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/125661
Switzer Swipes Vegas European Seralll61es lias Switzer cets airborne on his way to overa ll win, back In action after broken leg. By K1bby w. Scales Photos by Mike Morris LAS VEGAS, NEV. Feb. 15, 1970- With the desert powder dry, dust and more dust was the order of the day. By the time the Open class ran, powdered dust was hub deep in some areas and stuck throttles, fouled plugs and s trange sounding engine noises became quite common. First off the line were the 0-125cc machines with Sachs mounted Casey Folks taking the lead and proceeded to lap most of the other riders during the one hour run. Lee Mayse (Sachs) took the second spot. Next off were the 126-25OCc group with BUl Hill (Gre) grabbing the lead and he was never challenged throughout the race. As the race progressed the course continued to deteriorate until foot deep ruts and fine powdered dirt took its toll of man and machine. The Open class was next off with Jack Johnson (Hon) taking the lead and Tom Scales (Hus) and Max Switzer (Hus) in pursuit. In the second loop Switzer took the lead with Scales taking the second spot. (Results on page 19) MINT "400" ENTRIES AT RECORD RATE LAS VEGAS, NEV. - In the ftnal month before race week, Mint "400" entries are puring into Las Vegas Race Headquarters at a record rate. "We're receiving more than a dozen entries a day," said Race Director Mel Larson. "The entries are from more than 20 s ta tes plus Canada and New Zealand." The $50,000 desert chase, known as the Mint "400" Del Webb Desert Rally, has attracted top-name drivers and Hollywood cel ebrities alike. Indy "500" winners Rodger Ward and Panelli Jones are seated in the ftrst two starting positions with actors Steve McQueen and James Garner starting further back in the pac k. The r ace - richest in off- r oad racing history for both autos and motorcyclesguarantees $6,000 for the winners of each of four divisions, with nearly $10,000 in prize and contingency money going to the vehicle with the fastest elapsed time. The 400-mlle desert chase Is run over a 50-mUe Southern Nevada desert loop which allowed only 10 percent of last year's competitors to finish. " The course Is even more challenging this year after melting winter snows bave washed over the course," Larson com ments. "The week of racing and festivity begins Saturday, March 21 and lasts through Tuesday, March 24," said Larson. "A parade through downtown Las Vegas ,led by Grand Marshall Buddy Hackett, wUl kick-off the event. Also highllghting the race wUl be a Beauty Pageant and Victory Banquet," he continued. The Mint Hotel in downtownLas Vegas wUl be Race Headquarters, with the Sahara-Mint Gun Club, 12-mUes north of Las Vegas, marking the start-finish line and spectator area. r'"~~~~~~~~~~~-1 -= ~ .You Can't Buy Better Than The Best THESE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MONTESA DEALERS INVITE YOU~'''·~A~ .,••".- .,••"c~ ',••~D~ TO CO PARE Los Angeles: VALERIAN'STWO CYCLE CITY 20613 West Pleo (213) 415-4541 B urbank: ROEHR BROTHERS 311 North Victory Boulevard W es1minster: W ESTMI NSTER SPORT CYCLE 1514 W es1minster Avenue La Mesa: B-N S UPPLY 1500 EI Cajon Boulevard (213) 842-4841 (114) 893-1051 (114) 465-8321 Thousand Oaks: BOB'S M SALES &SERVICE IC 2001 Thousand Oaks Boulevard (805) 495-1211 Lancaster: LARRY LILLEY MOTORCYCLE 45345 North Sierra Highway Whittier: G lendora: KAGAY 'S USED CARS &MOBILE HOMES GEORGE DYE MOTORS 13428 Telegraph Road 123 East Alosta (213) 941-5012 (213) 963-5463 Redlands: HONDA OF REDLANDS 405 West Redlands Boulevard (114) 193-2833 or 193-2834 EI Monte: KAR CYCLE SHOP 10619 East Gravey· Inglew ood: SUZUKI CITY 128 South La Brea Ontario: DON 'S CYCLE SALES 1108 West Holt (213) 443-5112 (213) 614-1431 (114) 986-5002 (805) 942·2221 San Pedro: COMPETITION SERVICE INC. 1244 North Gaffey Sepulveda: WARREN WILSON MOTORS 9000 Sepulveda Boulevard Orange: ORANGE HONDA 2020 Chapman Ventura: OMO & SON MOTORCYCLE SALES 480 North Ventura Avenue . (213) 894-9218 (114) 633-1344 (213) 541-2203 (805) 643-1125 MONTESA MOTORS, INC. BACKS OUR DEALERS & CUSTOMERS 150% ~~ .",~~~~~~~~~~~