Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Nonhern Callforni.Northero Nev8d8·0regon-Washington-ldaho-Utah-Alaska-Canad. Northero California-Nonhero Nevada-Oregon-Washington-ldaho-Ut8h-. NORTHERN DATELINE Speedwayis .history in Ventura for 1980 ,,,, By Bill Locey . ENTURA. CA, SEPT. 30 'I'm not making this up u.as a speedway program Night of the Ventura Fair - the finally final - there Opening County night at the Ventura Raceway for 1980. If you missed it. well, that's what you get for not reading those little ads 'in the back of Cycle News. John Foster and Keith Chrisco were glad they came as they won the Main events. The show was billed as the 2nd Annual Ventura Speedway Classic. While it was definitely no classic, it ws at least speedway, the first and only since the State Championships at !MS. It was also TQmidget, ATC and Oayssey racing (not all at once). (. Although Sonny Nutter and Jim Gresham did not un· retire for the race '!ike they did last year, 12 of our track ? gu'lars were on hand for the abbrt" iaied program consisting of two Handicap heats, four Scratch heats, plus the Mains. Despite warnings from uack announcer Virg Kilpatrick that hose to be in the Nationals had plenty to lose injury-wise, Shawn McConnell, Keith Chrisco, Bobby McLain and Dave DeTemple all rode hard. Brad Oxley rode hard too, but not very fast on a terminally ill bike. In the first race of the night, Foster led all the way off the 10, sucessfully holding off a tireless Steve Lucero. McLain saw the final transfer spot go down the tubes as McConnell passed 'hIm on the outside on the final turn. Ie 'In the other heat, Kennedy rode like a moose possessed, getting past low yardage riders Eddie Clark and Dennis Bransford on the outside, and won ·comfortably. DeTemple and Chrisc~ (who came disguised in Randy SOnger's leathers) passed them as well or second and third respectively. In the Main, it was Foster again. although not quite so easily. The probable rookie of the year got the 'gate, but McConnell passed Lucero and Kennedy by the second turn and was right on Foster's case. By the second lap, McConnell was joined by DeTemple and Chrisco, with Lucero and Kennedy only a length behind them - anybody's race. McConnell went down on the third lap trying to pass Foster on the outside. By the time Foster and his followers "ame into the final turn, McConnell had vacated, but his bike was still on the track. The first four riders niade it by and came around the turn three ",ide with Kennedy trailing by a length. < But Lucero, two lengths back, 'headed straight for the fallen bike and the petrified rookie flagman caught on the track, who could only wave the yellow and hope that gnarly tire tracks wouldn't spoil his designer jeans. At the last instant. Lucero layed it down perfectly. Foster won by half a length with Chrisco second and DeTemple third. The Scratch heats were the biggest yawners of the year. With only three bikes in each heat coupled with a few mechanical scratches, no heat was in doubt after the first turn. . But the Main was worth the drive. McConnell got the gate and led for the first lap. Then after a lap of bump and run, Chrisco pushed his buddy wide and took the lead. Next, it. was DeTemple's turn as he took the Chrisco Kid on the outside on lap three. The lead changed hands several times until they ran out of laps with Chrisco a narrow winner over DeTemple, McConnell and Foster. Next year, look for bigger, better, new, improved everything. Speedway returns in March '81. .. to be continued... see ya ... Results SCRATCH MAIN: ,. Keith Chrisco; 2. Deve DeTemple; 3. Shewn McConnell; 4. John Fo.t.... HANDICAP MAIN: ,. John FOlIler; 2. Keith Chrisco; 3. Deve DeTemple; 4. Moose Kennedy; 5. Steve Lucero; 6. Shawn McConnelL SCRATCH CONSV: ,. Steve Lucero; 2. Dennis Bren.t",d; 3. Moose Kennedy; 4. Brad Oxley. HANDICAP CONSV: ,. Dannis Brensford; 2. Grent Selyers; 3. Eddie Clark; 4. Bobby McLein; 5. Brad Oxley. SalinasST: Freitas doubles, Day doubles again By Bill Spencer SALINAS. CA, SEPT. 28 Winkie Freitas sizzled the Mini Experts and Keith Day doubled again as short track racing returned to the Salinas Airport track that is one of the fmest tracks available, but turns out one of the smallest amount of people despite being less than a mile off Highway 101. Bryan Taber likes how his Yamaha runs and won the hotly-contested 80cc Junior class over "Fang, Jr.. " Scotty Martin, with Tommy Carriger holding off Jeremy Chisum. In the big 80cc Expert class, Winkie Freitas took command once again and handily took that top brass. Mike Macedo held an excellent second place over multiNational winner Chris Carr. Macedo has only been back riding sporadically since being injured at this track last year, and it looks like he is ready to do big-time battle once again. Gordon Rudy's kids are well on their way in the new racing world, the former Nationally ranked rider from the 1950s has two with Chris winning 250cc Novice and AI, Jr., winning the Junior event on their Rudy's Arco specials. Danny Moore wanted the 250cc Expert main for his own and led out on the Yamaha of Salinas 250, but Keith Day had other things in mind. Day took over with some typically smooth moves that make him an excellent pilot for the Kawasaki of Salinas team. Moore held him for a few laps. but Keith got under and around with rela'tive ease. David Boyles tried his best to get by the young speedster, but to no avail and the three freight-trained the remaining laps. TIm Torrecillas and Mick Schrank had a good show in the 500cc Novice until "Tim the Taco" made a slight boo-boo and let Schrank have his way with the checkered flag. Stan Morris celebrated his 500cc Junior win by doing some fine "Papa Wealey's" with enthusiasm. In the 500cc Expert main event, Day made it four for four in two straight races by leading Danny Moore to the flag in some fine racing. Results PEE WEE: 1. John Kennedy ISuz). 100 EX: 1. Winkie Freitas (Yam): 2. Kelley Fishcer IVaml. 60 NOV: 1. Charlie Arthur (Yam). 80 NOV: 1. Matt DeQuasie (Yam); 2. Jon Nunez IVaml. 80 JR: 1, Brvan Taber (Yam): 2. Scott Martin IKawl; 3. Tom Carriger (Yam). 80 EX: 1. Winkie Freitas (Hon); 2. Mike Macedo ISuzl; 3. Chris Carr ISuzl. 250 NOV: 1. Chris Rudy IVaml. 250 JR: 1. AI Rudy. Jr. IC·A). 250 EX: ,. Kei1h Dey IKawl; 2. Danny Moore IVaml; 3. David Boyles lHonl, 500 NOV: 1. Mick Schrank (Yam); 2. Tim Torrecillas IVaml. 500 JA; 1. Stan Morris (Yaml. 500 EX: 1. Keith Day (Yaml; 2. Dannv Moore (Hon). McDougal tops Rhodes in Roadrunners Fall Enduro By EIRae Morgenthaler TENINO, WA, SEPT. 28 It was Harlan McDougal over Don Rhodes by thtee seconds in the 3rd Annual Fall Enduro sponsored by the Roadrunners M.C. Point losses were low, the top scores at 999 and many in the high 990s. For McDougal, it was his first overall win, although he has won his Open B class on occasion and he was very pleased with the way his PE400 covered the course. Rhodes, too was a popular winner in the 250 A class, as he turned 50 earlier this season and can still ride with the best of the younger riders. The course was a 70-mile figure eight described by McDougal as good, challenging and tough in places. The first section contained lots of abandoned double-rut road and powerline road/trail made slimy by Saturday night's rain. Unfortunately, the three and fivemile mileage checks were off and riders arrived at check one two minutes early. The check was thrown out after initial scores were posted. Section two is remembered by its abundance of large, round rocks and freshly cut primitive trail. .By check two, most riders had figured out the mileage errors and were back on time. The third section was composed mostly of road into check three and the gas check. At this point, the C riders who started after the A and Bs completed their ride. All three sections were run at a 12 mph average (10 mph for Criders). The second half of the course seemed to be easier than the first, although it too had been affected by the rain and rutted quickly. After check four, there was a speed change to a slow six mph average on an old railroad grade with ditches and creeks, srow enough to allow Kevin Bethards to repair a front tire and get back on time. Another speed change up to 15 mph and into the finish check. Results '25 B: 1. Tom Nichols 19941; 2. Tom Tuck... (990). 125 A: ,. Mike Strode 19881; 2. Mike Gorman 19651. 200 B: ,. Flay Smith 19981; 2. Leo Nixon 10071; 3. Rex Seill9971; 4. Dan Wilbur 19971. 200 A: ,. Don Hammer 19971; 2. Wayne Keez", 19971. 250 B: ,. Weyne Rodgers 19981; 2. Pat McFarland 199BI; 3. Gary Parli", (994); 4. Andy Hardin 19941, 250 A: ,. Don Rhodes 19991; 2. Kevin Bethards 19981; 3. Gene Brown (997). OPEN A: ,. Kelly Bethards 19981; 2. Steve Church 19961; 3. Marion Dukes 19961. MASTERS: ,. Charlie Bethards 19981; 2. Ron Morgenthal... 19951; 3. Dick Keez... 19951. 1. (TIEl Maurie Dtenno/Craig Bartholomew (10001; 3. Dan Bezan (998), e: Jorgy returns to LodiST By Ann Carr LOD!, CA, SEPT. 27 Alex "Jorgy" Jorgensen returned from the Pro wars to his home short track tonight and outdistanced current District 36 point leader David Boyles and McGill's Yamaha ace Mark Key for the 250cc Expert win and points. Modesto's Mike Hayward has paid his dues of late in the Expert ranks, but tonight was Mike's night as he comfortably outran Joe Knight to stack up some late season plate points. Both young men are struggling for one of those late teen plates to be awarded at year's end. Larry Barkhouse topped the evening's largest class of 250cc Juniors in a four·a b reast-through-the-turns (the track was really that goodl) battle with Bill Rogers, Mike Cronk and Al Rudy. Larry's Yamaha shook the Bul, PDV and Can·Am in that order for the win. Stockton's Aaron Hill (currently a ranked Mini Expert turned Sportsman after earning four National numbers and one National championship) moved to the Junior ranks by again .trouncing the 250cc Novices. Marvin's "little brother" Eric Lewis returned to racing and beat out Roger Faddis (aboard David Boyles' old Honda) in the 360cc Novice class, much to the delight of his large cheering section. Antioch's David Painter topped Tom Rose for the 500cc Novice win while Oroville's Shane Oldham, in a rare Lodi appearance, followed overall winner Jason Paoli (a Junior) across the finish to take the 85cc Novice win over Jeff Bingham. Lodi will initiate its rough track season by hosting Friday night District 36 motocross starting October 10. Sunday afternoon rough scrambles over the motocross course are also scheduled for October 26 and November 16. o 00 0') ~ tN tN 1-0 (1) ..0 o ... u O. Results as NQV/JR: 1. Jason Paoli (Yam); 2. Shane Oldham IKaw); 3. Jeff Bingham ISuzl. 85 EX: , . Chris Carr ISuzl; 2. Scott Cesey ISuzl. 125 NOVIJR: 1. Robert Curry IVaml; 2. Roger Kirk ISuzl. 250 NOV: 1. Aaron Hill ISuzl; 2. Chris Rudy IVeml. 250 JR: 1. Larry Barkhouse (Yaml; 2. William Rogers IBull; 3. Mike Cronk IPDV). 250 EX: 1. Alex Jorgensen ·IC·AI; 2. David Boyles IHonl; 3. Mark Key IVaml. 360 NOV: 1. Eric Lewis (Yam); 2. Roger Faddis (Hon). 360 JA: 1. John Carter (Han); 2. Mike Swartz (Hon). 500 NOV; 1. David Painter (Yaml: 2. Tom Rose (Han). 500 JR: 1. Marvin Lewis (Yaml; 2. Joe Flowers IVaml. 500 EX: 1. Mike Hayward IVaml; 2. Joe Knight IHonl. Buttner breezes by· at Flying W'S MX By Wretched Racer WINNEMUCCA, NV, SEPT. 21 Carson Marine/Yamaha rider Dick Buttner used his experience with long National motos to bring home the cash from the Open Pro class at the first race of an MX series by the Flying W·s. All Pros ran 30-minute-plus-one-lap motos and Buttner took his time to develop a cool strategy - maintaining a steady pace of increasingly quick lap times to move through the pack, pick off the leaders and pull away to the ·checkered. With his 1-1 performance, Buttner established a commanding lead for the overall lead in the series. The revised and lengthened track was relatively easy except for three things: dust, dust and more dust. Of the 130 entries. 38 did not start their second motos directly or indirectly due to the dust. That sounds more like a DNF rate for a desert race. Many racers looked like old west wagon trains dying in the alkali flats. The promoters watered for three days prior to the event and there was a rain shower the night before. No help. The summer drought in Northern Nevada is extreme and all the area's racing facilities are suffering. Dust or not, the Open Pros went for it in their first moto with Al "Gonzo" McElroy (Mai) and Jeff "Gator" Cloutier (KTM) leading Buttner through the first turn. Buttner dogged them until midway when he passed Cloutier. It 23

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