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/125606
Pacoima, California, in the San Fernando '" BRAVE VENTURE V~~. Ron & John Carry U.S. Flag Into Foreign Battle Bill Blakeslee Two men from the local racing scene have gone abroad to compete against Europe's best In the 1969 World Championship Moto-Cross series. Ron Nelson and John DeSoto left this country on the 27th of February, carrying with them the best wishes from every race enthusiasts as well as the admiration of every patriotic American. Credit must go to Montesa Motors, for this unique way of "repaying" the enenthusiasts that have supported Montesa by buying and racing their machines. This gesture is going to be one of the higbllghts In the industry. Not only is Montesa "laying it on the line" bycommlttlng their brand (Montesa now only sells sporting machines) to the tougbest test pOssible but they are also making America's tlrst and only team effort in molo-cross. Ron and John are extremely competent racers, both with years of experience. Both bad brilliant records in the recent tnter-Am series with Ron finishing best American in the 500 and John best in the 250cc class. A better pair to represent America would be hard to find. Plans are for them to stay in Europe for the entire series, about eight months. They will pick up VW vans in Germany, compliments of Dan Gurney - Montesa Vice President, and drive to Spain and the factory where they receive machines and mechanics. They are already entered in the Spanish G. P. and it they do well there they should have no trouble gaining entries for the remainder of their tour. Chances are good, with the new scoring system, it they finish in the top ten then they will theoretically then be In contention for the croWD. Promoters are obligated (almost) to accept them. An interesting sidelight here, is that their trail will take them into the Eastern Bloc (Soviet) countries and even Russia Itself. 'That will be a proud sight Ron Nelson Ind John DeSoto - our flag on their Jerseys, and in a country where the motorcycle athlete is surely take more. All enthusiasts may held in the ,same esteem as any other yet'iIave an opportunity to share and help athlete. in this brave venture. Aspirations are extremely high, and In a very little time we will have the the talent involved considerable. Success results of the tlrst meet, the Spanish is pOSsible. There has already been a G.P, is April 13th. Then we shall see. I creat deal of work. sacrltlce and cooathink a very apt slogan Is going to be tlons committed, to keep them going will "VIVA RON-JON". By WHITEMAN STADIUM Pacoima 13020 Pierce St, Dewlyne KNier as he looked In the Sydney SpeedwlY plls. World Travelers Return As SpeedWay Spins Again By John Grout The roar and the smell of the burning castor oll- Speedway Is back again; and the starting date for the new shows this year will be Sunday afternoon, March 23rd. Dude Criswell, himself a Class "A" Speedway racer of some repute, has announced that he's lined up more than fifty alcohol-burning bikes for the resumption of the 1969 "sUp and slide" competition at Whiteman Stadium, in Pound for pOund, these rocket-accelerating machines are about the quickest things In the racing wor1d today. And they will bring back the appearance of the hottest rider straddling a cycle seat at the present time - "The Flying Dutchman," Skip Van Leeuwen, of Hollywood. Skip Is currently leading the pack in the AMA National point hlmt. He's the big gun! And for some lucky cycle spOnsor, It'll be Uke ordering an oyster and finding a pearl. On hand to contest the Issue with Van Leeuwen, the fans can expect to see U,S, Speedway Champion Rick Woods, recently returned from his racing trip to Australla. Also there'll be California Champion, Sonny Nutter and Whiteman hio;h point rider of last season- "Joltln'" O'Brien. Some of the other riders expected inclcde the man who has won more than four hundred dirt track events - "The Fly1n' Flea," Sammy Tanner, Don Hawley, ~ of the Bast crew (Harlan, Steve and Mike,) Eddie "Super Squirrel" Mulder, Dusty Coppage, Gene Romero, John Hateley, Steve Scott, Paul Conserrlere, Stu Morley, Bob Bailey, Johnny' WbeelIe" Carter, Shorty Seabourne and Lonnie Arnold - ~ expected for the season opener action•••. Then, there will be Elliott Schultz, Bruce Haserot, Norm Elledge, Larry Helnselman, and - just back from his races In Australia - DeWayne "The Skeeter" Keeter. It's going to be astonishing to see what Keeter and WoodS have learned at the hands of the Aussles. To further enhance his opening afternoon show, Criswell predicts a whole slug of Hollywood stars will be present at Whiteman. There'll be a lively rock and folk combo to give the fans a lot of finger-snapping music. And, as a special added attraction, Miss Judy Jordanmovie star of the soon to be released "Big Foot" w1ll again act as the otflclal Trophy Queen. So, here we go with the finest Cla:ss "A" Professional Speedway racers In the United States - ~ of them real anxious to show four time world champ Barry Briggs, how It's done••. ! Let's see It thelr rooster tails are salling a Uttle higher into the alr this year! ~ co ~ ~ !oJ ~ !oJ -.J ~ U