AME-MX at Spillway Park
AMC
at
Spillway Cycle Park
Sunday November 3, 1974
By: William P. Czerwinski
An early sign-in (6:30 am to 8:00 am) and practice at eight-racing got under way before nine. The day's events were over by 3:30 and some stayed and rode 'til dark.
In the 125cc Junior Div. A class it was Jim Townsend of Lompoc on a Suzuki who led the way in both motos. Moto one it looked as if Jim was going to make it his moto, but after a few laps, Pat Ularte, of Nipano, on a Honda got by Jim to take the lead. Pat went on to win with Jim taking a second. Moto two-again it was Jim in the lead as he plowed a path for the other to follow. But after a half a lap Jim seemed to be washing out in the turns and slowing down. The entire field went by him, as a matter fact they all lapped him twice. After the race a look at Jim's forks showed why he was taking it easy, they were softer than two hot marshmellows.
In the 125cc Junior Div. B it was Roberta Vasilis who out-shone everybody. Yes she joined the men's lib. She rides (races) with the men. Taking a second in the first moto was not easy, but she rides like a Pro. Second moto she was right up front with the best. The second moto the track was a little rougher and some of the others got by her. This moto only netted her a sixth, but you guys had better look out for her as she is riding better all the time.
In the 125 Experts, it was Randy Benda, on a Honda, from Nipomo, who led the way in each moto. Since Randy's moved up to the Expert ranks, he has shown he can stay up with and ahead of Spillway's best. Vincent Clark of Lompoc on a Honda the top 125 Expert had his work cut out as Randy got the jump each time. Moto one Vince made it look easy as after a few laps he moved into the lead and held it. Moto two was a different story, Randy was in the lead but Vince was back in the pack about sixth and Vince had a long way to go because two others moved in front of Randy and Vince was still lost in the back. At the half way mark, Vince had only moved up to fourth and Randy holding there two laps later Vince moved to take over second and Randy third. Then some where in the back the first place rider went down and this left Vince clear sailing in first again with only about four laps to go. Vince took home the top money in the 125 Expert class. Vince looks a lot smoother on a Honda since he shed his Suzuki.
In the 250 Experts the first moto was .delayed for some unknown reason. Then the reason motored over to the line, Mike Knopf. The delay helped Mike because he parlayed his 2-2 into a first overall. But as I left some of the 250 Experts were reading the rule book. There was some discussion on how you get a finish. Maybe more should read the rule book. Like when you get it mailed to you and once in a while before the race. Oh yeh, nothing in rule book about how long the riders have to wait for starter to start race, or for starter to verify that all entries are on starting line before starting the race. (Open Expert race started while rider was on way to the line) riders fault? Maybe. But when Open Experts race following the Open Juniors the Open Experts know they are next. But when they combine all open bikes in one moto a little more time would not hurt to insure all riders are on the line or the word goes out on the loud speaker barring broke bike-rider.
On the Open race it was Ron Bass on a Suzuki-Baker from San Luis Obisbo to win both motos. Ron made it look easy as he flew low around the track in moto one like the devil was after him. The only ones that got near him were the riders he lapped and they didn't see much of him. Moto two it was Sherman Schneller that got a running start off the starting line. With Ron lost in the back. Sherman looked like he wanted to run-away from everybody. After the first lap of the second moto Ron's bike had the brake lever twisted backwards and I guess with no brakes, one just had to go faster. With Sherman opening up a lead that looked almost impossible to close, the only who knew it wasn't impossible was Ron. Ron got on the move, Sherman was lapping riders right after the third lap and Ron was moving up fast. About 15 minutes into the race Ron was right behind Sherman when a slower rider appeared in front of him. Sherman decided to take the inside line and Ron the outside line and of course the slower rider wanted both lines. Sherman hit the other rider first sending him over to Ron's line. Without brakes. Ron hit the gas and flew by Sherman and the other rider. No one went down. Ron took over the lead. A nice bit of riding for Ron and Sherman.