SCFTA Perris - Round 8
August 17th, 2013

Photos by Janice Blunt

Article by Jamey Blunt



#22 Jimmy Gillen was also a double winner at round eight taking the
Open Un-classified and the Open Amateur main events. Shown here in the Open Am.he was hounded by #558 Brandow Watters who's 16.12 second lap was close to Gillen's 15.87 seconds, but not quite good enough.



#208 Jeremy Templeman is starting to take to dirt track racing as he won the Open Novice main event with a fastest lap time of 16.23 seconds. Also on the front row are #420 Greg Powell, #44 Scott Hanson, #84 Jim Bandelin, #83 Paul Claybaugh, and #77 Joseph Hierro..



#35 Tim Watters 16.20 second lap time was the fastest of the Senior +50 Novice class, but Steel Friedrich #26 hounded him all the way to the flag and turned his own 16.24 second lap time.




#151 Billy Katkov won the Men's 4-stk class, with #68 Gary Lane taking the top honors in the Vintage 2-stk Novice class. #83 is Harly Legowski, #3 Bryan Erdeman (who saved it from this start) and #4 is Henry Canan.




#42 Will Ott and #26 Jim Rosa really went at it in the Vet 35 Class. They swapped the lead several times with Ott finally the one who led when it counted, to the checkered flag. Ott's fastest lap was 15.79 seconds.




#82 Travis Petton the 4th was a double winner at Perris, his second victory came in the 85cc 2-stk Novice main where he once again had to come from behind to take the victory. #95 Clayton Williams was the early leader with #7x Grant Holmes and #53 Alyssa Flores in tow. Petton had a 16.54 second lap time.





  #54 Frank Flores has really picked his pace up. He had to fight off #98 Evan Harich for the victory in the 85cc 4-stk Beg. main event. Floreses fastest lap time was 16.62 seconds...




#82 Travis Petton the 4th showed up at round eight ready to race. After a poor start Travis had to fight his way to the front to win the Youth 65cc class. His fastest lap time aboard his 65cc mount was 17.04 seconds.
 



The start of the combined Youth 50cc classes where #7 Zach Gross was the class of the field. #4 (Hidden) is Rayson Normandin, #2 Cody Morin, #20 Andrew Varela, #22 Ashton Carlson, #2x Lillian Ramirez, and #1 Hunter Baysinger. Grosses fastest lap time was 22.07 seconds.




#7x Grant Holmes took the top step of the podium in style. Holmes posted a 16.12 second lap time on his way to victory. #95 Clayton Williams and #54 Frank Flores give chase, but had nothing for Holmes.




#95 Clayton Williams only had one victory at round eight. This came in the Youth 250cc Open class in front of #07 Allison Stacey. Williams fastest lap time was 15.78 seconds.




  #1 Jeff Johnson riding his new Mono-Shocked TT-500 took the victory in the Bomber main event. Johnson also posted a very fast 15.00 second lap time.




#6 Joe Steffen was feeling poorly after his bomber heat race and after EMT evaluation it was determined to transport him the the hospital. The 101 degree day didn't help Steffen's case any either. As of Sunday the report was he was headed into surgery for a six way bypass. Our thoughts and prayers are riding with this asset to the sport. He's shown he in practice just prior to his heat race.




What would it be like to be on the race track with John Kocinski? Well; this just might give you some idea. However you might not keep him in sight for too long.



#21 John Kocinski led all twenty laps of the Pro main event at Perris and posted the overall fastest single lap time of the night at 14.94 seconds. Still well off his record lap time of 14.06 seconds that has stood for two years.....



John Kocinski hadn't raced a motorcycle in over four months, but rusty or not he threw a leg over Mr.Ed's framer and led all twenty laps of the Pro main event.....


S.C.F.T.A. Round #8

Perris Raceway, Calif.

     8-17-2013

Photos by Janice Blunt

Article by Jamey Blunt

Jamey61@verizon.net

One would have to look back a few years to find an S.C.F.T.A. event held at Perris raceway that totaled less than one hundred entries. However round eight was a close call, but on the positive side, even with the one hundred one degree heat there were one hundred one entries, twenty heat races and seventeen main events. On this Saturday night Elliott Iverson from Ron Wood Racing pulled double duty as he oversaw tech inspection and functioned as starter in the absence of Rudy Gil. To no ones surprise the man whose beard shows up on x-rays did an exceptional job.

Most of the classes were a bit down on entries as stated and one of the harder hit classes was the Youth 250cc field that held twelve entries at round seven. Clayton Williams a big three class winner at round seven started his night off in the 250cc class, but looked just a tad off his normal self. Williams did manage the victory in a large part due to his great start and managed to hold a hard charging Allison Stacey at bay in second. However Stacey had the faster lap time in the race at 15.38 seconds to Williams 15.78 seconds! Jaycee Jones has found some new speed and really taken her game to a whole new level as noticed by many as she finished in third with Justin Hanson a solid fourth.

In the Youth 85cc Open class Williams nailed the start as he's known to do, but Grant Holmes who's been hot of late was away in second with Frank Flores third, James Ott fourth, Evan Harich fifth, Travis Petton the 4th sixth and Alyssa Flores seventh. On the third run down the back straight Holmes made a run at Williams and dove to the inside entering turn three to take the lead away. Once up front Holmes put in the fastest lap of the race at 16.12 seconds with Williams turning 16.26 seconds and from deep in the field making his way forward Petton was turning 16.27 second lap times. Four laps complete saw Flores in third under extreme pressure from Petton as Holmes was getting away at the front. A lap later and Petton was up into third and had caught Williams, but time was running out. Petton moved into second several times but on the outside line thus allowing Williams to take it back again as they exited the corners by virtue of having the inside position. As the checkered flag flew Holmes was long gone at the front with Petton coming up just a wheel shy of second to Williams, with Flores secure in fourth and Ott closing in fifth.

The Youth 50cc class held eight entries and is separated into three different divisions. In an effort to ease confusion Zach Gross from Lake Arrowhead, Ca. took the overall victory and had the overall fastest lap time of the race at 22.07 seconds.

Another youth class of note was the 65cc 2-stk novice field. Grant Holmes and Travis Petton the 4th both turned identical lap times at 17.04 seconds. But in the final tally Petton squeaked out the victory giving him his second win of the evening.

 The 85cc 2-stk Novice class was the chance for added victories for Clayton Williams, Grant Holmes and Travis Petton the 4th. As expected Williams led off the start only to have James Ott go down about fifteen feet off the line bringing out the red flag. Ott went down hard as it looked as though his handle bars were ripped from his grip, but he shook it off and made the full re-start. On the re-start Williams once again led into turn one with Holmes right behind. Petton this time with what is a good start for him (as he's only eight years old and can barely reach the ground) was away in third with Evan Harich fourth, and Alyssa Flores fifth. Ott recovering from his crash was away in sixth but starting to find his pace and was moving forward quickly. Williams at the front wanted to get away quick but Holmes was having none of it while Petton was riding a totally different line than anyone else looking for any opportunity for a pass. Williams did post the single fastest lap of the race at 16.44 seconds to Petton's 16.54 seconds and Holmes's 16.77 seconds, but that isn't always good enough as you first have to finish to finish first. Just as they crossed the start finish line with a cross over move Petton took second place away from Holmes and was going after Williams. Then on the next entrance to turn one a lap later Petton worked the inside line to take the lead away from Williams. Stunned Williams seemed to lose concentration and now had Holmes and Flores pushing him hard. A lap later Williams lost second position to Holmes and then went down between turns two and three as Petton now with a gap motored on to his third victory of the night matching Williams feat from round seven. Holmes would finish second with Ott taking the final podium position which was a great ride from where he started.

With Jeff Johnson and Joe Steffen both out of the Senior Vet +5- Expert/Amateur main event it was wide open for anyone to take the victory as their lap times were well beyond the rest of the field. Jim Ottele stepped up to the plate from the first flash of green to lead into turn one. John Perez slotted in at second with the Dirt Diggers M.C. Larry Earhart in third. Perez who always seems to want to make the Perris ¼ mile oval into a ½ mile runs such a wide line that it doesn't matter if he's just a little faster than the guy in front of him as he leaves the door wide open to be re-passed on the exits from turns two and four. No matter what Perez did he just couldn't get to Ottele on this night as Ottele handily took the victory for the experts. Perez stayed in second with Earhart third and Dan Kane fourth.

Racers over the age of seventy, yes seventy are put in the "Premier Senior Class", Preston Petty a who's, who in the motorcycle industry aboard a "Zero" (electric motorcycle) shot into the lead wearing his trademark blue coveralls. Lucas Oil's Gary Lane on a Bultaco was away in second and working an outside line closing in on Petty. Triumph mounted Jack Neeley who was turning 18.75 second lap times was in third with Rainbow Calif. Allan Girdler in fourth. Lap after lap Lane could pull alongside of Petty but could not match the torque of the Zero out of the corners to take the lead. Lane could match Petty's 17.84 second laps, but would need to find a move that would allow him the victory. Then on the run down the back straight on lap five Lane got a good drive out of turn two and pulled a bike length gap on Petty and took over at the front entering turn three. On the next run through turn two Neeley was on the ground advancing Girdler to the third place position. The running order would stay the same all the way to the checkered flag.

Tim Watters from Lompoc Calif. led the field of ten in the Senior Novice main event into turn one. Steele Friedrich was away in the second place position with Mike Boal and Greg Powell giving chase. Watters and Friedrich immediately began to gap the rest of the pack with Watters having the fastest lap time of the race at 16.20 seconds to Friedrich's 16.24 seconds. With four laps complete lappers came into play as the speed throughout the field is so varied. On the positive side the riders being lapped were very much aware and pulled off the racing line to let the leaders by. The rest of the race was just a follow the leader percussion. Watters came home first followed by Friedrich, Boal, and Powell.

The Bomber class was down on entries for this night and it didn't help matters that Joe Steffen and Jimmy Lundgren were both scratches. This left only three riders on the starting line in what is always a highly completive field. Jeff Johnson riding his mono-shock TT-500 for only the second time shot to the front and never looked back. Johnson turned a 15.00 second lap time and he is still working on bike set-up etc. Once he's happy with his new ride watch out! Travis Petton the 2nd had the save of the night but then a lap later was on the ground in turn three. This leaving Danny Perkins all to himself in second place as Johnson went on to the victory.

Jeremy Templeman seems to be adapting to dirt track very well. Templeman who is racing his first season of flat track has already learned how important the start is and has mastered getting off the line quickly. Scott Hanson who could almost match Templeman's lap time of 16.23 seconds with his own time of 16.25 seconds gave up over three bike lengths just on the first half lap. Greg Powell ran in third with Jim Bandelin fourth and Paul Claybaugh fifth. As Hanson and Powell fought over and swapped second place Templeman pulled out a straight away gap out front. While behind them a battle raged as well over fourth between Bandelin and Claybaugh who were swapping places as well. By the end of lap four the order was settled with Templeman taking the victory by over a four second gap, Hanson winning the war for second over Powell and Claybaugh not giving up to finish in fourth in front of Bandelin.

Eight riders made up the open amateur main event; Jimmy Gillen emerged as the leader of the pack by the exit of turn two. Gillen who was fresh off the Open Unclassified main event victory on this same night was looking for a second victory to add to his trophy case. After a lap of dicing Brandon Watters took over at the second place position, while Jimmy Lundgren and Rich Hanson were fighting over the final podium spot. Out front Gillen was slipping away and was the only rider to lap in the fifteen second bracket at 15.87 seconds. Watter was close in lap times at 16.12 seconds and even closed the gap at times when Gillen made small mistakes. But this was too little too late and Watters was never close enough to attempt a pass as Gillen went on to his second victory of the night with Watters a close second, Lundgren third, and Hanson fourth. Also putting in a great ride was Allison Stacey who would finish in fifth after an eighth place start.

Coming into round eight only two riders are undefeated on the Perris ¼ mile oval, John Kocinski and Brad Baker, Kocinski has a total of thirty three wins to Baker's three. Kocinski is also the outright track record holder with a lap time of 14.06 seconds. On this night Kocinski would put his win streak on the line riding a Mr. Ed's 450cc framer that in the past has been spotted under the likes of Grand National Champion Jared Mees. Kocinski also hadn't thrown a leg over a motorcycle in over four months let alone raced one. True to form Kocinski (presidents celebrate his birthday) won his heat race easily and readied himself for the twenty lap feature. Starting second from pole Kocinski wasted little time as he burst into the lead like superman out of a phone booth with Ian Foulds running second and Robert Bush third and Nick Armstrong away in fourth. Armstrong quickly moved up into third and was applying pressure to Foulds while Paul Ott advanced past Robert Bush into fourth. With four laps complete the order was Kocinski out front, Foulds in second, Armstrong third, Paul Ott fourth, Robert Bush fifth, and Will Ott in sixth. A few laps later had the front three separating themselves from the rest of the field while Foulds was holding his own sticking to the backside of Kocinski and holding off Armstrong at the same time. By the half way point Kocinski had pulled out a one second gap on Foulds, who in turn held a one second gap over Armstrong. A lap later Armstrong lost traction between turns three and four and went down easily. This mishap moved Paul Ott up to third but still a full straightaway behind Foulds in second. Kocinski at the front turned the overall fastest lap of the night at 14.94 seconds as he stretched his lead over Foulds to a full straightaway. All that was left was the follow the leader line to the finish. This gave Kocinski his thirty fourth win at Perris and kept his undefeated streak alive. After the race while walking his bike back to the Mr. Ed's pits Kocinski had this to say, "Anytime you win it's amazing, and to come out here and ride especially after not racing much this year makes me so happy." When asked if he was tired after having been off a motorcycle for so long John responded," you know the thing is your arms are what get tired, aerobically I'm not tired because I train enough but racing condition is something you can only stay in if you ride, and I'm not just in very good riding condition." Thus ended the nights racing for round eight at Perris.


August 17, 2013 Round 8

Final Results


Youth 250 Open

1.    Clayton Williams
2.    Allison Stacey
3.    Jaycee Jones
4.    Justin Hanson

85 Open
1.    Grant Holmes
2.    Clayton Williams
3.    Travis Petton
4.    Frank Flores
5.    James Ott
6.    Alyssa Flores
7.    Evan Harich

50cc 4 Stk Beginner
1.    Zach Gross
2.    Lillian Ramirez
3.    Cody Morin
4.    Andrew Varela
5.    Hunter Baysinger

50 cc 2 Stk Beginner
1.    Ashton Carlson
2.    Rayson Normandin
 
5occ 2 Stk. Novice
1.    Colin Petton

65cc 2 Stk Novice
1.    Travis Petton
2.    Grant Holmes

65 cc 4 Stk Beginner
1.    Natalie Gross
2.    Zach Gross

85cc 4 Stk Beginner
1.    Frank Flores
2.    Evan Harich
3.    Matthew Ott

85cc 2 Stk Beginner
1.    Evan Harich
2.    Sara Cords
3.    Matthew Ott

85cc 2 Stk Novice

1.    Travis Petton
2.    Grant Holmes
3.    James Ott
4.    Alyssa Flores
5.    Clayton Williams

Classic Vintage
1.    Joe Pape
2.    Tom Ferguson
3.    Fred Berger
4.    Please note there was an incident in the Main event for this class scoring was according to there heat race.

Super Senior + 60
1.    David Molitor
2.    Vince Graves

Vets + 35
1.    Will Ott
2.    Jim Rosa
3.    Brad Rudy
4.    Vince Graves

Men’s 4 Stroke
1.    Billy Katkov
2.    Henry Canan

Vintage 2 Stk Novice
1.    Gary Lane
2.    Harly Legowski
3.    Ray Zuehowski
4.    Bryan Erdeman

Senior Vet’s + 50 Experts
1.    Jim Ottele
2.    John Perez
3.    Larry Earhart
4.    Dan Kane
5.    Jeff Johnson DNS
6.    Joe Steffen DNS
Senior Vets + 50  Amateur
1.    Corey Bauman
2.    Bill Wright

Premier Senior + 70
1.    Gary Lane
2.    Preston Petty
3.    Allan Girdler
4.    Jack Neeley

Open UnClassified Non Paying
1.    Jimmy Gillen
2.    Allison Stacey

Vintage 750
1.    Jim Ottele

Senior + 50 Novice
1.    Tim Wattlers
2.    Steele Friedrich
3.    Mike Boal
4.    Greg Powell
5.    Paul Claybaugh
6.    Kelly Surplice
7.    Danny Mathis
8.    Ray Zuchowski
9.    Rich Harrison
10.    Fred Berger DNS

Bomber
1.    Jeff Johnson
2.    Danny Perkins
3.    Travis Petton
4.    Joe Steffen DNS

Open Novice
1.    Jeremy Templeman
2.    Scott Hanson
3.    Greg Powell
4.    Paul Claybaugh
5.    Jim Bandelin
6.    Joe Melton
7.    Minke Vinson
8.    LJ Gronek

Open Amateur
1.    Jimmy Gillen
2.    Brandon Watters
3.    Jim Lundgren
4.    Rich Hanson
5.    Allison Stacey
6.    Rich Hanson
7.    Nick Ottele
8.    Corey Bauman

Pro
1.    John Kocinski
2.    Ian Folds
3.    Paul Ott
4.    Robert Bush
5.    Will Ott
6.    Nick Armstrong
7.    Dylan Morin DNS