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
~ '" ~ 6: Riders Learn Motocross -Academics At Bailey Bros. Schoof ~ (oJ ~ (oJ By Elaine Jones The beglnnlng of the new year and a new racing season Is upon us. All of us, I suppose make resolutions which we have Intentions of keeping but somehow always blow when the novelty wears off. Rather than Intentions the following are some things I would like 10 see happen In the .sreen Ilatera ....:l U ::... o forthcoming season. Tops on the list would have 10 be an amendment 10 the A.M.A. ruling that forbids riders under sixteen 10 participate In sanctioned events. All of us who love the sport know several crackerjack riders that will be lost If it Is allowed 10 stand. The sec;ond hope would be a dose of common sense 10 the dlng-a-llngs who think pit racing Is so much fun. Perhaps If they can 't get It on their own they could be for ce fed by the track owners In the most unpleasant method possible. ThIrdly I wouldllke 10see all the tracks make Improvements on their facll1ties for the less hardy souls and for safer racing• To the riders who are now GREEN PLATERS, I hope this season brings you a yellow plate which of course, will lose you 10 me but will take you on 10 bigger and better things. Without a doubt there will be a bumper crop of Novices 10wow us and make for some good reporting. The greatest thing that can happen In the year 1970 Is a greater enthusiasm In the United States for Cycle Racing. Each and everyone of us can do a part In furthering this cause by presenting ourselves In the best possible light; by answering questions put 10 us and by "Bringing a friend 10 the races". It only takes once! Good Luck for a prosperous and Happy New Year. .. It looks like Ihls fellow Is jusl aboulIa gel his lunch In a big way as he lopples loward Ihe Ascot crash wall. ThaI's chief Inslructor Gary Bailey slandlng In Ihe background so he will be on hand 10 answer things like, "W hal am I doln' wrong, coach?" Slory and Pholo by Maureen Lee GARDENA, CALIF. Dec.27,1969-Cold? It was cold enough 10 do embarassing things 10 brass monkeys as Gary Bailey, assisted by Tim Hart, taught his motecross school at Ascot Park. Comparing It 10 other schools we've seen schoolmastered by European World Champions this one came off excellently. Gary Is an articulate speaker, getting his points across 10 racers and future racers In terms they all understood and with Tim Hart backing him up what one didn't say the other one did. All the riders considered the fee well worth It. Lessons started with the basics, flag signals. Then using the whole Ascot motocross course (but not the mud hole) Balley and Hart conducted their charges from turn 10 turn, giving everyone ample time 10 try It out. The starting llne came first, each pupU being given chances at coming off the llne all by himself, then mixed In small groups and finally In several mass starts, "10 feel how It is going .lnlo a turn with a big bunch of guys." The things Hart and Balley spotted that most were Improper position on the bike on the line, "Stand up and lean forward, " and Tim noticed a lot were missing their clutch levers when the flag dropped. "Try reaching for It a few times so you can keep your eye on the starter, not where your clutch hand Is going." SaId Gary, " You' ve got 10 go deeper Into that first turn" and both of them agreed that all rirders have 10 learn 10use thatfront wheel brake. ThIs Is a must for motocross racing. Unless you do, you just can't go fast enough. The school moved slowly around the whole course, taking each section one at a time until all the pupUs were getting through that particular leg In reasonably good shape. There were riders on full scrambles machlnes and youngsters on tlddlers that just didn't have the frames or the power 10 hack the rough stuff properly, but each one of them learned something. There were some crashes but at the. outset Bailey fixed the whole class with a stern eye and Said, .. Look, If you fall down, who cares ? You're here 10 learn, right? No one Is going 10 laugh at you so just don't worry about It If you drop It." You could tell from the expressions on some of the faces that that was just the reassurance some of the real beginners needed. Previously they'd been skittish about unloading in fr ont of riders like Hart and Bailey. On the tcugher sections the two " s choolmaster s " gave an exhibition on how 10 handle the terrain, first at slow speeds then full out, and once again Bailey had all the pupils attention as he lald down the law on one of the back Tim Hart, (standing) parks his Montna and watches students ride across Ihe logs and Into the hairpin 'eft hander. When the students watched Ihe leachers ride, the bumps seemed 10 all but disappear. jumps. "Some of you are experienced GlLry making the point strongly that If but some of you aren't, so If you do know you're going 10 ride motocross you'd how 10 jump this and look spectacular, better have a good machine. It didn't don't do It. Let's take It easy the flt'st matter what brand, but It should be one few times through." Even the more experienced riders cooled It and the real novices bullt up confidence. Besides the riding instruction which became personal1zed If a rider was having distinct troubles getting through a certain section, with either Tim or GlLry pointing out exactly what he was doing wrong, the pupils gotlnstructlon on other things too. Shocks, handlebars, equipment, all this came Into the lectures with that Is set up for the rough. After the whole course had been traversed, riders were then turned loose 10 ride the whole circult. ThIs was followed by a question and answer period. " I know you're going 10 forget some things so after you ride for a whlle, If you have a question, come on over," said GlLry and he and Hart patiently answered all the queries unW the last pupil was satisfied. ~'''·'I ~ --.oo;;;;; " --:: . = - ~ ATTEND HOUSTON NATIONALS $185 betU". " KU,.-,,, Clt'- f .... To Mou Oil lt La Los ""..,.. ,.~ S ~lt7D fl . . . . ""NIl" I , llIel 1t...IIlI..Trl, Air, Altroworlcl " _ I. T_. T,,",..,. e .ll ARNIE. now lor r........tlCIfl. ASSOCIATED TRAVEL SERVICES "''' m~'43 * Tim and Gary line up Ihe next wave of pupils and explain whal ls expected of Ihem. Individual allenllon Is available so riders al all Ilveis of competencl can gain from Ihe motocross school. Rob~r'M~ La,w .~ HIGHEST TRADE-IN 239 N. Anaheim Blvd. Aniheim . Cal . Phone (714) 533·1309 MOTO-X ACCESSORIES Pelican DIve & Cycle Disl. Co. 500 Broadway St., Vallejo, Cal. 94590 _ _ _- All orders shipped same day . ~_ _ _ ~ .. 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