Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

I o;;;rlH~tii';--------------~v_-- ... Ii! Ii 00 0) Bob Balentine turnecl his first ride on 8 Honda CR460R into victory lit the Invaders 0·37 hare 'n' hound. Honda/Balentine team for Invaders H&HwIn ByJoyceM8Y RED MOUNTAIN, CA, MAR. 8 The Balentine/Honda combo turned out to be an unbeatable team as Bob Balentine rode his big red CR450R, out of AI Baker's 42 shop, to an exciting overall finish at the Invaders' AMA D·57 hare 'n' hound. It was the flnt real test the Balen· tine'piloted Honda had had, although the combo had eamed a third at a recent motocrOSl. It was also the first time since 1965. when the legendary J.N. Robens piloted his Honda 505 to an overall win. that a Honda had taken overall bonon. The Invaders held an almost dust· free race on a perfect "spring" day after steady rains had plagued the area for a1moIt a full three days prior to the race weekend. The stan was delayed for an hour as two riders who crashed head on were moved out of the homb run area and transponed to a hospital. On the staning line sat several miachevious Cb«kers. During the previous evening they had sent a diversion into the Invaders' camp, while several others went in and removed an Invaders banner. Darin Canwright, to be known as "Danh Invader" during the race, had the banner hung on his back like a ca~. All the Checkers had autographed it fint. As Canwright left the line after a long wait for the banner drop, the Invader "ca~" blossomed behind him. The Invaders on the banner truck were taken by surprise and couldn't believe what they saw whiz past them. Gary Chaners thought he had the lead as he headed straight for the bomb until a herd of riden from way out on either side of him suddenly converged onto his trail. Balentine and Rick Schumaker had a real battle going with Terry Clark not far behind. Balentine couldn't seem to shake his two shadows. Ed Whisenant was running founh, followed by Dan Ashcraft and Kevin Hopkins. There was a big ditch just before check one. It was well marked, but that didn't stop the over·zealous riders from piling into it in stacks. The view from the check was box·seat quality, and the comedy was top notch. At one time there were at least six bikes in a stack! Into home check Balentine had onJy a shon lead over Schumaker, who in tum, was only a breath ahead of Clark. Ashcraft was now in founh with Whisenant in fifth followed still by the number one "C" biker, Hopkins. A pie plater was next with Pete Postel just ahead of fim Amateur Tony Megla. Megla had made a good comeback after being clipped in the rear tire by another rider about halfway around the first loop, causing him to wind up on the ground. Bruce Jones rounded out the top 10. Chaners, on his C machine, led the Seniors, with Senior George Zuber, riding in the Open class this year, 10 bikes back. Novice Rob Murray (25Occ) led his class, onJy !leConds in front of 1206c, Mike Jones (C), John Sarrail (250cc) and Dave Chumney (25Occ). The Beginner finish was led by Mitchell Bulawsky (OpelJ), followed by Tim Rohan (25Occ), 1549 (O~n) and Vet 1256 (O~). First Trailbike fmiaber was Karl Smith followed by the first C machine, 1185c. Other Novice Traib to finsh were John Willis, Larry Berg and Scott Colbert. Out on the RCOnd loop Balentior was day dreaming. Schumaker bad hit a rock and split the cues on his bike, and so Balentine wasn't really paying attention as Clark zoomed past him. He thought it was some play rider until he saw "T. Clark" on the rider's helmet. Then the hattie of "catch up" wason. Behind these two the other riders had also changed positions. Ashcraft was now third, followed by Hopkins. Whisenant had come over a rise in high gear and ·had hit a rock dead center. He lay along the trail for a minute or two, trying to get his breath and figure out what hap~ed. Megla had now moved into fifth, with Jones in sixth. The Invaders at various road crossings saw a lot of strange crOlSings (the rules were that the rider had to dismount to cross). but probably the most ~tacular crossing was made by Ashcraft. He kept on the throttle, with his feet onJy taking two steps across the entire width of the road. Then he landed on his stomach on the seat of the bike on the other side of the road. After an unbelievable race between two extremely well matched opponents, Balentine fmally got the up~r hand and took the checkered flag in the lead with Clark (Open) taking !leCond. Ashcraft, riding for Up·Tite Husky, was next, earning fint 250cc honors with speedster Hopkins close behind and taking the C bike win. Hopkins rode out of Dick Allen's Yamaha. Amateur Megla (250cc) led his class with Jones (Open) in the sixth overall spot, followed by II9Oc, Dave Hombeck (O~n), Postel (C) and Veteran Richard Jackson (Open) rounding out the top 10. The first Senior honors went to Zuber (Open) followed by Morris Norman (O~n) and Don Whitehom (250cc). Second Amateur was 120lc, with Murry Kapko (~) running third Amateur and followed by Doug Behnke (25Occ), 1216c and Russ Kwisu (250cc). The Trailbike class was led by Duane Sutnmers, followed by Bobby Chaners and Pete Andelman. Flnt and !leCond gals had a battle going ri$ht to the finish. It was a very sore Lon Farmer who edged out Jolene Payne while Lomi Vincent wasn't very far behind. Fint Novice honors WeRt to Rob Murray (25Occ) who had managed to stretch his lead to a respectable minute ahead of Mike Jones (C). Ray Conway (250cc) had moved into the third Novice spot, followed by 12!l7x and 226x. One sour note was sounded at this race. Jim McMinn lost his wallet Saturday night in the camping area, and because he spent most of the day with an injured friend at the hospital, was not able to look for it until late Sunday aftemoon. If anyone found it, he'd appreciate a call at 805/526· 6865.

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