July 2010

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The Inside Line July 2010 Issue 6

Dominguez Takes Six at MSR !

C M R A • P O B o x 1 0 1 1 7 7 • F o r t W o r t h , T e x a s 7 6 1 8 5 • 8 1 7 - 5 7 0 - 9 7 7 9!

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2010 CMRA Schedule February 19-21!!

Friday: LSTD Track Day/CMRA License School

Texas World Speedway! College Station, Texas !

Saturday: Mini Sprints/4 hr Big Bike End /2hr Mini End

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!

March 12-14!

Sunday: Big Bike Sprints

!

!

PO Box 101177 Fort Worth, TX 76185-1177 Office Phone: 817-570-9779 FAX: 1-888-334-0166


Eagles Canyon Raceway! Decatur, Texas! !

Saturday: Mini Sprints / 6 hr Big Bike Endurance

April 9-11!


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Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association


Texas World Speedway! College Station, Texas!

Saturday: Mini Sprints /6 hr Big Bike Endurance

April 30-May 2! !


Eagles Canyon Raceway! Decatur, Texas! !

Saturday: 12 hr Mini End. (TMGP C/o Event)

May 28-30!

Friday: CMRA Racer Practice / CMRA License School


BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Christopher Corder - [email protected] Vice President: John Orchard - [email protected] Barry Nichols - [email protected] Norm McDonald - [email protected] Ronnie Hay - [email protected]

!

Hallett Racing Circuit ! (CCW direction)! ! Hallett, Oklahoma!!

Sunday: Big Bike and Mini Sprints

Saturday: Mini Sprints / 4 hr Big Bike End/ 3 hr Mini End Sunday: Big Bike Sprints!

Steve McNamara - [email protected] Ty Howard - [email protected] Administrator/ Club Secretary - Nancy Selleck [email protected] Director of Competition - Walter Walker [email protected]

July 9-11!

Chief Corner Working Marshall - Barry Nichols

!

Friday: LSTD Track Day / CMRA License School

MotorSport Ranch! (CCW direction)! ! Cresson, Texas


[email protected]


Awards Official - Roxana Nichols [email protected]

August 6-8!

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Electronic Scoring - Kim Walker Friday: CMRA Racer Practice / CMRA License School

Hallett Racing Circuit.! (CCW direction)! ! Hallett, Oklahoma

Saturday: Mini Sprints/5 hr Big Bike End / 2hr Mini End

[email protected]


Track Chaplain - Tony Ta -

August 27-29! !


Eagles Canyon Raceway! Decatur, Texas ! !

Saturday: Mini Sprints / 5 hr Big Bike End/ 2 hr Mini End

[email protected] Rider School Instructor - Gabe McClendon Sunday: Big Bike Sprints

[email protected] Newsletter - Linz Leard [email protected]

September 24-26!


MotorSport Ranch! (CW direction)! ! Cresson, Texas

Saturday: Mini Sprints / 4 hr Big Bike End / 3 hr Mini End

October 29-31! !


Texas World Speedway! College Station, Texas!


Photographer - Barry Nichols



w w w. c m r a r a c i n g . c o m 2

Club Business Board of Directors Nominations Attention all CMRA Members: Nominations for the 2011-2012 CMRA Board of Directors are now open. The terms of Norm McDonald, Steve McNamara and Barry Nichols will expire, so this year there are three (3) open seats and we need your help to fill these! The criteria to serve on the Board of Directors is very simple; all you need is to be an Associate or Full Member, in good standing, for at least the preceding six (6) months and have the desire to help guide the club moving forward. No special skills or credentials required… just your time and attention! Here are some of the obligations of a CMRA Board Member: -Attendance of Meetings: Meetings are scheduled on an "as needed" basis and are usually held at the

CMRA office in Fort Worth or occasionally another location central to the BoD Members. Members should expect 4-6 meetings per year. -Event Attendance: It is preferred that members attend as many race events as possible. This will provide both an opportunity to solicit feedback from the membership and provide the background information required to make decisions that guide the club. -Message Board: Due to the geographic footprint of the CMRA, time sensitive items will commonly be handled via the Board of Directors page on the Message Board. You are requested to keep current with these items. -Communications with the administrative Staff and Race-Day Crew: At times the day-to-day operations of the club require correspondence with the staff and other Board Members. -Be available for the membership: Field questions, carry requests to the Board for review and so on...

A nomination form can be found on page 3 of this newsletter. Mailed nominations must be postmarked on or before August 15, 2010. Nominations may also be faxed toll free to 888-334-0166. Faxed nominations must be received no later than midnight, August 15, 2010. After receiving nominations, the CMRA Administrator (Nancy Selleck) will send a letter to the nominees requesting acceptance of the nomination and agreement to serve on the BoD for the 2 year term if elected (or refusal to accept the nomination). Nominee’s pictures and statements will be included in the newsletter after the ECR race at the end of August. Postage paid ballots will be mailed to all members at their last known address on October 1, 2010. Ballots must be postmarked on or before October 31, 2010 and only current CMRA members in good standing are eligible to vote. The winners will be notified and then results posted on the CMRA Message Board.

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C M RA - B O D N O M I N A TI O N S PO Box 101177 Fort Worth, Texas 76185

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Behind the Scenes by John Orchard, CMRA Vice President It's hard to believe that we're already more than halfway through our 2010 season! We've had a great year so far and we have a lot to be proud of as members of the CMRA. We’ve had a successful first six events with an increase in entries over 2009, we’re seeing our racers successfully compete at the national level (congratulations to Dustin Dominguez and Nemo Cockrell for their outstanding performances at Mid-Ohio), and the Laguna MotoGP race saw four riders grid up who, at least in part, each began their careers with the CMRA!

everyone an opportunity to get together with your CMRA family to celebrate another great year, and congratulate our 2010 champions! Look for a ‘Save the Date’ announcement in this issue of the Inside Line and all of the details next month. Preparation for the 2011 season is also taking place, and one of the hot topics is always the event schedule. There is a lot that goes into creating the schedule and determining which tracks make the cut with the CMRA. Financial viability is critical to our success at any track, and there are many variables; rental cost, location, attendance (our attendance peaks on event weekends that include all of our series: big bike and mini endurance and sprints). Additionally, scheduling around holidays and track availability is surprisingly limited at each of our tracks.

Through the first half of the year, the Board of Directors’ focus has primarily been house-keeping items. We’ve transitioned the Admin position back to Nancy, and moved the CMRA offices back to Ft. Worth, implemented the CMRA Safety Committee, taken steps to improve our financial processes by appointing Norm McDonald as the Treasurer, and engaged an independent CPA to ensure that our finances are auditable and in order at all times.

The CMRA has good working relationships with each of our tracks, and talks are already in progress regarding 2011 details. This year we will be working with each track to help them understand what factors make our events successful. Last year this type of communication resulted in Eagles Canyon building a new crossover road specifically for our 12-hour Mini event! That’s exactly the kind of partnership we’re looking for from each and every track on our schedule! Obviously, however, the details of the negotiations with each track must be kept confidential, and decisions can’t be made public until our schedule is finalized and agreements are signed.

As we move into the second half of the year, Board of Directors nominations open, we have some exciting announcements, and preparation for 2011 is underway.

Thanks for your continued support of the CMRA, the Staff and the Board members. Don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us with questions or suggestions about your club!

Planning is well underway for a 2010 Awards Banquet. Meredith Tieszen has done an outstanding job of organizing the details for this year’s event to give

Here’s looking forward to a great second half of 2010, See you at Hallett!

Breaking News: CMRARacers Represent at Mid-Ohio The CMRA had some great showings at the Road Race Grand Championships at Mid-Ohio over the week following the July MSR event. Nemo Cockrell bagged the AMA Roadrace Top Novice Award after winning five of the six races he entered on his Yamaha YZF-R6. (Cockrell was leading his sixth race when his motor expired.) Dustin Dominguez rode his House of Kawasaki ZX-6R to third and fifth place finishes in the AMA Pro Supersport class. Two occasional CMRA racers were recognized as well. 15-year old Hayden Gillim, (and cousin to Nicky Hayden), won three races and finished second in another to claim the AMA Road Race Horizon Award, and 14-year old Garrett Gerloff, earned the AMA Youth Rider of the Year Award. Congratulations, guys!

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Changing of the Guard by Linz Leard I recently had an opportunity to chat with Shan, and I asked him a few questions about his tenure with the CMRA, his passion for motorsports (including trials riding), and where he was headed to now. Inside Line: You’ve been a member of the CMRA’s family for many years. How did you get involved with the club? Shan Moore: Norm McDonald knew I worked in journalism and he approached Shan Moore has been one of the CMRA’s most prolific members for

me before, I think, the 2004 season about taking over the newsletter. At that time I

much of the last decade, but it’s possible that some of the CMRA racers may not even know who he is. Shan

business. I have to say, I learned a lot doing the CMRA newsletter.

didn’t race with the CMRA, so he isn’t prolific in the sense that his name was all over the results page after an event. Instead, Shan was prolific because of the duties he performed for the club off the racetrack. So even if you didn’t know Shan personally, chances are good that you knew his work. Shan has been with the CMRA for the better part of seven years, first as club photographer, and then, shortly afterwards, combining his prowess behind the camera lens with his vibrant writing skills. Shan authored, edited and published the CMRA’s event press releases and monthly newsletters for many years. That is, until recently. Shan accepted a position in the motorcycle industry that places him in greener pastures, and he has moved on from his duties with the CMRA. Shan’s contributions to the club will be missed and the void he’s left will, no doubt, be difficult to fill. Shan was dedicated, hard working and enthusiastic about the CMRA, and he was also a genuinely nice guy to hang around with. His talents will be missed, and I know the CMRA wishes him continued success with his new endeavors.

had just started as a contributing editor for Cycle News and I was fairly new to the

IL: Although not a road racer, I know you are directly involved in trials riding competition. Tell me a little about your involvement in that sport. SM: I raced motocross when I was a kid (Norm helped me with that, too!), and then when I was in college, I got into trials because it was much less expensive than motocross. In 1997 I took over Trials Competition Newspaper, which was a small national newspaper that covered the sport. I still have the newspaper and it maintains a circulation of about 2000 subscribers -- trials is very small in America, as you know. In 1997 and 1998 I was the Senior 40 National Champion in trials. But that was another lifetime and about 80 pounds ago! IL: I know you’re leaving the CMRA to work for Dirt Rider Magazine. What are you going to be doing for them? SM: I will be a contributing editor for Dirt Rider, doing features on Supercross, motocross, and off-road racing. I am also working for Racer Productions, which owns MX Sports (the company that runs national MX), and it also owns GNCC. I cover every round of the GNCC series and do all the race reports, photo reports and I service all the major magazines with stories and photos about GNCC. In my spare time I do photo shoots for Husaberg and KTM and some of the other magazines. IL: You have obviously been an integral part of the CMRA for quite a while, and have had a chance to see and cover many races. Do you have any favorite CMRA memories? SM: One of my favorite memories is seeing John Haner ride at Texas World. That guy was amazing on that track.

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IL: You shot pictures at all of our racetracks over the years. Are there any venues that were your favorites for shooting pictures? SM: My favorite tracks to shoot were Hallett and Oak Hill. Hallett has so many really good vantage points. As far as Oak Hill, well, I was in awe of all the history at that track. Too bad we no longer have it. IL: You’ll be missed by the CMRA community. Do you have anything else you’d like to say to them? SM: Most of all, I want to thank the CMRA for letting me work for all these years. I really appreciate the opportunity and I truly love and respect the members of the club. You guys have something that you should be proud of and I am grateful I was able to be a small part of it. I will always check in on the CMRA to see what is happening and I wish good luck to everyone. Most of all, thanks to Norm McDonald for giving me a chance all those years ago.

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Race Report

by Linz Leard

Cockrell Wins Seven, Dominguez Takes Six, Howard Remains Perfect For the Season at Motorsports Ranch Cresson After taking the month of June off, the CMRA

that was damp and slick in spots. The ominous clouds

returned to racing action at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson

produced only a few drops of rain, though. The first race of

(MSR) over the weekend of July 9-11. Heavy and

the weekend saw Hunter Morgan dominate the Road &

constant rains pounded the region in the week preceding

Track Suspension Formula 4 race on his Honda RS80,

the race, worrying many racers, and causing them to

winning by over 20 seconds. With his win, Morgan took

continually check the weather for updates. Weather

home the biggest portion of the Jon Broom / Zac

forecasters called for a better than average chance of the

Chapman Road to Recovery contingency money leaving

wet stuff over the weekend, and indeed, rain looked quite

Ryan Max Johnson and Jess Foltz to battle amongst

likely after a deluge inundated the track on Friday, leaving

themselves for the runner-up position. The two swapped

small lakes of water in many places in the paddock. Many

paint several times during the race, but at the stripe it was

racers had rain tires at the ready, but ultimately the

Johnson - by a mere .056 seconds - over Jess Folz, who

weather changed in typical Texas fashion, and instead of

was piloting a rented Ninja 250R. Roger Albert claimed

raining, the skies cleared, transitioning from cloudy and

the OnRoadOffRoad Suspension Formula 6 race over a

overcast on Saturday for the Mini Sprints and the Big Bike

hard charging Wyatt Sperry, and Nick Doolan rounded out

Endurance race, to clear and sunny (and typically hot and

the podium.

humid) by the time Sunday Big Bike Sprint races rolled

Bill Syfan, on a Honda RS65, ran away with the

around. The “iffy” weather apparently did little to scare off

OnRoad OffRoad Suspension Formula 5 race, winning

racers, though, as the weekend drew over 530 race

over Marcus Beedle’s Honda RS65. Roger Albert on a

entries.

Honda CRF150F took the third spot. Meanwhile Wyatt The races officially began on Saturday morning

Sperry was claiming victory in the Formula 7 class on his

under cloudy, overcast and threatening skies with a track

Honda NSF100 over Steven Barone’s Aprilia RS50 by two

hundreds of a second. Nick Doolan took home the third spot for the second time on the day. The RentMyNinja.com E Superstock race was next, and once again Ryan Max Johnson battled with Jess Foltz, this time for the win. This time Johnson was able to put a little more distance between he and Foltz, taking the top spot over Foltz by a little more than three seconds. Joey Howells rounded out the podium. By the time the Mini races were finished and the Big Bikes were taking to the track for the 6-hour Big Bike Endurance race, racers found the track almost completely dry. The skies, while still a bit overcast, had cleared noticeably as well. There was still a threat of rain, but it didn’t seem as imminent as it had been earlier in the day, and rain tires were put on the racks Race Director repairing a broken scoring loop Saturday morning.

and slicks and DOTs mounted up. 27 bikes filled out the Endurance grid, but one notable absence was the Ridesmart / RPM Cycle KTM RC8 entry. A

Photo by Linz Leard 8

previous endurance race winner this season, and always a threat to win, the team withdrew the big orange machine due to an injury to team captain Ty Howard. When the green flag flew, the Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Moto Ace (Derek Wagnon, Jeremy Kidd, Joe Prussiano, Dustin Dominguez, Dustin Meador) asserted themselves as the team to beat, running a blistering pace, sometimes as much as three seconds a lap quicker than the next best teams, Village Idiots and Mini Haters. Moto Ace were never headed during the six hour race, and would cross the stripe first overall and first in class, Superbike A, having hardly put a wheel wrong all day. With 266 laps, Moto Ace were 8 laps up on the second place

Moto Ace pilot, Joe Prussiano, leads SBAE eventual 2nd Place winner Mini Haters on the way to another class and overall victory.

team, the Yamaha YZF-R6 of Village Idiots (John Orchard, Chris Headley, Chad Tieszen, Brandon Cleland). The Idiots were first in their respective class, Superbike C, beating class rivals Lone Star Track Days (Andrew Galindo, Garet Tomlinson, Mark Niemi, Chris Romeo, Harry Tomlinson) and STII (Kenny Smith and Chris Fields), and were 3 laps up on the Suzuki GSXR1000 of Mini Haters (William

Garet Tomlinson on the number 3 Lone Star Track Days bike looks for the long way around the Kemo Racing 41 machine on the way to a 2nd Place spot in SBCE.

S h u p a k , M a r v E s t e r l y, J a c k Vi g n e a u , P e t e M a r t i n s ) , w h o

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claimed the second spot in Superbike

Sunday dawned mostly clear, finishing in the second spot in the other

A, and third overall. Moto Ace team but some riders were still affected by two. Perhaps the most exciting race of owner, Dicki McFarland said, “My guys the weather. Because Friday’s track the day was the first one, Exel rode within their limits and didn’t make day had been a virtual wash out (both Transportation - Formula 2 Expert, any big mistakes. It was a good day.” literally and figuratively), and, because which saw an epic battle between Kemo Racing (John Keene, Bruce a delay in Saturday’s schedule early on O k l a h o m a ’ s D o m i n g u e z a n d Keene, Steven Pundt, Jeremy Louder, to fix a scoring loop issue necessitated Louisiana’s Darrel Ricks. Both riders Travis Goodman) were further down t h e c a n c e l l a t i o n o f S a t u r d a y were on Suzuki SV650s, and both the results sheet with 238 laps, good afternoon’s open practice session riders had done battle in the past. enough for third spot in Superbike A.

(MSR has a 6:30 p.m. curfew), more Dominguez would get the holeshot and

Other class winners were than a few riders would have to find would lead much of the race, but Ricks Te a m K a m i k a z e L S T D ( U l u g speed the old-fashioned way – in

never left Dominguez’s shadow, pulling

Bayramoglu, Frank Shacklee, Ronnie Sunday morning’s practice sessions.

along side of the Oklahoman and

Hay, Darrell Ricks) in Formula 2 on a

19 separate Sprint races - 23 showing a wheel in several corners.

Suzuki SV650, who beat out the classes total – were on the schedule, Initially Dominguez was effective at Suzuki of All Parts (Stephen Guynes, and at the end of the day, after the last keeping Ricks back, but on the seventh Jess Foltz, Jesse Davis) Suzuki bike had crossed the finish line, it was lap of the eight lap race, Ricks made a GSX600F, and the Suzuki SV650 of Novice Nemo Cockrell who would earn move as the pair came upon a lapper, Hellcat Racing (Blaine Johnson, Kier the lion’s share of the victories.

and squirted ahead of Dominguez.

Johnson, Christopher Corder, Tad Cockrell won every Sprint race he With Dominguez, now in pursuit, Ricks Murley). Perennial class favorite, entered, capturing 7 wins in all on his was now riding defensively. Dominguez Faltless Racing, were anything but, Yamaha YZF-R6. His wins came in the tried every trick in the book, but came finding themselves on the tarmac and Lone Star Track Days - Superstock B up just .089 seconds behind Ricks at finishing down the order. Hypercycle Novice, Moto Liberty - Superstock C the finish line. Tony Ta would claim the (Gilbert Lee Epperson, David Wilson, Novice, Road & Track Suspension - third spot, some 23 seconds back. Michael Humphries, Karl Hansen, Superstock A Novice, Superbike B After the race Dominguez said, “Ricks C h r i s Vi n s o n ) , r i d i n g a H o n d a Novice, Ridesmart - Superbike C was fast today, no doubt. He put CBR600F3, won in Classic Endurance Novice, AVTEQ - Superbike A Novice pressure on me and he got around the over the Kawasaki ZX-7R of Double D and Road & Track Suspension -

lapper. I didn’t want the race to end (in

Express (Daniel Dominguez, Les Formula 1 Novice races. Cockrell and that order). That’s racing.” Dominguez Banta, Dewayne Davis, Darnell his Yamaha were untouchable all day, would get the last laugh over Ricks, Dorsey) after the screaming red with some of his performances being however, as the pair would meet three Kawasaki broke a transmission early especially impressive because the race more times before the day was done, on, retiring after only 16 laps. Although schedule put several of his races back- with Dominguez getting the better of there were few crashers throughout the to-back. day, no red flags flew and the race was run without stoppages.

Ricks in each of those contests. Dustin Dominguez contested 8

Dominguez was pulling double

classes, winning 6 of them, and

duty, on the day, riding his House of

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Kawasaki sponsored Kawasaki ZX-6R in addition to his SV650. On the Kawasaki, he would dominate all but one of his races, with his only loss coming at the hands of Derek Wagnon in the Superbike B Expert race. John Orchard on a Yamaha YZF-R6 would take the last rostrum spot in that race. At day’s end, Dominguez had claimed wins in the LMSTrackdays.com - Superstock B Expert over Derek Wagnon on a Suzuki GSX-R750, and Brandon Cleland on a Yamaha YZF-R6, South Central Race Center - Superstock C Expert, with Brandon Cleland and John Orchard rounding out the podium, Lightweight Twins Expert, with the Suzuki SV650s of Darrell Ricks and ageless Eric Falt in tow, Island Racing Services - Superbike C Expert, with Garet Tomlinson, who led the race briefly, and Carlos Lescale, both on Yamaha YZF-R6s, finishing in the second and third spots respectively, Superstock D Expert over Honda RS125 mounted J.C. Camacho and Conner Blevins, and the Superbike D Expert race, again over Darrell Ricks and Eric Falt. While standing in line to collect his purse winnings later that evening, Dominguez was asked how his day went. He answered in a mock Italian accent (mimicking the post-race

Ty Howard powers though the field aboard the KTM-RC8 on his way to three First Place finishes Sunday.

interviews of a world level racer), “The day was, how you say, veddy, veddy good! The bike was, ah, veddy, veddy good!” Ty Howard’s hot streak continued at MSR, and he claimed wins in each of the three Sprint classes he’s been contesting in 2010, RaceworX Superstock A Expert, AVTEQ - Superbike A Expert, and Formula 1 Expert. Howard and his KTM RC8 have never been trumped during the season in the Sprint races, but there was some speculation about whether or not his streak would continue at this event due to an injury Howard sustained recently while testing a KTM 350 dirt bike in California. Howard, who suffered some meniscus damage that will require surgery, said riding his The Pirelli shod Yamaha YZF-R6 was unstoppable Sunday as Nemo Cockrell racks up 7 wins in the Novice ranks.

RC8 was “not impossible”, but also noted that he had to make “some adjustments” to make it more comfortable. “I was compensating everywhere

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on the track because the knee doesn’t Scott, was also a multiple race winner, bend like it’s supposed to.” Howard and claiming victories on his Suzuki SV650 his KTM RC8 have lowered the track the OnRoad OffRoad Suspension – records at all the other venues the Superstock D Novice race over Dominic CMRA has made stops at this season, Bethel and Isachar Perez, also on but he wasn’t able to best his own track SV650s, and the Road & Track record this time out. Of that he said, Suspension – Formula 2 Novice class “Even with the knee, it (a track record) over SV650 mounted Dominic Bethel Dominguez (68) leads eventual Formula 2 winner Darrell Ricks (460)

might have been possible, but the track and Jim Whitten. was better in the morning than it was in

Other Sprint race winners

the afternoon. It was slicker in the include Derek Wagnon, who claimed afternoon, dustier. That affected the the win in the Superbike B Expert class grip. I usually go faster in the afternoon, over Dustin Dominguez and John and I did, but it wasn’t enough.”

Orchard, Ducati 1098-mounted Ronnie

Howard’s wins came at the expense of Hay, who topped the Heavyweight the GSX-R750s of Derek Wagon and Twins Expert class over the Triumph Danny Kelsey (Superbike A), Danny 675 of Craig Montgomery and the Kelsey and William Guthrie on a Suzuki immaculate Aprilia RSV4 of Ted GSX-R1000 (Superstock A). Wagnon Phillips, and Honda RS125-mounted and Guthrie would fall to Howard once J.C. Camacho, who won the GMAN again in Formula 1. Wagnon (111) wins B Superbike Ex

Even though Cockrell,

Productions 125 Grand Prix race over the Honda RS125s of Conner Blevins

Dominguez and Howard claimed the and Tad Murley. majority of the victories on the

John Orchard continued to look

weekend, there were plenty of other impressive in 2010, and claimed the races and lots more action. Other Formula 40 Heavyweight Expert win multiple Sprint race winners on the day over the GSX-R1000s of Dewayne included Jim Whitten who rode his

Davis and Ottis Lance, while Eric Falt

Suzuki SV650 to victories in the Road & added another win to his long list of Track Suspension – Superbike D

wins by beating the classic Suzuki

Novice class over the SV650s of GSX-R600 of Richard Kirk and the Jordan Scott and Dominic Bethel, the SV650 of Mike Sweeney in Formula 40 Ridesmart – Lightweight Twins Novice Lightweight Expert. In the motard John Orchard (51) claims the Formula 40 HW Expert race over fast guys Davis, Lance, and Tomlinson.

class over Marcus Beedle on a Honda classes, Ted Phillips walked away from RS125 and Dominic Bethel’s SV650, the Yamaha WR450 of Dave Gallagher and the Formula 40 Lightweight Novice and the Yamaha YZ250F of Bruce class over Scott Eichhorn and Frank Crone in to take the win in Unlimited Rodriguez, both on SV650s. Jordan Motard, while Alan Phillips, riding his

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Yamaha YZ450, won the Super Motard race by over a

featured items donated by Colin Edwards, Josh Hayes,

minute over the Yamaha WR450 of Dave Gallagher. Linz

Melissa Paris and Elena Myers, among others, and

Leard took third place riding a borrowed Honda

brought in more than $3500. Dustin Sperry was the

CRF100. Rick Kirk came out the victor in the Classic

biggest contributor, winning an autographed Josh Hayes

Unlimited race over his son, Cameron Kirk, who was

helmet in the silent auction, and then winning the 50/50

riding a tired Honda CBR600F3. Blake Loehr took the

raffle ticket drawing and graciously donating his cash

third spot on a Honda Hawk. Wil Kitchens won the

winnings back to Jon Broom’s cause. Steve Gaspard and

Clubman race on another Honda Hawk, beating the

Rheen Racing won several auction items, nabbing $420

Honda RS85 of Marcus Beedle and Suzuki GS450-

worth of goods. Jon Broom’s mom, Lori, said, “Thanks to

mounted Michael Reardon. Brandt Dillon scored a win in

everyone for everything. Can’t say it enough! Big thanks to

the Ridesmart – Rookie Expert race on his Suzuki GSX-

Gabby Harber for selling tickets and helping all weekend,

R1000 over the GSX-R750 of Alonzo Contreras and the

she did great! And a huge thanks to Scott McDermott for

GSX-R1000 of Jeremy Louder, while Brad Feltes

the awesome t-shirts!”

claimed the Road & Track Suspension – Heavyweight

Additionally, Zac Chapman made a well-received

Twins Novice win over the Aprilia RSV1000 of Daniel

appearance at the track on Sunday. Zac’s appearance at

Blankenship and Marcus Beedle, this time on a Honda

MSR marked the first time he’s been to a racetrack since

RS125. Toni Bui capped the weekend winners by taking

his injury in August of 2009. Many racers and fans stopped

home the Formula 40 Heavyweight Novice win on his

by to visit and pose for pictures with Zac, buy some “Zac

GSX-R750 over the GSX-R600 of Adrian Marquez and

Attack” merchandise, and visit with the Chapman family.

the Honda CBR1000RR of Mitch McGinnis.

The CMRA returns to action on August 6-8 at Hallett Motor

Not all the cool stuff took place on the track,

Racing Circuit in Hallett, Oklahoma, for a full slate of road

though. Off track highlights featured a silent auction and

race action, including a 2-hour Mini Endurance race, a 5-

sales of 50/50 raffle tickets and merchandise to benefit

hour Big Bike Endurance race, and both Mini and Big Bike

injured CMRA racer, Jon Broom. The silent auction

Sprint races.

Silent auction and 50/50 raffle for injured racer Jon

Jon’s dad David on Jon’s E Superstock Ninja 250

Broom were a big success! Photo by Linz Leard

Photo by Linz Leard 13

Racing Action By Barry Nichols

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Racer’s Rides by Linz Leard purpose-built race weapon, and over the next 36 years (TZs were last produced

Tad Murley’s 2003 Yamaha TZ250

in 2009), these bikes won countless club racing, national and world championships. Murley’s TZ250

In the not too distant past, you could

has a compact,

show up at a CMRA race weekend and

liquid-cooled,

find plenty of 2-stroke race bikes. From

249cc

mini racers to vintage street bikes to

degree V-twin 2-

lightweight, purpose-built Grand Prix

stroke engine

machines, these bikes could be found

with crankcase

in large number of racer’s pit areas.

reed

When these bikes took to the track, the

induction and

smell of bean oil would fill your nostrils,

variable exhaust

clouds of wispy, blue smoke would

power valves. A

hang in the air, and the sound of a

pair of 32mm

pack of angry bees would fill your ears.

Mikuni TMX

Ti m e s a n d t e c h n o l o g y c h a n g e ,

carburetors feed

however, and today the 2-stroke

fuel to the hungry, high-revving little engine. (Yes, those are carburetors, thus

powered race bike is slowly fading

Murley, and his engine builder and tuner, Chuck Moore, can often be found

away and becoming a thing of racing’s

playing with jetting on race day, searching for that magical balance between

past. These days there are only a few

maximum power and complete piston seizure.) An Ohlins rear shock handles the

2-stroke race bikes in the CMRA

bumps in the rear while the forks, containing Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 internals,

paddock, and seeing one will

soak up the rough stuff up front. To make sure the suspension works as it

sometimes make the uninitiated do a

should, Murley enlisted Jim Cambora (RaceworX) to set it all up. Huge OEM

double take and ask, “What is that

stainless steel floating brake rotors help stop the bike quickly. Graced with razor-

thing?”

sharp handling, TZs are fun to ride, and are lethally quick. In 2003, the TZ250

90-

valve

was rated at 92 horsepower from the factory, and weighed in at a trim 225 Tad Murley’s 2003 Yamaha TZ250 is

pounds. If you’re a numbers cruncher, and you do some quick math, you’ll see

one such bike – it is an extremely

that these

clean example of exotic race hardware

bikes produce

that can’t help but catch the eye.

a phenomenal

Murley’s bike garners looks from many

amount of

folks, not just because it is the “odd 2-

power: there

stroke” (less than 30 were imported

are 368 horses

into the States), but because it is also

per liter behind

as close to immaculate as a race bike

the fairings of

can get.

this TZ250, a figure which

Introduced by Yamaha in 1973, the TZ

dwarfs the

was designed as a lightweight,

m o d e r n

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1000cc 4-stroke engine making somewhere around 165 horsepower per liter. TZs can be quite highstrung, but Murley’s bike, which he bought from a racer in California in 2007, isn’t overly maintenance intensive because Moore builds and tunes the engine on the conservative side. Modifications are relatively minor: stuffed cases, mildly ported heads, pressurized air box, pair of WGP expansion chambers, quick shifter and a Brembo radial master cylinder. Other than that, the bike is essentially stock. Of his conservative tuning approach, Murley says, “I can’t afford to blow the bike up, so Chuck keeps it reliable. He’s old school that way, and I mean that in a good way.” Tad Murley and his beautiful Exel Transportationsponsored TZ250 can be found contesting Formula 2 and Formula 40 Lightweight classes on any given CMRA race weekend.

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Who’s Under The Helmet? Blake Cochran, Expert #386 by Linz Leard Motorcycle roadracing at the always know who that guy is next to club level is a uniquely interesting us on the grid, so let’s take a few sport. The action is fast and fierce minutes to meet one of our own. on the track - a dog eat dog This month we present Blake environment, it would seem - yet few Cochran, Expert #386. In addition to would argue against the paddock a few “normal” questions related to atmosphere being generally fun, roadracing, we also asked Blake friendly, and family oriented. On any some random, off-the-wall questions given race weekend, the CMRA will in an effort to get to know Who’s have fathers racing with sons or Under The Helmet? daughters, siblings gridded up next to each other to do battle when the green flag drops, and even husbands and wives on the same endurance team. As competitive racers, we all want to beat the guy gridded next us, but as human beings we often foster relationships with our competition off the track, and many times consider them extended family. Still, even though racers share a common bond because of the sport, we don’t

Inside Line: Tell us what you do in real life, Blake. Blake Cochran: I'm a project manager for a fire and water restoration company. I oversee the insurance claim from start to finish. IL: How did you get involved in racing with the CMRA? BC: Tim "Gateman" Johnson. He plucked me from the motocross world. Before roadracing, I raced motocross for seven years. After qualifying for every amateur motocross national event in 2007, Tim invited me to watch a roadrace at TWS. I watched my long time motocross friend, Dustin Doucet, race and win that day. On the way home, I knew which path I wanted to take. I bought a road bike and never went to those motocross nationals!

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IL: So you started racing with the will never forget from roadracing. And BC: I like to work on my truck, an SVT CMRA in 2007? when I raced motocross, I finished Lightning. I also love to go out to dinner, second at the Mini National Olympics. BC: Yep. I started mid-season, 2007.

go to the lake, play video games with friends, and spend the rest on my I L : E v e r y o n e h a s g o a l s a n d girlfriend Joy…if there is anything left.

IL: Tell us about the competition. Are aspirations in roadracing. Some are Haha! there any particular racers who you lofty, like being a national or world have the most fun racing with? Who champion, and others just want to IL: Congratulations, Blake! You just do you want to beat the most? have some fun. What are your goals won an all expense paid trip to any in this sport? country in the world for a week! BC: My greatest competition is whoever Where would you go and why? is winning. I want to win, and I have a BC: Next season I will have my AMA hard time settling for anything else. But Pro license, and I intend on hitting at BC: VIVA LA MEXICO! Mexico has there are a lot of people I enjoy racing least two stops on the AMA circuit. I everything; desert tropics, forest tropics, with: Alonzo Contreras, Brandon also plan on running a few of the loosely written environmental laws, and Cleland, he’s a fellow motocrosser, you WERA Nationals. And I’d like to win at beautiful women. But I have a girlfriend, know, Fabian Saldaña, Baus Barker, least one championship in CMRA so I’d go for the first things I said, not Scott Buckley, Tony Ta. That’s a few, but Expert classes in 2011. the last. Haha! there are many more. IL: If you had a choice, would you IL: You’re starving. You drive into a IL: You spend some time riding the rather get 20 minutes on Valentino small town in the middle of nowhere, mini endurance races on occasion. Rossi’s Yamaha M1 MotoGP bike, or where there are only two places to What do you like best about racing get two hours on Max Biaggi’s Aprilia eat -- a Tex-Mex restaurant and a the minis? RSV4? Chinese buffet. Which one are you going to eat at? BC: The minis are simply a lot of fun. To BC: Very tricky question! Of course I me it is like pit bike riding. I enjoy want to ride a MotoGP bike, but I think I BC: Tex-Mex all the way! If I drove into pushing the little dirtbike past purposely would choose the works Aprilia RSV4. I ANY town, I would naturally look for a built road bikes! This year, though, I choose the Aprilia because it would be Mexican restaurant. have been more of a relief rider for Tim a far greater bike than my current steed, Johnsons' teams -- my main focus is on and I would get to ride it longer than the IL: Last question, Blake, and it’ll help the big bikes. M1! us understand about how daring you really are. Even though the IL: Do you have any one roadracing IL: We all know that if you club race instructions specifically forbid it, memory that stands out over the long enough, you’ll go broke. have you ever stood on the top step others?

However, in the off chance that you of a ladder? have any money left over after a race

BC: I feel like I would have to point out weekend, what do like spend it on? BC: I’ll sum it up in one word for a memory from both types of racing, In other words, what do you like to everyone: ABSOLUTELY! roadracing and motocross. Being on the do besides race motorcycles? podium at the AMA Grand National Championship is, for sure, a memory I

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Joe Prussiano – Mountain Man by Linz Leard The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, also known as the “Race to the Clouds”, has been running since 1916, and is the second oldest motor sports race in America. The course covers 12.42 miles and has 156 turns. The starting line begins at an altitude of 9,390 feet and rises to an elevation of 14,110 feet at the finish line. By the time a vehicle gets to the summit of the mountain, the air is so thin that engines can lose about 30% of their power. Interesting stuff, yes, but what does this have to do with the CMRA? The 2010 Race to the Clouds took place in June, the 88th running of the event, and included several CMRA racers. Veteran CMRA fast guy, Joe Prussiano, was among the event’s competitors, but he didn’t just compete in the race, he won his division for the third time in the four years that he’s been racing the mountain.

The Inside Line caught up with Joe P at MSR and asked him a few questions about the Pikes Peak event, his wins there, and what he loves most about the mountain. Inside Line: Congratulations on your Pikes Peak Hill Climb win, Joe. Joe Prussiano: Thank you. IL: Tell us a little about the Pikes Peak hill climb event. JP: Well, it’s unlike any other race you’ll ever do. The event is so much fun. The race itself is a blast, of course, but the whole event is so much fun. The entire town gets behind the thing and makes all the competitors seem like family. Everyone is so nice, so friendly. No egos. The whole thing is an awesome thing to experience. You’re up at 3:30 am to get on the mountain, and practice starts at 5:30 am. It’s over by 8:30 am so they can let tourists on the road - the race course is the same road you drive up to sightsee on the mountain. After practice you have all day to do other things, sightsee or make a few trips up and down the mountain on a dual purpose bike or something like that. There’s a big party called Fan Fest on Friday after qualifying practice. It’s a big deal and the whole town seems to come out for it. It’s all just a lot fun. IL: How did you get into doing the Pikes Peak race? JP: One of my old CMRA racing buddies, Jody Hudson, called me a few years ago and suggested it to me. He said, “Hey, Joe! We’re gonna go race the mountain. You ought to come and do it, too.” So I did. That was in 2007. I’ve been back every year since. IL: Tell us about the course. JP: It’s a blast. It’s over 12 miles long and has more than 150 corners. Some of those are vertical drops off the side of the mountain, so it can be intimidating at times. The bottom part of the course is paved and the top part is dirt and gravel, a kind of fine gravel, sort of like pea gravel. The paved part is fun, it’s really tight, but my favorite part is the top part of the mountain. I have the most fun there. It’s very fast and has lots of 4th and 5th gear sweepers. IL: What bike and division did you race this year? JP: I raced the 450cc division on my 2003 Honda CRF450, tuned by Naveen at Honda of Houston. It’s basically a dirt bike with lowered suspension and 19 inch wheels, kind of a modified dirt bike. IL: You won pole this year, too, right? JP: I did. IL: And how did your race go? JP: Pretty good. Winning was good, of course, but I went faster this year than last year. That’s always nice. IL: What are your plans for 2011? Are you going back? JP: Yep, I’m going back, for sure. It’s too much fun not to. 21

Through the Linz Photos by Linz Leard

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JOIN THE CMRA TODAY!!! Two levels of membership are available: ASSOCIATE MEMBER $70.00 (January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2010) $40.00 (July 12th, 2010 to December 31st, 2010) Allows volunteer participation as a race official along with a host of benefits, subscription to The Inside Line (the CMRA's newsletter), access to members-only Message Board on the CMRA website, voting rights and racer discounts at local motorcycle shops.

FULL MEMBER $145.00 (January 1st to December 31st) $105.00 (July 12th to December 31st) $55.00 (Sept 30 to December 31st) Required membership level to race CMRA events. Includes all of the above, plus riding privileges - race number, trophies, prize money etc... Applications are available at race events or request one via email at [email protected].

Advertise your business in the Inside Line Contact Nancy Selleck [email protected] The Inside Line advertising Business card ad.......$25.00/ issue - $200 per year Quarter page..............$40.00/ issue - $350 per year Half page....................$60.00/ issue - $500 per year Full page...............$150.00/ issue - $1250 per year Insert (Full page).............$100/issue - $750 per year

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RACE FEES: Sprint Fees* 1st class $75.00 2nd class $55.00 3rd class $35.00 Each add'l $35.00 Mini Sprints 1st class $40.00 2nd class $30.00 Junior Motard Entry $10.00

ENDURANCE: (Big Bike) Per Hour $45.00 (Mini) Per Hour $35.00

Practice Only: Half Day $35.00 Note: Practice is included with race fees.

* Transponder Rental $40.

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