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/1545838
C Y C L E N E W S • JULY 26, 2006 51 BY JIM P. SANDERSON NEW BERLIN, NY, JUNE 18 E ven if he'd tried, young Honda pilot Phil Nicoletti couldn't have had a better day at the world-famous Unadilla Valley Sports Cen- ter, site of round five of the Thor/Parts Unlimit- ed Northeast Classic Motocross Series. Nico- letti won everything he entered and did it in commanding fashion with perfect 1-1 rides in the 125cc and 250cc Pro/Expert classes and the super-fast Collegeboy class. As if that wasn't enough, Nicoletti also won the series champi- onship in both the 125cc and 250cc Pro/Expert classes, and he will receive a $500 bonus for each. Nicoletti also finished second in the championship in the Collegeboy class and will be honored along with all the series champions during intermission at round 10 of the Toyota AMA Motocross Championships at the Broome-Tioga Sports Center on August 20. Nicoletti, Ron Rothkranz, Sonny Nighman and Jim Joy led the charge off the very unique start in the opening 125cc Pro/Expert moto. Nicoletti set a blistering pace that few would m a t c h a l l d a y a n d h a d a t h r e e - s e c o n d advantage after less than half a lap. Nighman moved to second, displacing Rothkranz to third. Dustin Wojcicki and Neil Farlow rounded out the top five. Just after starting lap two, Farlow relegated Wojcicki to fifth. Meanwhile, Nicoletti increased his lead to six seconds by the end of lap two, and to a whopping 14 seconds at the checkered flag! Nighman, Tom Addy, Rothkranz and Dave Sterritt rounded out the top five. Nicoletti, Wojcicki, Nick Kruger, Joy and Rothkranz led the start of the final 125cc Pro/Expert moto. Nicoletti started the second lap with a three-second advantage on Kruger, who'd displaced Wojcicki to third. Sterritt and Rothkranz followed. On lap three, Nicoletti's lead was 10 seconds, and by the end of the moto it had increased to 15 seconds. Kruger, Sterritt, Nighman and Rothkranz rounded out the top five. N i c o l e t t i ( 1 - 1 ) t o p p e d t h e p o d i u m , Nighman (2-4) was runner-up, and Sterritt (5-3) was third. Damien Plotts, Nicoletti, Addy, Nighman a n d J o y l e d t h e s t a r t o f t h e f i r s t 2 5 0 c c Pro/Expert moto. After half a lap, Nighman passed Addy on the infield for third. Nicoletti caught and passed Plotts shortly on lap two. Third through fifth remained unchanged. The gap separating Nicoletti and Plotts i n c r e a s e d t o f i v e s e c o n d s b y l a p t h r e e . Nicoletti and Plotts were obviously pushing each other, as the gap back to Nighman, in third, was almost 10 seconds. Nicoletti got the win with an eight-second lead, followed by Plotts, Nighman, Addy and Rothkranz. Nicoletti, Plotts, Jim Ayres and Addy led the start of the final 250cc Pro/Expert moto. On lap two, Nicoletti held the point, with Plotts about three seconds back. Nighman was a solid third. Addy passed Ayres to claim fourth. Nicoletti and Plotts were in class all their own, as the gap back to Nighman, in third, was 15 seconds. Nicoletti got another win with another whopping 14-second advantage. Plotts, Nighman, Addy and Colton Harrison followed. Nicoletti topped the box with another perfect 1-1. Plotts (2-2) netted runner-up, and Nighman (3-3) was third. CN UNADILLA VALLEY SPORTS CENTER NEW BERLIN, NEW YORK RESULTS: JUNE 18, 2006 (ROUND 5) 50 OIL-INJ: 1. Bradley Williams (Yam); 2. Damon Rockwell (Yam); 3. Levi Rifanburg (Yam); 4. Tyler Blowers (Yam); 5. Sean Belwalter (Yam). 50 (4-6): 1. Dawson Driscoll (KTM); 2. Garrett Beam (KTM); 3. Tyler Bigford (KTM); 4. Nathan Redmond (KTM); 5. Tyler Colachino (KTM). 50 (7-8): 1. Jake Pinhancos (Cob); 2. Scott Stockunas (Cob); 3. Danny Colachino (KTM); 4. Derek Leinbach (KTM); 5. Dominick Rinaldi (KTM). 65 (7-9): 1. Dylan Wright (KTM); 2. David Douglas (KTM); 3. Spencer Tompkins (Kaw); 4. Derek Leinbach (Suz); 5. Reece Eddy (Suz). 65 (10-11): 1. Sean Ballard (Kaw); 2. Daniel Netti (Kaw); 3. Jake Stout (Kaw); 4. Dominick Dreisbac (KTM); 5. Brooks Harmon (Kaw). 85 (7-11): 1. Andrew Bristol (Hon); 2. Joey Peters (Kaw); 3. Dylan Wright (KTM); 4. Daryn Thompson (Suz); 5. Sean Ballard (Kaw). 85 (12-13): 1. Ryan Zaveral (Hon); 2. Dylan Brajkovich (Suz); 3. Kyle Bitterman (Kaw); 4. David Lampron (Hon); 5. Zachary Lang (Suz). 85 (14-15): 1. R.J. Beck (Kaw); 2. Josh Mezger (Kaw); 3. Eric Tucker (Yam); 4. Frank Russo (Hon); 5. Austin Toomey (Hon). JR MINI (9-13): 1. Ryan Zaveral (Hon); 2. Joey Peters (Kaw); 3. Caleb Schachtler (KTM); 4. Daryn Thompson (Kaw); 5. Richie Trevelise (Suz). S/MINI: 1. Dylan Brajkovich (Suz); 2. R.J. Beck (Kaw); 3. Andrew Bristol (Hon); 4. Kyle Bitterman (Kaw); 5. Zachary Rosch (Kaw). 125 NOV: 1. Austin Kozimer (Kaw); 2. Michael Tuttle (Kaw); 3. R.J. Beck (Kaw); 4. Matthew Moore (Yam); 5. Taylor Wilson (Kaw). 125 AM: 1. Sunny Drake (Kaw); 2. Mike Dawson (Kaw); 3. Derek Rummel (Hon); 4. John Vergalito (Yam); 5. Joe Merrill (Yam). 125 EX: 1. Phillip Nicoletti (Hon); 2. Sonny Nighman (Kaw); 3. Davey Sterritt (Kaw); 4. Ron Rothkranz (Hon); 5. Thomas Addy (Hon). 250 NOV: 1. Austin Kozimor (Kaw); 2. Drew Matterer (Hon); 3. Michael Moore (Yam); 4. Matt Vacendak (Hon); 5. Alex Hoffert (Hon). 250 AM: 1. R.J. Reynolds (Hon); 2. Mike Dawson (Kaw); 3. Andy King (Suz); 4. Brett Malcolm (Kaw); 5. Michael Eichler (Kaw). 250 EX: 1. Phillip Nicoletti (Hon); 2. Damien Plotts (Kaw); 3. Sonny Nighman (Kaw); 4. Thomas Addy (Hon); 5. Colton Harrison (Kaw). 250 4-STRK: 1. Sunny Drake (Kaw); 2. Davey Sterritt (Kaw); 3. Derek Rummel (Hon); 4. Colton Harrison (Kaw); 5. Mike Dawson (Kaw). 450 4-STRK: 1. Dave Ginolfi (Kaw); 2. Dominick Buttner (Kaw). WMN: 1. Abbie Bardo (Suz); 2. Samantha Fritz (Hon); 3. Amber Newton (Yam); 4. Casey Hubbell (Yam); 5. Kayla Boorom (Kaw). SCHBY: 1. Sunny Drake (Kaw); 2. John Vergalito (Yam); 3. Bryan Ricci Jr. (Hon); 4. Derek Rummel (Yam); 5. Brett Malcolm (Kaw). SCHBY NE CLSC: 1. Sunny Drake (Kaw); 2. John Vergalito (Yam); 3. Derek Rummel (Yam); 4. Matthew Moore (Yam); 5. Bowen Moore (Suz). CLGBY: 1. Phillip Nicoletti (Hon); 2. Ron Rothkranz (Hon); 3. Dustin Wojcicki (Kaw); 4. Jesse Cilbrith (Kaw); 5. Joe Merrill (Yam). 25+ AM: 1. Joshua Bovito (Yam); 2. Pete Richardson (Hon); 3. Craig Harold (Suz); 4. Nathan Sloma (Hon); 5. Michael Lewis (Hon). 25+ EX: 1. Mike Ayen (KTM); 2. Scott Phelps (Suz); 3. Rob Stilwell (Hon); 4. Jim McIlvaine (Hon); 5. Scott Rockwell (Hon). 30+ NOV: 1. Stephen Kenyon (Hon); 2. Mark Calandra (KTM); 3. Mike Ballard (Kaw); 4. Ed King (Yam); 5. Fred Edmunds (Hon). 30+ AM: 1. Bruce Byler (Kaw); 2. Johnny Palmieri (Kaw); 3. Don Clarke (Hon); 4. Mark Rinaldi (KTM); 5. John Hatfield (Yam). 30+ EX: 1. Damien Plotts (Kaw); 2. Scott Phelps (Suz); 3. Darren Edsall (Kaw); 4. Rob Stilwell (Hon); 5. Thomas Bruno (Hon). 40+ AM: 1. Bruce Byler (Kaw); 2. Steve Delelys (KTM); 3. Edwin Zehr (Hon); 4. Stan Nepa (Hon); 5. John Graham (Hon). 40+ EX: 1. Robert Eichlin (Hon); 2. Gene M. Nighman (Kaw); 3. Phil De Sousa (Hon); 4. Joe Dibella (Hon); 5. Rick Spinella (Yam). Thor/Parts Unlimited Northeast Classic Motocross Series Round 5: Unadilla Valley Sports Center Nicoletti Nails Six Out of Six Phil Nicoletti (71), Nick Kruger (739), Dave Sterritt (20) and Dustin Wojcicki (663) lead the start of the opening 125cc Pro/Expert moto at the final round of the Thor/Parts Unlimited Northeast Classic Series. PHOTO BY JIM P. SANDERSON BY ROBERT A. BACOSA WATSONVILLE, CA, JUNE 24 G ene Romero's West Coast Flat Series final- ly got its first repeat winner in the K&N Filters Open class, as Mike Rush took the win at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, California. On his Zanoti-tuned CRF450 Honda, Rush had to come through a semi to get into the main event. He also had to fight his way through from a third-place start on the dusty, narrow- groove track to get the victory. The win moved Rush into second place in the championship standings, behind Kyle Ragsdale, who did not make the trip to California. Meanwhile, Paul Herman came from the third row to take a dramatic win in the Saddlemen Vintage class. In the K&N Filters Open-class time trials, Southern California star Jimmy Wood had the track dialed in; he was the only rider to break the 18-second barrier, with a time of 17.831 seconds. Fast time for the Saddlemen Vintage class went to Herman, with a time of 18.227 seconds. As the racers lined up for the Saddlemen Vintage main, Herman and Jamie Nicely were both ready to go before the starter was ready and were subsequently sent to the penalty line. On the second start, Mike Besemer pushed his Honda to the front of the pack and started to pull away immediately, but Herman began his march toward the front, bring the fans to their feet. With each pass, a huge roar would emanate from the stands. When the white flag came out, Herman was on Besemer 's rear wheel entering turn one. Herman never shut off, made the pass, and somehow held his line, and they finished one-two. Anthony Mitchell took the last step on the box. Besemer still has the lead in the series, with 85 points. Herman is second with 68, and Rick Hocking is third with 62. Hocking has been absent from the series for the last two weeks due to an injury suffered at a local TT race and may be out for the season, or perhaps longer. Fifteen riders filled three rows for the start of the K&N Filters Open main event. Brandan Bergen popped off the front row to take the point. Chris Canepa slotted into second, with and Rush third. Rush pressured Canepa right away, while Bergen took advantage of the clear track in front of him and started to get away. Rush passed Canepa and set his sights on Bergen. Jimmy Sanchez was running a lonely fourth. Wood, in sixth, was trying to find a way around Shawn Raggio. Rush caught Bergen just past the halfway point and a lap or two later moved into the lead and began to distance himself from Bergen. With the white flag out, Bergen's motor began to slow. Canepa got by, as did Sanchez and Raggio. Bergen managed to roll across the line in fifth and came to a stop on the back straight; he later admitted he'd forgotten to top off his fuel and had run out of gas. Rush cruised to his second consecutive win, with Canepa and Sanchez second and third, respectively. T h e s e r i e s m o v e s t o Washington and Oregon for the next two rounds. CN OCEAN SPEEDWAY WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA RESULTS: JUNE 24, 2006 (ROUND 5) OPEN A: 1. Mike Rush (Hon); 2. Chris Canepa (Hon); 3. Jimmy Sanchez (Yam); 4. Shawn Raggio (Hon); 5. Brandan Bergen (Hon); 6. Jimmy Wood (Hon); 7. Rodney Spencer Jr. (Hon); 8. Steve Hlebo (Hon); 9. Jeff Hiatt (Rot); 10. Tom Carriger (Yam); 11. Scott Corsetti (Rot); 12. Robert Bacosa (ATK); 13. Jeremy Hannah (Hon); 14. Mike Besemer (Hon); 15. Tom Sheard (Yam). OPEN B: 1. Steve Hlebo (Hon); 2. Scott Corsetti (Rot); 3. Robert Bacosa (ATK); 4. Tom Sheard (Yam); 5. Darren Vieira (Hon); 6. Troy Milligan Jr. (Yam); 7. Brent Tiernan (Hon); 8. Mark Corsetti (Rot); 9. Joe McCoy (Hon); 10. Austin Helwig (Hon). VINT A: 1. Paul Herman (Yam); 2. Mike Besemer (Hon); 3. Anthony Mitchell (Yam); 4. Wayne Karcich (Yam); 5. Paul Rusin (Yam); 6. Jeff Johnson (Tri); 7. Jamie Nicely (Hon); 8. Michael Crump (Yam); 9. Arlen Anderson (Hon); 10. Dave Tice (Yam). TOP GUN 450 A: 1. Rodney Spencer Jr. (Hon); 2. Brandan Bergen (Hon); 3. Jeremy Hannah (Hon); 4. Kris Bunch (Suz); 5. Jimmy Sanchez (Hon); 6. Troy Milligan Jr. (Yam); 7. Joe McCoy (Hon); 8. Tom Hamalainen (Hon); 9. Tom Sheard (Yam); 10. Steven Henson (Yam). CLSC VINT 4-STRK TW A: 1. Jeff Johnson (Tri); 2. Paul Herman (Tri); 3. Dave Maxwell (Tri); 4. Dan Phillips (BSA); 5. Mike Riddel (Yam); 6. Stu Cardott (Tri); 7. Richard Harrington (Yam); 8. Andrew Whitney (H-D). Gene Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series Round 5: Ocean Speedway Rush to the Front! Paul Herman came from the third row to take a dramatic win in the Saddlemen Vintage class at round five of Gene Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series. PHOTO BY CAROL SWANSON