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/125667
, MOORPARK, CAL. AprU 11 and 12,1970 - John DeSoto spurred his CZ to a win In the feature event of the two day Viewfinder's Grand Prix held on a spec1a11Y made course in the h111s around Bay Mar e Raceway last weekend. John won the 500 Sentor race after catch1ng and passing Al Baker and his brand new Yamaha 360 MX. Baker jumped into an early lead and held it most of the way around the three mUe loop before DeSoto's pr essure got to be too much and the f1y1ng Hawatian got by. The wet towels and bottles had been passed around in the pits foll owing the 45 minute grind. John said he liked the course and said it was challenging. " 1 was afraid it was going to be dus ty so I wanted to get out front wher e it wouldn't be so bad." He did just that but not with out a good figh t from Mr . Baker. Rich Thorwaldso n was thump ing his Rickman Westlake aio ng in thtrd place in the firs t lap when a spill high up on a r idge on the bac k side of the course dropped him off the side of the hill. " It seemed like it slid down tha t hill a lo ng way before !finally goUt stopped." he said later. Rich' s detour put him back in about 8th or 10th and he was really hauling the mail in his catch up ride that ftnally netted him thtrd behind DeSoto an d Baker. Jim Dawson was sawing along in fourth r ight ahead of John Rice, and Whitey Martin. A few of the almos t 10,00 0 spectator s saw Rich s tir up the dust as they sat on grassy slopes surrounded by the winding course. The crowd gasped as they watched the leaders co me around on the next Iaps, A very steep down hill section was just across the valley from where many of the spectators were bunched and DeSoto made grea t long leaps befo re landing several feet down the face ot the hill. What mos t of the crowd didn 't see was the even longer down hill on the other side of the hill. The des er t riders must have loved that one. The course was spec1a11Y buUt for the event by the Viewfinders and the Bay Mare crew. It had 40methtng for everyone. Downhills, TT tracks, fire roads and lots of motocross style bumps. Al Baker made his lead stick in Saturday's race. in the 250 Exper t event held on Saturday, Al and Jim Wilson fought mile after mUe around the swooping, winding course. Wilson' S Greeves was heard to stutter once in a while and Jim got his share of Yamaha dust while going up the loose powdery h111s. On Sunday the Open class race brought out the nostalgia in everyone. At the drop of the flag a herd ofbtgfour-stroke twins (predominately Triumphs) tore Rldlne a CZ, John DeSoto capped off two days of racine at the Viewfinders GP with a wi n In the 500 5r. class. . around the firs t bend. Al Holley and Doyle Fields came around first on the first loop but Doyle's twin became a single and he wasn't seen again. Then Rick Shirey began a drive from way back in the pack and one by one picked off AMERICAN TIRE SALE $18.95 +f.E. T. SUPER TRACTION Extra Wi de 400x18 Knobby Heavy Duty Casing 4 Ply. This tire ran on #108 360 Bultaco at CMC Motocross Saddleback and pUlled first to top of the hill in 3 out of 3 Mota's with Second Overall Finish 500 Jrs. This tire is on its 6TH Race now and wear factor is Excellent with No Chunk. ing. For the month of April with This AD we will Mount this Tire for Only $L50. - 21" Space AIIDY Rims Ullra L1g11t - Super Strong nese rims .e CDlllpetltl" Proven in Melwen · & Desert hn Bultaco 3&0 " Vamaha 125. New desiga will NDI Pack with Dirt Dr Mud and haYe beautiful ful Pelish Flalsh. Greatly 1mprDYeS Handling by Reducing Front Unsprung 'elgld -IncreasIng Wheel Diameter. Available as Cemplete Wheel Laced " YDur Hub- Includes: 21" Alley Rim - Tire - Tabe Rim Band - $pDtes - Nipples Laced - Trued & Tire Mounted .... "Iy $&9.00 plas tax. AI so available In Steel Rims at $55•.00 plus tax. Accessories & Tuning BarDIII - Vetnama - Caslrll KRUll - Maverick - AkrIlIt Macm - Kletz - T.stR Hall. . - Ledge - Bardahl - NGK 1320 E. Draagetllll1le F.II....., Cal. InCI IIH9!lI , Comlne from behind Rick Shirey class. Will ~ '. the Triumph race oIherwlse known as the Open Expert