t press time, the Parts Unlimited OMA Nationals series had reached midpoint in the season following the Moonshine GP in Memphis, Missouri. Moose Racing Honda rider Rob Zimmerman leads the PRO ATV class with 116 points. Zimmerman has won the series the past three years, but has some tough competition this year from Andy Lagzdins, another Moose Racing rider aboard a Honda. Only 19 points separate Zimmerman from the personable Maryland newcomer. Lagzdins returned to the series in Missouri after missing the Moose Run with an injured thumb.
     Zimmerman has had some rough starts this season, and this one was among the worst. The start looked especially promising for Lagzdins as Zimmerman rolled over in the first turn after some contact. Fortunately for Zimmerman, he and the machine survived intact. The veteran from Ohio put on a charge and made his way through the field at a terrific pace. Lagzdins was just two seconds ahead of the series champion after the first lap, and could not hold off the charge. The thumb injury was still not completely healed, and Lagzdins could not maintain full effort without risk of re-injury. Lagzdins would have to settle for third place in the event. Zimmerman eventually got by Arkansas racer Spencer Dickerson, who led most of the day, to top the all-Moose Racing podium.
     The PRO Motorcycle side of the series has another three-time champion out front in the points battle. Moose Racing FMF Suzuki rider Jimmy Jarrett is on a winning streak lately. Memphis, Missouri marked his fourth consecutive victory. The 29-year-old gentleman from Ohio appears to have the series dialed in. He currently has collected 141 points for a healthy lead in the race for the $10,000 Parts Unlimited championship check. Second place in the series is currently held by Moose Racing’s Brian Garrahan aboard a Yamaha, while British racer Jason Thomas sits in third with his Moose Racing Yamaha. Garrahan holds 82 points, with a 3-point gap over Thomas at 79.
     Jimmy Jarrett took the hole shot again in Memphis, and his strategy was to just run away and hide. The dusty conditions made close running near impossible. Brian Garrahan acknowledged the conditions and rode close to Jarrett for the entire race. The transplanted California racer was unable to get close enough to the champion to accomplish a pass. He would finish the race just 39 seconds behind Jarrett in second place. Jason Thomas was running with the leaders early but suffered a mechanical failure and collected a DNF for his day. The seat came off his motorcycle and our smiling friend from Wales could not run the entire two-hour event standing on the foot pegs.
     The classic single-track woods racing courses provided by the OMA Nationals series create an exciting and interesting event for racers and spectators. The old man walking through the woods with a machete is carving out his own brand of challenge for the racers who are up for it. Bill Gusse is an old school Enduro racer with a love for the sport that translates to a unique ability to provide something everyone is looking for. The races are not easy, but the common word we hear in post race interviews is “fun.” This is off-road racing. Visit www.omanationals.com for more information, and watch for more season updates in future issues of Parts Magazine.