Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

AHRMA AMS Racing National Vintage Motocross Series Round I: Speedworld Motocross Park A Stampede 500 Strong! BY SIEGE wmMAN, AI, FEB. 6 \ "ntage motocross is funny. The first time you arrive at the V track with your bike, ready lor baltle, you look around. In the signup line, to your surprise, there is no one the least bit threatening: lots of scratchy, ragged. older guys, a few dads, a white-haired lady. Is she actually racing? Where are the racers? You're gonna clean up! At the gate, you look down the line. Suddenly, there are some rather serious-looking weapons lined up... The gate falls, and with your throttle pinned wide open, you watch in dismay as the field launches away. Rocks and chunks are flying, and you're barely holding on, trying not to get crushed by the wildebeest stampede. Bikes are passing you hither and thither, and at the first hairpin, you're one of the last through. You've been absolutely smoked! Where were these guys when you were signing up? They were standing all around you. With perfect tracks, AHRM.A:s season opener in Arizona was two days of bliss for the Vintage motocrosser - of whom 500 were in attendance. A race like this is about three things: the beauty of old race old bikes, the experience of racing them, and the chance to see motocross heroes in action. There were many incredible motorcycles present, most notably David Chrone's very rare Parilla and Kelly Shane's phenomenal Cheney-Norton. The Classic 12Scc Intermediate class was dominated by Bart Carrigan, who drove in from Eagle, Idaho, with a 1974 Husqvarna 125. Despite being manufactured in the mid-1970s, this bike fits into the previous era, because, for example, it has no reed vaJve. The bike was built in California by Pat Brown. Every port and mating surface was matched. A Mikuni replaced the original Bing carbo Carrigan said that what he likes best about the bike is the wide power - the engine pulls all the way across the revs. What he likes least is the weight of the bike. "The best part [01 the track) was filS) high-speed aspect," Carrigan noted. "I really liked the tabletops, some 01 which I was clearing. But hallway though the main, I could hear the top end rattle and start to seize. I reached down, flicked the choke on, and just kept it motoring, trying to just stay ahead." Spectators witnessed a battle of the "First Americans" in the Over SO Expert class. Jim Pomeroy was chased in both motos by Brad Lackey. Pomeroy stayed ahead, but it was excellent to see cast that included teammates Evan Laughridge and Teddy Maier. Also on hand were Suzuki's Tommy Hofmaster, Yamaha's Kevin Johnson, and Honda's Brad Hagseth, among others. Friday night's action kicked off with Laughridge taking the overall in the 125cc Pro class. Lange followed in second, and Johnson took third. Lange, the reigning National Arenacross Champion, took his turn atop the podium in the 2S0cc Pro class, lollowed by Hagseth in second and Laughridge in third. Lange also took the win in the Dash For Cash, followed by Hagseth in second and Johnson in third. Saturday night belonged to Lange. The Kawasaki superstar from San Jacinto. California, was obviously the crowd favorite, and he responded with a sweep of both Pro classes. In the first 12Scc qualifier, Laughridge, also from San JaCinto, California. was an easy winner. Lange followed suit in his qualifier, setting up a showdown in the main. Laughridge grabbed the holeshot in the main, but Lange wasted little time making a pass and then cruised to victory. them cross the line together at the end. In the main, a very impressive Dan Greenwood, on a borrowed Maico, rode ahead of them all, but the bike let him down and he was forced to concede. Dave Coupe raced both days and won every single moto he started. The incredible new record is 14 mote wins in one weekend! The whole weekend was top-notch, thanks to Dave Boydston and AMS Racing. Dan Matthews and his crew provided a perfect pair of courses. eN SPlEDWORLD MOTOCROSS PARK WmMAN, ARIZONA RESULTS: FEBRUARY 6, 2005 (ROUND 1) WMN NOV: I. Kathy McKibben (Bul); 2. Gaye Neal (Hus); 3. Rebecca Wolstein (Hon). WMN INT: I. Debbie Poole (CZ); 2. Suzette Stamey (CZ); 3. Donna Kelley (CZ). WMN EX: L Tami Haase (Yam). PREM l/W NOV: l. Gary Collmann (Gre); 2. Ken Meeks (Gre); 3. Jerry Sterrett (BSA); 1. Glenn Finnerin (BSA); 5. Rick Wolff (BSA). PREM LIW INT: I. Terry Sterrett (BSA); 2. Wayne Mount (BSA): 3. David Chrone (Par). PREM l/W EX: l. Dave Boydston (Cot). PREM 500 NOV: I. Jerry Sterrett (BSA); 2. Debbie Poole (BSA); 3. Norm Stradleigh (Enf); 4. Rick Wolff (BSA). PREM SOO INT: I. Terry Sterrett (BSA); 2. Dave Chrone (Due); 3. Wayne Mount (BSA); 1. Clint Welsh (Mat); 5. Dan Wilson (Tn). PREM SOO EX, I. Keliy Shane (An); 2. Robert Poole (BSA): J. Je",! Rewern (BSA); 1. Terry Pratt (BSA). PREM OPEN TW NOV: I. Nelson Burrell (Tn-BSA). PREM OPEN TW INT: I. Tony McDowell (Tri·BSA). PREM OPEN TW EX: I. Kelly Shane (Che-Nor); 2. Chris Wilkes (BSA); 3. David Wilson (Tri·Ric). eLSe 125 NOV: I. Gregg Roth (Hus); 2. Lou Fergher (Hus); 3. Bryan Olson (Hus); 1. Robert Brtuee (Pen). ClSC 125 INT: I. Bart Carrigan (Hus); 2. Donak! Hanson (Pen): J. Cno'g Parlcinson (Hus): •. Robert !.mel... (CZ): 5. Todd MeG"",,,, (CZ). ClSC 125 EX: L Charlie Richardson (CZ); 2. Tom Benolkln (Pen); 3. Ed Sims (CZ); 4. Jared lange (Yam): S. Steve Parker (Hus). CLse 250 NOV: I. Dirk Williams (Hus): 2. Gary Collman (Gre): 3. Debbie Poole (BSA); 4. Rick Wolff (TrI). CLSC 250 INT: I. Ken lusk (Man); 2. Kurt lange (AJS); 3. Dan Wilson (Gre). CLse 500 NOV: I. Ken Meeks (Gre); 2. Steve Toone (Met); 3. Owen Morgan (BSA); 4. Mike Mijler (BSA). eLSC 500 INT: I. Tim Thomas (BSA); 2. Marty Tait (Gre). CLse 500 EX: I. Rick Winiams (BSA): 2. Robert Poole (BSA); 3. Charlie Beck (Mai). SPTSMN 125 NOV: I. Albert Newmann (Hon); 2. lance Maddux (Han): J. Bruce Sandg...,,,nd (5",). SPTSMN 125 INT, I. Bnod J""'" (Han): 2. Paul Hefterich (Han); 3. Chris Monon (Hon); 4. Cody Bowen (Hon); 5. Curt lange (Hon). SPTSMN 125 EX: I, Dave Coupe (Hon); 2. Jarrett Robertson (Hon): 3. Steve Gibson (Hon); 4. Steve Ericson (Hon); S. John McGregor (Hon). SPTSMAN 250 NOV: I. Gary Davis (Bul); 2. Cart Osborne (Hon); 3. Frank Stonns (Suz); 1. Desmond Amick (Hon): 5. Craig Flores (Hus). SPTSMN 250 INT: I. Brian Essary (Hon); 2. Craig Parkinson (Oss); 3. Brad Jones (Hon); 4. Tom Rogers (Hus); 5. Marty Cattaneo (Hus). SPTSMN 250 EX: I. Dave Coupe (Han); 2. Tom McKinney (Yam); 3. Paul Dunne (Hus); 4. Scott Stanley (055); 5. Dan D'Amico (Bul). SPTSMN 500 NOV: I. Darryl Weinkauf (Mai); 2. Gregg Taran (Yam); 3. David Judd (CZ); 1. Jim Crain (CZ); 5. Mark Smith (CZ). SPTSMN 500 INT: I. Jason Lewis (Hus); 2. Jeff Robertson (Mai); 3. Jeff Greenwood (Yam); 4. Darrell Spilsbury (CZ): 5. Rolf Greenhill (Han). SPTSMN 500 EX: I. Tony Fox (Yam); 2. Alex Rossetto (Suz); 3. Steve Ericson (Mai); 4. Roy jorgensen (CZ); 5. Chris Wilkes (C&». SPTSMN OPEN TW NOV: I. Bill fljanda (Trl). SPTSMN OPEN TW INT: I. Rick Armnrong (Yam). SPTSMN OPEN TW EX: I. Chad Macintosh (Tn); 2. Steve Snider (Tn); 3. Van Hice (Ric). OPEN AGE NOV: 1. Terry Dale (CZ); 2. lance Maddux (Han); 3. Kevin Zellner (Hon). OPEN AGE INT: I. Jason Lewis (Hus); 2. Paul Hefterich (Hon); 3. Rik Smits (Mal); 4. Rolf Greenhill (Mai); S. Cody Bowen (Hon). OPEN AGE EX: I. Dave Coupe (Hon); 2. Scott Stanley Laughridge held on to second, lollowed by Canadian Colton Facciotti in third. Afterward, Laughridge promised to keep his stablemate honest in the 250cc main. And that's exactly what the former Loretta Lynn's Horizon Award winner did. Laughridge shot off the gate quickly, followed closely by Lange and Johnson. Laughridge did his best to hold ofl Lange, protecting the inside line for several laps. However. it was only a matter of time until Lange made a pass that stuck, and he once again checked out on the competition. It soon became obvious why Lange is the defending National Arenacross Champion: His line choice and execution were flawless as he methodically pulled away. By the end of the moto, Lange was hanging it out wide for the crowd, which responded with a roar each time Lange threw a sick whip. The 250cc main ended with Lange cruising in first, followed by Laughridge in second and Johnson in third. In the postrace interview, Laughridge apologized for not making the race more competitive. However, one could hardly blame the young Kawasaki ace. Nobody in the At the AMS Racing National Vintage Motocross Series opener at Wittman, Arizona's Speedworld Motocross Park, the Classic 250cc Intermediate class was dominated by Ken Lusk, on his beautiful Montesa. (Oss); 3. Chris Wilkes (C&J); 4. Steve Ericson (Mai). 40+ NOV: I. Darryl Weink3uf (Ma;): 2. Gary 0"'" (BuI): J. Carl Osborne (Han): •. G...gg T,,,,,, (Yam); 5. Craig Flores (Hus). 40+ INT: I. Brian Essary (Hon); 2. Rolf Greenhill (Mai); 3. James Cochran (Hon); 4. Tom Rogers (Hus); 5. Eric Benson (Can). 40+ EX: I. Dave Coupe (Hon); 2. Tony Fox. (Yam); 3. Tom McKinney (Yam); 4. Charlie Richardson (CZ); 5. Dan Greenwood (Yam). 50+ NOV: I. Daniel Ecker (CZ): 2. 5teve Atwood (CZ); 1. Frank Storms (Suz); 4. Mike Miller (CZ); S. John Pischke (Bul). 50+ INT: I. Patrick Holmes (Mal): 2. Fred Wachter (CZ): 3. Eric Wachter (CZ); 4. Bob Egan (Ric); 5. Bruce Kenyon (Mal). 50+ EX: I. Jim Pomeroy (Bul); 2. Brad lAckey (Mal); 3. Dan D'Amico (Bul): 4. Alex Reid (Bul): 5. Rick Williams (Tn). 60+ NOV: I. Brooks Blair (Mai); 2. Bill Decker (BSA): 3. Samuel Wilson (BuI). 60+ INT: I. Ross Roberts (Bul); 2. Gene Fetty (Hus); 3. Lanny Henderson (Yam); 4. Don Harns (AJS). 60+ EX: I. Bill Silverthorn (Hus); 2. John Huegel (Yam); 3. Loyd Morgan (Hon); 4. Gordie Ochs (Bul); 5. Jerry Rewerts (BSA). 70+ INT: I. Glenn Finnerin (Can); 2. Bill Staley (CZ). National Series has been able to keep pace with Lange, who appears to be well on his way to defending his title. Lange was especially thankful to the crowd for supporting him throughout the weekend with cheers and numerous poster signs brandished by adoring fans. Overall, the action was everything promised by race co- promoters Tony Miller (of Miller Electric Racing) and Biliy Whitiey (Richmond Kawasaki Team Green manager). All of the riders made themselves available to fans throughout the weekend. showing their appreciation to the Lufkin faithful, and a couple of riders even went so far as to hold a freestyle contest, which Johnson won on both nights. Saturday night's Dash For Cash was won by Johnson as well. RESULTS Friday 125 PRO: I. Evan Laughridge (Kaw); 2. Darcy Lange (Kaw): 3. Kevin Johnson (Yam); 4. Brad Hagseth (Hon); 5. Colton Faccioni (Kaw). 250 PRO: I. Darcy Lange (Kaw): 2. Brad Hagsetn (Han): 3. Evan Laughridge (Kaw): 4. Kevin Johnson (Yam); 5. Colton Facciotti (Kaw). DfC: I. Darcy lange (Kaw); 2. Brad Hagseth (Hon); 3. Kevin Johnson (Yam); 4. Evan Laughridge (Kaw); 5. Teddy Maier (Kaw). FREESTYLE: I. Kevin Johnson (Yam); 2. Brady Sharp (Yam). PIT/OK: l. Kory Wynns (Hon): 2. Austin Clark (Kaw): 3. Richmond Kawasaki Team Green's Darcy Lange showed the Lufkin crowd why he runs the numberone plate in arenacross at the first Texas 5hootaut round. CYCLE NEWS • MARCH 23, 2005 67

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