AMA-MX at Spillway Park
AMA
at
Spillway Cycle Park
Sunday February 16, 1975
By: William P. Czerwinski
Even though the Experts put on a good show for the day let it not be said that the 100 Intermediates didn't do as well Moto one it was Rick Davis of Lompoc on a Yamaha that flew into the lead and held them all back for 20 minutes. Moto two was different. Andy Montijo of Huron on a Honda seemed like it was his turn to run the lead. Rick was about fifth but moved in behind George Gallindo of Santa Barbara on a Suzuki and Andy, with Jim Kringlen of Santa Maria on a Yamaha right behind. Rick got by George and was right behind Andy for a few laps it looked as if Rick would have to settle for a second as Andy was on the gas and George Gallindo was not slowing down. A few laps later Andy hit the berm of the new river bed turn and his bike stopped dead. Rick got caught and George went by, Rick passed George to take over the lead only to hit the river bed berm and it was George's turn to take over the lead. A lap later it was George's turn to hit what looked like the same berm and Rick took over the lead with Jim Kringlen right behind. Rick went on to win the moto with Jim second.
Jim Townsend of Lompoc was at the track and after talking about some riders having their troubles in one turn on the track it would be fitting to just mention Jim's trouble with one turn. You know they did change the track around and everyone thinks it was a great improvement, but alas they left Jim's turn there—Reason one might call it Jim's turn is because about 8 months ago Jim had a bad crash there and split his forearm opea Many stiches and months later, here's Jim and he does it again-no injury, just crash. It did side line him for the day.John Dallaire of Atascadero riding in two classes (125-250 Experts) had his day. In the 125 Experts John had to take a second overall while the first went to Vince Clark of Lompoc on a Suzuki. John was seen riding his Hodaka to victory. For the last few months watching John one would think he was developing a bike that would push easy in the sand because that's what he was seen doing mostly. So determined to motor in, John rode part of the first moto to a win with a broken front wheel hub. With a second in moto one Vince Clark needed a first in moto two to clinch overall first. John found another wheel (just happened to have one in the trunk-a spare!!) and was ready to do battle. Three Hondas took the lead in moto two with Vince fourth and John sixth. The three Hondas exchanged the lead several times while Vince and John put all they had into it to gain the lead. As soon as John would pass a rider Vince would pick off one. A few laps later Vince moved into second again. John attempted his move but ran into trouble. It seemed like he dropped back to last but he gained his position and even moved up to fourth again. Meantime the leader lost a chain giving the lead to Vince. That's the way it ended Vince.
John made up for it in the 250 Experts.He led both moto's from start to finish. As a matter of fact in both motos John lapped most of the field up to fourth place. Another 10 minutes in each moto and John could have lapped the entire field. I think so because John had a 45 second lead over second place after about 20 minutes of racing in each moto.
Another hard luck story was Chuck Czerwinski of Lompoc on a Mazuki. That's a Suzuki powered Maico. Chuck bought a new Suzuki engine and he and a welder from Visalia did the thing to the Maico. They implanted the Suzuki engine in the Maico frame, during practice the thing ran so well no one could get near him and Chuck passed them all. Chuck was happy with it and said it handled swell. So while leading the open Experts it soured after three laps. A kick over off the engine sounded like the piston was missing. Back in the pits a hole in the piston was found. Oh well Maico-brakeo or Suzuki-Buzuki.
