AME-MX at Indian Dunes Park
AME
at
Indian Dunes
Sunday January 12, 1975
By: Chris Hatounian
Ray Lopez, C.H. Industries' Penda rider, returned to Indian Dunes today in hopes of taking his fifth straight 125 Pro victory, only to let the overall slide to factory Bultaco rider, Kenny Zahrt, when his bike failed at a crucial point of both moto's.
After about a lap of lead swapping between 12 angry Pro's, Lopez emerged in the first moto's lead which he was to keep for almost the entire race. Zahrt was bottled up in heavy traffic and passing riders like mad in his bid for the lead. Lopez was free and clear with the lead until in the corner of his eye came the charging Zahrt, now in second. Lopez successfully put ground between himself and Zahrt, only to have the rear brake anchor arm snap, leaving him with only a front brake. Desperately trying to hold off Zahrt with one brake proved unsuccessful as Zahrt flew by for the lead and first moto win.
Ray Lopez was moving quick until his brake stay rod broke. Then Kenny Zahrt moved by and took the overall win. Hatounian photo.
Knowing he had to beat Zahrt for the overall win went through Lopez's mind as he once again jumped to the second moto lead. Zahrt was once again a victim of the back of the pack blues but not for long. Ken was back on the charge and moved up to second behind Lopez. Ray then began to slow, letting Zahrt by for the win. It sounded like his engine went sour a couple laps from the finish and his hopes of gaining the overall win went down the tubes. His two second's were still good enough for second overall. Third overall went to factory Kawasaki rider, Jeff Wecker who took two third's.
Willy Harper rolled up to the 250 Pro line-up with a new number one on his Revell CZ today. Willy, a double champion in both Indian Dunes and AME's records, rode faultlessly in both moto's of the 250 Pro class for the overall victory, setting a new track record in the process. Kenny Zahrt was also entered in this class, but a dangling pipe in the first moto and a second moto crash kept him from making any bid for two overall's of the day. Steve Roark mounted a Bultaco and took a third and a fourth for second overall. Third fell to Maico-mounted Gary Huber.
Spectator's present at last Sunday's race will remember Ron Hasse, who gave Billy Payne a run for his money in the 500 Pro class. Well, today Hasse dominated both moto's of the same class, taking the overall victory aboard his Kiel's Cycle Parts sponsored Bultaco. Joe Root, back to racing again for Analube Oils, took second overall for the day on a Bultaco. Third place finishing went to Jeff Wright, mounted on a Mid-Valley CZ.
Willy Harper has a gassin' brother by the name of Tom who grand-slammed his division for the 100 Beginner honors. It's his second race ever.
Janice Kline took her C.H. Industries Honda to another Powder Puff or Womens division, if you will, win. Craig Robertson (Mai) took the overall 500 Junior win with a close second going to Modern Cycle's super chunky, Rick Sieman.
BUI Oveliette took his Suzuki of Van Nuys sponsored Suzuki and walked off with the 125 Junior class overall. Second fell to Honda-mounted Mark Hickey with third going to Mark Aney on a Bultaco.
Jeff Lowe took the overall victory in the 125 Intermediate catagory with just turned Intermediate, George Viens taking second. Last week you might have thought that George didn't take the 125 Junior championship from AME because of this reporter's article. I received false rumors about the points and George is the 125 AME Junior Champion over George Corcoran. Sorry George.
