Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

Paliu.er. Edt...... CIuIcIt CIay_ As8i-.t EdItor ••••• Edc: Baits ""'Ppeell lluacer•• Ollic:e sa- CIa,yIoD ce-;._ 1Iaacer••Gayle. 'J1Mwe_ P, h liola lllulacer••oe-1s Grt!eDe Ass&. .Deaa Cirelllatim MaIIa&er•• IlnIc:e Easley BooIdIeeper•••••• Susaa WIdlelaw Lab TediaiciaD. •••• .Lily Lallicb Want Ads••••••••• SaDcha I'unb' Pnldac~ "America's Weekly Motorcycle Newspaper- SOt For25t Wonder bow many readers mow tbat tbe Ascot ad in Cycle News 15 wortb 5O~ ott the regular price of the Ascot flattrack and TI' races? 1bis makes tbe Ascot discount price of $2.50 tbe world's best rac1Dg bargain. And it's l1ke gett1ng a 5O~ piece wilb every copy of Cycle News. Helmet Ticket Record? Prot8bly the most- ticketed motorcycle rider in the U.S. is Jack ZeIdzer of Seattle, Washington.JackbasaccumuIated some thirty citations for riding his motorcycle without wearing a helmet slnce the Washington State hotpot law became effective. Jack is spearheading the test case in Washlngton, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union. Bea.ch Riding Grounds Closed To Bikes The picture of the free motorcycle Playground used to Wustrallthe shrinking riding area oPen to bikes in our Legislative issue was closed by Huntington Beach police recently. About 100 motorcycles were enjoying the terrain wben the police came in and told every- one the area was closeli "by order ottbe state." The Slate office of tbe U.S. Bureau 01. Land Managemeat disclaims any such order, and the HuotiDgton Beach Pollce Dept. refuses to discuss it. Part ot it is city-owned land and part 15 privately owned. 8LII Offers Help to ColipetitioD Clubs If any motorcycle club is considering cancelling an event because it tears it can't meet the requiremen15 01. the Bureau 01. Land Management for apublic land use permit, members are urged to contact the local District Manager. BLM spokesmen bave assured Cycle News that they will do everything in their power to assist, and may even be able to help get permission from private land owners if necessary. Oregon Helmet Law Repeal The Oregon State Senate bas voted to repeal that state's bated compulsory helmet wearing law and informed sources say it looks as if the House of Representatives will follow suit. Readers in Oregon should write to their representatives and express their opinions. Please, Mr. President: U.S. President Ntxoo 15 reportedly planning to appoint Mr. Douglas Toms, 01. Washington State, to replace Dr. William Haddon as head 01. the National Highway Safety Bureau. Readers are urged to write to the President asking him not to appoint Mr. Toms to that office, but rather to keep him In Olympia, Washington where we can keep an eye on him. Move National To Weekend indianapolis - The Indiana State Fair Board is reportedly considering a move to change the date 01. the 30 Mile National. The race is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28 and anyone who plans to attend and would like to see the event run that weekend may write The Indiana Slate Mas·clUlsetts - Tbe U.S. Supreme Court bas refused to ' - r an appeal Involring tbe conviction of a motorcyclist who refused to wear a protectin helmet. 1be MasS!lchusetts court found that it was " •••within tbe power of tbe legislature to adopt reasonable measures for tbe promotion of safety 011 public _ys in tbe interests of motorcyclists." Ref!Jsal of tbe Supreme Court to ' - r tbe appeal bas tbe effect 01. giving legal substance to tbe National Highway Safety Bureau's standard 00 motorcycle safety. by C&S Publishing Co•• Post Office Box 498. Long Beach, California also publishers of State Cycl~ News for the Easlern stales. Second Class Postage paid al Long Beach. Calif. Editorial slories, cartoons, photos. etc. are welcome and will be paid for on the 15th of every month for maierial puhiished the previous monlh (except press re leases and ·Voice- letters.) Addressed. stamped envelope assures retu m. Reprinting in whole Or in Pilrt ex· pressly forbidden except by permission of the Publishers. Advertising rates and circulation information will be sent upon request. I dislike writing letters wben they are to complain but circumstances make this necessary. Our Road RacIng AdS frequently ban been In error as to date or sanctioning body. I realize we've played musieal chairs with road racing sanctions but this is somel1mes necessary to find ODe you can depend on. I feel I finally bave ODe, which is tbe SaD Diego Chapter of the A.F .14. 1be perSCQ heIId1ng this chapter are some of tbe finest racers I ban worked with. It's for tbeir benefit as much as mine that I'm writing you. Your issue two weeks before our l'C*l race sbowed our eweot caneeled. How this eoIIId Ian been priDted wben you bad air~ received copy for UJ ad that was 10 run the following week I am at a loss to understand. I also do Dot understand wily. wben tbe following week YOll did nm tbe paid ad, tbere 15 DO meatiOll of tbe event in your calendar. I consider this a major error and contribute IllLri of tbe cause of tbe small eotry 1be new chapter bad that day to Jour cancel Iatlon notice two weeks before tbe eweot aod lack of mentiOll in your ca'endar tbe week d tbe event. Our next Motorcycle R08d Race 15 an A.F .14. National Points Race. Sunday, May 18tb, 1969. Please enter this in your Calendar of Events. LARRY GRISMER, Pres. GarIstJ&d Raceway coa(usiaD COMMENT: Tbere was _ refilUdia& cadsllld Road Bac:es ill our caleadar Dept. ...t IM!ads haye mlIed as a rellldt. -.I we _ have it moder c:a.tmI. 0 . ~es 10 the Souo biep> AFM. Readers sboaId dYe paid adS credeDce oyer (ree Calendar IistiDgs, i( they eyer conOict iD (ulllre. LETTERS TO A WORRIED IFE Dear Mrs. Crowell: Let me first say I do understand aod appreciate your fear. but I believe it bas gotten all out 01. proportion. Desert racing is a fun, exciting sport which should be enjoyed by the entire family. Your fear of your husband being hurt could be cured by a cOllPle of trips to a desert race. If your IJusbend bas been trail riding for quite a few years he obriously is fa miliar with his bike, his capabilities and tbe desert terrain. I'n been going with my husband for three years aod be1leve me very few get hurt, especially wilen tbey kIlow 'IIbat tbey're doing. As far as your kidS are concerDell. _ belong to tbe Victors M.C. wiJich 15 a family club. Many bave 3 or 4 kids tbey bring every weekend. We ban a boy 1-1/2 years who started coming whenhe was 4 wks and I came tbe entire time I was pregnant even througb tbe summer. If your husband wants your S\&lPOrt when he races then he should make it a familY thing and take you and tbe children. I JUSt kIlow this would ease your fear and make Sunday tbe day YOll look forward to. I think your husband 1IODld en- ""becdplHlJ: _ year 2IId class 1IIliJ. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • $7.50 lanD AL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR, •••• Thomas R, Culp Cycle News (.es1), P,O. Box 498, LNg Beacll, Calif. 90800 Tel, (213) 423-1431, EASTERN ADVERTISING AI H..tf Slale Cycle News (East) P.O. Bol 13, Amherst, Ohio 44001 Tel. (216) 984-2433 MEET ERIC RAlTS cycle News' new Assistant Editor, Eric Raits, 15 26 years old, married, and a recent graduate 01. Uncle Sam's drum and bugle corps. SiDce tbe Army, he's been associate editor for a local newspllper wbere his duties entailed "news reporting, rewriting. editing copy, frontpagemake\&l, pbotograpb,y and keeping the sportswriter from putting his son's name in. the paper too often." He's been a motorcycle enthusiast for VOICES OF THE WEST CARLSBAD CALENDAR GOO FS Siulle eopY llrice. • • • • • • • • • 25t joy bavingyougashim IlP and say "You're doing great dear." I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'" Give me a call, I'd be happy to introduce you to our grollP. Please tell your husband to let you come and give racing a chance. It's fun! MRS. PAT TRACHY L.A., Calif. (213) 838-9522 In answering Mrs. Crowell's letter: I would tell her that her husband 15 much safer competing in a well organized meet such as _ ban In the desert, than be ever was traWng by himself or with a frieod. 1be desert scrambles S(lOIlSOI'ed by !be different clubs are put IIlgetber with a good deal of tboogbt and effort. 1be course tIley map out bas been gone aver and marked with the rider's safety in mind. YOII are told before tbe race to stay 00 tbe course that bas been marked aod Dot to wander off or you're lookiDg for trouble. I wouldn't go riding any otber way. GUY GIROUARD S!IIIIaDd. Cal. OOI'T STOP! Last summer tbe supervisor of tbe Tonto National Forest In Arlzooa issued an order banning all motorized velJicles from otber than established r08dS in the forest. I tool< it 011 myself topostnotlces calling a meeting to discuss ways 01. fighting this actiOll. Not ODe solitary motorcycle rider showed IlP at tile first meeting. Several tote goat riders were the only ones interested euougb to atileDd. We bad letters printed and posted them In several shops protesting to tbe ottlcial In charge of the forests In this area, and the order was subsequently rescinded. We need some sort of a group to coordinate and ramrod our action. We need someone to see that letters to the appropriate autborities are signed and mailed. I JUSt wanted to send you these thoughts, and hope something can be done. I don't do much hare and hounding any more, but I still love to cow-trall, and I'd bate to bave to stop. HOWARD FORMAN Phoenix, Arizona AGREES WITH COOLEY ten years, baving owned two BSA 650's, a Triumph Cub and a BMW during that time. He now rides a BSA. Eric will be in charge of keeping the Calendar 01. Events uP to date and accurate, writing and rewriting news events, taking pictures and putting together tbe paper. The publishers are certain that Cycle News readers will welcome Eric's talents to the paper as much as we do. MIA Meeting Plans For Progress While earthquake tremors rolled across Southern California last week, the Executive Committee 01. the American Motorcycle Association met in Pasadena and made plans to continue the progress wiJich bas distinguished tile rider association this past year• ·What Do I Get For My $2?Highly paid eJreCut1Yes In the U.s. motorcycle Industry tool< a day out 01. their busy spring schedules to join in the meeting for wiJich they receive no pay. Many had nown in from the East. Don Brown, head of the Eastern BSA oPeratlOII sounded tbe keynote of tbe proceedings wben he called for a critical selfexamination of the Association by its policy makers. "Maybe we are standing on principle, instead of what is really good for tbe sport," someone said. "Tbat IS tbe principle," answered anotber. Members ban been asking in recent years, "What do I get for my $2 annual dues?" The association could answer, "what can you expect tor $2?" But that would be begging the question. What the average member gets for his $2 ts 1) The services 01. the Executive Board in making policy decisions. 2) The AIdA adm1n1straUon to coordinate thousands of activities coast to coast. 3) A standard set 01. rules both for racing and road riding competitions. 4) The right to form clubs and elect delegates to the annual Competition Congress, wiJichgovems competition rules. 5) The right to participate in AMA activities coast to coast. 6) Tabulation of points earned in activities and recognition for the outstanding sportsmen, road riders and clubs in the U.S. 7) Legislative and legal help for motorcyclists. 8) A membership card and pin. Prol.essional racing members get additional benefits, but it costs them more, in the form 01. racing licenses, mechanics licenses, pit passes and entry fees. I fully agree with WesCooleyaboutthe racing in tbe rain. To say the least, most New England Ha.ssles American racers are somewhat chicken about racing on a wet track. I personally bave raced two of the ACA races, at Riverside and WUlow springs. (My time at RiYerside was bad by two successive era.sbes on Turn 6, I still finished second.) But, there is a major difference. The tracks most bikes use are also auto tracks. Rubber and oil bulkl\&l becomes a very serious problem when it's wet. 'That 15 wily I went down on Turn 6 at Riverside. If the track is clean, like the first ACA race at Wlllow this year, then the race should be held. PVT. ROD SCHMIDT California, once the hothed progressive agitation, was basking happily under the umbrella 01. the Cartwright Act. Ground zero bad shifted to New England which had been hard hit by the recent rash 01. AIdA member suspensions. The october Competition Congress will bave a chance to vote whether the benefits of the Cartwright Act should apply to members living outside of California, so that issue should be laid to rest early. The chief point ot contention remaining in New England seems tobe,doesthe promoter of an event bave the right to select his own reteree for the event? Berkeley Barron, popular longtime La- Fori Ord, Calif. (Continued on page 23)

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