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/1542342
Borry Howk der problems slowed him in 2003 and 2004. He broke his leg again in 2005 and spent time rehabbinS in his narrve Washington. lust a few weeks ago, how- eve( Raines broke his leg yet again riding at an indoor track. No one doubts Raines' heart, fitness or talent, but his injury streak is possibly the worst the series has ever seen. He hopes to return to racing in April or May. Meanwhile, AmPro Yamaha has anoth- er younS ace up its sleeve, 2005 250cc A Champion Charles Mullins. At just l9 years old, l4ullins smoked his amateur competition before clinching the crown and moving to the pro ranks, He ended last season with three overall podiums in the last four iaces. The book on I'lullins is simple: He has incredible talent. Last year, he worked a regular job durinS the week and was still able to win on weekends. Now that he's a full-fledged Yamaha facto- ry ride( he is fully focused on racing, and with an entire off season of work at Hawkins'place, he will be a force this year. Kawasaki 's efforts focus on a new team run by a familiar face. Popular veteran "Fast" Fred Andrews returns to the green team after flvo years with FHF/Suzuki. Andrews will run and race for the new Honster Energy/Pro CircuivKawasaki team, with New England's.losh Mclevy and young En8lish prospect Rfan Vose riding alongside him, and 250cc A rider Scott Watkins will ride fo. them as well. Andrews and Mclevy spent their ofi sea- son in Florida, dialing in their KX250s for a run for wins this year. Andrews actually raced the Suzuki RM- 2450 four-stroke last year but experi- enced mediocre resuls. The four-stroke era is nearly here, but GNCC racing appears to be the final frontier for the thumper. Most of the top contenders are expected to race on 250 two-strokes, as for now the extra weight and poor hot starting of a 450 just can't outweiSh the power advantages. Only one rider in recent GNCC history has made the thumper work: seven-time AMA National Enduro Champion Mike Lafferty. Lafferty will be back again in GNCCs, and no Chorlie lt/tullinr deubt his incredible speed, strength and ffail-reading abilities will be on display. Expect Lafferty to back up his KTM team- mate Salmioen with wins and podiums, although it's clear Lafferty is expected ro notch the enduro title again, while Salminen concentrates solely on GNCC. There are also several privateers hop- ing to make their mark in 2006, RER Yamaha will throw Nathan Kanney and Cole Calkins into the mix, and longtime campaigner Doug Blackwell should be back on a privateer Suzuki. Regardless of who wins, loses or break through, one factor should remain a constant: Everyone will have to ride harder than ever, because luha has tumed out to be one tough obstacle to overcome. THG SERI€S The Suzuki GNCC Series is growing on and off the track- Last year's season saw averages of over 1200 riders per race - and these are individual numbers. not 400 riders signing up for three classes each. The series welcomed the famed Unadilla Valley Spom Center to the schedule last year, and the race was a huge hit, as over 1800 riders showed up. Unadilla is back this year, and a new addi- tion. the Showrime GNCC in Missouri, should prove to be big as well. The series begins in the sands of Florida and ends rn lndiana in the fall. To celebrate the Erowth of GNCC Racing, series producer Racer Productions has upped the purse money, with $10,000 available to pro riders at each round, which totals $ 130,000 for the season. Also, Rocer X l/lustroted has stepped up to create the Racer X GNCC Holeshot award, with $ 100 on the line for the pro holeshot artist in each race. And TV coverage will be back in a big way this year. Last year's successful run on the Outdoor Life Network warranted another go this season, and shows air twice a week starting on Saturday, April I (no fooling), at 3 p.m. EST The half-hour shows should air each Saturday and again on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. EST Cll Rodney Smith 2006 SUZUKI GNCC SCHEDUTT Round l: Morch 4'7 Moose Rocing Oronge Crush GNCC, De teon Springs, Florido RoL:nd 2: Morch ll.l2 Mox.xis Generol GNCC, Woshingion, Georgio Round 3: Morch 25-26 Steele Creek GNCC, Morgonton, Nodh Corolino Round 4: April &9 Big Buck GNCC, Union, Soudr Corolino Round 5: Aprll 22.23 Suzuki loretlo Lynnt GNCC, Hurricone Mills, Tennessee Round 6: Moy 67 Show me GNCC, Seymoul Missouri Glonn Keorney Mike tof{erty Round 7: Moy 2G2l TheJohn Penron GNCC, Millfield, Ohio Round 8:.lune l0l I The Sporbn GNCC, Sporlo, Kenlucky Round 9:June 24-25 Porh Unlimited Wirp GNCC, McHenry Morylond Round 10: Sept. 9-10 Yodkin Volley Stomp GNCC, Yodlinville, No*h Corolino Round 1 l; Sepl. 23,24 Unodillo GNCC, New Berlin, New York Round l2: Ocbber 7-8 Powerlire Pork GNCC, St. Cloirsvile, Ohio Round l3:Octobr 21.22 KloE konmon GNCC, Cro#ordsville, lndiono Fred Andrewr { ta \ Doug Blockwell r d I - -r- t-1 I t I f-! ,4l{ /*, xal \ ") r--::! r \ / t T [-t \tr. 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