BEDFORD, KY

There are some events that, through bad timing or bad luck, always seem to have weather "issues." The annual Dixie Cup trial at Saddleback East in Bedford, Kentucky, comes to mind. This year, however, competitors at rounds eight and nine were treated to bright skies, cool temperatures, and two days of great sections. Longtime organizer Brad Baumert considered the event a huge success.

"We've had trials events here for the last 15 years," Baumert commented, "and this year we had the best conditions ever - no rain, and the temperatures were in the mid-70s."

Yuki Watanabe, the only Champ rider, mastered the sections at the Saddleback event. Watanabe put on a great show, with many people doing the classic "shake the head and laugh."

The Expert class had many top contenders on hand. Chris Zuroske and Sam Markley (above) split wins: Zuroske won on Saturday and Markley on Sunday. Markley barely sneaked into second place on Saturday, taking the position by only a few cleans. However, he won convincingly on Sunday. Adam Blumhorst posted consistent third-place finishes, followed by Jim Zuroske and Travis Daniels (below left).

The Sprague brothers once again dominated the Advanced class, with Ken taking the win on Saturday and Andy retaliating on Sunday. With an incredible second day, Andy took the overall.

"I slipped up the last loop and gave it away," Ken said. "I took a five in one of the sections."

The points standings in the Advanced class are all tied up between Doug Hodgdon and Steve Berry with eight rounds of competition left.

Randy Misner pulled off his first wins of the season in the Senior class. Misner was a very excited man when awards time came. He and second-place finisher Denis Ziolkowski are very close in the series standings, and these wins helped Misner greatly, closing the gap to only three points.

The Herrel brothers are dominating the Youth classes. Seth Herrel won both days in the Youth A class. He will be mixing it up in the Novice class very soon. His younger brother Jared led in the Youth B class, with Angel Spring in second both days. Billy Spring rode his electric Oset motorcycle to a third-place finish each day in Youth B competition.

The Trials Inc. Series will be heading on to beautiful Newark, Ohio, for rounds 10 and 11. Newark is home to some of the best terrain seen on the TI circuit. With many riders in fierce battles for their class championships, these next two rounds could be the deciding factors in their championship hopes.

Results

Saturday - Round 8

CHAMP: 1. Yuki Watanabe.

EX: 1. Chris Zuroske; 2. Sam Markley; 3. Adam Blumhorst; 4. Jim Zuroske; 5. Travis Daniels.

ADV: 1. Ken Sprague; 2. Andy Sprague; 3. Bill Super; 4. Steve Berry; 5. Mark Spring.

SPTSMN: 1. Krystof Buniewicz; 2. Glenn Reed; 3. Joe Misner; 4. Greg Blair; 5. Mark Stephens.

INT: 1. Michael Merz; 2. Quinn Wentzel; 3. Daryl Gans; 4. Russell Merz; 5. William Spring.

SR A: 1. Joseph Clark; 2. Jim Watson; 3. Steve Williams; 4. Kirby Kuhl; 5. Steve Wollam.

SR: 1. Randall Misner; 2. Dennis Ziolkowski.

OPEN: 1. Robert Wentzel; 2. Gilbert Reed.

NOV: 1. Mont Annis; 2. Robert Huber; 3. Kori Blair.

YTH A: 1. Seth Herrel.

YTH B: 1. Jared Herrel; 2. Angel Spring; 3. William Spring Jr.

Sunday - Round 9

CHAMP: 1. Yuki Watanabe.

EX: 1. Sam Markley; 2. Chris Zuroske; 3. Adam Blumhorst; 4. Jim Zuroske; 5. Travis Daniels.

ADV: 1. Andy Sprague; 2. Charlie Gilfert; 3. Bill Super; 4. Ken Sprague; 5. Steve Berry.

SPTSMN: 1. Krystof Buniewicz; 2. Glenn Reed; 3. Mike Harker; 4. Mark Stephens; 5. Greg Blair.

INT: 1. Quinn Wentzel; 2. Michael Merz; 3. Daryl Gans; 4. Robert Haines; 5. Russell Merz.

SR A: 1. Jim Watson; 2. Kirby Kuhl; 3. Steve Williams.

SR: 1. Randall Misner; 2. Dennis Ziolkowski.

OPEN: 1. Gilbert Reed.

NOV: 1. Robert Wentzel; 2. Mont Annis; 3. Kori Blair; 4. Paul Huber; 5. Robert Huber.

YTH A: 1. Seth Herrel.

YTH B: 1. Jared Herrel; 2. Angel Spring; 3. William Spring Jr.