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/126942
Damon Bradshaw won the 125cc B and Mini A overalls after battling with John Kitsch in both classes. Ueve how smart he is. I tried his lines and couldn't even ride them much less go fast." Hannah added, "I changed both ends and mounted a different style Dunlop in the rear. It all worked. This new Suzuki is much improved over last year's bike. They listened to some of my suggestions and I think 'its paying off." In the 500cc opener, Hi-Point/Barr Comp/Scoll USA-backed Dickie Bellora led every lap for an upset win. Stanton fell at the bOllom of the pit and struggled with his bike for second. Stanton said, "My bars got knocked loose and [ had to pu II them up every lap." Bellora explained, "This is the first year that Bobby Barr is helping me and mv bikes are much more competitive now." David McLean rode back Crom near the I' ar LO the second spot before tanton relegated him LO third. Jo Jo Keller, nursing a "Christmas f1 u bug," rode LO a fourthplace finish in the class. Stanton and Bellora swapped roles in moLO two; StanLOn roosting away and Bellora eating it big time. Seminole Honda/MX Fox-sponsored Kevin Foley shared the second place spOt with McLean and then Keller. Keller ran out of gas with two laps LO goand McLean edged Foley for second overall. tanLOn said, "I got a good start so I tried LO keep a steady pace and adapt to the new equipment. It feels rea 11 y good." Amateur Damon Bradshaw and Robbie Neeley headlined a star studded amateur program with double class wins. Yamaha MX Fox/Barr/ colt-sponsored Bradshaw baltled Kawa aki's John Kitsch before winning the 85cc 12-15 and I25cc B contests. "I knew John would be LOugh LOday. He pushed me hard in the Wioter Olympics," remembered Bradshaw. Ageless Robbie Neeley tried for three wins and succeeded in the Senior and Plus 25 division. The Kawasaki/ Gear/DMC/S&S-sponsored rider commented, "[ tried for the 500cc A c1a1s, won the first moLO, but bai led off in the second. I've got to train more next week." In intense 125cc A competition, Jay Mann, Greg Bowen, Gary Gallway, Mark Larocco, Mark Lachowill and Kenny Killar raced for the gold. Mann and Killar took the moLO wins and Mann the overall class win. First 250cc A moto saw Winter 01ympic Champion Killar take the lead on lap two, while Jon McCabe and Laroco moved up. Honda/HiPoint-supported McCabe eventually topped Larocco and Kil7.ar for the wIn. In the finale, Ellison and Kizzar held the lead until Alabama' David Kelley got his act LOgether on lap three. Overall winner Kelley said. "I me sed up in the first moLO and got too far behind. McCabe was jusl too far ahead LO catch." Missouri's Mike Stahlman was patient in the first 500cc moLO and stalked Neeley for a mistake that never came. In the final, Neeley hil a rock and blew his holeshot giving Stahlman a turn LO strut for the win. McCabe, who tested Stahlman to -no avail, said, "That guy was too much for me. Ridjng two classe LOok it's toll. " West Virginia's teveChildressand his Kawasaki handled the 250cc B pack in both motos, leaving Rodney Ohr and Ed Swearingen balliing for runner-up honors. Roger Moore and Jeff Puterbaugh shared 500cc Novice moto win, with Puterbaugh earning the overall and Ohr coring well for second place. Kawasaki/DMC/Hi-Point/ COltsupported Ezra Lusk rolled to a pair of 7-11 Mini moLO wins. Lusk explaining, "We had trash in the carb in the first moLO and Patrick Slate pushed me." Runner-up, Timmy Ferry said, "I can'twaitLOgetLusk in the sand at Cocoa next week." Bruce Buerck LOok one moLO from Teel ev in the 45-man Plu -25 class and F~ed Vertucci won an under 35 Senior mota, but eeley topped both overall class wins. "This is upposed to be riding fun, but these guy are gelling mighty serious," elaborated Vertucci. Phil Hess owned both moLOS of over 35 Senior anion. • Keith Bowen (6) passes Jeff Stanton (56) to win the 250cc overall; Stanton finished third overall. Results 125 PRO: 1. Fred Andrews (Han); 2. Ronnie Tichenor (Suz); 3. Chris Coleman (Kaw). 250 PRO: 1. Keith Bowen (Yam); 2. Bob Hannah (Suz); 3. Jeff Stanton (Yam). OPEN PRO; 1. Jeff Stanton (Yam); 2. David McLean (Han); 3. Kevin Foley (Han). 125 A: 1. Jay Mann (Kaw): 2. Kenny Kizzar (Yam); 3. Mike Larocco (Yam). 250 A: 1. David Kelley (Yam); 2. Jon McCabe (Hon); 3. Kenny Kizza, (Yam). • OPEN A: 1. Michael Stahlman (Yam); 2. Jon McCabe (Han); 3. David Margie (Yam). 125 B: 1. Damon Bradshaw (Yam): 2. David Beckington (Hon); 3. Keith Epps (Han). 250 B: 1. Steve Childress jKaw); 2. Edmond Swearingem (Kaw); 3. Jim Demardis (Hon). OPEN NOV: 1. Jeff Pete,baugh (Yam); 2. Rodney Orr (Hon); 3. Jeff Steinrock (Hon). 65/85 7·11 MINI: 1. Ezra Lus!< (Kaw); 2. T;m Ferry (Yam); 3. Patrick Slate (Yam). 85 12-15 MINI: 1. Damon Bradshaw (Yam); 2. John Kitsch (Kaw); 3. Mike Brown (Han). Greg Bowen (934) and Mike Larocco do battle in the 125cc B cia.. at Gainesville, Florida's Gatorback Park. PLUS 25: 1. Robby Neeley (Kaw); 2. Rick Lindell (Yam); 3. Bruce Buerk (Han). SR 30-35: 1. Robby Neeley (Kaw); 2. Fred Vertucci (Han); 3. Brian Evans (M·S). SR 36 PLUS: 1. Phil Hess (Hon); 2. Dave Curry jKaw); 3. Kenneth Brown (Yam). .125 C: 1. Kennalh Nempan (Yam); 2. Derren Vandini (Kaw); 3. Sean Smeltzer (Yam). 250 C: 1. Donald Volkman (Hoo); 2. Ken_ Hempen (Yam); 3. Lester Drake (Kaw).