Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Mesa Marin Raceway Bagnis Bags It, While Lyles Smiles! By LARRY WOOSTER BAKERSFIELD, CA, JULY 26 As the sixth round at Mesa Marin got under way, the Sportsman heat race started off with Cole Cates' taking a commanding win, showing that his round-five win was no fluke. Ernie Lyles got second and would also go to the Dash For Cash. "Pucho" Bagnis took the lead in the Open heat, foliowed by Rick Pearce, Casey Yarrow and Josh Chisum. Pearce waved his teammate Yarrow by for second, while Bagnis took the win. Chisum and Jeff Harrington rounded out the top five. The Dash For Cash race features the top two Sportsman riders and the top four Open riders, competing for the cash. After the first tap, the last rider is gone; after another lap, the last is again eliminated, leaving four racers for the two-lap dash. Lyles was out first, while Pearce took the win. On the next lap, Cates slid out on the slick pit row, while Yarrow won that lap. Pucho won the two-lap Dash, with Yarrow, Pearce and Chisum following. In the Sportsman main, Cliff Suliivan took the lead off the start. Cates was in second, with Lyles foliowing. Just a few laps into it, Cates went to make a move on Sullivan at the end of Pit Row; Cates went to the inside, and Sullivan came right down on him and caused him to stall the bike. Sullivan remained in the lead, with Lyles (who had changed from the CR500 to the new, Curtis Sparks-built CRF450R) and "Red" Ed Coffey in the chase. It took Cates a whole lap to restart his bike. Lyles got by Suliivan with two laps left and stayed there for the win. Sullivan gave it one last try but just couldn't do it. Coffey came in third. Travis Ellis and Scott Nakamura came in fourth and fifth, The Open main saw Yarrow take off with the lead. Bagnis, Pearce and Chisum were next in line. Yarrow was flying in and out of the turns; it looked like no one could catch him. Pearce was trying to get around Chisum but then missed a few shifts and dropped off the pace a little bit. Bagnis had caught up to Yarrow and was looking to pass him. Yarrow and Bagnis looked picture-perfect, sliding it in at the end of Pit Row side by side. Bagnis got by Yarrow on the same lap, going into turn one off the long straight. Harrington, Bagnis' teammate, was running fifth. One of the original moto boys, A.J. Herrera. was catching Harrington each lap. The white flag was out, and Yarrow was pushing it up to catch Bagnis. Pearce stepped it up to catch Chisum. Bagnis barely got to the finish line before Yarrow, while the crowd was going wild. Chisum held off Pearce the same way. Herrera couldn't catch Harrington for fifth. Pucho took ail the cash, winning the Dash For Cash and the Open main and bringing home around $850. AUBURN, NY, JULY 26 At round five of Frozen Ocean's seven·race Nightcross series, tribute was paid to one hell of a great guy, Jon Rightmire, with the Jon Rightmire Memorial Race. The Rightmire family and friends raised funds for their annual John Rightmire Continuing Education Fund, which awards several scholarships of $735 each annually to motocrossers who "embody the motocross family, spirit, friendship and competition that attracts racers to the sport. Ithaca Sports and Recreation has been this race's sponsor for several years; this year Ithaca helped to attract more than 200 competitors to this event. On this night, the motocross recipe called for two motos, lightly beaten, combined with great weather and a great facility, spooned out on trays and baked under the lights, with both motes counting toward a first overall as frosting on the cake. Twenty-two strong, the 125cc Beginners were ready to cook with high-octane race gas. Kyle Brassie and John French took the holeshot side by side. Dustin Conner and Stephen Foote were sauteing their way up to challenge the leaders, but when Conner tried a fast move into a comer, both French and Conner got passed like Aunt Thelma's baked beans. "Iron chefs" Brad Smith and Jordan Hodges tried to run Brassie down but became embroiled in the battle between Conner and Foote. Brassie enjoyed the first course of this MX meal on wheels, with Conner, Smith, French and Joseph Chuff cooking up top-five dishes for the big Auburn, New York, crowd to sample. Moto two would establish whether Brassie was just another flash in the pan, as 21 hungry competitors were looking to cook his goose. Brassie was on the gas, with French. Hodge and Gary Potter looking for a microwave-fast line to catch and pass the leader. Conner was soon sizzling as he recovered from an unpalatable start to chew his way past Justin Friesen and Potter on one lap and then Hodges on the next lap. Brassie and French weren't fried yet; shortly before the timer went ding, French made a fat-free vanilla move that delivered him the win in moto two. Brassie (1-2) flarnbeed his way to first overall, whiie French (4-1), Conner (2-3), Hodges (6-4), and Chuff (5-7) diced their way to top-five overall fin.ishes. Frozen Ocean closes out its Nightcross season on September 6, followed by the third WNYMA Falls Series race. Then, on October 26, the WNYMA season closes the year out at the Auburn, New York, motocross facility. Results SPT$MN: I. Ernie Lyles (Hon); 2. Cliff Sullivan (Hon); 3. Ed Cof- fey (KTM); 4. Travis Ellis (Hon); 5. Scott Nakamura (KTM). OPEN: I. Pucho Bagnis (Ver); 2. Casey YlllTOW (Hon); 3. Josh Chisum (Han); 4. Rick Pelll'a (Hon): 5. okff Harrington (Ver). n rating action of the day. Teams of two, on any minibike they choose, switch off every lap for six laps. To make things more interesting, Walden Playboys president Jack Stroupe and other Walden members started watering the track during the race! The sprinkler systems were all turned on, and the water hoses were shooting out water very rapidly. The team who bested the elements was the team of Tippin and Blessing, aboard a Kawasaki KLX 11 O. Also adding to this weekend's fun was a freestyle demo on Walden's main track. The Hardcore Motocross Freestyle team were busting out some huge tricks and getting the crowd's attention. Comprised of three riders from New Jersey, this team was flying off the huge ramp and doing tricks from Superman seat-grabs to huge heel-clickers and Cordovas! Check out their website at www.hcmx.com to see where they will show up next! Walden Playboys Motocross Park Now You're Cookin' with High-Octane Gas! By JOSH O'NEAL 125 BEG: I. Kyle Blassie (Yam); 2. John Fr~ch (Yam); 3. DustIn Connl!:r (Yam): 4. Jordan Hodgl!:! (Hon): 5. Josl!:ph Chuff (Yam). 125 NOV: 1. Eric Kawryga (Suz); 2. Scotl Smith (Yam); 3. $teVl!:n PnxknJp (Yam); 4. Lenny Penna (Yam): 5. Jared link (KTM). 125 AM; 1. MlItt Eastmlln (Yam): 2. Rich White (K_); 3. TII1'l ~ (Yam); 4. Jerl!:my Vancise (Hon): 5. Keegan Saum (Ytlm). 125 EX.: I. Brucl!: StnII10n (Hon); 2. Sonny Nighman (lUIw): 3. Gaylen Dtckson (Ktlw); 4. Jtlson Doyle (Yam); 5. Jamll!: Robinson (Yam). 250 BEG: l. Bnld Ostrandl!:r (YlIm); 2. Ron Austin (Suz); 3. Ricky Kl!:l'lt (Yam): 4. Joe Esposito (Hon); 5. Davkl Howard (lion). 250 NOV: I. Eric KawryQll (Hon): 2. Bcl!:nt Annstrong (Kaw): 3. Keith Dart (Yam): 4. Dan Robinson (Yaml; 5. John Kl!:lfim (Kaw). 250M; 1. Rich White (Kaw); 2. Clay Campbl!:l1 (Kaw); 3. James Houston (Suz): 4. Ntlte Crofoot (Hon): 5. Mt!t Allen (Hon). 250 EX.: I. Bruce Stratton (Yam); 2. Sonny Nlghman (Kaw): 3. Gaylon DIckson (Kaw); 4. Thomas Addy (Han): 5. Jason Doyle (Yam). SR NOV: I. Jody N~[ing (KlIw): 2. Br~t Armstrong (lUIw); 3. Keith Dart (Yam): 4. Dan Robinson (Yam): 5. John J. BUlings (Hon). SR AM: I. Clay Campbdl (Ktlw): 2. Jared Proper (Suz): 3. Mall. Drake (Han); 4. Jtlson Vanbenschoten (Ytlm): 5. Mikl!: Micucci (Kaw). SR EX: I. Bruce Stratton (Yam): 2. Gaylen Dickson (Kaw): 3. Ronald Beck (Hon): 4. Marlin Houston (Hon): 5. Jason Baran (Suzl. Frozen Ocean Motocross Park Results 50: I. Jamie Lawrence: 2. Adam Wald.{ 70·90: I. Justin Bardo; 2. Mike Tippin Jr:;J. Chris Hancock. 100+: l. Adam Blessing: 2. Steve Morano; 3. Rich Price. TAG TE.A.M: 1. Adtlm Blessing/Mike Tippin Jr. Mini Madness Invades Walden! By MATI' WOZNEY PLATTEKILL, NY, JULY 26 The Walden Piayboys Motocross Park ran its first minibike race of the year - the Mini Madness! Racers and parents got involved in this very fun and popular race and went out there to do just one thing: have fun! There were three classes to choose from: the 50cc class, the 70-90cc class and the 100-125cc class. Also, the most popular event by far is the Tag Team race. In the 50cc class, Honda XR50 rider Jamie Lawrence won both motos over local Expert rider Adam Wald, on his big-tire 50. Lawrence and Wald battled in both rnotos, switching positions almost every lap. Behind them, XR50 pilot Timmy Nelson was jumping all the jumps. but he never closed on Lawrence and Wald, who were way out front. Also riding well in this class were Alyssa Wald and Devin Gilbert. In the 70cc-90cc class, local fast kid Justin Barcia scored a tremendous 1-1 finish, leading every lap unchallenged. Aboard his XR80, Barcia stayed in front of XR70 rider Mike Tippin Jr. and Yamaha TTR90 rider Chris Hancock, both of whom were producing some great action out on Walden's Junior Pro track. TTR90 rider Christina Basna suffered mechanical problems in mota one but came back in moto two and fought hard with Tippin and Hancock. In the 100-125cc class, KLX 11 0 rider Adam Blessing, XR I 00 rider Steve Morano and TTR 125 rider Rich Price battled for the top spot in both motos. Blessing (2-1) took the overall win, second went to Morano, and Price rounded out the top three. Rick Pence was fourth. With only one moto, the Tag Team race offered the crowd the most thrilling and exhila- Results Wheel 2 Wheel Raceway Cramer Victorious in Victorville 50 SHAFT; I. Dana Zlampalori (Yam); 2. Jakob Sepor (Suz): 3. Docati Bo.....l!:rs (Yam); 4. Angelo Asenato (Cob); 5. Zachary Kollar (YlIm). 50 CHAIN: I. Bflmdon Innes (Cob): 2. Connor Kelly (KTM): 3. Ryan Despa..... (Cob); 4. Emerson ConnOI (KTM); 5. Jll5011 Chache (Cob). 60: I. Sunny Dl1lke (KTM): 2. R.J. Beck (KlIw); 3. JlIke Eddy (Kaw): 4. Adam Mlles (Suz): 5. Billy Prtysindll (KTM). 80: 1. Sunny Drake (Kaw): 2. COl'l!:y Shipos (Suz): 3. AndtN' Miles (Suz); 4. Louis Tl!:pa5 (Yam): 5. Ken Burgl!:r (Ke.....). ~ z b l: By RYAN EVANS VICTORVILLE, CA, JULY 26 Krystal Cramer won the race that counted and took home the gold by capturing the Youth main event at Wheel 2 Wheel Raceway in Victorville, California. Dylan Stark was lined up on the pole, Ricky Wells was in gate two, Cramer was in three, and defending Youth National Champion T.J. Fowler was on the outside. When the tapes went up, Cramer bolted to the front. Wells and Fowler battled in turn one behind her for second. Cramer led down the back straight, and Fowler took control of second as they entered tum three. Fowler then turned his attention toward Cramer and applied the pressure. Cramer wasn't fazed by his presence, however, and she held off the champion for the victory. Wells finished third, and Stark finished fourth. The four riders competed as part of the car-racing program at the one-eighth-mile banked track on the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds. The format for the meeting was three Scratch heats and then a main event. The riders had agreed that the meeting's winner would be decided solely from the .results of the main event. In the first race, Wells exploded from the tapes and took the lead entering turn one. Fowler stalked We lis for a lap, but the Gumball Rally champion was able to pull comfortably ahead and take the win. In race two, Wells and Cramer gated together and were battling for the lead as they reached the first corner. Fowler started from the outside and stayed wide in the first bend and went around both riders in turn two and grabbed the lead. Fowler's momentum kept gaining steam as he steadily pulled away for an easy win. Fowler and Wells gated together in the final race, with Fowler on the inside and Wells on the outside, Wells turned the tables on Fowler by using the outside to power into the lead in turn two. Fowler gave chase. but the "'Kiwi Kid" was gone, and he cruised to the victory. Results '" Q > '" HEAT RACE POINTS: 1. Ricky Wells (8 points); 2. T.J. FowIl!:f (7): 3. Krystal Cramer (3): 4. Dylan SUlik (0). YTH MAIN: J. K~tal Cramer (JlIwl: 2. T.J. FO\I/Il!:r (Jaw); 3. Ricky Wells (Jaw); 4. Dylan Stalk (Hon). ~ 0.. Crittenden County Fairgrounds Rayburn Rallies to Two! By BOBBY LEWIS Mesa Marin Raceway: Pucho Bagnis (1) leads Casey Yarrow (3) and Rick Pearce (32) in the Dash For Cash in Bakersfield, California_ Walden Playboys Motocross Park: Mike Eichler (846) and Joe Janeiro (15) get hosed at Walden Playboy'sfirsl Mini Madness race of 2003 in Plattekill, New York_ MARION, KY, JULY 26 Van Rayburn made the 10-hour drive to Marion, Kentucky, payoff by dominating every class he entered on the night. He led every start of every race and turned them into wins. After taking the Senior-class IT win, he also led the Seniors on the short track. As Rayburn set sail, Gene Yopp jockeyed past Ed Clark into second and held that spot until the end. Clark stayed on the groove to take third, over Dennis Porter and Clyde Modlin.

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