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/126489
o 00 0') l-o V ..0 o ..... u o ITop) Gene Woods uses the outside in a vain attempt to hold off Alan Christian. Woods tied for fourth with Mike Curoso at 11 points. (Above) Dubb Ferrell leads Christian, Curoso and Jeff Tomlin. Ferrell finished t.he night one point shy of Christian's total of 14. California State Invitational Championship Christian conquers California By Scott Daloisio . SAN BERNARDINO, CA, SEPT. 20 Alan "Crazy" Christian closed out the 1980 sea· son at John LaDouceur's Inlan~ Motorcycle Speedway by taking the California State Championship Saturday night. Christian, who told "The Voi'ce of Speedway" Bruce Flanders tnat he had this one in his back pocket, took a hard 8 earned one-point victory over Speedway Hall of Farner Dubb Ferrell. The action staned early as the huge crowd was treated to a flTC'Worlts show in the air which staned as the gate went up for event number one. Upcoming star Jeff Tomlin then pulled off the first upset of the night as he rode the inside and passed Gene Woods and Mike Faria on the way to a convincing victory. Hometown . favorite John Sandona then took a well deserved and popular win in event two as he edged Mike Curoso. Christian's first ride was in event three against Keith Chrisco, Craig Schaefer and Dave Sims, who said it was his night to beat Christian before the races. As usual in a race with Christian, the race was decided before the end of lap one with Alan taking the victory by a wide margin. Ferrell's first ride was in event four against Denny Pyeatt, Brad Oxley and Shawn McConnell. Pyeatt. who was one of the .darkhorses. showed that hard work pays off as he held Ferrell off the entire distance. Christian's second ride came up in event seven against Woods, McConnell and Phil Gagnon. Christian moved to the inside and rode the pipe with Woods riding the cushion. Woods was a ble to pull even in the turns, but could not keep up in the straights. Christian edged Woods and headed into round three with a perfect scort". Round two ended with Ferrell taklng event eight by a wide margin. Event nine matched the only two riders with perfect scores after the fiist two rounds. Christian and Ferrell each came in with six points. For good measure Curoso and Tomlin were in the field to make up the best field of the night. Ferrell got the gate and then held Christian at bay for four laps to score a very popular victory and pull himself into a tie with Christian. Faria's impressive night continued on as he outdistanced the pack in event 10. While Faria was having a great night, Dave DeTemple must have thought he was having a nightmare. In round one, DeTemple