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Hogan, The Zero Hero at Caprock!
Texas State Championship Enduro Circuit
Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit
Rounds 4 and 1, Caprock Canyon Enduro
Quitaque, TX | April 1, 2007
Story & Photos by George Pennington
It may have been late, but it was great, accurately describes the '07 version of the Post Enduro Association's Caprock Enduro--late because the event was pushed back a week due to heavy rains and great because of the ultimate racing and traction conditions provided by Mother Nature. The downside to rescheduling turned out to be a bit of a curse to the club though, which one sign up worker noted as being "150 entries short of last year." Rescheduling will always cause conflicts and moving to the same weekend as the Dallas Supercross couldn't have helped either, but none of that mattered to the nearly 250 riders that did show.
Ron Schmelzle, Third Overall
One rider that could appreciate the dust free conditions as he passed his way to the front of the earlier minutes was Texas speedster Don Hogan. Coming off an impressive fourth overall finish at the opening ISDE Qualifier in Tennessee two weeks prior, Hogan jammed his KTM to the AA victory, his second overall win of the young season, topping RMEC rider Bernie Frederick by a single point. While the Yamaha mounted Frederick looked smooth all weekend, coming up just a bit short for the overall, he was able to take solace in the fact that he was able to finish a spot ahead of his RMEC nemesis Ron Schmelzle for the early lead in that series. Schmelzle has made the switch to KTM this season riding a 300XC for this event, noting that while he loves the power of the 300, "I'm still working to get it set up right for me". Schmelzle also lamented that at 70 miles in length, the event would be better if they could add some trail next year. Schmelzle's finish was by no means a lock though, as he just narrowly defeated Cameron Kirkpatrick, also KTM mounted and the YZ125 of Ian Blythe. The trio all finished on 17 points dropped, just 24 tie-breaker seconds separating them.
Ian Blythe Powers his YZ125 to Fifth Overall!
Haydn Franklin was the overall A winner, motoring his YZ250 to an 18 point score, good enough for sixth overall and right in the hunt with the AA riders. That was a solid three points ahead of fellow 250A rider Chris Crump, who narrowly edged Jeremy Henley, with just 18 seconds separating them. Second overall A belonged to Shannon Faulk, who piloted a KTM to an uncontested win in the 200A Class.
Topping The Over 40's was Rob Weiher!
Other A class winners included Brandon Hickman, topping the four-strokes. Rob Weiher, who rode a YZ250 to the front of the 40+ class, John Little, who narrowly defeated Jeff Hernandez for the 30+ victory and Kelly Simmons who topped the Open bikes.
Bobby Stuart and his KTM ended up tops in the B class, topping fellow 250 riders Nathan Dreasher and Billy Innis by just seconds for class honors, while 200 B rider, Erik Schmitt took his class win and second overall B.
The C Class overall was secured by Matt Butler, riding a Yamaha to a decisive three point victory over 250 class winner Bobby Brooks. Cory Robertson claimed the four-stroke class win at third overall, while Lane Conaway posted a statement for the young guns by finishing sixth overall, first in the 16 and under class.
Results:
Overall: Don Hogan (Yam)
Overall A: Haydn Franklin (Yam)
Overall B: Bobby Stuart (KTM)
Overall C: Matt Butler (Yam)
AA: 1. Bernie Frederick (Yam); 2. Ron Schmelzle (KTM); 3. Cameron Kirkpatrick (KTM); 4. Ian Blythe (Yam); 5. Chad Metcalf
200A: 1.Shannon Faulk (KTM); 2. David Nix (KTM)
250A: 1.Chris Crump (Yam); 2. Jeremy Henley (Yam); 3. Tommy Potts (Suz); 4. Martin Howell (Kaw); 5. Allen Phillips (Yam)
Open A: 1. Kelly Simmons (KTM); 2. Bill Bray (KTM); 3. Dave Anderson (KTM); 4. Randy Race (KTM); 5. Fred Robeson (KTM)
4-Stroke A: 1. Brandon Hickman (Kaw); 2. Cody Schafer (Kaw); 3. Michael Harrell (Hon); 4. Scot Stretch (Hon); 5. Lance Bross (Kaw)
30+ A: 1. John Little (KTM); 2. Jeff Hernandez (Suz); 3. Mike Harvey (KTM)
40+ A: Rob Weiher (Yam); 2. Mark Atkins (Suz); 3. Gary Miller (Suz); 4. Kevin O’Leary (KTM); 5. Bill Marsh (KTM)
50+ A: 1. Mike Richmond (Hon); 2. Michael Gibson (KTM); 3. Daniel Daily (Yam); 4. Archie Taliafero (KTM)
200 B: 1. Erik Schmitt (KTM); 2. Logan Damron (KTM); 3. Brett Goertz (KTM); 4. Heath Pennell (KTM); 5. Brian Cagianut (KTM)
250 B: 1. Nathan Dreasher (KTM); 2. Billy Innis (Suz); 3. David Brooks (KTM); 4. Curtis Miller (Yam); 5.Chris Damron (Yam)
Open B: 1. Greg Storie (KTM); 2. Jeff Markewicz (KTM); 3. Brett Anderson (KTM); 4. Barry Barber (KTM); 5. Jeremy Mims (KTM)\