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/125625
Castle Rock Professional TT By Diane Seifert Castle Rock Is a big track, with a big sweeper aod long straightaway which really lets the riders build uP a good head of steam. Consequently, in the heats, almost without exception, the two or three really go-fast boys jump out Into the lead, and are never seriously challenged. Such was the case on Saturday night. In the 1st Novice Transfer Heat, Don Noble boomed into the lead and held it to the finish. Tom Phillips (Kaw) started from the penalty line and worked his way up through the 12 man pack to 3rd position by the end of the 5 lap event. Monte Montgomery took the second heat handily, and the third heat went to Mark Nlccolli (H-D) but not without a fierce battle from Darrel Cotton, who got a really bad scratch. Darrel started his usual carving operation in an effort to better his position, and with a deft bit of under cutting, nalled 2nd spot. The 8 Lap Main event again saw Noble prove himself as he took the lead, hounded at every turn by Cotton. Noble pulled away with a tremendous drive and kept the lead to the checker. The Amateur events were wild! The ftrst qualification heat went to John Bromley (H- D) followed at a dislance by Jesse Rodriguez on his Triumph. The second qualification heat gave a taste of the action that was to follow. The first four racers were rapidly pulling away together aod changing posItions back and forth, first on the inside and then on the outside, going down the straightaway, four at a time, when, on the last turn out of the sweeper, Squire Tomasle (Trl) got a dandy drive out of the corner, and was first past the checker. The third qualifIcation heat saw Thad Lawrence really moving his Kawasaki around the outsIde of the pack, but he was destined for trouble as he was trying just a little too hard, and spilled going Into the sweeper right In front of Charlie Thielke who really flew off his motor when the two collided. Both riders walked away- O.K. The 4th Amateur qualification heat saw more of the same, when another rider slid out gning Into the sweeper and then was center-punched by Jim Herschbach, who really went down hard. The event was black-flagged, and on the restart, Herschbach was back, but not the other rider. Bill Elder, came out like a cannon shot and was really flying. He was never in trouble. In the Trophy Dash, it was again Elder all the way, with a valiant try by John Bromley, and Noble, all nice and tidy. When the flag was dropped for the Main Tomasle darted Into the lead with Bromley hard at his heels. Elder held back just a hair in the first lap aod when they headed Into the dogleg, he hung In a little tight and - zap he was under both of them, and just pulled away from the others, leaving them to sort It out behind him. The Expert star of the evening was young Steve Holton. Steve is surely the most promising new Epxert rider this season; blasted Into the lead In the first qualification heaL The secood and third qualification heats went to Greg Morris and Dan HoIton, Steve's older brother. The Trophy Dash saw Greg aod Danslde by side around the dogleg, but Greg was just ahead coming into the straightaway. Holton tried again on the last lap, and went down In the corner. His brother, knowing he could not catch Morris, stopped to be sure he was O.K. The first Transfer Heat was won by Morris - way out in front of the pack. In the second Heat, Ross Robe,ts zipped Into the lead, with Steve Holton hard after him. On the 3rd lap, Holton was under him in the sweeper, and held his lead to the checkered flag. Third Transfer heat was won handily by Sandy Saunders. The Main was everything that a Main should be, with the top men ready to do battle. Ross Roberts was off the line, and into the lead, with Holton on his tail. Holton kept chipping away until the 3rd lap, and then under him, and flew for home. For the rest of the 15 lap event, it was all Roberts could do to hold onto second, as he was being pushed at every corner by Greg MorriS, Dash winner. Roberts went too wide on the last corner and Morris almost got under him, but a last crank on the throttle gave Roberts the extra inches he needed at the ftnish. These three were way out In front of the pack at the checkered flag. (Results on page 20) $aCla.,.'o SCOOTERS By Steve Rooney SACRAMENTO, CAL., July 6, 1969 George Carter, North Highlands, jumped Into the lead at the drop of the flag and never was headed as he won the 250 expert class main event at Sacramento Raceway's Saturday night motorcycle flat track races. During previous races Carter had held the lead only to be overtaken during the last laps, however he was not about to let anyone get ahead as he increased his lead'to half a straIghtaway at times. Cal Simpson Sr. Vallejo, had his best night of the season as he worked his way from the back of the pack to take second place behind Carter. Rick Smith, Sacramento, celebrated his advancement to Amateur status by winning the 125 Amateur class over Manteca's Jim Osgood. Smith was notified just prior to the races that District CommisslonerLen Allen had raised him to the new ranking. Mike Rooney, Sacramento, taking advantage of brother Pat's absence, used Pat's 250 Yamaha for his first try at the 250 class. Mike won both the heat race as well as the Main Event to make his Initial attempt at the larger hikes a sucessful one. Dave Klien of Antelope, entered the winners circle for the first time in the 250 Amateur division. (Results onpage 20) Walt Takes Thl AXI.To Saddllb Some 01 the less experienced riders eot a bit 01 assistance as most 01 the ble names w.nt up north lor tne International e.ent at Brisbane. By Dave Smead ORANGE, CAL., July 13, 1969- We can't speak for the spectators but the riders at Saddleback loved having the majority of Expert riders and some of the Junior riders In San Francisco for the Sunday's International motocross. About 175 rlders still came to Saddleback and they got to ride some long, long hot motos. The big bikes got first crack at the course for a change. After the 250-oPen came two divisions of 125 junior and senlor riders. Two divisions of 250 junior' and senior riders displayed their talents followed by the 100 junior riders,before the program rotated. The 125 and 250 Junior riders had to place In the top 15 toqualiIYfora second run-off mota. No points were earned in the first event as the final position was determined only by performance in the run-off race. With 20 grueling minutes under a brotling sun, finishing became the strategy. In the first 350/open event Sam Jones on a Husky held off Walt Axthelm for 10 laps but gave in on the eleventh. Not a bad performance considering Jones Is a Junior. In the second 350/open race Axthelm got In front and rode unchallenged. Behind him came Carl Cotton, another Junior Husky rider. Jones had a little problem in a pile up on a dusty right hand turn and had to settle for 13th. This gave Carl Cotton the 500 junior win and netted a second for Jones. Walt Axthelm finished first Expert. In the opening 125 Junior and Senior race, Senior Jeff Creager guided the tour. Junior Mike Pritchard took enough advice from Creager to nail down second overall. Another Senior, Don Etheridge, crossed the finish line third overall. He was pressured continually by Jim Crook on a Sachs. Here's where the scoring system begins to hurt. Pritchard's first place junior effort and Crook's second only got them to the main. They both had problems; Crook took 12th and Pritchard got 14th, and that's where they finished for the day. The second division of 125 junior and senior riders found Senior Gene Cannady jumping out to an early lead. His Sachs purred home for the win. Behind him followed novices Brent Sears, JOh!l Barclay and Bob Fortier. All l25s were combined for a main event. Gene Cannady again ruled the course. Senior Jet! Creagor pushed hard and if he hadn't been super smooth Junior Bob Fortier would have shown him some faultless riding. Fortier never seems to be out of shape and is always there whenever the guy ahead makes an error. The first division of 250 riders wooed the crowd. WaltAxthelm triumphed again with Senior Greg Smith following. Second division 250 riders had to contend with the likes of Bill Spawn, Kirk WiIlis and Dave Rudgers. When the 250s were combined in a main event Greg Smith showed the crowd some fast manuevering. Axthelm came next and was followed by Steve Stricklin and Bill Harris. No seniors showed up for the 100 class so Juniors put on a show of their own. Don Emler did some fine riding to stay ahead of Bryan Halcomb. It was exactly the same kind of race in their second mota. As usual, the ACA did a great job of race supervlsion. They are especially helpful In getting results and riders names to the press. If there are any grouPs wishing to throw a motocross you might look the ACA operation over for a few good tips. (Results on page 20) p ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ~ : Let Cycle News Put You In The Picture • !SUBSCRIBE NO W : 0$7.50 1yearo$12 for 2years (VIA Jnd : Mail '0: CYCLE NEWS, : • ! c- CUSS MAIL) : B0 I 498, Vialstclassma.ilforoneyearS18.0 Via Air Ma.il for one Yea.r $26. This is a. new subscription • This is a renewal I enclose check or money order : • : Long Beach • Calif 9080' • • • • • D D please bill me later NAME D D or - .. .., ". - J' I \. . . . _ • • : CITY STATE • (due to postal regulations we must ha.e zip codes on all subscriptions) ZIP • 0 _ ADDRESS .... : ,.:,. .... I' .~. .J. ~ '- • . PLEASE ALLOW THREE WEEKS FOR NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS TO START. . {.<-.. .:. ~:. ~ ._.I.j'•• I . ",. cYCLE NEWS ': ,.. : ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••