Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

I -II ~ E o 00 0') ~ Northern CIIIlfomia-Northern Neved.Oregon-We.hington-ldeho-Utllh-Aleske-Cenede· Northern CIIIlforni.Northern Nev8de-Oregon-Weshington-ldeho-Uteh-A1e NomERN DATELINE with some great style work on his Gary jensen-tuned RPM Suzuki. The Old Timers and Veterans were the first motos out and the Vet Expert battle was where it was at with Mike Lambert taking the Expert portion over Harry Bellicitti and Rich Lokke. Lokke was making his 27th comeback after having sworn off bike riding back in February. Mike Holmes caught Mike Preston by surprise in the first round of 125cc/ Open Pro and rode off to a great win with lots of support from the large crowd assembled to watch motocross racing at whatever track. Holmes kept his distance with Preston holding an easy second over Danny Dobbins and Gary Reinberg. In the second round, Preston took the Moto-X Fox/jorgy's Suzuki to the forefront and kept it their despite constant pounding by Holmes. Young Mike kept a pressure on that made for great racing but to no avail on the Nationally ranked rider who made it look easy. Preston kept up the first rate effort for the overall win over Holmes with Rick Ryan moving up to take third and the third money on his Moto-X Fox Yamaha. Wait till next year for this kid, folks. He is going to be a hero. Matt Elkins took the fourth over Cory Cantaloupi, but it was Danny Dobbins with fifth overall. Shawn McConn brought out the best of the day's racers with a good start and better finisn in 250cc Pro riding the YZ250 all the way to both motowins. Mike Preston was second in the first tound and was doing the following chores in the second round whh Larry Coleman out in front for his first big Pro ride on the Coleman Husky. McConn would try a few short pass spots but to no avail and finally Preston made the move on the Moto-X Fox/jorgy Suzuki and passed the two of them in the air. McConn saw the light and went along for the ride as the 15-year-old Stockton rider had had just about enough leading for one race. McConn continued to dog the leader, now Preston, with good style and moves just waiting for the right sPOt and time. Before long, Preston was riding a monoshock that was not supposed to be and that was that. McConn was long gone for the last half of the laps with Preston unable to keep up any sort of pace with major suspension problems. As usual, there was some great racing in some of the Intermediate classes. Randy Thompson (Hon) held off Doug Lange (Yam) in the first moto and L.ou Gregory (Yam) in the second moto to top the 125cc Intermediate class_ First place in this bunch is always up for grabs. The 250cc Intermediate battle was equally close. Dave Eakin (Hon), Bob Kaser (Yam), Mike Nyberg (Yam) and. Duncan Davis (Yam) freight trained out in front of the first moto until Kaser crashed. (He lit on his head, though, so it didn't hurt him.) The second moto went to Davis, Nyberg and Kirk Giggers (Hon). Results 26 PEE WEE: .1. Brett AnIon IV.ml; 2. lel.nd HoIenbredllSuzl; 3. Mike SltMlnOOn (Honl. MINI JR: 1. Shane Whitaker (KIWI; 2. Ronny Hapl. (Vam); 3. Mike Hess (Han). MINI INT: 1. Mike Ingebo (V.ml: 2. Darren Monen (Yaml; 3. Jeff Miles (Yaml. MINI EX: 1. Denny Fennell IV.ml: 2. Eric Hall (V.ml: 3. W_Anton (Yam). 100 JR: 1. BiN Hrabik IVam); 2. Eric And...son (V.ml; 3. Jeff HoIenbredl (Suz). 100 INT: 1. Denny Fennell IV.ml: 2. Kevin Hofeobiedl(SuzI: 3. Mark Sathar (Yaml. 125 JR: 1. Jim And...""" IV.m): 2. Mike Hauskins; 3. 51_ "'itchard (Yaml. • 125 INT: 1. Randy Thompson (Hanl: 2. lou Gregory (Vam); 3. Bill Kent (Y.ml. 125 PRo: 1. Jim Andarson IV.ml; 2. Ron Sun IHonl: 3. Mike McCormick IV.m). 250 JR: 1. Jim McAllist... ISu,l: 2. Mark Mitzel lYaml; 3. Brent Bauer (Vam). 250 INT: 1. Duncan Davis IVaml: 2. Mike Nybarg (VarnI; 3. Kirk Giggers tHon). 250 PRO: 1. Ron Sun (Hon); 2. Ke....in Jansen (Yaml; 3. Rowdy Blasdell (Husl. OPEN JR: 1. Randy Townsend IV.ml; 2. R.ndy Simpson (Yaml; 3•.Craig Pennell (Mai). OPEN !NT: 1. Jim P.rks IV.ml: 2. M.rty Webb (Vam): 3. Rick Bo'arth IHus). OPEN PRO: 1. Phil Oveland (C-AI: 2. B.rney Newm.n IV.ml; 3. Rowdy Blasdell IHusl. 30 TO 40 JA: 1. Bruce Graham lSuzl; 2. Stuart Osborne (Yaml; 3. Jeff Clearwater (Suzl. 30 TO 40 SR: 1. Mike Robarts (M.il; 2. Jim Parks IVaml. OT JR: 1. Nate House (Yam); 2. James Kilgofe (Yam); 3. Albert Hinkley IV.m). OT SR: 1. Bill Naylor IV.ml; 2. Jim Newm.n (V.ml: 3. John Semml... IV.ml. • Anderson wins, Blasdell doubles at Woodland MX By Jan Newman WOODLAND, WA, OCT. 18 This was the first of three "Over and Under" Pro races for Wood· land's Winter Series. The track guarantees a $1000 purse if there are over 45 Pros signed in or throws $100 into the pot if there are fewer Pros_ They fell short in numbers, but still ran for just under $700 which will buy a lot of Gatorade. The Open class was smallest in numbers but their Alphonse and Gaston act was highly entertaining. Moto one was led by Phil Oveland while Rowdy Blasdell (Hus) worked by Robby Clark (Yam) to come dogging at Oveland's heels. Clark lasted only two laps. jeff Benzion (Mai) added his touch when he came out of the woods - far ahead of his Maico. He got going again. Suddenly, Oveland was sitting in a corner with a dead Can-Am. Blasdell and Benzion both went by twice before Oveland was able to crank up some fire again. He caught up to unlap himself by one lap just before Blasdell took the checkered behind him. He was within easy reach of Benzion and they were on the same lap, but Oveland pulled into the pits thinking he'd had the finish flag. By the time word got to him Benzion was out of reach. Blasdell led the second moto until he hit a bad hole going over the overpass. He hustled to get moving, but didn't move far enough over and the same hole got him on the next lap. Oveland styed out front (and on the track) until the black and white came out. john Christian (Yam) led the first 250cc Pro moto, but blew it on the first lap. Blasdell moved into the lead followed by Kenny New (Kaw), Eric Eaton (Mai) and Randy Hubbard (Yam). Eaton soon moved up to chase Blasdell as the two left the rest of the pack. It was a real battle right up to the one lap flag. Blasdell pulled away as Eaton's Maico gasped through the final lap. His plug was eating dirt. New followed in third and Robb Manning (Hon) was fourth. Round two it was Blasdell out in front all the way. Eaton was there to chase him once again, but once again settled for second_ Manning and New switched positions this time. The first 125cc Pro holeshot went to Bob Klemp (Hon), but jim Anderson (Yam) went by on the second lap and Robb Manning (Hon) a lap later. The two of them were way out front the whole moto as Manning looked for an opening which Anderson never provided_ Behind them third was up for grabs between Klemp, Stacy Thornton (Kaw) and Rob WatiJo (Yam). Thornton got it in the last turn of the last lap. Klemp and Watilo led the second moto, but Anderson moved by on the second lap to spend the rest of the race all alone. There was a lot of activity behind him, though. Watilo went by Klemp for second, then Dennis Ostriem (Suz), Thornton and Steve Corcoran (Yam) moved Klemp even farther back_ First Ostriem, then Thornton went by Watilo and a couple of laps later Corcoran joined them, but by now Thornston was suddenly down to sixth and starting back up the ladder. Ostriem held his secure second and the rest of them finally wound up Thornton, Klemp, Watilo and Corcoran. Results PEE WEE: 1. Justin Slanning (Su,l: 2. Glendol H.nson ISuzl: 3. Gary OI_ISuzl. MINI JR: 1. Scott Haakonstad (Yam); 2. Ronnie Hopla (V.m); 3. Jon Niemi (Honl. MINI INT: 1. Jamie Munson (Suzl: 2. Monle Hill ISu,l: 3. Bruce Barnes (Han). MINI EX: 1. Denny Fennell (V.ml. 100 JR: 1. Paul Peiff... ISu,); 2. Jack lowery (Suzl; 3. Jon Ntemi (Yam). 100 INT: 1. Denny FennelIIV.ml; 2. Kyle Fast (V.ml; 3. Ooug lange (Varni. 125 JR: 1. larry H.nson IV.ml; 2. Joe Wheel... (Vam); 3. Darrell Selllon lSuzl. 125 INT: 1. Scan WIChert (Suzl; 2. Rob Burkhart (V.m); 3. Ralph Dunlap tHonI. 125 PRO: 1. Jim Andarson (V.m); 2. Stacy Thornton (KIWI: 3. Bob Klemp (Hanl. 250 JR: 1. Rick Olney (Hanl: 2. Dave Johnson (Vam): 3. Steve Horsley (Y.m). 250 INT: 1. Rob Burkhart IVarn): 2. Mike S.hlie (V.ml; 3. Mike Ripp (Honl. 250 PRO: 1. Rowdy Blasdell (Husl: 2. Eric Eaton: 3. Robb Manning lHan). OPEN JR: 1. Tim Welsh IV.ml: 2. Dan Authier (KIWI; 3. Chuck BurchinalIV.m), OPEN INTS: 1. Rick Bozarth (Hua); 2. Bill Naylor IVarnl: 3. Mikelaehy lMaiI. OPEN PRO: 1. Rowdy B _ IHusI: 2. Phil OveIand IC-Ai; 3. Jeff Benzion IMai). 30 TO 40: 1. Mike Roberts (Mail: 2. Brian R.u ISuzl; 3. Chuck BurchinallVaml. OT: 1. Bill Naylor (Y.ml: 2. Norm DuV.II (Varn). Faria cops Mini GP By Bill S~encer RICHMOND, CA, OCT. 17 Despite the non·event of the final Trans-USA at Golden State Raceway, the Sixth Annual Rich· mond Ramblers M.C. Minibike Grand Prix was run at the Richmond Rod & Gun Club. Without many of the usual stars that show up for this typically fun event, Brad Lackey was in attendance and helped the club with some track operations. The crowd of nearly 400 loved every second as Dave Faria copped the 20-lap main event and the best part of the $700 purse. The track was similar to last year's operation with the exception that it was nearly dry, totally different from the previous mud bath. Traction was excellent and the riders all loved it as it made for some great racing. The program called for hea traces in both "A" and "B" classes with the first two from each heat going to the respective mains; the rest would have to ride a semi in each division. The A heats showed Scott Rebuck, Troy DeHerrera, jerry Brandt and Faria as most likely to succeed with the likes of • Tom Rapp and Craig Christian having to ride semis for survival. .' • Gary Prado, Donny Rich, Mike DeHerrera and jim Clapp, or a reasonable facsimile, were direct transfers to the main while Brian Denlis, Paul Vaugh, joe Volek and Desi Bray all had to ride the B semi and make the 12-lap main for also rans. Rich established himself early in that main and won handily over Denlis and DeHerrera after some crazy antics that included much crashing and bashing into the fabric fences. A restart preceded the final with Rich going through some bales and nearly taking out the scoring team. But the ever game Rich got up, brushed himself off and restarted to ta~ the ID a good come-from-behind battle. The sta rt of the big event was clean and Faria set his Cycle Gear Yamaha in a great pace that was the fastest and truest. Early crashes laid out Mike DeHerrera on the East Bay Yamaha YZ_ Mike had helped to build the track and was considered the early favorite after having been the Tuesday night champion of tlie summer. His heat race wasn't the best and then the crash put him back in seventh. Ron Melton and Dorene Payne were also sitting on the side for some time with various problems. Dorene at 15 is the youngest of the Pros and does right well, but had a shifter bend the wrong way and had to receive attention along the way and was the last finisher. It's her second straight year in the main and just wait until next year. Craig Christian rode a very conservative race and finished fifth despite expecting to be farther forward and not having missed a lick. Scott Rebuck rode the Cycle West RM to a great third in a tusSle that lasted the distance. He was the first lap leader, but succumbed to the advances of Faria and jerry Brandt on a spanking new CR80R.jerry had been at work all day at Concord Honda not sure of having a ride for the night and so decided that the new CR80s were the hot set Il,p and bought one off the floor for the effort. The fun and efforts of the Richmond Ramblers and sponsors HiPoint Racing Products, plus many giveaways from Cycle Gear stores, Karl's Motors and j K Cycle Inn made for an enjoyable evening of entertainment and the club is looking into a project of running a mini-mile. That would be a minibike race on a high banked quarter·mile at the same site. It would prove to be really interesting to see Steve Eklund or Ricky Graham against the likes of jim Filice and jeff "the jet" Haney, all on 80~. WID Results A MAIN: 1. Dave F...i. IV.m): 2. Jerry Br.ndt (Hon); 3. Scott Rebuck (Suzl: 4. Ron Melton (Yaml; 5. Cr.ig Christian IVaml: 6. Rusty P.von (V.m); '1. Troy DeHen.... IVam); B. Skip Ortner (Vaml: 9. Randy Blair IV.ml; 10. Dorene Payne (KIWI. B MAIN: 1. Donny Rich (V.m); 2. Brian OenlisIV.m); 3. Mike DeHerrera (Yaml. TROPHV DASH: Dave Fari. (Yam). Buttner leads the W's Fall MX Series By Wretched Racer WINNEMUCCA, NV, OCT. 12 AMA District 36 Expert Dick Buttner, on a Carson Marine Yamaha, did it again by winning the Pro class of the second event of the Flying W's Fall MX Series just as he did the first. The only variation on his theme of steadily increasing his pace over the longish 30-minutes-plus-one-Iap was that, in moto one, Al "Gonzo" McElroy (Mai) managed to stay in front of Buttner to the checkered. Bob Armijo (Suz) got the holeshot with Dan Lawson (Mai) tagging along right behind. Armijo fell before the first lap was done to DNF, letting Lawson take over for three laps. Then McElroy and Buttner both passed and pulled steadily away. Buttner dogged McElroy's back fender throughout the moto but just couldn't get by. District 37 desert ace Bob Balentine (KTM) squeezed by Lawson on the last lap to bag third. Second go 'round, Buttner gated slowly hitting the first turn in fifth. In turn three, Lawson and Conrad Stitser (KTM), running 1·2 at that point, tangled and went down in front of the pack. Out of the melee Buttner

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