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/125673
~I HOLBERT WINS -AUSTIN SPECTACULAR r.J Z r.J By Brooks Toland -J ~ AUSTIN, TEXAS, May 17,1970- It was U a spectacular afternoon at Austin Mote- cross Park, with a crowd of over a . thousand watching John DeSoto from California compete against two local boys, Robi Holbert and Jackie 0' Leary. In the first 250cc Senior heat, DeSoto beat everyone off the line and rounded the first turn with O'Leary hot on his heels. But O'Leary went down, putting him back to fourth, and DeSoto fell, putting him back to eighth place. The first heat race flnlshedwithRoblHolbert (CZ) of Austin In first place, Jackie O'Leary (Yamaha) In second, and DeSoto (CZ) In third. In the l25cc class, lItUe M1ke Johnsonfrom Fort Worth on a new Penton tore the track UP. Mike placed !lrst In the !lrst and third heals, giving him the first place trophy, while Carlos Ramirez and Bill Kasson followed close behind. The Open class race proved to be a runaway, with Doug Parks (CZ) pulling steadily through all three heats to take first place. Kenny Wilson, who took third • overall, gave him a lItUe trouble In the first and second heat, but Doug managed I to take the trophy from Harry S1kes and Kenny. Back in the 250 class with John DeSoto, Robl Holbert, and Jackie O'Leary••• DeSoto got a weak start in the second heat and O'Leary pulled ahead of him in the first lap, with Rohl following In third place. DeSoto fell once In this heat, and O'Leary crashed In the creek where throtUe trouble kept him from finishing the heat. . ThIrd heat in the 250 class was the most exciting, with DeSoto pushed by O'Leary all the way. DeSoto finally !lnlshed first, withO'Learyclosebeli1nd, Bennie Campbell rrom San Antonio In third andHolbertlnfourth.Flna1analysls In the 250cc races was Robl Holbert placing first overall, John DeSoto placIng second, David DIsmukes, an Austin rider on a CZ, In third. John DeSoto placing second was not the end of the surprises, though. ~ter the races were finished, Douglass Parks, co-sponsor of the Texas Championship series race, unloaded free beer fro the crowd and provided a tree rock band. Quite an eventful day at Austin Motocross Park! (Results on page 31) Caravans Aid Greeves Championship Bid Two of Britain's top Scrambles riders have lett Britain 'on the first leg of a l2-nation, lO,OOO-mile caravan trip through Europe. . Their tour, which will take them right across Europe to East Germany and the USSR, will be no holiday. Bryan Wade and Vic Allan, both works riders for Greeves, are out to capture for Britain the 1970 World Motocross championship tiUe. Both riders will be taking their machines with them on their five-month Journey through Europe In speclally!ltled Ford Transit vans. And each will be towing a new 1970 Sprite '400' fourberth camp trailer which will serve as their mobile base and home throughout their respective tours. The two trailers or caravans, which Incorporate a number of new features, have been loaned to the Greeves team for experimental purposes by Sprite Caravans, Britain's leading caravan manufacturer. From the resulls of the two riders' 10,OOO-mile tows Sprite hope to learn a number of important lessons about caravan construction and durabWty. Commented a Sprite spokesman: "These boys will be driving over a vast assortment of roads, including some of the worst in Europe, and will certaln1y not be treating the vans as kindly as the average caravan holldaymaker. Bryan Wade Is the winner of the 1969 British Motocross Championship and Is . 23. Bryan started scrambling at school with the aid of a very understanding headmaster (Is now the owner of a restaurant In Na1lsworth, Gloucester called the "Wade-Inn"), and has been supported by Greeves since 1967. RecenUy it was confirmed that he Is the winner of the 250cc Award In the 1969/ 70 I.T.V. "World of Sport" Scrambles Championship. . Vic Allan hails from bonnie Scotland and Is 24. He was runner up In the 1969 500cc Motocross Championship, and has been Scottish Scrambles Champion. Vic came down South three years ago to get more experience and when he is not away scrambling, works at Comerfords, the . well known motorcycle dealers at Thames Ditton, Surrey. It has just been announced that Vic Is the Joint winner with John Banks of the I.T.V. World of Sport Scrambles Championship. BU! Brooker, Greeves Competition Manager will be travelling with Bryan Wade, and Vic Allan will be accompanied by Ray Taylor of our Development Department. The Greeves "Gr!fions" were designed and developed by a team under the direction of our Engineering DIrector, John L. RallIng, who will, naturally, be keeping a fatherly eye on the preparation of the b1kes carried out by our Competition and Development Departments. LUBE TO WIN Robi Holbert kept his CZ crossed up in the air most of the day. It paid oil and he got a big win. Photo by Gerald Hill. FOOT SHIFT CONVERSION KIT FOR YAMAHA DT-I0FFERED WITH NPG At Your Motorcycle Dealer N P G LUBRICANTS P.O. BOI 2031 MISSION VIEJO, CALIf. f A new precision kit that will convert the ,Ya maha DT-1 foot shift lever from the left side of the motorcycle to the right side has been added to the selection of quality parts and accessories available at Webco dealers throughout the · United States and Canada. The new unit Is made from hardened steel and was designed to !It the DT-l Yamaha without the use of any special tools 'Or extensive modl!ications. As durable as It Is functional, the new shift conversion kit Is a welcome accessory to riders more familiar with British or European right side shift levers. Now available through the network of Webco dealers, the new shift conversion kit carries a Webco part number of #1533 and a retail price of $16.95.