Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

• II Norman -t a k e a home the big money By KANDY THORNTON PHOTOS BY TONY LAMPING en the Viewfinders Motorcycle Club first announced last year that it would be holding its annual Grand Prix in he city of Ridgecrest at the Desert Empire Fairgrounds, many people were wondering if it would work out. However, with some needed additions to the facilities it has turned out to be a huge success, and the Viewfinders MC is settling in quite nicely to its new home. A new pedestrian bridge was added this year to ease access for spectators and the city of Ridgecrest opened up more land so the course could be expanded. These changes, combined with the unique venue, made for one of the most entertaining rounds in the series. Over 1200 participants came out to give the course their best shot, and the grandstands in the arena were packed with spectators throughout the weekend. One of the most popular races of the entire weekend was the new Dash for Cash . This race was the last to be run on Sunday and, with a $3000 purse, this 30minute sprint race featured some of the fastest riders of the weekend. Vinnie Mandzak, the Big Six Grand Prix announcer, had the fans vote on whether the Dash for Cash should require the riders to do "Mandatory Mud" by closing off the alternate whoop section on the course: The response was overwhelmingly yes. This decision was fine with Dash for Cash participant Kendall Norman, who had been giving the spectators a mud show all weekend by opting out of the slower alternate section and barreling straight through the slime. Norman found himself in fourth position at the start of the Dash for Cash, with Nick Burson in first, followed by Spud 40 Walters and Scott Myers, respectively. A radar gun stationed midway through the first asphalt section blinked a bright 90 mph and the riders were stilltwisting their throttles. Norman passed Myers in the motocross section and made a spectacular pass on Burson in the mudhole amid cheers NOVEMBER 3, 2004 • CYClE NEWS from the crowd. ''I'm sure Burson got pretty wet when I made the pass in the mud," Norman said. "I set my sights on Walters, and in the first main sweeper, he washed out and' took the lead." Walters rebounded and started closing Spud Walters (pictured) teamed up with Scott Meyers to take the win in the Team race. the gap on Norman's O'Neal/BRP/IM~ backed Honda when another small mistake by Walters was all it took for Norman to clinch the win . " I was worried the whole time that Walters was going to pass me back:' Norman said. '" just kept my head down and charged. On the last lap, I had trouble grasping the fact that if I kept the bike on two wheels, I was going to win the race ." Norman was the first-place finisher of this inaugural event, with Spud Walters and Mark Tilley rounding out the top three. Before he won the Dash For Cash, Norman pulled off a triple play for the weekend. On top of the big money race, Norman won the Unclassified Race on Saturday and the 200cc Expert division on Sunday. Unlike in the Dash For Cash event, where Norman used the mudhole to his advantage, the sloppy mess would prove to be Norman's downfall in the Team Race. Norman stunned the crowd by coming into the arena section with a huge lead on the rest of the field when he handed the bike off to partner Quinn Cody. The Scott Myers and Spud Walters team chipped away at their lead, and Norman and Walters found themselves in a close battle on the third lap. "Norman was going really, reallyfast and just checked out on the first lap," Walters said. "Scott Myers reeled [Quinn1Cody in, and [Kendall] Norman and I were pretty close when we hit the arena. Norman chose the mud section - which was the faster route - and I took the alternate. Norman washed out his front end in the mud, and I was able to take over the lead." The FMF/GPR{Troy Lee-sponsored KTM team of Joey Lanza and Kris Keefer eventually moved into second place, ahead of the Honda team of Steve

• Cover