P104
50
Years Ago
DECEMBER 16, 1969
LOOKING BACK
We featured The Superbikers race from Carlsbad Raceway on the cover
of Cycle News 40 years ago. The made-for-TV race featured some of
the top racers from multiple disciplines of motorcycle racing, mainly
motocross, flat track and road racing. Kent Howerton, who was pictured
on the cover, was the overall winner… Also on the cover was former GNC
Champion Joe Leonard. We celebrated his title-winning season 25 years
earlier. Leonard went on to become a successful four-wheel racer… We
interviewed 500cc MX World Champion Graham Noyce.
40
Years Ago
DECEMBER 12, 1979
Minibikes took front stage in our issue number-48 50 years ago. We featured
some of the small bikes on the cover, including the new Bonanza "Boss"
Minichopper, and the new Suzuki TC-90… Speaking of minibikes, we
featured a story on an enthusiastic motorcycle rider who decided to take on
the Rubicon River Trail in Northern California on a Hodaka-power Bonanza
minibike… The Inter-Am Motocross Championship made a stop at Carlsbad
Raceway and we had full race coverage. 500cc World Champion Bengt
Aberg and Arne Kring split class wins.
(Left) Race winner
Terry Rymer (left)
and champion
Fred Merkel both
had something to
smile about at the
final round of the
Superbike World
Championship in
New Zealand 30
years ago.
(Right) We
interviewed
Valentino Rossi
who was about to
move up the the
500cc class 20
years ago.
