Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125550
Approximately 150 entries i ncluding many of the top riders in the state attended the ACA Mota- Cross at Castaic, Calif. on Sunday, March 3. Among the notables wer e Gary Balley , Gary Conrad, Preston Petty, Walt Axthelm , Steve Hur d and Ron Nel son . With these and other great riders in attendance there was no doubt as to the days racing outlook. After Mi k e Capallte call ed the riders' meeting together and all was set straight as to the number of motos, the action started with the 100's on the line. Th e 100cc Junior class came strong with 17 riders finishi ng in the poi nts. Mike Runyard turned i n with a good show to wtn the Jr. class aboard a Moto Beta. Rusty Burkert new to a second - astride his Hodaka, Bailey Makes It Two Besides winni ng the 100cc Seni or class aboard his clean little Hodaka, Gary Balley copped the number one spot in the 500cc Sr . division astride his trusty Greeves. Gary completely annihilated both classes as he swept up the gold. He had a 37-second lead over the second place 100cc sr.; Russ Robinson on a Suzuki. Bob Kulek turned i n a good clean r ide to cop first place honors i n the 250 Jr. class. Bob managed to fend off Checkers Cl ub c o m ps t e r Blll Ryan who was Greeves mounted. Preston and Suzuki Preston Petty and the new Suzuki 250 compl etel y dominated the 250cc Sr. class in every moto, Pres was really makin' it around the very demanding course and was only challenged by the bard r i di ng Walt Axthelm on the CZ. Th e r est of the field was le ft compl etely behin d except fo r a couple of laps in the third moto when Tom senner aboard a Husky was abl e to get in behind Pres only to l ose it later to Axthelm. The 350cc class was won by Dub Smith r i di ng a strong race aboard his new Malco 350. John Sheller was able to take a great second aboard his Honda. Nick Gila and C Z team ed up to snatch firs t 500cc Jr. wi th L on Peter son riding to runnerup spot aboard a Mateo, Ray Bullen followed up wi th third on a C Z . Open class action saw John Di skin take top honors on a Tri umph. L yle Taylor came in second, also . on a Triumph. There was beautiful weather last Sunday; in f act, th e best. this reporter can remember in that area. Together with the r ider talent present and the sm ooth r unnin g of the event it was a gr eat day of racing. (Results on page 20) Below: Bailey and Smith are stili going at It strongly, here Jetting over the whoolMle-doos on what passes for astral ghtaway at Castaic. The Malco-Greeves battle was enjoyed by aII. Machines appeared evenly matched, but Bailey had the edge on physical condition. Above: Presion Petty on tile new twln-port Suzuki beat all otller brands In tile 250cc Senior contest with spectacular style that lef t tile fans gasping between cheers. Below: enthusiastic competitor finds thatlhe penalty for overexuberance and lack of control Is buill In.