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/125620
ORANGE, CAL. JUDe 8, 1969 - Jim Wilson won both 500 senior motos of the ACA motocross competition at Saddleback Park SundaY in the points-for-cash series that will have a mid-year payoff following the semi-finals at Bay Mare Ranch next weekend. Wilson led the tirst of the two 25 minute motos from the start and was only briefly challenged by Gary Bailey on a Greeves aDd Tim Hart ridlng a Montesa. The battle for second place continued for the tlrst halt of the race with Bailey and Hart dicing laP after laP. Hart finally passed the Greeves aDd Bailey subsequently retired the 390Cc Gritton prototype with gearbox trouble and a broken chain. Hart on the Montesa was leading the first lap of the second moto until he hit a freshly watered spot at the bottom of the hill leading to the timing stand. He went down and as he was sliding up hill toward the timing stand he was passed by the field and tinally restarted in last place. In his big comeback effort he passed everyone but Wilson to finish second in the moto and second for the day. Ronald Fry on a Husky put together a fifth in the first moto and a fourth in the second to add up to a third place finish overall. Bob and John Jr. Maynard both took a third and a D.N.F. but in alternate motos, so they were out of the running. Both 250 Senior motos were won by Gary Bailey on hls Greeves. Mike Runyard, ridlng a Green Streak powered American Eagle took a third and a second to nall down second for the day ahead of Jim Wilson on a Greeves. Kyomaru Kato on a Yamaha was fourth and Tim Hart who led the first moto for a few laps was fifth. Tom Rapp on hls Bultaco outpowered Penton mounted Gary Bailey to a win in the 125 senior races. Mike Runyard was third on a Sachs. The 350-Open race was a thriller with Bob Bailey manhandling a 40 inch stock frame Triumph to a second place behind Mark Blackwell on a lithe C Z. Blackwell won the 500 Jr class followed by Howard Jackson on a Husky and Ed Albert riding a Malco. Behind Bailey In the Open Jr. class was Jack Kell on a Trlumph-Metisse and third placer Wally Gordon on another Triumph. Robin Fisher took honors in the 350 Jr. thing on hls BSA. Bultaco rider John Wilson was ·second followed by Steve Scharf on his Honda. The strong CZ team dominated the 250 Jr. races taking first second and fourth. Riders on the CZ's were Chuck Lunde, Bill Gomen and Steve Lunde. Jetf Fackson broke up the clean sweep by taking third on a Husky. The 125 juniors saw Bruce Baron and Fred Cox pull their Sachs in ahead of the Bultaco of Rod Morrison. Don Emler expressedhlmselt in the 100 junior class on a Suzuki ahead of the two Hodakas of Robert Goldberg and Robert Fortier. Four out of state riders from Competition Cycle Shop in Fort Worth, Texas were seniors Mark Moore and Joe Joiner and juniors Bob WhItehead and Greg Camp. The Texans showed style but crashes and DNF's put them out of the running. Being more used to mud tracks following the Texas spring rains the boys found it difficult to get used to the hard packed surface of Saddleback. The three CZ's brought by the Texas team were serviced by factory engineer Stan Cerny who prepared the C~' s for the CalJtornia riders • .Cerny who has been with Jawa-CZ for 28 years and now works for Jawa International out of Los Angeles, said that in the last six weeks Jawa has started a team effort in CalJtornia. They now have eight riders and hope for ten in the near future. The Jawa support ts offered with the spirit of promoting the sport on an amateur basis. Free preparation and service is provided for riders but no professionalism is desired on the team and there will be no money for the riders. Cerny says that Moto Cross is a true sport for the amateur and distalns speedway racing in which Jawa is also active because it is a "show" and just a question of practice. (Results on page 20)