Southern California's Paul "Pablo" Johnstone scored a perfect 1-1 in both Classic 125 and Sportsman 100 on his "AHRMA" legal SL 100 Honda. Penton rider Christopher Phillips kept the pressure on throughout the battle, but in the end came up short. Christopher's '72 Berkshire could close up but could not make a pass on the flawless Honda racer. Christopher's dad ran a distant third after blowing every start in the 125 motos and had to dig his way from the back.
The track was about the same as last year except for some added infield grass. Friday's hard rains caused moto 1 to be pretty slick and a one-line only, follow the leader, flat dirt patch. Passing was double tough. By moto 2, some small berms developed, traction improved, and a few turns developed multiple lines. Get the hole-shot, don't bobble, and hold the inside of all turns and you win. From a spectator's viewpoint, the elevated paddock gave full view of the track and the new paved access road sure is nice. Will next year's race be another flat-patch? I hope not.
Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN
Ernie,
Thanks for the report and good Ride Paul.
Ron Carbaugh
I rode Classic Exp in Cross Country at Barber instead of the 100 class. I got a decent start, but two BIG Huskys got ahead of me. Kid Christopher was behind me rubbing the knobs off my rear tire so I let him by and decided to follow him for a bit. Not long later he bobbled and I got back by. Soon after that Dave Lamberth on his big bore SL125 got by me for the Classic class lead. He immediately got by the two Huskys who were having their own private battle for a National championship. On the 3rd or 4th lap (of 15) Dave had stretched out almost a two minute lead on me. On about the 5th or 6th lap I got clear in second and put the hammer down. Each lap as I would come through the scoring sensor I would see the gap to Dave come down 15-20 seconds. The spectators were yelling and I could hear them as I went by "you are catching him!!" "GO! GO!" The next to last lap I came through only 12 seconds behind, a few hundred yards later I caught him. He was not expecting anyone to catch him and when he turned back and saw me I heard his Honda's throttle open. I tucked in behind him and the race was on. I stayed right on his rear wheel until we came to a lapper, which he got instantly around and I took 3-4 seconds. At the finish I lost by 3 seconds and as I rode up next to Dave he yelled out kind of surprised "you caught me!" I did not win, but it was the most fun race I had all season. I wish I could have had one or two more laps to work on Dave, but that's racing.
In Sunday's MX I borrowed Ernie's '73 Harescambler and raced 40+ Exp and Open Age Exp. I did OK on the bike, scoring 3rd in 40+ and 2nd in Open Age.
Brian
'72 Berkshire
I got a good start on the Cross Country on my 1972 Hercules K100GS and led the first lap. I caught the last group leaving the line and passed all but one as we went into the woods. I tried to pass and a vine caught my brake petal and I went over the bars tumbling. When I got up the bike was still flipping. My Clutch lever was bent badly and the front end tweeked. I twisted the front wheel straight and started the bike. It was loaded up badly. I got it going and started passing riders again. I got behind a slower rider on a down hill and the bike loaded up again. By the time I got going again, Dave and Brian caught and lapped me. I took off after them but soon I heard a big four stroke behind me. It was James Smith on his Dad's B40 BSA. I realized at that point that my fire was gone and I just needed to go to the truck. My hand was swollen from the crash but it wasn't broken. Just bruised and strained. I decided at that point just to call it a weekend and spectated the rest of the races.
Congratulations to Brian and Dave on a good race.
Dwight
http://www.larrymayo.com/2009/2009-Perry-Mountain-24-hr-race/8490377_StyLT#681676980_F8R9V-A-LB
61W SoCal Pablo, 44U Squid Kid (he saved it)
Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN