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/78287
Desert racing - motocross in Arizona. Sure looks fun. San Manuel MX Story By Kent Nicholls, Photos By Dusty Rhoads and Nicholls SAN MANUEL, ARIZ., DEC. 2 There was a time when motocross in Arizona was crude and back- wood-ish. Then there came into being fine tracks such as A.C.P. in Phoenix, which John DeSoto c~untry, ~I!cox Cy~le Park. m Wilcox, whIch combmes a tIght challenging course with down-home friendliness, and the San Manuel Motocross Park which is fast, rough, and challenging. , called one of the finest in the . . The more riders that showed up, the more competitive the racing got. As the competition grew more keen, the riders got faster. Motocross in Arizona has come of age. The mining town of San Manuel today hosted the Southern Arizona motocross. The weather was very cold but not the racing - nearly 150 riders turned out. The racing was hot right from the start as the first mota of the 125 Novice First Division saw Hugh Goglin (Suz) grab the lead right out of the gate and pull away every lap. A duel for second and third developed between Puch pilot Brian Carey and Henry Goglin astride an extremely fast Brazwell Hodaka. For three laps these two riders could have exchanged motorcycles, they were that close together. Just when it appeared that Henry would get by, the Hodaka lost compression, putting him back to sixth. Even so, he got a third for the day. Brother Hugh ended up second as Brian Carey won the other mota, giving him a fipt overall. The 250 Amateur class always promises some good racing and today was no exception as class winner Greg Bahn (CZ) worked his way up to first from a terrible start in the first lap, same thmg only to be black flagged for a restart due to a crash back in the pack. For the third time Bahn snatched the lead spot, but this time there was a change in the script as Bahn motored around, confident of another easy win. Back in the pack, Bill Oder (Mai) was getting it together and every lap drew closer to the leader. Then on lap four Bahn got a shock as the Maico's front wheel entered his range of vision. A missed gear allowed the Maico to.pull up alongside and Bahn and Oder rode the next· lap rubbing elbows an~ bars. Bahn did manage to regain the lead but only by about a silencer length, making this one of the most exciting races of the day. Another exciter was the 125 and 250 Expert combined class which saw Sam Re.dman (250 Hon) lead wire to wire followed closely by Brad Mueller on a 125 Honda. Third in' the first mota was Bill Armstrong (250 YZ-Yam). The second mota was again Redman's with Carlos Serrano (125 Han) ,second overall and first 125. Mueller was third overall and pushing Serrano very hard, all this with a flat tire! In the third mota, Redman was leading with Mueller and! the 125 just behind. Then the impossible happened.· Mueller pulled up alongside of and then passed the 250 Expert. It only lasted for about 100 yards, but it was a testimony to how fast Mueller is getting; Redman rarely gets passed in his class. ' Yes, motocross in Arizona has c0'l'~ of age. Sam Redman, one of the top 250 riders in Arizona,demonstrates the suspension travel on his Honda. U never to be challenged the ~ntire mOto. In the ~econd race, Bahn dId the exact (213) 636-9329 • 531-8463 F"""ED RACING "STONS "..~.,_,a".~1v'W, Long Beach, Calif. 90805 1418 W, 259th Street, Harbor City. CA 213/530-4656 ~ ~ Introducing the Nation's Newest Penton Dealer "Home of the National Champions" PENTON 100-125-175-250cc MX & Enduro in stock RACER· MOTOCROSS. DESERT All our new bik.es come with the modified Penton pipe & engine design, at no additional charge "10% Increase in Power." MAKE YOUR BIKE FLY SUPER TUNING· BORING· PORTING WELDING· WHEEL TRUING CHAMBERS' LACING Carburetor Power lComplete kit ready to install) loocc-125cc 30mm Mikuni Honde, Yamaha, Suzuki $36.95 30mm Bing Penton, DKW, Zundapp, Monark $58.95 National Champion Kits Penton, DKW, ZUndepp, Monark. Ours really work - the most unique racers package available $105.00 (125cc), $115.00 (250cc), Championship Custom Pipes 125cc 250cc 400cc $49.95 54.95 59.95 (If special flange neadad add $5 to price) M~il Order and dealer prices available CR125 SUper Honda Power!! CR250 EVA• MARINA DEL REY TED 13347 W. Washington Blvd. (213) 390-3406 Send $3.00 for 256 colorful page catalog with more than 5500 items. WHITTIER HONDA Motorcycle Trailers Bell Helmets Full Bore Products 14324 E. Whttier BIIId. (213) 698.{)()65 Complete stock of parts and accessories for street and dirt. DSS~ (7141894-2623 ~.NTON, MON.IIK, & TYNAN sales - Service - Parts - Accessories o &.R Cycles 7181 Westmlnster Ave. Westminster. Calif. 92683 17 7