Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

Cycle News 1970 02 10

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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By Maureen Lee ~ trJ :i!: trJ ~ II you remember some months ago the Sports Committee and the Competition Committee went along with the idea that club members be allowed to ride their own ' scrambles. Now for those of you who migtit not get to read the bulletin sent out from District 37 we'll pass along this little word of advice: Watch it! . The Competition Committee feels this has bad a detrimental affect on some of the scrambles. Several motocross riders have petitioned to be allowed to ride their own sera -0 aroun motocrosses but this has been turned down. The rule was to try and help out our staggering scrambles scene, and let's face it, scrambles are staggering. There are more motocrosses scheduled for 1970 than scrambles and we know that in Blighty a scrambles and a motocross is the same thing but it ain't over here. So, the stand of the Competition Committee is as follows. They've noticed that some riders being allowed to ride their own scrambles have not worked the event, just ridden and collaPsed. Not only that, there has been a bit of jiggery pockery going on about who belongs to what club and who is allowed to ride. Then, club members have been observed working on fellow club members bikes when they should be out on a turn with a flag in their paw or doing other useful work. So, let's not abuse this rule, hub? It was passed on a trial basis to try and help we scramblers out so let's not blow it. Several clubs have had a boosted membership because of this new ruling, so if we blow it we've got no one to blame but ourselves. We note that Dick Mann is having troubles finding a sponsor for 1970. America, be ashamed. Bngs is probablY the closest you've ever come to a lop notch rider. He can ride anything and if he doesn't get a sponsor for this season we'll personally swear off all the brands he's ridden. Throng Turns Out For Fast Elsinore TT By Lorri Lee ELSINORE, CAL. Jan. 24, 1970 - The word must have gotten around about the new track at Elsinore with its long straightaway because the riders came out in great numbers. A total Of 218 riders were present for 70 races. The opinion of the riders and spectators alike was - "we like it... • Most comments were - "Now it takes horsepower plus ability." Sisters, Julie and Mary Grig, graced the Powder Puff class this week, with Mary Grig on her Yamaha taking second place following the first place Lori Fuller on a Kawasaki. In third was Lindy , Rhyme on a Honda. In the Mini Bike class Lane Steeber showed us his stuff by winning all three motes, Jim Harris came in second over all on a Maverick and Dave Lujon came in third on his Honda mini trail. In the 125 Novice class Diego Gualda bad to ride the semi in order to ride and win the main. Steve Stone and Steve Tinsley also had to ride the semi. They TEAM TO FORM ADVISORY BOARD T.E.A .M. Racing Association (Team Effort for American Motorcycling) this week announced its intention to form a special advisory board. The staff will be comprised of individuals with backgrounds which would be beneficial in the organization and promotion of professional motorcycle events. Initially, emphasis will be placed on Motocross, with TEAM's first effort coming February 8, in the form of a team Motocross (two riders, one bike) at Deadman's Point, in Apple Valley, Callfornia. Advisory board applications are open to all, and Cycle News readers who feel that they can contribute to a true Team Effori for American Motorcycling are invited to send their complete resumes to... T.E.A.M. Advisrory Board Box 74433 Los Angeles, Cal. 90004 BSA or Triumph 2SOCC Rigid Frame completesless motor. Am.rieen Eegl. '250ee Geronimo Mutuci_demo. American Eagle l2See Comanche MotocroSS, 16 HP, S speeds, 190 Ibs. full of gas. Reedy to race for a winner. BSA Rocket Th... Engine. ' Large selection of used motorcycles. All brands from 90 to 7S0cc, Street. Trail. competition. New American Eagle, BSA. Bridgestone,and Montesa. BUSCHE~ CYCLE SALES & SERVICE 3530 Go....n Road Ft. Weyne,lndllnB 4••9 WeekdaYI: 10 a.m. to 7 p ..m. SaturdaYI: 10 a.m. to 4 p ..m. (219) 4.3-1117 By Dave Lang Scottish speedway star Bert Harkins has been offered terms to ride in the United States from April until October, 1970. News of the offer was cabled from Harkins in Australla to his Britisb boss, Ian Hoskins••.and arrived right in 'the middle of the most sensational happenings of the British close-season. For Hoskins had just sold Harkins, along with all other assets at the Coatbridge (Scotland) track, to a new promotion who will reopen mightlY Wembley Stadium, London, for Division I racing this summer! Harkins, stunned at the news that be is to become a Wembley Lion and thus wear one of the most legendary team colors in the world of speedway, still added that he is "obUged to consider the American oHer." . II personallty boy Harkins did decide to ride in the States it would preclude racing in Britain, as the dates coincide with the Br itish racing season. This news, bard on the heels of the revelations that world champion Ivan ' Mauger might quit British speedway to ride for Kawasaki in the U.S. short track championships, is causing growing concern among British promoters about the threat of U.S. speedway and its demands on their star performers. Said Ian Hoskins, now a co-promoter at Empire Stadium, Wembley: "We will have to watch this. II American speedway gets bigger and more successful, they might outbid us for all our stars." WU1 Harkins, currentlY barnstorming in Australla, accept the U.S. bid ? British opinion is that the lure of riding at Wembley, perhaps the mostfamous stadium in Europe, will persuade Harkins to return to London In 1970. OTiJER BRlTlSlI NEWS: All four applications from new clubs for membership of Division II were turned down, and there is now talk of forming a British Third Division. Unlucky applicants were Sheffield, Workington, Peterborough and Newlongrange (Edinburgh). And Poland and Russia, the two track giants of Eastern Europe, have both called off international tours of Britain this summer. got second and third in the main. Roger Brass got fourth and Robby McEwen took fifth respectrvely, ' The 250 Novice had a visiting rider, Jeve Dickey, trom Moline, Illinois. Jeve rode well with out California riders. The 500 and Open Novice was won by Bob Larson, winning all but one of his motos, In second was Larry Stites. The 125 Expert class was won by Larry Bird, In his last mo he took over the lead at the end of the first lap and stayed there. Tom Warren and his new Bultaco took second over all with terrific power slides in the sweeper. Whitney Blakslee tried to overcome Larry and Tom all night, but took third gracefullY. The Special Experts showed us a race where everyone contributed to the best of his ability. Vic Hannon broke out in first place In the second lap of the main and stayed there. Ray Vanderpool came up from behind for the second place victory, with T. White not far behind in third. (Results on page 17) AMA DisRf 19 Competition Schec'alle Set By John Blanton AUSTIN, TEX., -Jan . 3, 1970 - A longbuilding ground swell of rider dissent reached its climax in the form of a preemptory "rump" caucus beld just hours prior to the annnal District 19 AMA meeting held Jan. 3rd in Austin, Texas. Led by Frank Gourley of the Texas Travelers Motorcycle Club of San Antonio, the caucus aimed at airing complaints of recent laxity in enforcing its own regulations on the part of the AMA. BSA 6S0cc Flat Track' or TT Machine complete with WarrenSteel rods; Sifton cams, springs, pushrods; Trackmaster swing-arm frame; Ceriani forks; Barnes wheels with red disc brake. Winner of the IND[ANA STATE TT CHAMP[ONSIDP. ridden by John Weaver, 78H. Two Gold Stan. 1 Rigid Frame III1d 1 Swi.....rm Frame. Both with Sifton .-up. Best offer. Scoff Speedway Star Offered U.S. Ride In particular, the Association bad been charged with granting mid-season sanctions in conflict with previouslY sanctioned Sportsman points events. Gourley charged that several San Antonio races, which had been guaranteed the protection of a non-conflicting 100mUe-radius circle, had been financiallY hurt by the sanctioning of flat track races barelY 75 miles away. Letters to Jules Horky of theAMA brought the replY that the loo-mUe limit bad been reduced to 75 miles in mid-season - contrary to AMA rules. Mr. Tom Clark. AMA director ofprofessional competition, was dismayed ,to find the caucus in session upon his arrival at the meeting room, but be was; nevertheless, impressed by the earnestness of the well-behaved gathering. At the subsequent sanction meeting . he granted several concessions to the local clubs and made promises of more sincere consideration by the nationwide governing body in the fUture. As a result of one concession granted the clubs, District 19 (Texas) is divided east and west by a vertical line running west of Ft. Worth and south between Austin and San Antonio to the Gulf of Mexico. East of the Une the radius of protection will be 75 mUes, while the more spar:selY populated western region will have a loo-mile radius of protection. Of the more than 160 sanctions grant- · ed at the meeting, eight were for Sportsman Road Races, the first of which will be held at Austin Dragway Park on Mar:ch 1st by the San Angelo Racing ASSOCiation. SARA also sanctioned five additional road races for the season, each of ,the m to run at Dallas international Raceway. In addition, the Golden Eagles M.C. of Dallas was granted a sanction for a road race at Dallas International, and the Kapital Katz M.C. of Austin received a sanction for its annnal Aqua Festival Road Race to be run on the Capitol City streets on August 9th. Inquiries are being made towar:d the running of an AMA Professional Road Race at the August 9th meet, and Mr. Clark used his visit to the city as an occasion to 1nspectand approve the street course for professional and even National Championship type racing. The series of Aqua Festival races is sponsored by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and the prospect of an annnal National Championship classic will be a tantal1zing one for the Chamber to consider. A list of motorcycle activity for the State of Texas is being printed by the Kapital Katz M/C, and these lists will be available from the club soon. The address is Box 6306, Austin, Texas 78702. Besides the AMA-sanctioned activities for the State, George Parks of Austi.il Motocross Park and Curtis Terry of Motor Sport Park of Ft. Worth have announced a series of twice monthly motocross races to alternate between the Austin and the Ft. Worth locations. The series will run for six months, and at the conclusion, the series champions in each of the three classes will be sent expense paid to Sadd1eback Park, California to race in the last Inter-Am Championship of the season. BENElLi SHOWS NEW 500cc 4 CYLINDER RACER Benelli, winners of the 1969 World Championship in the 250cc class now plan to compete in the 500cc and 350Cc category. Left to Right: Lucio and GIancarlo of the Benelli Racing Team, Larry Wise of Cosmopolitan Motors the U.S.A. Benelli Distributors, and Count Nardie Del one of the owners of Benel1i and head of the raciug program and Mr. Omer the chiet technician of the racing effort. The frame and engine are being prepared for the 1970 campaign. Benelli motorcycles and mini-cycles are distributed in U.S.A. by Cosmopolitan Motors, Hatboro, Pa, Package Flight offered for Houston & Daytona Nationals Another major breakthrough for race fans is in the making. The Associated Travel Service has put together a "time and money saving package" for both the Houston Astrodome and Daytona National AMA Races slated for February and Mar:cb. Both plans include round-trip jet rare from Los Angeles and return. The plans also include motel rooms and transportation to and from the Houston and Daytona Airports. , The Daytona pIan, the first of lts kind for Westcoast fans, offers four nights in a beacbstde motel. Travel is by jet directlY to Daytona Airport. The pIane will leave Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, arrive Daytona late Thursday evening. Return will be ear:lY the following Monday morning, and arrive back in Los Angeles before noon Monday, the day after the 200 Mile National. The Daytona night is designed to allow the fans an opportunity to see all of the Road Races, plus two nights of Short Track Racing, the Daytona Motorcycle Show and the Annnal Victory Banquet. Those taking the Daytona f11ght will be ' staying at the same motel that will host the nightlY radio show featuring all of the lop riders and the many other racing celebrities that will be on hand for the Annual Speed Week. Complete information and details may be' obtained by contacting Associated Travel at (213) 7225243, or 6055 E. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90022.

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