Team BMS Factory Racing takes top spot in Junior Expert OMRRA
Jun 12, 2005, By Staff, From a press release issued by Smokin' Pocketbikes
McMinville in June. As always, the unpredictable northwest weather made for interesting events peppered throughout some tight nail biting racing. Team BMS Factory Racing riders put their heads down and tucked knees this past OMRRA (Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association) weekend resulting in good success.
Mother Nature showed her temper from the start. Sunday morning practice brought a quick shower, taking two riders down as her clouds passed overhead. Team BMS Factory Racing junior novice riders Colton Evans (#10) and Peter Lenz (#45), who two weeks earlier finished the novice main event, 1 and 2 respectively, went down. Peter was following Colton when Colton's tires slide on wet cool track. Peter later said "I had to think quick. I either was going to run Colton over or his bike. I hit his bike." By doing that, Peter lost front traction and ended up crashing as well. The session was red flagged because Colton was slow to get up, requiring medical attention for his previously broken wrist. The rest of the practice sessions were run on a dry but gusty track.
OMRRA runs eight lap morning heat races where riders are initially gridded based on the previous race's finish position. Heat race finish positions determine the starting positions for the afternoon ten lap main race.
With Colton and Peter being jarred from their morning crashes which granted them minimal track time in that warm up session, they were slow in finding a rhythm. Colton and Peter, gridded first and second, lapsed to sixth and seventh at the start. Finding a good balance they moved up to overtake seven riders finishing the novice heat race second and third, with Peter one bike length behind the first place finisher. Coming off the track, the boys were pumped and couldn't wait for their afternoon main.
Team BMS Factory Racing's junior expert racers Terry 'TJ' Hart (#69), Bennie Taylor (#1) and Devon McDonough (#67) ran the morning heat races for Junior GP Open, and Junior Production with gusto. TJ took the win in both classes with both his teammates finishing in the top four.
The Main Events!
The afternoon races didn't start off with a bang, but rather a clunk, as Peter experienced an aftershock of his morning crash resulting in his footpeg falling off as he pulled away from the grid. Team owner Ben Taylor's quick reaction and professional preparation was able to get Peter's BMS 4.2 back on the track after only a short delay, allowing Peter to recover and finish inside the top 10. The bad luck continued when Colton's previous injuries flared up, causing him pain up during the main event. Colton was able to push through his discomfort and come home with a respectable third place finish. Not the one/two finish the boys enjoyed two weeks earlier, but considering the circumstances a job well done on both accounts.
The Junior Production main was up first. After solid wins in the heat races, TJ was looking for more of the same in the mains and he got it. He had a walk away win through a solid performance in choosing his lines perfectly with precision and grace. The real racing action was behind TJ, for the runner up spot. Between current NW overall #1 plate holder Bennie Taylor, his Team BMS Factory Racing teammate Devon McDonough, and BMS mounted NW MiniMoto rider, Robert Linse. In the early going the trio was bunched together. Eventually Devon dropped two seconds back for the dueling duo. Robert took the lead midway and slowly pulled the advantage when they hit the back straight for Bennie was buffeted by the swirling winds due to his lighter weight. Bennie's lighter frame is normally an advantage but the tables were turned this race weekend thanks to mother nature. TJ again took the top spot with Bennie turning a respectable third.
Junior GP Open was one of the last races of the day. TJ, Bennie and Devon were all set, with Bennie and Devon looking to improve upon their earlier results. The track conditions were near perfect with a warm track and cool air. The race started and the same four boys became the front pack. This time TJ really put his head down and checked out early on his BMS 4.2. Without the wind Robert, Bennie and Devon were tight for several laps. Unfortunately for Devon an uncharacteristic mechanical failure cost him fourth position and resulted in a DNF. The crowd of parents, fans and passersby who paused by the side of the road to watch, were cringing and cheering as the remaining two boys dueled for second position. Robert and Bennie were going at it every lap, on every corner, but Bennie was not able to make his way around Robert, who much to his credit was blocking Bennie's every passing attempt. Bennie made a daring last ditch effort to square off Robert but wasn't able to drive underneath as Robert again blocked his line. Bennie ran out of time, as TJ well out front, took the checkered flag.
The boys had fun this eventful weekend and even with their bumps, bruises and adversity, turned in some good results. Team BMS Factory Racing will race into action June 25-26 at Portland International Raceway.
About Team BMS Factory Racing
Smokin Pocketbikes races as Team BMS Factory Racing, the only factory junior pocketbike team in the U.S. Smokin Pocketbikes is sponsored by Bianchi Motor Sports (BMS) USA, JGT Investments, Echo Alley Web Development, Black Flag Racing, The Rag Man, Knight Karting, Digatron, Rain City Power Sports, Race Dezigns, Four Seasons Automotive, Signsmart, Sign of the Times, Action Motor Sports, BW Construction, Classic Exhibits, Tranquil Velocity Productions.
For more information about Smokin Pocketbikes or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities please call: 360-896-3433, or visit: http://www.smokinpocketbikes.com
