Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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1988. Ermolenko maintained second wi th Miller third, ahead of the disappointed Faria. After the final Schwartz said, " I had a few problems in the early races . I was trying out a new clutch. It . didn't work good earli er but i t worked in the endand th at's wh at counts. I love Long Beach and I am hoping to be part of th e World Team . Cup Championship here in August. " · • Results MA IN: 1. Bobby Schwartz; 2. Sam Ermo lenko: 3. Rick M ill er; 4 . M ike Faria; 5. Lance King . Ermolenko tops Costa Mesa; title to Schwartz By Scott Daloisio COSTA MESA, CA, MAR . 12 Sam Ermolenko edged Bobby Schwartz to cap ture the Spring Classi c win at Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, but th e series titl e went to Long Beach winner Schwartz. Mike Faria and Gary Hicks rounded ou t the top four .rid ers to tak e the checkers on Orange County's legendary 190-yard track. The fina l round of th e ser ies marked a historical occasion on th e Orange County oval : It was th e start of the 20th consecu tive season of racing at th e facility. It was o nly fittin g tha t th e o pe n ing heat of the meeting was paced by two of th e most popular riders in Costa . Mesa history. Schwartz passed Dubb Ferrell on lap two a nd held him back the remainder o f th e way. R ob Pfetzing won event two over Brad Oxley a nd the defending National Champion was still without a win in the series. Ermolenko, riding th e same Weslake that powered him to second at Long Beach , moved Steve L ucero o ut of the way in tum one and went on to score a co nvincing victory in even t three. . Mike Faria was leading Alan Christian when th e red £lag waved and halted th e proceedings in event four. Once th e race was restarted Christian, th e 1985 Nati onal Champi on , led . th e e ve n t g ree n to checkered. Schwartz made it two in a row with an easy victory in event five. Ox ley cl a im ed second after p assin g a wh eeli eing Farnum a t th e halfway mark. Ermolenko dom in ated heat six. Starting from ga te two , he had th e lead in th e fir st turn and by the end of th e opening revolution, he had a half stra igh t lead. He maintained that bulging adva ntage all th e wa y to th e checkered a nd by th e end of the second round, he was th e on ly undefeated rider. Lucero and Faria tangled off th e . start of event seven with Faria going down, taking Pfetzingwith him. The restart saw Lucero nab the gate while Faria took total control of second when Pfetzing fell near the end of the first lap. It was an easy Lucero wi n and Faria seemed a shoo-in for second until his bike misfired off turn two the last lap: the popular rider barely held back Phil Collins. Back in the pits Faria loo ked a t his machine and shook his head. "The points must be out of alignment or something is wrong with the box," he said. Schwartz took L ucero wide in turn two opening the third ro und and that left the bottom of the track wide open. .Shawn McConnell took full advantage and before Schwartz could get back down, McConnell drove past for the lead and eventual win. Pro Twins Modified 1st KEVIN ERION 250cc Grand Prix Daytona Short Track 600cc National 1st JOHN KOCINSKI 1st WILLIE DAVIS (SHOEI) Shoei Riders Se t th e Pace Dur ing 'D a yt on a Bike Week. From Dirt Track to Supercross to the Super Speedwa y, Top Pros Rely on . . . (SHOEI) The Choice of Champions Daytona Supercross 1 25cc 1st TODD DeHOOP SHOEI SAFETY HELM ET COMPANY 2228 Co t ner. Los Angeles. CA 90064 1213) 477-6051 Tell theDl 'you saw it in .JOHN ASHMEAD Wins DAYTONA 600cc SUPERSPORTS With SUDCOjONTARIO EXHAUST SYSTEM $UDCO Congratulates JOHN ASHMEAD And KAZ YOSH'MA On Their Outstanding Vidory Ask your local dealer for SUDCOjONTARIO Exhaust Systems . 35