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/125647
TER·AM WINS Story and Photos by Terry Pratt SALINAS, CAL. Dec. 7, 1969 - The Saltnas half of tf1is weekend's Inter-Am action was won by Swedish Husqvarna team rider, Arne Kring who won the first and third motos and flnished in the number two spot behind teammate Christer Hammargren in the second moto. Kring's competition appeared to come from Hammargren who won the second moto and was second In the third race. However, counter shaft sprocket trouble In the first moto put Chrlster out of contention in the final scoring. Second overall was Jlrl Stodulka who ran strongly all day and picked up two fourths and a 'third. Jirlls a Czech and must know the right words to whisper to his_CZ. The AJS team fielded only one rider but Bengt Arne Bonn brought the newest motocross bike across for a hard ridden third place overall. Unlucky Ake Jonsson suffered a dead last finish in the second moto -after he collapsed his rear wheel. A second and a third in 'the other two heats garnered him enough points to hall down fourth for the day however. . Barry Higgins added to his string of first-American victories ahead of Bob Grossi, Bob Bowers and W1lla1m Saltzman. Now for a brief blow by blow. First moto. Kring leapt to a first lap lead followed by Hammargren, Stodulka and Jonsson. Joel Robert Was lagging in about seventh. Hammargren dropped off with sprocket trouble, Jonsson passed Stodulka and Robert started a charge that brought him into third at the flag. Higgins was holding fifth but BOnn squeeZed past him In one of the banked turns at the top of the h1ll. Second moto. This wasHammargren's race. He led wire to wire but there was lots of action behind him. Jonsson's Malco was pressuring the leader when Ake's rear wheel sheared most of the spokes off the hub. Aka doesn't stop easily, he pushed across to finish last. Robert ground to a halt in the early laps. After racing with Higg!nsfor several laps Gunnar Lindstrom detroured into the pits to change yet another plug. Kring was now second and Bonn passed Stodulka but Jiri got by again to hold third. Third moto. By now the pattern had settled down. Kring had a 50 yard lead on the first few laps and Hammargren moved up to second after passing Stodu1ka and Robert who was seen circulating at quarter speed with a badly misfiring CZ. Jonsson powered by Stodulka and Bonn was charging from behind passing both Higgins and Lindstrom who were having a terrific struggle. Robert had his CZ back on form again and pulled in behind Stodulka. Joel was several laps behind at this point but his race with Jlri seemed to push both CZs away from the galning AJS of Bonn. The sandy Salinas course was welcomed by most of the riders. The watering Job lasted most of the day and stern admonitions from the loud speakers kept jay-walking spectators at a mlnimum. (Results on page 17) L.A. INTERNATIONAL MOTOCROSS THE RUGGED ONE.' AMERICA'S BEST CHALLENGES EUROPE'S BEST • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Tom Rapp - Bullaco Jim Wilson - Greeves Mark Blackwell - CZ Pele OeBenedettl - Malco MI ke Runyard - Am. Ealle Bruce Baron - CZ Tim Hart - M... Bill Silverthorne - Husky Jim West - A.J.S. Gary Bailey - Greeves Wall Aslhelm - Rickman Presion Pelly - Malco John Maynard - Rickman Feets Mlnert - B.S.A. John Rice - Malco Torsion Hallman - Husky Joel Robert - CZ Benet Aber I - Hus kJ ROler OeCosler - CZ Arne Krlnl - Husky Oave Bickers - CZ Chrlsler Hammarlron - Husky Vic Allan - Groeves Haka. Anderson - Husky Jlrl Siodulka - CZ Oave Smllh - A.J.S. Ake Jonsson - Malco Tom L:eadbiller - Am. Ealle Gumar Llndslrom - Husky Benet Arne Bom - AJ.S. DEC. 27th DEC. 28th SAT. SCHEDULE SUN. SCHEDULE 1:00- PITS OPEN 10:00- JUNIOR PROGRAM Cl25-250-500cc) 1:30- MOTOCROSS SCHOOL 1:00-l51 125cc JUNIOR MOTO 1:30-151 250cc JUNIOR MOTO 12:30-INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM (250-500cc) GEN. ADM. - $2.50 GEN, ADM. - $4.50 BEST RIDERS SAT. WILL RETURN ON SUNDAY NO DUST! ENTIRE. COU,RSE IS VISIBLE FROM COMFORTABLE GRANDSTAND SEATS Advance sale tickets are available at TICKETRON (Phone 2l3-TR7·1000) or one of the over 150 MUTUAL THEATRE TICKET AGENCIES (Phone 213-627-1248). Inlo a sandy I..n In fr..1 of Barry HIUlns. Robert has had lceptl... ~~~~~~~~~~ "" - ~ ci: til ~ ~ Col ~ '-' t