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/146681
~ ~ M OTOCRass CMC Valvoline Trans-Cal Nationals: Round I . Chris Ridgeway (l81) led Damon Huffman (30), Kyle Lewis (71), Larry Brooks (43) and Donald Upton (632) into tum one. ii( , Bobby Bonds (129) took advantage of a mistake by Joshua Cartter (91) to score the overall win in the 80cc Beginner class. Ryan Carlisle (21) and Craig Decker had a heated battle in the 250cc Pro class. Damon Huffman was impressive, winning both 125cc Pro class motos. neering/Shoei/Designs in Motion/ Oakley/VP-sponsored Huffman bested 33 other riders in the 125cc class, he returned in the 250cc Pro class and turned in a strong second-place finish behind winner Kyle Lewis. Huffman was the fastest out of the gate in the first 125cc Pro mota, and led the charge through the fast first turn. Lewis held down second aboard his Noleen Yamaha, while On the Line Racing's. Erik Kehoe sat in third. Slowly but surely, Huffman began to inch away from the field and established a healthy lead that he would maintain to the finish. "I got a great start and was able ta pick all of the best lines," said Huffman. "I just tried to stay smooth and consistent. " Lewis maintained most of the eightlap mota, at times enjoying a fivesecond lead over Kehoe, who in turn had his hands full with a charging Larry Brooks and Donald Upton. Kehoe came to life at the halfway point and closed the gap on Lewis. " "It took me a while to get my rhythm going, but once I did I felt pretty good," said""Kehoe. " Kehoe pulled alongside Lewis several times on the fifth lap, but each time found the door slammed shut. It wasn't until the sixth lap that Kehoe found the push to motor into second. Kehoe zapped Lewis in the back section of the track and held onto the position to the finish. Lewis settled for third, while Brooks and Upton finished third and fourth, respectively. "I slipped up in a tum and Kehoe snuck past, but i~ won't happen in moto two," said Lewis. Huffman grabbed his second holeshot of the day in moto two, but enjoyed the lead for only a few turns before Mike Chamberlain blasted past. Mike Healy followed suit, and smoked past Huffman and into second. Healy, who has spent the past few years in Europe campaigning the World Championship 250cc MX Series, returned to his home in Costa Mesa a few weeks earlier and was aboard a Pro Circuit-sponsored Suzuki RM125. Healy motored past Chamberlain before the first lap was completed, but did a picture-perfect "flying W" in the whoop section. "I hit a whoop wrong and just about went over the bars," said Healy. "I just held on real tight and somehow saved it, " Huffman hauls in Glen Helen win By Terry Judd 28 SAN BERNARDINO, CA, AUG. 6 eam Suzuki's Damon Huffman was all business at. the opening round of the CMC Valvoline Trans-Cal Nationals, as the quiet 16- T year-old stormed away with two con· vincing mota wins in the 125cc Pro class. Over 500 anxious racers showed up to cQITIpete at Glen Helen OHV Park, no doubt attracted by the large contingencies posted by Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda. After Suzuki!Answer/Cycle Engi- Healy managed 10 maintain the lead, but only temporarily. Huffman had blazed past Chamberlain and set out after Healy. On the third lap, Huffman blasted past the older, more experienced Healy and "assumed the lead for good. Once into the lead position, Huffman pulled out to a comfortable advantage over Healy, who in turn held on to second. Lewis finished a distant, but consistant third. "I just came out fodun," said Healy. "It's nice to be home in California after spending so much time overseas." Huffman was unchallenged for the overall win, while Lewis' 3-3 finishes edged Healy for second overall. Kehoe and Brooks rounded out the top five finishers. Huffman and Lewis traded mota wins in the 250cc Pro class, but it was Lewis who topped the second and deciding moto. Noleen Yamaha/ Yoko/Arai-sponsored Lewis earned the winner's share of the purse, while Huffman settled for second. Kawasaki Team Green's Craig Decker finished third overall, ahead of Tony Amaradio " and Ryan Carlisle. In the ever-popular 80cc Beginner class, Bobby Bonds captured the overall win with consistent finishes. In