Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

NEWS FROM NEVADA GO SUPER FAST wltll CYCLE CITY OSSA - BEIIlEW - SUZUKI By Reg Sheldrick Complete lIac:blne SIlo, 2142 Lone Beach Boule.Md Lone Beach - 591-1389 ............... II- It , T~.!!fl NtnuUl C·z 'i (t. Hwqvarna Complete Service, Parts. M,~·:::/#fP~. n .; ; ., ;.. MOT' Usually I've used this colmD to report on the activities of others. Other racers and clubs, perhaps reward a dealer or two and even a friend. One thing I've avoided till now, is gettiDg involved ia racing politics. I never felt that reporting events and races should be slanted for or against a sanctioning body, promoter or anyone who tries to advance the sport. However, I guess my time is up on that score and now I'm going to use this colmn for my own use. I don't feel like being cannon fodder in a war that one individual wants to wage against the A.M.A. Let him use his own people. riders, column or whatever be chooses, but be should invest in an 8¢ stamp or. if he can afford it, a pbone call. to gatber a few facts before loading bis feeble guns. It is not my intention in tbe past, present or future to create any bassle among sanctioning bodies regarding my business activities. I number many racers among my close personal friends, from two or three groups, and never at any time will I jeopardize tbe riding status of tbese racers or any otbers, if I can belp it. For all tbose concerned (or who feel. tbat it concerns tbem) let me clarify the reasons for our sanction switcb from the American Federation of Motorcyclists to tbe American Motorcycle Association for our first event. or better still. let me outline a few details. as 2422 E. HUNTIN(;TON DRIVE DUARTF:. (:AUFORNIA tolophono 359-4541 As you are aware. A.M.A. have rules that prohibit licensed riders riding nOnA.M.A. events outside tbe state of California. Not wanting to jeopardize anyone's cbances of riding at Daytona, we approacbed tbe A.F.M. and explained tbe sudden turn of events. Good For the A.F.M! After personal contact with tbe majority of tbe Cbapters involved. tbey were in complete agreeme nt that tbe riders' interests was tbe chief concern of all, and tbat tbey would postpone tbeir event until APril to allow everyone wbo wanted to ride Las Vegas. No pressure was put on us by anyone at any time. I'll repeat that in case W.C. missed it. No pressure at anytime (unless.you care to call tbe A.M.A. rules pressure. and some do). No one said ·you better Or better not run A.F.M.· Tbe second Elsinore scram bles of the year was beld before a good grouP in summe~like weatber. with darkness bolding off longer than usual. Riders wbo missed tbe first event were very happy witb tbe new track imprOVements, including the consistently good, smooth track surface. And everyone enjoys tbe P .A. system, new ligbts, bigger. better registration bootb, and press stand. A correction is in order on last week's event. in that it was Eric Olesen, Montesa-mounted, in first place in tbe -Backward Sweeps" witb M. Harper in second and D. Hensley following in third. 200cc Novice Main Winning tbe 200cc Novice race was P. Coberly, a likeable young fellow wbo has plenty of drive, considering his cast from a broken leg was removed Just last week. He also took a first and a second in his otber races. Pe ople like Paul are little mare tban typical in the California motorcycle race scene, bowever. Paul and his Bultaco were pressured by riders like A. Hillan, also Bultaco-mounted. wbo took second, and N. Benton in a well-deserved third place. 100 Novice Main On the first raIse start. the first thing that comes to mind is "alI fall down." Five dders came off about :so yanls out from lbe start in a field of 14 starters. The old funnel errect again. The event was won by F. Edwards (Hooda) followed by G. LaDe (Bodaka) and J. MeriscaI (Honda). This class always seems to be the starting point for quite a number of young riders, reason enougb for a class to accommodate them. The lOOcc Novice Semi was won by J. Carder on a Montesa. who, along witb W. Scbiefer on a Honda. really put on a sbow for first place, followed by D. Holloway, Yamaha-mounted. Carder says be could feel the pressure behind him all tbe way. and that Elsinore is the best and most run track to ride in all of Riverside County. NATIONAL MOTOR SUPPLY CO, DISTRIBUTOR FOR 350·500 Open Expert Largest stock on West Coast Dealer QUALITY MOTORCYCLE Ilquiries ACCESSORIES ALSO lavirN IN STOCK PHONE: 213 633-5178 I------_._----, I I I I 334& CenlUry BIYd, I I L"wo.HE H8&4 • YAMAHA. All the Facts of the Matter I approached the stardust Racing Association witb a request to put on cycle races on tbeir 3.0 mile paved car track. as early as August. 1966. After a few discussions. all details were worked out and I was given the gO'" ahead to promote road racing tbere. First -A Practice Race 15710 Garfield Avenue, Paramount, California 90723' SHELL MOTORS An AF1II rider checks out the Stardust raceway, found It perfect for full-falrtne speed contests, .. _----_._---_. I contacted tbe A.M.A. and was given a few very large figures regarding purses. exPenses, etc. Knowing we bere in Las Vegas did not have all the pe~ sonnel in our Soutbern Nevada Moto~ cycle Racing Association to put on a roadrace witbout outside belp. and myself not numbering among tbe wealthier promoters, we decided to talk to tbe A.F.M. The offer of assistance in every respect, personnel. riders, publicity. etc•• was so quickly given and assured. that for our first event and to gain ex, perience. we decided we would bave an A.F.M. race and proceeded with all arrangements. We later received so mucb unexPected interest from A.M.A. riders and cycle distributors. They felt tbe fast 3 mile. full-fairing Stardust circuit would make an excellent warm-up for riders and tuners wbo were Daytona-bound, and we were asked by many if we would consider cbanging our sanction if possible, to permit these people to particiPate in our event. Tbere are A.F.M. members bolding A.M.A. cards too, wbo could stand to lose? We bonestly feel that road racing can be advanced barmoniously witb all concerned if people take tbe time to work things out. No one in tbe sanction switcb will SUffer, except perhaps a few riders wbo may bave won a few dollars sooner. But if this first event were professional, the next would bave had to be sportsnoan. Real Sportsmanship At Last! As far as belp or credit is concerned. we just bappen to be working with a buncb of real sportsmen who volunteered any belp tbey can give. They don't want to jump on a big soap box and belittle tbeir competitor's efforts or wave a big banner saying bow good they are for belping put on races. They say they are too busy putting on races to get involved in otber associations' rivalries. Tbe governing body bere at tbe coming race is tbe Southern Nevada M/c Racing Association (A.M.A.~hartered). We're on tbeir racing calendar. paid our fee and will be assisted by tbe five clubs. Any belp offered by the A.F.M. members will be accepted witb appreciation and all events will be run under A.M.A. sportsman rules. I don't tbink lJIa1 there are mIes that say someone wbo is a member of another grGlQI can't help put on a rac e as long as the saDction1nC body mIes are IQllield - 01" am I wrong? LONG BEACH HONDA GOODltua BWE STREAK MOWRRACFR NOW A vaiJable in These Sizes 2,75x18 & 3.00x18 3.00x19 & 3.5OX19 SHELBY ~c~Ck Tires Coming Sooa Artesia Iia ENl CalifI.(213) 3n-i1&& GardeII, olSH The usually sbarP gating of M. HarPer. BSA-mounted. fell off in tbis race. so be bad to bob and weave his way througb five otber riders to catcb a very close win, just nipping by A. Ellis. Honda-mounted. in second and R. Fisb on a Norton. HarPer did an end-over in tbe 500 Main and did not place but tbe surprise was to see him riding off tbe course witb "pipes a-dangle" and ·bars a-tweak,· only to come back for a good second in tbe popular Backwards Sweepstakes, bebind E. Olesen (Montesa) and ahead of F. Edwards (Honda). All in all, it was a great race witb quite a few bappy. trophy-bearing fellows finishing up around 11 p.m. Results : 100 NOylCE I. F. Edwards Hon 2. G. Lane Bod 3. J. MeriscaI Ron 200 NoytcE 1. P. Coberly 2. A. Hillan 3. N. Benton 250 NOVICE 1. E. Olesen 2. D. Russell 3. T. Sumner 350 Mon Moo Hon NOV'CE 1. J. Walker 2. A. Lohnes 3. A. MacC.racken Hon Bon Hoo 500 NOV'CE 1. R. Dodson 2. D. Brooks 3. R. Effinger Td BSA Eso OpEN NOylCE Mom 1. D. Brooks 2. C. Hruska 3. E. Oleson BSA Tn 100 EXPERT Mom 1. J. Meriscal 2. S, Rogers 3. G. Lane 206 glrER! MOD' 1. S. Rogers 2. T. Warren 3. D. BenSley 2:iO E~~T MOJO 1. T. n er 2. D. Russell 3. R. Shull 359-500 OPEN ExpERT 1. M. Harper 2. A. Ellis 3. R. Fisb ~ 2. C. Hruslla 3. E. Olesen ~ HEADQUARTERS Bul Dul Td 5WE E SPe;"KF1' 1. Eo esen Z. M. Hasper 3. F, Edwards Hoo HOD Hod BuI BuI Mon BuI Mon BuI IlSA Bon Nor BSA Tri Tri Moll BSA Hon

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