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Wineland Keeps the Streak Alive, Takes Texas Creek!
Rocky Mountain Trials Association
Round 3: Texas Creek
By George Pennington
Cotopaxi, CO | April 3, 2005
The weather gods smiled down upon Colorado and the RMTA today, providing bright sunny weather and temperatures in the 70’s for the 83 riders who converged on the Texas Creek OHV recreation area for round three of the championship series. The days sections featured numerous and consistent elevation changes as well as plenty of loose rock and rock formations to negotiate. While upper class riders were mostly pleased with the course conditions, many of the lower class riders were feeling overly challenged, leading to consistently high scores and DNF’s.
One rider that is always up to the challenge is RMTA Champion Keith Wineland. Wineland, riding a four-year old borrowed bike, again went home with the overall win today, but not without challenge. Stevie Darrow, who, as of late has been rapidly improving his game, challenged Wineland throughout the day, only to succumb to Wineland after a brilliant third loop effort by the Champ. Leading up to the final loop though, Darrow kept it close. Posting a 15 point score to the 13 of Wineland, Darrow placed himself in a competitive position entering loop two, in which he posted a 10 point score to the 11 of Wineland and closed the gap to a single point entering loop three. It’s been a long time since Wineland has been so closely challenged, and reacting like the Champion that he is, Wineland attacked the final loop, dropping only five points to the consistent 10 point score of Darrow to secure the win and keep the streak alive.
The Advanced class saw a new face in the winners circle today, as Scorpa mounted Ben Wehling returned from hiatus to put a stop to Bailey Tucker’s win streak. Marty Kulick posted the best score at the end of loop one, finishing with eight points dropped to the 13 of Tucker and the 10 of Wehling. Wehling came alive in the second loop, posting a five point score to Tucker’s eight and Kulick’s nine, turning a two point deficit into a two point advantage heading into loop three. “Closing the deal”, Wehling went to work in the final loop, posting a three and placing himself atop the class. Kulick’s 13 point score was bested by the five of Tucker, who took over second place, relegating Kulick to third.
With 17 riders in attendance, the Amateur class was the largest of the day, and featured the most DNF’s. The class of the class today was Gas Gas mounted Chris Willbanks. Willbanks led from the start, dropping nine points, whilst Bill Haskell, who finished second on the day dropped 13. Haskell tried to challenge, posting a 9/6 to Willbanks’ 6/7 in the final loops, but the gap was insurmountable. Gary Owens rounded out the top three with his first podium position on his new four-stroke Montesa.
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Results:
Championship: 1. Keith Wineland (GG); 2. Stevie Darrow (GG); 3. Kevin Busch (GG)
Expert: 1. Mike Young (She); 2. Steve Deines (GG); 3. John Sinks (GG); 4. James Sinks (GG); 5. Brian Koerwitz (She)
Veteran: 1. Steve Darrow (Mon)
Advanced: 1. Ben Wehling (Sco); 2. Bailey Tucker (GG); 3. Marty Kulick (She); 4. Nicole Bradford (GG); 5. Keifer Jacobson (GG)
Sr. Advanced: 1. Tom Thompson (GG); 2. Tom Hedwall (GG); 3. Tracy Zentz (Mon); 4. Alan Duke (Bet); 5. Ron Gardner (GG)
Intermediate: 1. George Pennington (Bet); 2. Tim Willbanks (GG); 3. Mark Jacobson (GG); 4. Sarah Duke (GG); 5. Dan Albrecht (GG)
Sr. Intermediate: 1. Mike Stokes (Mon); 2. Jeff Payne (GG); 3. Douglas Bradbury; 4. Richard Loucks (Mon); 5. Larry Lund
Amateur: 1. Chris Willbanks (GG); 2. Bill Haskell; 3. Gary Owens (Mon); 4. David Koerwitz (She); 5. Jared Drake
Novice: 1. David Scharich; 2. Darin Baker; 3. Bevin Sharpe (GG); 4. Ronnie Mize; 5. Andrew Sinks (GG)
Women: 1. Maggie Kunz (Bet); 2. Kjelen Jacobson (GG)
Jr. A: 1. Alex Tucker; 2. Zach Leute
Jr. B: 1. Oliver Smith; 2. Tristan Sinks; 3. Marcos Olivas
*As seen in Cycle News