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/125501
co .... .. ~ a.. New Washington Track MALEY RACEWAY OPENS Report & Photos by Vic Ebbutt Motorcycle scrambling in the Northwest took a gigantic leap forward Sunday, April 2, 1967, when the new Maltby Motorcycle Raceway officially opened. .. Located about 8 miles north of Bothell, Washington. the Maltby track is a track to quicken the heart of rider and spectator alike. A tremendous amount of blood, sweat and tears has gone into this endeavor and from the arrival of the first motorcycle until the last checkered flag, this event was run with the utmost precision and forethought. The parking. sign-up tables. pits, concession stand, and grandstands for 600 spectators were laid out both for access and viewing. About 100 yards from tbe highway, through a tree-lined approach. a smiling, attractive attendant met us with ·Welcome to Maltby Raceway.· We were directed to a smartly uniformed member of the Maltby Motorcycle Club who assisted us in parking, then a few steps to tbe signuP table which had sufficient help so that no long lines formed. Then along to the pits located at the extreme western end of the track, out of the spectators' line of vision. It was very quiet. Not one motorcycle engine was started until exactly noon. Organized Effort At 12:00 nOOn on the nose, the starter signaled practice and contestan.ts allowed to start their engines. It was eight bikes on the line, eight bikes waiting at the pit entrance. eight more on the line and eight more waiting. Click, click, click. all afternoon. No fuming. No fussing. Clockwork. It may seem that I am dwelling unduly on trivia, but it was these smail things that gave the whole event a polished and . professional look and the spectators a feeling of being wanted and welcome. It cannot be overemphasi zed how badly this track has been needed in the North SeaUle area. One small scrambles track 15 miles south of Seattle to satisfy an area of over 1,000,000 population Left something to be desired. The Maltby Motorc~'cl~ Club deserves credit for alleviating this situation, Wasmund Sp ectacul ar Tne outstanding performers of the day were veterans Dale Cottrell and Corky Wasmund. Cottrell captured the opening day 250 A Main on his sweetrunning Ducati Diana. Well-known flat tracker Wasmund placed third in the same event, aboard his Husqvarna. Wasmund may well be called the hottest rider of the week. In one of the practice runs, he rode this same Husqvama nearly a half a lap with flames and smoke pouring from the machine. Finally dumping it, Wasmund, several riders and spectators proceeded to bury the motorcycle with sand and dirt before the fire extinguishers arri ved. The only casualties were some burnt wires. a hot seat, and an irate photographer who was in the process (naturally) of changing film at the time. The beautiful sunny weather brought forth 970 paid spectators and 148 motorcycLe riders: 100cc and under, 59; 250cc, 64; Open CLass, 25. This report, in addition to being a write-up, is intended as an invitation to all riders from any place in the Northwest to try their hand at this great new track. Call PR 6-3006, Woodinville, for explicit directions• (Results on page 16) Well-kno.., flaltrack.. CorkJ Wasmund wound up third In the 250cc event astride hi s Hus- qvama. Yo_g Jim Stroud rode his Matchl"s to stJIIsh Open Class vlctQfJ. AbDard a Ducatl Diana, Dale Coltr'" took the 250cc .,," Main IOlng awaJ. Veteran Jim Tal_t (850\) leads MIke 'Crash" Johnson (H-D), who recentlJ returned to racing art. 3-Jear amJ stint In GermanJ. Despite nearlJ losing It her.. Bultaco-mounted GordJ Debs went on to win the 250cc 'C" Main.