Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

00 c:n Jack BIlker Is pursued by Bob Betke In SNRR road rsce competition. KHchens hot at CMCAscotMX By Tom Corley GARDENA,CA,AUG.6 \ The riders got a pleasant surprise when they took their first practice lap on the Ascot motocross course. There weren't any spectacular crash and burns, but instead the riders were able to handle the new sections. There were two divisions of the 250cc Junion and both were worth writing about. In the fint moto of the division one race, Jeff Geiger on his Honda had the lead wired. Tim Kitchens was second with John Jelsma third. In the Final moto Jelsma was leading Chris Micek, but Micek soon dropped back and Kitchens and Geiger passed him up. Then Jelsma messed up and came to a sudden stop and Kitchens took Oller the lead with Geiger hounding him from behind before he dropped out. It was a clean victory for Kitchens and he stated afterwards, "I took fint overall and I'll be an Intermediate next week, so I'm happy about that!" Jelsma, who lost the lead, told us later just how it happened, "I came around the finish comer and because the back end wasn't handling good, I almost slid off the wall." Jeff Geiger was running up front till he dropped out and he explained his situation, "I tried to PilSS Kitchens for the lead and it threw Ine off and then the throttle broke and it stuck right openl" Because Geiger's Honda had such problems he finished 12th place overall. The top five were Kitchens, Jelsma, Kevin Stool, Jeff Bednorz and RonSpinak. The second division of 250cc Junion was won not by another Yamaha -or Suzuki rider, but by an Ammex rider. Kyle Lee Greenwood led them all of the way in both motos. He broke down the last time he was out at Ascot but certainly showed them the way this time. Winning the top five positions were Greenwood, Dave Bender, Mike Betzen, Brian Huff and Jim Peralta. 50 . .. .. " ~ .J Results 80 JR: 1. Kenny _ IV.",; 2. ~ Sdvnidt 1h81. 80 INT: 1. . - J..- tAMXl; 2. . - McFortond lV....). . 80 JR DlV 2: 1. Scott Murphy lSuzl; 2. Kenny 00neI0an lKaw); 3. Bobby ..-or1IllVern). 80 JR DIY 1: 1. Rick _slVom); 2. lony ~ lV.",; 3. Brien Werle lVern). 80 INT: 1. Jeff Ilorbocovi (Vern); 2. Doug Mayfield lVern). 1IlOJR: 1. Scott Stor1borg (Vern). 125 JR DIY 1: 1. Bob Fisher IVom); 2. Mark Rutan CHent; 3. Mike IVernl. 125 JR DIY 1. _ _ Nikolakopuloo; 2. louia Springer ISuzl; 3. Rod CoIbum lVernl. '126 JR DIY 3: 1. Larry Bohlken lSuzl; 2. Don Cerpentor; 3. Mike Morrison IVern). 125 INT: 1. John McNulty lV....l; 2. Seen Gilboy lSuzl; 3. R8ndy fbalSuzl. 125 PRO: 1. Jim Holley IVernl; 2. Tom Lunde lVom); 3. Tim SheIlon lVern). 250 JR DIY 1: 1. Tim Kitchens IVern); 2. JaM Jeloma lVern); 3. Kevin SloolIHUlI. 250 JR DIY 2: 1. Kyle G f _ CAmxJ; 2. Dew _lVernl; 3. Mike Betzen IHenI. 250 PRO: 1. Tim Lunde lVaml; 2. RUIO W _ lVernl; 3. Pete Munay lMai). . 5llO JR: ,. Jiloon Shumate (Hon); 2. Tenyoon D'Senna (Vernl; 3. Bill Pucken lHen). 5llO INT: 1. Steve Taylor IHanI; 2. Trey Campbell lV....l; 3. Brien Gordner IVoml. 5llO PRO: 1. Mike St_k IKawl; 2. Glen Senecal lVom). VET JR: 1. Bill Misener IVaml; 2. SIeve Cutrighl lV....); 3. Terry NeIIon IVaml. VET INT: 1. Jim Richardson IKTMI. OLD TIMER JR: ,. Paul Burton IKawl. OLD TIMER INT: ,. Bryon Fornowonh lVernl; 2. Jim Geteo (Suzl. OLD TIMER MASTER: 1. Ed On IVam). c.u.ne :z: Baker, VanNatta, Betke top SNRR Road Race By Don Akers Photo by Norman Kauke LAS VEGAS, NV, AUG. 2 Jack Baker, Mike VanNatta, and Bob Betka didn't take home all the marbles at this SNRR road race, but they got their share! The day started out with Van Natta's John Austin-sponsored Honda taking first in the 450cc Box Stock class. Next Baker, on his Nevada Yamaha/TPI sponsored 550 Seca took fint in the 600cc Box Stock Class. Following that bit of opening action was Bob Betke taking fint in the 750cc Box Stock class followed by a new rider, Les Goebel. Then Baker, figuring that he had a roll going, won the Open Box Stock class. With the Box Stock action taken care of, the Production class racing started with the 450cc class running fint. VanNatta again took fint but this time he had a bit of a battle with "Crazy Ed" Malkiewicz before he took the checkered flag. The 600cc Production class had some interesting wrenching going on in the pits before the race. Jody Morgan, who normally rides in this class, bailed big time in practice and dinged both himself and his 550 Seca to the point where further competition wasn!t possible. Slim Stephens, whose usual mount is a KZ 1000, decided that he had a heretofore unfulfilled desire to ride a 550. Hearing that, Morgan generously offered him the use of his Seca if he could find enough pieces to put in back on the track. That was like hollering "Sic 'em" to a dog! Stephens. with a handful of wrenches, launched a frontal assualt on Ken Smith's bike, which was parked alongside the pits. Ken, who had been working the gate, came back just in time to see his handleban, shocks, and plug caps being frantically installed on Morgan's bikel After hearing what was going on, he gave a retroactive OK to the procedure. Pulling on to the track for a one lap check to see if every thing was functioning properly, Stephens also got his first and only practice lap on this unfamiliar bike. The lack of practice didn't seem to bother Slim that much because he took an early lead and held it for about seven laps. Then Baker started putting on the pressure. After passing Stephens, and being repassed by Stephens, Baker finally got the checkered flag with Stephens running a close second. Meanwhile the 750cc Production class, which was running concurrently with the 6005, had its own battle going on. Clay Rice emerged the victor from that fray, with Les Goebel taking second. In the Open Production race Betke and Baker got head to head and stayed that way the whole 10 laps! Betke had the lead at the finish line, but Baker wasn't giving anything awayl The last race of the day looked like rush hour on the freeway when they decided to run all the Super Street bikes together. Slim Stephens took the overall win in this free-for-all, with Betke taking fint 750cc, and Baker doing the honors in the 600cc class. The early 10 a.m. start helped alleviate a lot of the effects of the heat. and the SNRR orga ilization as usual functioned smoothly, so if any of you out of town riders feel inclined to combine a weekend of "Vegas" style entertainment with your racing - go for itl Just contact Slim Stephens at 702/384-2353 or Scott Chayter at 7021649-9563. Upcoming- races are Sept. 12-13. Oct. 10-11 and Nov. 21-22. Practice and new riders school runs on Saturday with the race on Sunday. Williamson's winning ways return at DeAnza By Kit Palmer SUNNYMEAD, CA. AUG. 16 After disappearing the last few weeks from the motocross scene due to injury, Keith Williamson (Yam) riding for D&L Welding, picked up from where he left off, winning Ihe 250cc Pro class at DeAnza with consistent riding. In the fint moto Fred Combs took his Seer/Uni/RRR Yamaha into the lead with Montclair Yamaha-mounted Greg Zitterkopf breathing heavily down his ~ack .. .A1so in pursuit w~re Riverside Suzuki's Keith Dysert in third and Roger Hayes of La Habra Yamaha in fourth followed by Chris Cole, riding for Ceet Racing in fifth. By the second lap Zitterkopf passed Combs and within a few laps he had pulled a commanding lead. Things pretty much stayed the same for the next few laps until Cole gave up his fifth place position to Williamson after pulling off the track. Everything was going Zitterkopfs way until disaster struck when his Yamaha seized with three laps remaining. At the finish it was Combs who crossed the finish line first with Dysert close behind. Dave Eropkin (Suz) of Suzuki West in a good ride working his way up from behind to finish third. Williamson finished up with a fourth place ride. Mota two saw Dysert jump into the lead with Eropkin close behind in second and Williamson in third followed by Hayes. Racing was tight for the lead when bad luck stmck Dysert halfway through the race after the shock blew on his Suzuki, giving the lead to Eropkin. Unfortunately for Eropkin it wasn't long before he fell. Williamson inherited the lead which he was able to keep until the finish, combining for a first place overall. Second place went to Joe Padilla (Yam) and third to Hayes. Even with a light turnout of 125cc Pros, the racing still proved to be quite exciting. Rick Rodgers (Yam) jumped into an early lead with a slight cushion over second place rider Varney Holbrook (Suz) of AI Baker R&D and Danny Bookhart (Yam) riding for Barnes Yamaha in third. Holbrook started reeling in Rodgen within a few laps. After battling for the next six laps, Rodgers' chain derailed, giving Holbrook the lead that was unchallenged till the end. Rodgers rerailed his chain and was able to hang on and finish seeond with Bookhart finishing third. The second moto saw Holbrook grab the holeshot with Bookhart hot on Holbrook's rear fender with Tim Nash (Yam) following in third_ After a poor start, Rodgers began playing catch up to second place by the fifth lap, but Rodgers' efforts ended when he fell. Holbrook took the checkered flag and the overall win unchallenged with Bookhart finishing second. Chris Lance took his Dale's Modern Cycle Yamaha to a first mota win in the 125cc Intermediate class over second place finisher Kirk Williams (Yam) and DonJandt (Suz). Race two saw Jandt take the win with Lance second, but that wasn't enough to beat Lance for the overall victory. Results PEE WEE DIV II: 1. Stacey Hor-.v IVaml; 2. Jeff Knox (Suz). PEE WEE DIY III: 1. Adam Fitzgerald (Vam); 2. Chard Flora (Voml; 3. Bill And....., IVam). . JR CYCLES: 1. W. Klein; 2. Mike Michetti ISuz/; 3. :rravis Hahn (Yam). MINI BEG: 1. Dave Barnard ISuzl; 2,. Kirk Kendall IKaw}; 3. SIeve Tuck.. (Vaml. MINI NOV: 1. Mike Fitzgerald (Vaml; 2. Ron Well (Kawl; 3. Glenn Tucker IKawl. MINI INT: 1. Mike Roberta IVoml; 2. Danny CanUey IKawl. Morolas (Vam); 2. Mike Lofton 125 BEG: ,. (Vaml; 3. Pet.. Bruches (Vaml. 125 NOV: ,. Jeff Frye ISuzl; 2. Mark Wiedeman ISuz). 1251NT: 1. Chris LaneelVoml; 2. Don Jandt ISuz/; 3. L.8rrv Kirk Williams (Yam). 125 PRO: 1. Varney Holbrook ISuzl; 2. Denny Bookhart IV....); 3. Rick Rodg... IV....). 250 BEG: 1. Dave Randall IVoml; 2. Tony Taylor ISuz/; 3. Ruben Alvaredo lVern). 250 NOV: ,. Chuck Wh..... (Suz); 2. Danny Morolas (Veml; 3. Paul Schreffler (Hen). 250 IN1': 1. Rick Roark (Suzl; 2. Kelly McGuire IVaml: 3. Brian Griewe ISuz!. 250 PRO: 1. Keith Winiamoon (Vam); 2. Joe Padilla lVoml; 3. Roger Hav80 lVaml. OPEN INT: ,. Verlin Ven Zee lVam); 2. Terry Davis (HUll; 3. Ronnie Lewia (Suzl. OPEN PRO: 1. Greg Zitlorkopf IVaml; 2. Eddie Michetti IMai). SR VETS: 1. Dan Sanchez (C-Al; 2. Ed Michetti IMail; 3. Morino IlaotioneIllMaiI.

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