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/126944
Tim Ealy (14) leads Mike Stahlman (3) and the pack in the 500cc A class; Ealy took the class win with Rick Lindell taking second place. Keller tries to get his jersey untangled from Liles' clutch lever. but Liles ended up getting away first and taking the win. Damon Bradshaw (68) topped the 125cc B class; John Kitsch and Danny Zullo rounded out the top three. 4 looked back and saw that he had gottlln on the edge of the asphalt and was using it like a runaway to catch me. I tried it the next lap, but a flagman had moved tires into the line and I had to wheelie over them." Bowen's plan backfired on the next lap, ending the chase. He explained, "I slid onto the pavement and got too much traction and high-sided." Third place finisher Keller said later, ''I'm pretty happy with my overall finish on the 250 today. 1 grabbed a hot muffler this week and burned my hand pretty badly." The Open class show commenced with Liles and Keller pacing the class with Jim Kapitan, Lance Eubank, David McLean and Chuck Weinberg hustling for third. Liles' Rick Sparling-tuned Kawasaki took the lead for the first lap with Keller on his rear fender. Keller fought back to lead a pair, then gave way for Liles to lead through the midway point. Keller than took an edge for the win, as the pair's mechanics squabbled on the sidelines. Liles said later, "My mechanic was upset because Jo Jo went outside the tires in a turn. He didn't pass me there, so no problem." In mota two, Liles led again with Weinberg as a temporary buffer from Keller. Keller, however, was soon back in the fray with Liles, and the pair duplicated their first moto duel. ''I'd race with Billy anytime," added Keller. "He always rides fair and won't takeout your front end at high speed. We might stuff each other in a turn but nobOdy gets hurt." The seesaw clash continued until Liles held the advantage with two turns to go. Keller, on the AXO/Scottl Arai Kawasaki, tried a desperation inside pass and the pair went down in the soft stuff. Keller was up first, but his torn jersey was snagged on Liles' clutch lever and Billy wasn't about to let go of his clutch and kill his engine.. Liles churned out of the pileup first and took referee Bob Yarnell's checkered flag. ''I'm sorry man," apologized Keller later. "You have a reafly strong clutch lever. I tried to break it off to get away but it didn't budge." Liles said, "I stuffed Jo Jo earlier. It was a good fun race." Amateur Edmund Swearingen doubled in the 250cc and 500cc B classes for the second week in a row in an amateur program that shuffled class standings. Billy Abel paced Mike Larocco and Kenny Kizzar in the opening I25cc A lap but Larocco's Yamaha rolled by to take control of the lead on the second lap. Greg Bowen, playing catch-up from a mediocre start, reeled in Abel, but his practice buddy, Larocco, was far out of reach. Moto two saw Canadian Carl Villaincourt in charge until Bowen's Malcolm Smith/Maxima-backed Honda took command on lap seven for the victory. "It's about time," said Bowen smiling. "I rode Yamahas for seven years, then broke my collarbone on my first ride on this Honda. I'm getting stronger every week." Larocco had a bad moto and Kizzar inherited the 125cc A series lead. Larocco rebounded with a strong effort in the first 250cc moto, erasing Jay Mann's lock on the lead for the win. Point leader David Kelley edged Dale Spangler for third. Spangler and his KaJ-GardiHombre IntemationaIlScott-backedKawasaki blitzed the final moio f1ag-to-flag to earn the overall win. Bowen passed Vaillancourt to take second overall. Spangler said, "This course is almost solid jumps. My Kawasaki is box stock and the suspension handled the track with ease." Honda/MX Fox/TF-supported Tim Early topped the 500cc A class and then explained his return to racing, "I heard that Honda was looking for a few good men. I filled out their resume and here I am." The 500cc A series leader, Mike Stahlman, shared moto 'wins with former champion, Rick Lindell, but each also had bad motos. Stahlman said., after leading the first moto, "My o::lutch fried without warning." Damon Bradshaw made use of the "Motocross Doc," Dennis Medsker, at trackside to best the 125cc B class. Many riders have learned to depend on the skills and "trackside manner" of the popular chiropractor/accupuncturisiltrainer. Chris Allen, Ezra Lusk and John Kitsch staged a Kawasaki sweep o~ the Mini classes. Bruce Buerk dealt with Pat Post and Joe Rogers in the 25-plus class and Fred Vertucci and Kenny Brown continued win streaks over the Senior riders. • Results 125 PRO: ,. Ronnie Tichenor (Suz); 2. Guy Cooper (Han); 3. Fred Andrews (HonT; 4. Jeff Frisz (Suz); 5. carrol Richardson (Kew); 6. Keilh Turpin (Suz); 7. Kenny Bollmeier (Kew); B. Doug Hoover (Han); 9. Chris Coleman (Kew): 10. Barry carsten (Yaml. 250 PRO: ,. Bob Hannah (Suz); 2. Keilh Bowen (Yam); 3. Jo Jo Keller (Kew); 4. Chris Colemen (Kaw); 5. Billy Liles (Kaw); 6. Ross Pederson (Yam); 7. Joe Waddington (Han); B. Mark Murphy (Han); 9. SCooter Slaford (Suz); 10. John Shay (Yaml. OPEN PRO: ,. Billy Liles (Kaw); 2. Jo Jo Keller (Kew); 3. David Mclean (Han); 4. Jim Kepilan (Han); 5. Chuck Weinberg (Han); 6. SCan McCloin (Yam); 7. Shane Drew (Han); B. John Collins (Yam); 9. Bredley Bolton (Yam); 10. Lonce Eubank (Kaw). 125 A: ,. Greg Bowen (Yam); 2. Kenny Kiaar (Yam); 3. Bill Abel (Han). 250 A: ,. Dale Spengler (Kawl; 2. Greg Bowen (Han); 3. David Kelly (Yam). OPEN A: ,. Tim Ealy (Han); 2. Rick Lindell (Yam); 3. Andy Michner (Kaw). 125 B: ,. Damon Bradshaw (Yam); 2. John Kilsch (Kew); 3. Danny Zullo (Yam). 250 B: ,. Edmund Swearingen (Kaw); 2. Rusty Sayres (Han); 3. SIeve Young (Han). OPEN B: 1. Edmund Swearingen (Kaw); 2. Rick Perry (Yaml; 3. Glen Myan (Kaw). 65 7-11: 1. Chris Allen (Kew); 2. Kenny Yoho (Kaw); 3. Josh Lolina (Kaw). B5 7-11: 1. Ezra Lusk (Kew); 2. Palrick Siale (Yam); 3. Tim Ferry (Han). B5 12-15: 1. John Kilsch (Kaw): 2. Justin Jackson (Suz); 3. Eric McLean (Yam). +25: 1. Bruce Buerk (Han): Z. Pat POSI (Yam): 3. Joe Rogers (Han). SR (30-351: 1. Fred Venucci (Han); 2. Robby Neeley (Kew); 3. David Clemence (Han). SR (OVER 36): 1. Kenneth Brown (Yam); Z. AI Gardner (Hon); 3. George Singler (Hon). 125 C: 1. Mike Jones (Han); 2. Man Seerren (Han); 3. Mike Jones (Kew). 250 C: 1. Bobby Bi_men (Hon); 2. Dennis Williams (Hon); 3. AMra LeFortune (Yam).