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/125654
c Bailey Gets Two Classes At .Ascot Motocross l ' . . - ~./ --. ..., '-~ "All rleht boys, lak. It from the top: a on., and two, and tin•••• • Looklne like th. Radio City Rock.tt.s, Gary Ball.y, Jim Wilson and Jim West all do muddy Ascot IIrst turn. Story and Photos by John Shedd GARDENA, CAL. Dec. 28, 1969 - The Ascot International turned out not to be an international after all. Dave Bickers and several other European motocross stars were unable to attend the event as they had planned, because of previous commitments In New Zealand. A one word description or the Ascot course would have to be mud. The mud was quite a factor and It took It's toll In both men and machine. There was a large waterhole right after the start that quenched the tire of many before the day was over, and a narrow strip of muddy ground which led through the south pond could plop riders and machine Into the drink 11 they weren't careful. Among the notables that took their bikes for a swim in the Ascot duck pond were Gary Bailey and Walt Axtbelm. The Junior classes and the 125cc Senior class comprised the morning's action and the 250cc and 500cc Senior classes wrapped up the afternoon. Gary Bailey had to come from behind on his Sachs to take over the lead from Tim Hart, also on a Sachs, in the first 125cc Senior moto, In the second moto It was Yamaha mounted Gary Jones who grabbed the lead, but once again Bailey came from behind to take the lead and the win. The final leg belonged to Jones all the way. Bailey was a close second unW he got crossed up In the mud and wound up In the pond gastank deep. With Bailey In the water Hart moved UP to second, but Bailey pulled his machine from the pond and finished the moto and still had enough points to win the class. ,Jim West got the jump In the first 250cc Senior moto, but the AJS rider was unable to hold alf the ever hard-charging Jim Wilson. Wilson held his Greaves in the front spot all the way to the flag, and Gary Bailey managed to getpastB1ll Silverthorn to finish third behind the talented new Senior Jim West. Wilson took the lead In the second leg but his bike began running sour after a little too much water and Tim Hart moved Into the lead. Wilson soon got things under control and moved back Into the lead. Hart dropped out with problems and Bailey finished second with West nipping at his heels. Bailey grabbed the lead in the final moto, but he was unable to hold alf Wilson and West after he lost his ' br akes. Wilson took the win with West second and Bailey third. Mud and water took a heavy toll In the first 500cc Senior moto. Leader Jim Wilson retired with water problems and Montesa mounted Tim Hart took the win. The second leg was Bailey'li all the way, and again Wilson was forced to pit. With Wilson out, Easterner Barry Higgins moved up to second and Hart held down third. 86/(er 8r6VeS 816sts lind 8Dwers In Desert Win Photos and Story ~ Mike Lovell ADELANTO, CAL. Dec.28 , 1969- Blasts of win up to 70 MPH and 14 degree weather were the onlY things that went wrong with the Master Links M.C. 'Hare Scrambles at Adelanto Dec . 28, 1969. The big bikes took off at 10:04 followed In three minutes by the Trall Class. A standard banner start was used, but as the banner was dropped a flare, visible for eight miles, was fired. (No mtstaking this start). The riders jammed across five miles of open desert towards the smoke bomb blown flat by the win. They picked up the trail after the bomb for a few miles then Jumped into a sand wash with an occasional rock to check number one. The course went through some hill and dale type things, then a rock wash with some occasional sand and up a hill to check number two. Larry Bergquist on a Bultaco Bandit had three minutes plus on everyone as he headed across the desert towards a six lane Freeway-like sand wash to a fire road and check three where a guy could get It on as much as he wanted to . Back on to the desert and then Into a crooked wash that had six foot banked sides where everyone played hippodrome racer. More fire road, a couple al rocks and It was over a hill to the home check. On the second lap Bergquist had trouble and Al Baker took over the lead and came In for the win on a 250 Yamaha, with Phil Bowers also Yamaha mounted, second. Eric Jensen did a fine job as first 125 and 12th over all on his Sachs. Trail KIng Jack Morgan aced his Hodaka into a win after a close race with Alan Lund whose bike couldn't stand the pace. The 'trail novice class went to 16 year old Ray Sloppy (pronounced - Slowpy) Jr. on a Sachs, his first DIstrict 37 win. Lund's bike was protested after the race, for being over the 100cc limitations al the Trail class. ~pp1ly, after a careful check, he was proved legal and took home an extra $10.00 for his trouble. . A talk with the Master Links after the race proved a successful run requires a lot of preparation, over 6, 000 Ibs, of lime and 2,000 ft. or yellow ribbon was used In the six weekends It took to lay out the course. (Results on page 17) a hleh kick In unison and charp Into that The tinal leg was without a doubt the race al the day, and those who left early because of the cold and wind missed a wheel to wheel duel between the best the west has to offer against the cream al the east. This battle was not for tirst because Jim Wilson was out In front with a nice lead, but second place Gary Bailey had his hands~ullwithNewYork's Barry Higgins. Barry held his CZ In striking distance every Inch al the course, and challenged Bailey several times on each Iap, On the final lap Bailey and Higgins were cutting down Wilson's lead and as they came Into the last corner before the checkered flag HIggIns passed Bailey. It appeared to be certain death for Gary but Barry, had to go wide In passing and Bailey zipped under him to regain second behind Wilson and win the class. (Results on page 17) f t Poetry In mallan. -~ AtTENTION MOTORCYCLISTS: CLUBS OR INDIVIDUALS! Assur. yourself of a place far rldlne and camping In the 70's. B.aullful40 acre parcels. Tr.e caver.d. Railine to rugg.d terrain. As low as $250 per acre. Low doWn payment (5%). Easy tenns (15 years), F or fur t her informati on conta ct: CRYSTALAIRE LAND CO., INC. Rt. 1, Box 24, Llana, California 93544 (805) 944-2555 .And 10 Mary McGe. rode a CZ In twa classes.