Trans AMA Qualifier at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
AMA
at
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Sunday April 13, 1975
By: Richard Perkins
There were over a hundred and fifteen riders, which represent the cream of the crop of United States Motocross racers, a few of them ranked among the top twenty racers in the world: Such as Jim Weinert No.l on a factory Yamaha; Tony DiStenfano No. 3 on a factory Suzuki; Tim Hart No. 10 also on a Yamaha; Marty Smith No. 12 on a Honda; Bill Grossi No. 14; and John DeSoto, No. 14x, Ossa; Terry Clark No. 17, Husky; Rex Staten No. 19 on a new Ossa; also Mark Blackwell, Bill Clements, Gaylon Mosier, Richard Eierstedt, they were all there to do battle for points which will qualify them for various International meets scheduled for the later half of the 1975 and early 1976 season.
There were 80 250 Pros signed up so they had 2 heats to qualify for the 40 man main motos, the top 20 riders, as shown by their national number didn't have to ride in the qualif ing heats, they were the first event of the day. They were to go 10 minutes plus a lap, and only the first fifteen would move up. The course was in perfect condition, it had not rained in 4 days, and the Ridge Runners M.C had really done a great job in snapping up the hilly European type course. The ground had been prepared with wood and leaf compost so it didn't hard pack or dry out. The 2 -250cc qualifiers were run off plus 2 consolation races, so now we had our line up for the three 30 minute motos to come.
They were off in a roar, going over the short down hill at the start, around a couple of banked turns under the trees, then off a sharp fast drop off and set up to go over a big jump. There was always a lot of elbowing in this area and a couple of get offs. Sal Defeo got a good hole shot and held a top spot most of the race, and edged out Tony DiStefano for the win. Tony got second with Rex Staten taking third on his Ossa. Tim Hart got the hole shot in the next moto and held off DiStefano, who got a poor start and worked up to challenge Hart. But there was not enough time and a very determined Hart got the moto.
DiStefano got another second. It was still anyone's race going into the last moto, this time Bruce McDougal got the hole shot on his Yamaha, but Hart got by after the fourth turn, and Hart moved out. DiStefano had broken loose of the pack and was after Hart on the third lap, but it was just not Hart's day as he dropped it, lapping another rider in one of the down hill back sections. DiStefano took the moto and the 250 overall win; he really deserved it as he came from behind in almost all the motos. Staten got a fourth in the last moto which gave him a third, a fifth and fourth for second overall money and Marty Smith earned a third overall on his Hot Honda.
There were 37 500 Pros so they all went to the three thirty minute motos, and Jim Weinert, No. 1 on his Factory Yamaha, showed what it is all about. Jim West, No. 28x, got the hole shot in the first moto on his fast Maico, but Weinert and Gary Semics were really pushing hard. Weinert got by, and West was able to hold off Semics, so it was Weinert, West and Semics at the end of a hard fought moto.
The second moto was a wild affair, Jeff Poland No. 37 got a good start and was right up there as was Terry Clark No. 17 on a Husky. Semics got the lead and was moving out but had cable trouble and had to pull over to adjust, Weinert moved up and took the lead but he too had trouble with his rear brake, and had to make a quick adjustment. So Poland went on in for the win, and Terry Clark got second, Weinert moved back up to third, and Semics was fourth.
Weinert went into the last moto with a three point lead over Semics, so Semics had his work cut out for him and did he get it on. He got the lead early, and moved out as Weinert was back in traffic. Semics put on a show of fast style over the now choppy course as Weinert pulled up to second, but that was good enough for the win. Semics got the last moto, with Weinert taking second, but Weinert got the winner's purse. Semics got second, Jim West took third in the last moto, and third overall. Terry Clark running clean, fast, and consistant took fourth in the last moto and fourth overall.
The entire race was a top notch Pro affair, Bill Grossi Sr. and his Ridge Runners group did a great job, and the riders did their thing, which is go fast!