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/125684
MX, TT ACTION GROWING UP FAST IN ARIZONA en S t.J By Randy D. Bailey PHOENIX, ARIZ., July 26,1970-Artzona motocrossing stepped out of its infancy today; the second Manzanita moto proved it. Mter holding an inaugural race two weeks ago in which only two 250 Experts were able to f1n1sh because of deep mud, today's ra<;e at Manzanita Speedway came off dustier, but better. The most hotly contested class of the day was the Open Expert. State TT champion, Byron Boaz on a CZ, jumped to the lead in the first turn followed by Paul Neime on a Malco and l3-year old Gary Wells on a Bultaco. Nelme held his position behind the state champ while Wells trTed to make his move. Unfortunately, Wells made his move at the wrong spot and got stuck in the mudhole. In the second Open moto, Nelme beat Boaz Into the first turn and opened a five-second lead by the second laP. Sitting solidly in third place was Jim Page on a Maico waiting for the leaders to make a mistake. By lap three the unspectacular but suPer-smooth Page had slipped within one-tenth second of Boaz, and held the spot t1ll the checker. In the last Open Expert moto, Boaz out-dragged Nieme into the first turn. Following the Malco was Gary Wells' Bultaco and then Page on his Maleo. Nearing the start/finish, Wells pulled out to get around Nieme, but instead he • got stuck in the mud again letting Page into third spot as before. Neime couldn't catch Boaz, as the llO-degree heat began to sap his strength. Boaz took the checker for first in class followed by Neime and smooth Page. The big surprise of the day was in the 250 Expert class. MOOr taking the lead at the start of the first moto, CZ mounted Boaz began having serious engine problems on lap three. Bryan Ross on a quick AJS eased by Boaz, but Butch Beard on a 238 KawasaId couldn't get by Boaz before the checker. Because of the engine problems and heat, Boaz decided to confine his effort to the Open Expert class. In the second 250 Expert moto, Ross' Ajay grabbed the lead at the start from Beard who jumped the starter's flag for the second time in the day. Behind Beard was Bob Morgan on a 250 American By Birdie Bonine :<: t.J d Eagle. The positions were held till the third lap .when the most serious spill of the day occurred. Morgan, being dogged by Brian La Plante on a Bultaco, lost it coming into the mudhole. Morgan fell into LaPlante's line and got "centerpunched" hard. Both riders, although shaken, were able to make the grid for the flnal moto. In the flnal mota, Morgan jumped into the lead, but was quickly passed by Beard on his Kawasald. But, by the third lap AJS mounted Ross had taken the lead and held it to the finish followed by Beard and Neime. Ross earned the class win followed by Beard and LaPlante. In the combined JuniorISenior 125 class Frank Frucianao, a Junior, surprised everyone by chasing Senior Ron Cobb to the checkered. taking the win by less than a foot. Cobb, evidently figuring tliat he had _the . race in the bag, eased off at the finish, allowing Fruciano to tear by him for the win. In the second 125 moto, Cobb took the lead again but Fruclano, figuring that waiting t1ll the last lap to make his move was a bit dangerous, got by Cobb on the third lap. Don Buletta, another Junior, slipped by Cobb also and took a well earned second. It appears that motocrossing has finally come to Arizona to stay. The management of Manzanita Speedway plans to hold motos twice monthly, alternating with the Beardsley course. (Results on page 26) PHOENIX, ARIZONA, July 24, 1970 TT races matched the weather. Nerves ;:.., seemed to be more tensed than usual, U riders more' aware of the dangers. Things really got uP tight when the bJg tangle in the Open Expert heat race occurred. Bikes and riders were flying everywhere trying to avoid Butch Beard who had crashed on his Bighorn in the start of the race. An unidentified rider who started the chain reaction came out all right but three other riders were taken away in the ambulance. Beard must have nine lives to match his number 9x and surely two or three of them were used uP in the fall he took. How he came out of that one with only a few scratches no one knows. But you can bet he was sore on Saturday morning. As for the three riders who were hurt badly, we hope it wasn't too serioUs and hope to see all of them back in the race soon. Speaking of back in the race, Butch's Kawasaki was really a mess after that tumble, but he was racing again by the time the Open Expert Main rolled around. His pit crew worked d1l1gently to get the Bighorn in shape and even drove back to Valley Kawasald, Beard'S sponsoring shop, to get a new wheel and other parts. There Was another hassle in the 250 Novice Main when a rider fell at the start and officials at the first jump began waving the red flags. Some of the racers who lost front positions because they slOWed down weren't too haPPY. Bill Strauss won the race with Larry Majors, point leader, coming close for second and Bill Blackwell third. The Halford brothers got back in front in the 250 Expert division with JIm Halford setting the pace on his 250 Yamaha.. Tom Halford got second on his Bultaco and l3-year-old Gary Wells took third. Wells, who usually dominates that class, just wasn't uP to par but fans seem sure that he'll be back uP there next week. (Results on page 26) RIDERS DRAINED IN MX Cool ocean breezes with the sun playing peek-a-boo greeted well over 130 enthusiastic riders including Brad Brown (8) and Dwight Wordon (TM), first and third place finishers in the 250 Expert motos at the third Sunday Motocross at Huntir1..Qton Beach Cycle Park. Ten minute motos on the new mile and a quarter course had all the riders tired out at day's end forfeiting their usual scratch main. Speculation over Lloyd Quintard's constant winning (he is HRA high-point man) is that success. is due to his si Iver-tai led helmet--but don't believe it. The real inside secret is his chewing gum! His cOl1l)etitors are trying to ban the bubble gum at HRA events! With only one rider down but not hurt and one rider out of four receiving trophies •.• that's a good day's racinjl. Photo and report by Phi I Carpenter. (See results, page 26.) • Western Distributor: Cooper Motors, 110 E. santa Anita Ave., Burbank, Ca. 91502 ,