Throwback Thursday: Donny Schmit Nails Holeshot at Sandhill Golden State National (1989)

Larry Lawrence | December 29, 2022

Major talent racing in pre-season event

In this week’s Throwback we dial the time machine back to January of 1989, to a CMC Golden State National at Sandhill Ranch in Brentwood, California. The AMA Supercross season didn’t start until the end of January in ’89, so a lot of pros used these CMC events to stay race tough during the off-season. This photo illustrates the level of talent in these races. This is the 250cc Pro class blasting through the first turn and that’s Donny Schmit (9D) leading the pack. Donny would go on to win his first FIM Motocross World Championship the very next season, so yes, rider talent was over the top. That’s Jeff Ward (No. 55) giving chase, along with Tyson Vohland (No. 11). Vohland and Ward would score the moto victories that day at Sandhill, with Wardy winning the overall ahead of runner up Vohland. Schmit rounded out the podium in third. Get a load of some of the others in this race! How about Mike Fisher, Rodney Smith, Steve Lamson, Jeff Hicks, Todd DeHoop and Jeremy McGrath just to name a few. For sure you had to come ready to rock ‘n roll at these pre-season races.

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