Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

~ co Rick Johnson dominated the 250cc Pro class taking the win each time out. Johnson's main threat was Johnny O'Mara, who finished second. Steve Ryan leads Bader Manneh and Jeff Ward at the start of the first 125cc Pro moto. Ryan finished both motos in third for third overall. CMC Golden State/Skoal Bandit Series: Round 1 Breker, Ward, Johnson star at Saddleback By Kit Palmer Photos by Lori Tyson and Palmer ORANGE, CA, JAN. S The eighth- annual Continental Motorsport Club's Golden State Series, this year sponsored by Skoal Bandits, marks the start of another year of motocross, and it was the Factory teams that stole the spotlight. Kawasaki walked away with wins in the Open and l25cc classes with newly acquired Goat Breker, and Jeff Ward. In the 250cc class, Yamaha's Rick Johnson dominated with two relatively easy wins. Mike "Stray Cat" Healey topped the Mini Expert class on his new Suzuki mount, narrowly beating last year's SOcc Trans-Cal winner Eddie Hicks. 80cc Expert 6 Healey, who rode for the Honda factory last year, piloted his Suzuki to the front of the pack at the start of moto one with Kawasaki-mounted Bob Moore, Honda-armed Shaun Kalos and Hicks hot on his rear fender. During the first lap, Healey motored to a three-second lead and extended that margin to five seconds by the end of the second go-around. Hicks quickly found a way around Kalas and set after Moore. By the third lap, Hicks inched by Moore on a tricky offcarnberdownhill turn. With nothing left between Healey and Hicks but a five-second margin, a duel to the checkers ensued. Hicks did all he could to reel in Healey but to no avail. For the remaining five laps, Healey held on to his lead for lhe win. Hicks finished second while Moore, Mouse McCoy, and Kyle Lewis rounded out the top five. The second-molo holeshot again went to Healey followed by Hondamounted Scou Brown, Hicks, Moore and Kalas. During the firsllap, Hicks zapped Brown for second. Healey jumped to an early lead while Hicks started to gain some ground on the Jeff Ward had no problems handling the 125s. He easily captured the overall by claiming wins in both motos. George Holland took second. leader. With only three laps to the checkered, the Healey/Hicks battle was in high gear. Hicks breathed heavily down Healey's back, but Healey kept his cool, held on for his second win and clinched the overall. Second overall went to Hicks ahead of Lewis' 5-4 combo and Brown's 7-3 score. Fifth went to McCoy wi th a 4-6 tally. 125cc Pro After compleling the day with two runaway wins, Ward said, "My only problem today was not enough competition." His statement couldn't be argued with; he led almost from start to finish in bOlh motos. Suzuki-mounted Rick Ryan had control of the lead at the start of the firsl moto. inches ahead of Kawasaki's Bader Manneh, Suzuki's George Holland and Ward. Holland quickly took care of Manneh and set after Ryan, reeling him in by the end of the first lap and the two leaders started duel- ing for the lead. But the Ryan/Holland battle was rudely interupted by Ward, who jammed by both of them. Two laps later, Ward had developed a Io-second lead, while Holland managed some distance over Ryan. A tight battle for fourth took shape between Manneh and Yamaha-mounted Mike Beier. For the next eight laps Manneh and Beier fought fiercely; handlebar to handlebar. On the 13lh go-around, lhedogfightcame to and end when Manneh succumbed to Beier's pressure. Up front, Ward continued to cruise with a very comfortable advantage, easily taking the checkered flag ahead of Holland, Ryan, Beier and Manneh. Holland put his 'S4 production Suzuki to the front of the field at the start of the second moto, closely followed by Ward, Suzuki-mounted Doug Dubach, Ryan, Kenny Clifton and Craig Canoy. Holland held on to lead for the first lap but reluctantly relinquished the top spot to

• Cover