Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Don Frauenberger, the top points scorer in 1998, opened the season with a win in the Vintage 250cc race, while club president Jim McMurren took the top spot in the brakeless Classic Vintage race. A record number of entrants were treated to a smooth, consistent race track. under a clear blue sky. Don FraCtenberger launched his Yamaha to the front of the Vintage 250cc race, tailed by joe Steffen and Manny Crummett, who got a drive out of turn two to take over the second spot, with his sights on the leader. Frauenberger favored the high line around the oval, while Crummett ran on the pole, gaining on the leader. Steffen and Chuck Claydon closed on the lead pair as Crummett's low line paid off, and he put his Bultaco in the lead. Steffen closed in on Frauenberger, even puJling into second for a bit as Frauenberger chased lines around the track until he found the fast one, taking second on the back straight. Claydon slowed, dropping back behind the battle for fourth place between Bruce Reynolds and Dave Johnson. Frauenberger closed the gap to Crummett, going around for the lead in turn three and pulling away. Crummett continued to run fast, leaving Steffen in third, ahead of Reynolds and Johnson, who were swapping the last undecided position. Frauenberger took the checkers with a half-straightaway lead over rummett, with an equal gap back to Steffen, as johnson took the low line coming out of four with the throttle pinned to edge Reynolds for fourth. Defending champ Clark Edgington let the clutch out a little too early in the Classic Vintage race, but with no brakes to check his roll, he was sent to the back of the pack for the start. Jim McMurren, on his little 250cc Aermacchi Sprint, led Vince Graves, Gordon Menzie, David Brown and Eddie Castro into turn one. Castro, on a hand-shift/foot-clutch Indian Scout, skidded around the outside of Menzie and Brown with a fast high line through turns one and two. Graves was close behind leader McMurren, peeking inside in turns three and four with a try for the lead, but .without success. Brown and Menzie waged their own battle over the fourth spot, with Brown having the advantage midway through the race. Castro worked the high line in one and two, gaining on the lead pair, but the same route through Lhree and four was loose and slippery, slowing the speedway star. Graves' BuJtaco slowed, leaving Castro to chase McMurren. The little Sprint of McMurren held off Castro's Indian at the finish; Graves followed in third, and Menzie and Brown were still side by side with the checkered flag in sight. Menzie's Royal Enfield outpowered. Brown's BSA for the fourth spot. Eddie Mulder trounced the Senior class on the old number-12 Triumph, warming up for Gene Romero's race, which would be held the next weekend. Dennis Vol!, Jay Dee and Bil! Silverthorn raced for second, with Silverthorn nipping Dee on the last lap for second. Voll was in fourth, ahead of jack Neeley. james Steet led the Bombers, always a big class, over Rex Hailey, Bill Formby and jim Gardner. By the end 01 the day, tires were squealing into th.e corners, and black stripes were laid down coming out of them. jeff johnson left his share of rubber on the track with a convincing win in the Vintage 7SOcc class. Maurice Ortega and Steve Miller were rubbing on each other in a fight for second, With Bob Cobb right on their back wheels, waiting for a mistake. johnson crossed the stripe with a straightaway lead, while Ortega, Miller and Cobb followed with less than half a second between them. Results VlNT 250: I. Don Frauenberger (Yam); 2. Manny Crummett (BuI); 3. Joe Steffen (Yam); 4. Dave Johnson (Yam); 5. Bruce Rrynokls (BuO. AM 250: 1. James Wood (Hon); :z.. Ron Wood (Hon); J. Chad Motlle (Hon); 4. Vi~ Craves (Yam); 5. Tyson Voll (Yam). NOV 250: I: Roger Wimger (Yam); 2. Larry Price {Bun; 3. Mati Fisher (Hon); 4.jeffSleffen (Yam). BMBR: l. James Steet (Yam); 2. Rex Hailey (Yam); 3. Bill Fonnby (Yam); 4. Jim Cardner (Yam); 5. Paul Tomlinson (Suz). CLSe VlNT (NO BRAKES): I. Jim McMurren (H-D); 2. EddJe Castro (Ind); 3. Vlna' Graves (Bul); 4. Gordon Menzie (R-E); 5. David Brown (BSA). 5R SO-+: 1. Eddie Mulder (Tri); 2. Bill Silverthorn (Yam); 3. Jay I:)ee; 4. tknnis Vall CW·R); 5. Jack Neeley (Kaw). 5/SR 60+: I. Ron Gould (BSA); 2. Marsh.,ll Jennings (Yam); 3. Sam Grey (Hon); 4. Dave Douglns (Rtx); 5. Ron Knowles CW-R). VFI' 35+: I. Steve Miller (Yam); 2. Rich;lrd Pollock (Yam); 3. DOll Frauenberger (Yam); 4. Slwne Scoll (RIx); 5. James Steel ('ayron Memorial oundarion (Yam), AM 400: 1. Steve Furman (Yam); 2. Bruce Reynolds (Bul); 3. Manny CrummcH (Bul); 4, P,lul Tomlinson (Suz); 5. Take Mitsunori (Yam), NOV OPEN: I. Brandon K~nt (W·R); 2. Richard Fox II (Yam); 3. Roger Winiger (Yam); 4. Charles Claydon (Yam); 5. Brian McLean (Yam). AM OPEN: 1. Bill Silverthorn (Y;lm); 2. Ron Wood (Han); 3. Jim Gardner (Yam); 4. Chad Morse (Han); 5. David Brown (BSA). VINT 750: 1. Jeff Johnson (Tri); 2. Maurice Ortega (Tri); 3, Steve Miller (Yam); 4. Bob Cobb (Yam); 5. Chuck Gaydan (Yam). PRO OPEN: I. Richard Pollock (Yam); 2. Shane Scott (Rbt); 3. James St~t (Yam); 4. Abra Kazuoka (W·R); 5. Ryan Hsher(W-R). SI'DWY: l. Bill McCarley eWes); 2. Jim Estes Oaw); 3. Craig Furman Oaw); 4. Greg Slarcevic (Wes); 5. Sle\'e Furman (GM). 43

• Cover