January 29, 1975
Vol. 3  Issue 3
    










Checkered Past Authentic Vintage Motocross Clothing


Rider Search


More Race Photos...


Kenny Zahrt

Dave Kiel

Billy Payne, Randy Berkeley, Dave Haugh

Bobby Jones

Andy Northrup, Don Draskouch, John Wilson Sr.


Search Rider Photos

Search the archives for your photos. If you raced in Southern California during the '70s and '80s you might find one.
Search

CRC-MX at Indian Dunes Park


Kenny Zahrt was out at Indian Dunes again, racing minus his full face helmet.  He was the man to beat in the 125 class as he was OTG.  Kiel photo.
Kenny Zahrt was out at Indian Dunes again, racing minus his full face helmet. He was the man to beat in the 125 class as he was OTG. Kiel photo.

CRC at Indian Dunes
Sunday January 19, 1975
By: John
Grout

Bill Payne, Will Harper and Kenny Zahrt collected the big bucks in their respective Pro racing divisions during today's CRC sanctioned motocross program on th Shadow Glen track at Indian Dunes Park. And they all did it by the sensational route of solid grand slams... Of the three winners, it was probably Payne who had the roughest way to go in recording an overall victory. While sliding one of the big-bore Maicos against a fast field of Opens, Billy was stoutly pushed in all three of the seven-lap heat events.

Dave Kiel came out to the Dunes last Sunday to do some racing, and that he did. He took second overall in his division of 125 riders.   Kiel photo.
Dave Kiel came out to the Dunes last Sunday to do some racing, and that he did. He took second overall in his division of 125 riders. Kiel photo.

In the first round of action for the division, and following a scorching trophy dash to the final flag, Payne salvaged a half-length win over Dunes' Open Expert champion Dave Haugh, who was attempting to hand onto the antlers of a rocket ship of a Bultaco. And the crowd was conjuring up pictures of a blistering battle for the two rounds that yet remained. It was, however, a battle that never developed-at least not with Haugh involved. He had mechanical problems in the next moto, finishing a distant sixth and not going to the gate at all for the final.

Yet, Payne found himself far from being out of the woods. Two more chargers were waiting for him, both on Bultacos. Ron Haase, who is now doing his riding for the Revell works of Sun Valley, was next in line to take a crack at Payne during the contesting of the second moto, and though not finishing quite as close to the Maico pilot as did Haugh in the first heat, Ron, nonetheless, stoked up a heap of pressure against the eventual winner.

Next up came "Bullet" Joe Root who, aboard his Analube Special, grabbed a lead over Payne in the third moto, only to watch it dwindle away right at the final wire, reached at the end of a back-and-forther for the entire racing event. Will "The Harpoon" Harper, who is the reigning champion of the 250cc Expert division at the Dunes, served further notice to anyone interested in beating him this year that they had better get started on the previous weekend.

Billy Payne leads Randy Berkeley and Dave Haugh around the Shadow Glen track at Indian Dunes during the second moto of Pro racing action.  Kiel photo.
Billy Payne leads Randy Berkeley and Dave Haugh around the Shadow Glen track at Indian Dunes during the second moto of Pro racing action. Kiel photo.

While establishing still another track record-he also holds the lap mark on the International course-Harper, who rides from Revells stable of annihilators, turned a circle of the Shadow Glen in a blazing 1:20.50!!! Fast enough to safely challenge a load of powder-propelled buckshot through to the front gate of an oft-burgled watermelon patch.

Among those finishing closest to Harper, who completely dominated all three races for the class, were Dave Zahrt (Bui), Steve Roark (Bui) and a rapidly-improving Mike Lacy (Kaw). Kenny Zahrt, who was straddling a lightweight Bultaco that would be a serious challenger against Open machinery, slid to three straight wins over a good field of Pros on the 125cc scooters. Runner-up spots went to, among others, Jim Tassano (Hon), Tommy Luera (Hon), Thad Friday (Hon) and Mike Pillar (Hon). "The Canadian" a serious contender for a victory against the 125's, escaped injury when his bike went end-for-end on the frontrchute jump while holding the lead in the final moto.

Bobby Jones was moving swiftly in the mini class.   He can really make that XR hum. Kiel photo.
Bobby Jones was moving swiftly in the mini class. He can really make that XR hum. Kiel photo.

Overall triumphs at Intermediate level went to George Viens, 125cc (Hon), Jon Hagar, 250 (Bui), and Dwight Strayer, Open (CZ). Both Viens, who was seated on a Revell tuned bike and was taking only his second ride as an Intermediate, and Strayer collected their victories after three straight wins. Completing an outstanding day for the racing Viens family, sister Lorie was victorious against Powder Puffers, while younger sister Sherry took home her FIRST trophy in twelve starts against Beginner minicyclists. Good going Sherry!!

The CRC trophy winners for being high point riders are: Andy Northrup, left, Don Draskouch, and John Wilson, Sr.  That is CRC's Jack Barbaoove standing with the trophies. Kiel photo.
The CRC trophy winners for being high point riders are: Andy Northrup, left, Don Draskouch, and John Wilson, Sr. That is CRC's Jack Barbaoove standing with the trophies. Kiel photo.

Bobby Jones, the "Fillmore Flyer", served ample notice that he'll be a tough customer in this year's World Mini Grand Prix at the 'Dunes, defeating a large field of Mini Experts in three straight sets. Veteran winner of all three races for a combined 125-250-Open group was CZ riding Dave Turnquist. Runners-up included Bruce Hoover (Open) and Rene Cornell (125).

Cameron Hauser, astride a rapid Bultaco, turned back BSA-riding Keith Petrangelo, among others, in recording a grand slammer at Open Novice. A third place in the field went to David Stephens on (what else Bui) a Bultaco. Man, did the Spanish brand have a rather decent day!! Still other victories at Novice level went to Bill Murdock, lOOcc (Hon); Gary Bogan, 125 (Hon); and Mark Rickey (Yam) and Mike Fisher (CZ), both of whom were racing against divisions of 250cc machines.