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/125671
~I ~ SMRA CASH DAZZLER FORT WORTH, TEXAS May 3 - Gary t.J Batley of Gardena, Frank Russell of <: Houston and Bently Hardwick of Dallas ~ dazzled the competition and crowd allke U under the big top at Green Valley Races, way while doing their thing In the big U SMRA Cycle Circus. The three ring extravaganza featured motocross races, drag races and road races with over three hundred performers ripping the Sunday calm with a steady explosion of noise and smoke. Cali!ornian Gary Batley set an unassailable pace in the' first laps of the motocross proving to all comers that he had come to get it on by winning 8 of the 9 motos, and placing second in the one he did not win. His near perfect performance netted him a first In the 125, 250 and Open classes. The six foot seven slow walking slow talking Batley was anything but slow in the saddle of his Sachs or Greeves whUe picking his way through the very soUd oak trees. Penton mounted Mike Johnson of Dallas kept Batley honest throughout the 125cc motocross by pushing hard for second whUe learning the rudiments from a champ. Robert Lee the Hodaka roadman for Texas put his brand in the third slot. Following the evasive Batley to second in the 50cc motocross was Anthony Jones of Hurst on a CZ. Placing third was a Fort Worth lad Joe Joiner who looked good on a CZ after a recent shoulder operation. In the open class motocross behind Batley was Dallasite Joe Miller on a Maico and In the third berth was Robbie Blackman (Husky) of Fort Woeth. And after riding for nearly two hours Batley did his balancing act and then it was up the track and back down on the rear wheel of his Greeves to win the wheelstanding contest. Out-of-sight, you bet! When the smoke lifted in the drags Frank Russell of Houston was In the winning lane with his F / G dragster. The House of Wheels sponsored 350cc Yamaha took dragster eliminator and low e.t. of the meet. RunneruP was teammate Charles Schultz on a Triumph. Eddie Hill a one time AA/Fuel pilot turned motorcycle dealer of Wichita Falls took com- petition and stock bike eliminator with a Kawasaki and Honda respectively. J.W. Sherill was runnr-up for comp bike and David Broyles was runner-up for stock bike. the eighty odd drag bikes assembled the iron from House of Wheels had to be the most sanitary. And then it was around the sweeper, down the chute and up the hill as the International Grand Prix road races got underway. Leading the stellar field was Bently Hardwick of Dallas who rides out of his dad's shop Hardwick Cycle Sales. Bently, to date is the high point winner on the SMRA circuit and the third stop didn't hurt his average any as he chalked up two first and a second. This guy has been as strong as jail house coffee all yearlong. Leading the winners in the stock production classes was Mr. SUZuki himself, Tommy Byars of Beaumont who racked up the 250 and 500 class. Second in the 250 was Larry McPhall (Suzuki) of · Richardson followed by Mike Ward (Ya-' mana) of College Station. Virgil Davenport held down second In the 500 on a Triumph with Dallas based Philip Terranella on .KaWlLSll1d third. Bently Hardwick cued a Storm'n Norton on the open stockproduction and went wire to wire on the Ken Storm prepared charger. "Charlie Potatoes" better known as Rusty Bradley pulled second out of the hat on a Trident whUe holding off another Norton pilot Jim Lutz of Fort Worth In spectacular race. Somebody at Norton must have had a better idea. Little Mike Kidd of Hurst and his BuItaco proved to be too much In the 200cc Grand Prix polishing off the "Texas Flea" Johnny Bryant on a Bill Norton prepped Honda from Wichita Falls. It was no surprise when Mike Cone (Yamaha) a product of Sherman, Texas garnered the marbles in the 250cc GP relaxing at times from the !lat-outposition to observe the other troops. Steve Hunt on a three-hanger Kawa from Oklahoma City tangled first with Rusty Bradley and then with Terry Kiraly in the 500cc GP before taking the checkered flag in an exhilarating !1n1sh. The preceding race added to the atmosphere of anticipation as the big bikes or rolled to the starting line with the Open GP bucks in sight. Through the first turn and down the back side it was Bently Hardwick on a Norton, then Rusty Bradley on a Trident, and from behind a tinted face shield emerged J.C. Klusmeyer; but in a couple more laps Rusty and Bennie Campbell the "Wildman" from San Antonio got tangled up with both riders tipping over, however Bennie was able to get up and go again. Bently was able to lead from the first turn for 25 laps glid- I ing by the flagman for first, Bennie Campbell (Yamaha) second and J.C. Klusmeyer (Norton) from Odessa third. The cycle circus returns to the Valley on June 28th with a big Texas vs, California SMRA triple header meet with some of the best riders from both states meeting in a no holds barred contest. If you are interested contact SMRA, 2507 TCU Avenue, San Angelo, Texas or call (915) 949-1030. (Results on page 26) The' Kern County Situation Following the last few weekends several concerned CYCLE NEWS readers have phoned in wanting to know about a reported off-road motorcycle ban in the Bean Canyon and Holiday Hill area of Kern County. Many riders have been turned away from the area by law off1cers who are enforcing existing notrespass laws at the request of property owners. But no new ordinance has been passed, according to the Sheri!!' s Department. The SheriU's Department has asked property owners to post their land if they desire to keep cyclists out and explains that there is unposted ridable land near by. There are miles of desert around that are even more fun to ride through than alfalfa fields. Don't be one of the minority that makes it tough for the rest of us to find a place to ride. . Mr. Pratt, Editor CYCLE NEWS 2499 Cerritos Avenue Long Beach, California 90806 Dear Mr. Pratt: ' We have received your inquiry relative to the area west of Rosamond, California used by motorcycle enthus iasts. . The Kern County Sheriff's Department has received complaints from several landowners and livestock ranchers that persons riding motorcycles are trespassing on private property, are riding through bands of sheep, breaking down fences, and In general causing soil erosion In the area. Numerous complaints are also received reporting shooting violations... We realize that the persons responsible for the damage or complaints are a small minority of the vast numbers of persons using the area. We have instructed the ranchers and other concerned to post their respective property with appropriate signs. We are soliciting your assistance in controlling or policing your Individual members using this area to insure that the rights of the individual landowners are not violated. Yours very truly, (Signed) C.H. DODGE SHERIFF COUNTY OF KERN • HERE'S HOW IT WORKED AT DAYTONA. Keith Mashburn first year expert swept the Short Track event Friday night taking 1st in his heat race, 1st in the Semi, lst in the Trophy .Dash and 1st in the Main Event on his Yamaha 250 Twin. He came back Saturday and repeated his Main Event win over the best in the country. And here are the rest of Yamaha's wins. • 1st 7 out bf 10 in the 100 mile combined light weight race.· • .Yamaha TR2 350cc 4th overall in the 200 mile race (smallest bike in a field of 750's and 500's) • lst in International Match Race • lst in 125cc Sportsman Race • 1st in 250cc Sportsman Race • 1st in Class A medium weight in the Alligator Enduro. • Had 18 out of the first 20 finishers in the 78 mile Novice Race.· ·Yamaha set new track record. FE PLUS just another oil...'til you try it. FE PLUS 2 cycle racing oil is sold only by your local Yamaha Dealer. He's also got new FE PLUS for 4-cycle bikes and new FE PLUS Fuel Additive in tubes.