ENORTHERN DAT£UNE
~
E
. Northwest Challenge MX contenders didn't let inclement weather get to them. They just got down and dirtier.
This must be one reason they named it the "Aying" L-D Ranch. So this is
how desert recers do it on a track1
Meacham outruns
Johnson at Flying
L·D Ranch revival
By Wayne Gales
Photos by Sharon Gales
ZION PARK, UT, AUG. 26
For the first time since 1975, the
gates of the Flying L-n Ranch
were opened to racers. The
ranch, located just two miles
38
from the east entrance to Zion National
Park, is owned by a motorcycle
enthusiast and offers racers a rare
chance to ride a genuine European
type, natural terrain style motocross.
The race was sponsored by the Las
Vegas Groundshakers, a member of
MRAN (Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada) which is primarily a
desert racing o.rganization, and the
desert people came out in force.
The 250cc Expert class saw some hot
competition between Tim Sparks and
Kevin Davis. Kevin had driven all
night to get to the ranch after a
Saturday afternoon win at the
S.C.O.R.E. race in Riverside, CA.
Sparks took the win in moto one and
Kevin won moto two. Davis took a
strong lead in the third round and it
looked like he had the overall wrapped
up until the entire seat and fender
assembly parted from his 250cc Maico
mount. Davis was forced to ride the
rest of the race standing upl This unorthodox riding style slowed Kevin
down enough to give Sparks the moto
win and first overall, followed by Davis
and Eric Elizondo.
The line up for the Open Expert
class looked so much like a desert race
it was surprising there wasn't a dead
engine start. Well ~own off-roaders
like Jack Johnson, Scott Hardin, Sid
Tarbett and Mel Chapman all had
their eyes on a win, but Salt Lake City
Expert Dave Meacham aced them out
with a perfect }-1-1 day. Meacham
_ was followed by Husky team member
Jack Johnson (2-2-2). Jack was back on
a bike after his first race effon in a
class 1 car in the S.C.O.R.E. race the
day before.
Results
125 NOV: 1. Bill Hill; 2. S _ Schnoor; 3. Eric Morrill.
125 AM: 1. Chip MMief; 2. Pat S _ ; 3. Nino
Bunerowe,
125 EX: 1. KOIIin Steel; 2. Troy Filch; 3. 8fad Hilton.
250 NOV: 1. lJInce 1.Bvoaf; 2. Chuck Horper; 3. Roger
Lompol.
250 AM: 1. Pat Mulgoy; 2. _
R~.
250 EX; 1. Tim Sport
