April 16, 1975
Vol. 3  Issue 14
    










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AMA MX at Spillway Park


The 125 Experts head for the esses at Spillway Park in Santa Maria.  They had some good racing going on in this talent filled division.   Czerwinski photo.
The 125 Experts head for the esses at Spillway Park in Santa Maria. They had some good racing going on in this talent filled division. Czerwinski photo.

AMA at Spillway Cycle Park
Sunday March 30, 1975
By: William P.
Czerwinski

With all the promises of track changes for each race, the track promoters made changes for this race as promised. But a talk with some of the riders stated that the two bumps in the track at the starting straight-a-way was bad. Watching the small bore bikes they all had trouble. There were numerous crashes in the new section, but none serious. With all the bitching, I know it will be corrected for the next race.

I keep hearing the 125cc riders saying you can't compete in the 125 class unless you ride a Honda. Well here's one rider that will just say, "Bunk" to that. The rider, Lompoc's Tim Pippins, the almost lone Suzuki rider.

The mono shockers can really handle the jumps and bumps at Spillway Park, and they do get mean towards the end of a racing day. Czerwinski photo.
The mono shockers can really handle the jumps and bumps at Spillway Park, and they do get mean towards the end of a racing day. Czerwinski photo.

While front runners were doing battle Tim would keep up the pace and not get out of shape. I don't think he fell once the entire race. After the race Tim was right there amid the familiar red, white, and blue jerseys to collect his trophy. Good show Tim.

In the 125cc Expert it was a show of strength, as there were four brand new Hondas in the pits. Only difference they were all yellow. No, not Suzuki yellow, they were Sambo yellow, if there is a Sambo yellow? But like the old addage, everywhere you looked on the freeway you can always see a Sambo's. Well that's the way it was in the 125 Expert race, here a Sambo, I mean here a Honda, there a Honda everywhere a yellow Honda. The Sambo's yellow Honda team has the best areas 125 riders and should do well anywhere. Team captain is Fred Joehnick of Santa Barbara; Mark Gambetta also of Santa Barbara; Vince Clark of Lompoc, who was District 35 top 125 Expert rider three years running; and Jack Keese of San Luis Obispo. That's got to be an un¬beatable team. The team captured three of the five trophies for their first day out. Vince Clark after just getting his cast off seemed to be just getting the bike and himself sorted out, as after a few laps he would pull over and talk to the mechanic. All I can say I hope they all do well wherever they go.

The 250 Expert class is always a tough one at Spillway Park in Santa Maria.  And there should be some good races coming up this month.  Czerwmski photo.
The 250 Expert class is always a tough one at Spillway Park in Santa Maria. And there should be some good races coming up this month. Czerwmski photo.

The 250 Expert started out like David Czerwinski of Lompoc, wanted a win under his belt. David on a Montesa got a hole shot like all riders dream of. He was five bike lengths in front at the first turn with Rick Long hot on his heels. Rick Long of San Luis Obispo, on his new Montesa was really moving up, while all this was going on Tom Bass of San Luis Obispo, Bultaco-mounted, was holding up last place, but last place is never a place for Tom. After two laps Tom had already passed about eight riders and was in fourth. Mean time David Czerwinski leading the race did not appear from the straight-a-way turn-no luckily he did not crash-the coil wire came off. This left Rick Long in first place, but Tom Bass was on the gas and moving up. Yes you guessed it Tom was right there after about five laps to take over the lead and hold of fan challengers. Second moto it was Tom Bass again in the lead and trying to lap the field.

Some of the "Over the Hill Gang" was on hand to do battle. Jay Getchel, of Lompoc, on a new Husky, was going to make it a win for him on a new bike. After the first moto I felt Jay was not going to make it as he seem to be having handling problems. No not the bike handling the Jay handling. But moto two he pulled it all out and took the lead and held it for the entire race. Look out Gang for Jay.