Lancaster, CA Sept. 6th,
     The Third Annual Ray Hensley Memorial Flat Track was held this year on Labor Day, the last day of the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival. This facility was the site of nine major short track events which were held opening night of the A V Fair from 1967 to 1975. Those races were promoted by the legionary J.C. Agajanian, and drew four hundred 250 riders and a sold out grandstand. This race is promoted by AHRMA racer Tom Horton, who raced in those events over twenty five years ago. Over 100 entries raced on a 3/8 mile oval in front of a large festive, fair crowd.
     Ken Netto's Can-Am lead the large field of Sportsman 250s to the first turn. Bultaco riders Tom Horton, Brad Holt, Manny Crumett, Nick Nassisi, and Jeff Lessley followed the speeding leader. Horton was never able to pressure Netto, but Crumett snuck by Holt on the third lap, and Lessley nipped Nassisi on the fifth and final lap. The final order was Netto, Horton, Crumett, Holt, and Lessley. Brad Holt covered the Sportsman 600 class going flag to flag. Paul Herman grabbed second over Tom Horton, but on the second lap, an aggressive Horton rode inside of Herman in turn one. Herman retaliated on lap four, and held second to the checkers. Manny Crumett, John Lundgren and Brad Spencer battled over forth spot the whole five laps, but prenatal 600 leader Spencer could only claim sixth position. Crummet was forth and Lundgren finished in fifth position.
     Triumph riders Dennis Pirehiro and Marty Lewis blasted into the lead for top honors in the Sportsman 750 main. Tom Horton , on a Yamaha, passed Pirehiro on lap three, and set sail for Lewis. Horton was on Lewis coming out of four on the last lap, but Lewis's thundering twin was first to the finish line. BSA  mounted Larry Earhart worked through the field for third spot and Pirehiro grabbed  forth. SDFTA president and long time competitor, Jim McMurren, bested the Classic 250 main on a Harley Sprint.  Bultaco rider Jeff Lessley and Suzuki twin mounted Tom Horton had a spirited dice for runner up spot. Horton prevailed at the flag, followed by Lessley and Rich Trait on an OSSA in forth. The Senior  +50 class was Marty Lewis' second win of the day aboard his Triumph. Jim McMurren on a 350 Sprint  finished second, while Warren Adams beautiful Triumph was third.
     The Classic 500/750 mixed bag machines provided the most lead changes of the day. Gary Davis on a 500 Triumph, grabbed the early lead. Flathead 750 Harley mounted Chris Rudy passed Davis on the second go round, while Jeff Apple's  350 Harley Sprint was a close third. Rudy dropped the big V twin out of four into the hay bales on the third lap. Allen McBee final got Black Beauty running and powered by Davis for the win. Apple was third, and another Triumph ridden by Clark Edlington  placed forth. The really old guys in the Super Senior race were once again lead by Micky Alzola . Hank Corsio  finished second, and Tom Howard placed third.
    Paul Herman fine showing in the 600 race was a preview of things to come. Herman's Yamaha jumped to a commanding lead in the Seventies Singles and he was never headed. The large field had a lot of tight racing, but little position changing. Tom Horton did pass Jeff Johnson for third on the last lap, while Ron Hinton rode for second all the way.