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Great Southern Racing Productions Autism Benefit Race Gatorback Raceway (Leftl GettIng some serious air off Gatorbac:k Raceways' finish-line Jump, Grev Bames stonns to the ..... 1986 Over 25 win on his 1981 480cc Malco. Yamaha HL500), Darren Hudson (on a Honda) and Tom Lowe (on a Maico). In the Novice portion, Paul Thistle headed Andy Tillis and Todd Newell in a multinational bike display (riding a Yamaha, a Maico and a Bultaco, respectively). While the Vintage bikes were allowed to cool off a bit, the Mod bikes took to the track. In Over 35 action, Jeb Barrett placed his Yamaha ahead of the KTMs of Pat Post and Gary Rosse, while in the Over 45 contest, Higgins, on another KTM, headed a group consisting of Paul Dwiwanoski (on a modern CCM) and Buzz Germony on a new Yamaha 250cc thumper. l:1li IimIrlIacIl . . . .~ &.IMSYiIe, FIerlda 1IauIb: Mm:II 5, 2101 CLSC INTER-AM: I. Furio Franceschi (Italy); 2. o"ve Ellis (USA); 3. Luigi Mezzoni (Italy); 4. Pete Villacoro (USA); 5. Tow Lowe (UK); 6. Randy Bailey (USA); 7. Jack Weaver (USA); 8. Dave Kin9 (UK); 9. Barry Higgin. (USA); 10. Sam S1ythe (UK). PREM OPEN: I. Robert Borg (Hu.); 2. Allen Wenzel (C2); 3. Ted Miles (85A). PRE-1972 250/500 INT; 1. Bernard Ore.lI (Tri); 2. Joe Anderson (BSA). while the United Kingdom had another quick trio. The red-white-and-blue contingent was supposed to be comprised of Brad Lackey, Barry Higgins and Dave Ellis, but Lackey's borrowed CZ blew during an earlier race, leaVing the former World Champion on the sidelines. At the drop of the gate for the first moto, Furio Franceschi and Luigi Mazzoni of Italy quickly took the top two positions; Higgins stayed on their rear fender the whole time but couldn't find a way past, try as he might - and he tried hard. Instead, it was Ellis, on a 1979 250cc Honda, who (ound an opening during the second moto, splitting the podium positions with the fast, fast Italians, who got the job done with first and third overall, with Ellis capturing second. The Vintage 250cc/500cc classes were a wild mix of bikes, with Bob Fredrick winning the Intermediate portion, ahead of fellow CZ pilot Paul Dwiwanoski and the United Kingdom'5 Tom Beckett, on a CCM. In the Novice division, Penton pilot Blake Hodge won, ahead of a pair of CZs ridden by Kim Ross and Jack Cowen. Those racing the Evolution 2 250cc/500cc Intermediate class got used to seeing the Union Jacket flying past, as the top three positions were collected by the "Brit Bunch" Dave King (on an immaculate Aberg STORY AND PHOTOS BV MARK THOMPSON GAINESVILLE, Fl, MAR. 5 intage motocross fans making the annual spring trip to Florida for Bike Week for the many Vintage bike events sometimes miss the single best race out there. Ed Garner's Autism Benefit Race, now in its sixth year, offers all the Vintage and Evolution classes, as well as Mod-bike Support races. The fast and fun Gatorback track was in perfect shape, with plenty of traction and interesting jumps. As good as the racing always is, the huge auction and raffle of products and autographed memorabilia is reason enough to show up. Riding outfits, tires, helmets, air filters, a minibike and even a vacation weekend were among the items available. Ricky Carmichael donated a large number of autographed items, as did Ezra Lusk, Ernesto Fonseca, Sebastien Tortelli, and many, many more Pro riders. In aU, nearly $9000 was collected for the Autism Society. The best event of the day was the featured Classic Inter-Am, which threw the top 10 Experts from the United States, Italy and the United Kingdom onto the track at the same time-for national bragging rights. The Italians had three f21st riders present, 48 APRIL 11, 2001 • eye I e n e _ s u.. PRE-1972 250/500 EX: I. Allison (BSA). PRE-1977 125 NOV: I. Adam GresMm (Vam); 2. Jason Swinks (Hon). PRE·1977 125 INT: I. Fred Kipp (Hon); 2. Keith Adams (Vam); 3. Peggy Cozart (Hon). PRE·1977 125 EX: I. Robert Borg (Suz); 2. James Hamer (Hon); 3. Robert l.eimen.tall (Yam); 4. Carl Mabry (Hon); 5. Mike Brown (Yam). PRE-1977 25+: 1. Matt Kretschmer (Hon); 2. Carl Mabry (Hon). PRE-1977 55+: I. Tom Boyd (Hus). PRE-1977 45+: I. Sam Slythe (HuI); 2. Bernie Oresti (Hu.); 3. Mike Allen: 4. Terry Ke1np. PRE-19B6 25+: I. Greg Barne. (Mai); 2. Bill Gephardl (Hon). PRE-1986 45+: I. Benny Durrough (Mai); 2. Bill Gold.by (Hu.); 3. Bryan Atkinson (Hon). VINT 250/500 NOV: I. Blake Hodge (Pen); 2. Kim Ross (C2): 3. Jack Cowen (Cl); 4. Buddy Lavin (Hu.). VINT 250/500 INT; I. Bob Fredrick (Cl); 2. Paul Dwiwanoski (M8i); 3. Tom Beckett (CeM); 4. Jason Luering (Yam); 5. John Rodis. EVO I 150/500: I. Pete Dace.sandro (Hu.); 2. David Hodge (Suz). EVO 2 250/500 NOV; I. Paul ThI.Ue (Vam); 2. Andy Tilli. (Mai); 3. Todd Newell (Bul); 4. Mike Bobar (Hon). EVO 2 250/500 INT: I. Dave King (Vam); 2. Darren Hudson (Hon); 3. Tom Lowe (Mai); 4. Wayne Nix (Hon); 5. Barry (Hon). EVO 3 250/500: I. Dave Ellis (Hon); 2. Benny Cafaro (Hon); 3. Dave King (Yam); 4. James Taylor (Hon). MORN 16-24: I. lack Devaul (Vam); 2. Mark Kruzeskie (Vam). MORN 25+: I. John Hanford (Hon); 2. Allan Assaf (Vam); 3. Shawn Shultz (Yam); 4. John Milton (Vam); 5. Gary Rosse (KTM). M.ORN 35+: 1. Jeb Berrett (Y8m); 2. Pat Post (KTM); 3. Gary Rosse (KTM); 4. Boryk (Vam); 5. Benny Cafaro (Hon). MORN 45+: I. Barry Higgin. (KTM); 2. Paul Dwiswanoski (CeM); 3. Buzz Germany (Yern); 4. Mark Thompson (Hon); 5. Jack McMillian (Hon). u.. rom (Left) Great Britain's David King brought over this Immaculate Aberg HL500 Yamaha thumper to test the Florlda weather and terrain. Vintage riders were seen standing around the bike, drooling at this ultimate Evolution 2 bike. (Below) At the start of the Classic Inter-Am, Barry Higgins (12) drove hard off the line, with British and italian riders challenging every Inch of the war. The italians _re dominant, winning both motos.