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/125687
4etteM ?~ ~et44 z,4'UUit Cycle News 2499 ~erritos Ave. Long -qeach, 03,lifornia 90806 ~., I CJ. it, figuring I could learn a lot from association. I did learn much, but was plagued by flukey bike troubles throughout the series and was never in contention at the end for "Top-~merican" placing. After the series I continued to race at local California events in preparation for my return to Europe in 1970. Cheri went back to work, and I>vorked sporadically (definition: whenever I absolutely nad to!). After the Inter-Ams I was contacted by Kim Kimball of the American Moto-Cross Team and asked to Captain the team in Europe. I agreed and the SMXT sent me to Europe for this season. They paid for air fare, and Kim is working hard to try to make it a real team, complete with vans, mechanics, manager, etc. Once again in Europe, we weren't so out of place as we had been the previous year. We knew how. to do things. We were also pleasantly surprised at the mountain of mail we had waiting for us with contract offer. That really made a difference. This year we have not once had to scrimp to get by. We don't exactly live like kings but we are ~ .~... , -., ,"J _L} \ " - - _ /J U.S.A. We have now spent two years in Europe racing motocross, living, learning, and having a very good time of it. This season is nearly finished, and Cheri and I are looking forward to coming home. I want to write this letter to briefly summarize. our stay here, and to thank all the people who have helped to make these past two years possible. InI969, after a great deal of thought, and much soul-searching, I decided to make (or try to make) a living out of racing motocross. The thought and soul-searching concerned the fact that I had to give up an extremely lucrative job, and part from family, friends, and familiar surroundings to take up residence in Europe. My decision was greatly influenced by the onslaught of the European riders appearing in the U.S. Cheri and I joined a travel club to find "low-budget" passage to Europe, and saved money like mad for months. In January of 1969 we embarked on our adventure py flying to London. Once in England we were assisted by Dave Bickers, who is one of the best people anyone could know. Through him, I purchased a car and a house trailer and received much needed advice. From England we travelled to Sweden and to the Husqvarna factory. Here I was treated with overflowing hospitality and friendliness. My sponsor, Mr. Edison Dye, had arranged a new bike and spare parts fo~ me for the 1969 season. Mr. Dye was largely responsible for my going to Europe. He. has been extremely equitable with me, both in the United States and abroad, and I want to thank him for his continued support, and for providing me with the ' top-class machinery which is necessary for good results. From the_ Husqvarna factory we travelled back to our base in Belgium and spread out from there, journeying to many countries during the course of 1969. The first year was apprenticeship for me. No one knew me and it was sometimes difficult to get a contract to race. Toward the end of the year I had improved enough to' make some consistent good results, and because of that I was 'offered a few contracts for 1970. We returned by another charter flight in September 1969 in time for the Inter-Am series. Mr. Dye offered me a chance to travel with the Husqvarna Team across the States, and I jumped at ~ enjoying this life immensely. We have travelled 70,000 miles to races this year, and we will do a bIt more before we comes home. This year I have finished in the top 6 places in every race I have entered, except for the Grand Prix events. My best placing in a GP was 13th at the Italian 250cc round. My_ best performances in International meetings are two second over-all places. Here I would like to add another heap of thanks, this time directed to Chuck Curnutt who invented, tested, and developed the Curnutt shock absorber. I have used his units for about two and a half years now, and I will say that they have contributed as much to my good results on the rougher European circuits, as any other single factor. At this point I would like to thank a few people .as they come to mind. I want to thank Cycle News and especially Chuck and Sharon Clayton for their help, and also for their contribution to the advancement of motorcyCle sport in general. Thanks to Tracey at Traceys Cycle for his support and mountain of helpful info, Daytona helmets for supplying me with super headgear, Gunnar Lindstrom for hIS Swedish hospitality and for the riding instruction he gave me, Morris Alpern who publishes MotorCycle World, Jack Krizman of Filtron Filters, Walt Olsen of North American Imports who supplied me with Akront rims, and to the many riders, friends and enthusiasts who took the time to drop us a letter. Really special thanks go to my father who came over this year to help me out as mecnanic during our travels, giving up a lot of comfort to live in a tiny caravan just as we do. I have just four more races to go here at the time I'm writing this, then we board a boat for home. That's. right, a boat. I'm brining my car home this year, and Cheri and I would like to rest a little from our "vacation" in Europe. RUSS DARNELL Caveman Riders M. C. INC. Presents 9'" "ANNUAL OREGON STATE CHA-MPION.SHIP MOTORCYCLE T. T. -SCRAMBLES Josephine County Fairgrounds Silver City Scramblers GIANTS "ASS, OIEGON SEPT. 12 th MEMOR.IAL CLASSIC OUT OF STATE RIDERS .VJrUJr $1,OOOM WELCOME PURSE GUlilANTEED PLUS CHAMPION SIZE TROPHIES INFORMATION CENTER AT FAIRGROUNDS CLASSES ·KIDS -12Scc 200cc -:- 2S0cc- SOO OPEN and SIDF,ltAR General Admission $3.00 Pit Passes $4.00 -Sunrise Speedway Las Vegas, Nevada Sign up: 9:00 AM Practice: 10:00 AM Race: 11:00 AM Gate admission: $1.00 Sign up: $2.50 Information: Gary Jol1nson Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce directions: 2 miles east of Nellis Blvd. on Vegas Drive Riders Entry $S.OO Il.lIL TO: C!VEIl.lN RIDERS II.C. INC. 241 ROGUE RIVER HWY. GRANTS PASS, OHE. 97526 SEPERATE BIKE & ENTRY FEE REQUIRED FOR EACH CLASS ENTERED --------------------------~ •• PRE-ENTRY FORM IF 1I0RE THAN ONE ENTRY DUPLICATE FORM NAIIE, _ ADDRESS, CITY & _ STATE _ 1I0TORCYCLE S IZE. RIDING NUllBER, AIIOUNT ENCLOSED _ _ $ SIGN IN FRIDAY 6-9 P.II. SATURDAY 9-12 NOON PRACTICE, 10-12 NOON . HEAT RACES: 12-)0 P.M. IIAIN EVENTS: 7:)0 P.M. "EACH PRE-ENTRY RECEIVED BEFORE SEPT. 10th WILL RECEIVE TWO FREE TIC~ETS TO AFTER RACE PARTY. TICKETS AT-ooGR $1.00. _ SPONSOR PROGRAM OF EVENTS _ FREE REFRESHMENTS & LIVE BAND ANYONE UNABLE TO ATTEND HEAT RACES. CAN SIGN UP TO RIDE IN LOWEST MAIN AND ADVANCE • $2.50 ENTRY FEE _ TROPH[ES ONLI (702) 737-4664 -------------- --------------- _______. =.1 ,