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AMA Western Four-Stroke Nationals Round 3: Cycle Ranch MX Park STORY AND PHOTOS BY GARY T. OBER FLORESVILLE, lX, APR. 6 he Cycle Ranch MX Park once again hosted a spectacular FourStroke National, featuring a gate full of the best thumper racers in the country. This year's event was larger than ever, running two qualifiers and a last-chance qualifier fOT the more than 60 Pro racers on hand. The contest included two 25-minute-plustwo-lap motos. The track was in perfect condition, complemented by a consistent light rain that made the red, loamy surface messy but just right for racing. Racers who failed to get a good start found themselves struggling for vision, as tear-offs and goggle prep were key factors in the first moto. In fact, many riders threw their goggles off anyway, due to fogging problems from the humidity. The weather for the second moto was much nicer to the racers, and it also allowed more spectators to come out and enjoy the race. White Brothers/American Honda/ Tag/VP Racing Fuels/Shift-backed Paul Carpenter pulled a ripping firstmoto holeshot, followed closely by rookie Pro Thomas Hahn, Dustin Nelson, Chris Wheeler, Jason McCormick, Spud Walters, Danny Carlson and Anthony Pocorobba. As the pack rounded the first sweeper, Carpenter went a little wide, allowing Hahn to the inside, where he tried to steal the holeshot - but he had no luck, as the "Pit Bull" slammed the door shut. Motoworld Racing.com/Yamahabacked Nelson was also looking for that secret inside line around Carpenter but found himself fending off attacks from FMF/Answer-backed Wheeler and about 15 other insideline chargers. Meanwhile, on the outside lines of the sweeper turn, Alpinestars/RG3 Suspension/Maxxis Tires-backed McCormick led the charge up the hill, followed by Fasst Company/ Quiksilver/Bill's Pipes-backed Carlson, Yamaha Motor Corporation/ Montclair Yamaha's Nathan Woods, ters, Ty Connor, Pocorobba, Leighton Lillie, Todd Downs and Dennis Stapleton. The pack soon disappeared down the hill (except for those involved in the first-sweeper pile-up), and it looked like Carpenter had the second moto in the bag - until a sudden crash sent him back several places and let Hahn take over the lead. However, even though Hahn was riding exceptionally well, he was no match for McCormick, who blasted past Hahn and took control of the moto. McCormick looked like a new man as he started to put some distance on the rest of the pack, taking the checkers in moto two. Woods also came up on Hahn, looking for a way around, but Hahn held on for second place. Woods, Carpenter and Collier rounded out the top five. Sixth place went to Walters, followed by Wheeler, Carlson, Downs and Corder. Axo/N-Style/Etnies-backed Rich Taylor finished out in ninth place on a 12-14 tally, while fellow California racer Nelson finished in 10th. The 1999 Eastern Four-Stroke Champion, Pocorobba, had a great day, finishing in 13th place on a 1612 score. Pocorobba has been living and racing in Brazil for the last three years and has just recently recovered from surgery on both wrists. Norberto Debernardi came all the way to Texas from Argentina to race with America's finest, and he finished with a 20-23 score, which was good enough for 19th on the day. Sean Collier and Kevin Townsend. Carpenter went on to win the first moto after briefly mixing it up with Wheeler and Woods. McCormick was also one of the favorites to win this event, but a serious case of arm pump relegated him to a sixth-place finish in the moto. Wheeler put in a great ride, finishing second, followed by Woods, Walters and Nelson. Honda of Houston-backed Hahn finished seventh. Mike Corder was eighth, Collier was ninth, and Chaun McAlister was 10th. In the second moto, Carpenter repeated his holeshot, and Hahn was once again dogging the champion and looking for a better view as they came thumping into the first tabletop corner. This time, Collier was running in third, followed by Nelson, McCormick, J.J. Pecsok, Wheeler, Wal- Justin Smith was at the track, helping out his good friend Clayton Miller with advice and pit signals. Miller finished the race with a 14-21 score, giving him 20th overall. Honda-mounted Derek Mahoney from Canyon Lake, California, earned the nickname "Seymour Butts" as he struggled to keep his pants on throughout the final moto. Mahoney was a real crowd pleaser, as he was (Above) McConnick won the second moto at Cycle Ranch MX Park. (Below) There was no shortage of Pro riders at the Floresville, Texas, round! ignoring the fact that he was racing in his skivvies. He finished out the day with a 38-18 tally. eN Cycle Ranch MX Parle Floresville, Texas Results: April 6, 2003 [Round 31 O/A PRO; 1. Paul Carpenter (Han); 2. J"son McCormick (Yam); 3. Nathan Woods (Yam); 4. Thomas Hahn (Han); 5. Chris Wheeler (Han); 6. Spud Walters (Han); 7. Sean Collier (Han): 8. Mike Corder (Han); 9. Rich Taylor (Han); 10. Dustin Nelson (Yam); 11. Dennis Stapleton (Han); 12. Leighton Lillie (Han): 13. Anthony Pocorobba (Yam); 14. Danny Carlson (Han); J5. Todd Downs (Yam); 16. Chaun McAlister (Han); 17. Brandon Morgan (Han); 18. Ty Connor (Han); 19. J.J. Pecsok (Han); 20. Clayton Miller (Yam); 21. Dean Lane (KTM); 22. Derek Mahoney (Han); 23. Michael Stevenson (Yam); 24. Beau Baron (Han); 25. Kevin Townsend (Han). cue I e n e _ S • APRIL 30, 2003 43