Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128225
AMA Progressive Insurance Dirt Track Grand Championships Illinois State Fairgrounds Carson Hawkins, Sanford, Michigan pose-built rodeo facility where the IMDA runs the AMA Grand National Short Track in the fall. While it may have been built for rodeo, it makes for an incredible dirt track racing facility. Once again, the AMA/IMDA crew had the track prepared to perfection for the youngsters' matinee show. Ethan Gillim matched his performance on Monday, earning Championships in both the 50cc Pee Wee 4-8 and the 50cc Jr. 4-6 classes. In the Pee Wee class, Gilllim got out front early and wasn't headed, though Nick McFadden and Cole Anderson of Cambridge, Massachuse.tts, rode hard to second and third. The 50cc Jr. class was more of a tussle for Gillim, as Springer Derosear pulled the holeshot. Ethan went to work and moved by Derosea r for the win. McFadden made the pass for second, and Derosear rounded out the podium. In the other 50cc class, the Senior 7 -9, Ian Keith led every lap en route to his second win in as many races. Ethan Gillim's older brother, Hayden Gillim, wearing the familiar number 69 of his cousin Nicky Hayden, also picked up a five-foot Championship trophy in the 65cc DTX 7 - 11 class over Kevin Walter of Amery, Wisconsin, with Tyler Whitecotten garnering a third. Michael Martin, who doubled on Monday, carried on in the 65cc Mod 7 - 11 winning over Michael Johnson of Mount Morris, Michigan, in second and Trent Hawkins from Sanford, Michigan. who was third. Austin Greenland came from deep in the pack in the 85cc DTX 9- 13 class. He was aided by a red flag that bunched up the racers. On the restart, Greenland from Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, made the pass for the win and extended his lead until the checkers. Brad Baker of Chehallis, Washington, was second, with Patrick Jacobsen, of Montgomery, New York, third. Greenland would rack up his second win of the day in the 85cc Modified 12- 15 class. This time Greenland got off second but put the pass on Cory Hildebrand from Milford, New Hampshire, going into lap two. Hildebrand would hold on to second as Scott Baker of Chehallis, Washington, moved past Ed Sater for third. The ultra smooth Aaron King showed promise as he captured the 125cc Mod class again. Travis Myers 20 n JULY 30. 2003' cue • e _ VII' S was second, with Cory Hildebrad securing the final podium position. WEONESOAV,PM 250CC ANO UP SHORT TRACK As the youngsters' rigs rolled out of the Short Track pits, the 250cc and up riders pulled in, setting up for the first doubleheader of the week. In between sessions the track crew worked the Short Track back to perfect racing condition with plenty of moisture and traction available for the evening session. As the lights came, on the racing got hot. Without question the most exciting race came from some "old guys" in the Vet 30+ Singles Premier division. Tony Watkins grabbed the holeshot with a pack of riders nipping at his heels. By the second lap it was three-wide racing coming off turn four, and the battle was on. It took Greg Donley of Abingdon, Illinois, until lap seven to take the point with Brein Fell from Galesburg, Illinois, second and Johnny Cooper third but ready to pounce. The white flag saw Johnny Cooper banging bars with Donley going into one, with Copper taking a narrow advantage. But Don- (Above) Aaron King (80), Dysart, Iowa, with his father, factory HarleyDavidson dirt-tracker Rich King ley retaliated with a sweet pass to take the win over Cooper and Fell. The 18+ Open Twins races featured the old and the new in dirt track equipment. Tim Lindors of Salina, Kansas, grabbed the holeshot on his vintage Harley-Davidson KR. The sweet sound and the torquey power of the KR led the field early. Robert Owens on his Harley-Davidson 883 ran a close second, with Johnny Cooper on his big horsepower 1000cc Suzuki SuperTracker in pursuit. In an amazing display of throttle control, Cooper charged to the front with an inside pass on the front straight as the laps wound down. Remember these are big twins on a Short Track. Johnny Copper would not be denied this win, with Lindors and his KR second and Owens on the Sporty third. John Lewis V kept his win streak alive in the 250cc Mod Premier. Lewis dropped the hammer early and stretched out to a comfortable lead. He did it with a big handful of throttle