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/126659
(Clockwise from top left) Danny Chandler could have won all three Pro classes. but troubles caught up with 'Magoo.' Hundreds came to race in the high Sierras. Ron Lechien had a good weekend. with a first and two second- place finishes. Johnny O'Mara came from behind to take the 125cc Pro win. Chandler, O'Mara, I.echien master Mammoth Mountain MX By Kit Palmer . MAMMOTH LAKES, CA. SEPT. 9-11 As in the past, the 16th annual Mammoth Mountain Motocross turned out one of the most popular motorcycling events of the year. Throughout the three-day weekend, over 1000 14 riders left their knobby tracks around the excellently maintained race course. And many of those riders were factory stars like Honda's Danny "Magoo" Chandler and johnny O'Mara, and Yamaha's Ron Lechien. All three finished the weekend with viaories. The racing staned on Friday with all the Open bikes and the stan of the first Pro qualifi/:T. Magoo blitzed that moto to go direaly to the main. It was obvious that Chandler was going to be the man to beat. The only rider who appeared to have a chance against Chandler was Lechien, whoalsoeasily transferred into the main. When the gate dropped for the stan of the 45·minute-plus-two-lap main, it was Yamaha rider Donnie Cantaloupi who roosted into the lead. But, hOlon his tracks were Yamaha-mounted jim Holley, Honda pilot Allen Berluti, Lechien, Yamaha rider john Whelchel, Yamaha-mounted consolationmoto winner Tim "Locomotive" Locey and Honda's Phil Larson. A close dis· tance behind Larson was Chandler. By the end of the first lap, Lechien had ovenaken the lead. The l6-year· old began to stretch his lead, but Chandler was on the warpath as he began picking off riders one by one. Chandler took over second and set after Lechien. With about a quarter of tht, race remaining, Chandler cut downq Lechien's lead LOonly four bikelengLhs. A few turns later, Chandler was breathing heavily down Lechien's back. On the long and rough uphill. Mago«p pulled up alongside Lechien and they drag raced up the hill, and as thej'q headed down the following downhil Chandler was the new leader. Chandleol held the throttle wide open and h began LO gain some distance ove Lechien: By this time, Whelchel hach complete control of the third spot. fUn was close enough to Lechien to takeadvantage of any mistakes, but am' t'lke by Lechien was unlikely. All Magoo had LO do was keep his HondaiJ on two wheels and the win would be his' which is exactly what he did. Lechie had to be content with second whil Whelchel, Locey and Yamaha pilot Warn;n Reid finished behind. Saturday was the day for the 125s, and in the Pro class there were some' new names added to the list like Hon-. da's Brian Myerscough and cuITenf' 125cc National Champion O'Mara.