Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

The Chigger Run IV: Shad Ricketts (1) scratches out another win at the Chigger Run, round 10 of the Mid-South Championship Winter Hare Scrambles Series, in Vanleer, Tennessee_ . AM! Mid-South Championship Winter Hare Scrambles Series Round 10: The Chigger Run Ricketts pulls the Chigger Bv DEBBIE ALLEN VANlEER,TN,FEB.13 ound 10 of the AMA/Pirelli Tires/Moose Offroad/Parts Unlimited Mid-South Championship Winter Hare Scrambles Series - the Chigger Run IV - had a total of 325 riders lined up for three races. On hand were Mike Kiedrowski, practicing for the GNCCs; Shad Ricketts , who was going for his ninth win in the series; and P_A. Allen, who was reaching for second place overall and first place in the 250cc/ Open A class. "I came to this race with two goals in mind," said the Suzuki/Yoshimura/909/Motion Pro/N-Style-backed Kiedrowski. "I wanted to not fall or stall - and I did that, so I'm happy with my results. My next race, "II be focusing on speed and watching the R arrows." Kiedrowski wound up with second place in the AA class and third place overall, mostly due to not knowing what to expect. "This was my first official mud race," he said. "Basically, I wanted to not hit any trees and not fall down and stall the bike." The race started with seven AA riders leading the 19 classes onto the muddy 8.4 miles of trail. The Sarge's Cycles/Big Gun/Moose/Moderne Tire/Cycle Path-backed Ricketts led his six competitors into a deep creek crossing that meandered into a small woods section. He then shot out behind the Beginners-class lineup and into a small motocross section that later disappeared into the woods. "Mike and I rode together for a while," Ricketts later reported, "but by the end of the first lap, I was 40 seconds in front." Kiedrowski continued in second, and by the end of the first lap, 250cc Open A rider P.A. Allen had ju,:"ped to third place overall. "I was second on the start," said the Oakley/Pro Action of Kentucky/ FMFsponsored Allen. "I passed Billy Cooper a hundred yards into the trail. Then I passed most of the AA riders on the mile-long motocross track." Allen was followed by John Roth, Gary Hendricks and Robbie King on the first lap. The second lap introduced lapped riders into the equation. Ricketts later sa id he had a good time getting around them. About halfway through the course, he overshot a turn. Kiedrowski took advantage and took the lead, but it was short-lived. The arrows, the trees and the lapped riders were all new experiences for this expert motocrosser, so he eased up on the throttle and watched the Mid-South Pro take the lead. On the third lap, the ruts began to get deep, and then the rain started to pour. Some riders felt it made a better course and created a lighter load to carry, because the rain washed the mud off their bikes, goggles and gear. Ricketts had gained a few minutes' lead on Kiedrowski just prior to this lap, but it was a tough course by the third lap, and everyone added three to four minutes onto their time for this lap and the following two laps. "It was really a good course," Ricketts said. "I'm not too crazy about the motocross track, because it's not my AA: 1. Shad Ricketts (Yam); 2. Mike Kiedrowski (Suz); 3. John Roth (Yam); 4. Gary Hendricks (Kaw); 5. Lance Smith (Yam). 2S0/0PEN A: I. P.A. Allen (Suz): 2. Billy Cooper (Kaw): 3. Wesley Donaldson (Hon); 4. Corey Calkins (KTM): 5. Timmy P'Pool (Kaw). 4·STRK A; 1. Clint Robinson (Yam); 2. Jason Wofford (Yam): 3. Corey Parlin (Hon); 4. Robert Uch (Vam): 5. Marty ","chel, (Han). 200 A: I. Mike McCrea (Kaw); 2. Ian Sherwood (KTM); 3. Jerry Castleman: 4. Chad Froman (Suz). SR A: I. Gary Copeland (Kaw); 2. Robert Kirchner (Suz); 3. Paul Michels (Hon); 4. Phillip Barl

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