james

Whiplash Off-Road’s “Vulture Mountain 100”

Round 10

Bikes By Mike Parks
Wickenburg, AZ October 6th 2002

Destry draws first blood in return to Vulture Mountain


Wickenderg and Phoenix were founded in large part because an angry old miner frustrated with his stubborn mule picked up a rock to chuck at his ass. No kidding. The rock happened to be laced with gold and the rest is history. For the last 30 plus years races have been held over and around the richest gold deposit in Arizona history. The result of that many years of racing is choppy whoops, G-outs and fast rocky sections that make riding without a dampener hazardous and tiring. Oh and did I mention the Jumping Cacti that line the course. Some experienced racers carry a flea comb “just in case” One racer in his first complete year thought it was the toughest and roughest of the year. This aint no Sunday drive baby!
The large Pro turnout was a bonus for the Pro Purse winner and National Champion Kawasaki’s own Destry Abbott #65 for this race, #1 everywhere else (Team Green, Destryabbott.com, FMF, IMS) Destry burned up the course and had a mostly clean race except for a bloody nose on the second lap that just started for no apparent reason. Even after an extra long pit stop to deal with the nose he was still exited in the lead. In his podium speech he said he has always enjoyed doing the Wickenburg race and really likes the local fans, which he always seems to have plenty of time for. In Second not far behind was another accomplished racer with words on his resume like Dakar, Baja and alike. Kawasaki jockey Mark Miller #79 (The Pit Enterprise, Pro Circuit & Dunlap) Mark ran consistently fast laps to just beat out Third place and Pro Points leader Todd Johnson #51 (POPS RACING, GOAT, BEN’S CYCLE WORKS) Todd was right there all day but you never know exactly what place you’re in since racers leave the line 2 at a time 30 seconds apart and unless you check out like Destry did you could lead the whole race and end up off the podium. I’ve seen hearts broken and first win surprises when the clock is synchronized. What does that have to do with Todd? Nothing. I just needed to work it in. But nice race Todd, 2 more clean races and the title is yours!

The Sr. Pro winner Ken Kozlic brought home the check and the big trophy by getting almost a minuite faster on every lap and even matched one of Destry’s lap time’s. I would have like’d to have seen if he could have kept it up for one more lap. Coming in second and making quite the impression in the class Tim Wussow #69 (SCOTTY’S LAWNMOWERS, VALLEY KAWASAKI) Third place on the podium was Alan Violette #60 (RUDOLFO BRO’S PLASTERING, METRO VALLEY PAINTING, BEN’S CYCLE WORKS) Who would have been faster but had some kind of problem with his CRF450 and it sounded more like a 1978 pinto than a Red Rocket but I’m sure that will be fixed by the Pima GP.

I think the MCM’s rock.. So I guess then that the lead singer is Bill Williford #88 who did four laps in 1:54:24 but barely out ran Hans Vanderwaall #78 (Hans Auto Service, Valley Kawasaki) Hans had almost identical lap times as bill. And on drums I mean in third is John Albro #77 (XRS)

The MC1’s Had luck on there side when Jay in all his wisdom decided to split the bikes into two races. Instead if eating the dust of 50 bikes they had the course all to themselves till they hit lap traffic. Getting off the line and leading the whole race was’nt good enough for the win as Jewel Turner found out. After the race he divulged that he really enjoyed leading start to finish but was a little bummed to be beat by time. The man who never lead but was the big winner is Dan Alquist #126 who as an expert in the 30+ class should get a couple of sponsors and try racing for money next year in the Sr. Pro’s. Just my opinion. Second place and just 3 points out of second for the points championship and two races to go Scott Young #103 (Schrocket off-road, Sunstar, RK Chain) this could be a great battle to watch! And as i mentioned in third Jewell Turner #119 (Petra Contracting)

I’ve always thought the MC2 class is the toughest class to race in and get out of. These guys are hungry! So close to expert that every race everyone at the gate believes they could be there for the next race. These guys fight for position and for the most part don’t like to get passed. This race was no exception with several different positions seperated by only one second! Damb. It always sucks to lose by only one second and usually results in a few hundred seconds faster in the next race. When the dust settled it was Dan Whatley #220 (Tom Whatley, Thanks Dad) In second Chris Farr #209 (Fly’n Frog Racing, Nuvu Beauty Salon, Service Center) Chris raced the KX500 of Pro Desi Wolf and seemed to like the extra power rolling on the throttle and ripping out of the pits and pounding the whoops. In third by only one second is John Myers #235 (M.A.S.K Racing, Valley Kawasaki) John did a great job concidering he was a bit underpowered on a KX125 but he seems determined to take over the points lead before it’s to late

The MC3’s had a lot of close racing and some impressive times but especially from First Place Brian Van Allen #347 (Canyon Honda) and Casey Rodman #313 (Case Racing) Third place Thomas Shalkowitz #341 (Mom & Dad, Town and Country)

MC4 Winner! Richard Birchfield #415 posted a time that would have been good enough for the win in the MC3’s! Witch he will probably be in the next race. Second Place Ross Hawkins #417 had a solid race and held off. Third Place Dean Miller #412 (Verde Homes)

MC5 Winner on a thundering YZ426 was Mikey Asimakis #527 (Speedwayraceway.com, Gardner Racing & Real Racing) Mikey was ecstatic about the win but bummed because all his friends had already left when results were posted L. In Second Aaron Buzbee #560 who I’m sure had somebody there for him after conquering The Mountain!! Third Place Mike Berkley #510 got a big plack and blisters to wear as battle scars to show for his great race.

Jim Connor #627 (TOWN & COUNTRY MOTORSPORTS) racked up another win in the MC6 Class two minutes ahead of Second Place Ron Edwards # 607 (Thanks Sandy & John) Third Place Marshall Gerston #630 who did all four laps all in good consistent times

MC7 In a large class of determined riders dust seemed to be the order of the day. Cutting thru it the best was First Place Jim Chapman #708 (Thanks Pat, Katie & Kelly) who even after a tough first lap came back to the checkers first. Second Place Richard Guffey #724(Jag Compliance & Consulting) Ran hard and strong in order to beat Third Place Ben Urrea #700. Just off the podium was a regular Whiplash Volunteer Phillip Brooks #777 (The Pit Enterprise)
MC8 These may be some of the toughest men on the planet! On this day it was Richard Walker Sr. #833 (GU, Apache Honda, Ace Manufacturing) in first. Followed by Second Place Arthur Sims #825 (Z-Moto Cycle and Sport) and Cuffe Crabbe #844 (Interstate Battery, Luxury Wheel) Cuffe always seems to be in the mix and Wickenburg Was no Exception.

MC9’s first timer Travis Epperson# 901 Had some lap times that were right up there with a lot of our regulars and got himself a win! Second Place Michael Demaree #908 also did all four laps and didn’t seem to lay off the gas in nearly two hours. Third Place Tom Cooley # 902 rounded out the top three.

4th Matt Lamb

5th John Applegate

6th Tristahn Schaub

7th Jason Anderson

8th William Byers

Bring a friend to the next race and race for free if you Pre Enter!!

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Ride Red!!! Government Gossip

PoopChat

phil brooks

James, Thanks for posting Wickenburg results! I hope that some of you non-desert racers will come out to PMP for the G.P. race on Nov 1st, 2nd & 3rd. It would be a great challange for the MXer's & Desert riders to shoot it out on a comb MX-Desert course. Hope to see you there! Phil Brooks # 777