the overall in the Master A class when early leader Barda had a mechanical problem. Barda came back to win the second moto over Berg. Burtt finished second moto one, and third moto two for third overall. Kevin Worrell won the Master B class, trading wins with Kyle Puerner. Randy “RaceDog” Blevins finally won an overall in the Master 50B class, edging out Steve Phillips.
BY RICH STUELKE PHOTOS BY MOTOPHOTO, LLC MTA SoCal OTMX
Summer Night Series June 25, 2011 - Competitive Edge MX - Hesperia CA
Dan Berg nudges Kevin Worrell N
ight MX racing. . . the sound of those words brings back memories of the 70’s and 80’s when you could literally ride MX five days (and nights) every week! The old, legendary night tracks at Lions, O.C.I.R., Ascot, and Corona (among others) brought tight racing, short lap times, and fantastic competition. Those were the days, for sure! The SoCal OTMX Club’s core members are between the ages of 40 and 80 years old; the majority of them actually participated in the night racing scene of the 70’s and 80’s. With those memories as inspiration, the club has, for the past few years, conducted the SoCal Summer Night Series. The initial Night Series was held at famous Perris Raceway. Last year, the Night Series was split between Perris and Competitive Edge Raceways. For this year, the club is working again with Competitive Edge MX Park in Hesperia to bring the five-race series to Southern California. Two veterans of old-school night racing, Dan Berg and Kurt Sofka, Jr., and two relative “youngsters,” Kevin Barda and Joe Oheloff, combined their talents to transform a section of the Main Track at Competitive Edge to an authentic night racing track. They brought in special lighting for this series, which illuminates beautifully the unique track. Each of the five races is held on a Saturday night; each preceding Friday night offers a practice session under the lights. This series is more than just five races strung together to form a championship. It has major sponsorship and backing from MTA (the series’ title sponsor), O’Neil, Yoshimura USA, Scorpion USA, Shock Therapy Motorsports, Eks-Brand Goggles, Maxxis Tires, Dubya USA (Talon Wheelsets), SuperSprox and DID Chains. The club has also put together major series trophies that are unique! To qualify for the series contingencies and overall awards, participants must ride in four of the five series events. The opening round of the MTA SoCal Summer Night Series was held June 25th
. Many of the racers
had been at “The Edge” the night before, taking advantage of the night practice times. The 90+ racers were separated into five motos. As normal for short- track MX night racing, each moto was either 10 or 12 laps, making the motos sprint races lasting ten to twelve minutes each. Moto one brought the 50 and 60-year- old expert classes to the gate, along with the 50 amateur class. Experts took the first gate, and amateurs took the second gate. Our outstanding club starter, Mike Peters, returned to action for this series (he had been out with medical problems), and everyone was very
happy to see him back at the gate. Mike knew the importance of dropping the second gate quickly and did an outstanding job all night long. Steve Gerber led the experts around lap one. Steve, off his Honda and now very comfortable on his new KTM, pulled a slight lead over a very fast John Bosanko. These two would finish 1-2 in both motos for the top podium places. Tom Baugh, a club guest member out to race the Night Series, finished third both motos. Robert Bucy grabbed top spot in the 50 amateur class over the club’s #1 rider, Dee Vondracek. Mike Greene finished third over a game Pat Fowler, who returned to racing after a layoff. The 60 expert class was dominated, as usual, by Bill Maxim. Bill is just an amazing rider, piloting his XR Honda, lights and all, to victory. Bill is actually a legend in Old Timer racing!
Race two brought the true veterans to the gate. . . the 60 novice and amateur classes, the 70 and 80 classes, and the 50 novice class. The 50 novice class took the first gate. Moto one began with current year points leader Don Meiner sliding his way around Bob Walpert and Owin Wright to the win. In moto two, Meiner was caught in traffic and could only muster fourth place! Ronnie Gillespie, a guest rider also competing in the Night Series, took the second moto win over Tony Parsons; Walpert finished third. Walpert’s 2-3 was enough for the overall win over Meiner’s 1-4. Gillespie’s 6-1 edged out Parsons for third place. Chuck Ramsey, Sr. took the 70 class win when first moto winner Phil Black crashed out in traffic. John Webb took the 80 class. The 60 amateur class was dominated by a fast Dave Rabjohn, who went uncontested to 1-1 moto finishes. Kenny Fuelner was on the gas, and his 3-2 motos earned him second overall. Paul Lax took a second in moto one, and a traffic-impeded fifth in moto two, but that was still good enough to get him third overall! Greg Preston rode a very consistent 4-4 for fourth overall. Doug Krause took the 60 novice class, and Melissa Helman took the women’s class. Melissa is turning the magic number, and will be joining the novice class with the regular club members at the next night series race!
Race three brought the fast boys, the Masters and 40 experts to the night track. The 40 experts put on quite a show, especially third place overall finisher Jack Kell, Jr., with his fantastic slides right up against the fence through the scoring sweeper turn. His crossed-up style was a picture of beauty! Nick Waters had the fast times, though, and won both motos over a game Carlos Palomo and Kell, Jr. “Factory Dave” Eropkin, running in the 50 Master class, was mixing it up with the Master A boys, Dan Berg, Kevin Barda, Alan Burtt, and Ron Shuler. Berg took
Factory Dave feet up and sliding
Race four’s fastest laps were turned in by the 40 amateur class, with first-time SoCal rider Darin Briggs smoking the first moto over Karl Fernandez and Buddy Burns (making his comeback after an injury earlier in the year). Kevin Karwelis, Hal Raster, and Dave Wilson rounded out the top six in moto one. Fernandez won moto two, and the overall, over Buddy Burns (who finished second moto two and second overall!). Karwelis’ two fourths proved that consistent riding will get you on the podium. Hal Raster took fourth overall with his 6-3 motos. Brian Gouger took the 40 beginner class, and looked quite stylish in the process! Mike Swyden, a club guest rider for the series, won the first moto in the 40 novice class over Kevin Kasper and Rich Merrill. Kevin and third place overall winner Josh Heckman are the two newest members of the SoCal OTMX Club! Kevin Casper finished second overall in the 40 novice class with his 2-3 moto finishes. The last race of the night was the SoCal Support Riders’ event. This class is for riders under the age of 40, and is split into classes according to ability as well as age. The club, through these support classes, offers events for minis through seasoned experts, and all classes in-between. Just like the SoCal Club members, any of these support riders who participate in four of the five series rounds will be eligible for series awards and contingencies. Some of the highlights included the support beginner class, with Tyler Loop taking the overall ahead of Phillipo Garcia, Hunter Lorrance, and Dean Helman. Joey Martinez won the support novice class, edging out Shane Souter and Austin Mireau. Jerred Ramiro
Mini Riders enjoying night racing
Stephen Gerber, 50 Expert
Jack Kell, Jr. sliding through the scorer's turn
Michael Young 40 Expert
won the support intermediate class, and the very fast mini class had Kristian Jiminez atop the podium, with Seth Souter on the second step.
Mark your calendars for the final four rounds of this amazing night series: August 6th
and August 13th
5 including the awards presentations). The SoCal Club will have a complete series wrap-up in a future edition of
S&S Off Road Magazine, and faithful readers can follow the series by logging on to the SoCal OTMX website
(
socalotmx.org). The SoCal Club again thanks S&S 40 S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE - AUGUST 2011 -
www.SS-OffRoadMagazine.com
Kenny “MX Punk” Campbell and Kyle Puerner went at it the entire moto
Off Road Magazine for its continued support. S&S is truly the best newspaper magazine in the southland for both two and four-wheel off road enthusiasts!
(round
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56