Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

IGreen Platers I \ By Elaine Jones PERRIS, CAL., June 28, 1969- The NovIces were out In full force Saturday nigbt In comparison to amateurs and experts of which there might have been ten. The 100cc class had the biggest populat:lon explosion with three large heats going. Keith MI11er #364>< on a Hodaka won the first followed by Jim KlIne 11936x (Suz), Bruce Ogilvie #316x (Hon) and Harley Streeter 11923x (Kaw). The second go saw Robert Sanders #139x (Kaw) come out on toP with Greg Wlckam #62lx (SUZ), Richard Sanders #732x (Kaw) and Mark Revels #863x(Hod) rounding out the field. The Sanders boys as far as I know share only the same last name and a liking for Kawasaki which appears to be a good combination. The third heat saw Wayne Whisenant #177x (Yam) repeat last week's win with Paul Lambert #89x (Hod) second, Doug McIntyre #815x (Suz) third and Rodney Parson P-89 fourth. Paul Lambert moved up a notch from last week so look out Wayne, you might have a race on your· hands next t:Ime you two meet. The 125cc class welcomed a new novice to Perris. Bill Gray P-80(Yam) came up from Garden Grove to try out the track. This was his third t:Ime out and although he didn't finish In the top four he vowed he'd be back. Bill did take something home with him. He had t:lre trouble In the form of a s1lght tangle with anotber bike and Bill In his enthusiasm forgot to wait for his bike and went over the handlebars. All he got for his efforts was a slclnned chin. In the result category I was unable to get the names of the first and second place finishers. TheJ,r numbers were #732% and #558x. Third place went to Dave Burnett #99x (Bul) with George Gillespie #339x (Yam) fourth. The 250Cc class ran second to the lOOcc In the numbers game and ran two large groups. The first go round went to Scott Smith #228x(Yam) followed by Dean Mackelprang #706x (Yam) Steve Cox #386x (Bul) and Dave Fletcher #l11x (Kaw). This group also welcomed a new rider to Its ranks. Dan Rhinehart P-92 gave our track a go on a brand new Kawasaki. He did very well for his first time and had a ruth and sixth. He admitted being scared green which matched his bike and said he liked the track except for the JumP coming down the hill which he said he couldn't make no matter how he tried. His wife will be a very decorative attraction to the spectator sect:lon and we hope they make the races often. The second group had Bob KlIne #953x (Kaw) showing the same stvlethatwowed Steve Nichols #2 expert and Richard Sweeney #8 expert, last week and won him the gold this week. Second place went to Jerry Ayers B-11 (Hus) with Dennts Creason #052x (Bul), constant compet:ltor, third and Tom White #94>< (Yam), fourth. We were told there was a sligbt aitercat:lon over the siZe of Bob KlIne's bike and hope it was settled peacefully. The 350Cc class had a lot of new faces and all did a good job of providing the crowd with some fine heats. When Itwas all over Bob Rudd #64 (Hoo) was toP man and Dave Fletcher #111 (Kaw) second with Bob Cunningham P-96 (Hon) and JIm Shipman #11 (Hon) third and fourth. All the riders deserve credit no matter where they placed. The 500cc class was a battle of the Triumphs which took the top three spots. Rick Taibot #58 expert was first followed by Gary McKeon #141 second and Roger Powers #121 third. Breaking the grand sweep was fourth place John Jones #486 (Mai). QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why were there three lightweight bikes allowed to run in the final 500cc heat? Look that UP in your AMA rulebook. See you next week. STUNT RIDER AVAILABLE George Beaudin, the fearless balance artist who elltertained the crowds at the recent Carisbad/Cycle News Circus, is avaJJable for bookings at motorcycle shows and other events. He can be reached in Alr.>dena, Calif A' SY 1'-6636. By Jack Light HANFORD, CALIFORNIA, June27-This cental California city, home of the famed "Hanford 200" annual automobile race, which Is a preliminary for the Indy 500, also is the home of another Important, but less well known track. This other track is more important to the competitors and spectators who follow the speed and thrill of motorcycle TT races. The spirit of competition, sportsmanship, and of course the spirit of winning with Its glory, as well as the spirit of losing with grace, is all part of this sport, unequalled In any other sporting event. The KIngs County Motorcycle Club, assisted by the Visalia Ramblers, have redesigned the Hanford TT Scrambles Track for this year. The layout Is welldone, rather unusual with the t:Ight curves, long high-speed sweepers and with the excit:lng Jump, make this track a true test of abillt:les of the rider and mechanical preparat:lon of the machines they ride. OVer 120 riders appeared to compete. All races were extremely close, with the leaders changing POSlt:lODS frequenUy. Bill Oliver, Matco mounted, proved adept In both speed and handling, winning the 360 Amateur class. No doubt the Cross-Country, Hare Scrambles and Motocross combined with TTexperlence made this possible for this excellent allaround rider. The 125 Amateur and Expert was a tightly contested race with JIm Hodge and his Bultaco the eYentual winners, closely followed by JIm cottOn and Ron Tobey both riding Yamabas. SPECTATOR LIABILITY AND PARTICIPANT INSURANCE FOR TRACK OWNERS. PROMOTERS AND CLUBS ,.. BUSINESS PACKAGES- MOTORCYCLE & AUTOMOBILE - LIFE & ACCIDENT. TIle 250 Classes, with the snorting, roaring, always wild "Buls" provide the spectators with exercise, rising from their seats and shouting ,encouragement to the riders. The 250 Expert riders have the crowd standing most of the time. George Holland and his "Coralling Kawasaki" were able to round up and contain the rest of the "Buls" In the pen. Harvey Bakker stampeded his Bul at the head of the herd for a hard-fought, well deserved second place. Most hotly contested of the evening was the 650 Expert event. For the first two laps a checkered flag could have covered all of the riders, the format:lon was that close. That ugly man "Bad Luck" began to seek out his victims, and this night, Tim Thomas and his BSA were fingered, the result being a crash in the rough, close horse-shoe turn. Tim was able to cont:lnue but could not make up the distance. Next to fall victim was Carrol Jackson, also BSA mounted, who ret:lred due to minor mechanical Ills. The rest of the field remained closely grouped, each waiting for the golden oPportunity to gain the lead. This was the night for Darrell McCaully and his BSA to cross the finish line first. You'd have to see all of the riders In act:lon to appreciate the thrill of winning, and the disappointment of losing, experienced by all competitors. Everyonecannot win, nor does everyone lose, wlnnners should win with humbleness, and the losers should lose with grace, each fee1ing that they have done their very best, for themselves, and for the sport. (Results on page 20) s. HARRIS·,.INSKY OF MICHAEL BENDER ~ ASSOCIATES, 'NC. 522S WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, Selle n7 L.A., C~lIf. '003& (213) '37.2011 BROKER INQUIRIES INVITED. GENE H. MYERS YAMAHA Dealer MEl & USED SALES Authorized Part - Servi ce & Repair 4459 R.dondo Beach Blvd. L~wnd~I., Calll~ (213) 542-4047 ClmATTI .N'_........... c.- .... Grand Opening "1tuv. "'DVet B"e" 'DepMt.e.e U~T~C= "1970" Campera MK11 No purchase necessary - come ia and register July 14th - Aug. 16th - - Drawing Aug. 16th Lon,lluch & Be~ch los An,elel ClUes CULVEI C'TY CYCLE 839-9000 'G , Newport ,.~.~ Freew~y 14th & Main, Riverside, Calif. 9U~Tl=IC:C Specialist for Dirt 0' SIr.t 10241 Culver Blvd., Cul_ CIIY MOTORCYCLE CENTER Phone (714) 684-4747 ... -

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