Austin dethrones the Notorious BAD

Lebanon, PA  26 January 2003

The Big East Snocross Tour Vet Pros provided quite a show today for eager Pennsylvania race fans.

133 Bob Austin (AC) stepped it up a notch taking a hard fought victory from this years Vet Pro gun, and points leader, 527 Doug Bellinger (SD)(aka The Notorious BAD).  The 60 of Paul "Ernie" DeRuyter (AC) and 45 Jim Norton (AC) flew to a close 3 and 4.

The day started off with high emotions as a start wreck took out Bellinger, Austin and Norton. The Vets untangled the carnage under a red flag.  When the race restarted, the Vet Pros got quickly down to business.  Bellinger worked hard taking both qualifiers under intense pressure from Austin followed closely by last years champ DeRuyter and Norton.

The final provided some of the days best racing with a showdown between Bellinger and a reinvigorated Austin.  Austin would not be denied after turning a good start behind hole shooter Bellinger into a pass for the lead.

Bellinger kept up intense pressure but was unable to see enough "green"  to make the pass.

DeRuyter was very close in third waiting for opportunity to capitalize on a possible mess up by the leaders. Norton remained in contention as the Vet Pros crossed the checkered.

Next weeks race will be without both Bellinger and DeRuyter as both have joined the #29 X Games team of Ben Law  in Aspen, Co.

The remainder of this years Vet Pro competition promises to be some of the very  BEST  on the Tour.

David Victorious