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/125598
Roberts. Sinks 'Em All Running Hot n
stories and Photos by Dlck Wright
J.N. (wlld-glOwth) Roberts complaining of
slippery snow covered rocks after a 5 above
zero 90 mile long Jaunt that ended In victory
for the Huksy 360 pilot.
LUCERNE, Cal., Dec. 22 - It was the
coldest weekend in the history of the
valley; It snowed all day Friday, and
none bad melted by Sunday morning at
7:30, when the thermometer reading was
5 above zero.
A total entry of 246 riders lined UP in
eight inches of snow to go three thirtymUe loops, with all classes going the full
length. As the snow covered everything
including the lime on the trall, an attempt was made Saturday to mark the
course with yellow ribbon.
At the drop of the banner, the big bikes
left the safety of home and took off in
open territory toward the smokebomb
three mUes out. Ossa-mounted BUIFriant, #24x, was first to the bomb, but was
pointed in the wrong direction by an enthusiastic spectator, and gave UP the
chase atter making a wide circle ott
course. The race was on atter the confusion cleared at the smokebomb, and
almost everyone found the course; Jim
Wilson, the hot Greeves rider of Hopetown fame, came through the first check
in the lead. The eventual winner, J.N.
ROberts, #2 on a Husky, was running
third.
Wilson dropped his chain atter the first
check; Roberts tOljlk over until he got lost
in the snow. Jerry Perkins, #25 on a
Triumph, led it into the pits.
Roberts, undaunted by a little snow,
was able to find the course and regain
the lead by moving up through the pack
on the second loop. He held on to it this
Big bore riders found themselves in 8 Inches of the white stuff in the starting area. Slippery_you bet.
time, and came in for the win at the end
of the third loop. Al Baker, #13, was
second on a Triumph, and Steve Holladay
Front Brake rule rankles Drag Racers
Story and Photos by Dan Zeman
On New Year's Day Joe Smith showed
UP at Irwindale with a new engine: it has
a displacement of 102 cubic inches. As
the old saying goes - "It Takes Inches"
- and Joe was out to prove it.
Bob Braverman and Bruce Miller were
the only other bikes running for the top
hike gold. Joe had the best elapsed time
cI. the day, so he got to sit the first round
out. Braverman defeated Miller, and in
doing so, left himself prey for Smith.
Round two came and Smith proved the old
saying by turning a 9.95 E.T. and 153.84
mph. Bob took runner UP with a 10.73
and 129.45 mph.
Sunday, Jan. 5th, Joe Smith returned
again and took the gold with a 9.70 E.T.
and 152.80 mph. Bob Braverman took
runner up with 10.63 E.T. and 133.00
mph. Don Harris was also out Sunday with
his twin engine Triumph. Harris bad
traction problems and turned 144 mph
in the mid-twelves.
Harris has bad quite a few problems
with his machine, but has most of them
worked out now. It's safe to say this bike
w1ll be running consistently in the nines
or low tens in the near future.
I've bad quite a few people voice their
opinions on the new rules printed in the
~t issue of Cycle News. I don't dare
P-lnt what a lot of people said.
~e rule with the most criticism pertain"'. to the front brake on machines
that e~eed 140 mph. About 50 percent
were fO~e rule and 50 percent against
it. One w,.. must be kept in mind on the
rule, and tn.! is the tact that this rule
was set up Wl'~ safety in mind. It this
rule is not entO