Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

CMC Golden State Nationals South Round 3: Starwest MX Park PHOTO BY JOHN BETHEA Villof?oto, Cunningham Hiiack the Gold By JOHN BETHEA MORENO VAUlY, CA, JAN. 30 A n invading force of out·o(-state riden con/""\verged on Starwest MX Park for the CMC's third round of MTA Golden State Nationals qualifiers (or the Southern California hopefuls, and they took few prisoners. Much of this state's "gold" was hijacked by foes from Washington, Texas and Montana, led by an ill Ryan Villopoto. "I don't know what it is, but I haven't felt well for several days," said the 16-year-old whiz kid from Poulsbo, Washington, after he decimated the So Cal troops with stunning come-fram-behind rides in all eight of his motas en route to four class victories - the most in a GSN even[ since Mike Alessi scored nine moto wins at a Glen Helen round three years ago. His most stunning drive came in the 250cc Intermediate class, when he wedged an opening that wasn't there to pass Billings. Montana's jimmy Albertson, on a Thor/Scott Yannaha, for the lead after failing pass attempts for two laps. Coming off a jump, Villopoto landed his Smith/Vans/A1pinestars/ I()()() Oaks Kawasaki like a shoehorn, squeezing inside Albertson. "I thought I was going to land on him," said Villopoto, "but he kind of moved out of the way." Earlier in the same contest, the area's strongest hope also bailed out of Villopoto's way. Jarred Browne, who admits he seldom gets holes hots, got one in the first 250cc Intermediate moto - but it didn't last long, as he stalled in the fourth turn. "It's a new bike," the West Coast/Alloy/ Bill's Pipes Suzuki rider admitted later. "I haven't touched it. Iguess it still needs some work." It wasn't Browne's only duel with Villopoto. Guidry (GG); S. Ed Larosche (Hon). WMN: I. Neeley Franklin (Kaw); 2. lisa Sc.hidlmeier (So2); J. Kathy Walker (ATK); 4. Christy Bundy (Yam); S. Sherry Comeaux (K.a.w). BEG PIW: I. Trent Whisenant (Yam); 2. Cameron Reed (Yam); J. Rudy Ferguson (Kaw). PIW: I. Micah Williams (KTM); 2. Steve NichoW (KTM); J. Codey Leachman (Fac); 4. Brennen Reed (KTM); S. Donnie Saucier. KIDS INT: I. Jordyn DuBose (Suz); 2. Richard Reynolds (Yam); J. John Higuera (Kaw); 4. Sawyer Shoemake. VET KIDS: I. Spencer Cook (KTM); 2. Scott Wiseman; J. Andy Freyaldenhoven; 4. Tyler Carter (Suz). Wildwood Motocross Pork Miller's in the Mone KENTWOOD, LA, JAN. 23 n college football terms. it was a motocross battle among the SEC, including 29 entrants from Mississippi, 22 from Tennessee, I I from Arkansas, three from Florida, and more than 100 Louisianans braving the freezing north wind. At least the sun was bright, the track smartly cultivated, and the racing worth staying for. I 46 In the Schoolboy clash, he got another great start, and the two battled eye to eye for nearly 200 yards before giving it up. "I proved I can run his pace," Browne said. While Villopoto tamed the bigger bikes, the minis were controlled by a couple of young Texans. Kyle Cunningham scored three victories, taking the 80cc (14-16) and 80cc Open classes with sweeps aboard his Spy/Thor/PWR/Twin AirlTeam Green Kawasaki. The Aledo, Texas, teen then had to come back from a first-moto Supermini loss to Pilot Point, Texas' Blake Wharton, aboard an Dunlop/Smith/Gaerne/Maxima-backed Suzuki. The 13-year-old Wharton fell in the second moto and relinquished runner-up overall to Murrieta, California, Kawasaki jockey Michael Hall. However, Wharton did get revenge, winning the 80cc (12-13) class. Local riders did manage to score some points, too. Riverside, California's Scott Simon rode to a pair of Pro wins, acing both 20minute 125cc and 250cc mot os on his Fox/DragonlTag Kawasaki, topping japan's Yoshihide Fukudome, on a factory Suzuki, in the 12Ss, and Takase Tanaka, on another RM, in the 2So.. jeremy McCool of 29 Palms, California, again tripled in the 60cc (9-1 I), 60cc Open and 80cc (7-1 I) on his FIy/PVK/Race Tech/EVSlSpy Kawasaki for the second meeting in a row, but he had to share the spotlight with Dylan Gillespie of Lakeside, California, who rode a Quinsey/Simpson/Ready Filter KTM to victory in SOcc (7-8) and 60cc (O-S) action. CN 5TARwtST MX PARK MORENO VAUEY, CAUFORNIA RESULTS: JANUARY 29, 2005 (ROUND 3) 50 BEG: I. Balley Duda (Pol). SO (4-6): I. Chri

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