Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

THQ AMA 12Scc Western Region Supercross Series ust as last week's 12Scc Eastern Region Series ended with KTM's Josh Hansen winning the final and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit's Grant Langston winning the title, this time at Seattle it was Red Bull KTM's Nathan Ramsey winning the final in front of nearly 50,000 spectators and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit's Ivan Tedesco wrapping up the 12Scc Western Region title with his third-place finish in the main event. Ramsey came into the Great Northwest with his mind set on winning, just as Hansen did, and he fought for every last bit to emerge the winner for the third time this season. After a sixweek break in the series, Ramsey showed that he has been training, riding and keeping fit, as he had the crowd on its feet for most of the 12Scc final. The Californian grabbed the $1000 Butterfinger Crisp holeshot award and set sail, reeling off some qUick lap times and pulling away from the field. Behind him, Red Bull KTM's Jay Marmont and Honda's Andrew Short, along with Tedesco, all battled for positions. On the eighth lap, Ramsey went down alone in a very rutted whoop section, which was beat up because of the wet conditions, and handed over the lead to Short, who had just passed Tedesco and Marmont for second. Ramsey regained his composure and put on a show, catching up to Short and battling with him for several laps. The KTM rider passed Short for the lead on lap I 3, all the while looking to have some kind of problem with his bike, as he was casing nearly every double, though mainly the triples. The crowd, however, loved the effort that he put forth. Ramsey held off Short the final two laps to take his third win of the year, while Tedesco just patiently watched them battle in third, knowing that he would clinch the title if he stayed where he was. "I tried to change my line in the whoops, and I just fell over," Ramsey said of his almost costly bobble. "I guess I just like to keep it interesting." Ironically, Ramsey also won the last 12Scc race that was held in Seattle back in 1999. "Ninety-nine was good for me here, and all I can do is the best I can and ride my own race," he said. "Whatever happens, happens, and it was just sweet to get that holeshot and win. 1have to congratulate Ivan on his championship; we still have one more race and the shootout that I .. £DP craft 30 APRIL 27,2005 • CYCLE NEWS have won twice, so there's still a lot left." Tedesco's third-place finish in the final was plenty for him to earn his second straight 12Scc West Championship and the second championship for team owner Mitch Payton in the last two weeks. The Californian had an interesting night that kept Payton and crew on their toes. He crashed out of his heat race and had a tough time getting his bike started, and that sent him to the LCQ, where he holeshot and easily won. With a bad outside gate pick, Tedesco rocketed off the start and was toward the front in the first turn but not in the lead. Instead of his usual let-it-all-hang-out style, Tedesco rode a different race and just hung back and let the others fight for position. "It was a stressful night," Tedesco said. "I crashed in the heat and had to go to the LCQ, which is never fun. Then I almost went down in the first turn of the main, and I just didn't want to battle with Ramsey and Short, so I just hung back to wrap up the title. The track was tough tonight, and I'm glad to wrap it up. It feels great." Tedesco is now the hot 2S0cc candidate for the factory teams, as he will be a full-time 2S0cc rider in 2006. American Honda/Fly/Spy/One Helmets' Andrew Short battled for his third second-place podium position of the year. At times it looked as if Short would win, but the determined Ramsey had other thoughts. Riding a 2S0cc out East for the big red team, it has been somewhat of a surprise that Short has not yet won a main event in 2005. The former Colorado resident now living in California had some impressive 2S0cc East rides, but he has not yet reached the top of the 12Scc podium. Seattle proved to be another race in which he narrowly missed out once again. "The track was tough, and I just need to keep doing the same thing," Short said . "I have one race left to get a win, and this is my third second-place finish of the year. I'm really looking forward to Houston." Short is now in third with 101 points, IS behind Ramsey. Makita Suzuki's Broc Hepler was back for his first race since breaking his arm at San Francisco. The Pennsylvanian, who has been training with Ricky Carmichael down in Florida for the last few weeks, had some crashes throughout the day and barley qualified through the heat with a come-from-behind ninth-place finish. With a 19th-place start in the final, Hepler looked to have a bad finish again, but

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