Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Rodger Molnar leads Chris Pomeroy in 85cc 14-15 class action at the Toledo arenacross. Molnar took four class victories. . AMA National Championship Arenacross Series: Rounds 5-6 Jones, Andrews split Toledo wins By Davey Coombs TOLEDO, OH, MAR. 14-15 Yamaha Support rider Mike Jones and Honda's Fred Andrews each captured main event wins in the 125cc Pro class at the World Sports/AMA Amateur National ~ Arenacross Championships. Jones battled back Andrews in the Saturday night final before a sold-out Toledo Sports Arena crowd, but fell back to fourth on Sunday as Andrews bested fellow Ohio racers David Hand and Troy Graham, both were Hondamounted.. Joining the top Experts in the winner's circle were' Pennsylvania's Rodger Molnar, who bagged wins in all four of his final events on the weekend, and John Lewis, who swept both l25cc B finals and took home a 250cc win as well. Over 7000 fans braved winter's last fury to see the second round of the indoor amateur series. Jones was making only his second indoor appearance on. his n~w Yamaha nde, scored an unpresslve win in the Saturday Pro main. He gated third· behind Gear/Scott/ Beckley Honda-mounted Brian Stanley and Andrews and trailed the two until the fifth lap. At that point Stanley drifted wide and allowed Andrews and lones to take their fight to the front 0 the pack. On the very next lap Andrews eased into a sweeper and let Jones get a wheel up on him .arld take the lead. The Honda pilot stayed close, but Jones would not give him another shot at the win. HRP/Shoei/Smith-backed Jeff Glass moved up from ninth to place third ahead of MJ USA's Mike Bias, Stanley, and Suzuki pilot Steve Crowe. In the Sunday matinee main Andrews led f]ag-to-flag over Honda-mounted Hand, who crashed out of contention early the night before, but came back to make life miserable for Andrews throughout the afternoon race. Hand was always close, as was third spot Graham, but Andrews rode a flawless line to the checkers. Midpack starter Jones finished up fourth with Bias and Stanley in tow, In Amateur action, Kawasakimounted Molnar~was able to combine excellent starts with aggressive riding to score all four of his class wins. Honda rider Alan Stricken and Mike Terry went 2-3 in the first 125cc C final WIth Suzuki-mounted John Hatfield and Eric Laido providing Molnar's competition on Sunday. In 85cc 14-15 racing Molnar was challenged by John Bogovich and Eric Goatley on Saturday, then held off Kawasaki pilot Christopher Pomeroy and Bogavich in the Sunday race. Honda-mounted Lewis nearly matched Molnar win for win. In the first night of action he doubled up with a pair of B class wins, holding off Vern Sweifel and Bill Hamilton in the 125cc ranks, then bested Daniel Blackham and George Molnar in the big bike division. Only Blackham was able to slow Lewis' charge. The Yamaha racer earned the Sunday l25cc B win with an outstanding effort over the Honda-mounted Hamilton and Lewis. But Lewis returned in time to take the final 250cc B race over Suzuki's John Krotzer and Blackham. Joe Belmont was back in costume for the Pee Wee final. Belmont showed up for the first round in Cincinnau dressed as a huge Valentine to celebrate the holiday. At Toledo Belmont picked St. Patrick's Day as his holiday of choice and stole the show with his massive leprechaun hat placed atop his helmet. Belmont again won his class, this time followed by Joey Ballinger and Wesley Gill. It should be interesting to see what Belmont finds for his outfit for the series finale, which takes place right around Easter. Karl Withrow won his second Plus 25 race of the series with a Saturday night win over Yamaha-mounted Zweifel and Todd White. Zweifel returned on Sunday to score the win and take the points lead George Mekjian was second with White again in the number three spot. Steve Mitchell and Honda rider Jerry Kanerva split wins in the 250cc C class. Mitchell took the opening race on his Yamaha with Kanerva a close second, followed by part-time Plus 25er Mekjian. On Sunday Mitchell scratched and Kanerva was th~ new number one with Mekjian again second and Floyd Cowger third. Keri Fleenor scored his second win of the series in the 65cc 7-Il class. Fleenor was followed by series' number two Jesse Thumser and Kawasaki-mounted John Kidd. And in the 16-13 division Christopher Pomeroy, who took second on Sunday in the older ranks, won the Saturday Junior class over Troy Holder and Kidd • Results SATURDAY NIGHT 125 EX: 1. Michlll Jonl. (ylm); 2. Fred AdnrOWl (Hon); 3. Jerry Bi.. (Hon); 4. Mike Bi.. (Hon); 5. Brilln StlInley (Hon). 125 B: 1. John Lewio (Hon~ 2. Vern Zweifel (Ylm); 3. Bill Hlmihon (Honl. 125 C: 1. Rodger Molner (lC

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