Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128407
"I wrapped it up two weeks ago and didn't even have to come, but I did, because I wanted to go out and finish the year with a win - so that's what I did," said Jimmy Jarrett, the recently re-crowned OMA Champion. The two-time OMA champ might have made his fourth win of the year at the Cooperland Grand Prix sound as though it was a fairly routine feat, but it was anything but that, as he had to work harder for this win than he had for any other all year. That's because he was pushed from flag to flag by eventual second-place finisher Justin Williamson, the winner of the previous OMA round and the runner-up finisher in final series points standings. Matt Fish from Australia, who clinched the Open A-class Championship at the previous round, made his Pro debut at Cooperland. Judging by his performance, he'll be a threat for next year's title, after running with Jarrett for much of the race before settling into third for good. Cooperland Raceway, known more as a motocross facility, utilized the surrounding woods, which prOVided some challenging sections and ensured that the final race of the series would not simply be a long MX race. Jarrett put his Andrews Cycles/Kenda/Moose RM250 in front after the uphill start, and he intended on staying there. Fish, Williamson and the rest of the field settled in behind him, but things would eventually change. "I got by Matt - I think on the second lap - and caught up to Jimmy pretty easy," Williamson said. "I just stayed right there with him for pretty much the rest of the race." At one point, Williamson tried passing Jarrett over a log but got stuck and lost valuable seconds on the leader, as well as a position to Fish. But Williamson didn't give up. "I kept cranking," Williamson said."1 caught up to those guys and got by Matt, I think when he was gassing. Going on to the last lap, I had to stop for goggles and Jimmy pulled away a little bit, but I reeled him back in pretty quick. I was right on him, trying to make passes, trying to press him, but nothing happened. "I really wanted to press to get another win - two in a row," Williamson said, "but Jimmy was riding good, and I couldn't get around him. There's not too much room to pass out there with his kind of speed." Dust also played a role in the race. "I couldn't see," Williamson said. "I was just pretty much going on feeling my tires, and I had to stay real loose on the bike, because I'd hit a rock and it'd throw my bike one way, and I've got to correct as quick as possible without hitting a tree or something. I'd sort of watch Uarrett] and see what he was hitting and stuff." Afterward, Jarrett acted as though it was just another day at the office. "It was pretty ordinary," he said. '" got a good start; it was dusty, and I knew if I just stayed in front of them, they weren't going to pass me. It [the track] was pretty