Corona Raceway 70s and 80s

Tom Corley
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Tom Corley 3/21/2010 10:07pm
3/21/2010 10:07pm


Rex Staten and his pictures taken at the 1st Annual Tim Buck's Old-Pro Bench Racing Get-Together on March 19th.

tcestudios@netzero.net
JIM256
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JIM256 3/27/2010 1:44am
3/27/2010 1:44am
I RACED FRIDAY NIGHTS FROM 82-85 OUT THERE. I REMEMBER VINCE MCMAHON OR GORDON WARD WINNING THE PRO CLASS MOST OF THE TIME. THE CORONA GP'S WERE AWESOME...ESPECIALLY IN PRACTICE. BY RACE TIME THE TRACK WAS BEAT AND A CHORE JUST TO FINISH IN 100 + TEMPS. CORONA RACEWAY WAS ALL ABOUT RON CRANDALL, LOTS OF SHADOWS, BACKWARDS FALLING GATE AND TRYING TO GET TROPHIES. HAD A LOT OF FUN BACK THERE IN THE DAY...
mr50racer
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mr50racer 3/27/2010 1:48am
3/27/2010 1:48am
JIM256 wrote:
I RACED FRIDAY NIGHTS FROM 82-85 OUT THERE. I REMEMBER VINCE MCMAHON OR GORDON WARD WINNING THE PRO CLASS MOST OF THE TIME. THE CORONA GP'S...
I RACED FRIDAY NIGHTS FROM 82-85 OUT THERE. I REMEMBER VINCE MCMAHON OR GORDON WARD WINNING THE PRO CLASS MOST OF THE TIME. THE CORONA GP'S WERE AWESOME...ESPECIALLY IN PRACTICE. BY RACE TIME THE TRACK WAS BEAT AND A CHORE JUST TO FINISH IN 100 + TEMPS. CORONA RACEWAY WAS ALL ABOUT RON CRANDALL, LOTS OF SHADOWS, BACKWARDS FALLING GATE AND TRYING TO GET TROPHIES. HAD A LOT OF FUN BACK THERE IN THE DAY...
Dont forget the race to get a good gate pick
DonnieS
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DonnieS 4/7/2010 10:23pm
4/7/2010 10:23pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 9:58pm
I still have my Rocket Rex jersey he gave me as one of my "sponsors". Smile

I loved the Fri night races.

I remember all the Harry's guys too.
Some of you might remember that the starting gate design still in use today was debuted at Corona. I was there that night.

I got a good laugh from Bauer's comments above... you haven't changed a bit, dude...

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JIM256
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JIM256 6/18/2010 12:10am
6/18/2010 12:10am
JIM256 wrote:
I RACED FRIDAY NIGHTS FROM 82-85 OUT THERE. I REMEMBER VINCE MCMAHON OR GORDON WARD WINNING THE PRO CLASS MOST OF THE TIME. THE CORONA GP'S...
I RACED FRIDAY NIGHTS FROM 82-85 OUT THERE. I REMEMBER VINCE MCMAHON OR GORDON WARD WINNING THE PRO CLASS MOST OF THE TIME. THE CORONA GP'S WERE AWESOME...ESPECIALLY IN PRACTICE. BY RACE TIME THE TRACK WAS BEAT AND A CHORE JUST TO FINISH IN 100 + TEMPS. CORONA RACEWAY WAS ALL ABOUT RON CRANDALL, LOTS OF SHADOWS, BACKWARDS FALLING GATE AND TRYING TO GET TROPHIES. HAD A LOT OF FUN BACK THERE IN THE DAY...
mr50racer wrote:
Dont forget the race to get a good gate pick
YEAH, I REMEMBER THAT KNOW. MY OLD MAN WOULD JUST WALK OUT BUT I REMEMBER MOST MINI DADS SPRINTING ON THE QUARTER MILE TO GET A GOOD GATE PICK OUT THERE. I ALSO REMEMBER THE 125 INTERMEDIATES JUST THROWING DOWN EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT... TERRY SZUCKO AND COMPANY...
David_Boyd
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David_Boyd 10/18/2010 5:15pm
10/18/2010 5:15pm
I remember some good times at Corona Raceway... I was just a little boy.
Scott_Wilkinson 9/14/2011 3:45pm
9/14/2011 3:45pm
flyfishnw wrote:
The race to push your bike to the start gate for a good pick, running the track backwards, the GP's, dark hills, coming back into the...
The race to push your bike to the start gate for a good pick, running the track backwards, the GP's, dark hills, coming back into the infield right along the cement barrier.

My very first race was Corona, got 1st both motos...

I had a friend on a KX80, throttle stuck at the gate, he figured he can race with the clutch and kill switch, came down the middle downhill, never made the turn and flew into the infield...

Anyone there when the ambulance crossed the track at the finish line jump in the middle of a race and was T-boned by a rider?

Got to love Staten, Turner etc..
LouDog wrote:
I was there and saw the ambulance pull into the track I was screaming at the A-HOLE the whole time before and after. Ron Crandal got...
I was there and saw the ambulance pull into the track I was screaming at the A-HOLE the whole time before and after. Ron Crandal got mad at me and told me to get off the track. If I remember right the rider was Davie Williams winning the pro class that night on a Maico. Corona was alot of fun back then, I raced highschool MX back then on a Yamaaha IT 175 and would win the novice class. Alot of good memeries.
Also Ive watched Rex just about whip a few pros and people in the pits asses, he always seemed to be a hardass but he was always cool to me. He used to give me Scott goggles after he wore them and new lenses. The double double section in the infeild was scary. I raced alot of MX and GP'S at Corona. I can go on for ever.
Cajundaddy wrote:
Hey guys, I remember that rider getting smeared by the ambulance that night... because it was me!l I was leading 125 Int. class that night and...
Hey guys,
I remember that rider getting smeared by the ambulance that night... because it was me!l

I was leading 125 Int. class that night and there was some hot shoe from Las Vegas in our race that was pretty fast. We were running CCW so we completed the infield, exited the oval and headed up that really dark sweeper on the right. I was pretty far out front but my crew flashed me he was coming. On the last turn before exiting the infield I turned to look back for Vegas dude. When I looked ahead again all I saw were headlights and the beacon of the ambulence head on, right in my racing line. I was probably going 50 and pretty committed at that point and I knew this was going to hurt. I guess he just never saw me coming.

Fortunately the driver stuffed the ambulance into the side wall just enough for me to avoid a direct hit. I pulled right and slammed down the side of the van. Yep, it hurt. It could have been a lot worse though. Lots of cuts and bruises, bent bike parts and trashed leathers but I was still on the right side of the grass. After a ride to the hospital (same ambulance) and some stitches I was back at the track to collect my bike. Damn Vegas dude won the race.
Did more than one racer nail that ambulance? I was there one friday night and a buddy of ours that came from oversea's center punched the ambulance when they had a ski jump in the infield.
Scott_Wilkinson 9/14/2011 3:52pm
9/14/2011 3:52pm
I remember being a little shit and asking Bauer and Stout for stickers. By the time I made the pro ranks most of the big name guys moved on. But I had the chance to mix it up with Greenway, McCraken, Ward, Jones and Staten. I remember holeshotting Staten at one of the epic GP's and thinking man, he's gonna punt me off the track any minute. I did beat Northrup but only on their special XR75 race nights, if I recall. His bike was a stocker and mine was on steroids. Me and Kinny Jones had serious horsepower.
Rudy19r
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Rudy19r 9/21/2011 9:40pm
9/21/2011 9:40pm
I never rode the MX track but had my first real racing success on the flat track.
abn166
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abn166 9/25/2011 12:39pm
9/25/2011 12:39pm
dolemite wrote:
hey asn 166.did you ever beat dave williams or rick stout in the 125 pro class in1978?if you beat rocket rex in any race at corona...
hey asn 166.did you ever beat dave williams or rick stout in the 125 pro class in1978?if you beat rocket rex in any race at corona than we most no each other.nobody ever one a overall race against rex at corona in 15 years there but he did loss acouple of motos.hope you still ride.dolemite
I did beat Rocket Rex for the overall twice, trust me i remember. It wasn't just a moto here or there. If you see Rex just ask him yourself, he knows I beat him there. The first time i nearly had the first moto won and then on the last lap an intermediate that we were lapping cut in front of me on the last lap and Rex got by and won the moto. I got another holeshot the second moto and Rex started 3rd or 4th. I knew it was my chance to get away. so although he got into second quickly, i had already built up a bit of a gap. he spent the whole rest of the race trying to catch me but i was able to hold a slight lead to the finish. I was totally mobbed in my pit after the race because it was such a big deal to beat Rex at Corona Raceway.
The second time I beat Rex for the overall I holeshot the first moto and we battled back and forth for the lead but he eventually won the moto. the second moto i gated with him but couldn't pass him. he slowly built up a very slight gap on me. Not much at all and i didn't let up, i just stayed there with him. Then on the downhill nearest the 91 freeway just before we were to get the white flag, he swapped big time and went down. I couldn't believe what i was seeing. I slowed down as i went by and the just basically cruised to the checkered flag. So although he did have me beat, if i wasn't so close and pressuring him, I doubt that he would have crashed if i hadn't been so close. And to prove my stories, if i were to take the time, i could probably find the old Cycle News articles written about the nights that i beat good old Rocket Rex at Corona Raceway.
abn166
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abn166 9/25/2011 1:03pm
9/25/2011 1:03pm Edited Date/Time 9/25/2011 1:06pm
IMG_2835" class="img-fluid" />

this photo was taken at Corona raceway in early 1981. this was the turn after coming through the opening in the wall not near the freeway but at the other end of the track.
IMG_0022-1" class="img-fluid" />IMG_0021-1" class="img-fluid" />IMG_0020-1" class="img-fluid" />

these three above are from a grand prix race at Corona Raceway in the summer of 1980.




this picture was taken in the middle of 1985. at that time i had quit racing MX and had started racing Speedway. I no longer had my 250 but i did have a CR80 so i came out one night and raced the 80 expert class for the fun of it.

IMG_0009
fader418
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fader418 9/26/2011 5:24pm
9/26/2011 5:24pm
Bauer wrote:
Most of you guys are stretching things a bit, and Rick Stout is for sure talking out his ass, as usual. That guy has always been...
Most of you guys are stretching things a bit, and Rick Stout is for sure talking out his ass, as usual. That guy has always been and always will be the biggest liar around. The first motocross race EVER held at Corona Raceway was on Feb 12th, 1972. I know this for a fact because I raced and won and still have the trophy with the date on it. They were racing TT and half-mile prior to that, but I doubt old Rick raced any flat track.

Dolemite, ymost of what you say is pretty much right on, except for some of your exaggerations, like Staten never getting beat out there. I beat Rex there, and I also kicked his ass in a fist fight on the infield in 1980. If you don't believe me, ask John Gallagher, he broke it up. I think Guy B might have been there also...I know he worked for Crandall for awhile there.

In my opinion, the fastest riders ever at Corona Raceway were Rex, Davey Williams, me and Goat Breker, with Juan Benavidez and Andy Northrup getting honorable mention for taking over after we moved on. Marty Miller also went well out there. I guarantee no one has won more Corona Grand Prixs than I have. I went virtually undefeated there for years. Also, the only riders to ever have a bounty on them at Corona were Goat and myself.

As for your boy Stout, I'll never forget the time I blew him off the track and shut him up once and for all in a big High School MX "showdown" out there. It was excellent and all the whiners from Arlington were crying like little babies afterwards! If you want me to dig up the Cycle News stories I will do it. I just don't want to hear any more bullshit about how fast Stout was, when he never beat me once in his life out there. Ever.
He Steve, what about Gordon Ward? He was by far the fastest guy I have ever seen out there...but that was in 84,85 I think you already moved on....Jim Gibson was fast also...
fader418
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fader418 9/26/2011 5:26pm
9/26/2011 5:26pm
dolemite wrote:
hey asn 166.did you ever beat dave williams or rick stout in the 125 pro class in1978?if you beat rocket rex in any race at corona...
hey asn 166.did you ever beat dave williams or rick stout in the 125 pro class in1978?if you beat rocket rex in any race at corona than we most no each other.nobody ever one a overall race against rex at corona in 15 years there but he did loss acouple of motos.hope you still ride.dolemite
abn166 wrote:
I did beat Rocket Rex for the overall twice, trust me i remember. It wasn't just a moto here or there. If you see Rex just...
I did beat Rocket Rex for the overall twice, trust me i remember. It wasn't just a moto here or there. If you see Rex just ask him yourself, he knows I beat him there. The first time i nearly had the first moto won and then on the last lap an intermediate that we were lapping cut in front of me on the last lap and Rex got by and won the moto. I got another holeshot the second moto and Rex started 3rd or 4th. I knew it was my chance to get away. so although he got into second quickly, i had already built up a bit of a gap. he spent the whole rest of the race trying to catch me but i was able to hold a slight lead to the finish. I was totally mobbed in my pit after the race because it was such a big deal to beat Rex at Corona Raceway.
The second time I beat Rex for the overall I holeshot the first moto and we battled back and forth for the lead but he eventually won the moto. the second moto i gated with him but couldn't pass him. he slowly built up a very slight gap on me. Not much at all and i didn't let up, i just stayed there with him. Then on the downhill nearest the 91 freeway just before we were to get the white flag, he swapped big time and went down. I couldn't believe what i was seeing. I slowed down as i went by and the just basically cruised to the checkered flag. So although he did have me beat, if i wasn't so close and pressuring him, I doubt that he would have crashed if i hadn't been so close. And to prove my stories, if i were to take the time, i could probably find the old Cycle News articles written about the nights that i beat good old Rocket Rex at Corona Raceway.
Dolemite, Rex never lost a overall there in 15 years? thats funny....
fader418
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fader418 9/26/2011 5:31pm
9/26/2011 5:31pm
My best memories from Corona were racing intermediate and being able to ride the sections for int/pros. Also remember catching Willy Musgrave from the 2nd gate every friday night. That was in 85...
dolemite
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dolemite 10/6/2011 7:01am
10/6/2011 7:01am
hi boys/i still have one of the old corona raceway signs in my garage that says, .warning no riding motorcycles after races or practice is allowed/corona raceway.its made out of metal so it will last along time.was going to bring it to the reunion last week but had to work the night crew so i missed it.havent heard anything about it so who all went?.dolemite.rpd rules.
tbonefuller
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tbonefuller 11/5/2011 1:33pm
11/5/2011 1:33pm
corona was the funnest rack ever until you have to go down the hills at night...... in 1984 i racer 80cc novice one friday night and beat all the experts who started on the gate infront of us..( a proud moment)

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