Ascot motocrosses from 70s and 80s

ChrisMackay
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Camarillo, CA US
6/6/2009 4:54pm
You're the best Tom! See you on FACEBOOK!
Tom Corley
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Whittier, CA US
6/8/2009 9:38pm


The weekly Wednesday night event certainly had a large turnout of riders and spectators. You could see all of the excitement from the grandstands. Taking the holeshot was important and you had to know how to slide your bike around the turns.
Tom Corley
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10/15/2009 12:58pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 2:46am


The weekly event was held on Thursday at one time. On this program cover Doug Nicol drifts his FMF Honda around the third turn.
Tom Corley
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10/15/2009 1:30pm


The last time that I ran into Doug was at the Long Beach Motorcycle Show. I go there to look at what is new and often see moto friends from back in the day. Doug told me that he is quite a bike collector and I don't remember just how many bikes he has.

The Shop

Looped Out
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Murrieta, CA US
10/18/2009 5:27pm
I only raced Ascot once. The race was the Trans Cal in 1985 or 86.

I do have a story from Ascot. Before I started racing (I think it was 1975 or 76), my Dad took me to Ascot and Mike Bell was racing there. He was racing a 4-stroke that Bill Bell (Mike's Father had built him). He was a bad dude. He kicked everyone's butt that night and I my Dad walked me up to Mike and I got his autograph. I turned out to be a top 80 rider, then turned Pro and traveled to AMA series Supercross and Nationals for 14 years and then I have worked with some great riders since then and never got any other autographs. Mike Bell's autograph was the only autograph I can remember getting my whole life. I think it's a funny story.
JOHN CHOATE
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Dallas, NC US
10/18/2009 7:46pm
That's cool. Mike Bell gave me my first pair of Oakley sunglasses back in the mid 80's. Too Tall was a really nice guy.
Tom Corley
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10/18/2009 10:26pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 2:49am


These days Too Tall Mike Bell can be found at CALVMX races at Perris Raceway and Glen Helen. Here he is talking to his son who like father is quite a racer. Mike races a #39 Yamaha in those events.
Tom Corley
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11/6/2009 12:40am


Remember the night that Pierre Karsmakers came out to Ascot? He found out just how tough the local talent can be!
abn166
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
11/7/2009 10:58am
Tom, whatever happened to Nicoll? He was fast.....then gone.


doug raced speedway for several years in the late 80's and early 90's. i just saw him at industry hills speedway 2 months ago and he is doing good. he did some laps and still goes fast.
Stubbo
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Lake Forest, CA US
11/7/2009 10:28pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 6:50pm
I have been lurking here for a while and decided to register and post something. I raced at CMC Ascot night motocross for several years (and a few times at Lions). I started Amateur and progressed (too quickly) through Intermediate to Expert. All this while riding a 1971 Suzuki TM400. After making pro, the fun was over as serious riders were kicking at me in turns, and generally using me for traction. I stopped racing and helped Stu Peters with the races officiating the infield and flagging the finish line. My Brother Dave helped me for several years and when I left he started working for Chris Agajanian later building the speedway/BMX/Slic Trac. I have attached a couple of photos. The first was when I was racing amateur in 1971 and is the first turn after the start (#435). There was a duck pond with palm trees the start went around. The second photo is later when I was flagging the finish line (near the same spot). I don't know who #48 was.

Steve Sobodos
Tom Corley
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11/13/2009 5:00pm


Tim Lunde played a big part in CMC Motocross racing at Ascot.
Bigfoot
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UT US
11/13/2009 5:40pm
Stubbo wrote:
I have been lurking here for a while and decided to register and post something. I raced at CMC Ascot night motocross for several years (and...
I have been lurking here for a while and decided to register and post something. I raced at CMC Ascot night motocross for several years (and a few times at Lions). I started Amateur and progressed (too quickly) through Intermediate to Expert. All this while riding a 1971 Suzuki TM400. After making pro, the fun was over as serious riders were kicking at me in turns, and generally using me for traction. I stopped racing and helped Stu Peters with the races officiating the infield and flagging the finish line. My Brother Dave helped me for several years and when I left he started working for Chris Agajanian later building the speedway/BMX/Slic Trac. I have attached a couple of photos. The first was when I was racing amateur in 1971 and is the first turn after the start (#435). There was a duck pond with palm trees the start went around. The second photo is later when I was flagging the finish line (near the same spot). I don't know who #48 was.

Steve Sobodos
Number 76D is Jeffrey J. Jennings.
Tom Corley
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11/20/2009 6:06pm


Have yourself a seat folks and enjoy a cold one while at Ascot Park.
11/20/2009 6:15pm
Lucky ole JC had his own garbage trucks
maicoman
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11/21/2009 9:17am
Tom Corley wrote:
[img]http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss76/tomcorley/042.jpg[/img] Have yourself a seat folks and enjoy a cold one while at Ascot Park.


Have yourself a seat folks and enjoy a cold one while at Ascot Park.
a cold one or two !!!
What night was it when they had these huge beers for sale? It was insane, the cups were were so big you could drown in one, we use to call it "Bucket Beer Night" and the refill was half price or something, shit I can't remember.
Sondy132001
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Mission Viejo, CA US
11/24/2009 3:02pm
Woo hoooo I grew up at Ascot, we had racing there Weds nights Thurs nights and Fri nights, good times ! I saw my first Flat Track race there with Bubba Shobert and a grip of other fast guys, incredible to watch flat track. Shame it had to go away like all the rest of the great tracks !

Sondra
CMC
Webcokid
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11/24/2009 4:29pm

When I hear the word Ascot, I automatically think of Todd Peterson. Todd had this place wired, and was an easy paycheck for him on Thursday night. Todd had that "back on the fender" riding style and always garnered much traction that way. Ascot was a traction track and he took full advantage of it. He went on to win his heat at Anaheim that year and beat Marty Tripes. Then he hurt the knee and that was it!
chipnice
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Huntington Beach, CA US
11/24/2009 7:50pm
Loved that place, had alot of good battles with Sean Gibony ( 8 BALL) on the 80, his sister was'nt to shabby either. Does anybody know If Agajanan had a son that played for Green Bay? Met this guy in Long Beach big as a Mountain same last name said he played ball
JPT
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11/24/2009 8:21pm
First time I ever heard of Ascot was when Wide World of Sports covered the 100 lap TT in the late 60's. I think Skip Van Leeuwen won it.
Tom Corley
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11/27/2009 1:04pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 7:09pm


Looped Out mentioned Mike Bell riding a thumper, and here he is taking that #6 bike through a turn. Mike raced this bike at Ascot and Irwindale.
Gary O.
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US
11/28/2009 7:51pm
Tom what great pictures of Ascot memories! I only raced there a few times but it was fun.
bigmaico
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11/30/2009 1:47pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 7:12pm
Gary:

Glad to see you here!

I know you don't remember me, but I was friends with Steve Russell & Jeff Witherell & had a 76 Maico.

Howard
11/30/2009 3:55pm
Og, I was there that day in '77 at the St. Petersburg 500 national when the AMA took your win from you in the 125 support class. That was BS through and through.
Gary O.
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US
12/1/2009 12:56pm Edited Date/Time 12/1/2009 12:56pm
Hey guys I'm glad to find this forum and talk old school MX. I had a great time in Texas, a lot of really good people. Florida started out good but went down hill at the end LOL. That's what I get for including my mechanic in the celebration! Guess I was young and stupid, now I'm just old and stupid :-)
bigmaico
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12/1/2009 2:01pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 7:14pm
Hey Gary:


I'm still in touch with Steve Russell & I can send you his contact info if you like.








P.S.

The Wheelsmith jersey in my other post came from Steve.
12/1/2009 2:48pm
Gary O. wrote:
Hey guys I'm glad to find this forum and talk old school MX. I had a great time in Texas, a lot of really good people...
Hey guys I'm glad to find this forum and talk old school MX. I had a great time in Texas, a lot of really good people. Florida started out good but went down hill at the end LOL. That's what I get for including my mechanic in the celebration! Guess I was young and stupid, now I'm just old and stupid :-)
BOGDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how the heck are ya? Its been centuries since I saw and talked with you. I hope you are having better luck with the helo's than with those Husky's. Hows the leg doing? BTW this is Chuck Hanson the guy that tried to help you and Ron and Malcolm back in the day.
Gary O.
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US
12/2/2009 3:03pm
I have Donnie Emler to thank for that nickname, I think he didn't really like me all that much. Yes Chuck I do remember you and I see you're still keeping up with MX. So far the helicopter stuff has been keeping me employed but the slow down in the economy hasn't helped. Every so often I'd get a new MX bike and shortly after that end up with broken bones! I just can't seem to keep them on two wheels. Are you going to the tracks or helping anyone out?
12/2/2009 6:19pm Edited Date/Time 12/2/2009 6:21pm
Gary O. wrote:
I have Donnie Emler to thank for that nickname, I think he didn't really like me all that much. Yes Chuck I do remember you and...
I have Donnie Emler to thank for that nickname, I think he didn't really like me all that much. Yes Chuck I do remember you and I see you're still keeping up with MX. So far the helicopter stuff has been keeping me employed but the slow down in the economy hasn't helped. Every so often I'd get a new MX bike and shortly after that end up with broken bones! I just can't seem to keep them on two wheels. Are you going to the tracks or helping anyone out?
LOL!! Donnie might not have cared much for you, you did whoop Ronnie and Savatski and a bunch of others at Hangtown, all the ladies in the office wanted you. I moved to the other L.A. (lower alabama) and occassionally go to a local race but haven't helped anyone out steady since I moved here. At least Orthopedic Doctors still like you. Did you marry the sweet girl from Palm Springs?
andymoto
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Carmichael, CA US
12/3/2009 12:31am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 7:15pm
Cool X that you're old riders here; Gary was way fast that I remember.

While Ron Turner was like that King of Ascot or whatever, Rocket Rex I thought won his share of races there.

Hearing Chuck Bower reminded me of his being with Smith, McDougal and seemed another one or two(think Croft) on the original 125 Honda Elsie team. Mark Tyer I recall being another fast 125 guy and Pessy... just got PO talk or would he actually throw fists?

Seemed a Open Maico guy(not Rhyan X) use to be real good there as well.....one of those tip of tongue names I remember one day and forget the next...used to be a regular top guy on the Mag Maicos...Luke Messler.....he's not the one I'm tryin' to think of, but wasn't he at Ascot lots? Wanna say first name maybe Bob......just thought of Bill Rubly, he was a open Maico guy. Tamietti on big Maicos too was there lots I think.

I remember Tim Lunde was a fav when him and his brother Chuck raced those 125 Bultaco Pursangs.....I'm still looking for Chucks son Dustin Lunde....nice kid gotta be 30 something now.

Made some decent bank racin' as often as you could then.
Gary O.
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US
12/3/2009 11:08am
Chuck I better stop high jacking this topic and get back on track (no pun intended) and (the Palm Springs girl is a thing of the past). Andy all of those guys you bring up where so much fun to race with, man I miss those days! Not to piss of the Ascot fans but I still think Orange County Raceway had the best night track during the 70s.

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