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/125497
Both IIFt_IFts and heavY_'Fts _e represented In the sldebaek lineup. d took National Championship honors. .cc Hm . . die INg AlIA lIatiHai CII• • •llip Hare SCranltles willi Matc:lliess silgle .1 tH fast 3-1.." 3lHllile Ridgecrest cturse. TIle laig likes U.d up at 10:111 a.m. aid it began .. rain just as the um. "pped f1Ir tile start. Tbe light rain lIeld fbe "st dDwn and packed fbe sand bard, wbiell made the cturse very fast and bumpy. $Ie.. bis Bobby Ferro was first man to the smoke bomb with Malcolm Smith on a 250 Husqvarna second. Steve Hurd came over the hill third. Coming into the pits after the first 3D-mile loop, Bobby was still the leader with Larry Bergquist second on a BSA. Ferro still held the lead coming into the pits after the second loop, but he ran into some clutch trouble. Also, Bergquist had to pull into the pits with rain-caused problems, and Malcolm Smith tried to jump off the bank of a sand wash too fast and crashed. putting him out. -Big M" Thumps to Wiu Steve Hurd. who had been pushing hard. now moved up into first gpot with his MatcbJess single and held it to the finish line. Steve had finished 18 runs out of the last 19 on the MatcbJess be tones at his own shop (be bad a Oat tire two weeks ago). or the 18 runs finished. be took 15 firsts in the 500cc Expert class, so be really deserved tbis win. When asked about the course Steve said, M) really had a ball, the trails and sandwashes were great.' Commenting on his win, the young Montebello mlc dealer said, MHa ha Cycle World, it didn't fall apartY' G'lry Conrad, on a Greeves. was the second man in and took 1st 250 Expert. Right behind Gary was J.N. Roberts on a 360 Husqvarna. Gary Griffin arrived fourth on a 250 Bultaco. sam Dempsey was a big surprise, coming in fifth overall and 1st Open Amateur. Right behind him came the 1st Open Expert, Lon Peterson on his new Triumph Metisse, which his dad just put together Saturday night. After the race, the riders could not say enough about the fine organization the Sandblasters had. The pits were well set uP. with members directing parking. and the- territory was excellent - very few rocks and well marked. All in all, the 361 Open Class riders who signed up had a good day of racing in the desert - a little wet maybe. but most enjoyable. TRAIL BIKES Frank Morgan, on a Hodaka, took the ationaJ Hare Scrambles, with 118 otbet' trail bikes hot on his heels. The Trail Bikes used a separate course, which is always aPpreciated by the riders. They went four laps on a fast lo-mile course. over really great terrain - rolling trails around the foothills that were plenty wide for passing, with a couple of short sand washes thrown in for variety. The going was mostly third and fourth gear. with no rocks for a change. Frank Morgan led it into the pits after the first loop, but Jack Forelicb, pUshing him hard, got out of the pits in first place. Frank regained the lead about three miles out and held it to the finish line. Ron Matheny moved up into second spot with Cleve Thomas pushing him all the way. Cleve took third on his Honda and also grabbed the 1st Amateur gold. The sandblasters laid out a very good run and should be congratulated on their handling of the pits. They allowed about 100 feet between the two lines of trucks for the riders to come racing through. setting a good example for the other clubs to follow. They sbowed that Planning abead is a must. as desert racing is becoming a very popular sPort. and there was a large crowd for the National. (Results on page 16)