2. Hayden Hagler (KTM): 3. Jacob Lemeur (KTM): 4. Garrett Comer (KlIw); 5. Noah Boyd (Kaw). 65 OPEN: t. Noah Boyd (Kaw): 2. Zlich Collier (Kaw): J. Corby $humate (KTM): 4. Zach Mcjunkin (Suz): 5. Tellen O'DeIl (Kaw). 85 (9-11): 1. Garrett Comer (Hen): 2. Zach CoUler (Kaw): 3. Terren O'Dell (KlIwl: 4. Jonathan Hutchins (Yam). 85 (12-15): J. Wi! Barnard (Hon); 2. Brad Ferley (Kawl: 3. Andy Ruppert (Suz): 4. Blake GodIn (Hon): 5. Jesse Bishop (Yam). 85 OPEN: I. Terren O'Dell (Kaw): 2. Wil Barnard (Hen); 3. BrlK! Flirley {KaWI: 4. Andy Ruppert (Suz): 5. Luke Leichner (Kaw). 125 BEG: 1. Bleke Hlissell (Suz): 2. J.D. Jones (Hon): J. Jimmy Forrest (KlIw): 4. Jeremy Jones (Hon): 5. Chad Smith (Yam). 125 NOV: I. Nick Brown (Suz): 2. Brendan Stanley (Suz): 3. Nick Blood (Hus): 4. Tyler Alverson (KTM); 5. Luke Leichner (Kaw). 125 EX: 1. Donnie Bunker (KTM): 2. Jerod Whipple (Hus): 3. RlIY Ruppert (Yam): 4. Nathaniel Benoit (Yam). 250 BEG: I. Jack Perry (Han); 2. Brad Selleck (YlIm): 3. Joe: Gulz.ar (Hon); 4. Anton Van Zw«!el (Hen); 5. Cory Hudson (Hon). 250 NOV: l. Nick Blood (Hus): 2. DlIvld Arnold (Hen): 3. Brandon Scott (YlIm): 4. Judson Holloway (KT""). 250 EX: I. Donnie Bunker (KTM): 2. Jerod Whipple (Hus): 3. Nathaniel Benoit (Yam). OPEN INT: I. Ben S<:hrlk (Hon): 2. Tony Moore (Hon); 3. Cassldy Gunneman (Kaw). OUTlAW: t. Ben Schrik (Hen); 2. Tony Moore (Hen); J. Judson Holloway (KTM). 30. OPEN: I. Brad Selleck (Vam); 2. ClIssldy Gunneman (Kaw): 3. Justin Judd (SUl); 4. Robby Welborn (Yam); 5. Robert Cross (Yam). n e VV s Swainsboro Flat Track Irvin's in Charge By JAY IRVIN SWAINSBORO, GA, APR. 5 Eight of the fastest riders on the East Coast lined up to battle in Open Pro action at Swainsboro Flat Track, This was the track's first points race of the year. Augusta HarleyDavidson/PBW/Thumbs-Up Racing rider Noot Irvin took the win. along with the lion's share of the healthy purse. This was no easy win for Irvin. Continental Tire-sponsored Greg Tysor was all over Irvin the entire main event. Despite several stabs at the lead by Tysor, Irvin was unshakeable and rode to victory, K&N rider John Nickens got a mediocre start but mounted a charge in the closing laps and made up a lot of ground on the leaders, but time ran out before he could get close enough to dice for the iead, and he finished third. Boyle Brothers Racing rider Greg Boyle was fourth, and Milledgeville, Georgia's Joel Henson was fifth. Casey Henry captured two class wins on the day. Henry won the Open Novice and Vintage Light contests. In the Vintage Light main, Motorex Oils' Ken Davis got the holeshot and seemed to have everything under control. Henry came out of the first turn in about fourth. After battling a few laps with Fiat Track Illustrated-sponsored Donnie Warf and Cushman Fruit Co. rider Jay Bender, Henry moved into second. With only three laps to go, Henry tracked down Davis and took the lead. Davis regained the lead just before the white-flag lap. Henry once again took the lead and held on until the checkers flew. In the Open Novice class, Henry grabbed the holeshot and never looked back. Darren Hawk gave chase in second but was unable to make a move for the lead. Henry took the gold with a comfortable lead, and Hawk was forced to settle for the runner-up spot. Gary LaChance made the long trek from Connecticut to do battle on his AKA Paint Doctor/Cycle Performance XR750 and stormed to a convincing win in the Over 40 class, ahead of Larry Davis and Ken Davis. Larry stayed ciose for several laps but was unable to keep the blistering pace LaChance was setting out front. Ken maintained a- close third on his Yamaha but was never able to apply much pressure to the leaders. Jerry Stokes rode to victory in Over 50 action aboard his Stokes Automotive Group ride. The main-event holeshot went to Cycle Shop Racing rider Wendell Poggie, who held on to the lead for a couple of laps before being overtaken by Stokes. While Stokes built his lead out front, Poggie was under attack from Dale Buck and Neely Racing's John Parker. Stokes took the win, with Buck second. Parker third and Poggie a close fourth. Mid-Carolina Speedway rider Uoyd Widner finished fifth. Some of the day's closest racing came in the 85cc class. CO Logging rider Zach Oiliff, Yamaha of Canton hotshoe Zeb Van Winkle, and Justin Davis went back and forth the whole race. Olliff stayed out front for the win. Van Winkle was second, and Davis was a close third. Results 50: I. Trey Amerson (Yam): 2. Kyler Snipes (Yam). ST (, TRL: 1. llIde Scarboro (Kaw): 2. JlIre:d Jones (Yam): 3. Tyler Edwards (Yam). 65: I. Allison Durden (Kaw). 65: I. Zach Olliff (Hon); 2. Zeb Van Winkle (Yam): 3. Justin DlIvls (Kaw). 125: I. Justin Davis (Hen): 2. Zach Olliff (Hon): 3. Ze:b Van Win· kle (Yam): 4. Jeremy Davis (Kaw). 200 4·STRK: 1. Johnny Hawk (Hon): 2. Pet«! Mohler (Hen). 250: 1. Kline Collins (Yam): 2. Zach Olliff (Hon); 3. Chase Scony~rs (Hen). OPEN NOV: I. Casey Henry (Yam): 2. Darren Hawk. MX: I. Johnny Hawk: 2. Pete Mohler; 3. Taylor Allen. 30.: I. Troy Abels (Hon). 40.: 1. Gary laChance (H-D): 2. Larry Davis (YlIm); 3. Ken Davis (Rot). SO.: 1. Jerry Stokes (Hen); 2. o.,1e Buck; 3. John Parker (KTM); 4. Wendell Poggie (Hen); 5. Uoyd WIdener. VINT LT: 1. ClISey Henry (Yem): 2. Ken Davis (Yam); 3. Jay Bender; 4. Donni«! Warf: 5. Clay Pickren. VINT HVY: I. Bene Root. VINT BRKLSS: I. David Barr; 2. Beno Rodl; 3. Shorty Ban: 4. Charlie Fennell. OPEN AM: 1. Bubba Seyle: 2. Eddie Stokes; 3. Tadpole Pulliam (Hen); 4. KevIn Snipes (Rot); 5. Cole Pulliam (Rot). PRO-AM: 1. Greg Tysor: 2. Nool Irvin (ATK); 3. John Nickens; 4. Chase Sconyers (Rot): 5. Eddie Stok«!s. OPEN PRO: I. Noot Irvin (ATK); 2. Greg Tysor: 3. John Nickens: 4. Greg Boyle: 5. Joel Henson (Hen). Diamondback Motocross Phee Flies, Foes Numb By FAT BIUY Swainsboro Flat Track: Noot Irvin was the Open Pro-class winner at the first points race of the year in Swainsboro, Georgia. RESACA, GA, APR. 6 Clear weather and a cool track greeted the racers at round six of the Diamondback GPG Series. With practice, racing and. on Saturday, live entertainment, no one was left wanting. The 85cc (12-15) class was a free-for-all. Suzuki jockey Derek Rogers was the most consistent racer, his fourth- and second-place finishes giving him the points for the overall victory. Caleb Gaines won the second moto, but a sixth in moto one kept the Suzuki rider in second place overall. Kyie King kept the podium all yellow with his third-place finish. The scorers had their hands full, but the scoring was spot on. The Preteen class was a good contest. Kristian Hardy won both motos handily. Honda rider Taylor Smith put his head down and prevented another yellow podium domination. Shelby Dorsey earned the last podium spot. Jase Lewis dominated the 125cc B class, winning both motos going away. Though the 125cc riders may not be happy he moved up from the Superminis, he was getting too tall for the smaller bikes. Yamaha rider Chip Weatherup tried to keep the Honda-mounted Lewis in sight but scored two second-place finishes. J.J. Mackey, on his blue beast, was consistent in third.

• Cover