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/125634
Riders In Rare Form At EI foro By Jim Vardeman EL TORO, CALIF., Sept. 3, 1969 Lightning fast cycle riders once again gave the packed grandstand of Orange Co., Calif., an evening to remember. The racers were in rare form, and the appearance of young Rick Woods, U.S. Speedway Racing Champion, exhibiting his fancy style on his chrome Esso gave the show even more excitement. But the TT program for the night was dominated by Montesa rider, Jim Raymond, who won the 125 TT Trophy Dash, 250 Nutter And Bast Tied for Lead In Sports Arena to collect first prize trophy. The 125 F.T. Main went to young Scott Autrey on his screaming Yamaha, with Raymond settling for second and Cim'!.~L1 rider, Gary Scott, third. In the 50(' F .T., Randy Ellis won both the Tropl;y Dash and the Main event in this cla:;s, but only after a much heated battle with Tony Denius, who finished second, and Jim Raymond third. The 250 F .T. Main at first appeared as though Raymond might take home all the glory, but engine trouble forced the charger out, and Gary Scott took over the Looking like a pair of Gemmae Rick Woods and Larry Helnselman pair off In a turn at the Sporls Arena. "}Ioods was on form and finished on top of the heap. By Mike Capalite Photos by Dennis Greene Jim (Hey You) Raymond temporarily leads the pack at Orange Co. Raceway. That's fire in the eyes of number 137 Scott Autry who passed Raymond for the win. Photo by Bill Harmer. TT Trophy Dash, and finally went on to win the 250 TT Main even!, crossing over the line just inches ahead of Ray Vanderpool. The 125 TT Main, however, was a completely di!!erent story. A ward Motors entry Ron Taylor on his Yamaha came out the victor, with Mike Payse on his Bultaco second, and Steve Nichols third on the K & N Yamaha. The 500 TT Trophy Dash went to Tony Denius on a Harley. A chilling battle broke out in the 500 TT Main between Denius and Al Smith (BSA) with Smith edging out Denius lead. A battle raged then between Bob Willlam, Jr. and Tom Vardeman for second spot, with Vardeman holding this position for several laps only to lose out to Randy Ellis, two laps before the checker. The Championship Finale next Wednesday night at El Toro will be the final Short Track event for the 1969 season. Promoter Wes Cooley is planning to continue on into the fall season with a series of TT and Motocross races. (Results on page 20) LOS ANGELES, CAL., Sept. 7, 1969The Bast Welding Co. Racing Team moved to the top of the ladder in the State Championship Speedway Races Sunday night at the L.A. Sports Arena, but this time it was Steve Bast who was the star while his brother Mike who was the leader after the first round had to take a back seat. Rick Woods, the U.S. Champion was right behind Steve's 15 with 14 points, but Rick had a very bad night the first week and only accumulated six points. Sonny Nutter, the current California State Champion was third for the night with 13 points, but this coupled with his twelve from the previous week put him in a tie with Steve Bast for the first place position. The Trophy Dash was a win for Mike Bast and he had Rick Woods and Steve Bast to thank for it. As the gate went up lor the start, Steve was first into the corner with Woods right behind him and going in hard on the inside,infacta little too hard as he bashed into Steve in the corner and they both came out of the corner with their elbows in each other's chests. Again they dove into the corner hard trying to get away from each other and as they did they went too deep and Mike Bast took advantage of the opening and took them both on the inside to take the lead with no problem. Rick pulled up close in second, but was unable to catch Mike and had to settle for second with Steve dropping all the way back to fourth as Larry Heinselman moved into the hird spot. The C main was a little hairy for Swede Savage as he had to come from the 40-handicap line to take the win and as he was working his way through the pack, Jim Gresham went down and took Mike Konle out as Swede was getting past them and he almost got taken out as well. Swede went on to win with Dennis Guildenbaus finishing second. in the B main, Larry Heinselman had the lead until Mike Bast moved up on him and started dogging him. He found an opening and got past him to take the lead and even though Larry tried his hardest, he couldn't take it back and had to settle for number two ahead of Ron Miller and Stu Morley. The A Main had the fans on their feet as Woods and Bast went at it like there was no tomorrow. Again it was nip and tuck between them, but Woods had the inside and was able to keep to the pole in fine shape and pull away from Steve on the third lap to take the lead and hold it to the finish with Sonny Nutter right behind them, always a threat but never quite getting a chance to make a bid. Don Hawley finished fourth. (Results on page 20) t rit Viva Flash - - 50 Desert Special 360cc Capras Just arrived L.A., Large gas tank standard Support the AmeriC31 Motocross Tellll for 1910 P. O. Box 3276 Hollywood, Calif. 90028 anttsa VIV4 Montesa Motors, Inc. /3657 Beverly Boulevard / Angeles, California /90004. Phone (213) 663-8258