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/125807
!!l go l>. N .... (l) ~ ~ :> o z ~ w Z W ...J C,) > C,) Muntz Professional/Junior MX by Mark Milford MOORPARK, CAL., Oct. 22, 1972 WSM bounced back to host a $500 purse, Professional/Junior race at Muntz Cycle Park today. "Mind-boggling" is the expression one would have to use to describe the high-speed, tightly-packed action of the 125 Seniors. The entry roster included, among others, Dave Rodgers, Jim McDonald, Larry Watkins, Tim Lunde, and Keith Mashburn (known to some as National number 19). Hot Bananas! The first mota exploded off the line, with Jeff Vidic (Pen) popping away a 1/10 of a second faster than the rest, just enough to give him the lead. However, the pressure that 30 money-motivated Experts can apply apparently wore away Jeff's reasoning power in the first half lap, and he slid au t, watching the pack go by, his very loaded-tip Penton refusing to start. Dave Rodgers (Bul) then led for a lap, whereupon he also crashed out of contention, letting Jim McDonald (Ric) take over. Jim, though. wasn't about to make a mistake and he led to the checker. Tom Grant (Yam) meantime had worked up to second, only to drop out on the last lap with bike trouble, allowing Gary Huber (Man) to grab the number two spot. The second of the two twenty-minute motos was a repeat of the first, well, at least into the first comer! Jeff Vidic again led briefly, staying uprigi.!t but this time being passed by Tim Lunde (Bul). And, you may ask, where were Jim McDonald, odds-on favorite of the local pit racers to win again? Alas, he was to be found circulating only around eighth. But therein was the most exciting aspect of the race for, as Lunde led from pole to pole, McDonald grabbed the crowd's attention as he fought his way up to second, assuring himself the overall win. Tim, by virtue of his earlier third place finish, managed second at the pay window, with Gary Huber fondling third place cash. While the 250 pro race did not exactly put the spectators to sleep, it was definitely ,anti·dirnatic to the little bike race. Here, in the first mot, Mark Hovater (Suz) led and won with little challenge. Second place was grabbed at Motorcycles go dowphill. the last moment by working-up· from-seventh·place Frank Giardina and third spot went to Chuck Lunde (CZ) after duelin~ race-long with Rick Salmon (Yam). It was, therefore, the second round that brougb t the real surprises. The first mota top runners were nowhere near the top. Giardina failed to make the second race, Lunde was back in fifth, unable to get further up, and Hovater was even further behind in ninth spot. The first two positions, then, were occupied by Von Peterson (CZ) and Rick Salmon. At this point, a quick check of scoring and results indicated that if Rick was content with second place, he would surely be fust overall by sheer consistancy! But...he wasn't. On the last lap, after hounding Von mota-long, he crashed. Chuck Lunde seized this situation (and second place) to his advantage and took home first overall money. Peterson and Hovater followed him to make the top overall three. Ah, hindsight can be bitter! The Open class, too, produced an unexpected turnabout. After Joe Erwin (Mai) passed Henry Saunders (Yam) in the first mota he seemed quite in command of his class. The second round looked like "instant-replay time" for the first two laps. Then Joe, perhaps seeing the crowds going home, decided to add some excitement. At any rate, he slid au t. His accursed machinery took so long to restart, that he was soon wallowing' around in seven th place and finally fmished there. Joe was thusly relegated to number two overall as a mace consistant Russ Darnell (Hus) took the overall win. "Maybe if I..:' WantedlJ\,A ~Me~benl To represent in government Motorcycle Owners, Riders, and Enthusiasts Send a minimum contribution of $1 for a year's registration of your support. Register each member of your family. DKW - Rickman - Steen's Super uT" Super Price '73 Bultaco Sherpa "T" 350cc Renthal Bars - 2 ply Trials Tire - Spark Arrestor - Skid Plates - Gas Tank Sealed - Bike sent out of state 4701 EI Cajon Blvd. San Diego, Ca. 92115 (714) 283·2078 PO Box 26062, Sacramento 95B26 • Jo" ••, ••r4. 5"5 '.SIr••C. "He, Mr. De,'er" We carryall types of insurance. coverage - garage liabilityfire - theft & dea ler bond s S."t. u, r. 251 JOHN MAYNARD INS. 3441 Mltor Ave., L.A., Ca. (U3) 83&-5211 HuT !JOG! Cycle Ne\Ns HOT HATS ALLNEW! OnIY ....OO Cyele News Dept. CNP P.O. Box 498 'I Long Beach, Ca. 90801 \' Bazooka Pete says: "Mmm, Hot Hat good," II •• We are interested in financing qualified, bondable persons in route distribution of our products. Earn part ownership while making high income calling on cycle dealers in your area. Send qualifications, including references to: Cycle News P.O. Box 498·Y Long Beach, Ca. 90801 bank and other credit