Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Mystery School Yamaha’s Rich Oliver took his 64th career AMA 250cc Grand Prix win by a runaway margin of 60 seconds Sunday at Road Atlanta.
Priority Racing’s Simon Turner chased Oliver closely for one lap before crashing out of the race in turn two on the second lap.
Tom Colins Racing’s Colin Jensen came back from a poor start to catch and pass Ed Sorbo for second place – his first AMA podium finish.
Bridgestone’s Sorbo also collected his first AMA podium finish by holding onto third place in front of Chris Pyles, fourth by 0.4 second. Perry Melneciuc took fifth. Ed Marchini scored sixth after a race-long battle with Greg Esser and Darren Fulce. Canadian Sandy Noce and teenager Barret Long rounded out the top ten.
Defending AMA 250cc GP Champion Chuck Sorensen did not race due to an injury to his right hand suffered in a crash on Friday.
AMA 250cc Grand Prix Race Results:
1. Rich Oliver, Yamaha, 15 laps
2. Colin Jensen, Aprilia, -60.224 seconds
3. Ed Sorbo, Yamaha, -72.115 seconds
4. Chris Pyles, Honda, -72.583 seconds
5. Perry Melneciuc, Yamaha, -84.277 seconds
6. Ed Marchini, Yamaha, -93.531 seconds
7. Greg Esser, Honda, -94.037 seconds
8. Darren Fulce, Yamaha, -94.078 seconds
9. Sandy Noce, Yamaha, -1 lap
10. Barret Long, Yamaha, -1 lap
AMA 250cc GP Point Standings:
1. Oliver, 150
2. Melneciuc, 102
3. Pyles, 98
4. Sorensen, 96
5. Marchini, 95
6. Turner, 87
7. Jensen, 86
8. Sorbo, 82
9. Fulce, 70
10. Noce, 65