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/125492
• r I THE WORD FROM A LEADER GfT Off rllf COUISf U'LESS IAO.G! The biggest hazard to race leaders in the desert is not the UDseen bole or the sudden cliff, bat the UDwary rider. In hare scrambles type racing where the coarse repeats itself. two or three race leaders must face the prospect of encoUDteriDg riders retarDing to the pits or even spectators -just trying the trails.Try to imagine your feelings if you were leading the pack after traveling many miles at breakneck speed and suddenly you top a rise and meet a returning rider head-on at a combined speed of maybe 80mph. Or maybe its just a matter of throwing the bike down to miss that old man On his trail bike (and throw· ing the race away as well). Either way you are liable to be uPset. It!alcolm Smith has bad these experiences and if you persist he will pull up his pants leg and show you some good evidence. He has a leg that looks like someone ran a gouging tool UP its full length and left a giant pUl'llle zipper on it. All he asks is an even chance on the course, he has enough of a handicap trying to ride his 250cc to an overall win. not the way you'll find Malcolm himself. Readers may be surprised to learn that he was picked as the most promising American rider bY no less than world champion Torsten Hallman Of Sweden. It was reported in the English press, after Hallman's return to Europe. that Malcolm was his choice to best represent this country in international motn-cross. However, Malcolm 'has recently purchased the repair portion of K&N M/C in Hi verside and finances may keep him from going abroad to ride this year. He did ride last year's International Six Days Trial and won a Silver Medal (which is excellent for a first time effort). This year the I.S.D.T. is to be held In Poland and it's entirely possible that Malcolm will be there. Malcolm is twenty-five years old, a quiet man, friendly, modest and almost .mal you .-ould call shy. Wben seen on a motorcycle it's bard to realize that it is tile same person. At SDeed bis eyes appear dlUlllY, bis moutll baacs appe, and tile bille leaps about like a lI11D&: possessed by demons. Bowever, no one can argue witll die ract tIIat his style produces results. What ramo be bas gained or eamed came about in die recent rew years. Beine that be rode the bills around his San Bernardino bome witll his rriends. This is bow be aeQUired bis ability to keep control and be Is quick to claim lIIat be bas slowed down in die dancerous Parts no.. that be bas crown ·old·. Malcolm could be part of a special breed of enthUsiasts. Not content with the professional racing that caters mainly to oval track riders, he and a few others have looked to Europe where the rough scrambler and desert rider can gain fame and fortune. Not only that tnt these riders think that America should have a place on the championshiP list of countries, preferably at the toP. By Bill Blaileslee Tucb ,our kids to rlde, .., all lilian., but make trail lb.t -.,. lUre tbor. are .0 .... - Cll ~ ~ &; 0> - 0; ::., ~ i:! "" :. CI) ~ C>:l :2: C>:l -J ~ U rae. . . .Inc ,our practice • Stay Out of Their Way! In the name of SANITY, if you're not racing, keep OFF the desert course. The only thing worse than the chugger is the rider who returns to the pits at racing speeds, on the trail and going in thEl opposite direction to the racers. The guys who run UP front are on the verge of crashing at any time and people coming at them are beyond even their control. Riders repairing their bikes should be off the trail as they are just another hazard that was not there on the previous lap. The last culprit is the ·tall· endoCharlie· who decides to start racing again when the leaders try to lap him. I! this is you, don't be surprised if you get an elbow or a foot in the side. These front runners are in nO mood for playtime. Malcolm says that he occasionally gets dirty looks in the pits after the run from guys he has had to 'crowbar' off the groove. He is hoping that exposure like this will explain his actions and eliminate hard feelings. All this may sou.nd cold, but that's . Malcolm Smith, h.r. about to saddle a horse for Mrs. Smith, Clves some good advice to desert chas. dropouts and unconscious fun rlders. "";c Scltoo's Teac" Mle Mee"s. On February 6 at the beginning o[ the Spring Semester, the Los Angeles City Schools will have started, [or the first time in the history o[ public education, a pre-employment class in motorcycle mechanics. The purpose o[ this class is to train young men to enter the motorcycle industry as beginning mechanics. The Los Angeles City Schools and representatives of the motorcycle industry have held meetings during the past two months for the plannIng and development of this program. As a result of these meetings, the curriculum has been prepared and has received approval from the Advisory Committee representing the major motorcycle manufacturers. This new and unique procram will be boused at tbe Adult Occupational Training Center, 6200 Wlnnetlla Avenue, Woodland Hills, CalUomia. The course will provide 600 hours (approximately four and a half montbs) of concentrated classroom. laboratory. and live instruction. Emphasis will be on learning by doing. Motorcycle distributors and dealers bave made available working models and running machines on which tbe students will perform. Dealers Cooperate for Edllca.tiOb s..botl1'l I. III. - C _ _ .....111 .... bvIoal! IIere! RIder........C to III. pit. sIIoaId sta, . .II .ff It. trail. n. Permission has also been given by the local dealers tor the school to accept regular motorcycle rePair jobs in the advanced stage of the course. This type of learning situation will closely parallel the kind of work pedorrned in the industry and will equip each student with the skill and experience for entrance into the motorcycle industry. The class will meet six bo.-s per day, Dve days a week ror a pedocI or tweat,y weeks. Bowever, the PIOCIlUII will be Deuble enough to allow students to enter at any time and continue in tile procram uotll they complete tbe training. Mr. Dale Martin of Johnson Motors, Inc., has been employed as the instructor for this new program. It's Not too Late to Learn a Trade Those interested in obtaining additional information regarding the program or seeking enrollment, please call 213 346-3540 or contact the school at 6200 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, California (across the street from Los Angeles Trade-Tech College. This course will include approximately 2.000 hours of instruction. and is designed to provide in-depth training for those interested in entering the motorcycle sales and service industry. Says Joe Bope, Sales Mer. (or BSAWestern in Duarte, ·Some or us in tile Industry have been instrumental in ro.mulatlnc this PIOcnun and reel tIIat it wl.1l bave a creat value to tile retail dealers tbroudJout this area. ·Trained lDec:banlcs are now at a premium in tbls area and a school or this type can be very advantaeeous, DOt only to tile retail dealers, bot to tile lodnstty as a wbole.· Of course, the ones who stand to gaIn the most from this free education. are the students who take advantace or the OPDortunlty.