Zimmerman Wins the OMA Sooner GP in Scipio, Oklahoma

Defending champion Rob Zimmerman got his '06 season off to a good start with a win at the OMA opener. Despite traffic he managed to finish two minutes ahead of his fellow Honda rider, Todd Krupinski. The two Honda pilots were followed by a sea of blue led by Ryan Smith who rounded out the podium.

"On the first lap I was 4th but then the yellow #2 Yamaha went the wrong way. Todd got the lead and Ryan was behind him. After that we were just chuggin' away. Next thing I know, here comes Todd. He went the wrong way. He ducked in behind Ryan and all 3 of us were tag teaming it up through there. When we got out in to the first open field I was able to pass both of them. From there I just started hammering away trying to pull time," Zimmerman said. "I was eventually able to pull away from both of them. There was a lot of good easy smooth stuff out there. But then there were the rocks. I bent a tie rod 2 laps from the end. I hate rocks."

According to Krupinski, "It was a rough course, a lot of rocks. Not too tight. A lot of long straight-aways but the rock was just horrendous. I got the holeshot and led until I made a wrong turn. Someone [Ryan Smith] got in front of me and I got in front of Rob. We were coming through a hay field down there and my clutch went. The adjuster ran itself in so far that I needed pliers to get it undone. So I rode as long as I could until I had no clutch. I finally found a rock and just beat on it and got the clutch adjusted. I took off and started plugging away. I was dead last by then. I made back up in to second - a lot of passing. I just stuck my head down and kept charging."

Ryan Smith finished third with some terrific blisters to show for his efforts. He said, "It was pretty rocky. The tires are rocks now." When asked about his Yamaha, Smith said, "I am pretty happy with it. I rebuilt the whole engine over the winter. I put the top end together last night."

OMA Nationals Sooner GP Pro ATV Results

1 Rob Zimmerman Honda
2 Todd Krupinski Honda
3 Ryan Smith Yamaha
4 Kenneth Staake Yamaha
5 Michael Critz Yamaha
6 Kevin O Laughlin Yamaha
7 John Stehlik Yamaha
8 Jason Schrock Honda
9 Patrick Dugal Yamaha
10 Kevin Tinsley Honda

For more OMA Race news and info, head to www.omanationals.com.