2010RACE12

Perris Raceway
CALVMX/AHRMA SoCal Regional Series, Round #12

Vintage Racer’s bid Avoir to 2010 Season
By Steve Caro
Photography by Kathryn Caro
Perris, CA. Dec 5.

The season began in the January rain and cold at Glen Helen Raceway, moved through the spring season, endured the
heat of summer and concluded on a pleasant December Sunday at Perris Raceway. After a tough 12 race series, new
champions have been crowned and everyone is looking forward to the 2011 season and its challenges.
Televised football and the return for the first time in 52 years of the Catalina Grand Prix did not deter the vintage racing
community from their last race of the 2010 CALVMX/AHRMA season. A good turnout of both vintage and post vintage
machines kept a well prepared Perris track in action all day.
An added bonus was the first appearance of the MINI BIKE ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA. For riders of a certain age, the
sight of the rigid framed, centrifugal clutch, lawn mower engine powered machines must have brought back memories of
their lost youth. Several of the machines featured extensive modifications including bigger carbs, tuned pipes, larger tanks,
etc. Despite limited suspension (read NONE), the little machines gamely tackled the long Perris course.

The final round of the inaugural Manufacturer’s Cup Challenge saw a nice cross section of machines represented. Seen on
the line were machines representing CZ, Maico, Yamaha, Husqvarna, Honda and Suzuki. The first moto saw Husqvarna’s
Alex Toth emerging from the first turn with the lead followed closely by newly crowned champion Norm Himaka (Mai) and
Scott Peabody (Suz). Toth kept the power on and put several bike lengths between him and the pack as they entered the
back of the course.
Shortly after they passed the finish line/ scoring area, Himaka moved into first place with Toth and the rapidly approaching
Randi Perkins (Hon) in hot pursuit. By lap three, Himaka had a six second lead on the pack. Meanwhile, Perkins moved into
second with CZ mounted Ron Renzulli powering his way into third. At the checkers, it was Himaka with the moto win,
followed by Perkins and Renzulli.

Toth once again grabbed the holeshot in moto two. However, by the end of lap one, Renzulli had blitzed his way to the front
and quickly established a large lead over the pack. Behind the CZ veteran, Toth and Himaka vied for second followed by
Perkins. Renzulli maintained a blistering pace throughout the moto and cruised to an uncontested moto victory. Toth and
Himaka continued to battle for second and at the checkers, it was Himaka capturing second followed by Toth. The overall
results for the final cup round saw Himaka taking the victory with 1-2 scores followed by Renzulli (3-1) and Perkins (2-4).
The 50 Plus Vintage Intermediate division once again featured some close racing action. Scott Piddington (Hon) led the
field at the start of the first moto, trailed closely by Rick Labgold (Mai) and Randi Perkins (Hon). Piddington and Labgold
began a close dice for the top spot with Perkins only a few bike lengths behind. Racing luck turned bad for the two front
runners on lap two. Side-by-side over a step-up jump, Piddington and Labgold collided, with the resulting crash leaving both
riders sprawled on the course. After a few tense moments, both riders were on their feet. Labgold was able to rejoin the
fray, but Piddington’s mount was too damaged to continue on the day.

Perkins took full advantage of the on-track carnage to move into first place. Close behind were the CZ’s of Joe Knoettgen
and Craig Walker. Perkins kept up a steady pace to take the moto victory, followed by Knoettgen and Walker.
Maico mounted Donny Goetz timed the gate perfectly in moto two to take the lead as the pack exited the first turn.
Knoettgen followed in second with Walker in the third slot. Goetz continued to hold a slight lead over the pack as the moto
progressed. By lap four, Labgold had moved his way through the pack to trail closely behind second place Knoettgen. With
Goetz comfortably in first place, Labgold timed his move and passed Knoettgen on the final lap for second place in the
moto. Overall scores saw Goetz’s 4-1 scores garnering him the overall victory, followed by Knoettgen and Walker.
The 2010 season was a great success for the members of CALVMX and its AHRMA partners. The season saw Kyle Winton
finally capturing the IRONMAN title after years of hard work. Norm Himaka will see his name on the Manufacturers Cup as
the inaugural champion. Numerous others will lay claim to various class titles.

Special acknowledgements go out to the people behind the scenes at the races. Erica Schleif and her daughters Astrid and
Sigrid were fixtures at the track performing the difficult tasks of scoring and registration. Julie Miller’s attention to detail
ensured accurate scoring of the overall results on race day. Newcomer Debbie Scott was also invaluable in keeping the
numerous behind the scene tasks on track. Mark Aquino and Art Leva were stalwarts in the starting area and club president
Frank Vrettas kept things going in spite of the myriad of crisis that are inevitable on a race day.
A newcomer to the vintage racing scene is Brandon Clemison. Clemison has become a valuable member in taking on roles
as diverse as corner worker to operating the starting gate. At the final race of the season, Clemison operated the starting
gate like a veteran. Thanks for the help Brandon.

The gate drops for the 2011 season in January at Glen Helen. The New Year promises to be better than ever. Everyone is
encouraged to recruit new members in both the vintage and post-vintage divisions. A special invite goes out to all the
members who may have strayed away from the game to come on back and get back on the track.