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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athern Californla·Arizona·Southern Nevad o 00 0') ....-4 Soboba's Pat McCann presented their season trophy to Steve Polson's parents. 23J. show at Steve Polson MemorialTT By Maureen Lee Photo by Dan Mahony GARDENA, CA, OCT. 17 Two hundred and thirty-one riders gathered at Ascot to ride the Lightweights M.e. Memorial Race for the late Steve Polson ... what a great turnout it was. Yes, a few things went a little wrong but nothing that won't be fully corrected by the next race there; it was sheer weight of numbers that did it. And there's no truth to the rumors that there were nervous breakdowns going on in the motor home in the infield. Everyone coped marvelously, and as an ex-District rider now (thankfully) retired, if you were there, either on the track or spectating, you also have my thanks too for the support you gave. . Greatest point of the evening came when everyone gathered around the Ascot jump, and District President Bob Perkins read a letter to the Polson family from the AMA. This had been a closely guarded secret saved for that evening, so it was a surprise, and a lovely one. The AMA has retired Steve's number for a period of time, and also enclosed was his Expert license. These were presented to his dad, and once again racers proved they aren't as hardboiled as lhey like to appear - there were lots of shiny eyes and not-so-stiff upper 1\ps in evidence. There was class after class of riders, including "special" races made up of desert folk who really showed up in nice numbers, riders from Steve's home town of Hemet, three Pro races, classes for District and non-District riders until it became apparent to all that we'd never make it out of there for curfew. At a personal request from Aggie, Ed Carroll had to call it after one round for everyone, but by now if you rode it you know that you got your points regardless, and the club has tried to make it up to everyone. Considering what we were all there for, the couple of little moans that went up have well been taken care of. Lots of classes became processions when first timers at Ascot found out that racing "in the big city'" was nothing like riding a local scrambles track and didn't want to chance passing, but they were sure having fun. The "desert" class was a gas ... looked like the start of a hare 'n' hound as the big group shot for turn one and wound their way through the esses on. those "strange looking" desert rigs. Winner Mike Roach knows how to get around a TT circuit ... he really got a nice lead. Best race of the night we think was between Steve Karsten and Pete Hames in the 500cc Expert class, they really made a go of it. In the Pro classes John Sperry, who once made history at ASCOT by actually getting his leg caught back between his rear tire and the fender of his Harley and finishing the race that way (honest!), made history again. This time he fell off the side of the Ascot jump but luckily did not land in the same spot his bike picked ... that 500cc Pro class was wild anyway. T.hey had to have are-start because ofJohn's get-off, then another when a couple of them got tangled up, and two more fell off in the esses, Karsten and Bill Natherson. And after the next re-start, who got off and rolled round a bit in the esses, but still finished? One of our super star riders who is awaiting news as to whether he is the Superbike Champion or not, and he cut his teeth at Ascot tool Wayne Rainey won the 750cc Pro class, but oh boy, did Rob Morrison make a race out of it for his second place. The man who had the most fun of the evening had to be motocrosser Jim Connolly who gOes back as many years as we do; he even once rode for Greeves and at Ascot yet. He had his little 125cc bike out and to watch him chasing Larry Bird in the Senior class was a delight. .. Larry would zap him down the straight and around the halfmile, but in the tight stuff, there'd be Jim catching right up to him by sheer verve and skill and, we think, no brakes, sailing almost up to Bird's tail feathers. Those efforts got him second place so don't ever say tiddler bikes and tiddler riders don't go fast ... even when they have greying hair! TIRE PRICES THAT WON'T DEFLATE YOUR WALLET. 20% to 35% OFF Results We stock for racers. and can offer you the finest and freshest selection of high performance street tires at the lowest prices in Southern California. Also come by and see our incredible inventory of superbike and cafe accessories. We are the Superbike Headquarters. leading the field in quality, selection, and price. MINI COMB: 1. Cunis Cannon; 2. Mike Kirby; 3. Brent Bowers. NOV TROPHY WINNERS: 1. Terry Woody; 2. Brian Barrick. 1250c AM/EX: 1. Roger Thompson; 2. Donald Ball; 3. Curtis Cannon. NOV TROPHY WINNER: 1. Jeff Runyan. 250 NOV HEAT 1: 1. Mark Coker; 2. Bruce Nordstrom; 3. Mike Perez. .250 NOV HEAT 2: 1. Bruce Windham; 2. Erwin RIttner; 3. Bobby Beer. 250 AMIEX COMB: 1. Pete Hames; 2. Ro~ Pletzing; 3. Jeff Johnson. 500 DISTRICT NOV: 1. John Perez; 2. Keith Guthery; 3. Sam Shatd. . 500cc NOV: 1. Doug Nabiszeuski; 2. John Norsworthy; 3. Ron Bartels. . 500cc JR: 1. Clyde Dennen; 2. Allen Swett· 3. Robert C~. -4 Motorcycle SpecUiltie. 6959 Van Nuy. Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91405 1213) 781-6710 11213) 873-6100 ' 500cc SPORTSMAN: 1. Jim Genlile; 2. eenal Longboya; 3. Bernd Koegler. 500cc EX DISTRICT: 1. Steve Karsten; 2. Pele Hames; 3. Rex H8i~. OPEN COMB: 1. Tommy Wa"on; 2. Larty Bird; 3. Ru_ISosa. LT WT HACKS: 1. Loren ImkenlRon Peck; 2. James Sherman/Michael Burns; 3. Robert Hicks/Ron Seydel. HVY WT HACKS: 1. Ralph Whitney/Scott Whitney' 2. Robert Sanner/Cary Cess; 3. Laralo Masella/Jim Hanneman. NOV SRS: 1. MerCury Morse; 2. Bob Walker; 3. DaveRiley. EX SRS, 1. Larry Bird; 2. Jim Connolly; 3. Tom Clark. DESERT .cOMB, 1. Michael Roach; 2. David Chase; 3. Dan Perkins. HEMET RACE: 1. Berry O'Brien; 2. Bob McCann, 3. Steve Grifftith. 250cc PRO: 1. Chris Cannon; 2. Cherles Montgomery; 3. Joe Steffen. 500cc PRO: 1. Mike Hale; 2. Dennis Briggs; 3. Chris Connon. 7SOcc PRO: 1. Wayne Rainey; 2. Rob Morrison; 3. Rich Volk. .. ~ t HELP THE DUCK We'll Give 10 Bucks For every ne"" Suzuki or Can-Am ""• •ell before November 29. ""e'll contribute $10 to the PHANTOM DUCK DEFENSE FUND, Come I" and check our prices, people and service. ~ S~ SUZUKI OF RIVERSIDE 3272 Market Street Riverside. CA 92501 ,.IfI. ~d"'" .,pl (714)7~50 1 • 25 • • j ' " ".' , ...