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Osage County Fairgrounds PAWHUSKA OKLAHOMA MAY 20, 2000 By Bob Oertle Scherb Smokes and Whitney Strokes at the Outlaw Nationals - Oklahoma Showdown Racers from Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma participated in the MoBros Productions Old Country Buffet Outlaw National races. Several brands of motorcycles were entered into competition including a cool KR-750 Harley Davidson owned by Craig Watson from Spencer, Oklahoma. Craig and his father own four other Harley Davidson Vintage Dirt Trackers. It is hard to imagine someone racing a 1958 model Harley Davidson, but it sure was sweet to hear that V-Twin engine thunder the Osage hills in Oklahoma. Mixed in with the thousands of engines from the biker rally, it was V-Twin heaven. Pro riders earned a true 100% payback of their entry fees. All fifty bucks of the entry fee was put into the purse and paid to the top place riders, no gate or pit pass fee was collected or taken from the entry fee. Amateurs received plaques to the top five places in every class, regardless of the number of entries, classes with four riders received four plaques, three received three etc. 250 PRO division provided one of the tightest races of the evening, with the lead changing three times. The riders were all within a bikes length the entire eight laps of the qualifying heat races. National number 78 Scott Scherb took over first place when Justin Whitney lost traction coming out of turn two, which led onto the round sweeper of the tri-oval track. Scherb went on to win the ten lap main event later in the evening. 600 PRO class saw Justin Whitney 18g on his Rotax ace national number 78 Scott Scherb in the final. Scherb came from third position to take second over Ben Brewer, working the track on the top, bottom and in the middle, Scherb could not find the combination to get around Whitney for the win. All three riders were on Rotax machines. AMATEUR CLASSES included the Scherb family of racers dominating the amateur classes. Lucas Scherb winning the 85 amateur race his twin brother Logan taking second their older brother Merle Scherb besting all other riders and taking first place honors in the Open Amateur class aboard his popular orange and black Harley Davidson / Rotax machine. 250 AMATEUR class was won by Scott Beckley aboard his specially prepared DTX Suzuki Fast Forward Racing prepared machine. Scott's mom and dad Linda and Ed Beckley were enjoying a well earned day off, allowing both of them a rare opportunity to coach their son Scott. Normally they both are working their tails off promoting and producing motorcycle races, monster truck shows and other motor sports events. They had to get an early start after the races to head south to still yet another road race. They are one busy racing family. Several of the riders came from the CFP play/press day at Hutchinson Kansas the day before on Friday. They all tested the wide smooth half-mile at HUTCH, which will be host to the AMA GNC July 8, 2000, and an amateur event the next day on Sunday July 9, 2000. Brian Isbell Yukon, Oklahoma suffered an exploded Rotax engine right at the start finish line during a practice session. Pieces of his engine were scattered all down the straight. Unfortunate for Brian, we wish him best of speed in getting that bike back together, he is an excellent short track rider. A couple of riders to watch for in the near future from Kansas are number 9nRyan Cheatum and number 22, 14 year old Will Sawhill from Kansas both displayed great riding style on the short track at Pawhuska. Thousands of motorcycles thundered the hillsides in Pawhuska, Oklahoma all weekend for the 21st annual Mayfit Biker Rally. For the first time in history the Old Country Buffet Outlaw Nationals Oklahoma Showdown Short Track Motorcycle races were held at the Osage County Fairgrounds across from Biker Park. Pro and Amateur entries including quads and motorcycle racers vied for cash and trophies in ten classes on the 1/8 mile tri-oval dirt track which was specially constructed inside the Ben Johnson Rodeo Arena. Dirt prep equipment used during the program ensured a smooth and level racing surface. This maintenance of the track provided excellent short track racing during the entire evening. There were only three incidents where riders fell, two were low sides and one awesome high-side. There were no injuries to any of the racers. However, two bikers that crashed in a hairpin turn adjacent to the fairgrounds suffered injuries. Our ambulance personnel and Scott Scherb quickly cared for them both. Special thanks to Chuck Maxwell of the Osage County Fairgrounds and to Ed Beckley who kept everyone aware of the conditions of the track and informed the track maintenance people of the importance of their role. Riders passed on the top and bottom of the D shaped natural cushion track. The track was much larger than most indoor facilities, although this is a rodeo arena, it is one of the largest outdoor arenas in a five state area. There is also a narrow 3/4 mile horse race dirt track at the fairgrounds, which at one time was called Osage Downs. Hats off to the entire City of Pawhuska, the Osage County Fair Board, the race fans, and especially to all of the county maintenance personnel that assisted in making this a very accommodating place to race. The track was totally dust free and all races were equal due to the excellent track maintenance performed by the Fairgrounds crew. Thanks to the MoBros crew for another safe, quick event: Starter Justin Elswick, Safety team Justin Gregory, Jeff Shelton, Tim Gregory, Gate Keeper Shelly Shelton, announcer Bob Oertle and ticket sales by Rob Bowie. All the paper work kept in immaculate condition by our friend of flattrack racing and Clerk of the Course / Score Keeper Rhonda Scherb. Trophies designed and printed by the BBR graphics a division of the Bethesda Boys Ranch. Next Oklahoma Showdown ST races June 30 and July 1, 2000 Will Rogers Round Up Club Rodeo Arena, Claremore, Oklahoma. Phone 918-831-20332 for information. OUTLAW NATIONALS OKLAHOMA SHOWDOWN OSAGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, PAWHUSKA, OKLAHOMA MAY 20, 2000 MAIN EVENTS MAIN EVENT 85cc Junior 7-11 Year Olds RACE # 1
MAIN EVENT 85CC SENIOR 12-15 YEAR OLDS RACE # 2
MAIN EVENT 250 AMATEUR RACE # 3
MAIN EVENT OPEN AMATEUR RACE # 4
MAIN EVENT MAD DOG 150CC FOUR STROKE MINI RACE # 5
MAIN EVENT 250 PRO RACE # 6
MAIN EVENT 600 PRO RACE # 7
MAIN EVENT VINTAGE SINGLE / TWIN COMBINED RACE # 8
MAIN EVENT QUAD OVAL RACE # 9
Osage County Fairgrounds By Bob Oertle Copyright 2000 MoBros Productions All rights reserved / Any part may be reprinted without editorial license provided Outlaw Nationals Oklahoma Showdown and MoBros Productions are acknowledged in the copy.
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