Newletter Contents (Feb 1998)
by Editor Jerry R. Nelson

T.V.R.C.'s Big Bang!

The Texas Vintage Racing Club started the year off with a bang at the Awards presentation this year. On the ten year bithday of the club, promoter and racer extraordinary Mike Kidd performed the Trophy Presentation at the Motorcycle Exposition in Fort Worth. Mike and the Miller Lite girls presented the winners of the 1997 Fall Series trophies on the Miller Lite Stage on Saturday night.

As Lynn Nickerson emceed, Mike commented that it looked like a reunion from some twenty years ago. This statement is accurate, as many of the members in the club, raced these same bikes in the formative years of motocross along with Mike. Oh yes, many thanks to Mike and Lynn for the presentation!

Weatherman Misses Mark! / Burleson Right On!

Even though the weatherman missed the forecast by 15-20 degrees, Chester provided a great groomed track, and five gates for the T.V.R.C. This was the opening round of the 1998 Spring Series. With 85 entries on Superbowl Sunday, the format was great for Vintage Racing. The vintage steeds of the T.V.R.C. enjoyed the cooler, oxygen rich, European type weather that many of the bikes were conceived and designed to run in. Burleson provided trophies to third place.

Series Open Action Intense

In the Small Bore Class, Ronny Welch stayed on the gas of the little 175 Honda four stroke to thump his way to 1st place in the Small Bore. Allen Christenson came out of the woodwork out take 2nd and James Taylor ran a close third. Joe Edwards (4th), Jeff Acklen (5th), and Buddy Brumeier (6th).

GP Small Bore saw Mike Partain clinch 1st with Russ Kinsey in 2nd, Randy Brown finished a close third and Chris Barton had trouble both motos.

Four Stroke Class racing action saw Rick Denny, Waco rider, and his Powroll kitted XL-410 redistributing the loam of Burleson with its muscled up motor. Denny's consistency earned him a 1st place in the Four Stroke Class. Harry Smith finished 2nd, Jerry Nelson 3rd, and Jay Jackson 4th.

Beginner Class racing action was great with John Pearson finishing a 1-2 punch for the overall, Jeff Sides 2-3 for 2nd overall, and Roy Pierce finishing for 3rd overall.

Amateur Class racing was exciting but not injury free as a big pile-up in the first moto put David Bell out big time, and reportedly broke his shoulder. Get well soon, David. Arlin Smith, Carter Fournier and many others were involved in the pile-up. Robert Sojka finished 1-2 for the overall, Walter Jordon finished (2nd), Dean Hart (3rd), Terry Gilley (4th), Mike "Cement" Reeves (5th), Jay Powell (6th), Arline Smith (7th), and Don Kraft finished (8th).

Action in the Intermediate Class was hot as Dave Fournier and Tim Wallis, both new to the class, ended up with great overalls. Dave finished first, as veteran to the class Skip Miller, had a great first moto and ended up second overall. Tim Wallis finished with a third overall. In the last moto, it looked as though Wallis was going to put the moves on Fournier, as he tried repeatedly to get by him, but Fournier's 450cc Maico proved to be too fast on the straights for Wallis's 250cc Wheelsmith Replica Maico. Mark Brown (4th), David "Bruise Bros Racing" Kirk (5th), Jim Sharp back after a long rest, finished (6th), Kelly Garner had a hot 3rd in the first moto and a DNF left him at (7th), Steve Ligon had trouble in the first and ended up with (8th) overall. Buddy Brumeier had trouble with timing and such and ended up (9th), with the Bad Luck of the Day Award to Brett Bowles at (10th).

Masters racing with TVRC consists of the fastest vintage riders in Texas. Today was no exception, as Jeff Acklen spanked everyone overall. Dave Thompson was second, Allen Christianson (3rd), "Dollar" Dave Allard was (4th), Bob McNamara surged to 3rd in the second moto to end up with a (5th) overall, Joe Edwards was (6th), Stacey Smith was (7th) and Bobby "Sarge" Lucas DNR in the second moto placed him in (8th).

In the GP I classes there was great action and new faces, the Bowles from Oklahoma. GP I Amateur saw Eric Bennett finish with two overalls for the big #1, Frank Sides Jr. rode to a strong (2nd), Robert Sojka finished (3rd), and Mike "Cement" again, finished (4th).
GP I Intermediate saw Bobby Bowles taking a clean sweep, Russell Kinsey finishing second in both motos, Skip "Iron Man Miller" taking (3rd), Mark Miller at (4th), and David Conner with a (5th)
GP I Masters saw Billy Smith smoking the class with two overalls to take #1, Chris Barton finished (2nd), David Thompson finished (3rd), Mike "The Ride" McBride took a stylish (4th), David Thompson (5th), and Brett Bowles (5th).

GP II Amateur racing was hot with Ron Short taking the big double win, James Nees in (2nd), Jerry Nelson (3rd), Roy Giles (4th).
GP II Intermediate was furious with Mark Brown delivering the 1-2 punch for the overall, Bobby Bowles (2nd), Dave $ Fournier (3rd), Jim Martin in tow (4th), Shawn Smith (5th), and Brett Bowles with much bad luck in (6th).
GP II Masters was scalding hot with Mike Partain and Joe Busby changing places in the motos for an overall for Busby, Partain in (2nd), Skip "Iron Man" Miller (3rd), Chris Barton and Mike Klement had trouble and ended up (4th) and (5th) respectively.

Many old faces appeared after some time off, James Taylor, David Kirk, Rick Denny, all who have had some injuries or health issues this past year. Their Live appearances proves that couch potatoes they are not.