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/125519
... 0() ~jrjD! . It U, it D(J iJ din iJ D S p,j,.t ,. Photos by Jeff Wright, story by Dick Wrigbt Charp fIIthe heav,nlcht brlpde eaes off without a hitch In smooth deserl starllne area. The rouch stuff comes later. the next five circuits. On the last time around, Dorman got a second wind and really moved up on Shephard's rear wheel. They diced the entire last lap not more than ten feet apart. Coming into the last turn before the finish, Shephard had the inside, and they went bar to bar up to the two-foot-wide finish area De xt to the haunted house and the rocks. Shephard was able to stay on the trail to take the win, and Dorman went up the rocks to bounce in for second. Two desert aces, J.N. Roberts on his Husky, and Jack Morgan on his Hodaka, continue to dominate their classes in California desert events. Roberts had to fight back (rom eighth spot in an all'out e((ort to tate the win at Deadman's Point on August 20. ,.. The Desert Challengers course was 2Y.! mile s long, starting with a straight shot in fourth gear through open desert for about a half-mile, then a left turn into fast. dusty terrain. After a right turn and two more lefts, we hit the most interesting part, which wound through a rocky section, and an old miner's town watched over by a haunted house. From there. it went out over two wild, four-foot-deep ditches that the fast riders cleared entirely. The day's racing was underway right on time, at 8 a.m., with 98 Novice Trail Bikes (they are now separated at· European Scrambles). Lloyd Taylor, on a Hodaka, took the lead at the start, and built up a hig margin in fine style to come in for the win. The Expert and Amateur Trail Bikes were up next. Jack Morgan, #1. put on a good show for the spectators and took the win in his usually consistent form. Big Frank Wheeler pulled in second on a Hodaka, with Wes Anderson Jr., (also Hodaka), third, Malcolm's Acrobatics By this time it was getting a little warm out there. and it was going to be a matter of who could go ftill bore for the hour without tiring. Also. the pounding that the bikes were given on this rough, fast course was beginning to take its toll. In the 250 Novice race Tom Poleet (Buitaco), was really able to do the job on the rest of the Novices. I think his age (17) helped him to maintain his fast pace. The 250 Experts and Amateurs were com bin e d. Malcolm Smith (Husky) took the lead in his fine feet-up European style. He was really moving 0ut, showing all the othe r riders how to handle the rough Lovel, Lorella bslk likes motorc,cles ('I just love Triumphs," sIIe sa,s) and motorcycle riders. We think she's a winner! ditch jumps. While lapping another rider in the dirt, Smi th did a big hand-stand and hit a bush he hadn't seen because of the dust. After that, he decided to hang it up for the day. He's leaving for Europe in three weeks with Bud Ekins, John Steen, and three other riders for the InternRtinnR 1 Ri y na.vs Trial. • Lightweights DesertCharge Cur.-tl, nlllllber two In desert points Is SIeve Hurd of lion_bello, Calif., who rides like the mylllical "jaculope." Bob Belt, who had moved up from fifth place to second, now took over the lead on a Greeves. Second spot was changing hands fast, a couple of contenders going out with mechanical troubles. Dan Kline. also on a Greeves, rode one of his better races to move up from seventh place to second by the time the yellow lap flag came out. Al Vanderpool took thi rd. The Open Novice race turned out to be a real hot duel between two young chargers. Triumph-mounted Jim Dorman was in the lead and looked like a winner, but he may have thought he had it in the bag, and seemed to cool it. Craig Shephard, also on a Triumph, set his sights on Dorman and passed him on the third lap. holdim: the lead for Ble Mike Patrick rides out of Baldwin Park Cye Ie-It sa,s so 011 his chestl Race O( The Day The Open Amateur was another 'exciting race. David Baker(Triumph) took the lead and was going real good until his throttle stJck wideopen and he had to pul! into the pits. At this point, Jeff Foster took over the lead with John Coots controlling second. Both rode Triumphs. Coots was able to move up on the yellow flag lap, and they were wheelto-wheel, but Foster pulled away in the tight, rocky turns section to come in for the win. Young John Thomas, on his second ride as an Amateur, worked his way up to take third. The race of the day turned out to be the Combined Open and 500cc Experts. John Gaetz took a commanding lead, and by the third lap he was really inspired. But as luck wouid have it. his Triumph got a fla t rear tire and he had to puil in. Mike Patrick now led the pack on a big Norton twin, and was really moving out. Jack Byers was holding his own in second spot. (CoDUnued on pace 19)