Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

I O;;riH;.tiinab-----....... .. -------.--~v-Christmas coming up the extra money could come in handy. Jerry McNeal is still accepting applications for course set up personnelfor 1981, so if you like riding in the desert and want to get paid for it, call him at 714/689-6114. Have fun at the Santa Claus and do not forget that there will be a large number of people riding bikes from Barstow and Beatty to Las Vegas the Saturday after Thanksgiving both on and off the road. Should be a good ride. E! Ii o 00 O'l ~ Results Tracy Walters was second overall at the CRC Roadrunner Enduro. first 2OOccA. Woodruff tough at CRC Roadrunner Enduro By John Owen Photo by Action Photographic FREMONT VALLEY, CA, NOV. 9 The 1980 edition of the Road· runner Enduro was one of the best enduros I have ever ridden. The course was challenging with· 8 out being difficult on both loops. The second loop checkpoints were spot on in both mileage and clock accuracy and were definitely well placed as some good "A" riders came close to burning them. The riders who had their act together, but still lost one point, were Larry Woodruff (Doug Douglas CoAl with a 1.61 for the overall with the phenomenal Tracy Walters (KDX 175) only 29 seconds more. Tracy was just getting used to his new Kawasaki and rode the event on stock tires. Dick Lord (1.91) literally blew away the Vet class competition by dropping just one second more than Tracy for third overall. Since California Racing Club riders can pull an "average" score for working a check once a year and because of the way the bonus points and other factors figure in to the overall yearly score, the average can total more than a regular race. Due to this, the quality of checkers on the second loop undoubtedly improved with Tom Menitt and the Palenske brothers working the check-in and the check-out of the special test section. As both checks were tie breakers, riders could not gamble without losing some valuable seconds. The ones who benefited by the Palenskes and Merritt working were also their closest competitors. Most notable among them was the legendary Harry Keast (Wheelsmith Mai), a Senior A who proved once again you do not have to be young to haul ass. Tim Williams (250cc A) and Larry Woodruff (Open A) won their classes, thanks to the Palenskes' labors. Fastest "B" score was Open classer Mike Manin followed closely by Expert trials rider Rick Bieniak on a PE 250. Rick's trials skills came into play at the check-in to the second loop special test. He came into sight of the check over a minute hot and proceeded to give a fantastic demonstration of sandy downhill trials riding, to the amazement of Tom Me.rritt and the other checkers. Rick made it in right to the second. Steve Goodwin rode his 250cc to top C honors by dropping only two points. John Owen (IT 425) continued his winning ways by posting low score of three points in the Open C class, second C. Retired CRC desert racer Barry Bernbaum unretired long enough to win the 250cc C Senior class. The loops both wound through the scenic Rand Mountains with the second. loop twisting inside the first. Loop two led the riders over the most varied up, down and round about course we have had in a long time. Excellently marked and mileaged. speed averages were certainly well suited for the tenain. The loop had some of the best whoop-dee-doos in existence, rna ny of them over 100 feet hil{h. As a lot of first loops are boring to two loopers, the Roadrunner proved to be the exception to the ·rule. The ribbon led the riders over towards old Camp "C," around Government Peak and down a neat rocky canyon before leading back to the pits through a great sandwash and super-fine. frontend-washing sand. The first loop tie breaker was well placed in the rocky canyon in a 12 mph section. Some riders burned it, some were late, and some made it. Among the fast one loopers making that check were Scott Hilbert and Larry Stefan. The fastest women were Shauna Hopkins losing just one second and Kathy (flat tire) Herndon right behind with two seconds lost. Quite a few riders are switching bikes and classes to get ready for 1981. -and are evidently making wise decisions. Tracy Walters sold his big bore Kawasaki to try his luck in next year's 200cc class and came in second overall this· month. Out to give him some heat, Bill Herndon picked up a new Suzuki PE 175 and promptly won his class (200cc A Vet). Craig Lair wisely left the 200cc class after wrapping up the number one plate to go after the 250cc guys on a shiny new Doug Douglas Can-Am Qualifier. Craig placed a credita ble third in the 250cc A class while getting the bike dialed in. One fellow who we will be hearing more about is Kurt Dietrich. Kurt has been taking his class consistently the last few months on a 175cc Suzuki. Because he is getting tired of rowing the shifter, Kurt wants to warn the Open class Vets that next year he will be riding a new RM400. Because of a coincidence in scheduling the CRC Santa Claus and the Dg7 CEA Last Chance Enduros both fall on the same weekend, December 6-7. Because of the conflict a few CRC regulars will be riding the District in search of D-g7 points. Because most riders like to ride the Santa Claus. CRC's Art Jensen will be in dire need of competent checkpoint people. With lWO LOOP CLASS WINNERS: ()pen A. Larry Woodruff; 250 A. ,om Williams; 200 A. Tracy Walters; ()pen A VOl. Dicit Lord; ()pen A Senior. Harry Keast; 250 A VOl. Bob Prickett; 200 A Vet. Bill Herndon; ()pen B. Mike Merlin; 250 B. Riclt Bieniak; 200 B. Greg Waters; 125 B. Paul Lussier; ()pen B VOl. Dale Samford; 0_ B Senior. Howard Smith; 250 B VOl. C.R. J,*,,-,; 200 B VOl. Kun Dietrich; 0 _ C. John 0->; 250 C. SllMl Goodwin; 200 C. Torn ToyIor; 125 ~;,.,::'We::;~2~~0I1i:~~~~~ Senior. Barry BernbotJm; 200 C Vet. Glenn Larson; 200 CSaniot.JecltFt-ame;125CVet.LamontElsberry. ONE LOOP CLASS WINNERS: 250 C-16. John Bennett. Jr.; 200 C-16. Thad Donat; 125 C·16. T,ent Witsaman; 100 C·16. Scott Hilbert; 80 A. Lorry STefan; 80 C. Jeff Solae; WY.A 250. Kathy Herndon; W/B 200. Ma.ineBates;W/B 125. ShaunaHopkins. Upp 'n' away at Desert M.C. D·37 HS By Joyce May RED MOUNTAIN, CA. NOV. 9 Although competing with the big SeORE race of the year. the Baja 1000km. Desert M.e. still drew about 200 dedicated desert riders with Ken Upp earning overall honors. The start was dusty, as usual, with Ed Whisenant, Upp and Amateur Tony Megla in the lead of the pack. Upp cut onto the trail Megla was on, causing Megla to pull off. In doing so he hit a bush and Whisenant hit the back of Megla's machine. Megla was banged up a bit, but with the help of Wheisenant and his dad, Megla was back on his way. Whisenant. however, had a few things to fix. His COl was loose and a tank bolt was broken. Meanwhile Brett Howell had only gotten 10 or SO yards off the start when he discovered that he had lost his shift lever. Luckily, his dad ·had a spare right at the start line, but when it had been replaced. Howell was far behind the last rider to leave the start. Rich Zajic was among the top runners· until he and a rock had a meeting. His front wheel and front end were demolished. Needless to say, his racing effort for the weekend was at an end, although he was able to limp back to the pits on his own. Off the first time around the course. the lead spot was held by Upp (25Occ), who had moved up from fourth overall at the first check. Running second overall was super Senior Gary Charters (250cc) followed by Darin Cartwright (25Occ), Rick Jones (Open) and Howard McCasland (Open). McCasland had really done some spectacular riding as he had moved through the thundering herd from 22nd overall at the first check. Next into the pits was James Vincent (Open), with Dave Chase (Open) moving through behind Vincent as first Amateur, followed by another Open rider, Dan Smith. Whisenant, after all his problems, moved up from 68th overall at the first check to 18th into the pits. But once again work had to be done to his bike, so he left for the second trip around the loop in the g8th overall slot. Meanwhile Mike Sixbery had returned to the pits shortly after the . .- start to do some repairs on bts bike. He headed out Onto his first loop just ahead of Upp. The Desert M.C.'s hare scrambles had an interesting touch_ Instead of running the riders out of the pits and past the bomb, the usual practice in a hare scrambles, they took the riders up into the mountains for a special extra eight miles of riding before they picked up the trail they had ridden on the first loop. Upp knew he was in the lead, but he could see a cloud of dust ahead of him that he just couldn't seem to catch. The race between the two of them continued until the checkered, where Sixbery stopped for gas to finish his second loop, and Upp pulled in past the checkered. Charters took second overall honors, first Senior. In the third slot was Cartwright, second 250cc Expert, £0 II owed b y McC as Iand (fi rst 0 pen Expert), Dan Smith (Open Expert), Rick Jones (Open Expert), James V' ( mcent Open Expert), Scott Postma (250cc Expert) and Pete Postel (first "C" Expert). Pete's comment at the finish was that the C bike class was "a whole lot easier without Kevin Hopkins and Cliff Thomas'" Six of the top 10 were Checkers, but it should also be noted that two out of this group. including the overall winner, belong to the Badgers M.C. It's been a long time since that club has been able to boast two top notch riders, but this year seems to be their year. The second 10 overall finishers were: Russ Jones (250cc Vet Expert), Bill Mattox (C Amateur). Whisenant (Open Expert), Dave Hornbeck (Open Amateur), Rod Hawkins (Open Amateur), Bob Doig (Open Senior Expert), Jim Bringhurst (250cc Vet Expert), Monte Lee (250cc Vet Expert), Bill Postel (~ Expert) and Monis Nonnan (Open Senior Expert). As usual, Bringhurst and Lee had a battle royale the entire second loop after Lee had to play catch-up on the first loop. First Novice honors went to Jim Mattox (250cc) in the 46th overall slot, three places in front of the next Novice. Ted Hunnicutt, Jr. (250cc). Third Novice was David Holmes (Open) followed by Russell Pike (Open) and Troy Swofford (250cc). In front of the Novice leader was first Trail Expert Pete Andelman, who had a terrific start. Bobby Charters was not too far behind him at the finish. Pete's comment at the end of the race was, "It sure feels good to know I can still beat those younger kids." There were a total of nine Trailbike fmishers, including two more Experts, Dave Wilson and Duane Summers, who by the way, made it to the Expert slot on a little 80cc Yamahal The . Novice and Beginner Trail finishers were Tony Rossett, Dave Duke and Mike French (all Novices) and Donnie Childs and Ron Vallejo (both Beginners). . In the ladies' class the finishers were Lori Fanner (250cc Expert), Lorni Vincent (C Expert). Alice Leroy (C Novice), Laurie. Hammel (250cc Beginner), Sandy Perkins (C Beginner) and Karen Youngs (pie piate Begi nner). Don't forget to ride over Thanksgiving Weekend. The District race will be from Beatty, NV to Las Vegas with a really great contingency prize going to the first Heavyweight Amateur. See you therel

• Cover