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/1472533
However, it's impossible to ignore the dark cloud that hung over the evening program. Third- generation racer Ryan Varnes crashed early in the Mission Production Twins main event and was immediately transported to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where he would later succumb to his injuries. (See more in Wind.) Racing eventually resumed following a lengthy delay. But the paddock's attention was admit- tedly more focused on Varnes' condition, which was still un- known at that time, than on the subsequent on-track activities. Acknowledging that, they still managed to deliver an outstand- ing show with Bauman playing the lead role. It didn't look so promising in the early going; the double Grand National Champion was shuffled back to fifth at the start while Mees rocketed away at the front. However, Bauman's biggest obstacle would ultimately prove to be his close friend, Jarod Vanderkooi, as the Mission Roof Systems team continues to enjoy a serious uptick in form. Mees made a mistake that allowed Vanderkooi to close the gap and then reverse it a couple minutes later. At that point, it was "VDK" who threatened to make an escape. Bauman found a line to his liking and used it to charge for- ward, finally putting Vanderkooi in his sights with a little more than four minutes to go. The combined pressure of a potential maiden premier-class win, heavy traffic and a proven title winner on the chase ulti- mately undid Vanderkooi's bid. He opened the door for Bau- man to blast past with just 22 seconds and two laps remaining on the clock and Bauman didn't look back. The victory was huge, both for Bauman's confidence and his championship position- ing. However, considering the circumstances, he wasn't in a particularly celebratory mood. He said, "I was really anxious. I've had a little bit of a string [of down results], but to be hon- est with you, I didn't really even want to line up for that one. That one, that one was tough. We're thinking of Ryan right now. We're a family. On the line I caught myself thinking about him rather than the light." Mees came home in third, followed by Beach, who worked past Lima winner Robinson late. Daniels was uncharacteristi- cally quiet in sixth—the worst result of his impressive rookie campaign. As a result, Mees continues to lead the title fight with 156 points, while Bauman now sits level with Daniels for second at 140 and with the tiebreaker for most wins in his corner. Latus Motors Harley-David- son's Bronson Bauman was the top XG750R rider in seventh, one spot ahead of Mission Pro- duction Twins Challenger Jesse ROUND 8 / JULY 2, 2022 WEEDSPORT SPEEDWAY / WEEDSPORT, NEW YORK P82 FLAT TRACK I PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN FLAT TRACK MYOWNRACE 34 CAMERON SMITH 2ND PRODUCTION TWINS Cameron Smith took full advantage of the opportunity he was given on the works Royal Enfield in the injured Johnny Lewis' absence. He very nearly took the Twins FT to victory, and in doing so, secured its first podium of '22 while earning its first Mission Produc on Twins Challenge entry. As a result, Smith now holds the dis nc on of being the first rider to race the Royal Enfield machine in Mission SuperTwins compe on. He said, "The bike felt pre y good right off the bat. We made a few changes to it throughout the day, but we always came back to the set- up we came to the track with. I think it just took me some more me to get used to the bike and get adapted to it. Off the line in the restart, I got a good start and we pre y much led most of the laps. Cory got me at the end, but overall, it was a good day for us with my first race on the Royal Enfield." podium in the prior four rounds after practically earning squat- ter's rights on the box over the previous three seasons. Put more succinctly, Bauman was in desperate need of a big result. Weedsport Speedway's 3/8- mile, D-shaped clay oval pro- vided an extremely racy surface with multiple lines that practically promised an exciting attempt no matter the outcome.