Ogden/Steele Dominate
AMC
at
Carlsbad Raceway
Sunday May 15, 1977
By: Edmund Willis
Carlsbad was rough today and the skies threatened you've been more rain, which never came. By the time the Grand Prix gets to Carlsbad, the track will be radical, so watch for an unreal race June 19!
80 scene was great today and FMF's Gary Ogden rode to four Moto wins, taking the 125 and 250 pro classes easily. Dan Steel, writing for Top Shelf Restaurants, took an easy victory in the Open Pro Division.The 125 pros got to go first in as FMF rider Ogden got the holeshot, Scott Anderson, riding the Vesco Yamaha, gave chase, as Mike Tripes was passing through the pack, a falling rider to look him down. Mike popped back up and fried it, not quite used to a 125, he said, but he looked good. He worked his way up to Scott's rear fender and sort of hoped he could get by, Scott made one going down and Mike went by. Ogden easily won and Scott had to settle for third behind Mike
In the second Moto, Gary again got the holeshot and Scott was second around. Tripes scooted into second and was the last one to see Ogden. Scott seemed to solve his problems about the middle of the moto and moved it up to third, closing on Mike. Time ran out and the finish again saw Ogden with a way out front finish, Mike second and Scott third.
The Open Pros Tword the next on the list and the top Shelf boys Dan Steele and Scott Montgomery were ready. The gate dropped and Jeff Vidic unleashed his Yamaha and took the holeshot. at the finish of the first lap it was Top Shelf 1-2. Scott Montgomery developed problems and dropped out, but can stayed in and ripped it. Doug Boyd moved his Suzuki into second position and held it to the finish from Jaffe, who settled for third. The second moto Jeff was planning to do better and started out with the holeshot, but Steele had plans of another win and carried them out. Jeff did improve however, finishing second with a great ride, while this time Doug had to settle for third.
The 250 Pros got their turn next. Gary Ogden was first out and he just rode away again. Dan Steele took the second position and moved away from the pack. Tom Cross had his Maico cooking and gave chase. Jeff Vidic (Yamaha) was right behind. Wayne Boyer got a poor start on his new Yamaha, but he got cooking and Howard passed everyone. He sat behind Steele for a while and then zipped by. Ogden and had too much of a lead and Wayne settled for second and as Dan finished third.
The next Moto seemed to be the one highlight of the day as Gary had to get it on. He took the holeshot and leading, went down at the top of the ledge. As Gary got up, the pack went by, leaving him someplace he hadn't been for a long time, a place called dead last! Gary remounted realizing this was no place for him he went WFO. in no time he was moving up from the back of the pack. Steele had the lead and plan on staying there, Jeff Vidic and Tom Cross were once again up front, and "Muff" Montague was making his move up. By now Gary was in sixth place, and then fifth. He and Wayne Boyer really started cooking, moving up to third and fourth places as time was running out. Ogden Was right on Steele, Boyer a little behind. Finally Ogden blasted by and stretched out a small lead, Boyer unable to catch Steele, had to settle for third.