Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

the tabletop section," Windham said of his encounter with Vuillemin. "Then, coming back through the Pro section, he went up kind of high on a turn, and I slipped underneath and managed to get by him. I was running good today; then all of a sudden Ernie comes flying in. He was hauling butt! Good to see him up there as well." Wrapping up the top lOin the first moto were Preston, Collier, Unbound Energy/MDK Motorsports/Honda's Nick Wey, and Motonews.com/Suzuki's John Dowd. Moto two opened with Carmichael rockin' the number-one jersey, staving off any embarrassment by possibly not living up to the statement by pulling a fullwheelie rocket-ship holeshot. RC was followed around the first turn by new rivals Vuillemin and Fonseca, Tamer Motorsports/Honda's Rodrig Thain, Reynard and Wey. Early on, Preston and Team ECQHonda's Brian Gray were involved in a spectacular wreck on a seemingly simple double jump that knocked both riders out of competition. Gray left the track with a banged-up head and a shoulder injury, but he was able to walk off the track. Preston left the track with a damaged motorcycle. A couple of good battles materialized early in the race, between Byrne and Hughes, and between Dowd and Wey. But the most dramatic part of the race would be Fonseca's lap-eight pass on Vuillemin for third place, the podium and tying the overall points chase. Vuillemin summed up Fonseca's pass best by saying, "I had a great weekend until the I 5-minute mark of the second moto." Hughes highlighted his swan-song season with a 5-5 finish for fifth overall. Sixth place went to Byrne (6-6), while 40-yearold Dowd would again lay down his fastest laps late in the second moto, and he was rewarded with a seventh-place overall finish (10-7). Michigan's Wey continues to impress after his coming back from complete ACL reconstructive surgery, missing the first two rounds, and racing back well within the top 10 overall in points. Wey would step it up in the second moto, going 9-8 for eighth overall. Then top-10 newcomers Collier and Laughridge rounded out the top 10. eN STEEL CITY RACEWAY DELMONT, PENNSYLVANIA REsws: SiPrEMlal4, 2005 (RQIN) 11 OF 12) 250 MOTO I, I. RKky CannKhaei (Suz); 2. Kev;n Windham (Hon); 3. David Vuillemm (Yam); 4. Emesto Fonseca (Hon); S. Ryan Hughes (Suz); 6. Michael Byrne (Kaw): 7. Travis Preston (Hon); 8. Sean Collier (Hon); 9. Nick Wey (Hon); 10. John Dowd (Suz); I I. Evan Laughridge (Kaw); 12. Brian G",y (Hon); 13. Jeff Dement (Suz); 14. Jason Thomas (Hon); IS. Eric Nye (Yam); 16. _ Reynanl (Hon); 17. RDdrlg Tn.;n (Hon), 18. Justm Buckelew (Hon); 19. Jin DostaJ (Hon); 20. Ilany Camen (5uz); 21. Adam B. Chatfield (Hon); 22. Keith R. Joh""'" (Yam); 23. Matthew Barnes (KTM); H. Grnn Gr.ocyk (Suz); 25. Ryan Abrigo (Hon); 26. Matthew Goerke (Suz); 27. Kyle Mace (Hon); 28. Dennis Stapleton (Hon); 29. Thomas Hofmaster (Hon); 30. Jeremy Cook (Hon); 31. Shaun SIOnner (Suz); 32. Jack CMpenter (Hon); 33. Jacob Marsack (Hon); 34. CIari< Stiles (Suz); 35. Sean Hambfin (Kaw); 36. Jeff Gibson (Hon); 37. Josh Woods (Suz); 38. Matthew Bum, (Hon); 39. Kyle Lewis (Hon): 40. William Browning (Suz). 250 MOTO 2, I. RKky CannKhaei (Suz); 2. Kev;n Windham (Hon); 3. Emeno Fonseca (Hon); 4. Da-oo Vuillemln (Yam); S. Ryan Hughes (Suz): 6. Michael Byrne (Kaw); 7, John Dowd (Suz); 8. NickWey(Hon): 9. Matthew Goerke (Suz); 10. Sean Collier (Hon); II. Evan Laughridge (Kaw); 12. Jeff Dement (SU2); 13. RobbIe Reynard (Hon); 14. Jason Thomas (Hon); 15. Kyle Lewis (Han); 16. Justin Buckelew (Hon); 17. Josh Woods (Suz); 18. Eric Nye (Yam); 19. Sean Hamblin (Kaw); 20. Jiri Dostal (Han); 21. Gavin Gracyk (Suz); 22. Kyle Mace (Hon); 23. Barry Carsten (Suz); 24. Ryan Abrigo (Hon); 25. Matthew Barnes (KTM); 26. Jacob Marsack (Hon); 27. Matthew Burris (Hon); 28. Dennts St:apleton (Han); 29. Jer-emy Cook (Hon); 30. Clark Stiles (Suz); 31. Adam B. Chatfield (Hon); 32. Rodrig Thain (Hon); 33. William Browning (Suz): H. Keith R. Johnson (Yam); 35. Jack CMpenter (Hon); 36. Thomas Hofmaster (Hon); 37. Shaun SlUnner (Suz); 38. T",,,,, Preston (Hon); 39. 8rian G",y (Hon); 40. Jeff GIbson (Hon). 250 OVERALL: I. RKky CannKhaeI (Suz); 2. Kev;n Windham (Hon); 3. Emeno Fonseca (Han); 4. David VuWlemin (Yam); 5. Ryan Hughes (Suz); 6. Michael Byrne (Kaw); 7. John Dowd (Suz); 8. Nick Wey (Hon); 9. Sean Comer (Hon); 10. Evan Laughridge (Kaw); II. Jeff Dement (Suz); 12. Jason Thomas (Hon); 13. Travis Preston (Hon); My 33 14. Robbie Reynard (Hon); IS. Matt Goerke (Suz); 16. Eric Nye (Yam); 17. Brian Gray (Hon); 18. Justin Buckelew (Hon); 19. Kyle Lew;, (Hon); 20. Josh Woods (Suz); 21. Rodng Thain (Han); 22. Jiri Dostal (Hon); 23. Sean Hamblin (Kaw): H. Barry Carsten (Suz): 25. Gavin Gracyk (Suz); 26. Matthew Bames (KTM); 27. Kyle Mace (Hon); 28. Ryan Abtigo (Hon); 29. Adam B. Chatfield (Hon); 30. Dennis Stapleton (Hon); 31. Keith R. Johnson (Yam); 32. Jacob Marsack (Han); 33. Jeremy Cook (Hon); 3-4. Clark Stiles (Suz); 35. Matthew Burris (Hon); 36. Tommy Hofmaster (Hon); 37. Jack CMpen,oc (Hon); 38. Shaun Skinner (Suz); 39. William 8rowrung (Suz); 40. Jeff Gibson (Hon). 2S0 AHA MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After II of 12 rounds): I. RKky CannKhaei (544/11 win); 2. Kev;n Wondham (443); 3. (TlE) Emesto Fonsec:aIDavid VuilJemjn (352); S. Travis Preston (279); 6. John Dowd (273); 7. MKhaei Byrne (265); B. Chad Reed (258); 9. NKk Wey(233); 10. James Stewan(138); II. Ryan CIari< (132); 12. Jeff Oement (131); 13. Juss Laansoo (III); 14. jason Thomas (I 04); 15. Justin Buckelew (89); 16. Sean Collier (B3); 17. Matthew Goerke (79); 18. josh Woods (66); 19. _ Reynanl (6S); 20. Jeff GIbson (55). OWN RACE: Jason Thomas 250cc 12th ( 14-14) Subway/Honda racer jason "].T. Money" Thomas always runs well at Steel City, and this National was no different. "I was real confident coming into this race," Thomas said. "I've had more top-lOs here than at any othertrack. I rode well all day, except on my starts. But there's just something about this track that's always seemed to click. Don't know if it's the dirt or what. This year it was a lot rougher, but good." 109 Barry Carsten 24th (20-23) This week, the venerable Barry Carsten picked up a unique sponsorship, getting some financial help for Steel City from an unlikely source. "David Vuillemin has a website, DV 12.com, and this was a way for him to promote it because he can't promote it on his own bike," Carsten said. "He helped me out with my entry fee and gas money on the weekend, which was really cool. I came out Friday and raced some amateu~, got real used to the track and qualified eighth. I didn't have real good starts at the main, but I worked my way up, got up to 21 st on the last lap of the first moto - then I caught a guy right at the finish line and got 20th and a point, which I'm happy about. The second moto, I got another bad start, ended up Brd. This is my last race of the season, and it was a good season. Suzuki stepped up and helped some of us out with double contingency. I'll be back next year." 50 RodrigThain 21st (17-32) It was good to see Rodrig Thain back in action after he missed much of the season with injuries. "I got 17th in the first moto, which was pretty good," he said. "The second moto, I got second at the start, but three-quarte~ of the way into the race, I had to pull off. But I'm pretty happy. I'm getting up to speed, my bike worked pretty well, but I have to work on the suspension, and it should be way better next weekend." Thain added that, though he doesn't have a ride for next year, he hopes to race the West Coast 12Scc Supercross and 250cc Nationals. 98 Evan Laughridge 10th (11 -11 ) Richmond/Kawasaki-backed Arenacross and Canadian Nationals racer Evan Laughridge made it back to his first AMA National after jamming his wrist at Hangtown. "We got out here and had to do something," he said. "The first moto, I had a good start, maybe fourth or fifth. Some of the factory guys passed me, but I just rode as best as I could for most of the moto, but Dowd got me on the last lap. The second moto, I didn't get as good a start. I was near the top 10, but I started to go backwards. I found myself in, like, 14th; then I made a charge about halfway through. I was picking guys off, picking guys off; then, in the end, I was in, like, II tho Tenth overall - I'm pretty pumped'" 26 Michael Byrne 6th (6-6) Like Laughridge, KX2S0-mounted Kawasaki factory racer Michael Byrne fought hard all weekend against the four-strokes. "It was an okay week' end," Byrne said. "The first moto, I acwally got a really good start but rode a bit tight. I think I went the wrong direction on my suspension setting, which was my own fault. I kind of struggled a little bit hanging on and didn't relax enough. But I picked it up a bit in the end of the moto. The second moto, I didn't get a very good start; I think I ran into the back of Nick [Wey] or somebody in the first corner, got buried in the pack, like 18th or something. I worked my way up to sixth, behind Ryno, but he was faster in some sections and I was faster in othe~. He was able to hang on and not make any mistakes - 6-6 on the day for sixth overall was okay." Briefly... Continued from poge 17 Pittsburgh's Kevin Hoge, along with top New York rookie prospect jay Weller. A couple of heavy hitters from the skateboard industry attended the Steel City National. Alien Workshop's Chris Carter cruised over from Dayton, while DC Shoes boss Ken Block flew in from Southem California. "Great Outdoo~" producer Troy Adamitis is putting the final footage together for the fourth installment of his popular motocross documentaries. As to what the theme this year will be, Adamitis said that they've been focusing on spending an entire weekend with a racer and giving viewers an intimate look at a weekend in the life of a pro motocross racer - both factory and privateer - at the Nationals. Team PPG/MotoworldRacing,com! Suzuki will not be returning with Suzuki bikes next year. According to team manager Paul Lindsey, the fact that Motoworld Racing's deale~hip in EI Cajon, California, never sold Suzukis played into the decision, hence the separate warehouse housing the mail orderl Internet business, MotoworldRacing.com. "We put in four good years, and everybody's a little bit burned out." Lindsey said. ':At the end of the day, we had different views on how this team should be structured." Lindsey still plans to outfit a four-racer team for Supercross and the Nationals for 2005 and 2006. Random Notes: Matt Walker said the deal's done with Yamaha of Troy... Eric Sorby was back in a~ion for the first time since injuring his wrist at Mount Morris... Chuck Schultz's 2005-06 tearn (a.k.a. Subway/Honda) will be sponsored by Home Depot and Stanley Tools next year. Schultz said his semi's getting built, and it is likely his tearn will be on Hondas again next year... Ryan Clark tweaked his lower leg and pulled out of Steel City. Clark needs six points to move into 10th overaJl to finish in front of james Stewart, who will not ride the final round at Glen Helen. Both Mike and jeff Alessi, Barry Carsten and Brett Metcalfe took advantage of the preNational Amateur races to get some time on the Steel City track. Even Ricky Carmichael, who only needed fIVe points to capture the title, was seen walking the track on Friday, checking out the amateu~ and hanging out with the fans. Honda's team manager, Erik Kehoe. said that they're still working on a deal that will bring jeremy McGrath back for some limited Supercross action next year. "We're hoping he's back with us:' Kehoe said. The National Promote~ Group's Hurricane Katrina benefit auction at the conclusion of the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Pro MX National raised $47,000. The outpouring of generosity from the 15,900 motocross fans in attendance was amazing, as was the amount of auction items donated by all the top ride~. Makita/Suzuki's Ricky Carmichael stepped up big, donating his hyper-custom BBRlSuzuki I 10 mini bike, which started a bidding war between industry heavies jeff Cernic (Cernic's Suzuki) and Ken Block of DC Shoes. When the smoke cleared on that one, Block plunked down almost $17,000 for the replica RC minibike. CYCLE NEWS • SEPTEMBER 14,2005 19

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