Snapshots from the Southern California Flat Track Association Doubleheader Season Opener

Yamaha-mounted John Clayton (12) is a new face at Perris Raceway. He used his skills to top the Vintage 750cc class. It’s great to see some new competition in this field.

Brad Rudy (19R) from Long Beach, California, fought his way to the top step of the Open Amateur A main-event podium. Rudy’s new mount, a 450cc DTX machine, surely agrees with his style.

Former Grand National and Speedway racer Jeff “The Jester” Johnson (37) used his “framer” to hand everyone in the Senior Over 50 Vet class a defeat. Johnson is always fast, and it’s good to see him back in action.

Jim “Jumper” Rosa (88) is picking up right where he left off last season: at the front of the Vet Over 35 field.

There’s a new face in one of the toughest classes at Perris, the Bomber class. Jim Wood Sr. (47) has thrown his hat in the ring and made an impressive debut, but Danny Perkins (89), the current class champion, showed what he’s made of and found his way to the front for the victory. This is going to be a great season in this class!

AV Kawasaki/Yamaha’s Tom Horton (55) won both the Vintage 750cc and 250cc Expert classes at round two on Sunday. Horton is shown here on his 250cc mount, just one of many pristine bikes in his stable.

Sponsored by Jim McMurren, David McNeeley (73), on a Dick Mann-framed Yamaha TT500, was the top dog of the Open Amateur field on Sunday. McNeeley has really stepped up his game and is looking to be a threat in any class he contests this season.

Jim Wood (15), who is sponsored by Freddie Edwards, spanked the Senior Vet Over 50 class. Wood just seems to get faster every year.

The Youth classes were huge on opening weekend at Perris. One big standout was El Segundo’s Sean Heeney (117), who took the victory in the 85cc Youth Four-Stroke Novice class at both rounds.