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/125800
SagehoppersMotocross----------------By Mike .Kennedy' BARONA, CAL., Aug. 10, 1972Sagehoppers put on a well-executed race today with the track in beautiful condition, in part due to the rain which h as fallen this past week. The Sagehoppers ran the course backwards today so that no one would have the advantage. Temperature was in the mid 70's and partly overcast. The Open Exp!'rt class held a few surprises today. James Cotteen, riding a radial 400 Maico, grabbed the top slot, Jim's consistency and his ability to shut off the comers while staying on the track paid off with fust overall. Ted Weeks (Hus) gave him fits trying to -get by him, but today wasn't his day for it. The usual field of fast riders in the 250 Expert class had an extra rider to contend with. Bill Silverthorn showed up today with a 250 Honda. Bill said he worked on it all night and just got it 'finished about 7 :00 AM this morning in time to make it to the race. The Honda is in a Champion frame with a Penton front fork assembly, weighing in at 210 pounds. . B ill's riding ability plus some problems for some of the other riders . gave him the overall in the 250 class. Mike Steams (Suz) ran second. Not too far behind Mike came Dave Johnson (CZ). Dave is the referee for the Sagehoppers and it's to his credit to put on such a fme race and still finish in the top three in this hotly contested class. The 125 Expert class saw a real battle today. Doug Mellow (Hus) got the win after a fierce battle with little Jim Royle (DKW). Jim is really hot after that No. 1 plate and, the way he has been riding, has a good shot at it. Bob Jefferies (Bul) got the third position today. We had quite a turnout in the Novice classes today as two heats in all but the 100's were run. Open Novice I, saw Larry Hansen (CZ) grab flfst after a battle with two Husky riders, Tom Zeller and Bryson Kottle who fmished second and third beh ind him. Heat II had Barry Wilkinson (Mai) riding an exceptionally hard race to finish ahead of Danny Robinson (Mai) and Gary Ogden (Yam). 250 Novice Heat 1 saw Rick Laughery (AJS) put together another great ride for the win. Rick is improving each week and when he transfers to the higher classes he should give them quite a battle. John Machen (Yam) got the second slot, and Gregg Weisbach (Yam) third. Tom Acuna (Mai) won the second heat with consistent Mike Scillo (CZ) I(rabbing second and Marty Coyne _'" 1 N .... '" " ,' ~ w Z W ..J U > U I IS ed third overall. He is pursued by Eddie Foland (1 RI, Armand Caprio 12L). (Yam) getting third. Larry Sara (Pen) beat fellow Penton rider, Dan Roberts. in the first heat of 125 Novices with Chuck Thomas (DKW) getting third. The other heat was won by Dave Fisher (DKW) witli a good smooth ride as he had constant pressure from both Matt Bames (Yam) and Bob Chambers (Hon) who finished second and third, respectively. David Wetzel (Hod) grabbed the 100 win with Mike McGowen (Yam) second and Robert Wittorff (Hod) coming in third. We all wish to thank the Lord for his giant water truck in the sky which was in use a good portion of this week. It sure made a beautiful race. It was also nice to see a club warn the riders if there was a particularly dangerous spot on the track. Now if they would only listen. .... 0. ~ ... J.