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SETRA Enduro Series Round 7: Swamp Fox Enduro Bv KENNETH KING CHARLESTON, SC, JAN. 16 eam Yamaha's Randy Hawkins claimed the overall in the 28th running of the Swamp Fox Enduro, round seven of the SETRA Enduro Series. Hawkins rode a virtually stock YZ426F to victory after a tight battle with KTM's Allen Gravitt. Hawkins edged the SETRA veteran by a point, 21 to 22. "It was a good race," said Hawkins. "Allen rode good and kept me on my toes all day. The bike was stock except for a hydrauUc clutch. We are doing testing on the 426. It will be the bike I ride all year. I will be the only rider racing the four-stroke exclusively. " Rod Stuckey, a former motocrosser turned hare scrambles rider, has ridden three enduros this year. He picked up a third overall on his KX250, and he's getting better with each endaro. He is currently the hare scrambles points leader. "I felt good today," Stuckey reported. "I'm pretty excited about my finish, since this was the first time I kept time for myself. I just had a blast." Virginia native Stephen Edmonson, riding a Kawasaki, dropped 26 for fourth. The Family riders put on the event, held in the Francis Marion National Forest, and excellent cooperation from the forestry service makes the enduro possible. This race was cosanctioned by the Florida Trail Riders; it's the only non-Florida race on their calendar, but riders would be hard-pressed to tell they weren't racing in Florida, because of the sand and the Swamp Fox has more than its share of sand whoops. The first enduro of the year had nearly perfect weather. It was a Uttle dusty in some spots, but the club did a good job of keeping all the riders in the woods instead of on roads. Some sections were nice and tight, but a good portion were four-wheeler-wide, and it was easy to maintain 24 mph which was why the race was run at a 30-mph speed average. There were just too many low scores last year, and the Family riders wanted to see some points dropped. The first section was close to the campground and very whooped out. Only 7 miles in length, it gave riders a taste of what lay ahead. Hawkins, usu- 38 FEBRUARY 23, 2000' cue IAbove) Randy Hawkins flew to the overall win at the Swamp Fox Enduro, round seven of the SETRA Enduro Series, in the Francis Marion National Forest, near Charleston, South Carolina. (Left) Rod Stucke)' placed third overall at the Swamp Fox. ally a slow starter, was on the gas with a three-point loss. Gravitt also dropped three, although he had some problems. "I was just poking along, watching my clock," he said. "I did this for a half-mile or so before I realized I had set my computer for 24 mph instead of 30. I bumped the mileage and saw I was behind. I wasn't able to make it back up, and it cost me." AA riders Stuckey and Stephen Edmondson also both dropped three. Husaburg's Mike Grizzle and KTM's Doug Masencup dropped four, as did former SETRA hare scrambles champ Steven Smith. Section two, an 8-miler, came after a reset and led to the auxiliary gas. Three points was the fast score, and both Hawkins and Gravitt tied with it. The section was still fast, with not as many whoops. Section three was the last one before the gas. It was 12 miles long and tighter than the previous sections. Once again Gravitt and Hawkins tied with three apiece. Hawkins got the better tie breaker, 26 to Gravitt's 45. Edmondson was next with a 4: 12, followed by Stuckey with a 4:26. Masencup was a second behind with a 4:27, Grizzle had 4:48 and Smith had 4:53. The fourth section was 13 miles long and tighter, a good trail through pines. It was sandy but not as whooped. Gravitt, Stuckey, Hawkins and Edmondson each dropped five. Grizzle, Masencup and Smith dropped six. Then it was on to the gas stop at the 65-mile mark. I e neVlls After the gas, riders entered the woods at 75 miles for section five. At 7 miles, it was short but tricky - lots of new trail and several miles of twisty trail through clear-cut woods. It was the most challenging section of the day. Gravitt experienced some excitement. "My rear wheel caught a stump," he reported. "I was going pretty good and came close to getting bucked off. I had to back it down a notch." He posted a five, as cUd Hawkins, Stuckey and Edmondson. Grizzle, Masencup and Smith dropped six. The penultimate section of the day was 11 miles of fast trail with whooped-out spots. A few good mudholes gave the C riders a change of pace. Hawkins posted a 5: 11 and Gravitt a 5:49, the only fives in the AA class. Masencup, Stuckey and Edmondson dropped six, Grizzle seven. Smith had some problems that cost him any chance of a top-five score, as he dropped 11. The last section consisted of 12 miles of whoops. Hawkins was riding strong, and this won him the race. He dropped a one. Stuckey and Gravitt dropped two. The remaining AAs dropped three apiece, except for Smith, who posted a five. Super Senior A rider Robert Neeley put in a fantastic ride for High Point A, nabbing fifth overall in the process. High Point B went to Steward Baylor, riding a KTM in the 250cc B class; he dropped 34 points. West Virginian rider Greg Gillian, on a Yamaha, matched him with a 34 but didn't have it on the tie breakers. The top spot in the C class went to 250cc C rider Adam Haskell, on a Suzuki. Adam dropped a very respectable 41 points. CN Swamp Fa. Enduro Char1estan, South Caroline Results: Jenuery 1S, 2000 [Round 71 O/A: Randy Hawkins (Yam). AA: 1. Allen Gravitt (KTM); 2. Rod Stuckey (Kaw); 3. Stephen Edmondson (Kaw). OPEN A: 1. Mitch McRee (KTM): 2. Jeff Vealey (KTM): 3. David Kuka Jr. (KTM). 250 A: I. Ryan Crist: 2. Maynard Patterson (Vam); 3. Jason Moody (KTM). 200 A: 1. Travis Hayes (KTM); 2. Scott Mount (KTM): 3. Neil Sharphom (KTM). 4·STRK A: I. Scott Miller (Yam); 2. Charles Thomb; 3. Jim Sparrow (Han). VET A: 1. Doug Dellton (KTM); 2. Kim Wlltson (G·G); 3. Jonny Simkins (KllW). SR A: 1. Gallie Ward (Han); 2. Neil Hamilton (Kaw); 3. Stan Ghantt (Kaw). S/SR A: 1. Robert Neeley (KTM); 2. Lewis Smith (KTM); 3. Darryl Moody (KTM). MSTR A: I. John Kirby (Hon): 2. D. Mo",h (GG): 3. Jimmy Lynch. OPEN B: I. Lon Buysman; 2. Gene Zobel (Han); 3. Forrest Hardeman (KTM). 250 B: 1. Steward Baylor (KTM); 2. Ivan Haynes (KTM); 3. Trey Wellborn (Kaw). 200 B: I. Dusty Tindel (KTM): 2. Mark Kelly (Vam); 3. P. Weaver (KTM). 4-STRK B: J. Greg Gillian (Vam); 2. Phillip Sims (Vam); 3. Peter Magee (Vam). VET B: 1. Mike Culler (Vam); 2. Billy Nobles (Hon); 3. Roy Wood (Kaw). SR B: 1. Frank Schoenbeck (Yam); 2. Lem Wooten (Kaw); 3. Manley Bradsh (KTM). S/SS B: I. Rick Shlpner (KTM); 2. Charne Bridges (Vam); 3. Gary Bishop (Vam). MSTR B: 1. Ron Miller (Yam); 2. Steven Stirewalt (KTM): 3.Comelius Sharphom (KTM). OPEN C: J. Scott Presnell (Hon); 2. David Burrell (G-G); 3. Johnny Coggins (SUl). 250 C: 1. Adam Haskell (Suz); 2. Ed Ethan (Yam); 3. Brian Newberry (Suz). 200 C: 1. Luke Durham (KTM); 2. Greg Darnell (G-G); 3. Mike Fraser (KTM). 4-STRK C: 1. Allen Voung (Hon); 2. Rob Mielke (Vam); 3. Paul Walker (Hon). VET C: 1. John Wilson (KTM); 2. Lance Ott (Yam); 3. John Fisher (KTM). SR C: 1. Jamie Clontz (KTM): 2. Patrick Unville (Kaw); 3. Ricky Buckhiester (Kaw). S/SR C: 1. Steve Branscomb (Yam); 2. Mike Lynn: 3. George Edwards (Suz). GLDN fIISTR: I. Fred Hammond (KTM): 2. Richard Argabright (Yam); 3. Richard Smith (G-G). WMN: 1. Elaine Nobles (Han); 2. Sarah Sewar (Vam). SPTSfilN (0-200): 1. Mike Snodgrass (Kaw). SPTSfilN (200·0PEN): 1. Barry Rose (SUl); 2. Mark Kohne (Hon): 3. Dllrren Fowler (KTM).