Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Cycle News 1980 10 15

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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o 00 0') ...-4 Terry Davis blasted through to MMAIIDBA Fremont Top Fuel win. Michlitsch doubles at Mulkey By Suanne Ught McMINNVILLE, OR, SEPT. 21 Tim Michlitseh (Yam/LOP) took home most of the Pro money from Mulkey ORV Park. Michlitseh won the 250cc and Open 30 Pro classes while Mike McCormick (Yam/MX-Fox) took the 125cc Pro race. It rained Saturday night, but threatening skies soon moved south· ward and the track was blessed by good Oregon sunshine. In the 250cc Pro class, Phillip Oveland (Yam) fired out of the gate with Tim Miehlitseh (Yam) and Chris Washburn (Yam) keeping close tabs. Michlitsch got by Oveland on lap three and these two went for it tooth and nail until Michlitsch clipped his bars on a post and did a get off. Oveland took the win with Michlitseh, Wash· burn, Ted Holt (Suz). Arne Hettman (Hon), Kevin Jansen (Yam) and Steve Williams following in for the first moto payoff. Moto two saw Michlitseh holeshot only to be taken out on the start. Oveland took command, but went out with transmission problems letting Rowdy Blasedell (Hus) go into the lead while things were getting close for second between Hettman and Steve Howland (Yam/Keystone). Jansen was in fourth while Michlitseh was moving WFO through the pack. Michlitsch soon got Jansen and Howland but couldn't get Rowdy. At the .flag, Blasedell took the win followed by Michlitseh. Jansen, How· land, Heitman, Washburn and Perry Scott (Hon). Possibly the best race of the day was the 125cc Pros. Mike McCormick (Yam/MX-Fox) took a commanding lead with Roy Davis (Yam) and Rod Keller (Suz) right on his tail. Oveland (Hon) was in fourth with Eric Hall (LOP/Yam) and Robby Watillo (Yam/RW Racing) in fifth and sixth. These six walked away from the rest of the pack while Arne Hettman, Clay Light (LOP/Suz/Gresham Suz) and Richard Earle (LOP/Suz) were seventh, eighth and ninth. McCormick took the win with Davis (both on water-cooled YZS) in second. Oveland was third. Keller fourth on a water-cooled RM and Hall fifth. Moto two had Hall take the lead, but it was short-lived as McCormick took over and went totally berserk, going wide open shutting the door on any attempt by Oveland to regain the lead. Watillo settled into fourth. keep· ing up with some of the Open Pros (who were run with the 125s). Results PEE WEE: 1. Bren Anton !Yaml; 2. Eric L-.IYam); 3. Jeff 00iIv lSuz~ MINI JR: ,. Jeff M"oIIs !Yaml; 2. Grady Troglin l!(aw); 3. Mike Hess IHan). MINI INT: 1. Rich CellIria IYaml; 2. Mike Ingebo lVaml; 3. ~e KIink.e lSuzl. MINI EX: 1. Kenny Fenel IYaml; 2. W_ Anton IYoml. 100 JR: 1. IlilI Hrabik IYaml; 2. Mike Haushins lVaml; 3. O.J. W._ISuzl. 100 INT: 1. Quane Morris IYaml; 2.l.arTy Hofendreal (Suzl; 3. Kevin Hofendreel (Suzl. 125 JR OIV I: 1. Wes S_ingen IYam); 2. Doug Boddy lVaml; 3. David Tolford (Yaml. 125 JR OlV II: 1. Ken Brill IHonl; 2. James Anderson IYaml; 3. Man WMfieId (Yam). 125 INT: 1. Quane Morris IYam); 2. Lou Gregory {Yaml; 3. Doug Lange IKawI. 125 PRO: 1. Mike McCormick (Yaml; 2. Phil Ovetand IHanI; 3. Eric HaIiIYaml. 250 JR: 1. Rtch Otnev {Yaml; 2. Jim Brofhmore 15uzl; 3. Jim Jones (Kawl. 250 INT: 1. Mike Nyberg IYaml; 2. Jeff Howland IYam); 3. Gary _IHus). 250 PRO: 1. Tim Michlitseh (Yaml; 2. Chris Washburn IYam); 3. Arne Hellman IHanI. 500 JR: 1. M.tv Webb IYaml; 2. Jim Jones (Kawl; 3. Derek lourring (Yaml. 500 INT: 1. Bob Ciccerchi IYaml; 2. J;m P.ks IYaml; 3. Jeff Jordan IYaml. 500 PRO: 1. Tim Michlitsch IYaml; 2. Chris Washburn (Yaml; 3. Ken RandaIIIYaml. 30-40 JR: 1. Mike Roberts IMai); 2. Bruce Graham ISuzl; 3. Lwrv Sause {Han}. 30-40 SR: 1. Jim Parks IYaml; 2. George Law IKTM); 3. John English lVaml. OT: 1. Gary _ IHonl; 2. Bud Oown IMai); 3. Bill MavIor IYam). Davis, Cook, Sargis, Burdick best MMA/IDBA Fremont drags By Ron Martin FREMONT. CA, SEPT. 20-21 "Heh, heh, heh ..... That's what it says on Terry Henry's helmet. That's what Kawasaki has been using as a slogan for 1980. That's what it was at Fremont Raceway for a two-day race meet which was sponsored by the Modified Motorcycle Association and sanctioned by the IDBA. The Japanese brand continued to dominate nonhern California drag strips as it has done all year. Warm weather and a fresh coating of stickum combined with a ton of fast machinery from all over the country to help shatter 15 national records. Saturday's action was basically practice runs and Pro qualifying. One of the day's highlights had the crowd on its feet. Dale Walker, riding Sandy Kosman's turbo Kawasaki, blasted through the eyes at an astounding 7.95 ... on gasoline! Walker's mph was 166 flat. Unfortunately. Willer was 50 excited, he neglected to stop at fuel check on his way back to the pits, 50 it can't be credited as official. There were only three riders in the Pro Comp field. so Stan Bernard brought it to the line to face Clark Sargis. Sargis' holeshot did the trick as he put Bernard away 9.48 to 9.65. Dan Lezzini soloed to complete the round. All three were Kawasakimounted. In the final, it was Lezzini coming out first, but Sargis' turbo passed him up at mid·range and Sargis took the win with a 9.!l9 at 149 mph to Lezzini's 9.48 at 1!l9.02. The Harleys of Tommy Tufts and D.R. Mitchell had problems prior to eliminations. so the Super Eliminator field was cut down to two riders right from the start. Walker, still unable to "officially" get into the sevell$, was to meet Bob Burdick of Fremont. Both Kawasakis were staged and when the tree came down. it was Walker out in front. But Burdick kept up his charge and got through the eyes first with a slower 9.40 at 144 mph to Wallter's losinK 8.6!l at 161 flat. Probably the best racing of the day was furnished by the four-Kawie field in Pro Stock. Larry Cook out of Oregon and Cedric Johnson (rom Los Angeles qualified one and two, both riders in the eights. Local racer Elvin Govia of Fremont and Terry Henry from Sacramento came in at the final two spots. Henry having run his fastest ever at 9.27 with his smaller motor. Cook and Govia staned off the round and unbelievably, both riders lit the win lights simultaneously. The electronic timer in the tower showed that Govia had put away the favorite with an identical time to Cook's of 9.14. Govia turned 144 mph to Cook's 145. However, the scales indicated that Govia's machine was too light, disqualifying him and moving Cook automatically into the final. Henry put it into the beam with Johnson to complete the semi round and once again. the underdog emerged on top as Johnson lit up a red light on the tree. Henry turned a 9.41 at I !l6. 77 mph. Pro Stock fmal brought out Cook and Henry. Cook who was favored, trailered and reinstated, and Henry with the smallest motor in the field. Cook's big inches told the story as he got to the big end with an 8.91 at 147.54. Terry's valiant effon produced a 9.4!l at 141.95. The ground-shakers came forth with a field of five - one Kawasaki and four irons from Milwaukee. Wayne Davis on the Kaw was high qualifier so he drew the bye run. Pouring the coals to it, Davis spun off a 7.78 at 178.21 on the solo run. Amazing! Marion Owens brought his twin· engined charge from Oklahoma to face Keith Ruxton. Ruxton on the fresh Harley of Clyde Rawlings had come up from Fresno with problems which continued as he could not fire the huge beast. Owens eased his 900 pound handful down strip with an easy 1!l.61. The next pair was Texas vs. New Mexico. Steve Morale from the Lone Star state lined it up with Jerry Cox. Cox's bike had a loose belt and starter Chet Carter shut him down at the line. Morale. not knowing why Cox cut his motor. clicked his off also. IDBA official Tony Lee ruled that the two should rerun for third place. So after both competitors had backed off their motors, out they came to do battle again. This time, Morale lost fire during his burnout and Cox coasted through the lights at 11.0!l. So far, all the rounds in Top Fuel had been solo passes. Now, Davis and "Boss Hog" Owens came to the staging lights to settle the fight for big bucks. The greens came on and three motors strained at their mounts as Davis and Owens shot toward the big end. Davis was an easy winner with 8.19 at 165.44. Owens, shutting it down, ran a 14.76 at 55 mph. Heh, heh, heh ... Results SPORTSMAN ELIMINATOR: 1. John Mwlcuso {H· 01; 2. Jeff Ryan (l(awl. ET 1: 1. Mike Leslia IKawI; 2. Oon Trent Iii-D). ET 2: 1. Jeff Bodde lli-Ol; 2. Bill Ice {!(awl. ET 3: 1. Torn Hurst ISuz); 2. Dwight Horst IKawl. ET 4: 1. Joe Maor~lo IH-D); 2. Gary Egan (li-DI. Everybody wins at Bettencourt Benefit By Bob Hill HANFORD, CA, SEPT. 20 A good rider turnout and some real good racing was the order of the night at the Chad Bettencourt Benefit Race held at the Hanford Fairgrounds. Bob, Elaine, Dennis, Debbie and Richard Rodriques of the Rowdy Rodriques Racing Team made it all happen. They collected over $800 in gift certificates and put the whole program together. Hank McCaully donated the trophies and Garvin Brown volunteered to start. Everyone e1se pitched in to flag and lap check, etc. All in all, it was a big success. Craig Howard (Birltle/Yam) led off the night by winning the 80 and lOOcc Expert mains over Buddy Wilson (Leroys Moble Welding/Yam) and Blayne Hollenbeck (Fosters Freeze/ Sumners Suzuki). Brian Yocum (Yam) won the 250cc Expert battle after a fine ride and a now or never .pass Over Robert Land' (Billingsley Ford/Yam) with Jim ROlle (Oxfords H-D/Yam) right on both of them. Mike Hale (Hale Const.lYam) got the win in the 500cc Expen race as he led from the start followed by Brian Yocum. Anthony Urias Oohns Auto Parts/Yam) and Tommy McKinoey (Yam). McKinney made a last lap pass over Urias to take the show spot. Two special races were also run. The first race was for 200cc bikes and under. The second was for bikes from 250cc to 500cc. It was five bucks to enter; winner take all. Steve Hill got the small bike holeshot and never looked back. Dennis Rodrigues (125 Yam) was right behind with Jim Taves (Yam) trying to get through traffic. Taves' 175 almost caught Hill on the last lap, but came up one bike length short. Mike Hale made it two for the night as he easily won the big bike race by half a lap. Chad Bettencourt remains at Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield, CA. Although out of intensive care at this time, all our prayers are with Chad for a speedy recovery. Cards a nd letters can be sent to Chad Bettencourt c/o Mercy Hospital, 2215 Truxton Ave., Bakersfield, CA. Results eo NOVIJR: 1. Bily e- lVam); 2. Duane Woloon IYaml; 3. Ooug Arnlltos IYam). eo EX: 1. Crllig _ d IYam); 2. Buddy W..... IYaml; 3. Blayne Hollenbeck lSuzl. 100 JR: 1. Rickey -...,. IYam); 2. Jeff !Yam!. 100 EX: 1. CrlIig - . , lVaml; 2. Buddy !Yam!; 3. Slew HillVoml. ~ W_

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