200 Vie For California Cup
CRA
at
Corona Raceway
Sunday September 5, 1976
By: Martie Fox
"The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat," The phrase that best describes the mood of the day at Corona on September 5, 1976. After months of qualifying at many well known BMX tracks in California, 200 of the best racers from four separate areas (San Diego, Orange Co., L.A., Bakersfield and- San Francisco) were ready to find out who was really the best racer in their own age group.
Races called "Championship" or "Nationals" are a dime a dozen in BMX. Not since the original Yamaha Gold Cup in the Los Angeles Coli¬seum has a race been staged where the riders had to qualify in a previous race or races.The riders in this race were racing for more than just a 4-foot trophy or a fancy title. They knew that if they won this one they would be considered the best rider in California in their age class.
With this thought in mind, the people responsible for putting on the race, the Currans, BX Weekly, Nancy and Steve Rink and many others, did their jobs to the best of their ability. The best example of this was Bob Scott. Bob worked the starting gate for over 250 (including the special Open Class) racers, without a false start or a serious hassle from a racer or irate parent. The races were run with three motos which qualified 3/5 of the entries into the semis. The semis consisted of three more motos which eliminated half of the rest of the riders. Six riders from each age group survived for the main events. By this time the tension among the 1500 spectators and racers was electrifying.
From 7 years and under to 16 years and up, the true State Champions were finally determined. Jeff Bottema, DG, won the 16 and up class, so he will now be considered by many to be the state's number one rider. DG frames werte under the majority of winners, so they must also be con¬sidered number one in the product line.
For the kids that were blessed with the thrill of victory, they can truly be proud; and for the ones that felt the agony of defeat, they too can be proud of the fact that I they made it as far as the California Cup Race at Corona. Besides, there is always next year.