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Lap two saw the pace increase by 45 seconds and the lead pack narrowed down to four riders. Stone was still the pacesetter, but he was under heavy pressure from Thiele, who was looking very strong on his Jf,W Cycles Yamaha WR450F. Following the leading duo, Leivan and Nesbitt were locked in a battle that was equally inlense. Points leader Aaron Shaw, back on a Yamaha, was running fifth at the halfway point, a minute and a half down. Thiele continued to hound Stone and final~ ly took the lead during the third lap. Once in the lead, Thiele upped the pace and pulled away. Leivan and Nesbitt fought their way to Stone's rear fender, and both tried to make the pass by cutting a corner in a rutted section left over from the ATV event. As Stone took a cautious line around the outside, Leivan and Nesbitt both got hung up on a log and failed to make the pass. "We must have looked like a couple of stooges - both pushing, wide open - while Doug just rode around us," Nesbitt laughed. Leivan came out the loser in the fiasco and was the last of the three to exit the section. It wasn't long, though, before all three riders were grouped together again, and Leivan got around Nesbitt just before the white flag came out. Thiele had extended his lead to 45 seconds, ~nd he stopped for a splash of gas heading out for the last lap. Stone blasted through the pits without stopping, while Leivan and Nesbitt both took on fuel. The two riders drag-raced back to the woods, with Nesbitt getting the nod. Leivan pressured Nesbitt until the first grass-track section, where the Answer/Dunlop/Scott/Arai/Race Tech-backed Leivan was able to take the position. Renthal/Pro Circuit/Moose/Maxima/Factory Effex-sponsored Nesbitt pushed Leivan, and they reeled Stone in within a few miles. The pace and pressure were intense, and Stone gave way to both riders and slipped back to fourth. Leivan wasn't done yet; he charged until he caught a glimpse of the leader, Thiele. just before the halfway point. Although Leivan searched for a way into the lead, Thiele was putting in a magnificent ride and taking all of the good lines, leaving Leivan with very few options. With just a few hundred yards left in the race, Leivan saw his chance and took advantage when Thiele's momentum carried him to an outside line through a couple of rutted, sweeping grass-track turns. Leivan was able to get to the inside and miss the ruts, taking over the lead and then sprinting to the win. Thiele was an oh-so-close second, while Nesbitt recovered from a last~lap fall to round out the podium. Stone held on for fourth, and Forrester recovered from lap~two problems to finish fifth. Bixby Hare Scrambles: Steve Leivan gave himself an early birthday present by taking the overall win at round three of the Missouri Hare Scrambles Championship Series in Bixby - in dramatic fashion. Bixby Hare Scrambles Bixby. Missouri Results, March 30, 2003 (Round 31 O/A: l. Steve Lelvan (Yam); 2. Chris Thiele (Yam); 3. Chris Nesbitt (Kaw); 4. Doug Stone (Han): 5. Brandon Forrester (Kaw); 6. Aaron Shaw (Yam): 7. Caleb Wohlen (Yam): 8. Lars Valin (Hon): 9 Jerry Hemann (KTM): 10. Richie Anderson (Kaw). AA: 1. Chris Thiele (Yam): 2. Chris Nesbitt (Kllw): 3. Doug Stone (Hon): 4. Brandon Forrester (Kaw): 5. Aaron Shew (Yam) A: 1. Josh Murray (KTM): 2. Mark Gay (Yam): 3. David Taylor (KTM): 4. Matt Coffman (KTM); 5. Sammy Gosnell (KTM). 200 B: 1. Andrew Smith (KTMl: 2. Zack Bryant (Suz): 3. Michael Hamilton (Kaw): 4. Brandon Vaughn (KTM): 5. Robert Armon (KTM). 250 B: 1. Justin Smith (Hus): 2. Danny Crawford (Hon); 3. Ker· mit Turner (KTM); 4. Todd Corwin (KTM): 5. Bob Huber (Han). OPEN B: I. Mike Goforth (Yam): 2. Mark Janos (GGl: 3. Malt Sellers (KTM); 4. Wayne Hatfield (Yam): 5. Marty Smith (KTM). 4-STRK B: I. Ralph Gerding (Yam); 2. Nick Crawford (Yam): 3. Michael Weber (Yem); 4. Gary Pilant (Hon): 5. Chill Roberts (Yllm). VET: 1. Kevin Ruckdeschell (KTM): 2. John Stichnoth (KTM): 3 Steve Crews (Kaw): 4. Elston Moore (Yem); 5. Wade Hall (Yam). SR: I. Kreg Simons (Yam): 2. Brlld Barnett (Yam): 3. Ronnie ....'oses (KTM): 4. David Danz (Kaw): 5. Carl Dobson (KTM). S/5R: I. William Guffey (Yam): 2. Rick Whelove (KTM): 3. Jim Ortbals (KTM): 4. John Gatt (Yam): 5. Bob Jones (Kaw). JR: 1. Mati Barger (Yam): 2. Collin Johnson (Kaw): 3. Ryan Rohleder (KllW): 4. Jllcob Rubinstein (Hon): 5. Nick Bryant (Suz). 200 C: 1. Jeremy Hansen (KTM): 2. Ryan Portell (KTM): 3. Lllnce Hees (KIM): 4. Brandon Mahoney (Hon): 5. Nick Frost Sr. (KTMI. OPEN C: 1. Keith Voss (SUI); 2. David Brewster (Yam); 3. Brian Laramore (KTM): 4. Bryan Roy (Kaw): 5. Marvin Clouatre (KTM). BEG: I. Jim Williams (Kaw): 2. Derek Kemp (Yam); 3. Heath Hannaford (Kaw): 4. Kent Dickey (KTM): 5. Andy Beauchamp (Yam). SoRe Texas Championship Summer Series Round 1: San Jacinto MX Park Cochran Tastes SoBe Victory BY GARY T. OBER SPLENDORA, TX, MAR. 30 Cool and sunny weather welcomed more than 480 entered racers to the first round of the second annual SaSe Summer Series, which is sponsored by Texas Motocross, FMF, 35 North Honda, Fly Racing, Extreme Outdoor Motors, Cycle Country, VP Racing Fuels, No Fear, EVS, Mr. Mota Products, Alamo Cycle Plex, Maxima, Holeshot Magazine, Yamaha of San Antonio, Spy, Joe Harrison Motor Sports, Kawasaki of Universal City, and JM Racing Suspension/Motors. The series will feature six rounds at four different Texas tracks, including Cycle Ranch MX Park, Village Creek MX Park, Lake Whitney MX Park and San Jacinto MX Park. Throttle Jockey/Twin Air/EBR-backed Blake Cochran must have had a plan when he arrived in Splendora; he defeated 38 other 125cc Novice pilots in the woods of San Jacinto. Cochran got two good starts and soon took control of both motos on his Yamaha, posting a 1-1 score. Yamaha~mounted Justin Thomas finished out the 125cc Novice race in second place with a 4-2 score, followed by 56 APRIL 30,2003' eye I e H. McMillan (2-4), Shea Fouchek (3-6) and Ryan Guitard (8-8). Cochran also placed third in both the 125cc Open and 250cc Novice classes. In the 50cc Pee Wee class, Ezra Angelle from Cecilia, Louisiana, put the hurt on his competition, winning both the 50cc (7-8) and 50cc Open classes. Rockwall Honda/Renthalbacked Perry Reeder kept Angelle honest in the 50cc Open class, taking a close second place in both motos. Reeder also placed third overall in the 50cc (7-8) class, behind Dawson Draycott, who finished second on the day. The dominant 60cc rider of the event was KTM-mounted Dillon Van Way from Louisiana. Van Way had a fantastic day of racing, taking two class wins and a third in the 80cc (9- 11) class. Honda of Houston/American Honda/FMF/ Answer-backed J.J. Pecsok took home a little cash after winning the 250cc Expert and FourStroke Expert classes. Although Pecsok made it look easy with his smooth riding style, both his victories were hard-earned. During the final few laps of the Four-Stroke race, Cycle Country /Maxxis/Spy/Maxima-backed Todd Downs was all over Pecsok and looking for a last-chance place to pass. Downs finally had a nevvs chance to try to pass and made a bold move on the triple step-up section, trying to beat Pecsok to the inside line at the top of the hill, but when the checkers fell, it was all Pecsok, leaving Downs with second overall. The 250cc Expert class was also a battle royal, with Pecsok, Rowdy Flanagan, Vernon McKiddie, Downs, Danny Kelsey and Michael Peacock all mixing it up for several laps before Pecsok could check out with his 1-2 tally. Bridgestone/Sunstar/Smith/Fox/ Alpinestars-backed McKiddie won the second moto, but a fifth in moto one held him to third overall. McKiddie also spanked the 125cc Experts with a 1-1 score, followed by Downs, Kelsey, Pecsok and David Tarnow. San Jacinto MX Park Splendora. Texas Result.. March 30. 2003 (Round 11 50 (4-6): I. Andrew Pierce (Cob); 2. Ken Neal (KTM); 3. Jay Dearing (Cob); 4. Cadln Carter (Yam): 5. Austin Landry (KTM). 50 (7.8): 1. Ezrll Angelle (KTM): 2. Dawson Draycott (Cob): 3. Perry Reed (Cob); 4. Tracy Morgan (Pol); 5. Brent Ash (KTM). 50 OPEN: 1. Ezra Angelle (KTM): 2. Perry Reeder (Cob): 3. Tracy Morgan (Pol): 4. Nick Bosheers (KTM): 5. Brent Ash (KTM). 60 (7·9): 1. Aaron Reynolds (Kaw): 2. logan Van Way (KTM): 3. DlIwson Drllycotl (Kaw); 4. Wll Angelle (KTM): 5. Vann Martin (Kaw). 60 (10-11): [. Dillon VlIO Way (KTM): 2. Nelli Begnlludli (KTM); 3. Jeremy Domingue (Kaw): 4. Kyle Swanson (Kaw): 5. Jonalhon CojOC:llr(Kllw). 60 OPEN: 1. Dillon Van WllY (KTM); 2. Aaron Reynolds (Kaw): 3. Jeremy Domingue (Kaw): 4. Kyle SWllnson (Kaw): 5. Vann Martin (Kaw). 80 BEG: 1. Mason Guin (Yam); 2. Joey Anglin (Yam); 3. Baron Schultz (Hon): 4. Tyler Alore (Kaw): 5. Chris Waiter (Kaw). 80 (9.11): 1. Jeremy Domingue (Hon): 2. Cody Reed (Yam): 3. Dillon Van Way (KTM): 4. Logan Vlln Way (KTM); 5. Tyler Youngblood (Suz). 80 (12-16): I. Micheel Royal (Yllm): 2. DlInlel Gllrrett (KllW): 3. Matt Boehle (Suz); 4. Daniel Castloo (Kaw); 5. Joshua Winemen (Yam). 80 OPEN: 1. Michllel Royal (Yam); 2. Michael Perry (Yam); 3. Daniel Garrett (Kaw): 4. Cory Self (Kaw): 5. Matt Boehle (SUI). 4-STRK MINI: I. Eddie Self (Han): 2. Lance Stevens (Yam): 3. Kyle Swanson (Kaw); 4. Sullivan Van Way (Yam); 5. D.J. Milner (Yllm). 125 BEG: 1. Cody Coussens (KTM): 2. Chris Burke (Yam); 3. Jeremy Rebert (Kaw): 4. Matt McGinnis (Yam); 5. Chris Kaye (SUI). 125 NOV: 1. Blake Cochran (Yam): 2. JustIn Thomas (Yam): 3. H. McMIllan (Suz): 4. Shea Fouchek (Kaw): 5. Ryan Guitard (SUI). 125 INT: I. Charles Caslloo (Suz): 2. Taylor Painter (Kaw); 3. Brilln Germany (Kaw); 4. Ronny Jackson (Hus): 5. Michllel Hllby (Yam). 125 OPEN: 1. Charles Castloo (Suz): 2. Brian Germany (KllW): 3. Blake Cochran (Yam); 4. Justin Thomas (Yam): 5, William Murphy (Yam). 125 EX: 1. Vernon McKiddie (Yam): 2. Todd Downs (Yam): 3. Danny Kelsey (Han): 4. J.J. PeC50k (Hon): 5. David Tllmow (KTM). 250 BEG: 1. Eric Wachel (Kllw); 2. Troy Gillespie (Yam): 3. Ben Simmons (YlIm); 4. Chris Leach (Yam): 5. Mark Cude (Hon) 250 NOV: I. Taylor Stevons (Hon): 2. Rusty Moffitt (Yam): 3. Blake Cochrlln (Yllm): 4. Sean Cherry (SUI): 5. Wes Blankman (Hon). 250 INT: I. Kyle Phenix (Yam): 2. Johnny Travis (Yam); 3. Ryan Bailey (Yam): 4. Dustin Hoppe (Hon): 5. Matl Thweatt (Yam). 250 OPEN: 1. Ryan Bailey (Yam): 2. Johnny Travis (Yam); 3. Dustin Hoppe (Hon): 4. Luther Easley (Yam); 5. Donny Jackson (Yam). 250 EX: I. J.J. Pecsok (Hon): 2. Todd Downs (Hon): 3. Vernon McKiddie (Yam): 4. Danny Kelsey (Hon): 5. Rowdy Flanllgan (Hon). 4·STRK EX: 1. J.J. Pecsok (Hon); 2. Todd Downs (Hon); 3. Danny Kelsey (Hon); 4. Jeremy Ross (Yam): 5. Dustin Contrell (Hon). WMN: l. Lindsay Myers (SUI); 2. Carli McAngus (SUI); 3. Michelle Thomas (Han): 4. Debbie McEndo (Suz). WMN PRO: I. Krist! Myers (SUI): 2. Angie Keuntjes (Yam). SCHBY: l. Ronny Jackson (Hus): 2. Kyle Phenix (Yam); 3. Taylor Painter (Kaw): 4. H. McMillan (Suz): 5. Shea Fouchek (Kaw). 25.: I. Matt Thweo!ltl (Yam); 2. Brian McCann (SUI): 3. Lawrence Morris (Yam); 4. Joe Kopcak (Kaw): 5. Tyson Stephens (Yam). 25. EX: I. Todd Downs (Hon): 2. Michael Peacock (Yam): 3. M.W. Clement (Hon): 4. Vince Kaclr (Yam): 5. Andy ReynOlds (Han). 3D.: 1. Kyle Parks (Hon): 2. Lawrence Morris (Yam): 3. Brian McCann (Hon): 4. Fabio Bellesla (Suz): 5. Cesar Lombrana (Yam). 3D. EX: I. M.W. Clement (Han): 2. Andy Reynolds (Hon); 3. Pete Sullivan (Hon): 4. Shaun Martin (Hon); 5. Stoney Hom (SUI). 35.: l. Joey Hardin (Kaw): 2. Kyle Parks (Hon): 3. Dave Martln (Hon): 4. Dan Scheffer (Hon): 5. Jim Taylor (Hon). 40.: 1. Joey Hardin (Kaw): 2. Jovier Coso (KTM): 3. Dan Scheffer (Hon); 4. Michael Sundquist (Hon); 5. Stephen Ash (Han). 40. EX: I. M.W. Clement (Han): 2. Pete Sullivan (Hon); 3. Dean Swanson (Hon): 4. Scott Kellam (KTM): 5. Lumpy McEndo (SUI). 50.: I. Ronny Stephens (Yam): 2. Larry Trujillo (Yam). AMA Women's Pro-Am Challenge Cycle Ranch MX Park Reed Blows 'em Away BY GARY T. OBER FLORESVILLE, TX, APR. 5-6 The 2003 Women's Pro-Am Challenge was held in conjunction with round three of the AMA Western Four-Stroke Nationals at Cycle Ranch MX Park. The event was sponsored by WMX Promotions, Bridgestone Tires, Fast Girls, VP Racing Fuel, FMF, Ceet, Big Gun San Jacinto MX Park: Michael Peacock (9) and Todd Downs (3) mix it up in the Over 25 Expert class at the SoBe Texas Championship Summer Series opener in Splendora.

