| Lots of Sun, Lots of Fun! By Steve Caro Photography by Kathryn Caro The month of August saw the CALVMX/AHRMA racers competing in two meets, at two different tracks, in a span of three short weeks. Vintage bikes and vintage bodies were both put to the survival test during this time period. Barona Oaks raceway was the sight for the first round of August. A typical Southern California summer day greeted the vintage racers for round six of the 2008 vintage race series. Dry, desert heat with a steady breeze was a constant presence throughout the day for the over 100 entrants. An excellent turn-out of post vintage machines and a decent showing of pre-74’s kept the track in use throughout the day. In 50 Plus Vintage action, Husqvarna veteran Keith Sievers dueled with the Ossa of Keith Lynas and CZ mounted Craig Walker for the top spot in both motos. In moto one, Lynas seized the holeshot over Sievers and Walker as the pack thundered up the long starting hill and around the left hand turn at the top of the course. Lynas’ lead was short lived as Sievers maneuvered his way into first as the pack approached the end of lap one. Progressing through the moto, Sievers maintained his slight lead over Lynas with Walker following in third. At the checkers, Sievers had the win over Lynas and Walker. CONTINUE HERE........ Lynas repeated his holeshot in moto two, followed by Sievers and Walker. Sievers made his move on lap two to take control of the moto. Sievers proceeded to stretch his lead to several seconds over Lynas and Walker. Uncontested for the rest of the moto, Sievers clinched the overall, followed by Lynas and Walker. Moving ahead a few years in bike development into the next generation of vintage racing, the 40 plus G.P. Novice was a showcase for Edward Despries’ (Yam) domination of the class. As the gate dropped for the first moto, Rob Sheppard (Yam) grabbed the lead as the pack exited the first turn followed by Despries and Randall Knox (Suz). Sheppard held the point position for the first two laps with Despries closing rapidly on his rear fender. Despries made his move lap three with a clean pass on Sheppard. Behind the two front-runners, Rex Preddy (Yam) moved around Knox for third. Despries proceeded to gap the field and went uncontested for the rest of the moto. Behind him, Sheppard settled into second while Preddy and Knox vied for third. An unfortunate stall ended Knox’s’ bid for third in spite of his valiant effort to re-fire his stricken machine, handing the spot to Preddy. Up front, Despries streaked to first place followed by Sheppard and Preddy. Despries left little doubt he was in full pursuit of the overall victory at the start of moto two. He timed the gate perfectly and roared into first up the long start hill. Trailing him were Sheppard and Troy Bartley (Hon), an unfortunate non-starter in moto one. Despries held onto the lead throughout the moto, but he had to work for it as Sheppard closed the gap to roughly half a bike length behind him. Despries seemed immune to the pressure from Sheppard as he maintained his steady pace. Trailing the lead duo were Bartley and Preddy. By the white flag lap, Despries was clinging to his lead with Sheppard drawing ever closer. At the checkers, Despries seized the overall followed by Sheppard and the ever-steady Preddy in third. Two weeks later, the caravan of nomads known as vintage racers pitched their tents in the sleepy town of Perris. Scheduled as a night race, the temperature in the pits during afternoon sign-ups were over 90 degrees! After a relatively light showing of the bikes who created vintage racing, the pre-1974’s, at the last few rounds, an excellent number were present for this round. Combined with the usual large number of post vintage machines, 215 total entries made this the best attended race in recent CALVMX history. One of the most popular classes in the vintage division is Sportsman 250. An excellent gate of Expert, Intermediate and Novice grade racers filled the Perris gate. The Intermediates featured seven riders who all had a chance at the overall at the beginning of the day. At the start of the first moto, Jerry Silverthorn’s Husqvarna took the lead at the start, followed by Keith Sievers, also Husky mounted, and the Honda of Jeff Watts. As he had done two weeks prior, Sievers pulled even with Silverthorn on the back half of the course and captured the lead midway through lap two. Sievers continued to lead as the moto wound down. Behind him, a battle between Silverthorn, Watts, and the Maico of Eric Cook held the crowd’s attention. Cook worked his way into second followed by Watts and Silverthorn. The positions remained unchanged as the checkers flew for Sievers, Cook and Watts. Moto 2 saw Watts taking the lead as the tightly bunched pack sorted itself out along the back half of the track. As the pack sailed past the scoring tower, Watts lead the charge, followed by Keith Lynas’ Ossa and the ever present Sievers. Unfortunately, Cook pulled off the track at the end of lap one with a DNF. Watts put in five flawless laps during moto two. Trailing in his wake, Sievers passed Lynas for second position. Watts proceeded to stretch his lead to several bike lengths by the end of the moto. Lynas continued to keep Sievers in his sights, but the crafty Sievers kept the Spanish machine and long time vintage racer Lynas at bay. At the checkers, Watts had his moto victory, but it was Sievers with the all important overall victory with his 1-2 moto finishes on the day. The 50 Plus Vintage Expert divsion was a battle of classic European iron. Three CZ’s, two Ossas and a Husqvarna were entered. Manned by the likes of Bill Silverthorn, Brad Roysdon and Gary Faxon, the lineup was formidable. Bill Silverthorn grabbed the lead at the start of moto one and led the pack into the back half of the course. As the pack crested the large jump on the far side of the track, Gary Faxon powered his way into the lead position. By lap two, Faxon had pulled one of his characteristic disappearing acts on the rest of the class. Behind him, Silverthorn dealt with Fred Wachter (CZ) and Randy Lewis (Ossa). By lap three Ossa mounted Brad Roysdon and CZ pilot Eric Wachter had joined the battle. As Faxon streaked to victory, Silverthorn showed 40 plus years of racing had taught him how to protect his position. Despite numerous challenges, Silverthorn held onto second at the finish, followed by Roysdon. Faxon timed the gate perfectly at the start of moto two and led the pack into the first turn. Silverthorn maneuvered his way into second, followed by Randy Lewis (CZ). With Faxon once again safely out in front, the real action was between Silverthorn, Lewis and Roysdon. Never more than a few bike lengths apart throughout the race, the three seasoned experts put on a spirited battle throughout the race. At the checkers, Faxon easily clinched the overall, followed by Silverthorn in second and Roysdon. Over 300 entries combined for two races in three weeks proves vintage racing is going strong in Southern California. The next race on the schedule is set for October 5 back at Perris. For those of you who’ve missed a few rounds, the club organizers encourage you to get back into the game, especially those of you racers with the pre-74 machines. Don’t let them molder away in some dark corner of your garage or shed. |
