Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

Prospectors M.C. Hare Scrambles story &lid Pbotos by DtcIt CALIFORNIA CITY. Marcb 16 - The Southern California desert racing scene bas been turned Into a two- man battle between Mike Patrick, #48x on a 250 Yamaha (and holder of Number One in the Open Class), and J.N. Roberts, 117 00 a 360 Husky. But today the luck of the Irlsb was with Patrick as be grabbed the lead at the smoke bombandbelditall the way to the finisb for the overall win. The Prospectors bad everything going for them Sunday morning at race time. and a big crowd turned out for the event. Ideal desert racing conditions prevailed, with the ground still damp from the previous heavy rains, and the temperature reading a bright 80 degree. There were Wrleht two separate three-lap courses, with the pits conveniently arranged in a large, flat area. A twenty-three mUe course was setup for the ever-growing lOOCc class, and a twenty-live mile course was laid out for the' combined 25Occ, 500cc. and Open classes. This was to everyone's liking, as It cuts down on the passing problems for both classes. A t the drop of the banner the large entry of 470 big bike riders fired up and headed for the smoke bomb, which was two mUes out in open territory. Patrick reached the bomb first, lollowed by Larry Bergquist. #lx on a Bullaco. who was the top challenger,in this race. J. N. 5 Roberts was not in cootention on this day as h1s blke was not running up to par, and the way the two leaders were moving away from the rest of the pack, everything had to be just rlgbt to k!!ElP pace. Larry's Flat Tire The course was a fast, open-trail run which took the leader only thirty minutes to cover. Patrick came in after the first loop with a minute's lead over Bergquist, who in turn had a minute's lead over third man, James Martino #11 on a Husky. Patrick and Bergquist kept up this hot pace on the second lap, but on the third and final lap Bergquist had a bit DESERT - Lined up awailine Ihe slarllne signal, polka dolled rider discovers Ihe Cycle News cameraman. Mickey Frenez oak IlrslOOOcc Ama eur on a Greeves, R. Paylon was Ilrsl 250 Novice on a Vamaha, Rick Shirey lirsl SOO Novice 01> a Bul and Eric Jensen lopped Ihe 125 c lass on a Sachs. And the wlnnah! Mike Patrick on a Vamaha DT.l. California deserl champion J.N. Roberts had sort.d oul problems on his Mint 400 Husky (See lull reporl 01 the Mini race nexl Issue). Nix, Bairds, RCA, Peoria M.C. & Bru ndage Honored The American Motorcycle Association honored several hundred of its members at a special awards ceremony March 13 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Millie Baird of Sterling, lllinois was selected by popular vote of AMA members to reign as the "Most Typical and Popular Girl Motorcyclist" during the coming year. Fred Nix, National #3, was voted as the "Most Outstanding Male Rider ." Ridgewood Cycle Association, anAMA chartered club, was judged to be the top club of the year out of 2,000 AMA clubs across the nation. Four indiVidual awards were given: Bill Baird, (Millie'S husband), won the Grand National Enduro Championship award for the 7th straight year. Bert Brundage, retiring AMA referee, of Los Angeles was honored for his many years of service to professional motorcycle racing. The Peorla, illinois Motorcycle Club was honored as the most outstanding professional motorcycle race promoter during the past year. '...... .... '* r1 luck with a Oat tnlat tire. wIdcIa put btm out r1 the 11IIIIIIJIlr. At the t1n1sIl 1tDe it was .Patrick ud h1s Yamaba with a wide margIIl.JIarUIIo pulled in seccJDd 011 tile 360 s.IIi1, ... George walkerfto,alaol&d;r-uc rsI8d m

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