Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

.. Dirt Diggers North Motocross----- ~ w Z W ...J t.l > t.l by Bruce C. Young SACRAMENTO, CAL., Aug. 27, 1972 - Bob and Bill Grossi are becoming an unbeatable pair in the motocross they run these days. Bob won the Open Expert class with little effort and, at the end of the second moto, had passed every rider except third place. During the first moto he had some trouble with Ron Self who seemed determined to keep Bob at bay but due to Ron being weak from the flu, he wore down very fast. Ron did give a battle while it lasted. Another rider who did his best to catch Bob during both motos was Dave Langcor of Denny's Honda, on a Bultaco. Dave never did get too close' and it was Bob Grossi all the way at the end of the day. Bob's little brother Billy took top honors in the 125 Expert class and took second overall in the 250 Expert class. Bob was quoted as saying that boy Billy is really getting too good. Maybe it's because Billy is still young and Bob has been racing for a full life. During the 125 Expert race, Mike Jennings of Colman's of Stockton made his bid but was only able to come out second. The weather was warm and the state fair crowd did not come out too much, with total attendance down quite a bit. There was a minimum of dust and the riders really like the idea of getting a full day of racing for a fair price. The Amateur 125 class was dominated by Gene's Automotive rider Jim Kern (Pen). Alan Hansen took second overall and Mike Hart was third at the end of the day. Henry Halbach won the 250 Amateur class and took second in the Open Amateur class later in the day. In the 250 Amateur race Henry took both motos. Brian J odry finished second and Alan Hansen third in the 250 Amateur. In the Open Amateur, it was Floyd Davis of Colman's (Hus) who took the overall win. Halbach was second and Lowell Spiva third. I _ The Novice classes were kept to two divisions each. This is a welcome relief from the giant multi-division motocrosses that have .been run in the area. The 125 Novice Div. I was won by Rick Grave (Yam) and Frank Guerrero (Pen) was second. David Stager won the 125 Novice Div. II and Doug Veerkamp took second overall with Jim Hughs, third. . In the 250 Novice Div. I race, it waS Rich Krugger, first overall and Dana Joice, second. Bill Klein took the Div. 11 event for the 250 Novices and Carmon Chapmon finished second. The big bikes Novice division was won by Cloyse Holland in Div. 1 with John Tipton second. In the Open Novice Div. II, it was Mike Klein on the big Husky first across the line with Steve Wharfe, second. The big race of the day was the Old Timers' event with 26 riders signing up over 40 years of age. The big BSA of Red Cadwell's of the Polka Dots M.G_ dominated the Open class of Old Timers with Bill McClinton, second and Glen Clinton, third. Another Polka Dot got into tbe limelight in the 250 Old Timers' race. He was Doug Harby who powered his Yam around with little effort to take the win. Ray Guiliano was second in that class. r The 125 Old Timers' class was won by Larry McConnal (Yam). Tom Hughs was second on his Hodaka. The only thing that marred the even t was when a young rider named Randy Richardson went down and was hurt badly. Randy broke several vertebrae and will be down for a long, long time. Randy is from Napa and married with two children. Medical expenses will be very great and anyone who would like to help this young rider out can send get well cards or donations to Bruce C. Young, 1301 Sheffield Way, Roseville, Calif. 95678. All our prayers are for Randy and we hope he will get well quickly. CREAM THE COMPETITION From the people _ho bring you 87.&• • • • • Products designed to grab your greenbacks and otherwise deflate your wallet. I Placerville Night MX - - - - - _ over and wen t on to win that battle after a terrific dice with the Sale Etchison/Steve Kennedy Yamaha that fmished third after the CZ recovered to gain back second. This class usually sees about five or six bikes all in contention right down to the wire but many of the regulars were elsewhere, so Frazier had it relatively easy. At least easy enough for those who can ride a 40-incher for two hOUTS without ever stopping and still keep up some sort of pace. ~ Some of the newcomers to this activity followed him for a few laps and are now believers that he can handle the pace, all by himself. The last class for the long day was the 125 and after much rechecking of score cards, Dan Jensen still gets the win. The first rundown showed him finishing third. A check of the second score sheets showed he hadn't missed any laps, only lost his front plate, and he gets the win but not by any wide margin as the second place finisher Ian Maclachlan was fast catching the Jensen Puch. Young Dan had set out with a terrific pace and was a leap ahead of all entries except Jack Crider and Craig Michie at the halfway point when the plate came off. While Crider and teamate Pat Barhill took the third, Michie and Harpel held on for fourth. Due to the Ascot National going to Sunday, the scheduled Champion Marathon will be postponed until mid-October and another Fremont race will take its place, October 1st. by Bill Spencer FREMONT, CAL., Sept. 3, 1972 - In spite of a rather small turn out of marathon racers for this show, the racing was at its best with many improvements over the last show in July. Track manager Harold Murrell had the entire facility oiled with some stuff that makes the traction almost unbelieveable and the riders loved it. The oil added to the consistency and kept the dust to a minimum, which is the great part. The opening two hour race wen t to the dirt bag Selby Rickman that Roger Selby and partner Dennis Silva just brought to "fool around on", well it worked and led the last twenty laps while being closely chased by Craig Michie and Dan Armstrong. Finishing one lap back was the Sonny Kenyon team of chief mechanic Craig Filmer and one time scrambles rider, Bill Gonzales. Gonzales still can't believe he got a trophy but he is now in training for the next show to be held here, October 1. Taking the last trophy and finishing right behind the Filmer/Gonzales Yamaha were the Ruppert boys and their everfaithful Ossa that has won thoem, a fair share of trophies. The Open battle wasn't much of one, once Bill Scarlett and his teammate's Maico dropped out after leading the first eight laps. For the next 11 laps it was to be Jon Rosene and Jim Turner on the Charley Brown CZ doing the leading chores but then they ran into difficulties and everpresentJohn Frazier with his trusty dinosaur Triumph took Placerville MX - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - by Bruce C. Young PLACERVILLE, CAL., Sept. I, 1972 Husky-mounted Mike Jennings and Floyd Davis' from Colman's of Stockton, California did it to all comers tonight by winning both the 250 and Open Expert classes at Placerville Nigh t Motocross. Red Cadwell made a bid for first in the Open race but could not catch the young speedster and finished second overall. In the 250 Expert race, it was Bill Grossi of Santa Cruz who came out second best overall. Young Bill Grossi streaked away from all comers in the 125 Am/Ex race. Billy out classed everyone and won both motos going away. J ames Moe was first Amateur on his DKW, in the 125 Combined even t. Tonight's races were really great but with the holiday the classes were down a little. But there is always next Friday , night as long as weatheJ holds out. In the Novice class there were several riders who did very well, in~leed. Bruce Pease on a Hodaka won the 100cc overall in that division. Kirk Godfrey was second. Paul Hamel, DKW-mounted, won Div. n of the 125 uncon tested. In Div. 11l of the 125s, it was Pat Linn (DKW) first and Tim Hart (DKW) second. Frank Guerrero was third overall on his Pen ton. Duane Doran scooped the troops in the 250 Novice class with Gary Gray, out of retirement, second. CZ-mounted J. Shirshac won the Open Novice class easily with Steve Hickie second at the end of the night. BIKE BACK BAG California Competition Guide program 148 Pages Hnd your h,are. Your complete program for al/ 1972 California Amateur and Professional races. Over 10,000 names and riding numbers. AU you need to know about California competition. $1.00 Carry it whether on your Hodaka or your 10 speed. The Ideal way to carry your books to school or your lunch & spare plugs on the trail. $2.50. Hot Hat. Trail Book 1972 Calendar HOT DOG' 7St Prbducts so good that we will be glad to refund y~ur money if you are not satisfied. How to get from here to there. Now novices don't have to ask those embarrassing Questions, they are all answered in this easy to teach your techniques to become an expert. $3.00 Dealera Your bucks go to help support the American Motocross Team, and In return you get a swell high Quality calender. $3.95 VacaJion a Promotional Hats FOR CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA We take your logo and change It into your very own promotional hat (minimum order 500 hats). Varied colors and materials available. Dealer Inquiries Invited. Helmet bills must be airfoils at Plaeerville night MX. \

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