l.oe=(Su».
Keen started out the day in strong form,
winning the first 12-mile section, dropping
2:46. Lake Cycle-backed KTM 200 pilot
Scharphorn blasted through this challenging
first section carding a 4:15. Keen's strong
start and the early lead gave him the cushion'
to top the event. Neither rider knew the impact
that first section would have on the remainder~
of the event. While Keen and three-time Michigan Enduro champ Scharphom made the race
look easy, many riders struggled with the
deep beach sand and selected mudholes that
had many of the riders tasting the soil on a
regular basis.
At the fourth time· recorded check at 42. 8
miles, Scharphom and Keen each recorded a
one-point penalty in this fast, 7 -mile singIetrack leading to the gas. Ohio's Cody Mastin
and a slew of riders scored twos, and after that
the scores escalated.
During the second section, Keen's and
Scharphorn's scores mirrored each other, with
a slight advantage here and there for either
rider. This was truly an outstanding feat on
Keen's part, since his timing equipment had
given out early in the race.
As the day started to wind down, the riders
headed into the last section of the course. The
mighty Sand Goblin challenged the riders to a
12-mile section of log-infested single-track,
which led to a number of bottlenecks. The
fastest rider through this last section was
Ohio's Dan Bryan, who carded a 6:09.
Scharphorn was the second-fastest rider
through this final section, exiting with a 6:21
score_ The only other rider to come in under
the seven-minute mark was Honda-mounted
Brian Niehaus, who dropped 6:45 for his
efforts. The overall champ, Keen, and a couple of other riders earned sevens.
"My KTM ran great," said the overall
champion, Keen...) had my forks revalved at
Enduro Engineering, and I finally was able to
ride the first section without getting arm
pump."
Keen's start to the season was exactly
what he wanted, as his plan is to dethrone
Michigan's top rider, Scharphom.
30+: 1. Jason $eesholtz (Hon); 2. Kurt Smith (Yam); 3. Mkhael
Royalty (Hon).
40+: 1. RK:hard Robinson CHon); 2. Bill Barnes (Yam); 3. Robb
Coventry (Kaw).
Sunday
50 (4.6): 1. Jake 1bc:lfMs (IITM): 2. David Mohr (Cob): 3. Brad
_!N!; 5. David Paul.
30.. A: I. Robert Mouinger. 2. Alell Rossetto; 3. Jeff Hill; 4.
Rllndy Southard; 5. Roy Nllftger.
30+ B: I. Chris Ruble; 2. Chrlslopher Gemme: 3. Robert Connol·
ly: 4. ScoIt Goodman; 5. Keith Allen.
35+: 1. Roy Nafzger; 2. Steven Shank; 3. Paul Willis; 4. Brynn
Austin; 5. James Andel"!lOn.
40+: l. Roy Nafzger; 2. Steven Shank; 3. Paul Willis; 4. Kerry
Stein; 5. Gerry Hussey.
OPEN: 1. Matt Hopkins: 2. Steve Howell; 3. Chad Stanko; 4.
Geno Mllrehiua.
MINI 1: I. Justin Freund; 2. Ethnn Hester; 3. Brock Moran; 4.
Derrick Holpunch; 5. Ricky Witzke.
MINI 2: 1. Kyle Cormlln; 2. Jason Hussey; 3. Dillon Hall; 4. Tony
Panllplnto; 5. Damon Duitsman.
Central Ohio Competition Riders
Motocross
Browning Rifles
Some COCR Wins
By RUPERT
x.
while Browning was busy tearing through the
pack· that is, until he had bike problems and
registered a DNF. Moto two was all Skaggs',
as he took a second·place finjsh and a win for
the overall. Skaggs was on it all day, in fact;
he beat Browning in the first 125cc Pro moto,
but then he was bested by Browning in mota
two, as Wild Willy snatched the overall and the
big cash.
Results
Alan Wiedebeln (KTM).
50 (4·8): I. Logan PIccirillo (Cob); 2. Jake Skinner (KTM); 3.
Jesse Walters (KTM).
50 (7-8): 1. Blake Hoffman (Cob); 2. J.T. Turner (Cob); 3. Cody
(Cob).
65: I. James Justk:e (KTM); 2. Tyler Ultle (KTM); 3. Blake Hoff·
"onoo
man (Cob).
85 p·ll): I. James Justice (YlIm): 2. Seth Barnes (Yam): 3.
Brock Bowman (Kalil).
85 (12-15): I. Jesse Gustllfson (Kaw); 2. Ryan Ivers (Vllm); 3.
Brandon Conkel (Suz).
S/MINI: I. Ryan Brumneld CHon); 2. RYlln Ivers (Yam): 3. Austln
Queen (KTM).
125 PRO: l. Willy Browning (Hus); 2. Nick CaTTOlI (Vllm); 3.
David Whitcraft (Suz).
125 B: I. Michael Willllrd (KTM): 2. Perry Hoover (Yam); 3. DonIIld Napier (Yam).
125 C: l. Mark Roush CHon); 2. Perry Scott (Hon); 3. Lee HlIskIns (Yom).
250 PRO: I. Willy Browning (Husl; 2. Nathan Skaggs (Yam); 3.
Doug Gall (KTM).
250 B; l. Mlchllel Willard (KTM); 2. Damon Shaffer (Vllm); 3.
Andy Conklin CHon).
250 C: I. Eric Forbes (Hon); 2. Kurt Smith (Yam); 3. Joe Abel
(Vllm).
SCHBY: I. Jesse Gustafson (Kaw); 2. Perry Hoover (KTM); 3.
Cari Custard (Hon).
16-24: I. Jason Saunders (Yam); 2. Donald Napier (Yam); 3.
Shawn Des (Sull.
25..-: I. Jason Brown (Hon): 2. Brian Lonberger (Hon); 3. David
cue
•
e
Keen Clobbers
the Sand Goblin
ROSELAWN, IN, APR. 13
America's newest superhero, KTM 250mounted Leonard Michael Keen, defeated
northern Indiana's villainous course known as
The Sand Goblin. Lansing Cycle/Enduro Engineering/Moose/Scott USA/Michelin-backed
Keen motored through all the challenges The
Sand Goblin threw at him and staved off
the charges of fellow Michigander Ron
Scharphom. While Keen was the only rider to
truly defeat The Sand Goblin, some 250 riders
from all around the Great Lakes states took a
shot at trying to defeat this 54-mile course.
Riders were greeted by temperatures in the
70s and nearly perfect track conditions. The
course was completely located on private
land, which the Grand Kanakakee Trail Riders
organized with the support of local land owners. For many riders, this race was the first
time they had ridden their new mounts.
"When I left the Upper Peninsula of Michi·
gan," said Kevin Kolbus from Christmas,
Michigan, "we still had over a foot of snow on
the ground."
;:';.
Results
O/A: 1. leonard M. Keen; 2. Ron Scharphom; 3. Brillfl Nidlaus:
4. Chad Froman: 5. Cody Mastin; 6. Scott Hoffman; 7. Ryan Moss; B.
Dan Bryan; 9. Corey Calkins; 10. SIeve Vollmar.
Ohio International Raceway
A New Marshall
in Town
By ROB PETRAS
-~-""-IIIII!I"'~"'§
ill
PEu.Err
MAY 14, 2003'
Districts 14, 15 and 17 Enduro
By AARON BARTH
Saturday
50 (4-6); I. Austin Costlow (KTM); 2. Corey Davis (Cob); 3.
"!i.~
SUGAR GROVE, OH, APR. 12·13
Returning to his motocross roots after competing in a whirlwind tour of arenacross and
supercross races, "Wild Willy" Browning of
nearby Rushville was the man to beat over the
two days of racing in Sugar Grove, Ohio. This
second round of the "Battle Of The Hills," a
series featuring Logan's Wild Wilderness
Raceway and COCR, witnessed fine weather
and more than 600 competitors over the
weekend, as a throng of eager riders waged
war on the tricky circuit's long and loamy
surface.
Mota XtremesjHusqvarna-backed Browning, who grew up racing at this track, won the
most money, yet it wasn't a cakewalk for the
dynamic young racer; there were lots of talented competitors, and a mechanical failure
hurt his overall results, too.
During Saturday's racing, Browning had to
fight off the likes of Yamaha speedsters Nick
Carroll and Nathan Skaggs, although Brown·
ing rode like a wild man and captured both the
l25cc and 250cc Pro classes.
Sunday's Pro classes were even more
stacked with talent, and Browning had to contend with KTM-mounted Doug Gall and F£,S
Suzuki's David Whitcraft as well, as they
returned to turn up the heat in the already
scorching racing. Gall held off Skaggs in moto
one of the 250cc Pro class to take the win,
78
85 (7·11): 1. James Justice (KTM): 2.. Jacob RIlY (Suz); 3. Matt
Cottrill (Yam).
85 (12-15): I. Kyle Smith (Suz); 2. Ryan Ivers (Yam); 3. Ryan
Brumfield (Hon).
SI,""NI: I. Devan Weld! (Yam); 2. Ryan Brumfield (Hon); 3. Kyle
Smith (Suz).
125 PRO: I. Willy Browning (Hus): 2. Nllthan Skaggs (Yam); 3.
Nick Carroll (Yam).
125 B: 1. Donald Nllpler (Yam); 2. levi Klibarger (Yam); 3.
Brent WUley (Yam).
125 C: I. Nick Weaver (Suz); 2. Bo Fawcett (Yllm); 3. Tommy
Wilds (Hon).
250 PRO: 1. Nalhan Skaggs (Yllm): 2. Doug Gall (KTM): 3.
David Whitcraft (Suz).
250 B: I. Damon Shaffer (Yam): 2. Mlkey Nibert (Yllm); 3. DarTin Bellrdmore (Yam).
250 C: 1. Chris Stone (Hon): 2. Richard Webb (Hon); 3. ErIc
Forbes (Hon).
OPEN: 1. Jeff Wlpple (Suz); 2. MIdi: Sizemore (Suz); 3. James
Hili (Hon).
SCHBY: l. Jesse Gustafson (KllW); 2. Kyle Smith (Suz); 3. levi
KHbarger (Yam).
25+ A: I. Chad Woodrumm (Suz): 2. Kevin Hildebrand (Hon); 3.
Brennon Washel (Suz).
25+ B; 1. TIm Fink (Suz): 2. Johnny Stewart (Hon); 3. Ken Ward
(Yam).
30+ A: 1. Richard Robinson (Hon); 2. Kevin Hildebrand (Hon); 3.
Jeremy Primmer (Yam).
30+ B: 1. rllTl Fink (Suz): 2. Ed Moore (Hon); 3. Richard Webb
(Hon).
40+: I. Richard Robinson (Hon); 2. Ed Moore (Hon); 3_ BlII
Barnes (Yam).
0-
x
Ii:
w
0-
:>
II:
>a>
~
:I:
0-
Central Ohio Competition Riders Motocross: David Whitcraft (493) prepares to pass
Shaun Kuchler (45) and David Herb (5) on his way through the 250cc Pro pack
in moto-one action on Sunday in Sugar Grove, Ohio.
n
e
_
s
RAVENNA, OH, APR. 13
A rejuvenated Mickey Marshall retumed to his
home state of Ohio and soon had race fan
pointing him out as he shredded up the track
in practice. Though he once considered giving
up the sport, the talented teenager is back on-,
the attack, with new sponsors and a fresh outlook. He definitely stood out among the other
386 racers in attendance at Ohio International
Raceway's season opener.
Marshall won both motos in the Heavyweight Pro class on his State 8/Pro·Action
Suspension/DEP Pipes/Motovibe Yamaha
YZ250. Coming off the line 10th in the first
moto, Marshall quickly worked up to third by
the second lap. Leading the pack was Yamaha
rider Michael Wajda, with David Kilgore, on
a Fox/Andrews Cycle/FMF/Gary Semics
Schools/Dunlop Suzuki, in third. Kilgore took
the lead just as Marshall was coming up to
challenge. The two battled briefly, and Marshall advanced to the front. Kilgore had a miscue and dropped to third. Taking the checkers
behind Marshall were Wajda, Kilgore, and
Tom Poling, who came from behind to take
fourth on his Yamaha.
Marshall bounced to the outside of the
first-turn sweeper at the start of mota two,
with Wajda and Kilgore railing the inside. Marshall held the lead and began to pull away,
eventually winning by a I5-second margin.
Kilgore was second, with Poling and Kawasaki
pilot David Jones following. Wajda finished
fifth after a last· lap spill.
Marshall wasn't intending to ride the lightweight Pro class, but he borrowed a CR125 at
the last minute and jumped in. Leaping out of
the gate first, Marshall had journeyman
motocrosser John Shay, on a very fast
YZ250F, in his shadow. The two were side by
side on the first lap, with Shay taking the lead:""
