Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Mamicq Bervoets (5), Mike Healey (2) and Axel Holvoet (12) battled in the final moto. "I started out slow and it took me a while to get going," said Stanton. "But once I did, I just rode my own race." Kiedrowski repassed Herring for third, while Parker overcame a poor start to claim the fifth spot. "I took a rock in the eye on lap four," said Parker. "After that, I got dirt in my goggles and couldn't see." After running in the top five for most of the race, Healey dropped to sixth with a bogging motor. "It would bog every time I landed from a jump, it was scary,': said Healey. A torrential downpour between motos left the track a mess for the start of moto two, and a pileup in the first tUTn claimed many riders, including Moore, Puzar, Herring and Schmit, who had just returned from the hospital. American Bader Manneh was the fastest rider through turn one, but Evertsen stormed past before the completion of the lap and began to pull away. Once again, Stanton suffered a poor start and was forced to catch up. Though not involved, Kiedrowski was forced· to slow drastically to avoid the first-turn crash. The twotime 125cc National MX Champion was never able to find his usual fast pace and finished a distant 12th. Meanwhile, Stanton plowed through the field and into second by the fifth lap. Just as Bervoets had in moto one, Evertsen heard the crowd and knew that Stanton was coming. "I did not care about beating Stanton, just about being the first European," said Evertsen. "My hands are still sore from blisters I got in Venezuela, and it was hard to hold on." Stanton assumed the lead without a fight on lap seven and said goodbye to the rest of the pack. Evertsen held on to finish a secure second, well ahead of Parker and Manneh. "I don't know how, but I broke my goggles on the third lap," said Parker. "This track is good when It rains. I'm just trying to ride smart and not push my limit." "I got some traction at the start, didn't I?" said Manneh. "I was hanging it out at first and almost crashed, so I just settled down." Moore recovered quickly from the first-turn pileup and caught back up to seventh, behind Healey. "I really pinned it for the first few laps," said Moore. "But once I caught up to Mike (Healey) I couldn't find a line past." After the same crash, Schmit Minnesota's Donny Schmit missed the first moto after crashing hard during practice, but still finished eighth overall and maintains his series points lead. Doug Henry romped away with the win in the 125cc Support class. Bader. Manneh (18) and Trampas Parker (I) led the way at the start of moto two. remounted dead last but ssoldiered to an 11 th place finish. "All I could think about was to score as many points as possible," said Schmit, wbo iced his neck after the race. Puzar led the field through turn one in the final moto, but Stanton snuck past him a few feet later. For all intent and purposes, the race was over at this point. Once into the front position, Stanton twisted the throttle. on his Danny Betley-tuned Honda a,nd simply motored away. "I finally got a good start," said Stanton. "The track really sucked, the ruts were real deep and long, the track was gnarly. I think the three-moto format is boring for the spectators, the races are too short. But like I always say, I don't hold back for anything." Schmit gated third behind Puzar and Stanton and motored into second when Puzar swapped violently on an uphill. "The track was very slippery and there was little traction," said Puzar. "I was just waiting for a mistake, I knew he'd make one," said Schmit, who went on to finish second. When asked if his neck bothered him while riding, he smiled and replied, "Once the gate dropped, it was the furthest thing from my mind." Puzar rode steady in the sloppy conditions and held on to finish third, well ahead of Evertsen, who in turn enjoyed a comfortable lead over Moore and Manneh. Kiedrowski again struggled to find his true speed on the slippery surface and crossed the finish .line 10th. "The bike was fine, I just couldn't seem to find a rhythm," said Kiedrowski. Parker ran as high as 11 th but faded back to 18th at the finish. "I don't know what to say, I just rode bad," said Parker. "That's okay, though, there's still three races left in the·season. " Schmit pulled a muscle in his neck, and iced it between each moto. 125cc Support Hometown favorite Scott Sheak blitzed off the starting line in the first 125cc Support moto and led Henry, Carlo Coen and Hughes onto the track. Sheak and Henry set a torrid pace and began to pull away from the field as rain began to fall from the sky. Yamaha's Jeff Emig only made it through the first few turns before retiring with carburetion problems. Henry dogged Sheak and found his way past on the fourth lap. And with a clear track ahead of him, he proceeded to pull away, while Sheak held onto second. As the race progressed, Hughes slipped and slid through the mud and began to close in on Sheak. On the last lap, Hughes caught him by surprise as they negotiated a tight turn and nuck pa t on the following uphill. "I didn't know he was there!" said Sheak. "Otherwise, I would've guarded my line better." Henry greeted the checkered flag more than 15 seconds ahead of Hughes, while Sheak finished a close third. . Ferry overcame a terrible start' and caught up to fourth at the finish. In moto two, Henry picked up where - - - - - - Continued on page 17 7

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