Williamson Wins Illinois OMA

Mark Kariya | October 31, 2005

Justin Williamson showed poise and confidence at The Race, round 10 of the Parts Unlimited Off-road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals, presented by Pirelli, in Fenton, Illinois, October 30. Williamson, aboard the Williamsonracing.com Yamaha YZ250, ran in front for most of the 70-mile event, but he couldn’t shake Jimmy Jarrett, on the Andrews Cycles/Kenda/Moose Suzuki RM250.

Jarrett, the defending champ, thought he had it won when he passed Williamson a few miles from the finish. Williamson, however, found a faster line around a log section and re-passed Jarrett. As they entered the motocross track for the final few hundred yards, Jarrett lost his bearings in the dark peat dust, over-jumped a small jump and cartwheeled off the track, tweaking his wrist and sealing his runner-up finish.

Shane Watts came from behind to finish third. He was unable to mount a serious charge for much of the last half of the race after hitting something, which almost tore the pipe from his KTMHutt.com/Fun Mart Cycles/Moose 200 EXC. A split radiator hose also left him precariously low on coolant.

After running as high as third, Brian Garrahan claimed fourth on his Rentoneonline.com/NorCal Motorsports/Moose Suzuki RM250, while Kawasaki rider Alan Westerfield finished fifth in the Pro class and sixth overall. Open A winner Matt Fish, on a KTM 250, was fifth overall.

Williamson’s win leaves him still a few points short of Jarrett with one round remaining, and the unofficial results have him tied for second with Watts.