Anaheim II Practice Update
| January 16, 2004
Among the biggest news at Anaheim II to start the day surrounded number-100 RM250 sitting in the ECC Suzuki pits. That bike belongs to former factory rider and supercross winner Mike Craig – also the team’s manager. He originally planned on racing the 125cc Western Region, but a badly injured toe on his left foot has kept him off a bike for almost three weeks now. He says he’s making his return at Anaheim II so that he will be 100 percent by San Diego – his home race. Looks like another former star is making his return.
Another rider returning to competition tomorrow night will be Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Eric Sorby, in his American 250cc debut. Mitch Payton said Sorby wanted some seat time before the 125cc Eastern series kicks off in about a month.
Both Team Yamaha’s Timmy Ferry and Amsoil/Chaparral Honda’s Chris Gosselaar took pretty big diggers today in practice. Ferry went down hard in today’s first practice and sat out the second one with a reported sore wrist. He’s hopeful to return to the track tomorrow. Gosselaar, on the other hand, went down hard entering a section of whoops and had to be carted off the track on the Asterisk Mule reportedly with a pretty sore melon and a banged up ankle. His return tomorrow will be based on how his head is doing.
The track this week features some unique sections, including the over-under bridge that was used last week at Phoenix and a sand pit, among others. The track looked somewhat one-lined today – especially through the sand – and some of the riders were complaining about it being too easy. It will be interesting to see if any changes are made before tomorrow’s practice starts.
