Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Soathera Call1orala·Arlzoaa·Southera NeYada. Southera Callfornla·Arlzona-Southera Nevada· Southera Call1orala·Arlz. Western hotline Wiliams whizzes to Willow win By Lori Tyson RO AMO D, CA, FEB. 5 Honda mounted John Williams look an easy win in the firsl round of the Willow Springs/ARRA Superbike series under a blue sky and perfect track condition. Williams' only complaint was, "There should be more bikes out there," as there was a meager fifleen-rider field. Williams squined to the lead by lhe lhird lap and was vinually unchallenged the remainder of lhe tenlap evenl. But second-place was not so easily taken as Earl Roloff and Mark Thomas fought hard for that spol. It was a close one until. the penultimate lap when, gOlOg 1010 turn one, Thomas obviously shut the door on RoloH causing him 10 back off a bil. In the last lap, however, Roloff was ready, and when Thomas tried the same manuever he found himself taking soil samples. Roloff had braked late into the turn and Thomas ran out of track. Thomas went down unhurt. Ontario Moto Tech's jim Vreeke, piloting a GPz 750 that was modified only with a Yoshimura pipe and Keihin CRcarbs, inheri ted third after riding a consistant founh most of the race. Another last-lap casualty wa Earl Campbell and hi beautiful Ducati as a self-admilled case of brain-fade cau ed him to get oU hard in fast, turn six. He sustained a broken hand and broken fingers and some nasty road rash bu t was considered not seriously injured. "I couldn't cut him any slack," quipped Chris Crowell after taking the win £rom Bob Reinen in the closest race of the day - the 750cc Box Stock. "This is my first win and I didn't know what to do up front. I wanted 10 be behind him, so I could set him up," said lhe very happy Crowell afterward. It was Reinen's first race since a brand and displacement switch from last year's Honda 1100 10 a 750cc Kawasaki. and he appears 10 have made the transition quite nicely. In the first 600cc Box Stock race since the rule change (eliminating points toward lhe overall championship), a new crowd dominated the race. Kawasaki mounted john Penner and Suzuki pilot Gary Tatsumi put up a lOugh one for the premiere position the entire eight laps. Penner took it in a squeaker of a finish. Third was also hard-fought wilh john Littau and Waldemar Groschel going at it with Littau crossing first. The sole female entrant Sue Siuman put on a great show as she sneaked f~om a back-of-the-pack stim to a credllable sixlh-place finish, her best yet. Len Gambo brought his new lOy - an RS500 Honda, 10 the FIIOpen Super Street match and, as expected, led flag-to-f1agto takelhewin. Gamba pulled off before the flags .giving john Williams the trophy. Wtlhams held off the charges of Yamahamounted Steve Biganski to take the Open Super Street award, with Biganski taking first Fl. In Formula Two Rotax-mounted Danny Coe took an early lead and went to war with Steve Reynosa and Steve Biganski in a tight match that was to last seven of the eight laps of the race. The white flag was mistakenly displayed one lap early, but Coe said, "By that time it really didn't mauer," as Reynosa had gOllen by Coe to stretch out a bit of a lead to take the win with Biganski second. Results 600 BOX STK: 1. John Penner (Kaw); 2. Gary Tatsumi (Suz); 3. John Littau (Kaw). 450 BOX STK: 1. Greg Zepeda (Vam); 2. Peter Carroll (Suz!; 3. Phillip Smith (Vam!. TWINS: 1. Earl Campbell (Due); 2. Fred Eiker; 3. Brent Ross (Vam). 750 BOX STK: 1. Chris Crowell (Suzl; 2. Bob Reinen (Kawl; 3. Kennv Kopecky (Kaw). OPEN BOX STK: ,. K.C. Gager (Kaw); 2. Danny Farnsworth (Han). 450 PROD: 1. Greg Zepeda (Yam); 2. Stell8 Dilallo (Vam!; 3. Peter Caroll (Suz). FORM I: 1. St8118 Biganski (Vam); 2. David Harris (Sud; 3. Mark Shelton (Kaw). OPEN SUPER STREET; 1. John Williams (Han); 2. Jerry Karcz (Suzl; 3. Bill Cain (Honl. 600 PROD: 1. John Penner (Kawl; 2. Clinton Whitehouse (Yam); 3. Aaron Post (Kaw). 750 SUPERBIKE: 1. John Williams (Han); 2. Earl Roloff (Kawl; 3. Jim Vreeke (Kawl. 450 SUPER STREET: ,. John Thornton (Vam!; 2. Steve Dilallo (Yam); 3. Andy Leisner (Yam). 750 PROD: 1. Earl Roloff (Kaw); 2. Denny Fryer (Han); 3. Bob Reinen (Kaw). OPEN PROD: ,. Mark Shelton (Kaw); 2. K.C. Gager (Kaw!; 3. Bill Cain (Han). F2: 1. Steve Biganski (Yam); 2. Steve Reynosa (Vam!; 3. Danny Coe (Rota.). 600SUPER STREET: 1. Earl Roloff (Kaw); 2. John Penner (Kaw). F3; 1. Frank Callinicos (Vam!; 2. Bob Cobb (HanI; 3. Dylan Code (Han!. Belto belts CRC Intermediates at Indian Dunes By Lee Taylor VALE CIA, CA, FEB. 5 Kirk BellO lurned his Honda loose on an unsuspecting pack of 250cc Intermediates and proceeded lO blow everyone in lhe weeds. Picking off a pair of back-lOback win. BellO pulled the holes hot hi first time out only to find Yamaha-mounted Curi Farrar ridi ng shotgun: First shot fired in.a duel that lasted all day. Lakewood Honda entry Ray Groom had the unenviable task of holding a quirrely pack at bay. When the checkers waved them to the pits, BelLO and Farrar led the way; first and second, respectively. with Groom rounding out the top three. When the men blasted off the line for their final round, Belto once more edged out in front, and as before. he found Farrar breathing fire. Joel Harriou of Simi Honda completed the trio. A heavy dice for third shaped up between Harrioll and Cam johnson with Harrioll forced to sellie for fourth by molO'S end and Bill Erb roundin~ out the lOp five. 250cc Pro, john Whelchel, part of Team Tamm's stable. was back home again and neatly tied up lhe win with a pai I' of aces. Whelchel was unflappable. FirstmolO action found his Honda trapped in the jungle. down in the wash and back up in the lead; all within the first few laps. With Granada Yamaha ace Eric Buskirk alongside. the dreadful duo clashed handlebars and wheels through the sweepers and over most of the Shadow Glen. Rolf Die£fenbard of Germany broughtan international name LO the game, running third for much of the molO. Don Best and Rod Richardson hounded the German relentlessly. forcing him back by molO's end. Approaching the fini h line Whelchel led the way. followed by Buskirk and Richardson. Whelchel's Honda left the pack behind at the start of the second round and promptly disappeared out of sight. Whelchel was so far out in front he couldn't even spot Buskirk, who was locked in a econd-place di e with Dieffenbard. Fourth place Best, as well was barely a breath ahead of Richard on. For Best, it was Chris Crowell leads Bob Reinen in the 750cc Box Stock class at Willow Springs. Crowell took the win. but it was the closest race of the day. a rough ride, fighting the flu and trying to stay competitive. By the time the molO wound 10 an end, Whelchel was lapping while Dieffenbard moved inlO econd. Bu kirk had to sellie for third, Richardson slOle fourth from Best and egale moved into the fifth-place lot. Results PEE WEE: ,. Jeff Willoh (Vaml; 2. Pablo tara, III (ltal); 3. Da.id Handren (Vam). 60 NOV: ,. Billy Dawson (Kaw); 2. Jeff Willoh (Kaw); 3. Nick Mairose (Hon). 60 lNT: 1. Moose Wine (Kawl; 2. John Shaver (Kaw); 3. Ryan Spurgin (Kaw). 60 EX: 1. Bubba Erickson (Kaw). 80 STK BEG DIV 1: 1. Jim Easter (Yaml; 2. Chris BO STK BEG DIV 2: ,. Mark Easley (Kaw); 2. Kevin Cornwell (Kaw); 3. Lance Levin (Kaw). Olive (Kaw); 3. Danny Anderson (Yam). 80 STK NOV; ,. Mike Dawson (Kaw); 2. Jeff Orth (Vam); 3. Gary Barken (Han). BO STK INT: 1. Abel Gayton (Kawl; 2. Chris tara (Kawl; 3. Doug Fisher (KXI. 80 MOO NOV: 1. Alvin Matthews (Kaw!; 2. Paul Matthews (Hon); 3. Ron Thomas (Yam). BO MOD INT: ,. Chris Lara (KX); 2. Doug Fisher (KXI. BO MOO EX: 1. Chris Cole (Kawl; 2. Jeff 8arbacovi (Yam). 125 BEG DIV 1: ,. Billy Mctaughlin (Suzl; 2. David Pattan (Kaw); 3. Davin Cornett (Hon). 125 BEG DIV 2: 1. Curt Carpenter (Vaml; 2. AI Hazeltime (Suzl: 3. Rich Banlowe (Yam). 125 NOV; 1. Danny Barnett (KTM); 2. Tim Bluth (Yam); 3. Shawn Stiles (Vaml. 125 INT: 1. Eddie Guajardo (Suz); 2. Lance John- son (Cag); 3. Mike McCleneghan (Suz). 125 PRO: 1. Bruce Delgado (Suz); 2. Jon Ortner (Vam); 3. Paul Arnold (Vam). 250 BEG: ,. Thad 8arba (Honl; 2. Jerry Sherer Jr. (Yam); 3. David Blomgren (Yam). 250 NOV: 1. Kris Wilcox (Hon); 2. Tom Cosley ISuz); 3. Chris Burgeson (Yam I. 250 INT: 1. Kirk Belto (Hon); 2. Curt Farrar (Yam); 3. Bill Erb (Han). 250 PRO: 1. John Whelchel (Han); 2. Erin Buskirk (Vam); 3. Rod Richardson (Han). OPEN BEG: 1. David Oicorato (Yam); 2. George Manicus (Hon); 3. Jim Kokuwis (Yam). OPEN NOV: 1. Brett Henry (Hon); 2. Craig Han (Vaml; 3. Everett Angle (HanI. OPEN INT: 1. Eddie Hatch (Han); 2. Rich Callahan (Han); 3. Tom Fry (Han). OPEN PRO: 1. Ken Goldie (Yam); 2. Don Sievertson (Hon). VET JR: 1. Tommy Pearl (Hus); 2. Roger Plasky (Vaml; 3. Robert Cooke (Honl. VET INT: 1. Dennis Adam (KTM); 2. Errol Leduc (Sur); 3. Gilbert Zavala (Suzl. VET EX; 1. Jeff Harriott(Hon); 2. Jim Smith (Vam); 3. Kent "Fif" Shepard (Vam). Cannonand Hames split dough at Corona IT and Half Mile By Elaine Jones CORONA, CA, JAN. 28 In spile of lhe high winds during the week, Corona Raceway managed to pUltogether a TT and half mile track that held together for most of the night. Many pros turned out to get some fine tuning in before Houston and lhe racing was fierce. Curtis Cannon kept his record perfect as he scored another victory in the Open Money half mile. The young man from Corona took the lead at the start and managed 10 hold oU a hard charging Pete Hames. Brother Chris, did itthe hard way coming from fiflh of[ the stan and dueling with Ross Klall for the third spot. Hames had some sweet revenge on the TT where he went wire 10 wire leuing Cunis chase him for a change. Klau was again in the hunt and delt with Roger Thompson, who suffered bike problems which finally sidelined him on the 7th lap of an 8-lap main. One of the better races of the evening was the Open Amateur half mile. Atthe start it was Ro s Thompson out in front. Richard Schroeder had second and Don Meiner third. Back in fifth was Ron Sheets and he was on the move. By the second lap, he had third and on the fourth lap, he made a slick move on Thompson w!iich gave him the lead. One lap later, Schroeder followed in Sheets footsteps and Thompson now in third. He held lhe third umilthe last lap when jim Kesler found the hole he was looking for and came up with the show spot. Rick Reed worked very hard for lhe win in the Open Expert half mile. Rood Saunders had the lead at the start, but a red flag on lhe second lap resulted in a single file restart. Reed came off the line like a rocket ship and took over the from-running spot with Saunders second and Ken Barrow third. Barrow got by Saunders one lap later and with four laps down anolher red came out. This time Reed had a clear shot and he was gone. Barrow locked into second with joel Windham moving into third. They finished in that order. The Open Novice division is still suffering from a population explosion wilh twO divisions in both the TT and the half mile. No one seems 10 have a handle on lhe class as four different riders claimed the numberone spot. Bob Of[, a new face to Corona, went wire to wire in division one of the half mile. Ken King, a regular, -< 21

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