BCA Combo-Cross at Indian Dunes Park
The 500 Experts head into the first corner out in the sand. It is Ron Haase in the lead on his Revell's Maico. followed by 8J, Joe Root. 273, Russ Long, and 5, Joel Sheddon. Kiel photo.
at
Indian Dunes
Sunday March 2, 1975
By: Chris Hatounian
Five-hundred dollars, fifty-percent trophies, a three mile tough and challenging Grand Prix course and the sanction of BCA was what brought the troops out to Indian Dunes last weekend for some hot and heavy racing. Bill Tilstra, of BCA, worked out a course with three water crossings, alot of sand and a motocross track full of jumps and terms and topped it off as being the most well prepared course riders could dream of. The racing was always good.
Right after this picture was taken, this BSA rider took a bad spill, breaking his wrist. Kiel photo.In fact, some of the Junior classes provided more racing activity than alot of Pro races I've seen before. The water truck didn't even have to roll in a whole day of racing as the track stayed moist and tacky throughout the day. BCA was always known for it's such well prepared courses. None of that dust and hard track stuff. All classes were given one grand-prix moto of forty-five minutes in which to contest.
The 250 Expert Bultaco rider really sets up a cloud of water for the next rider. Kiel photo.
The racing started off with the Mini, Powder Puffers and the 100 Junior classes in which three riders, David Hale, Janice Kline and Mike Harnaker all ran away from their competition so bad that they were almost in a race of their own. David Hale, mounted on a highly modified and potent XR-75, left the rest of the Mini riders to fight out the rest of the results for themselves as he grand-prixed his way to first Followers to Hale included Chas Halfors (Hon) and Bret Hansen (Hon).
Rick Bell and his teammate were the winners in the first of 10 races in a side hack series. It was really neat, with quite a few hacks turning out for this race. Kiel photo.
Janice Kline (C.H. Honda), is always a Dunes threat in Powder Puff racing and added another trophy to her collection with today's devastating trounce. Runners up to Kline included Chelle Blythe (Hon), Rox Ann Doughrty (Hon) and Lone Viens (Pen). Not only did Mike Harnaker win the 100 Junior class, but he lapped the entire field of competitors, some more than once! And you have to be pretty darn good to do it on a three mile course. Harnaker kept the gas on when everybody else was wheezing from exhaustion. Rumor has it that he picked up a 250 CZ and will be campaigning it soon. That will end the 250 class.
Waiting for the start of their race, 500 class rider Russ Long, Ron Haase and Joel Sheddon relax. Right, Joel? Kiel photo.
Next class to take off for forty-five minutes was a huge and over anxious group of 125 Juniors. How does 40 in one class grab ya? Out of all the confusion and crashes, two riders, Richard Arnold (Hon) and Bobby Kline (Hon) put on a lead swapping show that lasted most of the race. These little guys have more energy to burn than alot of Pro's! Kline had the hole shot but got passed by Arnold when he took a shower in one of the water crossings. Bob would then get him back and this went on for forty-five minutes! Arnold kept the lead when it counted and took the flag ahead of Kline at the finish.
Russ Darnell was out at the BCA race. He is doing pretty good, as he took home second overall. Kiel photo.
Local Expert talent was low today and three relative unknowns to the winners circle took overall wins. Billy Barlow, riding a 125 Honda out of Cycle Products West, zapped all competition for the 125 Expert win on a bike Barlow says is close to stock. It sure looked stock. It was also his first time on a 125. Runners up to Barlow included Mike Pausell (Hon) and Revell Honda mounted Evan Marcus.
This pup looks like he's ready to go out and race the motocross world. And he looks like he just might win, too. Kiel photo.
A couple of local 500 Pros who had a good chance at taking the overall victory were Ron Hasse, on a Revell Maico, and Joe Root, on a Bultaco, for Analube Oils. Hasse and Root were going at it in the early part of the race until Hasse blew a head gasket and Root broke his pipe. Randy Scott then took the lead and looked like a sure bet for the overall until his bike gave out. That left Mike Marsh (Yam) with an easy victory with Root still taking second and Scott third.
Ed Sanchez is an unknown to the winners circle around here but collected the overall 250 Pro victory over Ossa-mounted Russ Darnell and Bultaco-mounted Steve Roark.
From what could be gathered out of all the Old Timers, John Maroney Sr. zapped and lapped his way to first overall on a Maico for Mike's Racing Center.