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
GREYHOUNDS STAGE DESERT DOUBLE AT THE PONDEROSA story & Photos by Ron SehDeiders LANCASTER, CALIF., August 2,1970The Ponderosa bas become as much of an insUtution among Southern CalUnrnta motorcycUsts as the rancb of the same name bas among the TV set. It was first beld more than four years ago to test a wUd theory of its promoter, Jack Ross. His theory was that if motorcycllng was to continue to grow, new talent bad to be encouraged. And the best way to encourage new riders was to let them win something. In llDe With this theory be started awarding trophies to 40% of the entrants and tee sbtrts to almost every- . one. He Uned up contingency awards from McHal, Bardabl and Fast. At one point be was even awarding tropbtes to 50% of the entrilnts, but this was economically unworkable. The s1gn1ficance of this becomes ~ parent when you realiZe that most clubs only award 10% trophies in their"point" runs. Thus, a new rider, even one who is improving ~idly, bas nothing to show for it except "points" at the end of a year or two. At the Ponderosa the new rider bas a chance at the same course every month; be can measure his improvement. As soon as be is moderately proficient, be wW win something. UnW that time the refereee consc1enUously tells each t1nisber bow much be bas to improve in order to trophy. "Youm1sSed a trophy by three places," be tells them, or if this is too discouraging, "111 ten minutes.'" U the rider f1n1sb8s b1gb uP, in addiUon to his trophy, be receives a six-pack of Bardabl, a tee sbtrt, some Fast and, if be scores best in his class both days, a $60 McHal belmet. Again to encourage beginners, no one is allowed to win the belmet more than once. Bob Andrei 'gets it on w on one of the few smooth spots on the Ponderosa. TIle course itself is as bad as the organizaUon is good. Four years of continuous use bas made the IO-mUe loop one continuous sertes of almost unbel1eYl1ble whoop-de-doos. The only nriaUoo is a CouPle of short stretches of dirt road. Since the location of the cbecks is known, every Ponderosa regular bas found (or deve~ his own series of short cuts to avoid the worst of the whoap-de-doos. (Some of the "shortcuts"addasmuchas two mUes to the length of the courseI) Mike Johnston on a brand new Super Rat lost third place when it quit less than a mi Ie from the fi ni sh. Only a dedicated masochist could describe riding the Ponderosa as "fun." The excitement of competiUon, bowever, can make one torget (momentarUy) the miserable course. There are only two classes at the Ponderosa; TraUb1ke and Open. No attempt is made to separate nov1ce from expert. The start is by banner, and there is seldom a problem with 1alse starts. This weekend there were 79 entries on Saturday and 96 on Sunday. On Saturda¥ it was Bultaco day as Wes Anderson. Jr. won on his BultacoandJ.Geddesgrabbed second, also on a Bultaco. T. Clodt was third on a Husky. In the Open class the Bultacos lost their grip when Tom Muto on a Husky charged into the lead on ~ two andbeld it Wl thE! end. Wes Anderson, Jr. managed to bold second and thus woo the belmet on comb1Ded scores. Tom Clodt took third. One of the premier attractions of the Ponderosa is the neat restaurant-bargames room rtgbt at the starUng area. '!bat was closed this weekend pending a change of management, but 1 was assured that it wW be back in operation, complete with fresb paint, better food and lower prices, tor the next running of the Ponderosa on September 5 and 6. (Results on page 26) FE PLUSee.lF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR BIKEe FE PLUS FUEL ADDITIVE: -Increases plue II1e J -Delivers hlpr RPM's and more power ·Inereases mlluee ·Makes startlne easier ROSS - 6/28/70 alley. Texas XPERT Gary Bailey - SACHS TOCROSS - 7/4/70 rllnllon, Texas 125 EXPERT lst Gary Bailey - SACHS MOTOCROSS - 7/5/1,0 .' •. Ross Downs, Texas 125 EXPERT lst Gary Bailey - SA"HS ••. ~ I. FE PLUS OILS: ·Reduees pllll lou line .Ellmlnate carbon build up -Culs exhaust lumes -Increases power -Reduces enelne wear INTER·AIl - T/12/70 Seattle, Washlneton 125 EXPERT . 1st Gary Ba lIey - SACHS ass - MOTOCR 7/19'70 McMinnville,' O"eon 125 EXPERT. •• SACH For further product informatien write: SCD/MAR ENTERPRISES INC., 15120 Ventura Blvd., Encino, Calif. 91316