Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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O ctober 21, 1992 W Ï3 E E C S OFF-ROAD AMA National Championship Reliability Enduro Series: Final round Rodney Smith won the event for the second-straight year, moving from seventh all the way to third in the final point standings. Smith also won the Dash For Cash. Local racer Eric Mashbir (70) leads Ed Haymond. Mashbir finished fourth overall. Smith hits jackpot at Carson Valley By Ken Mirell 18 MINDEN, NV, OCT. 4 H aving recently finished as the Top American at this year's International Six Days Enduro in Australia, Rodney Smith reasserted his talent with an overall win at the Carson Valley Qualifier. Team Suzu ki's Smith held off Swedish ace Jimmie Eriksson to win by 14 seconds in the Swede Jimmie Eriksson placed second overall and was crowned the National Reliability Enduro Champion. Eriksson's score was 14 seconds behind that of Smith. Jon King edged out Jimmy Lewis for the 125cc class win and sixth overall. 129-mile event. Eriksson, however, wrapped up the series title and came out on top of the Open Four-Stroke division. Although the competition repres ented the final chance for riders to earn points in the National Reliability Enduro Series, many of the top riders elected not to make the trip to the gambling town of Minden, and several changes occurred in the series stand ings. Smith benefited most from the lack of series regulars, moving from seventh all the way up to third place in the final point standings. The event was hosted by the High Sierra M.C., and promised to be tougher than in past years, as recent thunderstorms had washed out many of the trails and sandwashes, and left behind basketball-sized rocks in some sections. Over 300 riders arose in the morning for the 7:30 a.m. start to find that the temperature had dropped to below freezing during the evening. The bikes sat outside in impound all night, and many riders were penalized when they were unable to start their engines in the allotted 60 seconds. After starting behind the Carson Valley Inn and Casino, the course headed out of town and into the high desert via a fast fire road and some tight sandwashes. The first check was at 14 miles out. Dust was a problem for some, but the schedule was fairly easy as the check was also the first of three gas stops. Most riders made the check with plenty of time to spare. Out of the check, the course wound its way up into the Pine Nut Moun tains, with a couple of tight sand washes thrown in to keep things interesting. The course gained in altitude until the competitors found themselves below Mineral Peak for the start of the first special test. This six- mile section consisted of a fast pow erline road. Smith piloted his Suzuki to the fastest score of 565 points. Dan Neilson posted a time of 573 seconds on his 250cc Husky, and Steve Silves- tori, also on a Husky, was third- quickest with a score of 586 seconds. Tying for fourth were Husberg- mounted Eriksson and Phil Douglas on a KTM, with 588 seconds each. Jon King was the fastest 125cc with 590 points. After the test, the course dropped into a canyon where the trail was littered with rocks. Riders had to hustle in order not to lose any route points. After another 15 miles of dodging rocks, the competitors found them selves at the second gas stop. After refueling, riders continued for another 20 miles of fire roads and single-track before dropping into Sullivan Canyon for the start of the second special test. Smith extended his lead by posting a time of 443 seconds, with Eriksson next-quickest at 460 points. Neilson nabbed third with 465 seconds, and Silvestori was one second slower for the fourth-quickest time. Jimmy Lewis was the fastest 125cc rider with 473 seconds.