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
7 JUMPS, 2 TURNS AND A SU.RPRISE : '" r..J By Tom Dilllng ARCATA, CALIF. May 31, 1970 - The ~ half-mile course at the Lets Cockpit :5 Drive-In, five miles north of Arcata, features seven jumps, two barrel roll ;:..., turns and one surprise. This is what U the radio told us. The surprise turned out to be course change and a pit [urnp, The pit jump had the record number of entries into a sharp left as soon as they hit the ground. The M1n1s opened the afternoon of racing with hand-on-helmet starts. Sure most of them have automatic clutches but have you ever seen a more serious bunch on the tine? The Beginners class was a cake-walk for Lonnie Foster (Yam) of Arcata. Lonnie ran off and hid from everyone on the first couple of laps of each ten-lap moto . Dennis Axelson from Fortuna pulled three seconds with his Yamaha for second overall. In the 0-100 class, Larry Johnson ended up with first place, after enlightening the scorers and trading trophies with U a E.V. Long, who tied with Jim (Super Rat) Ryan of Eureka·for second. Jim McConnell of Arcata took three first with his Sachs in the 125 bunch. It was easy to tell when each 125 heat was over: (1) by the checkered flag of flagman Gary Payne, and (2) by the huge grin on McConnell's face. The 250' s were split into two groups due to the large number of entries. The first bunch went at it tooth-and-naU for thirty laps, with almost all of the front runners crashing hard at least once. During the day, Expert Brian Lee (Yamaha MX) carved his way through after a low side to take first overall. Greg Barnes toOk second after a low side and a cloud of dust on the sweeper trying to get by Dave (Big Foot) Jackson. Jackson blew his C.Z. in practice, borrowed a PurSang and ended up third overall. He got his when he got his leg in between the brake cable and the front fork while trying to get his foot out for the righthand sweeper. He must have liked the Bul, as he went down the next day and bought a 1970 Bultaco Type E. But don't tell his Two Wheelers Host Cal. Expo Opener By Clara Gutierrez CAL EXPO, May 3, 1970 - The Sacramento Two Wheelers M.C. played host to the 1970 season's opener for Sportsman Short Track racing. Among the array of impressive motorcycle racers, there were 157 of Northern California's best short trackers,onhand for a 30 event program. A JAP exhibition at intermission put on by Ralph Waldman, Jim Rodaer and Carl Cranke, added to the excitement of the day. In the 250cc Novice class Pat (Kaw) captured the Al of Santa R d exan er osa, win, after being pressured all the way by Sacramento's Chris (Suz) Reams. Orangevale's Carl (Bul) Cranke, made a clean sweep of the 200cc Expert"class. In the first turn three of the 250 Expert hot shoes went down, with Sacramento's Jim (Yam) Rodaer, being shaken up a bit. Jim decided it was just to damn h0, to be laying aroun d on th erace track t so he got up and said, "LET'S RACE" . The battle was on and Paul, canbeproud of, for in hot pursuit were, Mike (Yam) Corcoran, Jim (Bul) Crenshaw, John (Bul) Green, Bob (Yam) Vaughan, and Gary (Bul) Lozano. The Sacramento Two Wheelers M.C. will host another Short Track race, at Cal Expo on May 16, Saturday night. Slgn ' ups and practice 6-7:30 pm, Race starts 8:00 p.rn, (Results on page 26) wife . The race to the flag between Barnes and Jackson in the last heat resulted in the spectacular of the day. Barnes collided with a machine being pushed to the tine for the next heat. The Montesa of Mike Gullett ended up in two large and many small pieces, as the front end was torn completely off. This horrible-looking accident had Barnes dazed and an ambulance ride for Gullett. The most amazing thing of all was that Mike was released from the hospital the same night with leg cuts and bruises. The second 250 group was much more docile with Clarence Oliver of Crescent City winning all three on his Yamaha. The Open class had Ray Crivello .(Hus) of Eureka first. Crivello survived a "Chinese fire drill" pit stop to puthis carb back together during one heat. Eureka motorcycle dealer Richard Miller took second aboard his C.Z . (Results on page 26) 1400 Acres, All For Bikes By Dave Loop LIVERMORE, CALIF. - Any motorcyclist you talk to these days will tell you one of the biggest problems facing dirt riders Is finding a place to ride. Suburbia Is pushing Its way Into the country, and most people who live in fringe areas are less than enthusiastic about having noisy bikes nearby. As a result of public pressure, bike riders have watched riding spots after riding spot disappear forever . Clyde Reaves of Pleasanton watched the problem grow over the years. Then he did something about it. Clyde joined with 20 fellow motorcyclists and businessmen to buy 1400 aces of land just off of Corral Hollow Road near Livermore. The Park opened last December after busy crews had manicured the numerous trails and access roads. Riders had used this spot before, but it had never been fixed up like this. The first thingthatimpressesavisttor to Carnegie Park is its size. The place just seems to go on and on, and most of the land is grassy and relatively dustfree. There Is a variety of terrain for riders to cover, and happily, there are enough trees allover the place providing a shady place to rest. I · k On the lower levels a scramb es trac has been cut, and the first of several motocross courses has just been completed. Out back, there are numerous "section~" that should prove popular with the trials riders and fans whoseem to f11l Northern California. Perhaps the happiest of the lot will be the weekend traU rider who just likes to ride through pretty countryside at his leisure. There are miles and miles of trails In the park, and the scenery is just great. In short, ·Carnegie Cycle Park should be just the ticket for many of the recreati onal motorcyclists In Northern Cali fornia who want to have maximum fun with mintmum hassle. The park is open for riding every weekend, with admission set at $2.50 per bike. 91 Happy Souls I n The Valley • By Edna Conway REDDING, CAL. May 3, 1970 - Ninety one riders turned outfor the Happy Valley scrambles this afternoon. Manfred Heyrend (Yam) won both the heat and main in the 250Amateur-Expert. Tom Whit rode his BSA to victory tn the 350-500 race, with Charlie Papejoy (AE) second. . Charlie Stewart (Tr1), coming all the way from Reno, Nevada won the heavyweight class. (Results on page 26) COMPARE on t~a Watch this space next week. Your exclusive local lonlesa Sbe listed here for your convenience. Montesa Motors, Inc. I 3657 Beverly B o u l e v a r d UUDJIUUUlSIJllIIIJlltlllllll.uuuu.amuu:i:!Iil-aiuau.J...L • r .