Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

This year's Southwick course was the roughest it has been in years. The weekend before, the National Amateurraces were held, and the track officials decided not to groom sections of the track, leaving huge whoops on almost every straightaway. The rough course took its toll on riders even before the National motes began. One rider who took a soil sample before the actual National was Team Solitaire's Ryan O arl<. In his Sunday morning qualifier, Oark crashed hard , knocking himself out. Since he had a concussion, Oark decided not to race . AmsoiV!-londa's Greg Schnell was back in action at Southwick . This was Schnell's first National this year since breaking his ribs, and he even led a few laps of the second 125cc moto. "My speed is there," Schnell said. "I just need to work on my stamina, and my hands are all torn up because 1haven't ridden for so long." Local Southwick hero Doug Henry was at the race, only it wasn't to ride. Hen ry was there to do a sentimental parade lap for the fans. He did the parade lap on his supennoto bike with slick tires . It was quite a sight seeing Henry padd ling with his legs as he dug for traction up the sandy hills. Another long-time Ioca1 hero was at the race. Tony Lorusso raced the I25cc class and took home top privateer honors for his 20th-place finish. And about his top privateer ride - ''I'm surprised about this, I didn't think I had that great of a day, but this is a good surprise, " he said. Ever since the Nationals started, it has been no secret that Ryan Hughes has been struggling. During the off weekend between Mount Monris and Southwick , Rynodid sonne extra testing with his team. They put his 2001 race engine in a 2003 frame and found that he turned faster lap times . A new face was in the pits this weekend. 5uzuki support rider Matt Goerke came out for his first National. He pitted out of the Motowor1dracing .com semi and looked very fast. In the second I25cc moto Goerke ran in the to p fIVe be fore falling back to take 10th. Before the racing began, there was a special tribute to long-time Southwick promoter Bernie Yelin. Y passed away this year and elin is dearly missed by everyone who knew him. e Also in his memory, the Bem ie Y linAward was created . It is given to the rider in each class who shows "the des ire and det e rmination to persevere against all odds." Ricky Carmichael got it in the 250cc class, and James Stewart was awarded it in the l25cc class. There was a lot of talk about the noise being produced from the four-strokes these days. Supposedly the AHA has been conducting sonne tests, though it doesn't look like any penaltiesare being assessed - yet - for bikes that top the AM,4;s allotted I02-

• Cover