Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

[ r u n dlemen Racing's Jared Mees all hit the deck in separate incidents during the day. After running second to his KTM teammate, Joe Kopp, one year ago, Kenny Coolbeth (KTM) returned to the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wisconsin with a vengeance on June 7, winning the 25-lap main event at round one of the Formula USA K&N Filters Pro Series. Coolbeth beat J.R. Schnabel (Yam) and Rich King (H-m. Custom Chrome/Kiesow Racing tuner Garry Baehler is on his way home after an incredible week that began with the highway accident that resulted in the death of his 15-year-old son. After Cycle News reported the accident, we learned that an Indiana area newspaper website, MylnKy.com, had issued the following story regarding the crash: "The driver in a fiery crash that killed his teenage son Friday afternoon has been arrested after traces of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana were found in his system, Indiana State Police said. Duane Baehler, 47, of Tulsa, Okla., is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond at the Vanderburgh County Jail. He faces preliminary felony charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing death; operating a vehicle while intoxicated, causing injury; and a misdemeanor of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Two passing truck drivers stopped at the accident scene on Interstate 64 and were able to pull Cole Baehler, 15, and Tim Kelly, 15, both of Tulsa, out of the burning vehicle, from which Duane Baehler had already exited. Cole Baehler was taken to Deaconess Hospital where he died of his injuries. Kelly was treated for minor injuries. A state trooper arrested Duane Baehler at Deaconess Hospital at 3: 15 a.m. after the driver had been treated for nonlife-threatening injuries. 'It's unknown at this time (why they were passing through the area). The vehicle they were in had some motorcycles in the back.' said Trooper Russ Werkmeister. He declined to comment on whether any drugs were found at the scene. Police are still investigating the accident. 'The vehicle was completely destroyed,' Werkmeister said. Baehler was driving the truck loaded with motorcycles eastbound on 1-64 when, for unknown reasons, it left the road on the south side and collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder near the 22-mile marker just inside the Vanderburgh County line. Baehler's vehicle burst into flames almost immediately, Werkmeister said. The Scott Township Fire Department, which went to the crash, said the vehicle was a total loss." Upon learning of the story, we immediately contacted team owner Craig Rogers, who stated that while Baehler was being held by the authorities, the story was Wildly inaccurate, and that he expected Baehler to be released. As of June 4, Rogers confirmed that Baehler has been released, on bond, and that almost all of the charges against him have already been dropped. "There is still one charge that they still have not dropped." Rogers said. "Garry does have to return for an appearance on July 16, but we expect him to be fully exonerated by then. We are still behind him 100 percent. He's like a brother to me. We are already focusing on getting back to work." Rogers did confirm, as was originally reported, that the truck and all of its contents were totally Wiped out. "We couldn't save anything," Rogers said, "not even a gear." The bad blood in the Team Yamaha camp may no longer be bOiling, but tension apparently still exists between teammates Jamie Hacking and Damon Buckmaster. "Well, what was said was said, and you can't mend what was said," Hacking said in reference to the Buckmaster's post-race comments at the Pikes Peak round. "We're teammates, and we're hired by Yamaha to all get along, and that's what I've got to do; I've got to get along. But what was said was said. The damage has already been done." Buckmaster said that he thought everything was fine between the two. "We have resolved our differences," the Australian said. "We had a good meeting with Yamaha management in Las Vegas during the week. We put all our cards on the table and resolved most of it. I certainly said some things that I shouldn't have in the heat of the moment. As much as I regret most of the stuff I said, it's just my competitive spirit. and I can't help some of that." Upon hearing Hacking's take on the matter, Buckmaster did not appear to be bothered. "I have tried to apologize to Jamie as much as I could," he said. "Now it's up to him to try and put it behind us. Obviously, what happened to me wasn't too nice either, and I didn't exactly get an apology for that. What's done is done. It's over as far as I'm concerned. If someone else wants to hang onto it, that's their issue, not mine." Supermotard-USA regional events at BeaveRun, August 12-14. All Supermotard racing will be held on the Wilson Circuit, designed by noted track designer Alan Wilson. For more information, call BeaveRun at 724/535-1000. On June 28-29, Califomia Trail Rides will host the 10th Annual Bass Lake 250 Dual Sport Adventure. The event is staged in the Sierra National Forest just south of Yosemite National Park, offering over 200 miles of jeep roads, single track and back roads with optional "hard" ways each day. The event will start and finish each day at the Elks Lodge in Oakhurst. The Elks Lodge will also provide a BBQ dinner Saturday night for all participants. Camping at the Elks Lodge is included with entry fee (first come, first served). In addition, Honda Riders Club's Chris Real of Chemhelp will be on hand to offer assistance and advice to all participants. Real will also prOVide a voluntary sound check so riders can determine if their dual sport bikes meet the new 96db sound level. For more information, call CTR at 714/870-1456 or go online at www.dualies.com. Mike Metzger will be riding an American Honda-backed 2003 Honda CRF450R in the 2003 AMA Red Bull SuperMoto Championship, according to a release from his publicist. "The Honda CRF450R is a perfect all-around package," said Metzger about his new ride. "It really suits my style on both the dirt and pavement sections of a Supermoto course. I've already won some early season races on it, and my confidence grows every time I ride it. I can't wait for the AMA series to start so I can take all the training and riding I've been doing to the racetrack and bring home some results on this bike." "We are so excited about having Mike as part of the Honda racing family," said Chuck Miller, manager motorcycle sports. "His dedication to the sport and enthUSiasm make this a perfect fit. " The All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATV tv and the AMA told a federal panel on June 5 that safety training is a vital part of preventing ATV-related injuries, according to a release issued by the AMA. The two organizations were among 37 groups and individuals who testified before the Consumer Product Safety Commission on ATV safety during a public hearing held at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. The hearing could be the first step toward more federal regulation of ATVs. Opponents of ATVs told the commissioners that strict regulations need to be imposed on ATVs and ATV users. Some even suggested children under 16 should be banned from riding A TVs altogether, or that ATVs should be equipped with rollbars, seat belts and speed governors. But the ATVA and AMA argued that that instead of further regulation. the CPSC should support increased training opportunities for ATV riders to educate them about proper riding gear, teach them safe riding techniques, and improve their riding skills. Among others who joined the ATVA and AMA in support of increased ATV training opportunities were the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation CounCil. the BlueRibbon Coalition, the ATV Safety Institute, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, the National 4-H CounCil, and various individuals. SoBe Suzuki's Sean Hamblin sustained a serious injury to his left knee in a first-moto crash on June 8 in Southwick, Massachusetts, according to a release issued by his publicist. Upon further examination, on-site Asterisk Mobile Medical personnel determined that Hamblin suffered a torn ACL. Hamblin was scheduled to visit his physician in California on June 9 to gain a definitive prognosis. "I tore the ACL in my other knee a few years ago, and I was able to ride for almost a year before getting it repaired," Hamblin said. "Hopefully. after I talk to my doctor, that will be an option with this knee. I really want to finish the series. I'm so disappointed. I was feeling great today. This is one of the first weeks I felt like I found my groove." After a challenging day at Southwick, Hamblin is 12th in the 250cc National Motocross Championship. . . . . Two days of motorcycle racing will be held at Bridgeton's Dan Raymond Motorcycle Park in Michigan, July 12-13, with a n Scrambles slated for Saturday, followed by dirt drags. A wheelie contest will be held Sunday morning and then, rain or shine, there will be a hillclimb starting at 1 p.m. For more information, visit ww.muskegonmotorcycleclub.com or call 231/8286360. Stars page. Unfortunately, he pointed out that the photo was not of his bike but of his teammate's Ty Davis. "They do look identical. except for some of the stickers," Pearson said. " .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. " . Supermotard will be held in the Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania for the first time when Supermotard-USA brings the Eastern Supermoto Championship series to BeaveRun MotorSports Complex, June 13-14. In addition, round six of the Primedia/Moto-Master National Championships is scheduled to run with .................. · · · · ~ · · · · · · · . . . . . . . . " A ~ CORRECTION: In our coverage of the AMA National Hare & Hound in Jericho, Utah, May 10, we incorrectly listed FMF as one of David Pearson's sponsors. Pearson, who won the race, is instead sponsored by Pro Circuit. CORRECTION: Russ Pearson called to thank us for running his bike on our Bikes of the · . . cue I e The K&N Filters Pro Series has added Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kansas, to its 2003 schedule. The 3/8 Mile Dirt Track National will be held Saturday, August 9, on the semibanked clay track. The K&N Filters Dirt Track National will be in conjunction with the CCS/Formula USA National Road Race Series also held the same weekend. n e _ S • Continued on page 124 3 JUNE 18, 2003 '-r-, i U ! n U o J J J

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