Though he had the series title already wrapped up and had nothing to prove, Jimmy Jarrett fought back everything that a tenacious Justin Williamson threw at him for the entire race at the Wiseco Cooperland Grand Prix, the 10th and final round of the 2004-2005 Parts Unlimited Off-road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals. Held at Cooperland Raceway in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the 10-lap, two-plus-hour race saw Australian Matt Fish claim third place in his first Pro race after wrapping up the Open A series championship at the previous round.Jarrett got the best jump off the start and headed out of the first turn on the Cooperland motocross track in front, followed by Fish, Williamson and the rest of the field. As they hit the woods, he maintained his advantage on his Andrews Cycles/Kenda/Moose RM250, saying, "I got a good start and it was dusty and I knew if I just stayed in front of them, they weren't going to pass me; it was pretty tight. I just kept a good pace going; when I could go fast, I went fast and when I didn't have to, I just kind of slowed down and bided my time."Williamsonracing.com YZ250-mounted Williamson said, "I was right on him trying to make passes, trying to press him, but nothing happened. It was a good, fair race so I really enjoyed it. I had a real good time racing; I'm sure it was an excellent show for the crowd."Naturally, Fish noticed a quicker pace, though he responded well on his KTMHutt.com/Fun Mart Cycles/Moose 250 EXC. "Definitely the pace was different today in the Pro class. Usually in the A class I just rode my race and today I was forced to ride a little bit out of my comfort zone for those first few laps." He went on to explain, "I don't want to make excuses, but I had a bit of bad luck out there today." A fallen lapper blocking his way at a creek crossing and a locked-up rear brake due to a wayward stick cost him time that proved impossible to make up: "Nothing really serious but just enough that I lost contact, and I definitely didn't have the speed to catch back up to those boys."With nothing to prove, Shane Watts seemed to be on a trail ride, finishing a distant fourth on his KTMHutt.com/Fun Mart Cycles/Moose 200 XC. However, he was more concerned with making sure he didn't jeopardize carpal tunnel syndrome and knee surgery the next day in California, followed by a flight the day after that to recuperate in his native Australia for a few weeks. Dave Neumeister came in fifth on his Fun Mart Cycles/FMF/MSR KTM 450 M/XC.Pro Results
1. Jimmy Jarrett, Suzuki RM250
2. Justin Williamson, Yamaha YZ250
3. Matt Fish, KTM 250 E/XC
4. Shane Watts, KTM 200 XC
5. Dave Neumeister, KTM 450 M/XC
6. Whisperin Smith, KTM 450 XC
7. Tracy Bachman, Honda CRF250R
