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/125489
10th ANNUAL BIG HARE RUN By Dick Wright &; 0> - t~ ~ ~ ~ r.J rj >.. C,) Larry Bergquist, ##'1 OPfll Expert rider on a 650 BSA, took the overall win after a loq,g and rough 75 miles of Califomia desert. The Jack Rabbits Club had one of the largest tamouts for a desert event in teCfIlt times laSt Sunday, with a total of 480 riders. There were 340 open class and 140 trail bikes at their 10th annual Big Hare Run in the desert west of Rosamond. We were told at the riders meeting that the big bikes would go three 25-mile loops, and the trail biles would start 10 miautes later and go two :lJ.mile loops. The long, sandy, and rocky hills for the big bikBll wme cut oat of the trail bike coulSe. It was a good banner start in rough. bumpy terrain. J.N. Roberts,·#13 Expert on a 350 Honda, led it to the smoke bomb, but ran into some trouble in the hilly part of the course and fell back a couple of places. Malcolm Smith, #2lX on a 250 Husqvarna, was then the leader, with Gary Conrad, #5X on a 250 Greeves, 2nd at the end of the first loop, and, both of these tiders had a big lead at the gas check. Larry Bergquist, charging hard, came in 3rd. Only abou t 250 riders, including both the big ~kes and the trail bikes, were able to finish the first loop. which show s how rough the couzse was. The first 10 miles or so to tile second check were not too bad, but then the big ltkes made a tum UP into the high, sandy hills with narrow trails which are hard to pass on, especially after a few bikes had chewed UP the course. Bergquist was able to pass Smith when Malcolm lost his exhaust pipe, and Bergquist also passed Conrad, who mad e a wron g tum. Larry's BSA bombed into the gas check in the lead with Smith following, carrying his exhaust pipe. Conrad came in 3rd. and 4th into the gas check was Howard Beach, #33 Open Amateur on a Triumph. Beqquist was able to bold onlo this lead. and came into the finish with a 4-minute span over 2nd man, Gary CoO' rad. Howard Beacb, a fast.-moving amatear, pic1led .., a good 3rd spot, and Dave Ekins was 4th overall on his 250 Bultaco Metisse. J.N. Roberts turned up in the 9th spot, and first 350. Steve Hurd, #35, took the first 500 laurels on his Matchless, for the 2nd week in a row. Desert hounds were divided in their opinions of the course. The winner said "it was a sandy, hilly, rough course. Tight to race on.· But it was a course where your scrambles (and even trials) experience helped improve your finishing position. With 340 big bikes there is bound to be traffic •••Even in the desert! £ ,g ... 'i "C ~ ... " is One of 480 rld.s who tumed out for the 10th annual BII Hare Run. Gary Conrad (5x) KAWASAKI Flattrack and TT ace Bob ride the des.t too. made a WIOlII turn, stili wound • s_ad. makes a tiger that isn't built like a tankl the' 250(.(. SAMURAI The slashing SAMURAI 250 is performance-bred to give you the most power, acceleration and speed ever engineered into a 250. Features include: ,2:10. CC Dual Rotary Valve, 2-stroke engine develops 31 HP/SOOO RPM, • Superluhe oil injection - DO fuel premi xing • Multi-Disc wet plate clutch, Double leading front brake , Dual Exhausts, Sealed beam headlight with high beam indicator. Maximum Speed 1110 - 105 MPH DEALERS: Exclusive franchises for the full line Df 2 and 4-stroke, 50 cc to 650 cc Kawasaki motorcycles are still available in many choice areas. Dealers are backed by Kawasaki's world-wide reputation for quality, service and performance. Shift up-with the new Kawasaki line. American Kawasald Moforc,cle Corp. P. 0, Box 2066, 15205 So. Main St., Gardena. calif. (213) 329-1152