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/125626
Scramblin' Around By Maureen Lee We've had another letter from Russ and Cheri Darnell and would llke to pass along some of the comments out of itfor those riders thinking of making a trip across the pond to race. Russ is justifiably concerned about some of the adverse publicity recently aboutAmericans going to Europe and having troubles and he doesn't feel it's encouraging International competition between our country and the Continent by discouraging our riders about conditions. They are not that bad, IF you prepare yourself properly. He states that yes, it Is difficult, especially getting started and learning to 'cope with everything over there but It's well worth It. As guide lines he advises don't go to Europe with out having the full facts before leaving and have everything organized before you leave as to your bikes and transportation. Take adequate funds to live on until you get yourself established, and most Important be prepared to face and fight the problems of just every day living, plus new problems from living In strange countries, PLUS the problems you'll have with racing. Russ thanks Kelvin Franks and Stu' Peters for the Information they packed into him before he left, and when he comes back himself he offers any help he can to others who are going to make the trip. Cheri is also going to put together some pointers for wives who will be accompanying their husbands. After all, Europe Isn't Outer Mongolia but It sure as heck Isn't Kansas, and can be a bit lonely should you arrive In a bliIiding rain storm In a country where you can't even read the language! (But many there speak ours.) Discussion still continues about bikes jumping class at scrambles and at the July Sports Committee, President Ron Sloan asked clubs to try harder on stopping this. We all know that you go to a scrambles to ride, right? So what harm does It do if you jump a' class? ThIs is one argument for jumping, and riders glow with pride when on their lightweight they wallop the heavyweights. We'll point out another argument. ThIs one against it. We all know the heavies are suffering at scramb~es, so on one mythical day we'll say eight 500 Amateurs sign in. Eight riders will give them three motos and plenty of riding. But as sign-In continues there are some 250' s getting In there and suddenly, Instead of I1)otos you're riding heats. Maybe you don't make the main and therefore don't get points for the day. If those class jumpers weren't In your class you'd have ridden motos and received your points. Not only that, it dragged the day out more. Instead of the three races, that class ended with two heats, plus a semi and then the main, adding just that much more time to drag out the day. No one likes to rat on the guy sitting next to him on the line, and some riders take a "ho hum" attitude, "SO What, let him ride." But, should they be done out of some points by that chap, boy does the attitude change In a hurry! "If that soand-so hadn't been in there, I'd have got third place!" It's obvious that this is going to be a bit of storm in a teacup for quite a while and I truly don't know if it can ever be completely controlled but some of the Competition Committee have got some good ideas to stop It. Club referees would watch the line more carefully and when a rider who Is pulling a naughty Is observed, when the results come out his name will be listed as disqualified and the steward keeping the points In that riding division will automatically deduct a percentage of his points. ThIs same thing could be done for any rule infraction and would save a lot of hassles at the track, with the rider, as usual, being given the chance to speak for himself before the Competition Committee. There are still suggestions being discussed and most of the Compo Comm know that under certain circumstances rules can be bent a little bit but if everyone did anything they wanted we'd have chaos! As for bending rules a bit, the Competition Committee voted to allow riders to ride two classes in the same 'division i.e. 50cc and a 100cc or a 175 and a 250 etc. and the District will petition this be changed In the national rule book when the Competition Congress meets. r MOVING??? •• PLEASE CHECK ONE: o Second Class Subscription o First Class Subscription o Air Mail Subscription I I I • I I I Second class mail is NOT forwardable. Send us your new address as soon as possible, so you won't miss an is,sue. ,..' NAME: - - - - - - - - - - NEW ADDRESS: _ CITY: _ J_.S.T.A.T~ - _ / ZlP: - SPECTATOR LIABILITY AND PARTI· CIPANT INSURAIfCE FOR TRACK OWNERS, PROMOTERS AND CLUBS ~ BUSINESS PACKAGES- MOTORCYCLE 8. AUTOMOBILE - LIFE & ACCIDENT. s. HARRIS,PINSKY OF MICHAEL BENDER & ASSOCIATES, INC. 5225 WILSHIRE IlOULEVARD. Suite 717 L.A., Calli. 90036 (213) 937-2011 ~l'• L ~imichrome . Shines SUddenly 1; /I' Simichrome Is a honey eCleanS quick as a bunny OMPETITION Tube,S5¢ CHEMICALS Can $2.9 704 Washington Ave •• Iowa Falls Iowa BROKER INQUIRIES INVITED. USED PARTS ALL MAKES 40% TO 60% OFF" ClmRTTI '. • YAMAHA DEALER • SCRAMBLER MOTORCYCLES 1801 W. Burbank Blvd. Burbank, Calif. 849-5907 or 845-ll738 Ex. #7 GENE H. MYERS Authorized YAMAHA Dealer NEW & USED SALES You get a super tuned expansion chamber on your race ready 100XR. Pares - Service & Repair 4459 Redondo Beach Blvd. Lawndale, Calil. (213) 542-4041 ~~: FUN ::~~~!~n!Y Let an AROS CYCLETRAILER pUll your bikes out o~ the cities For Inlormatlon and brochure write or call AROS Weldlng&lIIanulacluring. 379 No.JohnsonAvL, EI Cajon, Calli. 92020. CALL 714 442-4600 KAWASAKI SPEED KITS Bu"aeG We specialize In only Bullaco Mitco Bultaco 120cc & 175cc write or call $46 .00 up 7241 W. Oraneethorpe, Buena Park (114) 52HI09 By Bill Harmer TIJUANA, MEXICO, July 13, 1969 - Jim Casey, riding three bikes In as many classes captured three first place trophies here today. Starting off in the 100cc class Jim easily outpointed Kawasaki mounted Dennis Lymons and Hodaka jockey Al Wright who took second and third. Then competing in the 125cc series of motos he turned back 'AI Wright and Kawasaki rider Rick Chapman whose efforts were not quite enough. Remaining at the starting line he stepped off of his little machine and exchanged It for a bigger Kawasaki and proceeded to defeat all comers in the 200cc class. Riding a Kawasaki, Rick Chapman beat out Eric Hereth, who was riding a Honda, for second spot. Because the entry list was small, everything over 250's was grouped into one class and Matchless master Rich Ribley easily dominated the class to win first place and Bultaco pilot Ron Bennet looked impressive while capturing second. A young open Novice rider, Steve Sharp finished third on a Matchless. Young Steve is showing marked improvement of late and really sparkled as he captured first in the last moto. The 1/4 mile beautifully banked TT course is perhaps the finest track in the Southwest and our Mexican neighbors had it manicured to perfection. A large crowd of local townspeople filled the stands and cheered enthusListically although racing secretary, Earl Roloff, had to create a racing card with only 15 entries. The track is easily accessible, the tropliies are large and plentiful and the races are finished long before the horse races and bull fights so It is a simple matter to return to the States with no waiting at the border. In this writer's opinion a lot of young riders CQuld be gaining valuable racing experience with a better chance cif picking up a trophy than they would ever have In a District 37 or 38 sanctioned race where the riders are riding hell bent after those coveted points. So load your bike in the back of your pick up and come on down to T-Town for the TT time of your life. (R~sults on page 20) DRACO'S MOTORCYCLES 1629 So. Standard Ave. Santa Ana, Cal. 92707 (714) 543-96SS Winners go with Bell. , ,like Gary Nixon Grand National Champion 1967 & 1968 92 PAlS-1919 CATAlOG The all new 1969Webco catalog IS the most comprehensive in Ihe motorcycle accessories Industry. 92 II'ges, hundreds 01 iUustrahpns. of the most wanted motorcycle accessories ,lIId hip IM!rfOlmallCe components. Also includes intormallon 01 mleltsl 10 all motorcycle enthllSrasls. MaSt rad ... . 'fIITS.CO 6NC. 211 _ STIEEI • VBllCE, WFOlIIIIA IIZI1 CULVER CITY CYCLE 9 i ,Oi SUI.TJ=lCC....a.•,~-,. Specialist lor Dirt or Street 10248 Culver Blvd.,. Culver City