Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Georgia Pramoters Graup Winter Warm-Up MX Series Round 4: Aonia Pass Motore/ex Alessis Head 'em Off at the Pass By GARY CRIDER WASHINGTON, GA, FEB. B Two of the best Amateur MX riders in the I world, Mike and Jeff Nessi of App le Valley, California , w ere among the crowd of 30 6 entries from I3 states and Canada on hand for the final round of the Geo rgia Promoters Group Winte r Warm-Up MX Series at Aon ia Pass Mot orplex. Many of the out- of-state riders had com e to Aonia to get in some time on the track in preparation for the Loretta Lynn Area Q ual's ifier to be held here in mid-April. Track manager Larry Keller had the co urse in pe rfect shape for the event. Large amounts of added sawdust com bined with recent rains to produce dust-free conditions on race day. The Honda/Alloy-backed Aless i bro t he rs have ea ch suffered serious injuries in recen t weeks, but they seem to have fuUy recovered: Nine-time Loretta Lynn's Nation al Cha mpion Mike Alessi posted eight runaway moto wins, in the 12Scc Youth, Open Four-Stroke, 12Scc B and 2SOcc B classes . Meanwhile, Jeff Nessi, wh o raced in the same four classes as his brother, followed in sec ond spot in six of those eight motos. The A and B d ivisions were combined (but scored separately, of course) and ran full-length , 20·minu te mo tes . The shared gate dro p gave seve ral of the area's to p A and B riders a unique opportu nity to match wheels w ith the sw ift Alessis. One of the da y's highlights w as the c1ose fought 125cc Youth contest, in which Benjamin Hamilto n mixed it up the Alessi boys . Ha milton's performa nc e in t he open ing mome nts o f moto one e a r ne d h im some bragg ing rights w he n he grabbed the holeshot and led Mike for half a lap. Afte r surr endering the lead to Mike, Hamilto n kept u p t he pace and managed t o finish in seco nd spo t , ahea d of Jeff. Mike got t he ho leshot in moto tw o, with Hamilton in tow t hrough the first tw o turn s. Mike soon pulled away and too k the moto win. Meanwhile, Jeff moved up and, afte r a goo d dice with Hamilton , laid claim to second. Jeff's eve nt ual 3-2 tally edged Ham ilto n's 2-3 score for th e run ner-up honors . Virg inia's Z ach Os bo rne wa s a st a ndout in fou rth overall , piloting his very potent IOScc KTM Super Mini to 6-4 finishes. Again aboard his new KTM, Osborne loo ked unbeatable in the Supermini division, winning both motes w e ll a he ad of the form idab le P.J . Larsen. Osborne also rod e the KTM to a 4-2 score in the 125cc B class. Tea m Green/Ray 's Kaw asaki/Tho r-backe d Larsen made up for his disappointment in the Superm ini contest with a solid I-I performance in the 8Scc ( 12- 15) d ivision. Another of the day 's fast Mini pilots was North Carolina's Cody Robbins, who used a combina t io n of ho les hots and co me · fro mbehind efforts to win every mo to in the 65cc ( 10- 1I) and 8Scc (7- 1I) classes. Th e 16-24 d ivisio n was ho tly co ntested, and Foo thills Motorsports-backed Jake Nle n found himself on top of the heap via his 1-3 finishes. 64 RESULTS 50 OIL-INJ : I. Bra d e n Bu nk e r (Ya m) ; 2. Nathan Vrooman (Y ; l . ....."., Denanl (Yam); • . Poyton Mo.gan am) (Yam); S. Trey De nis (Yam) . 50 SPT: I. Luke Siegler (Suz) ; 2. Heath Hunun (Hon ). 50 (4 . 6) : I . luke Siegie r (KTM); 2. Payton Mo rgan (KTM); l . Tyle' Shar p (KTM). SO (7 -8) : l. Kort Schocke (Cob) ; 2. Hyle< Heath (KTM); l. Jooeph Sew (Cob) ; • . Jake Cap;n1 (Cob) ; S. J"'"" Denanl (KTM). 60/8 0 BEG: I. Cliot Collins (Yam) ; 2. Keifer Richardson (Hon ); J . Preston Tl>omu (!(aw); • . J..... l""'" (So' ); s. Chrntopher Lon g (Yam). 6 5 (7-9) : I. Tyler Re ame r (KTM); 2. Cody Ashley ( KTH ); J. Jacob N icho lson (KTM); .. . Braxton Ashley (KTM); S. Myles Heat. (50, ). 6S (10· 11): l. Cody Robbin. (Kaw); 2. Gra nt Ransde ll (KTM); J . Jarett Pe scl (KTM); 4. Tanner McCullen (Kaw); S. Brandon WoIlenhaupt (Yam). B5 (1 - 11): I. Cody Robbins (Kaw); 2. Hunter Mims (Yam); J . J ..... Peso (Yam ); • • KMt johnson (Sm): S. T....,.,. McCullen (Hon ). 85 (9- 11) : l. Goge Hott man (50,); 2. "'than 80lt (Suz); l . Kart John son (Suz ); 4. Juett Pesci (Yam S. Hunter ); Mims (Yam) . B5 ( 12- 15) : I. P.J. Larsen (Kaw); 2. Nathan c o m", (Sm); l . Nathan 80lt (Sm) ; • . Gogo Hottmon (Sm) ; 5. [ake Owens (Yam). SlMINI: l. Zach Osborne (KTM); 2. P). Larsen (Kaw) ; J . N ath an Co llins (Suz ); 4. Aaron Coope r (Kaw) ; S. Jonothan Mney (Sm) . 125 YTH : l. M,ke Alessi (Hon); 2. Jeff AJessi (Hon ); J . Benjamin Ham tlton (Hon ); 4. La ch Osborne (KTM); S. Tyler Jugel (Ho n) . 125 A : I. Do nnie McGou rty (Kaw ); 2. Jason Waters (Yarn); J. C had Aughinbaugh (Ho n) ; 4. Chad Ward (Ho n); S. C lint Shealy (Suz). 125 B: I . Mike Alessi (Hon) ; 2. Zach Osborne (KTM); J. Brent Card en (Hon) ; 4. Benjamin Ham ilton (Hon ); S. Kyte King(KTM). 125 C, I. lYle'Juge! (Hon); 2. Chris [); As (Sm) : J . Jacob Thomason (KTM); 4 . Mitchell RktgeW3y (Y am); S. Tyler Coble ()(aw). 125 0 : I . Jake Owens (Yam); 2. Matt ShMp (Hon) ; l . jason Pcwen (Sm) ; • . Nrl Kay (Yam); S. h y McCants (Y ). 2 50 A: I. Clint Shealy (Suz); 2. Chad Ward am (Hon); J.jason Waters (Hon); 4. ChadAughlnbaugh (Hon); S. KyleOdom (Han) . 25 0 B: I. Mike Alessi (Hon ); 2. Je ff Alessi (Hon); 1. 8.-ent Caree n (Hon ); • . Chand"" J~ (Hon); S. Jake Allen (Hon) . 25 0 C: I. Matt Co Uins (Hon); 2. Beau Co llins (Yam) ; 3. Je re my Bro wn (KTM); 4 . Matt Massey (YMTl); S. Tyler Pipe r (Yam) . 2 50 0 : I . Ben~in Thomas (Kaw ); 2. Han Young (Hon ); 1. Frank Regen (Yam); • . Casey Sm ith (Suz); S. Jason Pow ell (Suz). ~ STR K.: I. Mike Alessi (Ho n ); 2. Je ff Ales si (H o n ) ; J . Matt McG ra w (Kaw) ; 4. Mat eusz Jachacy (Hon ); S. Jason Waters (Ho n). JR NOV 1H: I. James Moon (Hon ); 2. Scott Spean (Yam); l . Regg;e St>rett (Hon ); • . w.yton Weeks (Hon) . VET NOV 1H , I. Bobby Slato n (Yam); 2. Joh n Hall (Yam). SR VET NOV 40 + : I. Bobby Staton (Y am); 2. Manrred ZochIing (Hen); 3. Mark Jugel (Hon ); 4 . Robert Strength (Kaw); S. Men Faulkner (KTM). PRETEEN: I . Laurel Sm ith (Suz); 2. leila Mullen (KTM); 3. Forrest Tren t (Suz). 16· 24: I. Jake Allen (Hon ); 2. To mmy Farre r (Hon); J . Blake Spezzan o (Hon) ; 4. Brc c Hinddey (Sm ); 5. J ocob Thomuon (KTM). 25 +, I. Mutime r (Hon) ; 2. Kevin Cozadd (Suz); J . Brian Coleman (Hon ); • . Scon HMtin (Hon ); S. M.... H:uris (Su» . 10 + , I. Ash ley Epps (Ho n) ; 2. W illiam Muti m er (Ho n); J . Kevin Coudd (Suz); 4. Brian Coleman (Ho n) ; S. David Brewer (Yam) . 40 + : I. William Phe e (Ho n); 2. Mark Vans kive r (Yam); J . Fr an k Rogen (Yam); 4. David Hill (Yam) ; S. Lawrence Francis (Yam) . 4 5+ : I. William Phee (Hon) ; 2. Joh n He nd e rs on (Hon) . SPCL O PEN AM : I . Tommy Tantill o (Hon ); 2. And r ew Gaines (Yam); J . Travis Luca s (Hon); • . Chris _ _ (Yam ); S. Ben;i Adams(Yam ). W ""'" Grand Canyon State Classic Ro und I : Canyo n Offroad Pa rk Bishop Moves to the Front By TIM LITTLEFIELD PEORIA, AZ, FEB. 8 \ A fn ile others may have been dusting snow V V off their cars , racers were lining up in the gate for the first motos of the new season at Canyon Offroad Park . With the sun shining and temperatures just reach ing the 70-degree ma rk, the first round of the 2004 series got under way. When the gate d ro pp e d for the 12Scc C class , Tyler littlefield, aboard his new Suzu ki RMZ2S0, muscled out the rest of the field go ing into the first tum. Having just reco vered from two broken legs, littlefield qu ickly succumbed to the adva nces of Ryan Robinson and Ryan Bishop. Then Bishop engaged in a healed battle with Dillon Glossop for a couple of laps unt il he finally put som e real estate between them to MARCH 10,2004 • CYCLE NEWS ho ld o n to a second -p lace finish in the first m o t o . While Bishop ro de his Suzuki t o a smooth finish, Bill McMaster, who was having a toug h time just stayi ng In the hunt, finished eighth. In the second rnoto, the heat was turned up a notch , as some of the top riders of the first moto w ere sent to the back of the pack , allowing others to shine. Howe ver, th is was not the ca se with t h e smoot h a nd cons ist en t Bisho p, who seemed to be riding all by himself, gapping the field en route to taking the second moto w in, which earned him fir st ove ral l. Glossop took second, and McMaste r grabb ed third on the day. Lo cal favor ites Buddi Brunner and Brodie Prather went at it in t he first 80cc Mod ified (9- 13) moto, ta king first a nd se co nd , Ryan Bishop topped the 125cc C cla ss at the Grand Canyon State Classic opener. 4 0 t h Anniversary respectively, and edging out James McMaster (Bill's you nger brother), who placed third . W ith a litt le good luck (and with a little bad luck on Brunner 's part), Prather stayed atop his KX85 in moto two , ta king fir st o verall and leaving Brunner with second overall. James (3-3) took ho me the third- place trophy for the day in this class. When the day 's final checkered flag flew, some of the riders didn't seem to want to leave the warm, sunny t rack, and some wondered how they wou ld make it a week until round tw o . Those In the Phoenix area who want to see some of the top com petition should come ou t to watch t he Pros battle it out for some serious cash as they swing through Arizona. The Pro -Am race at Canyon O ffroad Park on March 14 may be the biggest race t his year, wit h a huge cash payout. RESULTS P/W BEG: I. CameronWelsenbe<&e<. P/W JR (.-6): I. Jereml Williamson . P/W SR (1..&): I. B.t.iley Bruner; 2. Kyle Kirby. 60 BEG : I . Aust in Je nk Ins ; 2. Joe Paq uette ; l . Chrinopher 60 STK (6-9)' I. 8a>1ey8runer, 2. SI>e'Iy J"";s. 60 ST K (7. 11): I. Cody McEb'oy; 2. Joe Pena; J. Cody Dragt. BO BEG : I. Brent Eckert; 2. Bryant s""sa_. 80 5TK (7. 11): I. Cottz; 2. !lyon Nasser; 12S Co I. Ryon 8' hop ; 2. [);11on GIossop; 3. BillMcMaste r. 150 A: I. Ch uck Jones. 250 B: I. Fntnk Ousanek; 2. Rich Schaweck e r. 250 C: I. Rick Codsey. VET B: I. James Bell inge r ; 2. Frank Dusan e k; 3. Rich Schawecker. VET C: I. BtA Flagg; 2. Jamie Dusanek. 25+ : I. D:ovId J ....... 40+ BEG: I. Scott WeisenI>«g..- 40+ Co . I. RobPaquette; 2. Denn;, McKnigho l . Bony Hole. -'-ie'. _or, MX West Spring Se ries Round I: Stead Raceway A Fresh Start in Stead By ROBERT BEAUPRE STEAD, NV, FEB. 15 o ound one ofthe MX West Spring Series was r\the first race in nearly three months in the northern Nevada motocross sce ne , wh ich made for some anxious riders. New bikes, new trac ks and new skills shook up the established order in many classes and provided a glimpse of what the rest of 2004 might be like. The 250cc Pro class featured a showdown between two of the area 's best riders. Nathan T iea rney, fres h off qualify ing fo r his firs t supercross main eve nt in San Francisco, was gre eted with a hero's we lcome for his recent progress against the world 's best supercrosse rs. However, T iearn ey's own bikes we re absen t, replaced by a pair of borrowed machines. AJso, he w o uld have to beat Kenny Lash. And , as usual, Lash was turn ing some very fast laps. The first moto be longed to T iearney. He took the lead early and rode smoothly to the mote win. Lash re mained within three seco nds of Tieamey thr oughout the entire race but was never able to make a move . Betw een the 250cc rnotos , Lash contested the Over 30 Pro race, in which he sco red a decisive win and, perhaps mor e importan dy, got another look at the changing track to prepare for his upcom ing race against Tiearney. The second 2S0cc moto looked like it might be a repeat of the first when Tiearne y took the read on th e first lap. Lash got a poor start but was soon able to reach second place, a couple of seconds behind Tieamey. Lash soon turned

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