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/125684
motos, as well as the All· star ·exhibition at the end of the day. The Santa Cruz, Calif. flash was head and shoulders above the rest of the 500cc star-studded pack, with the notable exception of AJS mounted Jim West, who led in three of the four events, before Grossi could power his big Husky around. One of the most exciting of the GrossiWest duel's occurred in the second moto. After the dust had cleared trom the top of the hill, West emerged as the iultial ~er, with Grossi running about fifth or sixth. West continued to set the pace, but Grossi wasn't exactly standing still and soon moved up to second. For five laps, that's the way it was; West in the -lead, but sometimes by only a wheel's width margin. Finally, coming in on the final lap, the northern pro slipped under for the wave of the checkered flag from CMC President, Stu Peters. Was West going all that fast? ~'Not really," Grossi explained. "He was just going well and didn't make any mistakes." Where did you get your advantage? "Where else? In the sand, of course," said Grossi who earlier that day had fallen in love with the track's sandy straights and esses, blasting through the sections at incredible speeds. But Grossi wasn't the only hero of the day. John DeSoto, returning from a very successful tour of the Viking Series, showed that he had learned a lot from the European riders. Displaying a new, smooth - and fast as hell - style, the former Hawallan champ easily outdistanced the competition in the 250cc class, winning the first and third motos and running in front on the second go, before his CZ stopped with closed points. DeSoto saId he felt a confidence that he had never before experienced. "I'd see Wilson and those guys ahead of me (at the start of the first lap) and there just wasn't any question that I could pass them." And, of course, he did. DeSoto also rode in the 125cc class, aboard the new 125cc CZ, But the machine hasn't yet been sorted out, and according to American Jawa head, Rudi Kaiser, it will be a few months yet before the difficulties are resolved and the machine can be mass produced. DeSoto . did not race in the 500cc event, as his big bike was down with mechanicai ailments. Northern California rider, young Brad Lackey, took up the slac~ when DeSoto dropped out of the second round of 250cc competition, w1IUling that event and placing second in the overall standings. John DeSoto, Brad Lackey and friends check out the 500cc race. Most of the West Coast's top professional motocross riders were on hand Sunday, battling for a share of the healthy $2100 purse, the largest ever in Ca11fornia motocross history. Legendary Gary Balley was on hand, pl3cing fourth in the 500cc pro class and fifth in the 125cc round. Pre-race favorite, .Tim Wilson, was also present, but a series of mechanicai and other difficulties kept him at! the top of the heap. The 19 year old Walteria, Calif. hot shot led in only one race - the second 250cc moto - and his tire blew and he retired from that one. The IRE-CMC weekend started Saturday morning, when nearly 300 riders competed for $1000 worth of trophies and merchandise, as well as a chance to transfer to the 125cc and 250cc Sportsman classes on Sunday. Tom Zabnter, who won his 125cc class on Saturday, was one of Sunday's most impressive Juniors. Riding a bored-out Hodaka, the youngster early outclassed the other riders OIl larger machines• • The track was in super shape for the race, and the thousands of spectators on hand for the big event got their money's worth of some very fine racing. Rufino Hernandez, manager of the Northern California Motocross Team, issued an otficial challenge to the riders from the South, and the feeling of rivalry was 9,lready beginning to take shape for next month's two events. (Results on page 26) A tired Bob Grossi after his third win in the SOOcc class. Jim West, who'finished second behind Bob Grossi in the 500cc Pro event, takes a Bay Mare jump.