Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

't Watts, Jarrett, Williamson, D.R. Atwood and Yamaha rider Adam "Pink" McKillip all daring one another to cross first. This is where the first test of "who is the smartest racer?" paid off. Watts sat and waited to see how the others faired in the deep water. Williamson decided he would be the guinea pig, and he dropped down into the water and pinned it. All aspirations of a win, however, were drowned out for Williamson, when his bike suddenly died in the deep muck. Next went Jarrett, taking a completely different route, which paid off. Jarrett hit the other side of the bank and was gone. Watts had seen enough. The Australian decided to dismount his bike and push across, making sure not to suck up any water in the process. Watts made it across and began his hunt for Jarrett. The most noted exception to the front-runners was Garrahan. Garrahan had a close call with Kawasaki's Alan Westerfield earlier, and he got lost while trying to catch up to the others. To make matters worse, Garrahan watered-out in the river but was able' to get going again without losing too much time; he was soon charging to the front. By the first gas, Watts had caught up to Jarrett, and the two picked their way through the thick brush. Leading the Moose Run isn't as advantageous as leading other races, because you become the trail-buster, knocking down the thick weeds and leaving a path for your competitors to follow. Watts and Jarrett tiptoed through the weeds, while Garrahan and the legendary Dick Burleson, on a 125, charged along the beaten course, making up valuable time. This year's course was just as technical as those in past years, but the weather didn't cooperate with Gusse this time, and the terrain was dry, leaVing the conditions perfect for the racers, much to the disgust of Gusse. With less than a quarter of the course to go, Garrahan had caught Jarrett and Watts. Garrahan then passed the frontrunners and lead into the last river crossing ofthe loop. He decided going into the water first was a bad idea, so he relinquished the lead to Jarrett. After the trio successfully crossed the water, the last few miles were wide-open grass tracks, and the three pilots pinned it to the finish line. Watts had played all his cards right and was in perfect position to strike, staying with Jarrett and figuring out the course. Jarrett had done what he needed to do to be in the hunt and wasn't afraid to take chances for the win. Garrahan had to work his butt off to catch the two out in front and was ready to take his turn at the front again. The three had built up a sizable lead over Williamson, and they all knew the race was going to be won on the last lap. Garrahan was the first to make his move and took the lead right after the gas. His plan was to try and get out as far as possible away from Watts and Jarrett and hope that they would make a few mistakes and let him go. Unfortunately for him, Watts and Jarrett had been up in front the whole race and weren't about to let Garrahan just run away with it, so they stayed in tow the entire second loop. Garrahan continued to lead, with Jarrett and Watts never more than a few seconds behind. The three came into the last waterhole neck and neck, and the last few miles of grass track was the setting for the entire outcome of the race. Jarrett pounced on Garrahan, first setting him up, then passing him entering the grass track. Watts finished the kill immediately after Jarrett and blitzed by Garrahan in the next turn. Jarrett was now the one being stalked as Watts hounded him for the entire last two miles (Above) Watts, Jarrett and Garrahan celebrate on the podium. (Right) Charlie Deutscher nails the holeshot. of the race. Watts made his move with less than a quarter of a mile left and took the lead. In the next turn, however, Jarrett would get him back, as Watts ran a little wide. Coming into the finish line area, Watts again overtook Jarrett and the two were side-by-side. But entering the next turn, Watts made a crucial mistake and overshot a turn, and Jarrett got by him. Watts did everything he could to get on the inside of Jarrett in the final section of motocross track, but unfortunately for Watts, he was never able to get close enough to make a pass stick. Jarrett crossed the finish line with Watts right behind him, Garrahan only a few seconds behind them both. Williamson finished fourth, with KTM's Christopher Bach in fifth. 01 MOOSE RUN MORRISON, IWNOIS RESULTS: JUNE 5, 2005 (ROUND 4 OF 10) OVERA1.L: I.Jirrmy Jarrett (Suz); 2. Shane Watts (KTM); 3. Brian Garrahan (Suz); 4. Justin Williamson (Yam): S. Christophe.- Bach (KTM); 6.Chris Robe

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