Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

O ctober 21, 1992 З М 2 Ш З r OFF-ROAD Flat River Grand Prix Jimmie Eriksson passed Larry Roeseler on the second-to-last lap for the overall win. Eriksson flattens Flat River By Arlene Hejlek Photo by Patrick J. Hanes FLAT RIVER, MO, OCT. 3-4 weden's Jimmie Eriksson topped 550 riders at the 11th running of the Flat River Grand Prix to take home the prestigious Governor's Cup Trophy. In order to ride the event, Eriksson traveled overnight from Nevada, where he had competed in the Carson Valley National Reliability Enduro the previous day. The race was hosted by the Flat River Chamber of Commerce, with the cooperation of the Missouri Depart ment of Natural Resources. Kawasaki Team Green's Larry Roe seler was the runner-up, while local riders Steve Leivan and Leigh Letellier battled for 100 miles to finish third and fourth overall, just five seconds apart from each other. After riders took part in a parade that started in the St. Joe State Park and went through the town, they lined up on Main Street for the start of the event. The waves of riders were led by a pace vehicle to the edge of town, where they started the five-lap race around the 20- mile course that splashed through Flat River. Riders also rode under a railroad trestle that carried a throng of spectators. "I was first into the water, but someone passed me and completely doused me, so I was second for a while until I passed him and had the lead," said Roeseler. "About three-quarters of the way around the first lap, Jimmie Ericksson caught me and got past on a sharp corner in the virgin woods." Husaberg-mounted Jerry Hemann was running in third place. Behind the leaders, Leivan and Letellier began a battle that would last throughout the entire race. Eriksson was out in front at the end of the first lap, and he and Roeseler swapped the lead several times during lap two. The duo came in together at the end of the loop, and they both pitted for gas. ~ "I lost a little time when I stopped for gas because we had to safety wire one of my grips that had come loose," said Eriksson. Hemann had to stop for repairs after lap two. His brake hose had broken, and he was sidelined for seven minutes while repairs were made. This let Leivan and Letellier move into third and fourth. Eriksson dialed in his four-stroke Husaberg and caught Roeseler before the end of the third lap. The Swede min ттпптгт ^־ ، — Soon after the start, riders made the first of several passes through the Flat River. then pulled in after the third lap to top off his tank, so he could go the last two laps without a pit stop. Lap four proved to be the downfall for Roeseler. "I've been having trouble with my elbow," said Roeseler. "It's kind of like tennis elbow. It started bothering me on the third lap and then on the fourth lap I smacked a tree with it and I had to slow down because I couldn't hang on very good." Husaberg America/Motul/Sprocket Specialists/Bridgestone/Yoko/Fredette Racing/Hand Savers/Arai/Acerbis/ Smith Goggles/RK Chain-sponsored Eriksson passed Roeseler before the end of the lap and put a comfortable cushion on him when Roeseler had to stop for gas after the fourth lap. Eriksson's winning time at the comple tion of five laps was four hours and two minutes. Roeseler had to favor his injury towards the end of the race. "I just rode a nice conservative pace that last lap," said Roeseler. "The course was dusty, but that wasn't too much of a factor, really. I really enjoyed the variety of terrain — virgin woods, whoopy places, sand, and rocks. Last year I was third and this year I'm second. I'll be back next year for first place." Roeseler finished the race with a bald rear tire on his 500cc Kawasaki. The battle between Leivan and Letellier continued until the final lap. Letellier passed Leivan a couple of times during the loop, but it was Leivan who was in third place at the finish, five seconds ahead of Letellier. Hemann rounded out the top five overall. Eighth overall was first-place Inter mediate Ricky Horton, and second- place Intermediate Kevin Brandon worked his way up from the back of the class to claim ninth overall. Open class winner Robert Brake went from third to first on the last lap, while Sid Turpin ran in second position from start to finish. Senior-class winner Everett Shinault was the only one in his class to complete five laps. He rode much of the race on a flat tire while trying to fend off Roger LeRette, who finished second. Saturday's Vintage race saw 100 bikes line up for a one-hour trek around a six-mile course. When early front runner Mike Stahlman pulled off at the end of the first lap with a seized engine, Steve Crews took over the lead, followed by Al Hejlek and Tim Gilliland. Hejlek passed Crews near the start of the third lap, but handed the lead back when he crashed in the dust. Gilliland passed Hejlek and set his sights on Crews. Crews pitted for gas at the end of the third lap, allowing Gilliland to close the gap. Gilliland took the lead not long after. Crews chased Gilliland but was never able to catch him, and Gilliland finished six seconds ahead for the overall win. cm Results O/A: 1. Jimmie Eriksson (Hbg); 2. Larry Roeseler (Kaw); 3. Steve Leivan (Yam); 4. Leigh Letellier (KTM); 5. Jerry Hemann (Hbg); 6. Chad Busenbark (Yam); 7. Terry Gilliland (KTM); 8. Ricky Horton (Yam); 9. Kevin Brandon (Kaw); 10. Kevin O'Brien (Kaw); 11. Jay Williams (Kaw); 12. Tim Gilliland (ATK); 13. Chris Hutson (Hon); 14. Gary Adams (Hon); 15. Bob Caplinger (ATK); 16. Ricky Matteson (KTM); 17. Chris Thiele (Hon); 18. Mike Turpin (ATK); 19. Kenny McGee (Hon); 20. Dwight Maggard (Yam). EX: 1. Larry Roeseler (Kaw); 2. Steve Leivan (Yam); 3. Leigh Letellier (KTM); 4. Jerry Hemann (Hbg); 5. Chad Busenbark (Yam). INT: 1. Ricky Horton (Yam); 2. Kevin Brandon (Kaw); 3. Jay Williams (Kaw); 4. Tim Gilliland (ATK); 5. Chris Hutson (Hon). 250: 1. Gary Adams (Hon); 2. Ricky Matteson (KTM); 3. Chris Thiele (Hon); 4. Steve Hemann (Yam); 5. Doug Friese (Hon). 200: 1. Mark Kendall (Kaw); 2. Danny Dohogne (Kaw); 3. John Staples (Kaw); 4. Greg Stahlman (Kaw); 5. Spencer Ballentine (Yam). 125:1. Dwight Maggard (Yam); 2. Benny Richards (Hon); 3. Devin Banks (Suz); 4. Pat Schmidt (Hon); 5. Pete Redel (Hon). OPEN: 1. Robert Brake (Kaw); 2. Sid Turpin (Yam); 3. Barry Crawford (KTM); 4. Les Busenbark (Yam); 5. Leo Koch (Kaw). 4-STRK: 1. Kenny McGee (Hon); 2. Mike Harker (Hon); 3. Everett Ratliff (Hon); 4. Kevin Boyle (Hon); 5. Bill Duffner (Hon). SR: 1. Everett Shinault (Hon); 2. Roger LeRette (Yam); 3. Ron Livingston (Yam); 4. John Dometorch (KTM); 5. Steve Abercrombe (Suz). S/SR: 1. Terry Brumley (Yam); 2. Bob Strode (Hon); 3. Rick Whelove (KTM); 4. Bob Jones (Kaw); 5. John Oller (Yam). JR: 1. Sam Gosnell (Hon); 2. Bill Whitworth (Hon); 3. Joey Novelli (Kaw); 4. Michael Stout (Kaw); 5. Travis Pilant (Hon). TR: 1. Aaron Copeland (Hon); 2. Michael Bakken (Kaw); 3. Ken Quick (Hon); 4. Ronnie Wessel (Yam); 5. William Popjoy (Kaw). VINT O/A: I. Tim Gilliland (Yam); 2. Steve Crews (Kaw); 3. Gary Mayfield (Oss); 4. Jeff Fischer (BSA); 5. Al Hejlek (Yam); 6. Gary Poland (Bui); 7. Allen Haynes (Yam); 8. Mike Atkins (BSA); 9. Jeff Smith (BSA); 10. Dick Mann (BSA). SPTSMN 500: 1. Steve Crews (Kaw); 2. Jeff Fischer (BSA); 3. Al Hejlek (Yam); 4. Allen Haynes (Yam); 5. Dennis Eaton (BSA). SPTSMN 250: 1. Tim Gilliland (Yam); 2. Gary Mayfield (Oss); 3. Gaylan Bennett (Yam); 4. Brian Mills (Hon); 5. Rick Jones (Pen). SPTSMN 125:1. Kenneth Buessink (Hon); 2. Gary Tucker 9Hon); 3. Andy Long (Pen); 4. Welsey Fuller (Hus); 5. Chris Makynen (Cag). SPTSMN OPEN TW: 1. Butch Cochran (Tri); 2. Rob Stickler (Tri). +30: 1. Gary Poland (Bui); 2. Mike Atkins (BSA); 3. Pete Petrick (Yam); 4. Jeff Barstow (Hus); 5. Tom Huff (Yam). +40: 1. Jimmy Jones (Bui); 2. Leland Matthews (Oss); 3. Larry Gilliland (Hon); 4. Dale Greenhalgh (Hus); 5. Bob Caplinger (BSA). +50: 1. Jeff Smith (BSA); 2. Dick Mann (BSA); 3. Lloyd Stahlmann (Bui); 4. Harold Hazel; 5. Derek Belvoir (BSA). PREM: 1. Mike Hosafros (Nor); 2. Kurt Baue (BSA).

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