Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

... " i' Q. N .... '" > :; .., ~ w Z W ...J o > u FAMOUS FAMILIES FLASH AT CMC NORTH By Steve Castillo Photos by Harry Yokota LIVERMORE, CAL., June 4, 1972 GROSSI: a name synonymous with Northern California motocross. It is one that few in the racing world have not heard. Today, however, we saw another member of the family, younger brother Bill, ride to victory. Some called him wild but the berm-busting, rock throwing speed of this small-framed, ligh tweigh t 16-year-old was ou tasigh t. Speed is the only common denominator between tbese brothers but remember... Bill has ouly just begun! The heat on the track far surpassed the soaring teg}peratures at the dusty facility for CMC North's 7th Carabella Series point race. In the first 250 Senior moto, Dave Longcor (Bul), winner of last week's top honors, shot to the lead with Henry Halbach (CZ) not far behind. Bill Grossi was moving quickly from a not-so-good start. After a few laps, Longcor had pretty well stretched it out when trouble hithe stopped on the main straight, looked at his mechanic, then at his engine then he walked back to the pits, a faulty gearbox the culprit. That put Halbach lnto the lead with Grossi holding down second quite a way back and Jim Turner (CZ) in third spot. Halbach's lead was impossible for Grossi to overcome. he was a least one'quarter lap ahead but apparently no one told young Grossi this.He rode like there was no tomorrow. Each lap, Bill kept getting faster and more consistent, but even with this near-disaster riding style;all Bill could get was second. The second round saw the D& R Cycles - backed Halbach take the lead with Grossi second and Russ Powell (Hus) third. When it looked like Halbach had this One sewed up his chain let go - thus putting G,rossi into first spot. Jim Turner worked into second and Russ Powell took third. Halbach came back in the third round with a good lead. All he had to do was finish. But things didn't go well for Henry. He ran out of gas towards the end of the 20-minute moto. Gros i, with Lady Luck riding his sboulder, took the overall win. Second went to Russ Powell (Hus). Martin Towne rode a Charley Brown Cycles CZ to third overall. At the snap of the rubber band. 500 Seniors hit the dry, choking dust. Up the hill, Bill Scarlett (Mai) had the lead with Randy Lackey (CZ) second and Ron Self (Mai) third. Ron Huffman (Mai) was off the line in good position but burned up a plug on the uphill switching to the spare he got back in to the hunt. Bill Scarlett was way out in front when mechanical problems set bim back to second, making Randy Lackey the man to beat. With one lap remaining, Randy's slide stuck in the wide open position causing him to crash into a Fortunately, Randy was fence. unhurt.Ron elf was the new leader and he held it to the end. Ron Huffman, his Trophy Cycles teammate. had worked in to second. On the second moto. it was Huffman's tum to win. He "en Novice class. Charles Bailey on a 400 and Chris Pope on a King Kong 50 I, ran off with the big trophies, with Scott Henley getting a third. In the Professiorial classes, the athlete of the day was Mark Baldree (CZ). Mark served notice on all Professionals that he was serious about being CMC·TEXAS number I, by winning both the 250 and Open. Louis Dill (250cc, second) didn't make it easy for Mark by staying,on his _ tail, CZ to CZ, lap after lap. Kenny Sibley, another newcomer to professionalism, let people know he could ride as he rode his Rickman to third. Mike Burns. (AJS) and Larry Priano had the closest race of the day with Mike winning by a wheel to take second in the Open Professional. Bob Graham, Texas' winningest rider, had to quit because of mechanical problems. In the 125cc Professional class, Jerry Friedrich had a difficult time keeping Craig Glover, (Mon) out of first. Jerry was sporting a new CZ as be beat always competitive Glover and Ralph Robertson. USMRC at EI T o r o - - - - - - - - ' " " " ' ! ' - - - - - - - - By Pat Gross EL TORO, CAL., June 23, 1972 - The most predictable part of a very unpredictable Friday nigh t was Davy Carlson on his trusty Yamaha, and even he had his problems. It seemed a sure thing Carlson would take the 100 Expert in a clean sweep. Then, in the third moto, Carlson was passed by the fast-improving Mark Tyer and' Jack Hazard. In push ins to make up the loss, Davy fell victim to that slick comer near the Gnish. The overall points went to Yamaha in the order Carlson, Tyer, Hazard. The 125 Expert was a repeat performance as far as Davy IS concerned. The competition came from Dennis Hazlett and Keith Crecelius, in with second and third. Crecelius, on a Penton, managed to squeak a first in the third moto. Morris Malone returned to EI Toro's winner's circle with a 250 sweep. He left a scattered field to pick up the pieces, which they did, with inconsi tent riding. Bruce Baron, \Vith his worst Friday night in months, placed second. Larry McCarty rode his Bul to a third as Carlson limped into fourth a single point behind him. An EI Toro newcomer stormed the 500 Expert class, and it seems likely we'll be seeing a lot more of Bryan Breker and his Husky. Gary Cochell, virtual owner of the 500 class with five wins on his AJS, could do no better than second behind Breker. Stanley J ackUn (Kaw) again topped the 100 Intennediate with Richee Collins (Yam) second. Tim Carmack and Mike S tern can do no wrong on their Yamahas in the 125; Ron Bandy, CZ-mounted, regained control of the 250; and the big names in the 500 lntermediate were Vern Maxwell (Bul) and Bob Crecelius (Gre). Lucky Merritt., first time out at USMRC, took a third in the 100 and a well-deserved second in the 250 Intermediate. Mark Bandy (Hon) and Jed Mendez (Suz) are headed for transfers if they keep up the work in the 100 Junior class_ Yamahas took over Divisions I and 11 (flease tum to page 15)

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