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/125657
motocross. At press time the 'monumental lap tabulation task has not been completed so the following race report will have to be MOORPOARK, CAL. Feb. I, 1970 - A crowd of 5,000 lined the snow fences at considered observations and of a proBay Mare Ranch Race Track to see top visional nature. What we're trying to say eastern and western riders duel wheel to is, we're gues sing. It was a Le Mans start, and tall lanky wheel in what was probably America's " Jim Le Blance outran everyone to the first national motocross. ' bikes and beat the bunch to the top of the Sunday was a beautiful day for racing, the track was laid out well and in great first hill. Gene Cannady was close behind and he put his Sachs out in front before shape, plenty of top riders were on hand and this coupled with well planned and he had completed the first lap; and he kept it there for 60 minutes with the help well run events provided a tremendous day of entertalnment in the sun. of his teammate Terry Bllton. The likes The two big threats from the East of John Rice, Steve Scott, Jim Wilson were Barry Higgins and Bruce Magure, and other excellent r iders fought it out behind, but none could match the pace of and on the calendar to support the West the flying Sachs team of Cannady and were Jim Wilson, Tim Hart, John Rice, Bruce Baron, J.N. Roberts, Russ DarBilton. nell, Mike Runyard and many other top Jim Wilson, who had victory snatched west coast riders. One of the West's from him last week at the Ascot team motocross was out for blood, and when toughest competitors, Gary Balley, was the 250cc 90 minute event roared away unable to ride - due to a leg Injury he received on Saturday. it was Greeves mounted Wilson leading The day's racing was divided into three the way. Bruce Magure's machine would events, a l25cc, a 25OCc, and a 500cc not start on the line, and he was lapped class. All were team events comprised of several times before he was able to get a JwUor and Senior or a palr of Juniors. under way. Wilson and teammate John Seibrandt had everyone else playing The l25cc machinery started the day's race program with their 60 minute team catch-up throughout the race. The team Photos and Story by John Shedd of Bruce Baron and Ron Bunn battled lap after lap with the team of Barry Higgins and Blll Goman, both teams on CZs. Baron's team held the second spot most of the race, but when Higgins saw the last lap flag come out it was as if he picked up a tail wind and he was able to catch and pass Baron. When Wilson passed the flag Barry was still way back . A match race fllled the lull between the 250Cc and the 500Cc events. There was a $200 purse - winner take all. East riders Barry Higgins and Bruce Magure were pitted against the West's Jim Wilson and Tim Hart. U was a hand on helmet start and as the foursome topped the first hill it appeared that Bruce had the lead, butagaln bad luck struck and he went downputting Wilson in the lead. Higgins caught and passed Wilson on the first lap and held on to the lead all the way. Wllson took a nasty sp111 on the third lap and Hart moved up to finish second. As the sound of the shotgun started the final event, the Yamaha mounted team of Steve Bast and Chuck Burroughs streaked to the front followed by desert ace J .N. Roberts and Barry Higgins. Higgins took over the lead on the fifth lap, and on the next lap Roberts pulled into second. Russ Darnell, who did not get good position on the start did a fantastic ,Job of moving his Husky up and grabbed third. As the laps ' ticked by the teams swapped both the riders and the lead. The teams of Higgins and Goman, Roberts and Cayne and Darnell and Powell each had their shot at the lead. Higgins went down losing precious time and the team of Darnell and Powell took the lead. Their lead this time was short lived as Roberts took over and he and teammate Bernie Cayne appeared to have the win sewed up, but to the amazement of many the checkered flag fell on Montesa mounted Mike Runyard. Runyard and team partner Bruce Desoto rode a hard fast race, but even Mike couldn't believe he 'won it. He had himself figured for about fifth. Late word from the scorers list Russ Darnell and Charlie Powell as winners In the 500 race. Ano,ther Husky team, that of J .N. and Bernie Cayne showed up In second and two Malcos ridden by the Joe Vellion-Larry Watkins team and the Skip May-Chuck Berry combine picked off the next two spots. ' The official lap sheets will tell the story, and the winners, whoever they may be, will reap a good size portion of the $2400.00 total purse.