Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

EddIe Lawson tried a Vetter Kawasaki Superblke and won two daneI Seekins smokes AME mlnlcyde MX Lawson trIes a Superblke at By Judy Greenberg ARRARR VALENCIA, CA, JULY 22 By Patrick Behar The minis joined the motorcycles on the Shadow Glen course for American Motocross Enterprises' Sunday races at Indian Dunes. David Sttkins rode his Suzuki to victory in the 85cc Intennediates. Roben Laughlin (A.J.R.P.) took off to a strong lead in the first' moto, while Sttkins got hung up at the back. With each lap, Sttkins gained ground and closed in to put the pressure on Laughlin, but time was shon and he settled for second. Bobby Simons (Simi Yam) finished in third. Laughlin was first off the line the second time out. Simons had Seekins OD • tail as they battled it out for li!cliil~~'1tins put the pass on Simons coming out of a tum. Laughlin went down, giving Sttkins the edge he needed to take over for the win. Simons finished second and Laughlin recovered for third. Shane Trittler, Kyle Lewis and Matt Blacklock dueled with their Suzukis on track and sand for the Junior Cycle Juniors. Positions changed with Trittler coming out on top with double wins. Lewis and Blacklock swapped second and third finishes. Rick Engelhardt was the early leader of the 85cc Juniors, but ran into trouble, relinquishing the lead to David Ethel. Carl Tignino rode a strong race behind Ethel until he went down, giving up the second spot to Buddy Dumo. Englehar&t moved back up to finish third, followed by Bill Sima in founh. Things turned around the second time, with Ethel in lead over Englehardt. Heading into a hairpin tum, Ethel threw his chain, putting Englehardt'in front. Duma, Bill Sima and Bob Sima f1lled the next slots and rode strong to the finish. Ethel made his repair and was back in action to finish seventh. The overall went to Englehardt. Results PEE WEE: 1. Kayle Johnoon ISuzl; 2. Ronnie llenIford lSuzI. JR. CYCLE EXP.: Buddy Duma ISud. JR. CYCLE INT.: 1. Ricky Duma ISuzl; 2. John M81h_ (Sazl. JR. CYCLE JRS.: 1. Shane Tritti.. ISuz): 2. Kyle Lowis (Suzl; 3. Mon Blocklock (Suz!. JR..cVCLE BEG.: Dennis Erickoon lSuzI. B3cc EXPERT: 1. Erik Kehoe lVoml; 2. Louie Fronco (Vom!. B3cc MINI INT.: 1. Dovid SeekinS ISuzI; 2. Robert Loughlin IVoml; 3. Bobby Simons IVoml. ll3cc Jf\.: 1. Riel< Englehardt (Kow); 2. Buddy Duma (Suzl; 3. B~I Simo (Kowl. B3cc BEG.: Kelly Virchow IVoml; 2. Rvon C81oneo 1Kawt. ONTARIO, CA,JULY 22 For most of -the riders, this American Road Racing Association meeting at Ontario Motor Speedway was too close to the AMA National at Sears Point and they chose to keep t~eir machinery in garages for Laguna Seca. But for all the others who made it to the races, it was a very interesting day, especially for Eddie Lawson who has been turning in noticeable rides on the pavement since the beginning of the '79 season. This time Eddie was on Pierre Des Roches' Kawasaki, which bears the Craig Vetter colors. It was Lawson's first Superbike ride ever. "After Sears Point, they called me up and asked me if I wanted to ride one of their bikes during that ARRA meeting at Ontario. I was enchanted by the idea and told Pierre I'd give it a try," said Lawson. Eddie did more thim JUSt give it a try. Firsi in the 550cc/500cc/ Open GP race, he ran away from everybody to give Des Roches his first victory of the day even if the competition was somewhat limited. Barry Elliot aboard a :rZ250 took second overall, but his race didn't count. Steve McClenon on a Moto Guzzi and Terry Nelson on a Kawasaki followed Lawson in the winner's circle. Eddie encountered a lot more resistance in the last race of the day, the Open Four Stroke GP. Chuck Parme, who is also getting good results on the National circuit on his personal Kawasaki gave a good challenge to the newest Vetter team rider during the first few laps. Panne had to settle for second when he discovered that the carburetor adjustment was too lean. Tom Ballantyne on a turbocharged Suzuki GS I 000 took third. Even if Lawson is not sure to have a Superbike ride at Laguna Seca on the Vetter Kawasaki, he will be on the top of the list for next year's rider choice. "We have to concentrate 100% on Reggie's bike for that race - every thing else is secondary right now. But next year all the possibilities are open," commented Des Roches after the race. "It was the fastest bike I ever rode, even faster than the TZ750 that I rode Those bikes are at Daytona. incredible. I had to go slower in the comers than on my 250, but overall it goes a lot faster everywhere else," added Eddie. Rex Staten rocket8d to two c:IelI8 wins at San aem. d1J.... CMC MX. Chuck Panne took the honors in the Cafe/Super Cafe claSs, which he dominated completely. Whitney Blakeslee (Champion Kaw), who was riding the bike he rode at the AFM 6Hour, blew a piston on the third lap and had to retire. Tom Ballantyne took ~ond place. Blakeslee rode a stock Kawasaki MKII to a perfect scoring in the Bock Stoc.k and Open Production races, making his day wonh the effon. Ed Toomey (Toomey M/C Center) came from the last position on the grid to win the 410cc Production class, and he did it again in the 550cc Production. Mark Homchick had only to worry about Sears Point National Novice winner John Glover during the early laps of the nine-lap race in the 250cc GP race. Homchick, on'a Phil Schilling tuned TZ250 Yamaha, then ran away to score the win in a very impressive manner. The next ARRA meeting will be at riverside on Aug. 12, after Laguna Seca. Results BEGINNERS: 1. _ Hoffmen (Suzl; 2. Poul Turek lOucotil; 3. Pol McCroony lI(owl. 5Oa: GP: 1. _ Ga-~ lSuzl; 2. Don _lhoI Jell; 3. Scon _lholJell. 10lla: GP: 1. Mike MeA""" CKowl; 2. D u o t v - lHont; 3. e.t Smith cc.n AmI. . 125c:cGP: 1. Bob tlewitt(HonI; 2. Todd _ CSud; 3. Duotv_IV_I. 2OOa: GP: 1. TOITy - . lVoml; 2. PouI M8nning cCan Ami; 3. e.t Smith lCan AmI. 250cc GP: 1. - . . _ IVImI 2. John GIo.- 1V1mI; 3.11arry E.,,, lV_I. 5OOa: GP: C.W. Schroder (Voml. OPEN GP: 1. Eddie ~ (Kowl; 2. S _ McCIonon IM.GJ; 3. TOITy - . (Kowl. 4 STROKE GP 500 cc: 1. Jeff Getn ISuzl; 2. ___ Br-.(Hanl. 75Oa:: 1. Tom S . - (Hon~ 2. .-., Lucido (Kow); 3. HoI Von Rilucoord (M.G.I. OPEN: 1. Eddie LowoonCKowI; 2. Chuctc Polme IKowI 3. Tom Bollomyne (Suzl. 125c:c: Richerd McC_IVoml. 200 PRODUCTION: 1. ""'.. Toumuro IVom!; 2. Mort< McDonold (Voml; 3. Torry NetlOn (Voml. 250 PRODUCTIO~ 1. Michoel Fleming IVoml; 2. Gory Penon lVoml; 3. Poul Foot.. (Kawl. 410 PRODUCTION: 1. Ed Toomey !Vom); 2. Rob Selvy IVomI3. Donie( Sotelo lVoml. 550 PRODUCTION: 1. Ed Toomey (Voml; 2. Rob Selvy (Vom!. . 750 PRODUCTION: 1. Mike Spencer Illowl; 2. Dennis Fryer (Suzl; 3. S _ Gilbert (Hanl. OPEN PRODUCTION: 1. Whit _ _ IKowl; 2. Eric Hedler !M.GJ; 3. Kevin 8n Pool 1SuzI; 3. Koilh _1Kawt. Staten thumps CMCSan .Bernardino MX By Tom Corley SAN BERNARDINO, CA,JULY 20 The Orange Show Fairgrounds is the site of spectacular Motocross' Tacing on 'Friday nights. Each week more and more top SoCal riders are getting involved in the two·wheel excitement going on in the weekly Continental Moto-spons Club stadium program. Since opening night, word has really been getting around about this new event, which was evident by the wellrounded turnou.t. Several featu.res of this show are fast making it' more popular with the riders and the area's spons fans. A huge grandstand makes it easy to watch the action and there is also an official program to help one keep track of the night's different. classes. Superstar Rex Staten was out to combat the local Pro riders and he just plain defeated the whole pack. For this race he was mounted on a new Yamaha 500 four-stroke machine and perhaps he is getting ready for the upcoming CMC four-stroke championship. Rex literally walked away from the 500cc Pro class, over Arden Hadley, Roben Marino, Bob Maxwell and Bruce Ogilvie. These Pros put on a spectacular display of racing and it was incredible just how far they flew off of the main jump before the grandstands. Stu. Peters said that one guy went nearly 90 feet. The only problem was that several of the riders broke spokes when they "landed. The track is defmitely .great for spectator appeal! Results MINI 50: 1. N-... _1SuzI; 2. SeI Gonzalez (Suzl; 3. .-8

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