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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126911
Jeff Ward (above. 1) stuffs Keith Bowen for the lead in the third heat. Bryan Bruner (below. 223) leads 125cc Pro-Am winner Willie Surratt. Honda support rider Jeff Leisk. from Australia. took a fourth-place start in the main and rode smoothly for a fifth overall. him was Bailey. Bailey braked hard to avoid hiuing Holland, but another rider plowed into the back of Bailey, causing Bailey to crash. By the time Bailey had recovered, he was dead last at the end of the first lap, and since the track was so fast, he had problems passing during his fight back up to the front of the pack. Up front, Burnworth was busy keeping Lechien off his tail, but during the third lap, Lechien again made a controversial pass on Burnworth, similar to the one he made on Holland earlier. This time, however, Burnworth wasn't as fortunate as Holland - Burnworth crashed. "We came around the mechanic's area," said Burnworth, "and he (Lechien) dove on the inside, and I came around to get him back on the outside. I saw him look over at me, then he cleaned me out, JUSt like he did to Holland. After that my handlebars were bent and I really couldn't get going again." With Burnworth on the ground, John on found himself inches behind Lechien. Johnson wasted not time and quickly passed Lechien, taking over the lead. This m~de the top eight Johnson, Lechien, Leisk, O'Mara, Brooks, Bowen. Dubach and Ward. Lechieri stayed close to Johnson for the next few lap; at times almost passing the Honda rider back, but Lechien dropped back a few bikelengths as the race progressed. About five seconds behind Lechien followed Uisk, who was being dogged by O'Mara and on..the-move Ward. It took O'Mara eight laps before he found a way around Leisk for third, and soon after that, Ward also'displaced Leisk for fourth. At this point, the race seuled down with Johnson comfortably leading Lechien, O'Mara and Ward. It was apparent now that Johnson had a chance at the title, since Bailey was having a rough time getting through traffic. Bailey worked up to 10th but was stuck behind a group of riders, including Holley, Brooks, Dubach and Burnworth. With a few laps remaining, Bailey had passed Burnworth and Dubach, but he had to pass Brooks to keep Johnson from clinching the series title. Brooks stayed tough and held Bailey to ninth. When it was all over, Johnson was way out in front over Lechien, o 'Mara, Ward, Leisk, Bowen, Holley, Brooks, Bailey and Burnworth. 125cc Pro-Am Kawasaki-mounted Bryan Bruner jammed into the lead at the start of the first l25cc Pro·Am moto ahead of Kawasaki pilot Donny Schmit, Vohland and Honda rider Craig Canoy. John Conney and Jeff Matiasevich were involved in a first·turn pile up and came around the first lap trailing the field. Up front, Vohland was on the gas and slipped by both Schmit and Bruner, taking over the lead and developing a commanding lead. Also on the move was Surratt, who was stuffing by riders left and right. The race began getting really interesting when Surrau was trying to get around Schmit. At one point, Surratt plowed into the side of Schmit in a tight turn, but Schmit didn't give up. SiJrratt, in his very aggressive riding style, tried again; this time succeeding. A lap later, Surrau was involved in the same situation with Bruner, over second. Surratt dove by Bruner in a turn, but Bruner retaliated over a double jump. Once again, Surratt persisted and was rewarded with second after finally passing Bruner for good. At this point, Surratt had one more goal - Vohland. Near the end of the race, Surratt had reeled in Vohland and passed him when the Kawasaki rider crashed in a turn. "When Willie got into second," said Vohland, "my pit board said to turn it up a notch or two to play it safe. I guess lover-cooked that corner a little bit and buried the front end. I really thought I had it won." Two laps later, much to the crowd's pleasure, Surratt crossed the checkered flag in the lead, followed by local Robert aughton, Vohland, Schmit, Bruner and Canoy. • Results 250MAIN: 1. Rick Johnson (Hon); 2. Ron l.echien (Kaw); 3. Johnny O'Mara (Hon); 4. Jeff Ward (Kew); 5. Jeff Leiak (Han); 6. Keith Bowen (Vam); 7. Jim Holley (Yam); B. Larry Br-.s (Hon); 9. David Bailey (Han); 10. Scott Burnworth (Yam); 11. Rick Ryan (Kaw); 12. George Holland (Suz); 13. Guy C _ (Han); 14. Alan King (Kaw); 15. Eddia Warren (Kaw); 16. Ross _rson (Yam); 17. Billy Liles (Kaw); 18. Ooug Dubach (Yam); 19. Danny Slorbeck(Yam); 20. Sc"'t Manning (Vam); 21. Erick Kehoe (Suz). 125 PRO-AM: 1. Willie Surratt (Hon); 2. Robert Naughton (Kaw); 3. Tyson Vohland (Kawl; 4. Danny Schmit (Kawl; 5. Bryan Bruner (Kawl: 6. Craig Canoy (Hon); 7. Ray Sommo (Yam); 8. Dray Dircks (Honl; 9. Todd Campbell (KTM); 10. Jon Zahrt(yam); 11. Cory Falter; 12. Zip Macrae (Kaw); 13. David Graff (Han); 14. Scott Davis (Yam); 15. Dennis Parker (Hanl; 16. Jeff Maliasevich (Kawl; 17. BusI.r Graham (Vam) 18. John Conney (Kaw); 19. Carroll Richardson (Kaw); 20. Eddie Hicks (Yaml. 250cc POINT STANDINGS: 1. Rick Johnson (255); 2. David Bailey (ll8); 3. Johnny O'Mara (1941; 4. Jeff Ward (171); 5. Keith Bowen (164); 6. Brae Glover (1331; 7. Jim Holley (129); 8. Ron Lochian (1211; 9. George Holland (108); 10. Alan King (88). 125cc PRO-AM (Western Ragonal): 1. Donny Schmit (144); 2. Tyson Vohland (130); 3. William Surran (127); 4. Robert Naughton (102); 5 . - ' Manneh (99); 6. Craig Canoy (95); 7. Rey Somma (82); 8. Carroll Richardson (80); 9. Bryan Bruner (65~ 10. Dray Dircks (801.