Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Lucerne Velley - Red MounbIn - PI_.CIty -SUrch.....t - Sidewinder RlNId - S......tItIon ........ - .... - R.... Desert Hotline ING UARD ~ J., i-j( Avallabl. In: II: Black, Red, Blue $129. EMIJI: Black, BllJl Trilla: Brown • CInI: Black • I· 'f Suggested RellJiJ IIIIn: 8end for Prices & CGIor BrocIue DIstriIutarship AvaIaIIIe CO.MOPOLITAil MOTORS HatbonI, Pa 19040 I (215) 672-9100 (Left) Todd nmmons rode with Mike Welch to the overall win. first 250cc. (Bottom rightl Jack Johnson had problems. I Welch/Timmons top desert night riders series By Chuck Harper Photos by Wayne "Rashbulb" Gales NELSON, NV, AUG. 17 &24 With a narrow second race victory, Can-Am-mounted Mike Welch and Todd Timmons captured the overall honors in the ~o-event desen night riders serIes. Tell 'em you saw It in Cycle News ~I YCLE RIDER : C : WAREHOUSE',~ September SpecIal I i:: VENORAMINI- MXL , 1210 So. Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92707 (714) 542-9&68 L 20 Motocross Boots $84.95 0_0_0 0_o_0 _ I :: J , "Berzerko" Bennie Brown and Danny Anderson piloted their Nevada Yamaha/Bill McVee & Associates· backed 1'1'250 to a thrilling come-frombehind overall victory in the first race and backed it up with a third overall, first 250cc in the second race to gamer top 250cc laurels for the two-night even!, The serpentine II-mile course was marked with fluorescent ribbon and danger marks with the racers scheduled to make six tours. One Expert was allowed per team and the two- race bash was to be scored jointly like an MX with the teams posting the best combined scores to be awarded the top honors. The majority of contestants were coming in with horror stories of disappearing in black holes, overshooting turns in the dark desert night and unexpected excursions to the cavernous earth between the canyon walls from the hilltop trails, however, most seemed to be enjoying their nocturnal perils. Race 1 By luck of the draw riders headed into the darkness one-by-one at 9:00 p.m. and when the first headlight appeared in the distance some 22 minutes later the majority of spectators, pit crews and riders were expecting Jack Johnson to emerge from the shadows, but it was Can-Am's Kevin Welch who materialized and quickly turned the bike over to partner Angelo Iannucci_ (Top rightl Benny Brown and Danny Anderson were The next bike through was the dual Cibie-supplied Husky of famed Bajatuner Randy Chambers who took over the controls hom his last minute partner Glenn "Big Winnie" Wischmeyer. The "Berzerko" Bennie Brown/ Danny Anderson team were leading the 250cc class while running third overall and were being pursued by the Mike Welch/Todd Timmons entry who made the turn fourth overall, third Open bike_ Pre-race favorite Jack Johnson, who was teamed with Jon "Frog" Ogren, limped in fifth overall with a front puncture followed by the Can-Am team of Ron Reed/Troy Fitch who were holding down sixth overall, second 250cc_ At the halfway point Weich/Iannucci were enjoying a comfortable five minute margin over Brown/Anderson who had moved by Wischmeyer/Chambers for second overall. Mike Welch/Todd Timmons remained 'fourth overall as Johnson/ Ogren called it a night when their light went dead after advancing through the pack following their tire change. On the bell lap Brown pulled in directly behind Welch and the two went at it tong and hammer as they blasted off for the checkered flag. Brown went by Welch shortly afterward when Kevin was crashing into a rock wall that bordered a tight tum and kept the lead to the finish_ Welch was additionally slowed by a broken chain and eventually ended up fourth overall, third Open. Chambers/Wischmeyer soldiered in second overall, first Open while Mike Welch/Todd Timmons copped third oveall, second Open and Ron Reed/ Troy Fitch posted fifth overall, second 250cc_ In their first race ever the team of Rob Griebel/Val Maiden (Yam) topped the I75cc class and the first thumper duo to finish was the Larry McCall/Courtney Whipple Suzuki. Race 2 The decisive round of the series saw Mike Welch/Todd Timmons post a wire-to-wire win, but things weren't quite that simple. On the third lap with a precarious lead over the Jack Johnson/Jon Ogren. Kevin Welch/ Angelo Iannucci and Bennie Brown/Danny Andenon teams, the Mike Welch/Timmons endeavor lost the seat on their big-bore Can-Am and were suffering through the punishment dealt out by the frame members over the bumpy terrain_ Down the homestretch Johnson closed the gap on the seatless Welch, however. time ran out for Jack and Welch crossed the fmish line a scant 15 seconds ahead of Southern Nevada's greatest desert racer to claim the overall title_ First race hopefu.1s Griebel and Maiden saw their chances for victory in the I75cc class go down the tubes with a front at on the first lap of the second race which turned the overall to the team of Yamaha-mounted Jeff Krantz/Gavin Prater_ Monte "Peaches" Gerber and Art Lanier (Hon) aced the thumper class in the second race but it was Steve Davis and Gary Zupanic who took the overaIJ title home to Boulder City by virtue of their better combined score_ • Results EVENT' OPEN: 1. Randv Chambers/Glenn Wischmeyer IHusl: 2. MMe Welchrrodd Timmons IC-Al; 3. K"';n Welch/ Angelo Iannucci IC-Al. 2SOcc: 1. Benny BrownlDannv Andcerson IYam); 2. Ron Reedrrroy Fitch IC-Al: 3. Rag... Hamet/Mike Patchen IYam). , 75cc: ,. Rob Gri_lVai Maiden IYaml: 2. Gavin Pratzer/Jeff Krantt IYaml; 3. Janine Ogren/Crocken Wirthlin IYaml. THUMPER: ,. Larry McCalIlCourlney Whipple ISuz); 2. Steve Davis/Gary ZUpanlC IYam). EVENT 2 OPEN: 1. Mike Welchrrodd Timmons IC-Al; 2. Jack Johnson/Jon Ogren IYam); 3_ K"';n Welch/Angelo Iannucci (C·A), 250cc: 1. Bennie Brown/Danny Anderson (Yam); 2. Ron ReedIlIrad Hilton IC-A): 3. Usa GalloIKeith Delzer IHus). 175cc: t. Jeff Krantz/Ga....in Prat8f (VarnI; 2. Janine OgrenlCrocken Wirlhlin IYam); 3. Rob GriebellVai Mai_IYaml. THUMPER: ,. Monte Gerg.../Art Lani... IHon); 2. Gary ZupaniclSteve Davis IYam); 3. Larrv McCan, COUrlney Whipplp ISuzl. OVERALL OPEN: ,. Mike Welchrrodd Timmons IC-A); 2. Randv ChamberS/Glenn Wisch~ IHusl: 3. K"';n Welch/Angelo 'aMucci IC-AI. 250cc: 1. Benny Brown/Danny Anderson (Yam); 2. Ron ReedIT"", FitchlBrad Hiiton IC-AI: 3. Lisa Gallo/ Keith DaI_IHus). , 75cc: 1. Jeff Krantz/Gavin Prat... IYam); 2. Jan;ne OgrenlCrocken Wlrth~n (Yam); 3. Rob GriebellVa' Maiden IYaml. THUMPER: ,. Steve DavisIGary Zupanic lYl_nl: 2. Larry Mc:ColIICour1ne Whipple ISuzl; 3. Art Lanier/ Gerbo< IHanI. _ '--.r'

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