Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

~nllTncr~~ili~_~_tR_~~~~&_~_~_~_OO_d4 ~ Terry Poovey (18) tried time and time again, but couldn't find a way past Will Davis (21) in the 20-lap main event. Dan Ingram (31) led Mike Hale (32), and Davis (21) into turn one at the start. Davis dazzling on Richmond asphalt By Dave Hoenig Photos by Flat Trak Fotos RICHMOND, VA, JULY 15-16 ain couldn't stop the WIll Davis parade at Richmond's Southside Speedway, as the personable North Carolinian fended off the repeated attacks of Texan Terry Poovey to earn the main event win at round 4 of the Motorcycle Asphalt Racing Series. Only (our of the six scheduled heat races were completed before the skies let loose and brought Wedensday evening's activities to a halt. Though repeated attempts were made to dry the quarter-mile asphalt oval track, the rest of the program would have to wait. Rain again fell from the sky on Thursday, but the track was <;teemed dry enough for competition. R 20 Texas Harley-Davidson-sponsored Poovey bu:r:ned rubber around the short track, and set the fastest qualifying lap of 15.34 seconds. Davis was just a tick back with a 15.39 lap, while defending MARS Champion and hometown favorite, Rusty Rogers, was forced to wave off his first lap after nearly crashing in turn one. On his second attempt, however, Rogers tried a little too hard and crashed in turn three. Rogers ended up 27th in time trials, . and was the last rider to fill the evening's program. Only the winners of the six Junior/ Expert heat races would advance to the final, so a good S.tart and smart riding Poovey earned $300 for his win in the Hooters King of the Hill Shootout. would be critical. Poovey and Davis provided little excitement and ran away with the wins in the first two heats, while Larry Pegram and Rogers locked horns in the third heat. Pegram held the initial lead, but Rogers used a low line in turn two to take over the point. Pegram glued himself to Ropers' rear wheel, but would have to settle foi second and a spot in a semi. Bartels' Harley-Davidson-sponsored . Mike Hale blasted to the win in the fourth heat race just before the rains came and bTought the program to an end. Unfortunately, several riders were unable to return the following night, due to conflicting travel plans. One of . those riders was Erik Graybeal, the pole-sitter in the fifth heat. Dan Ingram was the winner in that race, and Steve Burkholder topped the sixth and final heat. With the threat of rain still in the air, the last chance qualifier was eliminated, and the top two finishers in each semi would go to the final. The first semi went down to the wire with Duane Veeder and Bryan Villella exchanging paint throughout the entire race. Veeder came out on top, but both riders earned a ticket to the maIn. Brian Tillson bested Mike Dillon in' the. second semi, while Pegram flat out ~_ ran away in the last semi. The battle for second behind Pegram provided the real excitement, as Georgie Price and Kris Kiser both had their hopes set high. Kiser hammered on the· rear of Price's machine and found his way past, but Price struck back on the final lap and finished second. The crowd voiced their opinion when hometown favorite Rogers was introduced at the start of the 12-rider, 20-lap main, but it was Ingram who grabbed the holeshot and led the field into turn one. Ingram's moment of glory was short-lived, as Davis powered past on the second lap. Poovey followed suit, and passed Ingram on lap three. Poovey closed in on' Davis, while Rogers also began to pressure Ingram. Rogers' race came to a halt on lap six, when the LA Racing-sponsored rider lost control in turn four and went down. "I clipped a corner marker down on the inside of the track and it knocked me into the infield," explained Rogers. "I had lost my brakes on lap three and was just trying to ride the corners low and keep my momentum up for the straights. I guess I went too low." With Rogers out, the attention reverted to the battle for the lead. Poovey hounded Davis, waiting for a mistake. That mistake never came, though, and Davis greeted the checkered flag inches ahead of Poovey. My bike was really handling good, then about the 14th lap the rear tire wore down and she really started to hookup," said A&R Racing/Hondaline/Mother Fletchers/Bell/Motion Pro/Fun Products/Emery's Cycle/ Road Rider MC/Redline Cycles/ Dennis Town-sponsored Davis. "It let me pull Terry a little, even though he had a faster bike." By the 15th lap, the leaders began to lap slower riders, but the blue flag kept the way clear for the race for first. "These guys are all professionals, and they ride that way," said Poovey. "We didn't have any trouble getting through." Ingram held off the rest of the field and finished a distant third. "We've had a miss in the engine all day," saiCl. M&M Racing's Ingram. ''I'm really glad to get third." Because of the rain threat, the Hooters/Cycle Connection of Virginia King of the Hill Challenge was saved for last. Brian Tillson started strong and held off Hale and Pegram before falling prey to Davis. Poovey was next to swoop past Tillson, and the crowd was treated to another Davis/Poovey war. This time, though, it was Poovey who jumped outin the lead, and Davis who was forced to play catth-up. On lap two, however, the race came to an end when Davis lost it in turn two and destroyed the forks on his machine. "I guess I laid it over too far," said Davis, who suffered a badly scraped arm and wrist. "The cases and frame must have touched and lifted me off the ground." Poovey went on to score the win and earn the $300 prize 'from Cycle Connection and Hooters. .tN Results JRlEX: L Will Davis (KTM); 2. Terry Poovey (H-D); 3. Dan Ingram (H-D); 4. Larry Pegram (H· D); 5. Mike Hale (H-D); 6. Steve Burkholder (HD); 7. Brian Tillson (W-R); 8. Georgie Price (H· D); 9. Duane Veeder (W-R); 10. Mike Dillon (WR); II. Bryan Villella (H-D); 12. Rusty Rogers (KTM). PRO-AM: 1. Mike Hacker (Rtx); 2. Kerry Kiser (Hon). SERIES POINTS STANDINGS: I. Will Davis (72); 2. Rusty Rogers (40); 3. Terry Poovey (39); 4. (TIE) Larry Pegram/Brian Tillson (35); 6. Erik Graybeal (27); 7. Steve Morehead (24); 8. Steve Burkholder (22); 9. Dan Ingram (20); 10. Brian Villella (13).

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