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/125680
SAN JOSE, CALIF., July 5,1970- Jim Rice made it two in a row by winning the first of. the Nationals to be held on the West Coast for this year, the AMA 20 Lap National Half-Mile at San Jose. Mounted on a B,S.A., he won this same race last year when he was a first year Expert. Rice clearly showed his suPE!riority and was not to be denied this big win. From the third lap on, after passing fast qua11tier Jimmy Odom, he took command of. the lead. Rice seemed to be able to pull away from the rest of. the field at will, and he was never in danger of. losing the number one position. By the finish of. the race he had a full straightaway lead over second place finisher Jimmy Odom. Some of the bigger names in bike racing couldn't hack it on the narrow groove track. Harley's two big guns, National #1 Mert Lawwill and Mark Brelsford, did not finish high..e,nough in their last. chance in the Seml- Main to qualify for the Main. Brelsford had looked spectacular all day long as he was really backing through the turns, putting on a real display of. sliding. But, this style didn't particularly seem to suit the groove type of. track at San Jose. Mert's engine went off key during the Semi. It hadn't seemed too strong all day long as a matter of. fact. Gary Nixon, twice AMA #1 plater, also didn't make it to the Main. in the first E:xpert heat race Jimmy Odom, riding a Triumph, was the winner. Frank Gillespie, from Mirinda, Callfornia fell in the second turn on the first lap. He was shaken uP a bit, but after a few minutes rest he was up and around. Chuck Palmgren, formerly a Triumph rider, took second on a Yamaha 650. Tom Rockwood, the Ascot Flash, grabbed third to take the last transfer from this heat to the main. The second heat saw DaveAldanapass Lloyd Hochins for the win. Dave Smith and Dallas Baker had quite a duel throughout the race for third with Smith finally taking It. Dick Mann didn't finish high enough in this heat to transfer to the main, Also, last week's winner of the AMA National at Columbus, Dave Sehl, did not finish high to transfer either. Rice simply ran away from everybody to easily take the third heat. Steady Eddie Mulder put on a determined drive to finish second. Dave Hansen came in to get third. La ww1ll and Brelsford ran together during the race but missed transferring to the Main as they finished fourth and fifth. The first heat for the Amateurs saw Tad Sloan lead 'from wire to wire for the win. aill Morgan got uP to finish second after passing Joe Soto on the fifth lap. (Continued on page 10) --. Current AMA National Point leader and this week's big winner, Jim Jim Odom, fastest qualifier, receives congratulations after giving chase to winner Rice, and holding off charges by Chuck Palmgren. _Realfy-getHng' down_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _in the Amateur Main. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _J _ _ _ to it is Rex Beauchamp; second place finisher _ _ _ _