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/126550
00 0') ~ 00 1-0 QJ ..0 e QJ > o Z !Topl From lett. Stulwn McConnell. John Cook. Stulwn Moren and trophy girl. enjoy the victory podium limelight. IAbovel Lenl Fus wheelie. off the line with Bobby SChwartz be.lde him and Bruce Penhall on the far outside. Vans - U.S. Long Track Speedway Championship Cook crunches the competition By Scott Daloisio GARDENA, CA, NOV. 6 John Cook avenged last year's loss to Shawn Moran by defeating the 19-year-old to capture the victory in the Vans-U.S. Long Track Speedway Championship Friday night at J.C.· Agajanian's Ascot Park half mile. Cook, riding the F.O.M. Racing/K&N Weslake, started out his perfect night six for six by scoring the victory in event three. 1981 World Champion Bruce Penhall on the Bel·Ray Weslake came to the line for his first ride in event five. The American superstar jumped out front on the start and seemed headed for a sure victory until Shawn McConnell on the Ridin' HighJawa cruised by for the lead in turn one on lap two. McConnell opened up a big lead with northern California's Tom Ferris on the Arai Helmets Weslalte ring by PenhaU for second on the final lap in turn one. McConnell held on for an impressive victory over Ferris and Penhall. Cradley Heath·bound Lance King on the Bel·Ray Weslake took event four over Colday Construction Weslake·mounted Bobby McLain and Bel·Ray Godden rider Bobby Schwartz. It was a costly race as Dave Sims on the Eikleberger Godden dropped out for the night when his motor wouldn't run through the comers. After the event, Michael Bast turned over the reins on his Justice Brothers Jawa to Class C racer Ricky Graham who had a rod go right tht'DUgh~he bottom of the frame of his Klotz Lubricants Maely in his first ride. Dennis Sigalos, on' the Justice Brothers/Orange County Food Service Weslake, made it look easy in event six, and King took his second victory of the night in event eight after passing early leader Tom Morley on his own Weslake. Event 12 was one of the best races of the year in southern California, Penhall got the gate over Schwartz only to have the "Boogaloo Kid" sweep by for the lead in tum four. Penhall grabbed the lead back on the back chute on lap two, Penhall held a half bikelength lead until Schwartz dove to the inside for the lead in turn three on lap three with Penhall pulling even coming out of four setting up a drag race to the checkered. With the fans on their feet, it was Schwanz by inches at the checkered flag. Morley was leading Penhall in event B when the champ got rOOlted by several heavy chunks of dirt. Badly shaken, the popular rider pulled off the track less face shield. He was hit in the comer of his left eye, causing a nasty bruise, as well as having a number of bruises on his chest, legs and shoulders. PenhaU's steel shoe was also bent into his toes. Needless to say, the night was over for number one. Moran, who was riding the potent Collins Automotive/Vera's/P} 1 two· valve Jawa, met up with Schwanz and Sigalos in event 16. Schwartz out· dueled the pair of fellow British League racers and opened up a big lead. SigaJOI seemed t~ have-second in. the bag'when he was forced from the race with ignition problems on lap three letting Moran m for second and a one-point lead. The two-time defending champ's lead was short-lived as King and Cook won the next two races giving thetn perfect scores of 18 at the end of the qualifying round. Moran ended up second with 17 with McLain, Schwartz and Frank Adamo on the Western Well Service Weslake next in line with 16 each. Dave DeTetnple, sponsored' by Vans, Arai and Bel-Ray, rode PenhaJJ's Weslake to victory in a runoff for the fmal spot in the semis over Jim Turner who changed a motor in his ownJawa before the race. Cook got the gate in the first semi and went on to a half straightaway victory over Sigalos, who changed motors before the event. King got the gate in the second semi and went on to an easy victory over McConnell who took second from Adamo on lap one. In the final semi, which transferred the final two riders to the main, Schwartz took the lead on the start over DeTemple. Moran went low in tum four on the opening lap to take second away from DeTemple. Moran wasn't done yet as he tried Schwanz in tum four on the second circuit using the cushion, Schwartz fought him off, but Moran dove to the victory, DeTemple blew a transfer to the consolation when the rear end came around in tum one on the final lap sending him to the dirt, Schwaru then surprised everyone when he dumped it while running all alone in second in tum four on the final lap, taking himself out of the main. Charlie Morse on the F.O,M. Racing/Cycle Service Jawa happily rode by Schwanz and came across the line second and into the main. King got the gate from the number two spot on the original go in the main. The tace got as far as turn two when Morse went into the hay bales causing the only red flag of the night. Morse was uninjured but was out for being the cause of the red. On the restart, Cook got the gate with King edging ahead going into turn one. Cook on the outside moved ahead for good in tum two. Moran and the two·valve got by King in tum four for second after a wheel-to-wheel duel that started in turn two. King then dropped out while running third on lap two, allowing McConnell into the number three spot. At the checkered, it was Cook first with Moran second followed by McConnell, SigaJos and non-finishers King and Morse. For Cook, who took home $570 for his night'S work, it was an especially sweet victory. After riding for the Hull Vikings in the British League in 1980, Cook had failed to reach the necessary five-point average needed to obtain a work permit to stay in England. Cook was then traded along with Sigalos to the Ipswich Witches where promotor John Berry made out a special request to k.eep the statesider in the country. Cook was allowed to stay and was one of the top riders in the British Speedway League in 1981. Tonight's victory was icing on the cake for the 23'yearold. • Results MAIN EVENT: ,. John Cook; 2. Shawn Moran; 3. Shawn McConnell; 4. Denni. SigoIos; 5. Lance King; 6. Charlie Morae. CONSOLATION: 1. Bobby SchWllftZ; 2. Tom Morloy; 3. Frank Adamo; 4. Tom Ferris; 5. Steve lucero; 6. Leni F.... OUAlIFYING ROUND: 1. {TIEl Lance KinglJohn Cook 1181; 3. Shawn Mann 1171; 4. {TIEl Bobby MclainI Frank Adamo/Bobby SchWllftZ 1161; 7. (TIEl Tom Morley/51""" Lu,,",o 1151; 9. {TIEl Denny Pyeatt! Dennis SigalosiChartie Morae 1141; 12. Tom Ferris 1131; 13. (TIEl Len; FuslShawn McConnell 1121; 15. IrE) Bruce PenhalURicky Gr-.n 1111; 17. Shane Me Donald 1101; 18. mEl Keith u.r-JDave OeTompiel Jim Turner/C,oig YoungJEd castro 191; 23. lTIEl DlMl W~ BronslordlRon BIonton lBl; 27. mEl ,J., _ _ Chrioc:oITom Hus;-IOonnis Briggs (7); 31. e.v F_ 161; 32. Keny Miller (51; 33. Dove Sims 131; 34. Mike _(2). MiIIer!OlMl