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to next to last. Kevin Jansen quickly
took over the vacant spot with Craig
Prause behind in third. Prause began
working on Jansen and by the halfway
mark. had gotten around the Kawasaki
rider for second. Jansen finished the
moto in third.
Williams repeated his holeshot in
moto two, but as before, Michlitch was
soon around for fant place. Tim easily
won the moto, looking as though he
was having fun dning so. Jansen also
passed Williams, but reaIly had no
chance
of
catching
Michlitch.
Williams was again. dropped back
when Craig Prause moved by for third.
Monty Mitchell took his big 490
Maico into fant place at the start of the
Open Pro mota, but as in the 250cc
class, Mitchlich took control and rode
to the win. Mitchell was later passed
by Phil Oveland and at the flag, the
order was Michlitch, Oveland and
Mitchell.
In the second moto, Michlitch
banged his knee on a rock, putting
him out of the moto. Mitchell was a
natural for first from that time on with
Oveland placing second.
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Results
(Top) Allen Berlutl foUowa en unldentlflec:l rider at Prairie City. (Above) TIm
Mltchlltch proved to be the feat men at Clerka Branch.
Mlchlltch on top at
Clarks Branch MX
By Delbert Longbreke
ROSEBURG, OR, MAR. 1
"The track is so nice today; it's
great'" stated a smiling Tim
Michlitch. Tim had just won the
Open Pro class and was getting
..
50
ready to do the same in the 250cc
class. He was definitely the man to
beat at the Clarks Branch motocross.
. One hundred twenty·nine riders
were on hand to ride Clarks Branch
and as usual the track was prepared
nicely, having been disced by Ralph
Huffman's handy log skidder. The
weather also cooperated and with the
temperature in the mid·60s, many a
rusty Oregonian shed their rain
jackets and sat in the green grass
around the track in the sun.
Thirty Pros were present and racing
for the usual 200% layback purse
which, when all totale , amounted to
$600. Fourteen of these Pros were
125s.
David VanEpps put his Freds Cycle
City Suzuki into the early 125cc Pro
lead but was soon passed by Honda
Yamaha of Roseburg rider Carey
Lund. As the moto continued, Rod
Keller moved up from fourth place
and out·suspensioned Lund on a series
of whoops to take over first place. The
first three places became very crowded
after that and in a hairpin corner,
Lund tangled with someone and went
down. Keller continued to ride his new
Suzuki Full·Floater brilliantly and took
the win. Jim Wiant and Joe Spangler,
who had started in eighth place, fol·
lowed Keller until the moto was
complete.
While the backward falling gate fell
flat for everyone else, it fell on top of
Keller's front wheel in the second
moto. While Rod was trying to get un·
tangled, Robby Watilo and Eric Hall
wasted no time putting ground behind
them. Keller began chasing the two
leaders and with the competition of
the first lap, he had passed seven
riders, putting himself in sixth place.
Rod continued his drive and by lap
four had moved behind Hall into sec·
ond place. Hall continued to hold his
lead over Keller to the checkered flag.
Placing third, for the second time, was
Joe Spangler.
The 250cc Pro class was full of
talent and it was Steve Williams taking
the lead off the start. Behind Steve
were the unmistakable green Kawasakis
of Tim Michlitch and Kevin Jansen.
Fourth' place was filled by Big Y
Yamaha rider Craig Prause. Michlitch
followed Williams for three quarters of
a lap before he went by and from
then on he was in complete control of
themoto.
Williams rode in second for one lap
but fell in a hairpin comer dropping
125 PRO: 1. Rod K.... 1Suz); 2. &it _ !Yom); 3.
Joe SpongIor 1Suz).
250 PRo: 1. T"" Michlilcll lKawl; 2. Kovin .Jar-.>
l~); 3. Croig Pr_ !Yoml.
OI'£N PRo: 1. Monly M _ (Moll; 2. Phil 0wI0nd
lVom); 3. Kent RovnoIdo (~).
PEE WEE JR: 1. o.r.n Oovio lVoml: 2. Arwty Byrd
lVom); 3. Jimmy Row lV.m).
PEE WEE INT: 1. Joff Ooily lVom); 2. Monty Speldi"ll
lVom).
MINI BEG: 1. Arwty N...iewicz ISuz); 2. Gory Prowell
IKow).
,
MINI JR: 1. _
Romey IYom); 2. Tim Byrd
lVom); 3. Joff Ooily lV.ml.
MINIINT: ,. Gf"ll Holmb«g !Yoml; 2. Billy _ ;
3. Gfody Troelin l~).
100 JR: 1. 0 - Hoyhum ISuzI; 2. Dwoyne Fogon
ISuzl.
100 INT: 1. S«h MeII