BOWIE BOTTOMS

This was the first trip to Enola, Arkanasas to race at Bowie Bottoms. We did just like we do going to any new track, set the computer to find the fastest way to get there. This time it would have been fine except we came off a hill and all we could see was water. We were only about a mile from the track but no way to get there. Have you ever tried to turn something 31’ long on a 15’ wide road. We some how managed and got to the track. The rains had fallen and even more fell during the early morning hours but Michael Carter had done his best and it was mud at first but by the first motos, it was “groovin”. The races went well with John and Ozzy both winning all there motos. Even, the hamburgers were great. The track is well laid although a little narrow and was a lot of fun. Michael Carter says he will be working on the track to make it wider and better. Visit this track for a fun day of racing. I will have a few pictures posted later this week.

2004 MIDSOUTH KICK OFF

The 2004 Midsouth series gets underway at Oak Grove, Louisiana. The first question everyone asked was which Oak Grove, LA and where is it. There are four Oak Grove, Lousiana’s but this is the one in the north east part of the state and only 17 miles from Arkansas. The weather even cooperated even though the wind was really blowing, no rain fell until the last moto was complete. Ozzie Barbaree showed he could really fly on his Suzuki as he got some of the worst starts I have seen from him but shortly in to the race, in each moto, he had the lead in both the intermediate and the open classes. Second place went to Toland Weems also aboard a Suzuki RM125. In the pro class John Adam showed the RMZ has the power has he pulled the holeshot and led for quite a while until he got a little tired and Chad Cook got around him as well as Blake Keeton. John made a last jump past on Blake as Blake launced his bike but failed to stay with it. He recovered to finish 3rd in the moto. Second motos were pretty much the same with Blake keeping a second and John a third behind Cook. in the 250 class John came off the track after practice only to have a 50 rider run into the front end of his bike bending his brake rotor and as we found out later breaking his front fork. John got a good start and was running a very solid 2nd pushing Chad Cook when smoke was pouring off John’s bike. As the race went on, a very loud clunk could be heard as he landed off each jump. We found that all the fork oil had leaking out of the fork and getting the brakes oilly too. No suspension and no brakes on the front and he still finished in 6th place, beating over half the field. Blake went on to finish 3rd behind Chad Cook and Austin Squires (from New Hampshire). Austin made a last turn pass in the second moto to win the overall as well as the moto over Chad Cook.

THE EXCITEMENT RETURNS

Everyone was ready. It had been too long since they got to race outdoors with all the rain and snow and cancelations. It was fianlly time to race at Pine Bluff MX and race they did. I estimate 170 1 to 180 racers lined up in the “sunshine” at the February race. Gary, Pete, Jack and crew had worked on the track all week and the traction was awesome. The tillar digs deep and breaks up any clods, it works. The back “superspeedway” tested top gear on most of the bikes but proved safe. The pits were full of friendly people from one end to the other. It was great. I will have results and pictures posted by Tuesday evening. Watch for them on the Pine Bluff MX page. The four stroke bikes are making a big impact as more and more riders switch to them. The 125 class seems to be the most affected as the tiddler four strokes seem to have and advantage. The big bikes seem to be more even and the two stroke 250s seemed stronger at Pine Bluff. I guess the sound of thunder is an appropriate name for motocross now. I saw some “old” friends out watching the races and they seemed to enjoy the races. Thanks for coming Robert and Dennis. The next race at Pine Bluff will be March 20th. Gary & Pete say they will have new obstales by then with new jumps and a new set of whoops. Click on Pine Bluff MX button at left for pictures.

Donaldson MX 2-22-2004

The best turn out I have seen at Donaldson MX at a regualar race. Maybe running the day after Pine Bluff is the right thing to do as there were plenty of racers that made it from Pine Bluff to Donaldson to race. The track was normal and four stroke friendly as it got dry slick as the racing progressed. Blake Keeton (pictured below) put his new four stroke 250 & 450 Yamahas to good use as he got wins in both the pro classes over John Adam (pictured above) 2nd 250 and 3rd 125. The 125 class was almost all four strokes except for John Bonner on his YZ125 would was very competetive managing to take fourth place. Behind Blake, Andrew Cannon and John. A good group of amatuers were present with a rider from Indiana upsetting the local favorites. (Sorry I have not seen the results and did not understand his name over the PA).Also a good battle in the ATV class with several spectatular flips and crashes near the finish line. Click on the link below for pictures.

http://www.cyclemarine.com/~pbmx/donaldson_pix.html

BARTON ARENACROSS

If you missed the arenacross races, below you will find a movie of one of the things you missed. The races were good with a very good turnout of pros with Adam Mennega on his Yamaha dominating with 4 main event wins. Cycle & Marine racers did well with Blake Keeton getting a third, John Adam a fith place in the pro classes and Ozzy Barbaree winning three first places. Click on the play button to watch the short movie.

2003 Arkansas Motocross State Championship

It’s all over but the shouting and the bragging. It was a fine weekend for racing and a very nice turn out in all the classes. Gary used the full track and had it prepped for the first moto’s Saturday. The track really held up well and made for some great racing. The smaller bike classes were run on Saturday and the big bike championship classes on Sunday. There were around 350 entrantants wanting a chance at the big prize, the State Championship in their respective class. I am proud to say, three of our riders brought home the gold, Ozzy Barbaree Senior 80, Schoolboy, 125 Intermediate and super mini,  and John Adam 125 & 250 Pro classes. . Congradulations to all of the competitors. We will have all the results posted on the Pine Bluff page soon. Pictures will also be posted soon on the same page.