Smail Wins Western Four-Stroke Motocross Title
28 August 1997
R97098 August 28, 1997 For Immediate Release SMAIL SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS WESTERN FOUR-STROKE MOTOCROSS TITLE WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Lance Smail rode a KTM to his second straight AMA Western Four-Stroke Motocross Series championship. The 26-year-old from Kent, Wash., won five of the eight series races and clinched the title by winning the season finale in front of his homestate fans in Washougal, Wash. Smail, who has raced pro motocross for 10 years, opened the season with a perfect pair of moto wins at Cottonwood, Ariz. Smail went on to win four more events, scoring perfect moto finishes at Sacramento, San Bernardino, Boise and Washougal. Smail finished second two of the three rounds he didn't win, he finished second in two of them. Smail's toughest competition came from Husaburg rider Shaun Kalos. Kalos won three rounds in the series and finished second overall. Mike Healey finished third on a Honda. In addition to his success in the Western Four-Stoke Series, Smail qualified for the main of the Daytona Supercross on his KTM four-stroke motocross bike. Smail also made the main at the opening round of the AMA 250cc National Motocross Series at Gainesville, Fla. Smail said he plans on returning to try for his third Western Four-Stroke title in 1998. -30- Connie Fleming American Motorcyclist Association Public Relations Administrator http://www.ama-cycle.org 614-891-2425