Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126501
Soutllern Call1_nia-Arizona- I II Simons, Ellis bag CRCDunesMX ~ I By Nanette Marie E .... 00 .... VALENCIA, CA, NOV. 30 With cool skies overhead keeping temperatures down all day, the California Racing Club brought the third round of qualifiers for the Anaheim Amateur Supercross event to Indian Dunes once again, and treated the riders to a revised Internatioinal course designed by many ofthe riders themselves the day before. The largest Pro division was the 250cc segment, and the rider who proved toughest to beat was Fresno Yamaha's Jim Ellis, who grabbed the holeshot and spent the entire 10 laps stretching out his margin in the first moto. Bill Hagen, Johnny ~elchel, A.J. Whiting and Jim Coffey all trailed, in close formation and offering the only action in the race. Whiting, usually a 125cc Pro rider, slipped his way up to the top of the pack behind Ellis by moto's end, while Hagen had to fight off Whelchel's consistent charges for third. Dave Coupe rounded out the top five at the checkers, ahead of Coffee, Rod Richardson and Dave Haugh. In round two, Ellis again grabbed the holeshot, but this time Whiting was right on his rear fender, and stuck very close for the first four laps. Ellis stayed in command all the time, but while trying to make a charge for the lead, Whiting lost control in the sandwash and went down. Even though he remounted still well inside the top 10, Whiting's Yamaha appeared to be suffering from the fall, and A.J. had to motor around for an II th by mota's end, even after having to pull off the track for a shon pit stop. Ellis now had easy going all the way to the finish, and he took the win well ahead of the battle for second between Hagen and Whelchel. Hagen started out ahead of Whelchel, but the young 125 rider came back to get around into third early. Hagen proved too much towards the end, though, and got back into second before the checkered flag, leaving Whelchel only a bikelength behind at the wire. Coffee grabbed fourth in the moto and the same overall behind Hagen and WbelcheL, with Jim Sendelbach in fifth. In 125cc action, David Saxton and Willy Simons traded moto victories in their battle for the overall. In round one Troy Lee grabbed the holeshot with Saxton right at his heels. By the end of the first lap Saxton had taken over, and Lee was battling desperately trying to get back in front. While the two leaders stretched out a comfortable lead over Gary Jones and Mar~ Moscrop, tWQ charges were being mounted from way back in the pack. Willy Simons suffered a terrible start and was trying to get inside the top 10 at the end of the first lap, while John Whelchel was next to dead last on the start, fell to dead last on the first lap, then began picking off riders at will in a bid for the frontrunners. Simons' charge got him past David Lynch, Jones and Paul Cano quickly, as well as Moscrop, who fell back into eighth. From there he worked up to the leaders, and with three laps remaining tried to get past Lee and Saxton. The charge was to no avail, however, as the two hung on just ahead of Simons at the wire. Whelchel had picked his way into fourth a few laps from the finish, then on the last lap crashed on~e again, and dropped into 10th at the flag. -Cano and Jones rounded out the top five. 0') ~ l' ~ ~ =' -, ~ ~ >. Tell 'em you saw it in Cycle News Burbank Yamaha 3rdANNUAL PARKING LOT SALE &GIVEAWAY Sunday, Dec.21 10a.m. to 4p.m. Thousands of dollars in parts & accessories to be sold at ridiculously low prices .STREET & DIRT Tires Tee Shirts Helmets Luggage Racks Jackets NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED :180:1 W.Barb••k B ••d. Barb••k, C:A 9:1S_ 2n-84~ Japanese and European 1980 Model Sprockets in stock for Dirt & Street l Can-Am and KTM Sprockets - Fast Service! We Drill Discs & Straighten Frames tool We will build your sprocket at no charge if we don't have the pattern. 5% OFF Dealer price for 10 or more ordered 10% OFF Dealer price for 40 or more ordered WE WILL BUILD ANY SPROCKET CHAIN &-_aD!D~_~C;CO~N~VE~R~S~IO;N:",DPO ORILU:O DIS(: BRAKES • UR "UR F.: IS'to U"F ';;_;;"_.I. _ . 55