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/125634
Sprocketts Wheel To Wheel All The Way -J Car,oll J.ckson turns to grin at the distant second place m.n at the Sprocketls TT. Jackson's BSA won the Open Expert class. By Jack Light BAKERSIFLE, CALIF., Aug. 23, 1969 Wheel to wheel all the way, 250 Experts Mike Middleton (Bul) and Randy Smith (Suzuki) fought the hottest contest of the night at Bakersfied. Mike, Randy, and Ken Hale (also Bul) rode as one throughout the race, with Ken seeking an opening to burst through the other two rider s. Expert Ron Toby, repeating last night's win in Hanford, had Frank Rosebury hot in pursuit for the entire 125 Amateur and Expert. It 15 hard to understand just how these 125 machines make the time that they do, but those who know Ron and Frank's ab1l1t1es realize that these boys come to race, and race they do. Steve Salyer and his Bridgestone bested Rick Keed in the 175-200 Novice go arouod. The Experts Roy Spiker and Frank Rosebury on their Bultacos, led the way for the Amateurs, Adam Pollak and newly advanced Art Carter, in the 175200 Combined. The 250 Novice fouod Chet Burt, Bruce .WUI1ams, and Ed of the racing Colboys fin1shing in th1s order with their Buls. Leonard Reed, fresh from a win in Hanford last night, was able to fight off the hard charging Tom Church and his new Ossa, with Dan Colby following closely in the 250 Amateur. This was anyone's race for the entire distance. Mike spangler's Malco proved to be just the right mount to nose out Norm McKenzie and his borrowed Husky in the 350- 500 Novice class. To continue in the big bike classes, the Open Novice was won by JIm Lynch, followed by Alan Hayden and Myron Kitchen, Triumph and BSA mounted. The Open Amateur saw Louie Wood again the Victor, with back to back wins in Hanford last night. After a confusing restart, Stan Sibley jumped into the lead. (If Sibley's Bul had not broken a ring, the result of the race might have been different.) These two racers challenged Dale Medford's excellence on his Malco. When the dust settled, Louie was the winner, with Dale second, and with hard luck guy. Stan, limping in thlrd • The evenings activities started out with an unfortunate accident when Starter Memo Varella was struck by a motorcycle during practice. Reports ava1lable indicate that he is in good shape but ynu be Ia1d up for awhUe. We should express our appreclatlon to the starters, flagmen and other crewmen who are often in the line of fire. Carroll Jackson and his Number 1 BSA enjoyed the taste of victory last night in Hanford, and decided to go for seconds. He might have had no trouble at all, If it had not been for a well known Number 32 backed up by Sid Payne and Bob Leppek's Triumph, and another hot-shoe Darrell McCaully on a Beeza to keep him plenty busy maintalning the lead. But If these expert riders were not worthy of their class, disaster might have struck. These speedsters know exactly what they are doing at all times - no room for error here - and certalnJy no place for a beginner. These guys play for keeps. If awards were given for Sportsmanship, Steve Baker would have been the recipient tonight. With no apparent thought of his own safety, he chose to ride over the high side to avoid hitting a fallen rider. LuckUy he was not injured, but the bike was in no condition to continue. Th1s type of action is not uncommon in th1s sport, but it does take a real man to deliberately crash to insure the safety of others. (Results on page 20) USED PARTS ALL MAKES 40% TO 60% OFF· 1801 W. Burb.nk Blvd. Bu,bank, C.lif. 849'5907 0' 845-8738 Ext.· 7 ... e' Ve ... .J M.veu SUNDAY, August 17th- Paul and I did a tad better today as the track was a real fun course, and more to our 11k1ng. Th1s course is called Ramsden Heath and 15 about thlrty miles from the Little Waltham lnn where we are staying. Thestart was uph1ll (though not as steep as Saddlehack). They used a starting wire as they did at our previous race. I m15sed quite a few shifts today. A.C.U. rules require that we wear high boots and I'm not used to them. I can't feel the shift lever as with my regular boots. Then the new Greeves Grlftons shift down for low wbUe the machines we rode in the States shifted up for low. In the heat of close competition I don't always remember th1s and then sometimes my boot doesn't seem to find the lever, but we are both getting more experienced with our new machines. There were one hundred eighty-eight contestants entered today. Paul and I were write-ins as these even15 require that the riders send in entries several weeks in advance. They have a complete program printed up with all riders names, numbers, size and make of machine, town they are from, and club which they represent listed. There were nineteen sidecars registered today. The first event was All-comers to 25OCc. (Experts and Juniors.riding together in all of these meets) with about th1rty riders per heat, three heats. Paul placed sixth in heat 2 and I was second in heat 3. In the final of th1s event Paul placed eleventh and I was in fifth place. Event two was the 3OO-442cc. Solo Eastern Centre Championship. Paul placed fifth in heatl of thlrty-one riders. I was sixth In heat 2 of th1rty-one riders. In the final of th1rty riders I placed eighth. Paul broke a shift lever and dido't finish. Event four was for Allcomers up to 1,OOOCc, five heats, thlrty riders per heat. 1 finished second in heat 3 and fifth in the final event. This makes us happy as Mr. Cobb of the Greeves Factory has promised us a days free practice at Halstead Track when we place flfth or better in any final event. This costs five pounds per day here to use the track ($12.00). existent. Thursday, August 21st - Today at Wakes Colne near Halstead where we were practicing Paul crashed running in fourth gear and fractured both bones of his right wr15t. The track was rock hard and dry except for some small sections. We had been r1d1ng both dlrectlonsaswe were the only riders on the course and we .needed more variety as the courses. over here go both ways. Paul's arm is in a cast and the doctor says three or four weeks at least before the cast comes off - tough luckl The medical attention over here was all for free. I am to take over Paul's machines now and ship mine home so they will be there to ride when I return to the States. Monday, August 25th - Yesterday we raced at a track called Wattisfield Hall between Burry and St. Edmonds about eight miles out of Dlss. The meet was sponsored by Dlss and District Motor Cycle Club. Paul's racing was confined to the pits due to his getting off his machine before stopping last Thursday. The course had many tight corners and bumpy sections plus fourth gear jumps. I ran in three heat races and three final events. I passed one rider in mid a1r coming of! a jumP. Then I thought about staying in one piece and cooled th1ngs a bit. Event 1 was the Eastern Centre Championship Round for machines up to 250cc, three heats, th1rty six riders per heat and thlrty-slx in the final. I placed flfth in heat 1 and sixth in the final event overall. Event 5 was Allcomers up to 1,000cc for the ~rry Preston-Cobb Cup and the Ernie Austin Cup. The Ernie Austin Cup is a Perpetual Trophy on which the winner's name Is engraved. He also receives a smaller cup. There were one hundred and sixty one entries In th1s race, five heats, with thlrty five in the final. I finished sixth In' the flfth heat GENE H. MYERS YAMAHA NEW & USED SALES Parts - Service & Repair 4151 Redondo Be.ch Blvd., Lawnd.le, C". (213) 542-4041 - - THE TWO-WHEfLER IA SUZUKI ~ Ready for IllIIlediale Delivery! 867 W. Colton Ave. 5.an Bern.rdlno, J!14l!a5~44S I call~. TRI UMPH • SUZUKI Walt Axthelm's Triumph - ·Suzuki tlotors 1049 West 5th St., Pomon., Calif. C1l4) ,I 629-8642 I Pttfrick's This must be that factory Yamaha "Four· that we have heard. bout. Paul Harber And Jim Wilson In Wednesday, August 20th - Tomorrow we are to practice at Halstead. John Pease from the Greeves Factory 15 having a weeks holiday and he is coming to the track to ride with us. The Factory has given us eight gallons of gas. ThIs should last quite awbUe as place tppractlce other than at a track are non- Q" "YAMAHA DEALER ". SCRAMBLER MOTORCYCLES iEnglan~ and eighth overall in the final. This was also first Junior. I received the Ernie Austin Cup (about 18" high) and a smalIer cup to keeP. Of course I had to give the big cup back as they aren't about to let that much metal get out of England.Also for all of th1s I won 2 pouods-1 sh1Illngs or six big dollars! Last night I went to bed at eight thlrty• I gave them the best I could and was really tired. Again I say they have a lot of hard riding people over here. They are most friendly and will bend over backwards to helP you but they are all business on the track. ° C()III~fifi()n Enf~rpris~ ·S4tu ·SA..i" ·'PMt4 la,al ••7-eeft hser' - •• '.crlls. Ser•••'.s .,-~~~~~~~~~~~ By JIm Wilson ... .• 1201 If. Sr'''. H.s.~ar.a If. c...., Collf. & 'ar•• Motwcycles Tires Disl. by Med-lnternallonal 4790 Pa.. A.... 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