Sage Park, Ridgecrest
Allen Hopper has the lead now, but when the results were tallied, it was number 8. Mike Romp, winning the 100 class at Sage Park. Miller photo.
at
Sage Cycle Park
Sunday March 2, 1975
By: Dave Miller
Ridgecrest residents and others from surrounding communities-some from as far north as Bishop-turned out in force for the second motocross benefit race in as many weeks at Sage Park, 13 miles south of Ridgecrest on Hwy. 395. More than 1,000 spectators and close to 100 riders were present Sunday in an effort to raise funds for the community television booster project.
In lieu of trophies, local businessmen provided many gifts and gift certificates for riders to compete for and action was hot and heavy in every class and displacement division from Minibike and Powder Puff through three Senior classes. Although winter is still with us, the sun was bright and despite a fair breeze out of the southwest, it really was a great day to be out enjoying the fresh air. Host for the event was the Sanblasters Motorcycle Club of Ridgecrest. Club officials classed the race a complete success, with one official stating the booster fund will probably net about $1,000 thanks to motocross competition, which is turning out to be quite a fund-raiser in this neck of the woods. With the fund standing at almost $80.000 going into the event, it shouldn't take much more to reach the target figure of $100,000.
Clair Moors tries the outside line on his 'For Sale’ CZ, while Tim Binns goes for a pass. Tim took first Old Timer Senior, while Clair was second Old Timer Junior. Miller photo.
Happily, there were no major injuries to report, although more than one rider dumped or endoed before the day was over. About the worst injuries were some impressive contusions suffered by Bill Cordle in the Old Timer Junior event. First to hit the track were three young ladies in a duel of the Powder Puffs. It was an interesting race to say the least, but in the end, Elaine Parson (Honda), was the winner. Second place went to Diane Witwer (Yamaha), with third place going to Donna Cordle (Yamaha).
Seventeen Minibikes fought it out next, with some real hard "in-fighting" before winners were decided. There were also a couple of super spills, but everybody came out smelling like a rose in the end. Marti Urseth (Honda) who swept to three impressive overall victories on the day, was the number one Senior Minibiker. Joe "The Jet" Romp i Honda) and "Dandy Don" Cordle (Honda), made the Minibike Junior competition interesting i to say the least), "Jet" taking first place and "Dandy" settling for second. The Junior twosome also set modem records for spills and number of bounces without breaking anything. Terry Wick (Yamaha), settled for third place in the Junior competition. Paul Fairbanks • Yamaha), was the Mini-Mini winner-and earned every inch of his prize by staying with the "big guys" all the way from start to finish.
Moving on to the 100cc competition, Allen Hopper i Suzuki i, caught Mike Romp (Suzuki), with his throttle down in the first moto, cruising to a very impressive win, complete with "peace signs" and all at the checkered flag. How so ever, "Missle Mike", suddenly came te life in the second and third motos, winning both and taking home the overall championship. Hooper keeps proving tough riders come in small packages, as the spunky 10 year old takes on all comers with his "big yellow machine". Romp, after eating two large pizzas from John's and 16 cokes to celebrate his victory over Hopper was heard to say, "Bring on the Super Bowl". Robert Witwer (Carabella), captured third place.
Joe Romp leads Mark Urseth m the mm. racing at Sage Park topped the Senior class and Joe took the Junior honors. Miller photo.
Moving on to the "Wild Bunch", Robby Coser (Honda), zapped Brad Eyre (Honda), in the exciting 125 Senior competition, which featured some of the finest and fastest riding seen in many a day at Sage Park. Rick Hazen (Yamaha), took home first place in the 125 Junior warfare, besting Bill Earle (Honda), second place finisher, and Steve Bridges i Honda), who took third place. Funsville aplenty in the 250 battles, with Greg "Fly Me" Winkel i Yamaha-Mono), finally overcoming his advanced age to defeat Randy Klassen (Yamaha), at 250 Senior. There's a rumor floating around Winkel actually sold his glider flight prize, stating "he wanted to keep his feet on the ground". In the 250 Junior competition, Bob Gribben (Yamaha), finally aced out Rick Buhlert (Kawasaki), and Mike Whitman (Yamaha). Buhlert took second and Whitman, third.
Posting his best ride in some time, Steve "Team Shangri-La" Spragle i Kawasaki), defeated Duane Stephenson t Yamaha), at Open Expert. In the Open Junior competition, Rod Robbs i Suzuki), was a winner, defeating the likes of Don Blurton (CZ), and Gary Tilley (Yamaha), second and third place finishers, respectively.
This is not showing disrespect for their advanced age, but the Old Timers were especially suicidal Sunday I isn't that right Bill Cordle?), challenging the Sage Park course like it was the Antelope Valley Freeway. Somehow they made it through 21 laps and three motos (just like the kids), and not one was hospitalized for a heart attack or heat prostration.
Tim Binns (Honda), was the winner at Old Timer Senior I whatever that means)-life begins at 40, huh, Tim?-and Bill Duncan (Husky), was a winner at Old Timer Junior. Runnerup behind Binns was Tex Tyler (Husky), with Clair Moors (CZ), second, and F.F. Mansfield (CZ), third, finishing behind Duncan. We noticed a “For Sale†sign on Moors' machine-perhaps wisdom does come with age. In the end, the television booster fund was the real winner, but just about everybody out Sunday enjoyed the best in motocross racing.
