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/125605
• AI B.tl. (33) and Jim Wilson (166) pt off first In the 250cc start, With eventual winner Gary Ball., (1) on the far left of pis. Asphalt Slides With Knobbies At First Carlsbad Grand Prix Story and Photos by Bill Pettigrew Yamaha rider AI Baker manages to negotiate the asphalt section of course while doing a wheelIe. AI snatched a second place 250 Sr. for his efforts. CARLSBAD, Cal., Feb. 23 - With the largest am 0 u n t of rainfall to hit California in the last six weeks In It's civilized history, the CMC decided to go ahead and throw their scheduled Grand Prix despite the adverse conditions. The outcome was a very successful race with riders and spectators getting more than their money's worth. Stu Peters and Kelvin Franks of the CMC, with the help of Carlsbad Raceway co-owner Larry Grismer set up one of the most demanding grand prix courses seen in quite awhile. Although the course bad It's tricky spots with the mud and all, it provided some of the most enjoyable racing possible. The course consisted of short stretches of access roads, part of the now infamous moto-cross co u r s e, a short stretch on the drag strip with a chicane, and a section of the road race track. The classes were 125 Jr. & Sr., 250 Jr. & Sr., and 500 Jr. & Sr. with each class going for 45 minutes straight. It was a sight to behold to watch the 250s and open class bikes broadsliding the wet pavement at 60 to 70 mph with knobby tires (the kind of riding that makes ibe spec tators put their hands over their faces in disbelief). Young Tom Rapp bad managed to get hold of Marcel Wier1z's 125 Bultaco racer. for the 125 Sr. class with the outcome being almost obvious, as he blewoff the likes of Penton mounted Lars Larson and Gary Batley. It would only be fair to mention that BaUey was running a strong second to Rapp at the start but bad problems twice in the plug department. Lars would gain ground on Rapp in the tight rough stuff, but when they hit any sort of straight the 125 Bul mounted Rapp would kick In the afterburner and streak off like a 250. Lars finally gave up chase on the fifth lap and was content to take second on the Penton 100. Gary Batley and Penton bad been makIng up time while the Larson-Rapp battle bad raged and pulled In for a bard earned tb1rd. sachs mounted T. Shumate pulled In for the 125 Jr. win Just ahead of 12year-old Penton fan Marty Tripes with a great second. Husky. Gary Batley sailed in first witha lead that was bard to believe. Husky rider M. Cram kept up the pace and managed to copp ftrst 250 Jr. ahead of Bultaco pUot Jim O'Neal and fellow Husky ace D. Wiseman. With the running of both the 125's and 250's the course was well worked in for the big scooters when It came time for them. Early leaders like Gary BaUey, Lars Larson, Jim WUsOll, and Tom Rapp all succumbed to problems ranging from throttles sticking wide open to endos and broken chain, and even flying off into a two-foot deep water hole. .Malco pilots Lonny Peterson and Bill Pettigrew managed to lap the rest of the field before the checkered flag. Peterson snatched first overall and first 500 Sr. with Pettigrew grabbing second overall and ftrst 500 Jr. Canadian mota-cross enthusiast D. McClean brought his C Z In for second 500 Sr. while Jim Fitzgerald, fIn1sblng Just ahead of the Canadian, took tb1rd overall and second 500 Jr. aboard his hot 360 Montesa. Rag Flaming followed in for third 500 Jr. on his Malco mount with fast moving R. Farmer and Montesa copped fourth. D. Shore was number three in the 500 Sr. aboard C Z. The Grand Prix was so popular, both with riders and spectators, that the CMC w1ll announce another such race within the next two months. (Results on page 16) Crash Start In 250 Tom Rapp Is shown here on his first outing aboard an American Eagle 360 In the 500 race. Tom later went out with a braken chain•. The start of the 250 Jr. and Sr. classes was a little hairy as two riders went down on the wet asphalt. No one was hurt throughout the day's activities exceptfor a cut hand and many bruises. It looked as if there would be a good battle between the Greeves boys Gary Batley and Jim Wilson In the 250, but Wilson developed problems and fell way back. AI .Balter and trusty Yamaha were treating spectators and riders allke to big full-lock broadslides on the pavement through the pits with his bard ridIng tactics paying off for a second place In the 250 Sr. class. Bob Kulek was also proving how to slide and snatched a great third for Bobby Kulek thrilled spectators with his beautiful controlled power-slides through the asphalt pits.