TMRC at Valley Cycle Park
Dave Zahrt rode hit Bay Area Bultaco in for the win on Saturday by smoking everybody in both motos. Even brother Kenny couldn't catch him. Heidbrink photo.
T.M.R.C.
at
Valley Cycle Park
Saturday March 29, 1975
By: Scott Heidbrink
Being the first Saturday race at Valley, nobody was quite sure what to expect. But as the morning wore on, there were as many thrills as a normal Sunday race. A good sized crowd of riders came out to the race, many drawn by the low entry fee. $3 for Sportsmen sure is neat, and $6 for Experts is even better! And the trophies are sano and the payback is 100 per cent for Pros.
Chuck Lanzarone holds a narrow lead over Gregg Humber, who holds a narrow lead over Rick Pridrick. It was a tight race for quite a few laps with Lanzarone finally pulling away. Heidbrink photo.As the day continued, a yellow van rolled into the park, filled to the brim. It finally stopped at the top of the hill and the brothers Zahrt emerged. It was really going to be a day. The Pros almost had the biggest class of the day. And that was where all the action was, the combined Pro class. Right off the line of the first 20 minute moto, Dave Zahrt took the lead on his Bay Area Bultaco. He was really whipping it as he pulled away from the pack.
Brother Kenny had a fair start, but had to work his way through the traffic. Behind Dave was Open riders Chuck Lanzarone and Gregg Humber. Those two were going wheel-to-wheel as they raced around the track. In fact, it kept up for half the moto. In the meantime, Kenny had gotten OTG and passed everybody but his brother. As he whipped passed the two Open riders, they nearly fell off thinking a 250 could go so fast.
Bill Hagen got on a 250 CZ this week and pro ceeded to take apart Saturday's Junior class. New photo.
Dave was too far gone to be caught by anyone, so he motored in for the win. Kenny didn't want to waste himself or his new Montesa, so he stayed content in second place. Chuck Lanzarone took third overall, and first 500. Gregg dropped back after being passed by Rick Pridrick, a 250 Pro. Rick grabbed a third 250 for that moto, riding his Bay Area Bultaco bike around the track in fine form. Humber ended fifth overall and second Open rider.
Kenny Zahrt was looking good on Saturday racing a Montesa, but Sunday he got back on the old familiar Bay Area Bultaco. Heidbrink photo.
The second moto was almost a repeat of the first Dave Zahrt got the hole shot and cracked his Bui WFO for the next 20 minutes. There was no catching the young Bultaco ace. He was gone. Pridrick pulled into second 250 spot while Lanzarone led the Opens. It wasn't too hard, since Gregg Humber lost his gas cap off the start and had to stop to replace the thing. Kenny again didn t have a sterling start, so he had to work from behind. He was going so quick, he lost it twice, dropping him all the way back to fourth for that moto.
Chuck Lanzarone had some trouble in the first moto, but the second time he cruised in for the win with ease. New photo.
When the overalls were tallied, Dave Zahrt won the cash with Pridrick second and Kenny third. As for the Opens, Lanzarone took home all the money leaving nothing for Gregg. The only 125 Pro was Willie Amardio, needless to say, he won. In the 250 Junior class Bill Hagen got off his 400 and stepped down to a 250. He whipped the class in fine form, winning both motos. It seems about time he made the move up one class the way he keeps winning. Following Bill around both motos was Leo Vandermeular, riding Mark Cook's old 250 Pursang. Leo was also looking very, very fast, as he and Bill lapped everybody but third place.
Jim Mercier came out Saturday to race his new text bike. It is really fast and handles pretty good too. Heidbrink photo.
Overall, I almost got fourth or fifth, but in the second moto somebody or something knocked my shift lever and the bike stuck in second and third gear, making things next to impossible. Thinking I launched three gears, I pulled off and retired, spoiling my chances. In the Open class, it looked more like an Enduro than a motocross as bikes were dropping like flies. The overall winner in the Junior end was Mike Mriner, the man behind M&S Distributing, and the Valley Cycle Parts store. Mike was looking pretty fast on his Maico as he rode in for the win. He was really moving. And if you're ever in need at Valley, he's the man to talk to. He has all the trick parts and goodies and fantastic prices.
All in all, it was a great day. The two-20 minute motos are just right. The only bummer is the fact that they used flag starts. The metal gate is much fairer and more honest. I got stuck in the second moto when I was trying to un-stick a stuck float when the flag fell. That didn't help me too much. One neat thing is that Al Jackson seems very open to comment and criticism.
Kenny and Dave Zahrt teamed up to win the two up race. Their main competition came from Chelle Blythe and her brother. There were plenty of thrills at Valley on Saturday. Heidbrml photo.
Also, they had a 2-up race. A two lappcr with a team of two racing together. It was swept by Zahrt brothers Kenny and Dave. Funny!!! All in all, it was a fun day and very interesting, especially around Jim Mercier's truck. So if you want a fun way to spend your day, and not much money, truck on out to Valley and race with Trackmasters.