Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

LACKEY versus DeSOTO vs. POMEROY By Kevin Hill PUYALLUP, WA., March 14, 1971 Brad Lackey and John DeSoto were the big attractions at Clark Marshall's' Puyallup Raceway Park as more than 1,200 spectators braved the off-and-on rain for a chance to see two of America's best motocross stars compete against their local favorites. DeSoto was figh ting off a flu bug that kept him in bed all day Saturday and prevented him from putting out his best effort. Brad Lackey was in fine form and came out on top of both the 250 and Open classes in a series of motos unmatched for competitive excitement and spectator interest since last faWs Trans-AMA race here. Complete with his ,handlebar-mounted peace dove and shoulder length hair, Brad dazzled the crowd with his spectacular, crossed-up leaps and bouncing berm shots. Lackey took an easy lead in the first 250 moto but was pressed hard on the first two laps by Mike WeIland on a Maico. Then he just started to pull effortlessly away. Suddenly, everyone was aware that something unexpected was happening. Jim Pomeroy, a youngster from Yakima, was slicing through the pack on his Bultaco and starting to gain rapidly on the flying Californian. From the middle of the pack to second place in t~o quick laps. Jim was putting on a heavy rush. The distance hetween them grew shorter as the partisan crowd grew more exuberant in their effort to cheer on their local hero. However, Brad was not be caugh t napping, and when he realized the heat was on he simply dialed on a little more speed and held his lead for the few minutes left. Many were disappointed that they were only running ten minute motos, especially with such close racing. In the second moto it was again Lackey in an early lead but Pomeroy also got a good start and was out for blood. Brad sailed in beautiful style over the many jumps with Jim in hot pursuit. Pomeroy's fans and fellow racers were falling out of trees in their excitement as the two riders, in extremely close formation, left the rest of the field far, far behind in the intense duel. Then, on the infield hairpin turn, Lackey stumb led on the giant berm and highsided on his face into the mound of soft dirt. Jim wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to jet into the lead and, in spite of a speedy recovery and pursuit, Lackey was unable to catch up. The amazing thing about the spill was that Lackey seemed to' like this particular bermy turn best of all and was' shooting through all day with perfect grace and style. Showdown time. High noon at the Puyallup Corral. The third moto and all the chips were on the line as Brad Lackey, Northern California CZ ace, and Jim Pomeroy, Bultaco mounted pride of the orthwest,. were tied for the lead on points_ A ferocious struggle for the lead through the first turn with Pomeroy coming out on top. The crowd was delirious as their favorite held his lead over this internationally-classed talent. Then, just for a split-second, Jim faltered on a short but steep uphill, possibly missing a shift. That was all Lackey needed to get by and he did so very decisively. Playing it safe. but fast, he held tight to his hardwon position for the time remaining to win the moto and all the marbles. Jim Pomeroy won second place and a moral victory, proving solidly that he is a top talent and destined to do big things in motocross. to • w~. Dave Clift survived a gigantic, high-speed endo to place third overall on his new Suzuki. He did this with two fourths and a tenth, indicating how scattered the rest of the people were. Mike WeIland only earned fourth overall in spite of his super-fast ride. He had a troublesome second mo to that nullified his fine third placings in the first and third. Even the presence of the great John DeSoto in the Open classes was not enough to bring the level of excitement up to what it had been in the 250 class. He was suffering from the flu so bad that he stayed in the cab of his pickup all the time, emerging only when his turn came to race. And race he did. He literally ran away with the first moto, putting on a tremendous burst of speed that was just incredible. Lackey was second with Pomeroy third. Then, in the second mo to, things started happening. DeSoto and Pomeroy were dueling for the lead in a big way. Going into the same bern turn that gave Lackey his trouble, they collided hard and went down together. Pomeroy got going again after a bit but the big Hawaiian was showing the effects of his illness. After vomiting his lunch. at which point most folks would give up in despair, he went over the big jump at full tilt in third gear and got crossed up th ree separate times in different directions. Unreal! Lackey, having won easily in that disaster·filled second moto went on to do the same in the third. Pomeroy, of course, was right behind all the way but not close. DeSoto. having a run of really rotten luck, retired early with his expansion chamber sticking out at a funny angle and his CZ sounding like a mortar barrage. Lackey was first overall with two wins and a second, while Pomeroy, due to his tangle with DeSoto had to settle for third. Bill Binckley, who led momentarily in the second mo to, was second overall with a strong consistent ride. Mike Claphan, on a SOuth 01 ~ordoll NEW & USED SALES Parts-Accessories-Service Financing-Insurance MASTER CHARGE-BANKAMERICARD Discount to AsCot Racers GENE H. MYERS 4151 Redondo Beach Blvd., lawndale, Ca. (213) 542·4047 Husky, was fourth in the final standings ahead of a fifth place, and, no doubt dejected, John DeSoto. Despite his problems, DeSoto was still very impressive with his aggressive and powerful riding. His easy manner off the track won him many friends here. Lackey, of course, was as sensational as he reputation had led us to believe. He is also a friendly sort but we don't expect to see him back very soon since his pians af.ter graduating from high school include a trip to the European racing circuit. I'll bet he makes quite an impact on them! (Results on page 26) in Sepuheda, Calil. ORSTEN HALLMAN ~ ~ RACING INC::i;y:\:· U.S. Dist. lor Trelleborg Motocross tires. Torsten Hallman special design leathers & racing equipment. (714) 460-6234 (714) 460-1402 For dealer info. write or call: 5345 Timken St.. La Mesa. Cal. 92041. CD g' ~ !l! w Practice had not been going on very long when a pile-up at the pit gate sent Ron Denney to the hospital with a cracked bone just above the left wrist. Ron was mounted on his 200cc Bultaco and started to pull off the track when Keith Mayor (Yamaha mounted) also started for the gate. They collided and both went down. Denney's arm was put in a cast; Mayor had a possible ankle injury. There were many other spills during the day but no other injuries were reported. Bill Ehrens (Kaw) went down in the 100cc Trophy Dash but came back to take first place in the 100cc A Main. He rode his pegs most of the time while lapping the slower riders before half of the main was over. By the end of the main he had lapped every rider in the event. Robby Ohge (Mon) went down in the 250cc T.D. leaving it a clean win for Bill Cook (Mai). The 250cc A Main was a good race as the many spectators watched Cook go down early in the race while leading, come up again and back into first place in just one lap before going down again. This time it was for good leaving the flI"St place position open for Ohge. Rob had been running second to Cook all along. Now he had first tied up and played it cool enough to stay up and take the win. The spectator crowd was in good spiri ts even though they had to sit through several rain showers and got pelted with hail several times during the day. They still laughed at the antics the riders on the track went through to try and get around in the mud and miss each other if possible. (Results on page 26) • .aJa Wins again! MOTORCYCLI S~LlS- SIIVICI 9000 SEPULVEDA BLVD. YAMAHA SPORTCYCLfS 0. By N. A. Williams CLACKAlli\S, ORE., March 14, 1971 - ~1ud, mud and more mud mark.ed this season's opener at the Sidewinders track. This year all scrambles will be run rain or shine so the race went on as scheduled despite the rain we had all (213) 894-9218 WARREN WILSON MOTORS RAIN DRENCHES ; SIDEWINDERS RACE .... 100's M.C. Hare Scr. Adelanto, Cal. - 3/14/71 1st Trailbike Mitch Mayes - Baja 2nd larry Rosier - Baja 3rd Jim Sumners - Baja 5th Tom Sawyer - Baja (1st Junior) Optimist Combo-Cross Indian Dunes - 3/14/71 100 Expert Class 1st Terry Clark - Baja the Harley- Davidson o~1I!Brf.ormBrs oJ ~ U

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