Jodi Mulder

October 27, 2019

Lake Cachuma Vintage British Motorcycle Rally 2019

September 20-23, 2019, Live Oak Campground, Santa Ynez, CA

Getting out of the Rat Race with your favorite British Iron? Hiding out high in the hills above the sparkling Pacific Ocean north of Santa Barbara is where to go. A private place for communing with great minds in the industry, swooning over rare machines, exploring back roads and historic destinations, friendly competition and relishing tradition, all while being spoiled with food and fun is what the Lake Cachuma Rally accomplishes. Our hosts, Eddie and Jodi Mulder and their team were, once again, committed to bringing a fabulous group of motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages together for the 5th Annual Eddie Mulder West Coast Dirt Track Series’ Lake Cachuma Vintage British Motorcycle Rally.

Friday afternoon, at Live Oak Campground in the Cachuma Lake Recreation area, we came upon a large, lively group of attendees. Folks in tents, motor homes, travel trailers and backs of trucks were buzzing among the 40 acres of huge oak trees setting up camps, and parked around each campsite were British motorcycles! Lots of them!! There were modern and vintage ones, some restored and shiny, some rusty and old. Triumphs, Nortons, BSAs and Ariels. It was a welcoming site! Looking around, you see headquartered in a corner of the pavilion, Cozmic Joe’s giant display of mapped out routes called Ride Central. Explore every route, by yourself or take a group, keeping lookout for specially hidden flags to capture and trade in for one of Cozmic’s custom made, random, prizes! Cozmic also proudly displays his collection of every Lake Cachuma British Rally T-Shirt, going back to the very first Rally hosted by John and Donna Mulrean in 1989. Geoff Patrick takes over the stage area draping a curtain for screening old motorcycle films and live dirt track racing for evening’s entertainment. The counters lining the front are bulging with Sponsor donations to be chosen by lucky winners at the giveaway Saturday night. Full kitchen and BBQ area and Jodi’s registration table, which is our first stop to check in and get the lowdown on the weekend. It is a fun place to be and look forward to enjoying the weekend.

After settling in and congregating under the pavilion, we shared the first of many satisfying meals by the crew of Wild and Twisted Catering. After dinner, we got all caught up with the bench racing, eventually moving the party to the hay bales around the campfire or wherever. The weather was perfect for unwinding, reconnecting and appreciating these last few days of summer.

Saturday morning brought a little chill to the air as we gathered for breakfast. For the official start of the rally, the sun shone brightly as Eddie slowly raised the American flag while Kimmie Gould sang the National Anthem. Triumph of America provided us a new 1200 Scrambler demo bike to try so soon it and the adventurous riders of the group were seen heading out for a ride.

By the end of the weekend the bike had been enjoyed and ridden over 2200 miles by many different folks. Those that stayed behind were getting their bikes ready for the Classic Motorcycle Show and Competition that would take place after lunch. Around the campground beautiful machines were being wheeled under the roof of the pavilion that would serve as the viewing area for the show. Among the 53 machines on display was an old red and black Steib side hack originally from Germany. The story about the side hack being at the rally began at another show where Cozmic Joe met its current owner, Dan Joseph and invited him to bring it to Lake Cachuma some months ago. Cozmic never heard from Dan again until he showed up at Live Oak Campground! Karl Krohn, the well-known British engine builder/tuner recognized the side hack. Karl had been the monkey racing it with Tony Massala as his pilot all over California! He learned how to ride it in his first race, the Thousand Oaks Grand Prix. The side hack was built in the 50’s by Jerry Pierson and was raced from the 50’s into the 70’s. It was on a 58 or 59 Triumph and then in 1967 on a Triumph 650 TR6C which is how it stands today. It was recently raced in a vintage scrambles at Glen Helen by Dan. The side hack was also in a movie called The SideHackers that is available on U-Tube today. Seeing the red side hack again was the highlight of the weekend for Karl.

The bike show was as fabulous as always filled with some beautifully restored British Motorcycles. Scott and Alexia Dunlavey won both the Triumph class and the Best of Show award with their 1970 TR6R. Geoff Patrick was the winner of the People’s Choice with a beautifully restored Triumph T100. The winning BSA was a BSA Spitfire owned by Dan Gehrs. The Off-road award went to John Sides with a polished Rickman that includes a great father and son story that John tells. Karl Krohn took the desert class showing a 58 Triumph TR6. All were presented with plaques at the celebratory award presentation Saturday night. This ceremony was special in many ways including Jodi being crowned “The Queen of Cachuma” and Grand Marshall, Steve Ortiz, receiving a special custom jacket by Sandra Esposito and brilliant piece of metal art created by Cozmic. Everyone involved were acknowledged for their contributions and support, especially Johnny Brown who is responsible for getting the Mulders to bring the Rally back. The usual “give away” of goodies from sponsors Coventry Spares, JRC Engineering, Triumph of America, Motion Pro, Barnett Clutches and Cables, and Classic British Spares is overwhelming! Other supporters include Specialty Fabrications, Inc., Rod Lake, Maxima Racing Oils, Rabers Parts Mart, the British Iron Association San Diego and Perros Viejos Motorcycle Club.

Sunday morning, Steve O. and his crew were out early, enthusiastically laying out the course for the Field Meet. Traditionally, the field meet is very competitive. It is games of skill riding a motorcycle and whoever has a score with the most points, wins. Toss rings over cones, clip five clothespins on a line, balance a tennis ball on a cone – five times, toss bean bags while circling – into a tire, slalom through cans and the best of all; the slow race! All without putting a foot down. Philip Smith on a Triumph TR6 acquiesced his overall victory cuz he was just in it for fun, making Dominique and Colie Froesch “Team JRC” the winners, John Sides took second place and Dave Miller was third on a Montessa. Monday morning it was time to pack up and head back. Breakfast bids farewell and appreciation to another fulfilling rally. Many good memories made plus Jodi got her first trip out to Knapps Castle and everyone got to watch the AFT Minnesota Mile live Saturday afternoon. All in all the weekend was a wonderful adventure with several new people in attendance and only a few regulars missing.

Notes of significance: Rally originator, John Healy and his wife Susan of Coventry Spares in Massachusets were able to attend, longtime friend, Bob Bellino was there too, as was a huge supporter of the West Coast Dirt Track Series and the Lake Cachuma Rally, Specialty Fabrications Randy Zimmerman and family. Look for the 2020 Lake Cachuma Rally to be held tentatively May 29,30,31 June 1, 2020 on our Facebook page, Lake Cachuma Vintage British Motorcycle Rally, or on the Eddie Mulder West Coast Dirt track series website.

Bike show results

Triumph

1. Alexia Dunlavey (1970 TR6R)
2. Mack Walters (1968 T120)
3. James Kohls (1927 Triumph)

BSA

1. Don Gehrs (BSA Spitfire)
2. Craig Behauer (1972 BSA Custom)
3. Steve Ortiz (B50 Custom)

Other

1. Malcolm Ede (1964 RE)
2. Larry Morins (Matchless)
3. Craig Fontaine (Norton M18)

Off Road

1. John Sides (Rickman)
2. Marc Lyons (Triumph TR6)
3. Mark Wallace (1966 Tracker)

Street

1. Karl Krohn (1958 Triumph TR6) Desert
2. Bob Smith (1962 TR6)
3. Bill Redman (1967 Triumph Cub)

Comp

1. Scott Dunlavey (Cheney)
2. Geoff Patrick (1953 T100)
3. Johnny Brown (60 Triumph)

Best of Show

Scott Dunlavey (Cheney)

People’s Choice

Geoff Patrick (TRI T100)

Field Meet

1. Dominique and Nicole Froesch
2. John Sides
3. Dave Miller
4. Charlie Caspary
5. Mikyle Ede
6. Marc Lyons

August 13, 2019August 13, 2019

Lake Cachuma Vintage British Motorcycle Rally Grand Marshal Announced

The Lake Cachuma British Motorcycle Rally is proud to announce Steve Ortiz as the 2019 Grand Marshal. Steve is a hard-core British motorcycle enthusiast who has been involved with the rally since 2002. Among his 2-wheel accomplishments, Steve has been past president and is current Secretary of the BSA Owners Club of Southern California, which he has been an active member for over 30 years. Steve rides street and dirt and has traveled the USA, UK, and Isle of Man on British Motorcycles, somewhat making him an “Adventure Rider.” As a young boy growing up in Culver City, Steve started his two-wheel career riding the Baldwin Hills on a Flexo minibike as he was not allowed to have motorcycle till the age of 18. While waiting for this birthday, he figured his folks said nothing about “building a motorcycle,” so at the age of 16 he started assembling a Honda CB 160 Road Racer in his bedroom. Clip-Ons, rear-sets, bread-loaf tank and K81 tires laced to Akront rims, he was hooked and going to be a racer. Steve’s was 15 ½ and his first job was working part-time for a neighbor in the pneumatic tool business and went from sweeping the floors to assembling and rebuilding equipment and gradually became a specialist in aerospace drilling and fabrication tools. As he was making lots of money from working (and while still in High School), he purchased a neighbor’s 1968 Triumph TR6C and was the envy of many High School kids. Most of them never knew that Steve was a bit intimidated by the size of his new 650 Triumph, pushing it home, till he grew confident enough to ride it.

After graduation, Steve continued to work in the aerospace tool industry and left it for a few years to open a moped shop in Garden Grove during the late 70s. After two years, Steve sold the business and returned to the aerospace tool sector, and a few years later married Anita (the girl next door) and secured an engineering position at Northrop Aircraft, where Steve put his skills to good use and co-designed the precision drilling system that was used on the top-secret B-2 stealth bomber and later implemented on the F/A 18 Hornet and our nation’s latest fighter, the F 35 Lightning.

While still working, Steve continued to be heavily involved with motorcycles, and finally retired from Northrop-Grumman after 31 years of service. As an Officer in the BSA Owners Club, he’s still very active in promoting numerous British motorcycle events and has been the Field Events Manager for our Cachuma Rally for the past few years. Steve and Anita reside in Lake Elsinore California, and when not busy helping run the BSA Owners Club, or tinkering with his 6 bikes, enjoys riding and spending time with Anita, their 2 daughters, and 2 grandchildren. Steve was very reluctant to accept the position as Grand Marshal, as he felt there were many others more deserving, but Eddie convinced Steve that his continuing involvement with the Cachuma Rally has earned him this title.

Congratulations Steve-O!

May 27, 2019May 27, 2019

Digger Helm Memorial WCDTS Sunday

May 5, 2019 Willow Springs International Raceway, Rosamond, CA

Gary Ritchie was back on the tractor on the track early Sunday morning to create the absolute best race track possible for the Digger Helm Memorial Day at Willow Springs, the second day of racing with the Eddie Mulder West Coast Dirt Track Series. The pits were full, with riders anxious to race for the second day of this special weekend. Good news had been received about Ron Wood, the Grand Marshall of the event who was not able to attend. He was doing well and would be going home soon after a stint in the hospital. Eddie announced how the day’s events would take place during the rider’s meeting and the weather was a bit more pleasant than Saturday although the wind was blowing as it does in the Spring at Willow Springs.

Before practice began Eddie headed up the riders for a reverse lap for Digger Helm. Digger had been a friend to Eddie since his youngest racing days and the main supporter of the WCDTS events as well as supporting up and coming pro riders through the years. Digger was always on hand with a story or some sarcastic remark that made you laugh and he loved racing cars and motorcycles alike! On hand for the day were some of Digger’s family here to celebrate Digger’s life with the racers he so loved as well as some of his many motorcycles. It would be an emotional day for many of us that knew Digger through the years.

Many of the same riders were on hand Sunday that rode Saturday with a sprinkling of new faces too. Practice got under way and as always the program moved along like clockwork. After practice Eddie again rounded up the riders for a salute lap to Digger. A group of riders rode behind Eddie each with a #57 number plate that also had a picture of Digger in it. Jared Mees, one of Digger’s favorites, rode with a #1 plate the same style as the others. The other riders and fans gathered on the infield to give a hats off salute to Digger with the checkered flag as the group crossed the finish line.

Heat races took place in the same manner as Saturday followed by a break in the program and then the Specialty Fabrications, Inc/Rod Lake Racing Dash for Cash. This day’s Dash paid $7,000 and the competitors were Jared “Cha Ching” Mees, “The Wizard” Jeffrey Carver, “Slammin'” Sammy Halbert and Mikey Rush. Carver got the drive off turn two and just kept going. A couple of bike lengths behind him Sammy was on throttle followed by Mees and Rush. A five lap shoot out ended with Carver in front, Halbert, Mees and Rush following. What a treat this win was for Ron Wood’s son who was on the track, representing his dad for the winners victory lap. The Pro semi followed with Kayl Kolkman and Nick Armstrong earning a place in main. Jim Ottelle, Don Galloway and Mitch Rowland rode the Sr. Vintage class in that order to the checkers. Twelve riders found their places on the Vet grid. Jim Rosa got the hole shot with Craig Peyron and Donnie Howard in close competition. Jason Stopher gave Howard a run for his money trading places with Howard in laps one and three. Rosa crossed the checkers in front of Peyron and Howard. The Super Sr./Sr. Novice class included twelve riders. These Super Seniors are no slouches on the track considering they are over 60 years old. Repeating his Saturday ride, Rod Lake took the win after battling with Rick Reed the first 5 laps of the race. Don Galloway rounded out the podium. Emmett Brown took the win in the 60 youth class on Saturday in front of Kage Tadman. This day, Kage pushed just a little harder and took the win in front of Brown. Kage was back to take the 80cc class home followed by Saturday’s victor Colin Petton and Alex Martin. Martin’s brother Sterling finished fourth, Sierra Hickerson fifth. Fred and Jeremy Berger, father and son, competed with one another in the Classic 250 class. Jeremy was a little bit faster beating his dad and Thomas Asperger to the finish. Craig Peyron enjoyed a pole start in the brakeless Classic 500 and went on to reel in Tom Horton and Chris Rudy in the first lap and then on to a first place finish. Horton and Rudy rounded out the podium. David Brown, Jimmy Lundgren and Don Galloway rode 1,2,3 to the checkered flag with Sten Kelley 4th in the Modern 500 class after Dave Ehrhart won the Modern 250 class.

Every now and then some younger legends show up at the races. This day both former national number riders, #3 Joe Kopp and #20 Johnny Murphree were on hand and put on a show of their own in the Modern 750 class. Kopp, on a Harold MacDonald tuned Johnson Cams Triumph, got out in front at the start and Murphree, piloting an Eddie Mulder Replica Triumph owned by D-Dan Racing was riding in third behind Paul Herman but four laps later it was Murphree in the front with Kopp riding close behind and Herman running behind them both. At the finish there was less than a bike length between Murphree and Kopp, Herman followed and Don Galloway crossed the finish in the fourth place. The 250 Open class included nine riders. Joe Kopp’s son Kody led that contest all six laps with the same riding style as his dad. Long time WCDTS class 500 Support rider “Speedy” Jeff Gonzales was first off the start line and just kept going without looking back. After popping a wheelie on the start, it didn’t take Danny Ritchie long to get by Bryan Berna and two laps later Jason Craven also got by Berna to take the third position. The fastest kids on the track this day, Grant Holmes, Travis Petton, Kody Kopp, Tarren Santero and Dominic Dias were among the twelve riders taking their places in the Open Amateur A Main. The pack stretched out quickly. Holmes took the lead, Kopp followed and Petton rounded out the podium. Santero followed in the fourth position. The Open Amateur B Main included nine riders. Austin Williams held the lead flag to flag. Behind him Bradon Gross and Brandon Engebretsen worked the track and each other for the second spot. Gross Earned that spot in lap five and Engebretsen finished third. Jim Rosa came out of the second turn with a couple of bike lengths between himself and Donnie Howard in the Senior Open A. Howard remained in second place through lap 4 when Jim Ottele got by him. The finish was Rosa, Ottele and Howard. The senior Open B podium included John Rudder, Travis Ward and Mark Norman.

Thirteen riders lined up for the Digger Pro Main. Competition all weekend had been stiff. Mees, Halbert and Carver had each proven their talent equivalent to one another and Mikey Rush was hanging tough on his 450 Honda. To recap, Saturday’s dash for cash winner was Halbert, the main event went to Mees and the Dash for Cash earlier this day went to Carver. The main event was to be very exciting and competitive because the purse was even more than on Saturday! Carver had pole position with Halbert lined up next to him. Carver quickly pulled out in front with Halbert second and Rush and Mees following. Carver and Halbert rode side by side with Halbert holding the lead by less than a bike length then putting space between himself and Carver. Halbert maintained that lead through sixteen. Behind them, Mees was doing what he could to try to gain ground without much luck. In lap seventeen, Carver got under Halbert coming out of four, twisted the throttle of the Wood Rotax he was riding and rode flawlessly to the finish. Halbert and Mees followed. Before he was off his bike in front of the crowd Carver was texting Ron Wood in the hospital to tell him they won!

The weekend was perfect. A grand way to say “see you later” to National #57 Digger Helm. With the support of Mark and Randy Zimmerman/Speciality Fabrications, Rod Lake Racing, Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, Steve DeLorenzi/SDI Racing, Triumph of America, Motion Pro, Barnett Clutches and Cables, Maxima Racing Oils and the WCDTS crew, it could not have been any better!

Eddie and Jodi will clean up their stuff from Willow and get busy putting together the always fun Lake Cachuma British Motorcycle Rally scheduled for September 20-23, 2019. For information and pre registration go to EddieMuldersWCVDTS.com.

Sunday Results

Sr. Vintage

1. Jim Ottelle; 2. Don Galloway; 3. Mitch Rowland

Vet

1. Jim Rosa; 2. Craig Peyron; 3. Donnie Howard; 4. Jason Stopher; 5. Rob Bush; 6. Bryan Berna; 7. James Davis; 8. Jack Roberts; 9. John Lundgren; 10. Shawn Chamlee; 11. Robbie Crean; 12. Mark LeDue

Sr. Novice/Super Sr.

1. Rod Lake; 2. Rick Reed; 3. Don Galloway; 4. Mitch Rowland; 5. John Lundgren; 6. Jay Gardner; 7. Brian Cassara; 8. John Rudder; 9. D Dan McDougal; 10. Charlie Caspary; 11. Maury Austin; 12. Mike Boal

Youth 60

1. Kage Tadman; 2. Emmett Brown

Youth 80

1. Kage Tadman; 2. Colton Petton; 3. Alex Martin; 4. Sterling Martin; 5. Sierra Hickerson

Classic 250

1. Jeremy Berger; 2. Fred Berger; 3. Thomas Asperger

Classic 500

1. Craig Peyron; 2. Tom Horton; 3. Chris Rudy; 4. Lenny Rodriguez; 5. Joe Pape; 6. Ryan Colvin

Dino

1. Jim Ottelle; 2. Fred Berger; 3. Marcus Harner; 4. Robert Koch

Modern 250

1. David Ehrhart; 2. Tom Horton

Modern 500

1. David Brown; 2. Jimmy Lundgren; 3. Don Galloway; 4. Sten Kelley

Modern 750

1. Johnny Murphree; 2. Joe Kopp; 3. Paul Herman; 4. Don Galloway; 5. Ross 6. Scott; 7. Charlie Caspary

250 Open

1. Kody Kopp; 2. Blake Ash; 3. Jacob Cascio; 4. Zack Earwood; 5. Jonathan Schaefer; 6. Conner Hickerson; 7. Brandon Engebretsen; 8. Cole Norman; 9. Bryson Berna

500 Support

1. Jeff Gonzales; 2. Danny Ritchie; 3. Jason Craven; 4. Jack Jones; 5. Bryan Berna; 6. Jimmy Lundgren; 7. Jay Gardner

Open Amateur A Main

1. Grant Holmes; 2. Kody Kopp; 3. Travis Petton; 4. Tarren Santero; 5. Dominic Diaz; 6. James Ott; 7. Julia Hess; 8. Blake Ash; 9. Matthew Ott; 10. Rob Bush; 11. Jonathan Schaefer; 12. Conner Hickerson

Open Am B Main

1. Austin Williams; 2. Brandon Gross; 3. Bradon Engebretsen; 4. Chad Caldwell; 5. Nickolas Henry; 6. Cole Norman; 7. Robbie Crean; 8. Hadley Melton; 9. Andy Davis

Senior Open A

1. Jim Rosa; 2. Jim Ottelle; 3. Donnie Howard; 4. James Davis; 5. Ray Lopez; 6. Larry Ehrhart; 7. Don Galloway; 8. Jack Roberts; 9. David Ehrhart; 10. Greg Powell

Senior Open B

1. John Rudder; 2. Travis Ward; 3. Mark Norman; 4. Dan Dowding; 5. Luis Orozco

Digger Pro Main

1. Jeffrey Carver; 2. Sammy Halbert; 3. Jared Mees; 4. Dan Bromley; 5. Mikey Rush; 6. Dalton Gauthier; 7. Max Whale; 8. Kayl Kolkman; 9. Kayden Downing; 10. Oliver Brindley; 11. Nick Armstrong; 12. Andrew Luker; 13. Clayton Williams; 14. Jay Maloney

Dach for Cash

1. Jeffrey Carver; 2. Sam Halbert; 3. Jared Mees; 4. Mikey Rush

Honoring Digger Helm at Willow Springs May 5, 2019

May 27, 2019May 27, 2019

Willow Springs WCDTS Weekend Saturday

Eddie and Jodi Mulder and their crew hosted another weekend of competitive, exciting racing at Willow Springs International Raceway. Friday night the pits were busy with riders in anticipation of the weekend’s upcoming events. Dirt track racing on a well groomed 3/8 mile flat track and a $57,000 purse in honor of #57 Digger Helm. Digger was a huge supporter of the West Coast Dirt Track Series for years, supporting both the Pro riders, and the up and coming youngsters as well as the series itself. One of his favorite things to do was honor the 85cc winning rider with a $100 bill at each event.

This weekend the major event supporters were Mark and Randy Zimmerman of Specialty Fabrications, Inc. and Rod Lake as well as Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorney’s, Motion Pro, Triumph, Barnett Clutches and Cables, Maxima Racing Oils, Rosa Plates & Graphics and so many more. The crew, Gary Ritchie the expert preparer of the track, Big Fred Allen the starter and his wife Penny, who helps Jodi with the administration and scoring, Kimmie Gould another administration and scoring assistant, the flagger’s, Richard Moser who was always on hand to tech the bikes, and all the others that have been with the West Coast Dirt Track Series for many years as well as the financial supporters and others behind the scenes have all made the series possible. Eddie and Jodi thank each and every one, as well as the riders, mechanics and families that became a part of the West Coast Dirt Track family.

Saturday morning the line to get into the pits was long when we showed up at 7 a.m. to begin the adventures of the day. The gates opened for registration at 8 a.m. and the excitement mounted. The pits were buzzing with conversations about who would win and how fast everyone was while the riders and their crew were busy taping frames and helmets to protect them from the flying decomposed granite on the track. As always practice started, giving the riders a chance to check the track and their bike set up followed by heat races and the main events. The wind blew relentlessly cooling us from the warm sun and causing more track prep than usual.

Heat races led to the $5,000 dash for cash before the main events began. Lined up for the dash were Jared Mees, Jeffrey Carver, Mikey Rush and Sammy Halbert. Halbert and Mees went into turn one side by side. Coming out Halbert was in front. Behind him Carver and Mees battled for second and third. At the checkers it was Halbert, Carver, Mees and Rush. All of whom took a piece of the dash money. Going into the main events first on the track were the Sr. Vintage riders. A class of 7 riders including Don Galloway of Canada. Kenny Netto and Galloway were 1, 2 from start to finish, fellow Canuck, Mitch Rowland rounded out the podium. Next up was the Vet class with 15 riders on the grid. Donnie Howard was in front from the green flag to the finish. Jim Rosa got past Craig Peyron in the final lap to finish second. Peyron rounded out the podium. In the Super Sr. class Rod Lake and Rick Reed were evenly matched exchanging the lead in lap three and again when Lake, try as he might, let Rick get by him in the final lap for the win. Ron Lessley finished third. Tom Horton, Craig Peyron and Chris Rudy led the Classic 500 class to the checkers and Jim Ottele took the Dino class home aboard an Indian built by Bob.

Nichols, who recently passed, leaving a long legacy of history behind. In the Youth 60 class Emmett Brown came from the fourth position in lap three to the front leading Kensai Matsudaira and the rest of the field to the finish. Leading off the line in the 80 class Kage Tadman rode in front through lap four. Behind him Alex Martin was setting up to take the lead and the victory with Tadman second and Travis Petton third. Netto was first to the checkers again in the modern 250 class followed by Marc Lyons and Cole Norman. Joe Kopp came out of the wood work to ride the modern 750 class. He got the hole shot with Jeff Johnson not far behind and finally Paul Herman following in third. They finished in that order respectively. Kody Kopp, taking after his father Joe, led the Open 250 Class after passing Blake Ash in lap five. Ash held the second spot to the checkers followed by Zack Earwood. Friends, Jack Jones, Jeff Gonzales and Jason Craven, lined up with six others in the 500 support class. Jones got the holeshot and never looked back while Gonzales and Jimmy Lundgren worked each other for the second spot. Lundgren took the second spot from Gonzales who finished third and Craven finished in the fourth spot. Grant Holmes was on fire this day showing folks the fastest way around the track. Riding the Open Amateur class Holmes, Tarren Santero and Kody Kopp rode 1, 2, 3 start to finish. Racing was tight with Holmes and Santero riding wheel to wheel side by side through the turns. The only lady racing in this class, Julia Heess finished fourth out of a field of twelve riders. Jacob Cascio took some time off from the track after his good friend Zaden Florez passed away but he came full circle today to take the Open Amateur B class to the checkers in front of Robbie Crean and Nikolas Henry for the win. Earlier in the day during the rider’s meeting, the crowd honored Zaden with a balloon release for his birthday. Willow was his favorite track to ride. Donnie Howard was back for another easy win in the Sr. Open “A” main. Jim Rosa followed him to the finish and behind them Jim Ottele finished third. Don Galloway made his trek from Canada worthwhile earning a first place in the Sr. Open “B” main class followed by John Rudd and Travis Ward.

The final race of the day was the Digger Helm Memorial Open Pro class. Fifteen of the days fastest pro riders lined up on the grid in three rows of five. On the front row were Carver on pole, Mees, Halbert, Rush, Dan Bromley, and Nick Armstrong based on their heat race finishes. Into the first turn four wide were Carver, Mees, Halbert and Armstrong. Carver and Mees were side by side with Rush close behind out of the first turn. Carver was in front into turn three but coming out Mees took the lead with Halbert in second. On the inside Halbert twisted the throttle to get in front of Mees and Carver. Mees worked Halbert for the next five laps and finally got under him when Halbert went a bit high coming out of turn one in lap eight. Lap nine Carver left the race with a mechanical issue giving the third spot up to Rush. Behind them Bromley and Armstrong were battling for the fourth spot. At the finish it was Mees, Halbert, Rush, Bromley and Armstrong.

As is the custom, at the end of the day’s racing the awards and cash were presented to the riders and the West Coast Dirt Track Series team went into town for their annual Mexican dinner. The pits remained full with folks camping over night at the track to be ready for another full day of racing on Sunday.

DIGGER HELM MEMORIAL RESULTS WILLOW SPRINGS MAY 4, 2019

$5,000 Specialty Fabrications/Rod Lake Racing Dash-4-Cash

1. Sam Halbert; 2. Jeffrey Carver; 3. Jared Mees; 4. Mikey Rush

SATURDAY WILLOW SENIOR VINTAGE

1. Ken Netto; 2. D Dan Galloway; 3. Mitch Rowland; 4. Brian Cassara; 5. Mike Boal; 6. Jim Ottele VET

1. Don Howard; 2. Jim Rosa; 3. Craig Peyron; 4. Paul Ott; 5. Rob Bush; 6. Bryan Berna; 7 John Dupree; 8. John Lundgren; 9. James Davis; 10, Jack Roberts; 11. Robbie Crean; 12. Robin Nicolaides; 13. Mark LaDue; 14. Brian Harmon; 15. Bobby Frankenberson

SENIOR NOVICE/SUPER SENIOR

1. Rick Reed; 2. Rod Lake; 3. Ron Lessley; 4. Brian Cassara; 5. Jay Gardner; 6. John Rudd 7. Sten Kelley; 7. Maury Austin; 8. Dan Dowding; 9. Charlie Caspary; 10. Mike Boal

CLASSIC 250

1. Jeremy Berger; 2. Thomas Asperger; 3. Fred Berger dnf

CLASSIC 500

1. Tom Horton; 2. Craig Peyron; 3. Chris Rudy; 4. Ryan Colvin; 5. Lenny Rodriguez; 6. Joe Pape;

7. Dwayne Looke

DINO

1. Jim Ottele; 2. Go Takanine; 3. Fred Berger; 4. Marcus Harner; 5. Robert Koch

YOUTH 60

1. Emmett Brown; 2. Kensai Matsudaira; 3. Drake Conner; 4. Zane Davis; 5. Maeson Baker; 6. Jackson Brown

YOUTH 80

1. Alex Martin; 2. Kage Tadman; 3. Travis Petton; 4. Colin Petton; 5. Sterling Martin; 6. Jasper Heathfield

MODERN 250

1. Ken Netto; 2. Marc Lyons; 3. Cole Norman; 4. Hadley Melton; 5. Phil Anderson

MODERN 500

1. David Brown; 2. Jimmy Lundgren; 3. Don Galloway

MODERN 750

1. Joe Kopp; 2. Jeff Johnson; 3. Jeffrey Carver; 4. Paul Herman; 5. Don Galloway; 6. Ross Stuckert;

7. Ken Thiebaud; 8. Charlie Caspary

250 OPEN

1. Kody Kopp; 2. Blake Ash; 3. Zack Earwood; 4. Jacob Cascio; 5. Jonathan Schaefer; 6. Brandon Engerbretsen; 7. Cole Norman; 8. Conner Hickerson; 9. Bryson Berna

500 SUPPORT

Jack Jones; 2. Jimmy Lundgren; 3. Jeff Gonzales; 4. Jason Craven; 5. Danny Ritchie; 6. Jay Gardner; 7. Brian Harmon; 8. Rick Reed; 9. Andrew Davis

OPEN AMATEUR “A” MAIN

1. Grant Holmes; 2. Tarren Santero, 3. Kody Kopp; 4. Julia Heess; 5. Matthrew Ott; 6. Blake Ash; 7. Dominic Diaz; 8. Robin Nicolaides; 9. Brandon Gross; 10. Conner Hickerson; 11. Austin Williams

OPEN AMATEUR “B” MAIN

1. Jacob Cascio; 2. Robbie Crean; 3. Nikolas Henry; 4. Cole Norman; 5. James Blumer; 6. Bill Wright; 7. Chris Picirillo; 8. Mike Brooks; 9. Andrew Davis

SENIOR OPEN A

1. Don Howard; 2. Jim Rosa; 3. Jim Ottele; 4. John Dupree; 5. Larry Ehrhart, 6. Ray Lopez; 7. James Davis; 8. John Roberts; 9. David Ehrhart; 10. Robin Nicolaides

SENIOR OPEN B

1. Don Galloway; 2. John Rudd; 3. Travis Ward; 4. Greg Powell; 5. Mark Norman; 6. Dan Dowding;

7. Chris Picirillo; 8. Matt Peternel

DIGGER HELM OPEN PRO

1. Jared Mees, 2. Sammy Halbert; 3. Mikey Rush; 4. Dan Bromley; 5. Nick Armstrong; 6. Dalton Gauthier; 7. Oliver Brindley; 8. Kayl Kolkman; 9. Kaden Downing; 10. Max Whale; 11. Clayton Williams 12. Tarren Santero; 13. Jay Maloney; 14. Hunter Brooks; 15. Jeffrey Carver (DNF)