Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

r----------------------=,..---------~"ished w w a: z ~ o a: <3 ~ ~ J: Q. Diamondback Hare Scrambles: SERA Hare Scrambles champion Landon Carter flew to his second victory of the season in Resaca, Georgia, site of round five of the SERA Hare Scrambles series. second lap and holding on to it until the finish. Carter wasn't giving this race to anyone. After s.orne bad luck (such as running out of gas) at the LTRA hare scrambles on June 29. Carter was in dire need of a win. And what a win it was! The SERA hare scrambles riders met up with the Mid-South riders for some of the toughest, hardest-hitting rivalries ~ound in any hare scrambles event. Some 174 riders lined ~p -and took off for their four laps, racing around the motocross track and into the muddy 8-mile loop of open trails. A quarter of an inch of rain the previous day set the riders up for some slick, mud-spattered, gogglesmeared battles. In the AA class, the SERA hare scrambles victor, on his Hattiesburg Cycles Suzuki R!"I250, took the lead after passing Mid-South rider P.A. Allen, who had nabbed the holeshot on his Kawasaki. Third into the woods was Suzuki rider Glen Myatt, followed by SERA's Enduro champ, Suzuki jockey Stephen Reed. At the end, Reed finished fourth in AA, with only three seconds between him and his buddy Myatt, who had the fastest lap time on the second lap. Myatt is sitting mighty pretty in the overall standings and has proved himself to be a tough competitor with his consistency.. On the first two laps, Allen, Carter and Myatt battled it out, passing each other on some very slick trails. Finally, on the second lap, Carter took the lead and held on to it. putting in the fastest lap time for the third lap. Allen came back even stronger on lap four, putting a 14-second lead on Carter's lap time. Carter prevailed, but Allen finished only 13 seconds behind him. "I didn't crash >1ft all, and that kept my head straight," Carter said. "it's always a fun race when you win." Right on Allen's tail was 18-year-old Open A rider Cliff Ousley, who happens to be Carter's nephew. The KTM-mounted Ousley did some serious racing on the slick clay, and he is making a big name for himself in the SERA series. He not only won his class but also wrapped up third overall, behind Allen. This left second place in the Open A class to upcoming rider Taylor Reynolds, who finished seventh overall on his new Suzuki, and third place to Yamaha rider John Buckner, who fin- Houston Raceway Park 2525 F.M. 565 South Baytown, TX 77520 Owner/operator: Greg' Angel. president. HRP Phone: 28 t/383·RACE Website: www.houstonrat:eway.com Directions: From downtown Houston, take Interstate 10 east toward Beaumont. Take the Highway N6 exit (Exit 797). Turn right on Highway 146 and tum lert at the second stop' Jight, which is F.M. 565. Go about three miles. Hduston Raceway Park will be on the left. Club: NHRA Disciplines: Speedway, Drag Racing Track: Quarter·mile drag track, three·eighthsmile speedway track. The straightaways are 400 feet long and 70 feet wide, with 8- degrees of banking. The 85-foot·wide, sweeping"Go,rners have 12 degrees of ban.king. area holds approximately 400 racing rigs. with additional pit parking available on grass. The spectator parking lots have a capacity of more than 10,000 cars, along with a special VIP park. ing area capable of holding an additional 600 vehicles. The Park has a sellting capacity of 23.000. with additional grandstand seating brought in during major events to accommodate reserved· seat requests. HRP has modern, permanent restroom facilities and concession buildings, conveniently located near spectator seating on both sides of the race track. Schedule: Open year-round. Check the website or call for two·wheel events. MC\ior Events: Pro Star Gulf Coast Motorcycle Facll1ties': The Park is situated on 440 acres" wifh an additional 400 acres of land reserved forfuture expansion. The .three-story tower building incorporates 23 VIP suHes, a roed.ia , center, and race control·facili~e"s equipped with state-'Or-the·art timing and scoring' eqUipment. Houston Raceway Park's spacious, paved pit Nationals; e-.Eull Moon Texas Shootout Motor· cy.c1e Drag RacingSer~~b features eight classes of competition:....S/Er(fot:~~try.level 'racer), P/ET. Super Gas, Supe,t"mnp Top G.s, '60s Sportbike, Top Eliminator; and' tlie Streetbike Shootout class_ • - By lEE lJV.sev eighth overall. These are definitely some riders to keep your eyes on ir'\ the future! In the 200cc A class, KTM rider Derek Bratcher took the win, finishing ,his laps in an impressive one hour, 35 minutes and five sec· onds, placing him ninth overall a\ld leaving KTM jockey Jeremy Ketchum second in the class. KTM rider Kenny Satterfield won the Senior class, followed only 43 seconds later by second-placed Steven Thomas, also on a KTM. Honda rider Thomas Bennett took 10th overall and placed first in the Vet A class after some gnarly riding, concluding his four laps in only one hour, 35 minutes and 50 seconds. This ieft second piace in the Vet A class to Vor rider Adrian Gervais. The young Junior riders have been doing a remarkable job this year. KTM rider Dustin Stevens managed to finish his four laps in a striking one-hour and 49 minutes. "I really"liked the more-challenging and testing events 'that SERA puts on, and this was certajnly one of them," the 16-year-old KTM 125cc rider said. "I like all the mud and hills Georgia has to offer." Stevens also thanked Central Alabama Motorsports for all its help at the races. The top 10 finishers were incredibly close, which made for some entertaining, mud-slinging action. With four hare scrambles left in the SERA series, any number of outcomes are still possible. Can Carter pull off another year-end victory? The next SERA event. will be the' P,";fj( Mountain Hare Scrambles, held in Maplesviij Alabama on August 3 .. Diamondback Hare Scrambles. Resaca. Georgia . Results: July 13. 2003.lRo·und 5) MiS AA: l. Landon Carter (Suz): 2. P.A. A.llen (Kllw): 3, Glen (Suz): 4. Stephen Reed (Su:r.); 5. Choo Earl (Suz). .200 A: I. Derek Bratcher (KTM); 2. Jeremy Ketchum (tg'M): Micho!lel Schrimsher (KTM): 4. John ~rd (KTM): 5. Bl1Id (KTM). 200 B: I. Bruce Gann (Hon); 2. Will McConnell (KTM): 3. Ste'v Barber (KTM): 4. Damon Hallmark (Su:r.): 5. John Laird (GG). '" 200 C: I. Jared Smith; 2. Beau Nlcewinter (Yam); 3. Matusek (Su:r.): 4. Joey Richmond; 5. Joseph Hill. JR: J. Dustin Stevens (KTM); 2. Grant Owen (Kaw); 3. Je Womble (Yam): 4. Spenser Lockhart (KTM): 5. Chase Harmon (Yam OPEN A: I. Cliff Ousley (KTM): 2. Taylor ReynoldS (Suz); '3~ Buckner (Yam); 4. Blake Couch (Hon); 5. Frank Davis (Suz). OPEN B: 1. Shannon Welch (KTM): 2. Jeff Elliott (Han); 3. T • Lovett: 4. Brlld Blltbll (Yam): 5. Rick Modlin (KTM). OPEN C: 1. Kevin Gray (KTM): 2. Lewis Lamb (KTM); 3. Lt!fi Everett (Husl: 4. Brad Yeofgan (Yam); 5. Jason West (KTM). SR: I. Kenny Satterfield (KTM): 2. Steven Thomas (KTM): Louis Gibson: 4. Cloy Stuckey (KTM): 5. Mark Ho5bach (Kt!W). S/SR: l. Mark Evans (KTM); 2. Rickey Hill (Yam):.3. Jim Hi bum (KTM): 4. Gary Meek (KTM): 5. Gary Clark (KTM). MSTR: I. Royce Wyatt (KTM); 2. Bill Partridge (Yam). vET A: I. Thomas Bennett (Hon); 2. Adrian Gervais (Vor); Taros Massey (KTM): 4. Jimmy Wo!Ird (Kaw): 5. Ron Skipper (Suz). VET B: I. Ronny Hand (Kaw): 2. Scotty Cockrell (Kt!w);, Johnson (Kaw): 4. Kenny Chisolm (Kow): 5. Kent F.armer (KT BEG: I. Jeffrey Hagewood (Hon); 2. Todd Hunter (Kaw • Brandon Todd (GO): 4. Leyton ChiMer (Hon); 5. Jeff'liagewood. 4-STRK A/B: I. Harvey Whitaker (Kow); 2. Jeffrey Welch (Yam); 3. Jimmy Bates (KTM): 4. Benny Helton (Hon): 5. Be Luther (Hon). 4-STRK C: I. Billy Clllrk (Hon): 2. Dewayne Dumom (Hen); Travis Dotsun (Yam); 4. Mark Snavely (Yam): 5. Ricky Thomp (Yam). 250 B; I. Mike Barnick (Kaw); 2. Seth Summers; 3. Spires (SUI). , SR C: 1. Bub Nicewlnter (Yam): 2. Mark Shrout (Suz): 3. Tucker (KTM); 4. Dave Lester (KTM); 5. Normlln Beetem (Yam). VET C: 1. Alan Wuick (Han); 2. Gary Cahoon (KTM); 3. She! Horton (KTM): 4. Robert Fisher (KTM): 5. Andrew Caldarello (Hen). c MX West Summer Night series Round 5: Champion Speedway Bitz Blows 'em to, er, Smithereens By ROBERT BEAUPRE CARSON CITY, NV, JULY 18 Round five of the MX West Summer Night Series unfolded as a blistering day turned into a warm evening in the Carson Valley. The Summer Night Series has given racers a chance to battle without all the hazards that come with daytime racing in desert heat, and many have responded by flocking to Carson and elsewhere to ride under the lights. AggreSSiveness and good starts have been the key for successful riders in the short·moto formats, and that has heid true all the way down to the youngest classes. Brothers Ty and Aaron Simlnoe have become some of the fastest of the youth set, and they proved themselves again on this night by winning a total of three classes. Ty began by winning the 50cc (Over 7) Factory class, aboard his KTM 50. The Factory and Privateer Pee Wee divisions began recently as a simple way of separating the massive classes that have appeared in the 50cc division, with the faster, more-experienced racers filling the Factory division. Ty has been on top of the Factory class since its inception, along with fellow KTM pilot Brian Sjogren. Ty turned in a convincing victory this time around, with Sjogren riding well to claim second. Jeremy Price finished third, ahead of the rest of the highly competitive class. The front-runners impressed many with their ability to air some of the jumps that commonly troubled even some of the older riders. Ty continued his good night by winning the 60cc Junior class, this time-ahead of Kawasa· ki rider Garrett Baxter. Garre.tt loppolo sc,?red third on another Kawasaki. Not content to let his brother hog th?"spot-light, Aaron entered the act on his KTM 65 by taking the win in the 60cc Intermediate class, which was loaded with fastest 60cc riders in the area. Aaron had to beat KTM pilots Chris Stewart and Lucas Jones, who both have steadily gained speed in the past months. The older Siminoe came out on top, though, and in doing so completed the sweep on the night for his family team. The 125cc Intermediate class featured no sibling rivalry, but it featured a rivalry ""oD~theless, between J.L. Bitz and Wes Peebles. These two have come to the forefront of _ the Intermediate division lately. and this night was no,..9ifferent. - --. In the first moto, Peebles edged out Bit< after a race-long battle. The pair set an impressive pace that easily distanced the from the pack, and their matched speed guar:anteed that the second moto would be a toss.. up. The second mota began with Bitz scoring the lead and Peebles close in second. Again, the two stayed together, as they had in the first moto, only in the reverse order. Bitz held on to take the moto win, and with it the overall. Peebles was visibly disappointed, but it was obvious he was on the pace all night. Bitz and Peebles are two to watch as they move toward the Pro class. The Summer Night Series is set to continue with two more rounds in the near future including the series finale at the Nevada State Fair in Reno. Nevada Motocross Development has filled much of the once-vacant summer the northern Nevada MX. scene with the serie , and it's been rewarded with healthy turnouts. The next two Friday nights will feature nonseries races in Carson, which will keep local racers even busier as the end of the summer closes in. However, according to th~ responses the latest races have brought, thal'. will be a welcome prospect for everyone. df Champion Speedway Carson City. Nevada Resuhs: July 18. 2003 (Round 5) 50 (4-6) PRVTR: 1. Jared Price; 2. Johnny lee Garcia. 50 (4~6) FCTRY: I. Austin Ching: 2. Garrett Kinsl~ 3. Devin Heard. 50 (7.) PRVTR: I. Bryson Olson: 2. Ty Tremail)e:jvJac Dykman. SO (7+) FCTRY: I. PrIce. 60 BEG 0-1: 1. Skyler Giovanetti: 2. Jamie Eisseman: 3. Jll Clllwford. 60 BEG 0·2: I. Justln Scott; 2. John Hansen; 3. J.J. Delligatu. 60 JR: I. Ty Simlnoe: 2. Gllrrett Baxter; 3. Garrett loppolo. 60 INT: I. Aaron 5iminOe; 2. (l\atthew Stewart; 3. Lucas Jones. 80 BEG D-l:~rt 2. Joe Cro!lwford: 3. Damion Underwood: SaIlOO. 80 BEG 0-2: I. Colton Crostwa ,2. ~orey Wardlelgh: 3. Jeff • -.. I': Burch. 80 JR 0·1: \. lack Riley; 2. Mike Sylvester: 3. Daniel MarwIn. 80 JR 0·2: I. Trent Renner; 2. Paden Babcock. 80 INT: I. Clayton Peterson; 2. Ryan Eager: 3. Bryan Rodgers. S/MINI: I. Ryan Eager: 2. Taylor Bittner: 3. Bryan Rodgers. 125 BEG: I. Shane Benson: 2.. Robert Dixon: 3. Paden &bcock.. 125 JR: J. Justin Matheney; 2. Robert Addi: 3. Mike Walker. 125 Irrr: I. J.L Bit%; 2. Wes Peebles. 125 PRO: I. Bobby Gllnison; 2. Ryan Manha: 3. Matt Manha.. 250 BEG: I. J.B. Covington: 2. Andrew Candia; 3. Nick Baker. 250 JR: I. Enol Kerr; 2. Lyle Andersoo; 3. ..JOsh Jacobs. 250 INT: I. Clint Martin; 2. Matt Hinkel: 3. Adam Pottu~. 250 PRO: I. Kenny Lash; 2. Bobby Gllnison: 3. Randy .Maga. 25... BEG: I. Chad Colli~ 2. CtuiSAkelS;.3. Christian Allen. '

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