Penton/KTMs at 2008 Washougal H&T

[Big Mac]

Watching the pros at the recent nationals at Washougal brought a whole new perspective after having raced old bikes there a month earlier. Round 4 of the Northwest's Hammer & Tong Vintage Series was a huge success for racers, thanks to promoter Dirk Williams with assistance by our chief cook/ bottlewasher/resident artist/racer Siege, aka Christopher James. A record 540 racers turned out for the 2-day event at the fabled track, including a decent showing of the Penton and KTM marque:


Pierre Andrade, all the way from Hawaii, took his '74 Harescrambler to 1st overall in Open Vint Am.


Chris McQuillen drove 1100 miles with Rick Doughty up from LA to race his '81 495 in Open Evo Int and +50 Evo Int classes (missing his 2nd motos to get a headstart on the 14 hour drive home).


Jim Bjorklund took his '81 KTM 390 to 2-3 for 2nd in the Open Evo Am class and went 4-2 for 2nd in +50 Evo Am. Bike's now for sale, see discussion forum post at http://www.ktm495.mxbikes.com/



Up the big hill my '81 KTM 420 delivered. 3-2 in Evo Int. was good enough for 2nd overall.

ALSO: Oregon's Ed Brown went 1-1 for 1st overall in the +50 Vint Am class on his '73 Harescrambler. Medford Oregon's go-fast guy Dan Thoren and his dad Eric Thoren raced their '82 KTM 495s in the Unlimited class, with Dan taking 4th against the Experts in moto 1. Leading in lap 1 of his 2nd moto, he went down on an over-watered jump face and suffered a broken elbow (get well soon big Dan). Beside Rick Doughty, Paul Stannard and Ed Chestnut of Hodaka fame came out, and some always phenomenal Northwest racers were on hand: Dallas Nyblod, Grayson Hart, Mark Sullivan, etc.  

The track for the event was essentially the same as the pro race, except that they had some awesome soil prep and we got a very toned-down whoops section, rounded and about 1/3 the size that Stewart was blitzing. Horsepower hill was awesome and the ski jump back down was breathtaking...but actually pretty forgiving as long as you got stopped before the hairpin turn that followed.

Stewart's ride and the Dungey/Villopoto battle were impressive and performed at warp speed compared to us old guys, but pretty sure we had more fun.


Jon McLean
Lake Grove, OR

(thanks to Nancy Richards and CJ for sharing pics)