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AMA National Hare Scrambles Series Jason Raines wins and extends his points lead even more STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARK SPORE eam Am Pro Yamaha's Jason Raines started the 2005 offroad season with a series of disappointing race results, due in large part to the slow healing process of his injured shoulder. Raines' luck has appeared to have changed for the better, as he has recently turned in some impressive finishes, including a podium finish at the Wisp GNCC and a victory at round five of the AMA National Hare Scrambles Series in Indiana. He clearly had momentum on his side coming to Michigan, where he has previously been successful at winning races. ''This race has always been won by whoever makes the least amount of mistakes," Raines said. ''The woods were so challenging today, with all of the rain that came down last night. I went down twice right away on the first lap because it was so slippery." Indeed, Mother Nature did rear her ugly head the night prior to the event, letting loose a tremendous amount of rain. Then she turned up the heat for race day, pushing temperatures to the IOO-degree mark and humidity close to 100 percent. Despite the excellent course conditions for Saturday's events (see Briefly), the large amount of rain that fell required modifications to the track for Sunday's Pro race program. The main area that was affected was the motocross track, which had up to IS-inches of mud in many places that approached jumps. This resulted in many of the challenging obstacles that make up the moto portion of the track to be rerouted, disappointing the racers who enjoy the well laid out MX section. The course workers also had to T 44 relocate the starting area, as this was also heavily saturated with water. Once the racing was under way, however, everything went smoothly. The start saw Team Green Kawasaki/Michelin/Acerbis-supported Chuck Woodford grab the holeshot, with Raines in tow. As the riders exited the woods for the first lap, it was Woodford still in the lead, with Raines and KTM factory rider Mike Lafferty hot on his tail. "It was kind of a cat-and-mouse game out there at first," Raines said. "We each took a turn at the lead, and then one of us would make a mistake. Once we got into the lappers, things got a little tricky." As the race neared the one-hour mark, the lead trio of Raines, Woodford and Lafferty had pulled away from the rest of the field. Unfortunately, Lafferty made a costly mistake, resulting in a DNF on the day. ''I'm not quite sure what happened to Mike [Lafferty]," Woodford said. "I came up on him, and he was already down. I asked if he was okay, and he nodded, so I went after Jason [Raines]." Woodford had his sights set on a win, as the muddy conditions definitely favored the Ohio rider. As he and Raines battled over the lead, they put on a fantastic show for the fans that lined the woods and moto sections of the course. They were often seen nose-to-tail, occasionally taking a peek at each other over the jumps. As the two competitors neared the two-lap board, Woodford had a huge get-off in the woods, providing Raines with the break that he needed. "I figured Chucky [Woodford] went down, because he was right there all day, and then suddenly he wasn't there," AUGUST 10, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS Raines said. "I just put my head down and tried to get the biggest gap I could." Despite the stifling heat, Raines was able to put together two extremely fast laps on his Am Pro Yamaha to end his race, taking the win for the second year in a row. "I don't know why, but I seem to ride well in the heat," Raines said. "I'm from Washington, and it's certainly not hot there, but I seem to do well when it's hot. I guess my training program is paying off." Although he held on for second, Woodford was clearly disappointed. He has been chasing the AMA National Hare Scrambles title for several years, resulting in the bridesmaid title. He wants to win. "I thought I had it today for sure," Woodford said. ':A.fter I fell, I thought I was riding faster than I had all day. But I just couldn't catch Jason." Woodford again finds himself second in the series points standings, with three rounds to go. Completing the podium was the KTM factory-supported Robbie Jenks. Jenks was near the front at the beginning of the race, but a mechanical problem kept him from staying there. "I actually lost my upper shock bolt near the halfway mark," Jenks said. "It really made doing any of the jumps difficult. The rear of the bike just beat me up when it got rough, but I was able to ride through it." The race for fourth came down to the wire, with Yamaha-mounted Justin Williamson taking the position, followed closely by Suzuki rider Brian Garrahan. Williamson rode a consistent race, fol- lowing the guidance of his Uncle, Chris Williamson, who serves as his mechanic. "I have always encouraged Justin to ride smart and keep a steady pace," his uncle said. Justin's smart riding resulted in a wellearned fourth, with Garrahan finishing only three seconds back in fifth. Michigan native Aaron Wegner placed sixth overall on his Yamaha. This was Wegner's debut in the AA Pro class, and he turned a lot of heads with his impressive sixth overall. Wegner was an early factor for a podium finish, as he frequently circled the track in a top-fIVe position. But a costly mistake on one of the more slippery woods sections cost him a couple of positions. Finishing top Amateur was Kawasakimounted Travis Green, who took seventh overall, first in the 250cc A class. Green was followed through scoring by a pair of famous brothers: Richard Lafferty, brother of Mike Lafferty, earned eighth overall on his KTM; and Patrick Garrahan, brother of Brian Garrahan, finished ninth overall. Michigan native Blair Bersano filled out the top lOon his Yamaha. CN DUTCH SPORT PARK BLooMlNGOAU, MicHIGAN RESULTS: JULY 24, 2005 (ROUND 6 Of 10) OVERALc I. J""'" !Wnes (Yam); 2. Chuck Woodfonl (Kaw); 3. Robbie Jenks (KTM); .of. Justin Williamson (Yam); 5. Brian Garrahan (Suz); 6. Aaron Wegne' (Yam); 7. T",,., Green (Kaw); 8. Richard Lafferty (KTM); 9. Patrick Garrahan (KTM); 10. Blair Bersano (Yam). AHA NATIONAL HARE SCRAMBLES CHAMP'· ONSHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 6 of 10 rounds): I. Jason Raines (122{3 wins); 2. Chuck Woodford (9811 win); J. Brian Garrahan (81); 4. Robbie Jenks (72); S. Patrick Gamohan (68); 6. JUM Salminen (60/2 wins); 7. Kevin Bailey (+4); 8. Travis Green (43); 9. Olarles Hum", (42); 10. Glenn Ke>mey (41).