Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125470
SI'OTUGHT ON ASClAM8LEI Meet Darwin Ballard,President of the California Gophers and holder of heavyweight number 7. Darwin, who was born in Oklahoma thirty years ago, has lived most of his life in California where he makes his home with his wife Garol and their three sons. They are Bobbie, who is ten, Stevie who is eight and sevenyear-old Ronnie. There is another ba by on the way, due in just a few months and the Ballards are thinking that it would be nice if this one was a girl. The first thing you notice when meetin g Darwin is that he looks like a man with tremendous power, and he is. Just ask any of the guys who were around Norm Bests' a few years back when a small plane crashed and slid upside down to rest very near the Best shop. Darwin, one of the first on the scene, calmly ripped the door off to assist the passengers who were tralllled inside. Other tales are that he has been seen to lift a BSA Gold Star into the back of a pickup unaided. "It's a good thing he's a nice easy going guy," one of his friends said, • because he could tear your head off if he ever got mad.· This physical development came about from two things. While attending SOuth Gate High SChool, Darwin was All-City Gymnast for two years specializing in work on the high bars. Ask anyone familiar with gymnastics and they'll tell you this builds tremendous gripping power with development in the shoulder and arm area. After High SChool Darwin enlisted in the Seabees and spent four years in the outfit, with some of that time spent out in the Philippines on Luzon working with heavy equipment. Cominl( back home he started riding on the street with his first machine a BSA Road Rocket. He had an accident in which he hit a car and 'that was the end of his street riding. He started racing in 1962 aboard a 37'12 inch Norton Twin with a plate numbered 201 mx. In eight months he made the trip from Novice to Expert rot never won a trophy in that time. His first one came when he had his Gold Star as a 500 Expert and right now he's one of the most rabid BSA fans you'll find anywhere. He admits to being one-sided where BSAs are concerned, especlally towards the big singles. Right now he is consistently in the top three in his class and will most probably hold the number 4 plate in 1967. As for professional racing? No. He tried it, riding a few times at Ascot, rot to Darwin it took all the fun out of riding, and that is what he rides for. Fun. As for working, he can be found in one of two places. He is service Manager for LeBard and Underwood in La Habra, and is also the • Bal" half of . Bal-Con located in La Mirada. This is a company he operates with Floyd Conrey, another racer, and they specialize in motorcycle 'painting along with custom seat and tank combinations. In closing, we would like to say that Darwin Ballard is a credit to the sport. Not only is he a hard competitor, he works hard for his clu b, tackles two jobs and still finds time to serve on the Competition Committee keeping the tally of the Lightweight Points and issuing the numbers, although he 'admits Carol helps tremendously in this last ch ore. By Maureen Lee 100% fINANCING OAC ~ U Open 7 OSSA "'"","~(J, DaysA f!(/~ Hoclcie's Motorcyc'esno2r; S ..... Phone 328-1242 FigueroaTorrance ~~..- __ . _ L _ DSA -HODAKA-~~ ... ----------------- ~ TWO DAYS OF RACING I I ~ : SPORTSMEN T1'S t PROfESSIONAL T1'S: g I Saturday Nor. '2'" t Su.ay Noy. '3'" I I ALL CLASSES A CA ALL CLASSES I I • ,. • Practice - '0 a.lI. I : Racing starts - '2 p.lI. I I I Practice - '0 a.lI. I Racing starts - '2 p.lI. t Guaranteed purse : I In conjunction with the 5 day Nat!. Surfing Championship I u.s. I t $ 600 .00 VENTURA FAIR GROUNDS 'FUN FUN FUN' The largest Honda dealer in the United States-Long Beach Honda-proprietor of the four Honda retail outlets in Long Beach, is sponsoring a dualevent motorcycling day on November 13, for evelY rider regardless of experience! Registration will take place at the main store: 5105 Atlantic Blvd. in Long Beach at 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 13. Riders will leave at 12:00 a.m. on a poker run which will lead to the grounds where a field meet will be held. This event will allow all riders, novice or veteran, to compete. It will also provide an excellent day of enjoyment for the spectators. Everyone, regardless of affiliation, is welcome. There will be classes for all machines - six or more in competition to make a class. Trophies in all classes. More news next week!!! 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