Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Cenlral Pipeline Hoenshell, Cooper top Dr. Pepper MXat OK City By Joe ~i1ian OKLAHOMA, CITY, JULY 9 The founh annual Dr. Pepper ight of Motocross at Motorcycle Raceways in Oklahoma City was the biggest and best ever as over 300 riders gathered to compete for $6500 in cash, trophies and contingency awards. Oklahoma area dealers contributed tires, helmets, jerseys, goggles, boots and gift cenificates totaling in excess of $600 to a drawing held at intermission, and, of course, if you were thirsty, there was plenty of Dr. Pepper on hand. Warmer than average evening temp<;ratures combined with a slight wil)d from the south made for a dusty track at limes and the water truck was kept busier than usual. The addition of a tricky new table-top type jump claimed more than a few victims during practice, but by the second moLO tire majority of riders had the obstacle . figured ou t. Expen rider Clay Hoenshell suffered a fractured big toe on his left foot in practice, and though riding in some pain, still managed tOP placings in all three money classes. Dennis Daft scored a wire-to-wire win in the second maLO of the J25cc Expen class but his third place in the first heat allowed Hoenshell to capture first overall by vinue of his 1-2 pJacings. Jere Schumacher did some consistent ridi~g for his Metro Yamaha of Grandview, MO. sponsor, and finished a close third. Stan Emerson got his Honda in more difficulties than he could extricate it from and finished out of the running. As so often happens with two competitors who are close to equal in talem, Hoenshell and Randy Kirshbaum each won a moto in the Open Expen clash. Each rider also tallied a runnerup finish, and so the overall loot was taken by Kirshbaum, since he won the second maLO. Guy .cooper, riding for Cooper's Cycle Center in Stillwater, made his sponsors smile tonight as he put his Kawasaki out front in the 250cc Expert division. Cooper followed Jeff Schumacher across the line in their first encounter of the evening and then outgunned Roben Felix in the first turn of the second heat. Cody Rowan got involved with the leaders briefly before Hoenshell and Schumacher flew past almost simultaneously. Overall the order was Cooper, Schumacher and Hoenshell. Results MINI MINI: 1. s_ ....... (Kaw); 2. Eddy Cummi". (K8w); 3. Jody ~ (Hem). PEEWEEJR: 1. Robbie Reynanl(Yem); 2. S"-wn Mann (Y.mt 3. Craig Morran (Yam). PEE WEE SR: 1. Raben Owens (Y.m); 2. Chris S _ (Yamt 3. Jarrad Hurley ISuzi. MINI JR: 1. Lance Stawl (K8w); 2. Marl< Hardy (ylm); 3. K.n Finley (K8w). MINI SR: 1. Tommy Newman (K8w); 2. Chris McNutt (Yam); 3. Brian Emig (y.m). MINI INT: 1. DaraIt Taylor (y.m); 2. Mike TlI1e (K8w); 3. Brian Harris (Yem). MINIBIKE 106: 1. Tommy Nawman (K8w); 2. Briln Emig (Y.m); 3. Kenny Butter (K8w). BEG: 1. Don Wooldridge (Hon); 2. Tommy Howanl (Suz); 3. Bobby Panerson (Suzi. 125 NOV: 1. Mike Foster (ylm); 2. 0 .... Skinner (VIm); 3. Lance Norrick (Klw). 250 NOV: 1. Mlrk Richards (Hon); 2. Kyle Forsythe (Hont, 3. Rlndy Abrlms (Suz). OPEN NOV: 1. Tony G r _ (Hon); 2. lack Ponerfiekl (C-"); 3. Bryant Richmond (K8wI. 125 INT: 1. Kenny C.stor (Y.m); 2. Michael H.mmer (Y.m); 3. Kim Cook (Hon). 2501NT: 1. Jim Cone (K8w); 2. Bun Full.r (Honl; 3. David Gall (Suzl. OPEN INT: 1. Jim Cons (Klw); 2. Billy Hatfield (K8w); 3. Terry GoupH (V.m). OVER 30: 1. Kenny BUller (Suzt, 2. O.nny McNull (Suz); 3. Charles Magnass (M.i). 125 EX: 1. Clay H _ n (Y.ml; 2. Dennis Dalt (VIm); 3. Jeff Schumacher (Yam). 250 EX: 1. Guy Cooper (K.wl; 2. Jeff Schumacher (Yernt, 3. Clay HosMheIl (y.m). OPEN EX: 1. R.ndy Kirshbaum (y.ml; 2. CI.y Haanshell (Ylml; 3. Chris Swank (K8wI. OC") 00 0") Whitley, Ricks hot at Swan MiniNational MX ...-4 By Joe Milian Photos. by Jim Savoie • TYLER, TX,JULY 17 Billed as the first annual Pro Mini Bike National, with over $7500 in cash and trophies up (or grabs, today's small-bore event at Swan Motocross Raceway in Tyler might JUSt as well have been dubbed the "Kawasakis Only" Mini National. Team Green riders swept an astounding 4.'1 of the top 55 places in II classes of competition. Whitley'S only cause for concern today came in the opening laps of the 85cc Expert first moto, as Jason Langford jumped outLO a big lead LO get the affairs at hand underway. An uncustomary miscue by Whitley left him with plenty of room for improvement of position, and he set about the task of rectifying the problem with his usual swiftness. The situation was made somewhat easier by Langford himself when he fell on the sixth lap. Once Whitley gained the lead it was all over. Langford held on LO finish second, and Stacy Marek wheeled in third. Whitley had a cakewalk in the second moto and the only suspense was provided by the hassle over runner-up between Marekand Langford. Langford, one of a host of youngsters receiving assistance from Good Time Cycle, gave Marek something LO think about over the course of the second go-round, but faltered on the final circuit, dropping to fourth at the flag behind Tommy Collier, but still taking third overall. Jason Upshaw put in two consistent motos to finish in the money at fourth and Collier, with.a disappointing ninth in the initial heat, had to settle for fifth. While Whitley was having his way with his age group, Jack Ricks was doing the same to the younger set. Ricks. who iust recently moved from Tvler to StulOOU'd. Arkansas. is rapidlY developingthe reputation of bemg a national contender. The easy-going 9-year-old with the slow motion drawl has an aggressive style that belies his deliberate demeanor. Ricks was the recipient of first-place trophies in three classes and streaked across the line second in a fourth. His most satisfying win came in the 80cc Modified class where he scored some, thing of an upset over long-time rival Jason Langford. The first heat was a repeat of past performances as Langford led Ricks across the line with Huggins, Tommy Hall, and Roy Scbellenberger filling in the remaining slots. The second moto was a real barnburner with Ricks sweeping wide around the pack LO lead as Langford was victimized by another rider's mistake. Langford was slow to return to the fray and was in 10th place at the conclusion of lap one. Meanwhile Tim Hod.. (76) wa. doing well until he faded at Swan'. Mini Nationa" Ricks, assessing the circumstances, threw caution LO the wind as he scorched the track on the next several circuits. "I knew I'd have to have as much of a lead as I could get 'cause Jason is fast. Real fast. He's older than me too. I just looked back once and when I couldn't see him too close, I took off," the diminutive pilot explained. So complete was the domination of the KX brigade that only one firstplace finish, that by Ross Dhaye.r on a Yamaha in the Mini Mini division, was registered by anyone not riding a Kawasaki. Shawn Huggins, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa did his best to stem the green tide on his Yamaha, pUlling in consistent rides LO score three thirds for the day. Houston rider Michael Walling was the lone Honda representative in the upper echelon with his third in the 60cc Stock race. Sixteen-year-old Lufkin sensation Billy Whitley paced all competiLOrs with wins in four classes, including a financially rewarding outing in the 85cc Expert clash. Since Whitley's birthday came some two months after the cutoff date, he was eligible to compete with younger riders. He is obviously in the waning days of youth racing, dominating both rival bikes and riders with his lanky frame. Whitley is a pOpular local rider and the majority of his followers would like to see him continue his association with the factory as well as with Tyler sponsor Good Time Cycle. Langford made steady progress toward the front of the aggregation, passing Huggins to take over second witb something more than a lap remaining. Track announcer ScOll Jacobs ofKTTB radio in TylercaUed one of the most exciting conclusions of the day as Langford, his path unimpeded by traffic, put his bike right on Ricks' tail four turns from the end, knowing he had to pass LO take first overall. Like an old veteran, Ricks denied Langford access to the inside line in the final few feet and finished less than a bikelengtb in front for the win. Langford denied Ricks his fourth first-.place trophy in the 80cc Stock confrontation, with Huggins holding down third. Hall fourth, and Jerry Benner fifth. Colin Edwards, former NMA World Mini Champ in the Pee Wee wars, had a successful afternoon as be registered a victory in 60cc Stocks, third in 60cc Modified, and fourtt! against older competition in the 60cc Stocks. Mexican national Stefano Ulrich did his usual job of determined riding to place in two classes, and other stellar performances were turned in by Darrin.Champagne, Mark Tripp, Cody Marek, Ctlarlie Winn, Jerry Norwood, Richard Orlowski and Steve Vickers. Also deserving mention for their logistic and contingency support are Bel-Ray Lubricants,Iron Horse Cycle SUPIHY of Houston, Carter Yamaha of Dallas, and Jack Sandford of Corpus Christi Kawasaki. • Results MINI MINI: 1. ROIl Dhayor (VIm); 2. ShIne McGee (Kaw); 3. Wayns Richardson (y.m); 4. Ch... Owen (K.wl; 5. Blake Moffitt (Klw). 50 STK THROUGH 9 VAS: 1. Colin Edwards (K.w); 2. Willy B~n (K.w); 3. Michael W.lling (Hon); 4. Chuck HIli (K8w); 5. ROIl Ohayor (K.w). 50 STK THROUGH 11 VAS: 1. Jack Ricks (Kaw); 2. Ch.rlie Winn (Klw); 3. Jerry N . . - (Kaw); 4. Colin Edwards (KIwI; 5. David Fletcher (Klw). 50 MOD THROUGH 11 YRS: 1. J.cIl Ricks (Kawl; 2. Cody M.rlk (Klw); 3. Colin Edwards (Klw); 4. Ch.rlil Winn (KIwI; 5. DaVid Fletcher (Klw). 105 THROUGH 15 VRS: 1. Billy WhilJlY (K.w); 2. Stacy M.rek (K.w); 3. Tommy Collier (Klw); 4. Jason Upsh.w (YI",); 5. Steflno Ulrich (KIwI. BO STK THROUGH 12 VAS: 1. Jlson Langfonl (Klw); 2. Jack Ricks (Klw); 3. Sh.wn Huggins (Ylm);4. Tommy H.II(Kawt. 5. Jerry Benner (y.m). BO STK THROUGH 15 VAS: 1. Billy Whillay (K8wJ; 2. TornmyCollierlKawt, 3. Jason Upohaw(Vlm); 4. Damn Champagne (Kawt 5. S _ Hill (Kawl. 50 MOO THROUGH 12 VAS: 1. Jack Ricks lKawt, 2. Jason Langford IK8w); 3. Shawn Huggi". (Y.m); 4. Tommy HalllKawt, 5. ROVSc:llelleilb.. ger(Y.m). BO MOO THROUGH 15 YRS: 1. Billy Whillay (Kaw); 2. Tommy Collier lKawt, 3. _Tripp (KIwi: 4. Stef.no Ulrich (K8wt 5. Ilevid Cambell IK8w). B5 EX THROUGH 12 VAS: 1. Jason Langfonl (K8w); 2. Cody M.rek (Kawt, 3. S"-wn HUlIllino (Y.mt 4. Roy Schellenberger (Yam); 5. J.R. Laroea (Kaw). B5 EX THROUGH 15 VAS: 1. Billy Whitley (K8w); 2. StKy Marek (K8w); 3. Jason Langford (K8wI; 4. Jason Upohaw (Yam); 6. Tommy Collier (K8w). • Warren, Knupp top cash takers in Colorado By Ernie Ferguson LAKEWOOD, CO, JULY 17 Randy Warren was in super form today as he swept to the overall in the 250cc Expert class at Lakewood Sportcycle Park. The "Rocket" finished second in the first moLO behind Boo Stichter and ahead of Jim Mitchell and Terry Kyle. Randy took the holeshot in the second moto and was fighting off Stichter until Stichter cracked a frame and was forced out of the race. Terry • 35

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