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/125681
~MIKKOLA By Bob Sanford PUYALLUP, WASH. July 12, 1970- The word "dust" took on exasperating new meaning today, as a black vo1ean1c ash UteraUy inundated the nearly 1500 riders and spectators who were on handfor the th1rd event in the Ed1son Dye sponsored, ACA sanctioned, Viking Series. Held on land adjoining popular Gra- I bam Speedway, the course bore little resemblance to the better - or even med10cre - motocross sites in Europe, New England or Southern CaUfornia. Never Uie less, Husqvarna factory rider, Helkki Mikkola managed to wade his way around the SUPer short, suPer flat deluge of grit at the fastest, most consistent clip, for his third overall 250Cc international victory of the series. Mikkola, currently number six in 250Cc World Motocross ChampionshiP standings, parlayed a first place in the initial go and a second place in the second and final round into the victory. · REPEATS IN NORTH American CZ rider, John DeSoto,riding one of his best races ever, grabbed a surprising third place in the second 250Cc international mote, as well as fourth overall and top American finisher. DeSoto finished the day ahead of Europeans Hakaan Anderson, who finished ftfth overall, as well as Jlri Stodulka, Karel Konecny and Torlief Hansen (ACA rules require completion of all motes for a position in the overall stand1ngs). Northern CaUfornia Husqvarna hot.shot, Bob Grossi, somewhat off form in the first moto, came back strong in the second go for a sixth place overall, second American, finish. Luck was with M1kko1a Sunday, as Torlief Hansen broke his chain and dropped out of the first race, after building a sizeable lead in the 30 minute event. And Lady Luck d1dn't stop there, either. Mikkola seized his engine just as he got the first moto checkered flag. The bike was repaired for the second ThiS IS how an Ameracan Journalist talks to a Finnish motocross rader over a glass of cognac after a hard day of racing. It now seems certain - at least, reasonably certain - that Heikki Mikkola has a wife and child living in Hybrinkaa, Finland. Also, he now knows how to say "you are welcome" in English. Mikkola and his wife are both top snowmobile riders during the off season (or maybe he said they were in show business). Heikki has vowed to learn Engl ish before next year's Viki ng series so that there wi II be no "prooblem. " Heikki Mikkola replaces piston after seizing in first moto as he received the checkered. Going on to win the third in as many events in the Viking series. Tarlief Hansen broke his chain whi Ie leading in first moto and ran a~ay with the second moto. Owing to scoring system you won't find Torlief in results as you must finish in all motos. A relaxed John DeSoto reaches to adjust newly acquired "Rock Catcher". Of note is the caliDused hand of a professional motocross star. moto, where Mikkola finished behind a suPer fast Hansen, . Bob Maynard journeyed north from his Southern CaUfornia home to grab a Malco victory in the 500Cc Jr,/Sr. go, while Dan Brecht powered home his Bultaco in the 250Cc Jr '/Sr. class. Rick Norris, who last week became the first Junior rider to sign a contract with American Jawa (CZ), turned in a cred1table per_ formance in the second 500Cc moto, after a very bad first mote, first turn crasb. Roving motocross professor, Gary Bailey made his first West Coast appearance in a couple of months, taIdng an easy victory in the 125cc Jr,/Sr, event. Bailey, who has been conducting motocross schools across the country, is expected to arrive at his Carson, CaUfornia home in about two weeks. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, although there was a rasb of fender-bender, elbow-scrapers resulting mainly from the dust induced poor visabWty. Karel Konecny d1d a spectacular endo on the front straight away, but apparently man and machine were only shaken UP. • It is d1ff1cult to atf1x the blame for the poor racing cond1tillllS, as those involved d1d want and, in tact, try very hard to put on a good event. But the critical point remains that this was one of the poorest motoc r 0 s e s involving high-calibre racers ever staged in the United States. Hopefully, for the riders, spectators, and the future of the sport, this will not happen agaJ.n. The Vildng Series continues next Sunday at Alcorn, Wisconsin, where local Experts will have their day to compete with the European stars, as well as the likes of John De Soto and Bob Grossi. (Results on page 22)