ECRA at Escape Country
ECRA
at
Escape Country
Sunday March 30, 1975
By: Fred Klugman
Absolutely perfect weather and full schedule of events made Easter Sunday day at Escape Country quite an experience. First, Sunrise Services were held followed by a day of sky diving, hang gliding, hot air balooning and a $1000 motocross race.
The Oly World Open Hang Gliding Championship, being run at the same time as the MX races, featured competition between top hang glider pilots from all over the world, as well as parachuting exhibitions, sail planeing, balooning etc.At one point in the first Open Pro MX race the yellow flag came out when a stray parachutist landed on the track right in front of Rich Thorwaldson. This added thrill was probably a first in the sport of motocross racing. Anyway Rich Thorwaldson sure looked surprised.
The incident didn't seem to shake Thorwaldson up too much since he continued on to take first place in the moto aboard his big Maico. Andy Bolander (Mai), holding down second place was passed in the last lap by Terry Clark (Hus). In the second moto Mark Rodman (Mai) took the hole shot from Thorwaldson but then failed to come by the scoring booth again until the moto was half over. Thorwaldson then opened a good lead followed by Jon Derhammer (Mai) and Doug Sherman (Mai) who were closing in fast making for poor starts. Thorwaldson held the lead and Derhammer and Sherman came in a close second and third.
In the third Open Expert moto Andy Bolander once again took the hole shot with Handy Stubbs (Bui) close on his tail. Thorwaldson, who got a bad start, was way back in about seventh position, and the race during the first few laps was between Bolander and Stubbs. Thorwaldson by the fourth lap had worked himself up through the pack and was now in first. While Doug Sherman who had gotten a really bad start, was working his way up Thorwaldson was building himself a big comfortable lead. Sherman always on the gas, wasn't about to let Rich have it that easily. After passing every one else Sherman began quickly closing up Thorwaldson's big lead. Then in the last lap the unrelenting, almost crazed Sherman passed Thorwaldson to take the checkered flag as the crowd rose to their feet cheering on the racers. Thorwaldson received overall first, Jon Derhammer second, and Doug Sherman overall third.
This week again the 250 Expert class dominated the action with such stars as John DeSoto, Morris Malone.Dave Carlson and Bruce McDougal competing. In the first 250 Expert moto Dave Carlson (Mai) took the hole shot but broke on the second lap and DNF'ed that moto. With Carlson out the racing was left to Morris Malone riding a trick Maico frame with a Honda engine, John DeSoto, on his Ossa, and Bob Stem, on a CZ.Malone and DeSoto were really getting it on in a wheel to wheel, handlebar to handlebar battle. Bob Stem remained in a position where he could if given the opportunity on the narrow Escape Country track. When the first moto ended there was no change in positions.
Carlson now back in business in the second moto, again took the hole shot streaking into the lead with Malone almost right up his tail pipe. DeSoto back in about fourth place was moving up toward the front. DeSoto battled with Bob Stem for four laps before taking over third spot, then engaging Malone once again in another wheel to wheel foray. On the last turn of the moto DeSoto took the outside line and began accelerating past Malone. The crowd was roaring as the excitement permeated the clear Escape Country air when suddenly Malone and DeSoto collided. DeSoto went down just inches from the finish line as Malone continued across followed by Bob Stem. DeSoto did manage to get his bike up and push it across the line before being passed by anyone else.
John Estes (Mai), an Escape Country regular, was first off the line in the third moto with John DeSoto right behind challenging for the lead. DeSoto took the lead early in the second lap holding off Estes' attempts at getting it back. Meanwhile Dave Carlson somewhere back in the pack due to a poor start was quickly working his way up toward the front. About half way through the moto Carlson caught and passed Estes and was now in fierce competition with DeSoto for the lead. A win in this moto for either DeSoto or Carlson would mean first place overall and the major share of the big bucks. DeSoto effectivly held off Dave Carlson's onslought of pass attempts as the two pros raced side by side the crowd now going completely wild. Then going into the last lap still dicing it out, Carlson passed DeSoto. DeSoto not giving it up stayed right on Carlson but just couldn't get back by as the the two crossed the finish line side by side. Carlson, although he DNF'd the first moto took overall first, DeSoto received overall third and Malone finishing sixth in the moto received an overall second. An unusually close point spread.
In the 125cc Expert class, the never tiring Dave Carlson walked away with that purse also with two firsts and a third in his moto. A good day for Dave Carlson and an excellant day for all the spectators and participants who enjoyed all the Easter Sunday excitement at Escape Country.
