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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126415
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Rich Franklin leads Joe Price and Scott Kinner at CRe Saddleback.
Gibson grabs the
winatSSMMX
By Terry Whytal
ORANGE, CA., MAY 26
Team Honda showed up at
Saddleback this week with two
of their top racers representing
the mighty japanese factory
38
which lately has had little to cheer
about. Today went well for team red
as Jim Gibson headed the 250cc Pro
class while engaging in a spectacular
race with fellow Honda rider Warren
Reid.
Gibson jumped into the early lead
with Yamaha rider Mark Lawrence
clos'e behind. Third and fourth
places were filled' by two Kawasaki
riders,Chappy Blose and Robert
Riesinger. Reid was a distant fifth.
Positions remained unchanged for a
few laps until Reid became impatient
and slipped by Riesinger and then
Blose. Lawrence was staying hot on
Gibson's rear fender until Gibson
decided a little breathing room was in
order and opened up the gap between
himself and the pack with apparent
ease. Lawrence had his hands full with
Reid, somehow managing to keep his
Yamaha in front of the fleet Reid.
Reid was' having problems with his
goggles fogging over and he finally
yanked them off just in time to be hit
in the eye with a rock. He tried to keep
riding but couldn't see well enough
and dropped out, leaving Lawrence
secure in second place far ahead ·of
Riesinger. At the checkers it was
Gibson far in front, followed by
.Lawrence, Riesinger and Blose.
Gibson timed the gate: perfectly
again, getting the holeshot just ahead
. of Reid and Blose. Reid glued himself
onto Gibson's rear fender and the two
ride~ began a dassic side by- side duel .
that would last for most of the race.
Gibson stayed in front for five .laps
before Reid found a way around and
took a very insecure lead. Gibson was
riding all the tough lines trying to find
a way around Reid and sometimes it
looked as if he had it until Reid would
shut the door in the next tum. The
two riders were passing slower riders
all over the course, yelling ilhead to- get
them to move aside. Then suddenly
Gibson overcooked a turn, knocking
into Reid with both .riders nearly
falling. As Gibson shouted an apology
to his. teammate he lost his
concentration and then fell. Gibson
remounted quickly but was unable to
reel in the' lost distance. and Reid
crOllled the finish line uncontested.
Lawrence had meanwhile passed Blose
to capture third place and second
overall behind Gibson. Riesinger
rounded out the top three with a !l·5
score.
Darryl Willoughby, from Australia,
rode away with the 125cc Pro race on
board one of Warren Reid's mounts.
(He is staying with Reid.) Willoughby
made it all look easy as he scored two
molO wins ahead of Yamaha rider
Andy Kirker, who is no slouch himself.
Third place went to Gregg Toyama on
a Yamaha.
Results
0PEN PRO: 1. Arden Hadley IMai); 2. Bill Hagen
IMai); 3. Bill KeeselMail.
250cc PRO: 1. Jim Gibson IHon); 2. Mark Lawrence
IVam); 3. Robert ReisingerIKaw).
125cc PRO: 1. Oarryl Willoughby IHon); 2. Andy
Kirker (Yaml: 3. Gregg Toyama (Yam).
.
OPEN INT: 1, Greg Painter (Mail; 2. Monte Roy (Mail:
3. Craig Robertson (Suz).
250cc INT: 1. Lucas Reynolds ISuz): 2. Mike Eddy
IMail; 3. Marc Crosby !Honl.
125cc INT: 1. M.,k Dwinell ISuz); 2. Mike Rinaldi
IKiw); 3. Brat Newman ISuz).
OPEN JR: 1. Alan Kent IVaml: 2. John Pincott IVaml:
3. Rich Stueztel IVaml.
250cc JR: 1. Jeff Eaton IMai): 2. Kelly Oliver (Honl: 3.
- Arthur C _ !Vam).
125cc J~;"..J.. Robert Sheldon (Suz): 2. Jose
Hernandell"...-3 t.... Ackerson IKaw).
.
250cc .BEG:'
Todd Jacl