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Wineland Not Perfect--Just Unbeatable!
Rocky Mountain Trials Association
Round 4: Tucker Ranch
Cotopaxi, CO | June 4, 2006
By George Pennington
One point, just one dab, is all that separated reigning champion Keith Wineland from perfection as he topped the field for the overall win today at round four of the Rocky Mountain Trials Association's Championship series. At first glance, it may seem that conditions were easy or favorable for Wineland to achieve this score, but based on the scores posted by the other Champ Class contenders, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, extremely warm conditions with temps in the 90's challenged the stamina of many, with a lot of riders scoring their highest totals in the final loop. That was the case with runner-up of the day, Stevie Darrow. Darrow had posted a respectable 11 points in each of the first two loops, nd seemed to have a lock on second. But, inconsistency in the third loop cost him 24 points and allowed class newcomer Bailey Tucker to come dangerously close to nabbing the position. Darrow was able to maintain a narrow advantage of four points in the end to seal the position. Although he was unable to overtake Darrow, Tucker's consistent scores prove he's a contender and will be a force to reckon with sooner, rather than later.
With nine entries today, the Advanced Class was the second largest of the day, and arguably, the most hotly contested. Topping the field, for the third time in this young season was class veteran Ryan Jonke. Montesa mounted Jarrod Tilton led through the first two loops, holding a two point advantage entering the third and final loop. With the pressure on, Jonke went on to score a class low five point total in the final, while Tilton succumbed to the pressure and the heat to post his highest loop score, dropping 14 points and handing the win over to Jonke. Greg Howie used consistent scores to place his Gas Gas in the final podium position.
125cc's was enough for John Clement as he buzzed his way to the Senior Amateur Class win today over the more conventional rides of Sherco 290 mounted David Koerwitz and the 250cc Scorpa of Wayne Mohler. Koerwitz actually matched Clement's scores in loops two and three, but had given away too many points in the first loop to mount a serious attack for the win.
Dan Wickersham started off this season in a new class, aboard a new Sherco, with a new goatee and now has his first Intermediate Class win under his belt. Wickersham wrapped up the first loop with a narrow single point lead over eventual runner-up finisher Chris Willbanks, but it was loops two and three where he really shined, dropping only four points in each them, while Willbanks was unable to improve over his opening loop score and faded back. Making a break from the vintage trials scene, Dave Lindeman rode a Beta to third.
Results:
Championship: 1. Keith Wineland; 2. Stevie Darrow; 3. Bailey Tucker; 4. Kevin Busch; 5. Dusty Hedwall
Expert: 1. Mike Young; 2. Keith Busch
Advanced: 1. Ryan Jonke; 2. Jarrod Tilton; 3. Greg Howie; 4. Dion Plsek; 5. Patrick Howie
Sr. Advanced: 1. Tom Thompson; 2. Tom Hedwall; 3. Ron Gardner; 4. Ian Smith; 5. Gary Plsek
Intermediate: 1. Dan Wickersham; 2. Chris Willbanks; 3. Dave Lindeman
Sr. Intermediate: 1. J. Sheets; 2. Niemiec
Veteran: 1. Russ Todd; 2. Larry Lund; 3. Frank Peterson; 4. Mark Dujmovic
Amateur: 1. Mark Berry; 2. Ronie Mize; 3. Scott Richardson; 3. Jared Drake; 4. Darin Baker
Sr. Amateur: 1. John Clement; 2. David Koerwitz; 3. Wayne Mohler; 4. Herb Jonke; 5. Fred Martinson
Novice: 1. Kayla Grace-Sharpe; 2. Jake Mize; 3. Bevin Sharpe; 4. Tyler Pennington; 5. Dan Butler
Jr. A: 1. Rayen Jonke; 2. Alex Tucker; 3. Ty Lindeman
Jr. B: 1. Oliver Smith; 2. Isabella Parker; 3. Devon Scharich; 4. Eleanor Smith; 5. Nigel Parker