Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

Lacher Ante,lopes Away With Main Victory. Early In the Expert Main, Sborty (I) Slabor.. and Paul (9<) CllllslI'rl... WI" stili abead of Dave (llI) Smith. Smith overcame a dead last start to pick off everybody but the fly Inc III' Lacher and TORI Rockwood In what ranks as Smltb's best ride of the y.ar. .. By Dewitt Thuett Photos by Eric Ralts GARDENA, CAL., Aug. 22, 1969 - Two weeks ago Mel Lacher blew amalnevent win to rookie Tom Rockwood coming out of the last turn on the final lap of the "A" main event. This past Friday Mel made sure he did not make the same .m1stake twtce. He also had a slight f1rst lap assist from Lloyd Houchins. Lacher was hot froll) the start with a fast time posting that was faster than most with room to spare. Lacher ·ten went out and won his head race and added to It by scorching around the oval on his Harley with two laps in the twentytwo second bracket. Anytime any rider tours Ascot in 22 seconds he is scorching something. Houchins, who JumPed from BSA to Triumph for the f1rst time this year, came on to win his heat race after posting second fast time behind Lacher in time trtals. The final heat race was the yell and scream event of the night with Tom Rock_ wood waiting until the final turn to pass on the outside and ride in for the heat race win. AUG, 3 MOTOCROSS COMES TO ASCOT Carefully save the discount cOuPOn in this issue of Cycle News. It will entltle you to 50~ off the admission to the firstever Motocross races at L.A.' s venerable Ascot Park. Sponsored by the friends of the American Motocross Team, the day-long actlon w1ll take place on an incredibly "natural" cross country course la1d out by Bob and Gary BaUey and Mike Haney. All week long the Ascot track maintenance crew bas been moving the earth to the Batley Bros. spec1t1cations. A sand pit bas been created, mud wallows, jumps, bumps and an island across the biggest lake have been put in. The wh61e course is decorated with banners and pennants to give that "c1rculsy" look that adds much to the enjoyment of motocross. Riders are reminded to have three numberplates on the1r racers. 125cc class (Jun1or riders only) white numbers on black background, 250 Jr. & Sr. white on green, 500 Jr. & Sr. black on yellow. $1000 prize money w1ll be paid to the 250 and 500 class on a per moto basis, rather than overall wins. $5,000 Ute insurance and $3,000 medical is provided. Among the stars expected to compete for the prize money and to blep the American Team Fund are Bob & Gary Batley, B1ll Silverthorn, Lars Larsson, John DeSoto, Tom Rapp, Tim Hart, John Rice, Al Baker, Mike Haney, John & Bob Maynard, Walt Axthelm, Jim West, Dick Jagow and Lonny Peterson. Pit gates open at 7 aom .'and close at 8:30. All licenses will be accepted. Riders are reminded to have clean, colorful leathers and look pretty for the people. VEGAS TRIPS OFFERED AT COMBO CROSS Winners at the Bay Mare Combo Cross w1ll be awarded cert1ticates good for a trip for two to Las Vegas, Nevada, the entertainment capital of the world. The Management of Bay Mare Racetrack came uP with the idea of a prize that would provide a good time for the rider and his lady as well. All other trips attered to riders have been racing trips and these can be won only by a few super shoes. Tom Rockwood cav. an ublbltllll rid. l1li the Trlumpb Thr.. pr.pared lor blm to rid. at Sacramento. Lacher, Rockwood and Houchins then met fro the f1rst time during the nightin the Trophy Dash. The three hit the f1rst turn as one rider with Mel scooting to the inside and getting to the back chute in front. He picked uP his second stralght Dash win and No. 8 for the season. T.d (114) Loncwllb and Don (135r) Emd. louCbt It out In tb.lr h.at rae. but It was all Emd. In the Main. leading five 500cc machines across the The 15 lap t1nalllned up for what was a llne at the Ascot halt mile. The battle near repeat from the week before. Lacher of the bigger bore rigs agalnst the smalvs. Rockwood. Veteran vs. rookie and ler singles goes agaln next Friday night. Harley 750 vs. BSA 500. . Ascot is coming uP with more and more Shorty Seabourne did nottigure into the picture too slrongly as he had sailed rookie faces to challenge the long t1me over the highside earlier in the evening experts as the battle for the national halt mile title on Saturday night, OCt. when Lacher broadsided him twtce in the 4th gets closer and closer. heat race. Shorty was bruised and the Down in the novice 250cc lightweight machine was bent, especially around the fork section. This did not keep himfrom ranks it was again the West's top three riders, Freddie Edwards, Don Emde and coming from last to win one of the SemiJohn Hateley doing their stuff. Main events. Lacher, Houchins and Rockwood agaln All three won their elimination heats to hit the f1rst turn as on rider. Houchins advance to the reagular program. There Edwards beat Hateley with Emdewlnnlng fell ott in front of Rockwood coming out his heat race. of the North turn on the first lap of the Then Emde, who is fast shaping uP as t1na1. It was Just enough edge that Lacperhaps the best all around novice in the her needed to build a good enought lead nation this year, really pulled out the to keep him from getting passed and beatstops to hold ott Edwards and little John en by the f1rst year expert, Rockwood. for his third straight maln event win. It was Lacher's first main event win since last May and agaln he turned many Edwards was extended by Hateley right quick laps. Rockwood was a second all down to the finish to hold second place. the way with the race for thtrd finding Emde continues to close the point gap no less than four different riders in the on Edwards each week in a point battle that could be decided on the final night show spot before the checkered flag. Rookie Dave Smith, a two time winner of the season. Emde bas nine novice main eventwtns on a Norton 750, showed uP on a BSA 500 to come from tar back to overtake this year, Edwards five and Hateleyt1ve. Seabourne and Ralph White for the posiOnly one other novice, Randy Ellis, bas tion on the final two laps. Seabourne been able to break the hold on these three grabbed ott fourth with White, who took riders. He bas a single main event vicover the Houchins BSA ride, coming in tory. He finished fourth Friday night. for tlfth in his second appearance this (Results on page 26) year. So once again it was a 750cc H-D TTs Alive And Well In Hanford Story and Photos by Jack Light HANFORD, CALIF., Aug. 22, 1969 - Don't let anyone tell you that Sportsmen T.T. Scrambles are dead man,itisn'teven1ll1 If anyone, anywhere bas his doubts, please follow all roads leading to Hanford, and the proof w1ll be given. Through the cooperation of the Kings County Motorcycle Club, and the Vlsa.lia Ramblers Club, Hanford prepares one at the "raceyest" T.T. tracks anywhere. The townspeople . come here to witness the action and the racers really come here to race. This night was no exception, with over 1.50 riders signed UP. The multitude of the small bike classes provided much of the excitement, with the1r determination to receive the checkered flag. Ryle Lessley, experienced a winning feeling, by piloting his Kawasaki to victory in the 90cc Nov. Main. Ted Davidson and his Mota Beta followed, with Jeff Davidson, Bridgestone mounted in for thtrd. Both the Novice and Amateur 90 Classes were loaded with talent. Remember, these fellows are the stars of tomorrow, and the way many of them go, tomorrow is not too tar away. Steve Baker and his Hodaka won the 90Am. Class, with Gary Maulden, Mota Beta second, and the Cimattl ridden by Larry Ringler was there for a well deserved third. Rick Mears and his Speedy Sachs, bested Danny Summerlln, and' Lester Manson both riding Yamabas. Rick was noticed beforepractlce, putting the finishing touches on his bike, in preparation for the night's activities._the Sachs was well prepared indeed. Next on the llne were the very quick 125 Am. and Ex. This had to be one of the better races of the evening. Expert Ron Toby had the opportun1ty to try out his brand new Yamaha for the very first time, w1nning both the heat, and the main handily. Traffic was thick in the early stages, with Ron taking advantage whenever possilbe, to cross ahead of Jim Hodge and Leon Cotton, Bultacoand Yamaha mounted. The next three events were battles between the Bultacos, Bridgestones and one Yamaha. The 200 Nov. found Rick Reed'S Bultaco nose out the Bridgestone of Steve Salyer. The 200 Am. Main had the same situation repeated Jak. Chenls hot shoes his 360 Malco to a Amat.ur win abead of Stan Slbl.y on a Bultaco rleht beblnd him. Skip (A) Saylor trl.s to str.tch his boot over to where th. traction Is. with Adam Pollak and his Bul. victorious over the Bridgestooe ridden by David Matthews. The picture changedwhenRon Keener on the Yamaha won over Jack Dodds and Lee Tyler, both astride Bultacos in the 250 Nov. Class. The next two races were extremely close, the250Am. and Experts really put on a crowd pleasing display. Leonard Reed, and Ray Comer both on Buls squeezed out Carl Nelson on his CZ for a close, hard fought duel. Leonard was able to take advantage of the breaks, and maintanlned the lead for the checkered in the Amateur. The Expert Class was Bultaco dominated, the first three, Steve Snider, Ken Hale, and Greg Grouletf all on evenly matched Buls, showed what motorcycles racers are made of. Next uP for exercise were the massive Maicos of Henry Patrick and Gary Been in the 360 Novice, with Jack Cherris in the Amateur. Patrick and Been finished one and two ahead of Joseph Chellino and his Bul. Jake had his work cut out for him as he took on the likes of Stan Sibley and Dwayne Shockley, both on Buls. Then came the big Jobs, with men strong eno~ to handle them. The 500 and 650 Open events are no place for weaklings,. either physically or mentally• The novices, Alan Haydon, BSA: Jim Lynch, Triumph and Ed Willlams, BSA, finished in this order. The Open Amateur race had to be seen, to be believed and then it was barely believeable. Louie Wood and his Triumph did the impossible. From a poor start ott the line, he was dead last for a lap or so. He poured on the coals, andta1rly flew the rest of the way, passing the traffic anywhere and everywhere. Louie didn't really have 11 made, Don Harrell, and Jim Lawler, BSA and Triumph saw to it that he would have to really earn the first place honor. this was a real hatrralser, and down-right spookey. The final event of the evening pitted the 650 Experts. Carrol Jackson, combined with his Number 1 BSA, proved to be the most expert Expert this night in touring the course for the checkered flag. Darrell McCaulley also BSA mounted, and Jim mcCracken's Triumph, showed why they too are experts, in pushing Carrol all the way. (Resuits on page 26)

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