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2007
RACE STORY & PHOTOS
Lorusso Does it Again
Story by: Jim Edgar
Photo’s by: Jim Edgar
February
18, 2007 marked the 4th Annual National Vet Motocross Champion, held
at Motocross of Marion County in Reddick, FL. Steering the event was longtime
Motocross promoter, Lou Whitney of ProSports USA, and the Blackburn Family of MX
of Marion County. The combination of these two forces resulted in a first class
race event.
This
unique race is the only one of its kind in Florida, offering classes for the
“Vet” riders 25 years old and up. Support classes are also offered at the event
so no one is left out.
Tony
Lorusso (Suz) was back from Connecticut to defend his Plus 30 Vet Pro crown.
When the gate dropped for moto one, it appeared that Lorusso was positioned to
repeat his title by taking the holeshot. Lorusso was followed closely by Lee
Tatham (Suz), Mark Murphy (Hon), John Camelio (Hon) and Florida’s favorite old
guy, Keith Oelerich (Kaw), the rider with the biggest chance to defeat Lorusso.
However, Oelerich was marred with a bad start and had to try and make quick work
of the riders in front of him to challenge Lorusso. As Lorusso clicked off lap
after lap unchallenged Oelerich made quick work of Camelio and Murphy. Though
Tatham put up a fight with Oelerich for a few laps, Oelerich got by and set his
sights on Lorusso. As Lorusso clicked off the laps, Oelerich could not run him
down. At moto’s end it was Lorusso, Oelerich, Tatham, Murphy and Camelio.
Moto two
Oelerich knew he had to get out in front of Lorusso if he had any chance of
defeating him. Through the first turn, it was Oelerich with the holeshot
followed by Lorusso, Tatham, Camelio and Brad Kadu (Yam). The stage was set for
a battle between Oelerich and Lorusso, but, on lap one, Oelerich had to pull off
the track with a faulty holeshot device. By the time Oelerich was able to fix the
problem, Lorusso set a blistering pace with the field in tow and Oelerich was in
last place. Oelerich passed Kadau then Camelio and worked on Tatham to make the
pass for 2nd. By the checkers it was Lorusso with a big lead over
Oelerich, Tatham, Camelio and Kadu.
When the
Plus 40 Senior Pro class hit the first turn it was Barry McCarty (Hon) with Mark
Murphy (Hon), John Camelio (Hon), and Keith Oelerich (Kaw) following. Oelerich
with a bad start had to make his move quick if he was going to have a shot at
the title. At the close of lap one, Oelerich had passed Camelio and Murphy and
was looking to get McCarty. With McCarty and Oelerich battling, the two came
close a few times then Oelerich went to take the inside on McCarty and both
riders went down. This gave Murphy the lead with Camelio right behind him and
Craig Cooler (Hon) in 3rd. Oelerich remounted and put his head down
to pass everyone in front of him for the moto win.
With
moto one on the books, Oelerich rocked out of the gate and never looked back to
take the win. Rounding out the field was Murphy, Camelio and Cooler.
Tom
Bragg’s (Hon) who came into the race this year with 5 Vet National titles to his
credit, walked away with 2 more titles to his name. Bragg has won the Plus 55
class every year of the event and is a two-time Plus 50 Champion. He’s now added
the Plus 60 title to his resume.
The
support class saw Larry “Bo” Partin win two classes and Alex Lopez walk away
with two classes as well.
All
trophy winners also received product contingencies provided by Vortex Racing,
Answer, MSR, and Pro-Taper.
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