Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

lIershey, Darnell Showdown Tops Oak Creek B,y John Bethea MOJAVE, CAL., June 13, 1971 - A very young Kenny Zahrt, experienced veteran Jim O'Neal and a determined Bob Hershey wound up as the big money winners today at Oak Creek Ranch's S I 000 motocross. Zahrt (Bul), who turned Expert only two weeks ago, had little trouble in winning the 125cc class as he garnered a first in the final two motos after finishing a close second to Ricky Brown (Car) in the first. In the 250 Sr. class, Zahrt was again straddling' the start line but here his inexperience showed while in the first moto, dumped il after the jump going toward the fin;'h line on lap two. "John Rice told me that when 1 was in a fish-tail to pour on the throttle and I'd get out of it," Zahrt said after the day's races. ''That's whal you did wrong," answered Doug Grant, AJS works rider also competing today. "You turned it • on while you were sideways and the bike just slid out." And Grant ought to know, he was trailing Zahrt when the mishap occurred. This wasn'l the only spill that Grant witnessed in the first 250 Sr. moto. After gaining a lead at the start, Grant was quickly overtaken by the very fast Husky rider Bill Clements. Clements, obviously attempting to push himself hard to get in shape [or the European invasion later this month, built a good lead but kept gassing it every inch of the way until, just past the finish line of lap three, he appeared to lose control in a gas tank-handle bar slammer and dumped it hard. Apparently. he knocked h;. wind out either by hitting the bike as he fell off or landing on lhe ground very hard. Whatever, he laid motionless on the track while the promoters attempted to halt the proceedings. so thal an ambulance could get to Clements.. Here. trouble brewed as the finisher tried stopping the charging riders first with a red flag. then with the checkered, which confused the riders greatly. After Clements was placed in the ambulance, the promoter, Ken Beach, decided to have a restart, which. brough t ~ , the way the first 250 race was restarted, decided not to run in the Open, "Besides," he added, "this wind and dust makes one race enough for a person." Those that remained, however, put on a fine show which was never decided until the final checkered of the day. Russ Darnell (Suz), who has been having trouble with his jetting, ("I've changed it five times in the last five times I've raced and I think I've finally got it close to right... ") snugged the inside line at lhe start line and pushed off to a first into tum one each time he started. But, in each case, he dropped back one or two positions at the f"mal tally. $ Jim O'Neal took 250 Sr. motos after Bill Clements went out after a spilL ~ , • " ·h This is how close the Open Sr. 1st moto was: Jess Robertson leads eventual second place finiS er Bob Hershey (9) and third. Russ Darnell (19l. some harsh comments from a few of lhe riders including O'Neal, who had taken over the lead after the crash. Later, however, the promoler decided to counl the unfinished first molo inlO tht; scorin~ and so four motos were used to decide the final results. On the restart, Jim Wilson (CZ) preceeded to do what Clements had tried, this time without a spill as he won going away. In' the next, O'Neal garnered the lead which he never lost for the resl of the day to take first overall with Wilson second and Grant third. The Open Seniors began the day looking like a fine showdown for both riders and spectators but its outlook soon changed with Clements out for the day (although he never left the park in the ambulance, Bill opted to retire for the day and left early). Then, early in the first mOlo, Chuck Minert (BSA), while running fifth, apparently detected something he didn't like and rode off the course with more than a lap still remaining. Also, O'Neal, still upset with Darnell third. These three put on a fantastic duel all the way with the distance between Darnell and Rohertson a scant 60 yards at the end. After Darnell took his early lead, it appeared he might hold it. BUl Hershey, who rode the first moto entirely with a flat tire, had one filled with air this time and took the lead on the downhill facing the finish line and led for lhe remaining two laps. In the final, Darnell, with a second and third, and Hershey, with a first and second, were in a hot one. Off the line, Darnell first. then Bob Fish (CZ) found the groove and sped to the poinl with Darnell second. To tie overall, Darnell had to win while holding Hershey to In lhe first, Jeff Robertson (CZ) claimed first with his Mid-Valley teammale Bob Hershey second and third. For awhile, it seemed he might do it as he kept close to Fisk while Hershey couldn't find an opening. But, trying to do two things at once was too much and Fisk began pulling away, and on the next to final lap, Hershey got by. On the final lap, Hershey had his aim on Fisk but Darnell wasn't quitting and over the jump came the two battling for second. Darnell, after Fisk IS win, aced out Hers~ey for second by a slim half-fool. Hershey won overall, however, and Darnell took second. Fisk, based on his last moto performance, took third. Oak Creek Ranch, some 12 miles oul of Mojave, Cal., is about 4000 feet up where the air begins to thin out. Today, twO of the water pumps broke down and, coupled with strong, gusty winds, turned the park into a wind tunnel with eye-irritating dust. "At least I've golten the exposure I wanted," remarked Beach late in the day, "but, [ wish [ could have had a better d,ay so the new riders could see how good the course really is." "It's rough, up anddowns,"said Zahrt later, "and it never lets you rest." (Results on page 24) ..aJa Wins again! Spokebenders Hare May 16,1971 Trailbike Class 1st Larry Roesler 2nd Mitch Mayes 3rd Jim Summers - & Hound BAJA 100 BAJA 100 BAJA 100 STOPITI WITH A FLOATNi REAR I-UB Bandtdo Pursang and Sherpa S ImprO\le Braking Stops Wheel Hop InckJdesBral- U

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