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/125500
ASCOT a decade of speed I .~~' Calico, California was a warm oasi;Wp the stormiest week we've had around these parts what with the rain and Five to seven hundred of the hardy thousands of motorcycle road riders hereabouts rode their bikes to the little silver mining town, reconstructed by Knott's Berry Farm in the Barstow Desert. Higbli gbt of the April 2 outing was the annual Buf(alo Feast, dished up by tliree aedicated Triumph dealers, Dave Mason, Skip Fordyce and Ed Kretz. Buffalo steak is a rarity these days and it's a pity, for the meat is very tasty. Mason, Kretz and Fordyce, aided by family and employees, serve the feast like a real western dinner. It is pleasant to dine like the pioneers in an authentic early setting, after a hardy trip across the desert upon a two or three-wheeled steed. Clnb colors from Las Vegas to Ventura and every place in between were seen. Some of the peopl e were. lucky enough to win door prizes ranging from helmets to bungee cords contributed by the industry, Next year, if the supply of buffalo holds out, we hope that we'll again get to shake off the pressures of urban life and dine on bison in colorful Calico with all the rest of our favorite folks. We suggest you make it easy on uncle Dave, cousin Skip and brother Ed by requesting your share of the next buffalo right about now. You can reserve tickets to their annual Trout Fry in October while you're at it. ru: CYCLE OFF TO CALICO 4th ANNUAL rATIONAL ,, A Friday night fixtDre in Sondlem California, the professional AMA Oattraek campaign begiBS .its tenth eXcltine season at Ascot Park on April 7. Fresh froll Ule most saccesslul yeu of twowlaeeledracingin SouWud speed aaDals, over 100 Novice, Amateu and EJ:Pert class riders are expected to tDrD out for the initial balf-mile go of 196'1. The IS-event inaugural, promoted hy .r:C. Agajanian, starts at S:l5 p.m. Practice - at 7:00 - will find riders touching wheel to clay tor the first time in six months. Favored over the field is perennial Ascot bigb-point cbaQliOD SaDny TlID'" ner, lite ramed "Flying Flea." Tanner, who piloted lite C.R. Axtell BSA 10 bis Courlll season title last year, is a.iIIIiDg for tbe all-time dtrt track win record in 1967. Tanner's strongest challenge could come from young Triumph rider Gene Romero, one of the brightest all-around prospects in years. He shines in TTs and road racing as well as flattrack. Other strong threats include Ralph White, Dan Haahy, Elliott SChultz, Chris Draayer and Mert Lawwill. Big pUrses lure Draayer to Ascot from salt Lake City each week; Lawwi.!l commutes from san Francisco. Brands of hig bikes involved in the brake-less weekly action include BSA, TriWllllh, Harley-Davidson, Royal Enfield, Matchiess, Honda and Velocette, while even more makes are represented in the 250cc Novi ce division. Shiny-new paint johs and hrightly-hued leathers will add additional lustre to the opening night spectacle. Sometbing For Everyone Ten years have hrought a remarkable change in the Ascot Park racing facility. Originally roilt as a half-mile in 1957, the track now features Ii ve separate courses, making it the most versatile operation ofits kindin the United States. The 5/S-mile TT Steeplechase course and jump were added in 1955, followed in 1961 by a regulation Quarter-mile utilizing a portion of the front straightaway. New banks of lights were also installed - one ~t for the half-mile, another for the Quarter-mile. Then came the Figure S course in 1963, and finally the tbird-mile Novice TT track in '65. Color TV coverage of various Ascot events broullht even more cbances. Tbe entire plaDt bas received a fresb coat of paint ror lite new season, including trillht yeUow and black (or tbe balf1llile crasbwall, and red, white and blne ror lite quarteroml1e renee. Eacb section or lite 10,000 capacity grandstand is painted a dtrrerent pastei sbade, and multicolored nags Ily in abundance. Palm trees and lakes (complete wi th ducks) add to the !;lusy infield picture, one that is viewed by a Quarter of a million TV sports fans every SUnday night. Shown on KTLA Channel 5 from S:OO to 10:00 p.m., the program is luring many new spectators to see the races in person. More To Come Ascot Park's owner, Harry Schooler, has even more improvements planned. A new entrance is slated for the convenience of fans who prefer sitting in the south turn, and the entire Parking lot will soon be paved. see you at Ascot!