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/125498
Photos by Dick & Jet! Wright Left: DoD Watkins (Greeves) hustles right alone to 2lld 2:18cc EllPert IIDisb. Above: TIle desert-ridtne IIID1t.itude cathers be fore start (s) or Lost Angels eveaL Rigbt: SaDdwasb lIIlUIeavers by Malcolm Smith. BDrIaDk. Roberts is a member or the Checllers MoC., bot las been wearing a Hnsq_ jumper tostead or his Checkers ./1DPer, ror wbtch the club las been lIn1De him $1.00 per week. Maybe after the wiD, they wtll ease .. OD him. Roberts bas been a real cbarcs for the laSt six 1IIOIItbs, eetttoc in the first 10 in almost every race. so he was really due for this bie wiD. Trail Bikes The 107 trail bikes were started 10 minutes after the big bikes:. and it was another clean sweep for the Hodakamounted Morgan brothers. Jack took first place and Frank finish.ed second. NEWS FROM NEVADA By Rec Sheldrick Here in Las Vegas. the latest pUblicity stunt is a series of billboards. T.V. and newSPaper ads urging the pUblic to ·support a Game Preserve for Nevada's GNAKYAK Herd.· wen. I'll go along with the idea and suggest we give them one of our scramhles tracks. At the moment. and so far this year·, we haven·t had enough scrambles riders to support one of them and we have two. Only twenty-three signed up to ride the Vegas Valley M.C. event today. The last four events of 1966 drew an average of 60 riders ••• so WHAT HAPPENED? True. this year we split the SNRA points into Desert and Track. I don't think we haye enough riders locally to do this; however. it was decided on years ago, and perhaps this is one reason. But although it may contribute. it is not the only reason for the lack of racers. 'Ibe Silvs City Scramblers had 64 to '73 ridss at SWU1se for their last three eYeDts. Tbis _ e clob lad ODe rids. Tom Cuip. Ilbow .. to ride today. I'm sorry that I missed the races at Sunrise last week pUt on by Silver City, I was told that the bulk of the members went to Ascot for the 100 1aPller and that they also had a shortage of .entries. Twenty or thirty reasons for the sudden lack of interest in scrambling have been tossed about. about 5 of these appear valid the rest are seemingly a poor excuse. Dat's The ReasOD? I further believe that a hig step toward finding out the reasons for the poor rider showing is in the works. A pre-race alring was given at the riders' meeting by starter Gene Drew on the question of small entries, and he was given a few reasons by one of the non-riders. Gene then mentioned that a general meeting would be held soon to give all tbe riders a chance to air their views or gripes. Tbis sounds like a good idea if Gene can get the guys worked up enough to really say what's bugging them. and this I think he can do. As with any other grouP. too many .interested people gripe and complain among themselves and outsiders then when the time to talk for the record, they clam UP. If this meeting comes orr, and brings some of the squabbles to light and solved. maybe we can get back to racing. 'I'boqbta wbile driYiae bome ••• Wby C8II't VVMe reDew their lease OD the old LA bfcln.ay tlacII? ... CaD Silver City MoC. aJlord $1• • • a day to race S-rise or is Ibis a wroDe lleure?-Are _ e 10lllle riders really too old to ride the track? ... Sbonld Ibis writer reaJJy DOt mendOD IbiDCS that are lad and only &OOd IbiDcs and ienore the rest?...Is the VVMe track too fast IlK _ e racers? .. Do Nevada's GNAKYAXS really Deed a came preserve?_ Well. tIley ala some racing today. In a combined 50cc and lOOcc Novice event, Bill Williams (Hodaka) booted his mount home to the winner's circie, followed by John Slagle (Yamaha), with Dale Ferguson taking third on a Bultaco. Danny Sromalla (whose Honda is a constant source of conversation amoog two or three people who wonder••JSIT??.) again took the 100cc Amateur-Expert tropby. Jay Willey, Bridgestone mounted, had a few problems-uoloaded, broke off a few hits and pieces and flna11y took a second place. Danny Darland put on a good riding dispia;y, led the third heat before separating from his Hodaka, still sound UP third in his class. The combined 250 class was won by Bob Tooley (who even took a whack at the Open d.ders in one heat) on a BuItaco. Second place went to TOOl Jones (H-D); Chuck Hateber was third. TOOl Jones. who I've sald before rides tbe fastest Hadey in SOUthern Nevada. turned out on a shiny-oew CRS 250 Sprint courtesy of local dealer Bob Knerr. It"s alway a pleasure to watch TOOl ride. He is a great competitor as well as a Good Guy_.I know he is because he bad It written on bis Harley T-shirt. Glad to see Tom get a reward for his loyalty to tile brand. I know that he will be in the winner's circle on it before long, and welcome to the sponsoring ranks to Bob Knerr. Now, if tile Triumph riders could get a little help ." oh. well! 'CHALLEIGE OF THE CENTURY' By Gene Drew Silver City Scramblers M/c of Las Vegas picks uP the traditional glove and takes a playful slap at California and Arizona riders, challenging tIIem to meet in a Tri-6tate duel. This will be known as the ·Silver state Classic.The date, APril23rd at SUnrise Speedway, the Track with the BUllon Dollar View. This will be the dueling ground; the weapons will be 50cc through Open Class motorcycles. Duelists, bring your choice of weapons -and be prepared to do battle On the field of honor. The winners will be koigb ted as ·Silver State Classic Champions.- New Date Set The April2Dd date bas been ClUICelJed to allow p~ of the IleW -race. Tbis dDeliDe ponnd bas played host to _ caufomta riders in the pas& (as SMIle or the Dirt Dtceers <:aD testify). Naturally, being a Dist. 37 POint event, we are sure that the California and Arizona riders will not miss a chance to defend their honor. Local riders will be uP and ready for the event and eager to take on all competition. 1:. ;/ ~ The co..-se was a Utue rough on the trail bilr.es as the deep, laDllJ ..-4ltu sandwasbes were a liUJe bard to pDll. It was III08dy third eear sturt except OD tile short lire .-d. Norm Benham, 110 on a Hodaka Ss. stein sPecial, gave the leaders a good go and pUlled in 3rd. The first novice in was Cleve Thomas on his Honda. Cleve was 7th overall. Tbe Lost Angels put a lot of work into their run: It is too bad they got a bad break. The course was well marked, and enjoyable to ride. The weather WIlE just great Which always makes for e good day in tbe desert. (ReSDIta on pace 20) Californiaos can pick UP lime at the Showboat Hotel on Boulder Hiway. Arizona riders turn right on Nellis olf Boulder Hiway. Gates open at 7 a.m. and practice begins at 9 a.m. Preliminary heats for small bikes will be held at 10 a.m. 250cc uP racing at noon sharp. This allows plenty of time for everyone. Class ·C- traction only (this includes trails tires). Entry is $3.2:1 and includes $1•• admission. The hat is in the ring; who will emerge victorious? Again ••• April 23, Sunrise Speedway, Las Vegas. Nevada. TEACHERS, STUDENTS SGN UP FOR SCRAMBLES SCHOOL Qualified instructors, interested students and prospective landlords are requested to contact Bob Braverman about a riding school for wouldbe dirt churners. Braverman and his partner have met success with their current road racing school. They have been prevailed upon to administrate a simillll academy for the teaching of 'IT and scrambles. Instructors should be accomplished riders in their own right, with both patience and willingness to teach. Landlords with suitable real estate near L.A. for the weekend school should contact Mr. Braverman and make it known. students need have no experience. Write Bob Braverman at 6906 Colbath, Van Nuys, 91405. The moto cross school taught ·oy Torsten Hallman on his latest visit here attracted many students who all agreed it was time well spent. NEXT WEEK APRIL XX FOOLISH