Outrageous gas prices have put on damper on many activities this year. Fortunately, the
vintage racing community has managed to find the means to keep the sport alive.
Under new ownership, Perris Raceway has rapidly gained a reputation for being a vintage
friendly facility. For this event, a well-coordinated effort in track preparation between the
Perris track officials and members of CALVMX resulted in an outstanding track for the
short travel suspension of the pre-1974 machines and their longer-legged brethren, the
post-1975 bikes. The course greatly resembled outdoor courses from the mid-70’s with
numerous elevation changes, wide sweeping corners, and a definite absence of the jump
infested courses that make up the majority of modern day course designs.
Over 200 entries filled the starting gates of Perris Raceway in the first night race of the
season scheduled for the CALVMX/AHRMA SoCal Regional vintage motocross series.
Included in the mix were long time vintage enthusiasts Tami Rice and Eric Cook. Spotted in
the pits spinning wrenches was former factory racer and motocross legend Marty Tripes.
There was a good turnout of vintage and post-vintage machines in the pit areas. Bikes
ranged from the tiny 100cc machines on up to the open class 500cc fire breathers. Unlike
modern motocross which has succumbed to the over-hyped four-stroke movement, in
vintage racing, the majority of the machines filling the starting gates are the good old
fashioned oil burning two-strokers!
Twenty four combined Experts, Intermediates, and Novices filled the starting gate in the
Plus 40 G.P. class. In the expert division, the Yamaha of veteran racer Sterlyn Rigsby and
Honda mounted Mark Sandzmier battled for supremacy in two hotly contested motos.
Moto one saw Sandzmier taking the lead midway through the second lap followed by
Rick Price (Mai) and Rigsby. Lap three saw Rigsby passing Price for second and setting
off in hot pursuit of the hard charging Sandzmier. Rigsby pulled out all of the stops in his
pursuit of Sandzmier, but fell short of his goal at the end of the moto. Sandzmier had the
first moto win, followed by Rigsby and Price in the runner-up positions.
Rigsby timed the gate perfectly in the second moto and emerged with the lead as the
pack of snarling two-strokes roared by the scoring tower completing lap one. Sandzmier
pushed hard in second position, while Price battled with first moto non-starter Ed Stovin
(Yam) for third.
Rigsby and his classic all-white Yamaha were not going to be bested in this moto.
Displaying incredible speed throughout the moto, his prowess was especially evident as he
railed the outside berm leading to the finish line jump lap after lap at virtually full throttle
speeds. At the checkers, Rigsby collected first overall, with Sandzmier taking a well
deserved second overall, followed by Price in third.
| CALVMX LIGHTS UP THE PERRIS NIGHT By Steve Caro Photography by Kathryn Caro Perris, CA. June 14. |
The Forty Plus Vintage Novice division saw Bultaco mounted Mike Garcia taking first place
overall with a strong 2-1 showing on the day. In moto one, Garcia sparred with Dave Peabody
(Suz) through the first two laps of the moto. Entering lap three, Peabody broke free of his
pursuers and built a large lead through the final laps of the race. At the checkers, Peabody
took a dominant first, followed by Garcia, and with CZ mounted Kenny Roberts in third.
In the second moto, Garcia and Peabody dueled once again throughout the moto.
The challenging Perris course really tested the over 30 year-old machines and their
riders. Garcia pushed his Spanish built classic to its limits with Peabody doing the
same with his early 70’s Japanese bike. At the checkers, it was Garcia prevailing with
Peabody clinching second overall followed by Roberts in the final podium spot.
CALVMX and AHRMA return to Barona raceway for their next race meeting,
followed by a return visit to Perris in late August for another night on the popular circuit.
overall with a strong 2-1 showing on the day. In moto one, Garcia sparred with Dave Peabody
(Suz) through the first two laps of the moto. Entering lap three, Peabody broke free of his
pursuers and built a large lead through the final laps of the race. At the checkers, Peabody
took a dominant first, followed by Garcia, and with CZ mounted Kenny Roberts in third.
In the second moto, Garcia and Peabody dueled once again throughout the moto.
The challenging Perris course really tested the over 30 year-old machines and their
riders. Garcia pushed his Spanish built classic to its limits with Peabody doing the
same with his early 70’s Japanese bike. At the checkers, it was Garcia prevailing with
Peabody clinching second overall followed by Roberts in the final podium spot.
CALVMX and AHRMA return to Barona raceway for their next race meeting,
followed by a return visit to Perris in late August for another night on the popular circuit.
