Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

IMI Motorsports Two Firsts for a Beginner By MICHELLE LARABEE ERIE, CO, FEB. 13 F or the many Colorado riders who did not participate in arenacross, Erie was their first race of the 2005 season. These riders had the anxiety of having taken a couple months off, but for Gio Walker. it was his first race ever. The 13-year-old from Brighton raced in the Youth Beginner contest with all the other AMA Parts Unlimited Spring Classic Lake Whitney riders who have less than one year of experience. He was pleas- antly surprised when he took first place riding in his first-ever race. The morning race began with Christopher Sara taking the holeshal on his Yamaha. Shane Hall followed closely, and, along with Walker. they headed the pack of Beginners. Walker made his first advance by passing Hall on the step-up/step-down. Then he passed the leader to take the number-one pOSition. Ryan Cook also took the opportunity to leave the pack behind after passing Sara for second by the end ofthe first lap. The Beginners really knew how to put on a show. Cook began to challenge Walker and then passed him, but Walker didn't give up, retaking his number-one spot when Cook fell in a turn before the finish-line tabletop, which also allowed Sara to retake second. Walker pulled away on the third lap, but Sara did not let him take the victory qUite yet. Sara passed Walker on the final lap. taking first and the moto win. Walker settled for second. and Cook took third. The afternoon race was just as action-filled as the morning race. Sara came out with the holeshot, with Walker right behind him. A newcomer to the front of the pack, John Borst, came out in third. Walker passed Sara right after the steps. After the first lap, the order was Walker, Sara, Cook and Borst. Cook passed Sara in the back section on the second lap to take second. By the end of the second lap. Borst was also battling Sara for third. eventually taking the position. They finished out the race with Walker in first place (and first overall). Cook in second, and Borst in third. It was a well-fought race for the Beginners. "It [winning his first-ever race) felt pretty good, because nobody really ever does that." said Walker, who proceeded to take a couple of pictures with his first-place trophy. Walker only began riding last March, and he felt he was pretty good and should perhaps start racing. Many in the RMXA would agree he's doing a great job. RESULTS 5 lOll-IN): I. Marshall Cook (KTM); 2. Austin Ross (Yam). 51 (4-6): I. Michael Sweney (KTM): 2. Bryson Monroe (KTM): 3. Jordan Queen (KTM). 5 I (7-8): I. Koy Bowen (Cob); 2. Anthony San Filippo (Cob): 3. Trae Dilley (KTM); 4. Jeremy lundblade (KTM); 5. Avery Cantrell (KTM). 5 I OPEN (4-8): I. Koy Bowen (Cob); 2. Anthony San Filippo (Cob); J. Trae Dilley (KTM); 4. Avery Cantrell (KTM); 5. Jeremy lundblade (KTM). 65 (7-9): I. Dalton linkus (KTM); 2. Daniel McKune (Kaw): 3. Conner Strait (Hon): 4. Nicole Wilcox (KTM); S. Brenna Barnes (KTM). 65 (10-11): t. Jeffrey Fisher (KTM): 2. Cody Pruitt (KTM): 3. Braden Monroe (KTM): 4. Garrett Kite (KTM); 5. Tyler Albus (KTM). 65 OPEN (7-11): I. Dalton Unkus (KTM); 2. Jeffrey Fisher (KTM); 3. Tyler Albus (KTM): 4. Braden Monroe (KTM); S. Jared Stieb (Suz). 85 (7-11): I. Vernon O'Shea (KTM); 2. Paul Johnson (Yam): 3. D lt:on linkus (KTM): 4. Andrew Witmer (Suz); 5. Cody Pruitt (Suz). 85 (7-11) OPEN (105cc Max): I. Vernon O'Shea (KTM): 2. Jeffrey Fisher (Hon): 3. Scott Sardella (Hon): 4. Andrew Witmer (Suz); S. Paul Johnson (Yam). 85 (12-13): I. Tyler Valentine (Hon); 2. Michael Kimmerle (Hon); 3. Josh Stieb (Suz); 4. Brian Wilson (Kaw): S. Michael Riner (Suz). 85 (14-15): I. Tyler Fisher (Hon); 2. Andrew Valdez (Yam); 3. Mike Bentley (Hon): 4. Dylan Rumney (KTM): 5. Kyle Rivard (Kaw). S/MINI (12-15) (105cc Max): 1. Tyler Fisher (Hon); 2. Tyler Valentine (Hon): 3. Nathan Deandrea (Hon): 4. Michael Kimmerle (Hon); S. Andrew Valdez (Yam). 1'25 A: I. lance Hiser (Yam): 2. Vinny Ramirez (Yam): J. Dalton Dimick (Yam): 4. Ricky la Montagne (Yam): S. Joey Shedron (Suz). 125 B: I. Zach larson (Yam); 2. Ryan Thompson (Kaw): 3. Jayson Corbett (Kaw); 4. David Budik (Kaw): 5. Travis Dunivent (!

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