P134
50
Years Ago
JANUARY 21, 1969
LOOKING BACK
Our first issue of 1969 featured TT racing from Ascot Park's new TT
layout. Pictured in the cover photo were Dallas Baker (58), Eddie
Wirth (84), Jim Rice (80), Bill Manley (19) and Ron Kruseman at
the Clyde Litch Benefit races… We covered motocross racing from
Carlsbad Raceway, where Mike Runyard, Vic Hannan and Top Rapp
were crowned California Junior Motocross Champions… Motorcycle
International Committee president Wes Cooley was the week's rider
profile… We covered J.N. Roberts' win in the desert.
We started 1979 off with an illustration by Steve Beaumont on the cover,
showing Baby New Year chasing Father Time across the landscape…
We announced that Tony DiStefano and Rich Eierstedt had signed with
Can-Am… Jeff Ward, Jimmy Weinert and Rex Staten were the Pro-
class winners at the wet, cold and muddy CMC Golden State MX Series
at Saddleback Park… Bobby Schwartz won the AMA speedway world
qualifier at Santa Ana Stadium in California.
40
Years Ago
JANUARY 17, 1979
J.N. Roberts
won yet again
in the California
desert 50 years
ago despite
the five-degree
starting
temperature
that day.
Tommy Croft
(left) and Jimmy
Weinert share a
moment together
at the CMC
Golden State MX
Series opener at
Saddleback Park
40 years ago.
