High School Motocross at South Bay Speedway
SAM
at
Southbay Speedway
Saturday March 1, 1975
By: John Little
I went down to South Bay Speedway this morning because I heard there was going to be a big High School MX there. I arrived there around eight and the track was not to be seen as the fog covered the whole area. Anyway, it burned off around 9:30 and things got started. Geoff Moore, who is a teacher at San Pasqual High School near Escondido, was the man who put this race together with help from Bob Basile. There were riders from the following High Schools: La Jolla, San Pasqual, Mar Vista, Madison, Bonita Vista, and Castle Park. A big MX race this was not, the turn out of riders from the above schools was very small.
There are many sad things about the whole scene of High School motocross in the San Diego area. To start with, there has to be more men like Geoff Moore from other schools around here who will stick their neck out and help these kids organize a team, and then stand behind them in everyway. There must be one teacher in every school who would take the interest. There were some schools who said "o'yea, we'll be there with X number of riders" and no one showed up from any of these schools. It has to be lack of organization, no one saying OK we will all meet at one place and go from there, and if someone isn't there call him up to find out why, but again there has to be that one guy who will organize....
It's hard for me to believe that San Diego as big as it is, and with so many high schools that have motocross riders can be so far behind Los Angeles in getting something going. The parents can help by calling the schools and asking what he or she can do to help. Let the school know you are interested. You know, a few years ago wrestling was not excepted too well in the schools, now it's big. Motocross will be that way sooner or later, why not sooner??? I guess I'm getting carried away, but this guy Moore impressed me with his desire to get HSMX going in San Diego county. Well, anyway the racing started, the Minis and the 100's went together, each class had three motos at six laps each.
Even though some classes were run together, they were scored separately. The overall winner in the Mini class was Mike Peters, on a Honda, from San Pasqual. In the 100 class, Chris Mohney from La Jolla put his Hodaka in front all three motos and finished there for the overall win. In the 125 Junior class it was Dan Lounsbury, on a Honda, getting first overall with a second, third, and first. Second went to Eric Millennix, on a Yamaha, getting two firsts and a fourth. And third place went to Dan's brother, Don Lounsbury, also on a Honda. All three riders are from Bonita Vista.
Bob Sherwood, who goes to Castle Park High School, took three firsts in the 125 Intermediate class. Bob rides a Honda, what else? Alan Kaul. on a Yamaha, gave Sherwood a little trouble at first, but Alan could not keep up and ended up in the second spot. I'm sorry Alan I don't have your school. There were thirteen riders leaving the line in the 125 Beginner class and I thought anything could happen around the first or second turn, but they all came out straight It was Chuck Panne, a La Jolla rider, on a Kawasaki, taking the overall win with two seconds and a first. The second place went to Bill Barend on a Yamaha, and third to Dan Silor riding a Honda, both riders are from San Pasqual.
In the 250 Intermediate class Bob Shields, on a Husky from Bonita Vista, was the overall winner, second was La Jollan Jeff Skeen also on a Husky. In the 250 Beginners class La Jolla took the first and second places, Dave Nugent on a Bultaco was first and team mate Jeff Murray on a Honda was second. Third place went to David Vickers riding a green machine (Kaw) from Mar Vista. I missed the 250 Junior results sorry guys. O'yea I don't want to forget the one girl rider who came out on her 125 Honda, you really looked good Poucu.
The races were over and now the trophys for individual first and second places were awarded, and also the big beautiful one for the top team. It went on this order from last place team to first, Madison, Castle Park, Mar Vista, San Pasqual, Bonita Vista, and taking home the first place team win was La Jolla. It warms your inside to see the enthusiasm the kids show as a team upon winning, not only the overall win but the individual wins also. To end with, I would like to thank for the riders Mr. Schroeder and Mr. Lounsbury for there contributions towards making this HSMX a little easier. In two or three weeks there will be another HSMX, you guys that were at this one bring a friend to the next one. Hang in there Geoff you have a start....