Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

- ~CYCLE ~NEWS t.:l - America' s #1 weekly motorcycle newspaper. You'll always SM It FIRST In Cycle News! " THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION If Roxy Rockwood had sat behind Barbara Eden and put his arms around her when he was Instructing her, as one does when he instructs gol!, tennis, or any other sport, he probably could have prevented her from taking that nasty splll. DON WIMPRESS Los Angeles, Cal. Vou know. after looking at Miss Eden 's pictures that same thought occurred to me • . • Ed. MENTAL PAIN AVERTED The final Inter-Am series at Saddleback Park, 1broadslded a tree in the third 250 moto, I would like to ejxpress my appreciation to all those motocross fans that came to my assistance. For my part I sustalned a broken leg, but due to those that oUered their help, my pain was more physical then mental. DON WILLEY Cypress, Cal. THAT DOWNED RIDER WAS ME In regards to the letter " Leader Takes Time Out For Downed Rider" at Deadmans Point European Scrambles, Dec. 7, 1969. I was the downed rider and I would like to say thanks to Brent Wallingford for stopping and asking me If I was all right. I was Informed later that he also stopped and Informed the flagman about the accident. I appreciate this young man • and his eUorts. ROBERT L. CORSON Los Angeles, Callf. GOOD SPORTSMEN? Where were the A.C.A . oUicial's eyes in the third moto of the Inter-Am at Saddleback Park, Sunday, Dec. 14? Gary Bailey rode a 250cc in the first and second moto, In the thtrd he rode a 380cc which he borrowed. Barry Higgins had troubles with his C-Z so used a spare bike for the thtrd moto. This is against the oUlcial rules. They should both have been dlsquallfled and the money given to the next rider In line. KEITH SHAFFER Bell Gardens, Cal. STRICTLY BUMMER SUNDAYS Why don't the clubs running theA.M.A. 1970 T .T . Polnt "Races try alternating the times that the big and small bores run so that the big bike r iders won't always have to r ide at tw1l1ghtor worse put up with Sunday traffic? I ride for the fun of It, but the fun Is sure taking It on the chin for me since I've had to hassle all these strictly bummer Sundays. With the way the races have been scheduled before, the small bikes have had the whole day to run a half dozen or so laps. But the big bikes, that had to ride later, got only two or three laps In. One more gripe - Has anyone counted how many false starts the kids on small bikes get? Practically all the big bikes could race In the "jump the starter" time wasted by these over anxious racers. RALPH PORZELT Granada Hills, csur. IF ONE FOOT DOWN ISN'T YOUR THING••• I a m very much con cerned by the recent attempt by various M.I.C.U.S. bureaucrats to expunge Wes Cooley from his position In that " or ganizati on." It seems Ironic that the Americanized arm of the F .I.M. Is attempting to relieve the most avid supporter of European gran prix racing In the U.S. from his pos ition In M.I.C.U.S . Perhaps the riders should have a voice in the dec is ion making of this " r egulating organization?" Not jus t ACA r iders but AF M r iders as well. IUs obvious to all gran prix riders In the West that Wes Cooley has done more to promote European-type gran prix racing than any other IndiVidual; and the standards and Pub lished wee kly ex cept the first Northern Office and last wee k of the cale nda r year 1470 Broadway, Walnut CrMk, Calif. by Cyc le News, Inc.• Post Offic e (415) 934-1995 Box 498. Lon g Beach. California. Olst. Mgr. Bill Smith also publishers of Cycle News East. Second Class Postage paid at Long Cycle News (West), P.O. Box Beach. Callfornla. 498, Long Beach, Calif. 90801 Editorial stories, cartoons, photos. (213) 421-1433 L.A. 636.8844 etc . are welcome . Write for informaCycle News East and National Advlr' tion. Addressed. stamp ed envelo pe assures return of edito rial matt er. tlslng Information: Repri nti ng i n whole or i n part only Thomas Culp.. Natlonal Advertising Olr. 2499 Cerritos Ave. by permission of the publishers. Advertising rat es and ci rculation In Long Beach. Calli. 90806 formatio n wlll be sent upon request. (213)427-7433 or636-&844 Tele. 67-3474 Single capy price •••••• ,. 25¢ SUbscription: one )'Iar 2nd class mall ••••• $7.50 Publisher•••••.•Charles Clayton General Manager•.• . • ..Tom Culp Feature Editor•.••.••Terry Pratt Assistant Editor. ••Gael Buchanan Business Manager. .Sharon Clayton Advertising Manager. .Paul Cosner Circulation Manager. . Bruce Easley Circulation Ass't•... Eleanor Duke Production Manager •..LlU Laklch Lab Technician• .. . . .Jim Brooks Production Ass·t• • ... Jerry Owen Bookkeeper• • . . . .SUsan Whitelaw Want Ads. . . . . • . .Suzllee Evans professionalism of an ACA road race are second to none. During 1965 and 1966 Wes Cooley was responsible for nearly all road races held In the Southern Callfornia area. The races were well organized, entry fees and track adm issions were reasonable, and most riders probably enjoyed raclng over the Wlllow Springs and Riverside circuits. When compared to the AMA races which were previously held over the Carlsbad circuit the ACA's consistent race program at Wlllow Springs seems like a divine gift from holy places. " Whatever turns ya on" seems to be the expression of the times; and " my thing" Is deflnitely not purple leathers, a flamed helmet, high swept-back bars and one foot down. So for those of you gran prix riders - of both clubs - who appreciate what the ACAhas accomplished in Its relatively short existence, I suggest you write M.I.C.U .S. of better still, directly to the F.I.M, and clue them In as to the manner in which Wes Cooley has been conducting himself. The address of the F .I.M. is: Federatlonlnternatlonale Motocycllste Att. Secretary General 7 Rue Carteret, Geneva. ALAN E. SPEARS San Bernardino, Cal. THANKS TO THE TRUCKERS The motorcycle hobbyllstln Callfornia doesn't have the problem with interchanging engines and frames that you described In your article in the December 23 Issue of Cycle News, providing he is rich enough. The Callfornia Vehicle Code provides for interchanging engines and frames without notice or fees to the DMV, providing, the person doing so owns three or more motor vehicles (of any type). The only exception that section 4163 provides Is that notice and fees must be paid if the vehicle Is sold with a dlUerent engine than It was or1g1nally registered ,with . See, If you dig hard enough, you can find an exception to any law to fit your purpose, even If It was put In for some other purpose (Section 4163 came from the truckers.) JONATHAN W. SAPP San Diego, Cal. VOICE OF THE 16 YEAR OLDS I think when I am telling you that the rule is unfair I am speaking for all the kids under 16. I think the grown ups are just afraid that we are going to beat thein. I have been paying dues and racing in District 37 for three years and enjoyed every minute of riding. I read In the CYCLE NEWS last week voice. ALTERNATE ACTION About three weeks after the Sidehack Association Hare Scrambles of December 14, 1969, I heard that there was a special competition committee meeting called where four riders protested the 100cc race, because they were stopped one lap too early and didn't receive an oUlcial flnlsh flag. The eleven members who attended the meeting decided to have the entire race thrown out, with no points, no trophies. Being just before the final calculation of the 1969 points It would be almost Impossible to reconsider the decision so that the riders who did finlsh would get their proper points. Granted, there were some definite problems to be dealt with, bur surely with all that brain power another alternative could have been reached without taking a way everything that the finishing riders had earned. . One alternative would have been to give the protesters the position in which they were running, say 10th Novice. Another would have been to award them an average of their points for each race of the year. DICK WRIGHT La Crescenta, Cal. 'NATIVE GUIDE MISSING" Twelve members of our local competition club made the trip to Reno, Nevada on Dec. 7th for a Hare Scrambles. The sponsoring Nevada Trailblazers, had their share of problems that weekend. Their course had many groovy flre-roads some nea t hills, and a great little river bed. The only problem was that close to half those who started couldn 't find where the action was. After the dust settled It appeared to some that the club had forgotten to mark the course. Very little ribbon was used, and what was, was usually In the wrong places. It would be helpful to have some indication of which way to go at an Inter section of trails and roads. Arrows are simple to make and easy tc use.At ttmes we wish we had brought a native guide to find the way. We ca me to ride - not play "Boy Scout" . DAVE RIKER Winnemucca, Nevada and I read in the Voices of the West about the 16 year old rule and some Ideas that a lady had. The one I thought would be the best was that those under 16 cannot race a bike over 125cc. So If all the clubs would protest this rule maybe the kids under 16 wouldn't have to wait several years. RON RONDELL Topanga, Cal. EVERYBODY SATISFIED? The Master Links M.C. would like to thank everyone who attended our Hare Scrambles at Adelanto, Sunday , Dec. 28. We mistakenly charged the riders .25 too much for their entry, so we are donating this money to Rescue 3, in addition to our own donation for the outstanding work they always do. Any Irder not satisfied with this may write me and I will refund his .25 by return mail. MIKE LOVELL 6371 Cornell Dr. Huntington Beach, Cal. 92647 BLOOD IS THICKER, •• I am a continuous reader of your newspaper and I always read the desert articles written by Dick Wright. In my opinion I don't think he tells enough about his son (for you who don't know, Dick's boy rides motorcycles out on the desert). As far as I'm concerned you might as well change the name of your newspaper from Cycle News to Jeff Wright News. D. JACOBY Glendale, caur. A PLEA TO THE INDUSTRY If the AMA' s rule on 16 year olds is allowed to stand just stop and think of all the money that youngsters worked for and spent on entry fees , gas and parts that now the once great AMA wants 'to take away. Also think of all the youthful talent that will be wasted. It Is a shame that Yamaha, Kawasaki or some of the other big outfits don't jump all over the AMAbecause there are a lot of young kids that r ide for them. We are really dissatisfied with the AMA If they would only compromise somehow, perhaps allow under sixteens to ride only In the under 125 classes. E.J. BURKS Portervllle, Cal• . . " GUESS WHAT! I was cheated! Two weeks ago, after reading an ad in Cycle News for the Los Angeles International Motocross, I purchased a pair of tickets (at $4.50 ea.). The ad boldly stated that a list of no less than 6 European Motocross stars were to appear Dec. 28. Guess what! Not one European was on hand. They had all conveniently left for New Zealand the night before. The Americans put on a good show butIpaid to see the Europeans. You can be sure I won't be cheated next time. L. D. BENNETT Los Angeles, Cal. IRON GASCOT? I am sending an advertisement which I believe appeared in your publlcatlon describing an event to be' held at Ascot. Also enclosed Is a list of the Senior entries in the Dec. 28 Ascot Park Program. Did I attend the wrong Ascot Park? Where were Hallman, Robert, Aberg, DeCoster, etc? S. FIRESTONE M.D. Long Beach, Cal. WE WERE STUNNED As promoters of the L.A . International Motocross we were stunned that none of the European champions showed up in answer to our challenge. We would like to clarify the reasons none of them were at Ascot Park, Dec. 28th. Our aim In sponsoring an International type event at the Gardena track was to give Southern Callfornia fans an exciting show under dust-free, comfortable conditions. The Ascot motocross course is one of the most challenging, to both man and machine, in the United States. We felt the combination of a tough course entirely visible to spectators made the perfect place for a showdown between the best American and European riders. We talked to the Europeans during the Inter-Am circuit, Some expressed Interest in this event but we were unable to get flrm commitments fr om any of them. We then hit on the idea of placing a challenge In the for m of an advertisement in Cycle News. This ad appeared In the Dec. 16th Issue. This Invitational challenge brought a response In the form of an official entry from Dave Bickers. We applied for and obtalned an F .I.M. International sanction at considerable expense and also got the services of special officials. We paid for the expensive sanction and offered appearance money In good faith but got no official reason for Bicker's absence. We wish to apologize to the fans who paid extra money to see an international show and ask for your continued support and understanding. Bicker's failure to show wlll be the subject of an official complalnt to the F.I.M. GARY AND BOB BAILEY Gardena, Cal. 'THE GREAT GIBSON" We in Santa Cruz and the surrounding area lost a good fr iend in an auto accident just before Cbrlstmas, Bud Gibson, who was the owner of B & D Motors and a member of the Ridge Runners M.C. As well as racing In every type of motorcycle event, Bud was known for initiating side car racing in our area, for his Yamaha 100 which held a Bonneville record and for his " Wor ldBeaters" - machines concocted fr om mixing parts from several brands. Our condolences to his wife, Dottle, and his girls, Jeannie and DIane. Those who knew him and were touched by his special personality will never forget him. DOROTHY & LYNN MOBLEY Santa Cruz, Cal. DON'T LET IT GO TO YOUR HEAD Re article January 13th issue " Deification" of MC Racers •••Man! - I didn't know that we were THAT good. KEN PORTELLO South San Francisco, Callf. .;

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