Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By John Marley
Courtesy Cycle Scene Magazine

In the CCS Florida region races at Jennings GP last weekend, Mike Smith had entered three bikes in the Suzuki Contingency races, hoping for a big payday. Smith, a former factory rider, had to beat the Florida Champion, Darren Luck, to get the biggest share of the available money.

Florida’s other fastest riders, Mike Barnes and Marco Martinez, were racing in the AMA Superbike races at Infineon Raceway in California.

In their first money race, Expert Unlimited Supersport, Luck put up a fight but couldn’t beat Smith at the end. Later they went at it again in Expert Middleweight Supersport with the same result. In their third match-up, Expert Heavyweight Supersport, Smith followed Luck before taking the lead on the last lap and holding it to the checkered flag.

Afterwards, Smith found out he had been disqualified by Tech Inspector Bill Parr for a crankcase vent hose infraction on all three. This would temporarily take away the $3000 of Suzuki contingency money Smith thought he had won. Smith denied that he had intentionally violated the rules, instead blaming it on his mechanic. Bystanders observing the exchange gave Smith the benefit of the doubt. The offending vent hose had been pinched on all three bikes. Said by some to give a slight horsepower advantage, the trick is now out of favor due to the possibility of a disastrous loss of purse money.

Fit to be tied, Smith was ready to pack up his stuff and go home before the 20th and final race of the day, the purse-paying Shootout, aka Expert Unlimited Grand Prix. Promoter Henry DeGouw intervened, explaining that Smith could protest the ruling and likely prevail. Since the Shootout has few rules, and none involving crankcase ventilation, DeGouw explained to Smith that any purse he won would not be in jeopardy.

The Shootout would be Luck’s last chance to beat Smith, but Smith won again by using the skills he has developed over many years in the tighter sections of the track, pocketing the $550 share for the first place of the $1500 purse. With that consolation, Smith went home to wait for the ruling.

Smith’s case had to go to CCS headquarters in Texas for the final judgment, but DeGouw said it shouldn’t be a case of “The Death Penalty,” as he termed it, but rather a fine.

Kevin Elliot, Director of Racing for CCS concurred, saying “An infraction of this type is not a class disqualification, but a tech violation, and has never resulted in a race disqualification before.”

On Thursday afternoon CCS Appeal Board met by telephone and reinstated Smith’s three race victories, and fined him $200 for each of the three infractions. The way was now clear for him to collect his Suzuki contingency money.

When the smoke cleared, DeGouw said a matter like this would not be permitted to get to this stage again, but would be solved trackside with a fine on the spot. DeGouw said he would enlighten racers at the next riders’ meeting at Moroso on May 26th, but you read it here first.