S.A.M.High School MX at Ascot Park
Two Kawasakis lead the field of 125 racers around the track at Ascot Park during Saturday S.A.M. High School motocross racing. Mahony photo.
SAM
at
Ascot Park
Saturday February 22, 1975
By: Tom Blattler
Arroyo High's David Taylor was finally defeated in the S.A.M. High School Motocross qualifiers for the Super Bowl of Motocross, but Taylor still captured the overall victory in the 125 Expert division.
Taylor, who rides one of the fastest 125 Hondas in the Southern California area, suffered a poor start in the opening moto in the high school competition, however, David was able to move through the pack and grabbed the lead. On the seventh lap of the ten-lap moto on Ascot Park's Vmile course, the chain fell off of Taylor's Pasadena Honda and South Gate's Mark Lawrence was able to move by for the lead. Taylor then was able to fix his chain, and jump back into the race. David ended up third in the first moto behind Lawrence and Long Beach Millikan High's Cliff Lett.Taylor then returned in the second moto to easily capture the number one position with Franklin's Kelly Owen placing second and third going to Lett
The Pasadena Honda star Dave Taylor has really been cleaning house at all the High School races recently. Here, he is going to another win at Ascot Park. Media Max photo.
In the third moto, Taylor once again blew the rest of the field in the weeds to finish in position one in the overall standings. Kelly Owen, also riding for Pasadena Honda, finished second in the final moto and second overall with Cliff Lett, riding a FMF Honda, collecting third. One of the finest races of the young high school motocross season was the 125 Junior class, as one rider captured all three motos, but the competition in the pack was fantastic. Long Beach Jordan's Steve Moore rode his Long Beach Honda to victory in each of the three 10-lap motos, as Moore was making only his second appearance at Ascot for the qualifying.
In the first moto for the 125 Juniors, Moore grabbed the lead early, but Steve had a little difficulty pulling away from the rest of the field, as Kawasaki-mounted Rod Davidson, Pete Murillo of Carson High, and Wilson High's Jim Carlson stayed right on Moore's heels. By the halfway point of the opening moto, Moore had finally opened up a good size lead with Davidson, Murillo, and Carlson really dicing for second. At the checkered flag, Davidson placed second followed by Munllo, Carlson, and Narbonne's Danny Ruiz.
The second moto was again dominated by Moore, but Davidson, Murillo, Carlson, and Shawn Mahn of West Torrance started to battle for the number two spot Davidson was able to hold off the rest of the field for second behind Moore with Carlson third followed by Murillo and Mahn.
Moore went to the overall win in the third moto, however, some new faces entered the picture. Hamilton Junior High's Don Miller, who was just moved up to the Junior class after sweeping the Beginner class two weeks in a row, finished in the second spot with point leader for the Super Bowl, Don Huizing of South High in Torrance. placing third.
Moore finished first overall with second going to Davidson, who attends Narbonne High In Harbor City, followed by Carlson, Murillo, and Miller. Two other riders dominated their respective classes, as Carson High's . Gregg Toyama took the Mini Expert division and Herb Shelton of South Torrance captured the 250 Juniors. Qualifying continues every Saturday at Ascot Park for the Super Bowl of Moto cross.