Offroad Motorcycle and Atv Nationals Nationals 2006 Series Round #6 - Memphis, MO Moonshine 100 July 29-30, 2006

OMA Round 6:

Duane Johnson

Local racer Duane Johnson took the holeshot at the Mid America Motorsports Park near Memphis Missouri on Saturday July 29 and ultimately finished with his first OMA victory. Johnson rode his Honda 450R for eight laps of the six mile course in one hour and fifty two minutes. The weather was brutal with a heat index approaching 110 degrees, but eighteen pros led a field of fifty seven riders through the woods for another round of the OMA Nationals series with yet another new winner. “A couple guys got around me right after the start” said Johnson. “I just kind of wanted to let them lead. I didn’t know where anything was at that first lap. I got back in the lead just before the checkpoint on the first lap and stayed in the lead from then on.”

Thirty seconds behind Johnson was second place rider Ryan Morphew who also had a good start on his Honda 450. Morphew “was second right there behind Duane Johnson.” He said “I rode with him (Johnson) for a while. Me and him and (Ryan) Lane was together and I stalled it in a corner and they got away from me. I dropped back to about fifth or sixth. (Then) I just pushed hard and passed a couple of them and ended up second.”

Donald Ockerman

Donald Ockerman rounded out the all Honda podium with a third place finish just twelve seconds ahead of series points leader Rob Zimmerman. Ockerman got around him for the final podium position when Zimmerman hooked a wheel and was sucked in to a corn field. The track “was fast” according to Ockerman. “You had to have good suspension. You could go wide open if you had it.” Ockerman used a lot of fuel on the high speed sections and was worried about running out of fuel before he brought his Honda 450 in to the finish checkpoint at just over one hour and fifty five minutes.

Ryan Morphew

Seventh place overall went to thirty eight year old A Class rider Darrell Bozarth riding the highest placing Yamaha of the race. Bozarth crossed the finish line at two hours and three minutes. When asked how he won the A Class, all Bozarth could say was “heart.” His friends were helping the exhausted Bozarth get cooled down and attending to the huge blisters he developed on his grueling ride. Bozarth and eighth place overall rider Daniel Schaefer (Honda) were the only A Class riders to complete 8 laps. The final non pro who completed eight laps was +30 ATV rider Jeff Schrock (Honda) who won his class and finished eleventh overall in a time of two hours and seven minutes.

The ITP Moonshine Round six of the OMA Nationals provided another great show even in conditions that were much less than perfect. Riders and spectators visited a beautiful riding area in rural Missouri and were treated to a weekend of exciting racing. Bill Gusse and his OMA Nationals team created a classic mix of single track woods, wide open grass track, and natural motocross terrain for the enjoyment of everyone involved. This is off road racing.

OMA Nationals Round #6 - Results

Article and photos by John Gasso

www.omanationals.com

For More Photos from the Event visit: www.photosbyjohn.com

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