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IGSA US
Nationals, Barret Junction, Oct. 2001
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Racers left to right: Randal Fuller, Mark
Johnson, Brian Kiggins, Jake Kaplan (am luge),
Gerhard Lanz, Dave Rogers, Scott Peer, Andy Lally,
Bob Ozman, Neil Orta (starter), Darren Lott,
Richard Hodkinson, Pat Moody, Richard Shoaff, and
Chris McBride.
(photo courtesy of Chris
McBride)
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One of the toughest
fields in the world gathered to contest the title
for US Nationals Champion. Andy
Lally came fresh from
victory in Ohio, followed by fellow medalists,
Chris McBride and Brian Kiggins. Richard Hodkinson
came all the way from England with his "Aviemore
Special" and the legendary Gerhard Lanz flew in
from Austria.
Bob Ozman was the
rocket in qualifying, blistering a 2:19 on the
first run. The next fastest riders were 2 seconds
behind him.
The first round
featured mostly 3 man heats, the 4th slots empty to
preserve the 16 man bracketing. Bob Ozman and Brian
Kiggins dropped Chris McBride before the first
switchback. Mark Johnson hung back off Darren
Lott's shoulders all the way down and even broke
occassionally to avoid taking the lead. Gerhard
Lanz and Pat Moody transfered from their heats, as
did Andy Lally and Dave Rogers.
The semis were tough
all around. When Johnson saw he was faced with
Ozman and Lott, he lamented "Now what am I supposed
to do?" "Watch and learn,watch and learn," advised
fellow underdog Kiggins. Ozman got away early, but
Johnson was not about to give up. He held onto Lott
like glue through several turns, the two sliding
shoulder to shoulder. But eventually Lott hooked up
early and shot off to the finals with
Ozman.
Lanz and Rogers also
shuffled the deck until these two top qualifiers
transfered to the finals, leaving Moody and Lally
to the consolation round.
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(photo
by Kent Kochheiser)
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(photo
by Kent Kochheiser)
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The Final:
Aside from riding fast, Ozman was also starting
fast. Coming into the first switchback, Ozman had a
clear lead and his choice of fast lines.
Lott and Lanz had about the same
momentum through the first part of the course,
pitting them shoulder to shoulder coming into the
first switchback.
Rogers was smart and hung back,
allowing himself the luxury of a good line and
possibly capitalizing on an error by either Lott or
Lanz.
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Gerhard likes to dive in hard on
Darren, braking less and cutting hard inside. It's
a move that's been repeated from Austria, to
Scotland, Utah and beyond. Occassionally it works.
But more often, when you are riding with the
fastest guys in the world, they are not over
braking for the turns. And if you go in hotter,
you'll only have to slide off the extra
speed.
Which is what
happened.
Gerhard slide hard. Darren stuck
the turn. Ozman bobbled. Darren dropped Gerhard and
was off to see the Wizard.
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(photo
by Kent Kochheiser)
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(photo
by Kent
Kochheiser)
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Darren was reeling in Bob
through the next Switchback but never quite had
enough steam to attempt a full pass. Bob rode
extremely hard and could certainly sense Darren's
feet occasionally overlapping his neck. Darren
would skim a heel and drop back. But never enough
room or momentum to pass though the turns. That
would have to wait for the long straight before the
finish line.
Meanwhile, Dave picked his lines
carefully and maximized traction around the turns.
Gerhard recovered and the two were back in the
hunt.
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After 1.5 miles of rough road,
switchbacks and cat tracks, this is what it came
down to. Four of the fastest racers in the world,
shoulder to shoulder, stretching for the finish
line.
In the last 1/8 mile straight
away, Rogers used the double draft of the
Ozman/Lott battle to sling shot around on the
right. Gerhard Lanz split off to the left. But only
Rogers timed his pass correctly and once again the
Gold was to be his.
IGSA gave out wonderful etched
glass trophies instead of medals. And instead of
Champagne, Darren showed Dave with a box of Cheese
Nips he had handy.
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(photo
by Sherman Stebbins)
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(photo
by Chris McBride)
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1st - Dave
Rogers
2nd - Bob Ozman
3rd - Darren Lott
4th - Gerhard Lanz
5th - Pat Moody
6th - Brian Kiggins
7th - Andy Lally
8th - Mark Johnson
9th - Chris McBride
10th - Richard Hodkinson
11th - Scott Peer
12th - Richard Shoaff
13th - Randal Fuller
Visit IGSA's site for the
Qualifying
Times
Visit Officer Sherm's site for the more
pictures
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Darren Lott ©2001
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