A True GNF Classic

• Larry Lawrence

The 1985 WERA C Production race at the GNF was one of the true all-time classics. The race was packed with talent and it came down to a final turn battle between Ed Key, Bart Peterson and Greg Tysor. Peterson went around the outside of Road Atlanta’s dangerous final downhill turn, over the alligator bumps to pass Key and Tysor for the victory. To this day it was one of the most exciting races I’ve ever witnessed. This is the start of that race at Road Atlanta. I’m not 100 percent sure on all these riders, but I think we have Neil Barker (35) leading into turn one with Ed Key (34) taking the inside line. Andre Vandenberg (357), Bart Peterson (3) and Greg Tysor (67) are railing around the outside. Following are Jeff James (118), Tom Malaska (70), Gary Greeholt (behind Malaska) and Tim Wilson (29).

The start of the 1985 WERA C Production Final at Road Atlanta. I’m not 100 percent sure on all these riders, but I think we have Neil Barker (35) leading into turn one with Ed Key (34) taking the inside line. Andre Vandenberg (357), Bart Peterson (3) and Greg Tysor (67) are railing around the outside. Following are Jeff James (118), Tom Malaska (70) and Tim Wilson (29). (Larry Lawrence photo)

The start of the 1985 WERA C Production Final at Road Atlanta. I’m not 100 percent sure on all these riders, but I think we have Neil Barker (35) leading into turn one with Ed Key (34) taking the inside line. Andre Vandenberg (357), Bart Peterson (3) and Greg Tysor (67) are railing around the outside. Following are Jeff James (118), Tom Malaska (70), Gary Greeholt (behind Malaska) and Tim Wilson (29). (Larry Lawrence photo)

21 thoughts on “A True GNF Classic”

  1. Great shot Larry.Present-day riders should know that while 600s back then were fast for their time,they flexed,head shook and ground pegs like crazy.Peterson was incredible to watch,just an unreal talent.

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  2. Rick

    You are so right. Peterson has to be one of the most under-rated road racers ever because he never pursued AMA Pro stuf, but man did he have talent. I saw him and Tysor battle it out earlier that season and the rear shock on Bart’s FJ600 was completely blown. The rear tire was just chattering like crazy, but Peterson just stayed on the gas.

    Larry

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  3. I wish someone had a video of this GNF C Production final. It was just a stunning race. I can’t stress how intense this race was. It was the best.

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  4. Larry,

    I was talking about this race just yesterday! I spent the entire time sitting in third place watching Greg and Bart just hammer on each other. I knew there was no way either one of those guys were going to finish, as their fight was so intense. When the white flag waved I was amazed they were both still upright. I reluctantly joined the fight and had the lead down the back straight. To this day I still can’t believe the move Bart pulled off. I was into the bridge turn as deep as I’ve ever been, on the limit with the bike sliding and Bart railed around the outside! Through the gator bumps!! I’ve never seen a more outrageous move or a rider more deserving of winning a championship. That was truly an amazing race.

    Ed Key

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  5. There was so much talent there.86 was also good.Iwas there both years on a 600 Ninja #211 Black plates,any pics? Got smoked by Russell & Bray in the 600 race in 86.I was so intimidated by that track,blind hills and the gravity cavity.It took a couple of years to come up to speed there.I rode the new track a few years ago,not as scary.

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  6. Cool photo. Side note – Andre Vandenberg raced with the CRRC in the Texas/Oklahoma region for several years in the 1980s. He was injured pretty heavily in a crash in 1989 (at the now sadly defunct Oak Hill Raceway) and retired from club racing. Last I heard he’s racing SCCA type cars around road courses in Texas.

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  7. Ed,

    Thanks for sharing your memories of the race. I’m glad I’m not the only one who remembers it as one of the most intense races I’ve ever seen. When you, Tysor and Bart came out from under the bridge three-wide my eyes went wide open. I think I was so mesmerized by the race I forgot to pick up my camera.

    LL

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  9. No in 86 they were in the c prod and c super novice. They battled to the flag if my memory serves me correctly.

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  10. As far a underated Key has them all beat.He was winning then and still winning and is just as fast if not faster.

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  11. Larry ya have a great web site here.Cool to see Ed logged on!The list is long and growing,names that were or still are headliners in Cycle News or Roadracing World.

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  14. Now dang-gummit , I’m STILL PISSED OFF about this. Shoot Bart and I beat up on each other like that all dang summer. He told me if I came to Summit I’d get my butt beat. Hell I couldn’t get there fast enough. We raced there harder than Road A.!! He was a fun happy go lucky guy. Fun times.
    Greg Tysor

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  15. Oh for the record. That old FJ was the pure definition of production racing. I raced it for the entire season with stock everyting but tires. True story . Same shock , same spark plugs , same air-filter, brakes , lines, bone-ass stock. Adjusted the valves before the GNF. Paid exactly $2666. and won 30-grand that summer. Sold it for 1800. with the same plugs , filters everything!! Sure wish I had it back.
    Great site Larry , especially for us old guys.
    PS
    Ed Key is my hero ! Anybody brave enough to ride up the inside of Bart and I on the last last has got some brass ones !! Keep ridin’ buddy!!

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  16. Boy,,,sure has been a long time since I thought about this day. I’m pretty sure I’m in the picture too. Behind #70 Tom Malaska, #183 Gary Greenholt. This is the race that I remember the most. About the 5th lap, I caught a false neutral on the back straight, allowing John Kosinski to draft past. I keep’t up with him a few laps , then slid off at turn one, after the rear shock quit and I planted the pipe on the road HARD. Thanks for the memory.. Are any of these guys still alive? Love to hear from them.
    Gary Greenholt

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  17. Yep, sure has been a long time!. Bart and I switched bikes for that race. His bent frame 600 probably wasn’t up to the task but he as always, road the wheels off that thing. I ended up parking the bent frame bike and had a chance to spectate for the last couple of laps…..what a finish!!!!
    Tom Malaska

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  19. Last I knew, Bart Peterson had a successful Yamaha dealership in NJ. If I recall correctly, one reason he quit road racing was because he had a chance to buy it- an offer he couldn’t refuse…

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  20. I was on Neil Barkers slower bike, he had 2…I remember john konsinski passed me on back straight going 10 mph faster ,..he must weigh 100 lbs….but Bart was gone way ahead

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