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/125543
.0 over this but the fac t Is Dave Ham lost the number one a couple of years ago because his club was thr owing scrambles events and David worked them while his competitors kept adding up points . The desert division has its over-all points paid differently than scrambles do; they receive points for their top twenty rides of a season so if they miss one or two throwing a club run the y don't ge t hurt so badly, Desert clubs also have more members than scrambles clubs and you'll notice that more top desert riders wear " color s" than do scramblers. By Maureen Lee • • A couple of weeks ago we said we were going to do another column on the disadvantages of being cl ub me mbers, so here we go. Sunday at Perris was an excellent example of the system. The Lightweights M.C. is probably [ust about the best scrambles club around today and at their race Sunday the faces of flagmen and other officials looked like most of the big names in the li ght we ight division were out working. So na turally for that day they received no points but the other competitors in their classes who neve r help throw an event kept on going. These Lightweight members are not s louches either, but riders who stand a good chance of winning events any Sunday and getting that number one plate. Just to name a few, Hayward Mendenhall and Al Guzman of the 100Cc class: Mike Radnor 175cc; Steve stricklin ' and Kelth Mashburn 100 and 25OCc; Jim and Rick Parker, Hondo Long, Steve Nichols and Jay Lewis of the 5OCc. You won't he a r these guys snivel around about this fact of losing points but It just Isn't right that this should happen. The whole of our District 37 system hangs on its clubs and their throwing of races so why should scrambles riders be penalized for belonging to a club? Some hard facts on this problem are we've seen riders quit a club because they were In contention for tha t number one plate and couldn't afford to mtss a race because their club happened to be sponsoring one. Not to embarrass him HOW YA GONNA KEEP 'EM DOWN ON THE fARM AfTER THEY'VE SEEN SALINAS? Two weeks ago a member of a River side area club told me that they almost got a new member who would have been a real attribute to the club, wanted to belong and to work. But this rider has a sponsor and this shop owner told him flatly that he could not belong to a club while he was sponsored . "We want that bike out on the track every weekend and you up there in the point standings . l! you Join the club there will be days you can't ride." So now, help! What do we do? The District will li s ten it all scrambles clubs can get togeth er and come up with some sensible suggestions so that we can keep the clubs going (we 've lost some this year). The sport Is changing and growing so much that we have to make changes, so it any scrambles club has any Ideas, please let me know and let's get together on this thin g. Write me either at Cycle News or my address Is printed on the bottom of your monthiy District 37 minutes . One idea I've been given already Is that club members who are active participants should be paid a percentage of points for the day they miss according to the number of entries In the class they normally ride. Myself, I'd like to see any rider who Is In the top ten for number one be allowed to ride his own event, plus maybe a percentage for the others . B)' Je rr)' McConnell It's often been said that if a guy doe s n' t really want to belong to a club he wouldn't be a good member anyway . We agree. But why should there be a penalty for ones who do? several of the L.A . area's top riders journeyed North to Salinas, Sunday, Jan. 28, expecting a rough s crambles course, They found instead a very fast, wet sand TT track. Horsepower was the key-note except in the 500cc Expert class. Gary Bailey on Nick Nicholson's 360cc Greeves gave the salinas fans and riders something to ponder , winning one of the best run races and the hottest contes ted these fans have seen In a long, long time. The Suzuki team, which Included such well known riders as Preston Petty and Gary Conrad, did not fare so well after a pile-up between the two on the first lap of the 250cc chase . Conrad went down and after that was never In contention. However, Petty finished 4th for Suzuki In spite of his tangle with Conrad. Giving credit where credit Is due, the race officials deserve a big hand. They were a well coordinated team. Parking was great and everythin g went off smoothly as each rider was directed to the pit area without delay. During the pre-race me e H n g , emphasis, as on all courses , was placed on pr ope r I d e n t If i c a tI 0 n for competing bikes . Too many riders di d not have 3 plates . Those who did not were tol d to " Get ' e m back Into their pickups ." . Think about this before you make a long trip for nothing. ALTERNATIVE! Carry extra fiberglass, black tape or a can of paint, and baling wire! In conclusion: If you plan a trip to Salinas, the next meet will be held on the 25th of Febr uar y. Hwy. 101 Is the best route all the way. THE fWO-WHEELE. ~~P!i; 68 ~ Really Fir IlIIIIediale Deli,.,! 167 w. Colton Ave. San Berurclno, Cal. (714\ TU 5-3445 MOTORCYCLES HEstattlisitH $;,," 194".. Authorized D..I.. TRIUMPH • HONDA • BMW SUZUKI • PIREllI TIRES o. A S'UD-S'ORT " OTOR OIL USED CYCLES Parts , Supplies & Repairs Bank Financing ~ ~.I'" ~ 283.42771 280-8244 I O'EN • A.... . 6 ' .M. Fn lDAYS Till 9 CLOSED SUNDAYS Cr .. ON DAYS '.M. 417 E. GARVEY· MONTEREY PARK 4 Blocks Eost of C. rliold